Matchbook Romance-Stories and Alibis
(Epitaph, 2004)



The subgenre's of punk and hardcore are becoming so cluttered these days that it's getting even harder for good bands to get attention. For every amazing album there are at least 20 generic albums that could have been pumped out by robots. Matchbook Romance's debut album definitely falls into the amazing catagory and while they aren't reinventing rock, Stories and Alibis is a 12 song romp of emotional and melodic rock.

Music of this nature is usually rather happy, but these days are surprisingly melancholy. They are definitely upbeat and full of full blown catchy choruses, but a lot of songs are very, for a lack of a better word, dark for this genre. They also throw in just a little bit of dissonance from time to time and it adds quite a bit to the riffs it is used in. It's not Converge style dissonance, but just the odd clashing note added to make things just a little bit heavier. I also like the fact that the songs aren't incredibly simple. Certain riffs are straight forward, but many are full of little nuances and guitar melodies that make them much more then just three chord songs. The bass player also adds quite a bit to the music. He seems to follow the guitar lines a lot, but a lot of fills stand out as well. Instead of just following the tried and true formula, they have added elements of their own and manage to be original in a cluttered genre.

I love screaming, I'll admit it. But I like the fact that these guys mainly keep the screaming contained to backup vocals every now and again. They don't follow the usual sing/scream formula. I think if the singer has an amazing voice why not let him sing? Sure, if screaming fits then by all means, but sometimes it just becomes a bit too much.

For fans of the new style of melodic rock, Matchbook Romance are definitely putting a new spin on the whole thing. Don't go into this album expecting Saves the Day clone band #50,000 and you definitely won't be disappointed. It feels good to actually be able to call a band playing this style original.

Epitaph Records Website

Bad Religion-The Empire Strikes First
(Epitaph, 2004)


Reviewing a Bad Religion album is like reviewing a Speilberg film. No matter what I say people will buy the album because they know they can expect a quality product. But let me tell you, this new Bad Religion album is the best album the band has released in quite sometime. It's not a complete return to their roots, but it's definitely faster then some of their past few albums, and the bands political cyncism is as important as ever these days. It's a fucked up time for this world, and like always, Bad Religion is not afraid to tell you how it is.

It's funny how certain songs on this album remind me of earlier albums and certain songs almost sound like sequels. Hints of Generator invade a few songs, while many of these songs sound like they could have come right from Stranger Then Fiction. So basically it's classic Bad Religion, fast power chords, simple drumming and the best vocals the genre has ever heard. I would argue this point to the bitter end. There hasn't been a vocalist that has even come close to Greg Graffin. The guy can sing, writes amazing lyrics and just puts his heart and soul into every song. His voice is Bad Religion, plain and simple.

The production sounds amazing, but one thing really almost hurts the album. Some of the backup vocals are just too overproduced. It almost gets to the point of sounding like a Def Leapord record. They always felt the need to include 10,000 backup vocal tracks, and it's just a bit too much. In the end, it doesn't really hurt the overall product, but I think they just sound a bit too slick for a Bad Religion album personally.

They've been at it forever it seems, and this is an album that proves the band is as vital and powerful as ever. If you overlooked the bands last few albums, don't make that mistake with this one.

Epitaph Records Website

Scatter the Ashes-Devout/The Modern Hymn
(Epitaph, 2004)


This is pretty much the exact opposite of what I was expecting. I was expecting hardcore and this is best described as post punk I'd guess, and it's definitely not straightforward. It's possibly a bit along the lines of Cave In mixed with a bit of the Dischord sound. There is a ton of atmosphere, and it stands out like a sore thumb amongst the many trend oriented bands in the scene right now.

If you are expecting verse/chorus/verse, the linear songwriting approach will have your head spinning. The band has memorable riffs and sections, but the songs really don't follow any formulas. It's almost like a Pink Floyd like approach to punk music. It has elements that are somewhat common but they aren't afraid to experiment and the laid back and atmospheric riffs aren't really common in this style of music. Like I mentioned earlier, they have a bit of a Cave In influence happening at times. I'd say the Jupiter album in particular. The second track City in the Sea has reverb and delay drenched guitar lines that are similar to what Cave In was doing at that time. Don't think that these guys are Cave In clones though. They definitely have their own ideas as well.

