Death Won't Wait (http://deathwontwait.wordpress.com)

A good friend of mine Reggie put together a new blog, you all should go check it out. He always has some good stuff to say and talk about. Also, I beleive he is going to put out some records/tapes in the near future so be on the lookout for that! Support DIY Punk and Hardcore.

http://deathwontwait.wordpress.com
http://deathwontwait.wordpress.com
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Reviews /// End of Summer Edition

I've been staying pretty busy this summer with a lot of stuff that doesn't involve the zine actually, but now that things are starting to slow down I have been finding time to do up reviews and what not. After all who wants to be cooped up inside all day when its 90-100 degrees outside? Below are some records that came out over the last several months, some are very new and others have been sitting on the shelves for some time but here they are anyways.

Bitter End - Guilty As Charged August 3, 2010 | Deathwish Inc.
There really are no clever words or phrases to start off this review that can hold true to how amazing this LP actually is so I'm not even going to try. "Guilty As Charged" has without a doubt proven that Bitter End have spent a great deal of time crafting their sound rather than focusing on an image, and its shown because this is without a doubt one of the best full lengths to come out of 2010. Unlike their previous LP this starts off hard and fast with the opening track "Corrupted Souls". The song structures are not nearly as lengthy as some of their songs have been in the past so this record simply kicks right in the second you hit play. The following four tracks are just as fast and don't let up really until "Unjust", which starts off with the same upbeat tempo but cuts into a clean guitar melody being carried out by bongos and other percussive instruments. Another element that you wouldn't normally have in a typical hardcore record would be an acoustic instrumental track that basically resembles an anthem for the state of Texas. From that point on the overall feel of the album changes, the first half is really fast paced and in your face and the second is more mid tempo and melodic (not to be mistaken as "melodic hardcore"). Some of my favorite tracks on the second side of the record are the last three: "Broken", "Victims", and "Immortalized". The song "Broken" kicks in with this slow guitar part that reminds me a lot of Machine Heads "Davidian". The backup vocals towards the middle of the song are so intense and thick that it really breaks up the song. "Guilty As Charged" was long overdue for this Texas hardcore outfit but all in all it was worth the wait. Too many bands rush into writing a full length and it often ends up showing but that is not the case with Bitter End. The music shows that they spent a lot of time writing and recording and more bands need to start recognizing that and open their eyes more to new influences.

Black Breath - Heavy Breathing March 2010 | Southern Lord
I don't know where this band came from out of the blue but for the past few months they are all that I've been hearing about. I had never heard these guys since listening to this LP but I can assure you that this was enough to make my ears bleed and my head spin. Believe me when I say that this is a damn good metal record. From beginning to end the riffs don't stop and neither does the head banging, and it leaves me to wonder if there are any metal bands lately that can accomplish that. Having only done one EP prior to this that resembles a more punk/d-beat sound(from ashes rise, disfear), Black Breath take that style and evolve it into much more; gaining influence from bands like Entombed, Kreator, Bathory, and Celtic Frost. With that said you get a black metal, d-beat punk hybrid. I'm obviously aware that they aren't the only band playing this style but they do add a sense of flavor to it that I don't think other bands are bringing to the table these days. If you are familiar with the Deathwish catalog at all then you will know by listening to this that it was recorded by Kurt Ballou (Converge) at Godcity Studios in Boston. There is a definite Entombed vibe going on with the production of this album and it often becomes indistinguishable at times, especially on the track "I Am Beyond". Despite the fact that the first few seconds of the opening riff is "Wolverine Blues" they do take it a bit further and the entire song is just a straight headbanger. Just in case you thought the song couldn't get any heavier wait until you listen towards the end of that song and everything you have ever known or heard about a breakdown becomes irrelevant information. I swear Black Breath reinvented the wheel on this one because they took a simple beat and made it something so much more. If you listen to that end breakdown and something surrounding you is not destroyed afterwords than there is something wrong with you, and ill leave it at that. The entire rest of the album keeps right with the pace of the first few songs. Some other great tracks to check out would be "Heavy Breathing", "Wewhocannotbenamed", "Children of the Horn", "Fallen", and the opening track "Black Sin (Spit On The Cross)". For this being the first Black Breath album that I have heard, I can say that I was overly impressed and I really haven't stop listening to this since I picked it up. Usually it takes a week or two until it gets old but not this time around. If for some some reason your still uncertain on how you feel about this band, just imagine what it would have sounded like if Entombed recorded a Motorhead album, minus the mutton chops.

