BENEATH THE SKY – WHAT DEMONS DO TO SAINTS (Victory Records)
Upon first listening, What Demons Do To Saints sounds like a pretty decent metalcore/ hardcore album. But upon closer inspection you will realize that they are nothing but a bunch of Jesus loving douche bags. Every single song on this album is either about their “lord and savior” or suicide. Still if you can manage to tune out the bible crap (which isn’t difficult because the lyrics are nearly indecipherable) you just may like what you hear.
RATING: THREE STARS
BLESS THE FALL – HIS LAST WALK (Science Records)
Surprisingly enough… I did not hate this album.
RATING: FOUR STARS
BOTTOM OF THE HUDSON- FANTASTIC HAWK (Absolutely Kosher Records)
Holy crap do I love songs with hand claps! On a road trip? Sun shining, windows rolled down, wind blowing in your hair? Driving thru the mountains? Sweet doobie in your hand? This should be the CD in your stereo at this moment. Chill… super chill.
RATING: THREE STARS
CEPHALIC CARNAGE – XENOSAPIEN (Relapse Records)
Brutal.
RATING: FOUR STARS
HOPESFALL- MAGNETIC NORTH (Trustkill Records)
This CD sucks balls.
RATING: ZERO STARS
POISON THE WELL – VERSIONS (Ferret Music)
Never, since the heyday of Atari Teenage Riot (if they actually had one) have I experienced a more seizure-inducing first track in my life, other than that it was fairly unmemorable.
RATING: TWO STARS
SOCIETIES PARASITES – SOCIETIES PARASITES (Hellcat Records)
If you’re an anger-ridden, face beating, bottle throwing, tire slashing, skull crushing, fist pumping maniac and find yourself looking for yet another excuse to be pissed off, this is the band for you! This album basically consists of complete, utter disgust for everything and everyone… And random “bitchin” guitar riffs.
RATING: THREE STARS
TIGER ARMY- MUSIC FROM RELIGIOUS BEYOND (Hellcat Records)
It looks like someone gave Tiger Army some dance beats for Christmas! This is the first album from Tiger Army that has not been produced solely by dreamy front man Nick 13, instead they chose to partner with the producer of Morrisey, Rancid, and recent AFI albums; Jerry Finn. Over the last decade Tiger Army has redefined American psychobilly and they continue to do so. Though Music From the Religious Beyond seems to lack the “umph” and grit of the previous three albums, it does not lack the heart and conviction that has defined this band and made many love them over the years. The things that made you fall in love with Tiger Army are still there, at points transformed and evolved, but still present… along with guest vocals from AFI’s Davey Havok. So how would I sum up this album? Progressive, soulful, darkly romantic, inventive, buzzing with power (of moonlite), beautiful.
RATING: FOUR STARS
VITAL REMAINS – ICONS OF EVIL (Century Media Records)
The cover art of this album (depicting Jesus in a bloody pile being nailed to the cross by a larger than life hammer bearing the mark of the beast) pretty accurately describes what you get, a massively metal album by three guys who may seriously be the fucking devil. This one is guaranteed to make your mother cry, or throw up… amazing.
RATING: FOUR STARS