The production is completely analog sounding. In a time when albums are becoming more and more overproduced it's nice to hear a band keep it rather simple and atmospheric. The guitar sounds especially aren't overbearing. There are a few heavier riffs, but for the most part it's rather mellow and drenched in reverb. The production definitely fits the postpunk nature of the bands sound perfectly.

This definitely isn't exactly what you'd expect from Epitaph. But if you are looking for interesting and emotinal postpunk that follows absolutely no formulas or trends then look no further.

Epitaph Records Website

Lords-The House that Lords Built
(Initial, 2004)


There was a time when rock music really didn't do anything for me. It had become sterile, but thanks to bands like the Lords rock is a dangerous thing once again. Combine a Black Flag like appraoch with chaotic guitar lines, spastic drumming and vocals that trade between swager and scream and you have an idea as to what to expect from Lords.

If rock makes you automatically think of AC/DC you might be a bit disappointed by this. It's more rocking in the way that the music is slower and well, just plain rocks. The guitar riffs are simple, but manage to add a chaotic edge. The riffs are noisy yet straightforward. The band also keeps the songs relativly short. They kick you in the teeth for 2 minutes take a break and then repeat. It makes this cd have quite an energetic punch.

The production is noisy, feedback riddled and fucking perfect in my opinion. It sounds like a band rocking out in the garage and that is essentially what you would want from this style of music. You don't want 10,000 tracks and countless overdubs. You want to hear the blood and the sweat that goes into making music like this. This album doesn't sound like a million bucks and that's just fine with me.

I could see fans of Black Cross being into this band. Lords are a bit more chaotic but the bands definitely have a few similarities. If you like your punk rockin' without sounding like every other rock bands, then you'll enjoy living in the house the Lords built.

Initial Records Website

Candiria-What Doesn't Kill You...
(Type A, 2004)


Candiria are back with a new album that shows the band stripping down and coming out with their most powerful and memorable album yet. The band is still heavy and technical, but the songs are much more structured and things just flow much better now.

Long time fans might be a bit let down by the lack of diversity. The music is still technical but the band mainly sticks to their heavy guns. There is one rap song and the closing instrumental throws a curveball, but you won't find any jazz songs, or strange interludes. Just mainly heavy riffs, breakdowns and for the first time extremely catchy choruses. The vocals are also much more melodic at times, which adds a lot of diversity to the music. They really seem to be coming into their style with this new album. They have always been an original band, but this album really nails down the Candiria sound.

In the past the band has sort of been a musician's band. A lot of people just don't get the technical nature of bands like this. With this album they really manage to keep things interesting and explore weird timings, but the riffs still manage to be memorable. They now sound like integral parts of the songs and don't sound like technical exercises. It's one of the reasons why Meshugah is still such a boring band. They stay technical but don't manage to be catchy at all. Candiria don't have that same problem. They are heavy, technical, and still very memorable.

I think this album shows the next logical step for the band and with the more streamlined approach Candiria will probably make the biggest impact of their career thus far with this album.

Type A Records Website

Incision-Revealed and Worshipped
(Earache, 2004)


Death metal really needs a kick in the teeth right now. Incision seem more then happy to turn the genre right on it's head with this new 11 track album of blasting insanity.

Thanks in part to an amazing production courtesy of Soundlab Studios, Incision come across as much more pissed off and grindcore in nature on this album. The album showcases some of the most energetic playing I have ever heard on a death metal album. The bands riffing is technical, but the raw production allows everything to come across as rather barbaric in nature. It's executed perfectly yet has an energetic and live sound.

One drawback this style is that it's not exactly the most memorable form of metal. Then again this style to me has always been about pummelling the listener with no regard for the potential ear damage. The band does however have a lot of memorable riffs. A few riffs are slower and more dissonant. A riff in the second song is even a bit groovy. The core of the bands sound though is definitely blast beats and furious riffing. But like I mentioned they have some memorable moments as well.

Death metal has been losing a bit of steam lately but Incision proves that the genre is still vital. If you are a fan of violent death metal with more then just a hint of grindcore added, then you need to check out this album.

Earache Records Website

Sunn0)))-White2
(Southern Lord, 2004)


Hmmm....I didn't like what I heard from this band in the past, and that really hasn't changed with this album. The bands sound are long, drawn out, and to my ears just incredibly boring. I wouldn't say the band sucks or anything childish like that. I think it's more so just the fact that it's not a style that I'm into and possibly just something I don't understand. If you liked them in the past, and you're into the whole drone thing I'm sure you'd enjoy this album.

Southern Lord Records Website