Cruel Hand - Lock & Key July 27, 2010 | Bridge 9
This has been a long and overdue record for the guys in Cruel Hand, seeing as how they have been touring nonstop for the past two years on their previous record "Prying Eyes". To be honest with you when I first gave this a spin I was not into it at all, I immediately felt like the recording was a step down from their prior doings. I liked the songs and felt like they had great groove but for some reason to me there are a lot of sonic differences in comparison to "Prying Eyes". So I decided to hold off on listening to this record for a few weeks and finally I came back for another listen, and I can now see what they were really going for with this album. Its a lot more raw and striped down with guitar riffs resemble more of Obituary and Metallica than No Warning. Obviously the "Cruel Hand" sound is relevant but they just stepped their game up and decided to go all the way on this one, and it worked. I always saw this band going towards a somewhat new direction but I never thought it would be this simple, I figured they were going to go the route Iron Age did and write 11 minute metallic worship anthems. The drumming on this is different and tasteful as well. I believe Nate (originally on guitar) switched over to do drums on this recording and the difference is noticeable but not at all terrible. His playing is more straight forward and flows nicely with these songs, but I do wonder what this would have sounded like with their old drummer playing. Some of the more dominant songs off of this would be "Broken Glass", "One Cold Face", "Labryinth" and "Cruel Hand".  Another unique characteristic with "Lock & Key" is that Chris (vocals), throws in some James Heatflied singing parts in a few of these songs from time to time which really breaks things up a bit. I have to say that I'm glad I gave this record some time before I reviewed it. I think Cruel Hand played their cards right on this one by changing things up a bit, but I do think that they could have gotten a little more creative with the song structures. All in all though this is something I would expect Cruel Hand to do, its different but not totally outside the box and if you have been into their material from the beginning you will not be disappointed.

Diamond - Demo 2010 Digital EP | Self Released
This demo just recently popped up around the internet a few weeks ago and let me tell you it just might be my favorite release of the year. With two of the members being from Baltimore's Trapped Under Ice I couldn't help but expect this to be a hardcore or punk band, but I was surely mistaken. The first song kicks right in with some upbeat rock rhythms that reminds me a lot like Jimmy Eat World and Rival Schools to some extent; while having vocal characteristics that range from previously mentioned bands to a more pretty version of Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age). For this being a demo you wouldn't tell by listening, it sounds good enough to be released by a major label which is not always the case when a band records their first demo. They really did no wrong with this and I would expect that they spent a lot of time writing and recording which payed off in the end. Rarely are there original sounding bands coming out of the gates as quickly as these guys have and I give them props for doing it. I'm looking forward to hearing some new tunes and hopefully seeing this band play out. The demo is up for free on their website, so go snag it while you still can. (http://wearedmnd.com)

Mammoth Grinder - Extinction of Humanity 2009 | Cyclopean Records
I know that this record came out a while ago but this isn't alternative press and I can do just about whatever I want. So in that case I was fortunate enough to see these guys plays recently and I knew right from the start what I was going to get myself into. This eight song 12" is fast and to the point, and there is really no room for errors. Starting right off with noisy feedback that leads straight into their fast and aggressive style of playing this three piece reminds me a lot like older Obituary and Morbid Angel. These guys however don't just remain a pure death metal band, they do add some unique elements to the mix creating their own blend between doom and death metal. For only having one guitar player there is a lot going on with his parts, a lot of layering and atmospheric leads going on over sludgy and down-tempo rhythms. This music is nothing groundbreaking, but it is for sure unique in its own way and just overall crushing. Might I add that the album artwork was also very intriguing to me when I went to go pick this up. From the looks of it I can sense that this band has a bit of an H.P. Lovecraft influence going on with the art and lyrics, again not a bad move on their part. If your a fan of older death metal mixed with His Hero Is Gone type stuff then you will not be disappointed and if you are then stop calling yourself a fan of heavy music. For being only a three piece this band will blow your ears out and make you wish that you could play guitar as fast and steady as this dude can.

Maker - I-91 May 25, 2010 | Either/Or Records
I hate to say it but this band is your typical cliche pop punk/rock band. The songs are trying to hard to be catchy that it doesn't really work. There are a few parts however in the song "I-91" that adhere but nothing that would stay stuck in my head for days at a time. The vocals are not terrible but also no very originally in the least bit and the same goes for most of the guitar parts. I think if this band were to make it a more raw punk/rock sound and go with that then  it would work but everything is to overdone in my opinion. The only thing that really caught my ear was the intro of "Anything" which reminded me almost too much like an American Football song. If they had kept that going then this review would have a little bit better of an outcome. I'm sure there are people out there who will dig this, but its simply just not my cup of tea, but then again who said the tea I drink tasted good?

Tigers Jaw/Balance & Composure - Split 7" May 11, 2010 | Run For Cover Records
Mixing together slow indie rock jams from Tigers Jaw and upbeat space rock/punk anthems from Balance and Composure; its no doubt that this split will have something for everyone to get into. This is packed with four brand new songs from each of Pennsylvania's own. Is it me or does every good band nowadays come from Pennsylvania? Well Tigers Jaw and Balance and Composure both prove how serious but yet laid back they can really get with their music. Personally my favorite side on this split would have to be Tigers Jaw. They have been catching my attention for some time now and I really cant get over their sound and everything that they've done as a band so far. I was getting worried due to their gaining of popularity but I was reassured after hearing this record for the first time. Their sound hasn't changed one bit, and its really just progressed over time. The vocalist sounds so uninterested in whats going on around him that it really makes their sound unique and genuine. Honestly I wanted to list out what songs are the really good ones to check out but they all are great so just pick this up and hear for yourself. Balance and Composure have improved a lot since the last time I listened to them (which I believe was their first full length). The guitar parts and vocals remind me a lot like Polar Bear Club and Title Fight but add some more ambient and spaced out melodies to the mix. All in all these songs are a definite improvement for them. The first two tracks "Kaleidoscope" and "Burned" are the two to really check out, and are the strongest songs on their side of the record. All in all this is a great split, it shows all of the capabilities that both bands carry and I do see them both going on to do some great things.

Walter Schreifels - An Open Letter To The Scene April 10, 2010 | Academy Fight Song
It is without a doubt that Walter Schreifels is one of the most influential musicians to come out of the hardcore and punk scene in the last 15-20 years. Having been in some of the best New York Hardcore bands from the 80's/90's as well as crafting the "Post Hardcore" sound; Walter has truly pushed the limit of creativity and musicianship in his career. Now he has brought us something entirely different, a solo singer/songwriter album filled with indie rock/pop sensations fueled by the spirit of hardcore and punk. Walters debut 10 song full length, "An Open Letter To The Scene" is exactly what it sounds like. This is a tribute to hardcore and punk but played by an acoustic guitar and a soft spoken voice. However this album does not limit itself to just that, there are a lot of instruments incorporated into the music and for the most part there is an entire band backing his vocals and guitar playing. When I listen to this I feel like I'm hearing a soundtrack to a Sun dance film; but without the audience knowing that Walter is in fact creating his own version of an Agnostic Front Song ("Society Suckers") as well as doing a tribute to Raybeez of Warzone ("Open Letter"). Although I'm sure those songs are getting a lot of attention (as they should), there are a lot of other great tunes off of this record such as the opening track "Arthur Lee's Lullaby" and "Requiem". My favorite track however is "Shootout" which starts off with a soft acoustic chord progression underneath a layered sample from an old movie scene. The subtle vocals quickly follow but then kicks right into a slow and groovy chorus with a great lead guitar part followed by the vocal melody. When I first heard that part of the song I felt like I was listening to something from the 50's. Before his debut release Walters music was not as accessible, but now that "An Open Letter To The Scene" has been released it will see a lot of attention and I really feel that he hit home with this project. The hardcore kids who appreciate good music and great song structures will love this and understand the references. And people who have never heard of the Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today, Quicksand or Rival Schools before but thoroughly know the entire Sup Pop catalog will surely be into it as well. This is another great piece of work that Walter has crafted and in the end it just shows how great of musicians he really is and how challenging his style has become after playing Hardcore and Punk music for all of these years.