mewithoutyou-Catch for us the Foxes
(Tooth & Nail Records, 2004)

Keeping in line with Tooth & Nail’s long line of original yet melodic bands, mewithoutyou brings a slightly unique take on rock but definitely fits in with what the label usually releases. Simple power chord based songwriting clashes with an almost spoken word vocal delivery that works perfectly with the bands odd lyrical approach. It all sounds a bit random at first, but after a few listens the poetic nature of the vocals really stands out as something that helps the band have a unique sound.

Comparisons are a bit hard to come by. They have a bit of the Dischord sound, but aren’t under produced and have enough original qualities to distinguish themselves from the labels sound. Without the comparisons though, you could say that this could appeal to a very wide range of music fans. From post-hardcore, indy rock, to even fans of the Smashing Pumpkins, this has a lot to offer for fans of many styles. You might think I’m a bit crazy to mention the Smashing Pumpkins, but for some reason I can hear it in some of the songs. It’s not an overt influence and the vocals definitely have nothing in common, but a few riffs here and there have a SP type feel.

I think it’s safe to assume that this isn’t going to be a band that sells millions of records. They just aren’t accessible enough to the common person, and this is an album that takes a few listens to fully understand. Music is meant to be challenging and this will challenge you, but not to the point of it being a chore to listen to. It is ultimately memorable, just not in the conventional way.

Farewell to Twilight-From the Aral Sea to the Western Wall
(Volatile Productions, 2004)

I was expecting this to be metalcore for some reason, but the band actually plays a technical style of hardcore that borrows from indy rock and in general isn’t very fast paced. The band definitely isn’t going the easy route and mimicking the bands at the top of the genre. The band has a noisy, technical approach full of guitar flairs, dissonance and many riffs. To me they almost sound like a more technical Alexisonfire at times.

It’s a shame that the production isn’t everything that it could be. The band is trying to do a lot and the production at times just isn’t tight enough for everything to come together. The vocals are a bit pitchy at times, as are a few guitar leads. But you can tell what they were going for and they succeed in the songwriting department though. With a better production this band could really do some damage.

As it stands though this is well written, original and should hopefully bring the band interest from a label that can get them into a better studio and get them sounding how they should.

One Life Taken-Burn Your Soul
(Demo, 2004)

Coming from Sweden, One Life Taken plays hardcore punk the way that it was meant to be played, fast, heavy without being metal and played with intensity. The vocals somewhat remind me of Thomas Lindberg, but not as raspy. They definitely have a similar ring and it fits perfectly with the bands style. They could have used a more typical guttural style, but it wouldn’t have stood out at all.

Musically, think of metalcore before it went overly metal. This has fast power chord riffs, and when they do break things down it’s heavy, but not typical at all. You won’t hear the chugging squeal riffs that the genre has become cluttered with. The band also throws in a few rock influenced guitar solos and more melodic octave riffs to help break things up a little bit. It’s only four songs so it’s hard to say how diverse they would get with a full length but this demo definitely shows that they have unique ideas within each song.

Fans of everything from crust to metalcore could easily be able to get into what One Life Taken is doing. Expect these guys to be signed to a label very soon.

Glory of This-Adoration
(Indianola Records, 2004)

Glory of This is a band that shows a lot of potential, but they do have just a bit to go before they can be a powerhouse within a crowded genre. Comparable to a cross between Poison the Well and A Static Lullaby, the band is both heavy and melodic. This isn’t a very uncommon combination these days. The heavy parts really remind me of Poison the Well in that they aren’t the conventional metalcore fare, and have some interesting ideas happening. The melodic side is a bit more typical, with a lot of octave chords and incredibly memorable melodic choruses.

The main problem that I have with this album is that the lyrics are pretty standard. It’s weird that so many people have similar thoughts when it comes to lyrics. It seems like every band has to have a song where they tell you that it’s 2 in the morning. If the band interjected a bit more originality into their lyrical department this would have even more impact. All of the lyrics aren’t typical, but the lines that are really stand out.

These guys are definitely up there with the best of the bands on Indianola, and while they are a bit typical from time to time they are definitely off to a great start. With time, a bit more experience and more originality these guys could really break the mold of the genre and hit the listener with even more power.

Engorged-Where Monsters Dwell
(Razorback Records, 2004)

This may just be the best piece of horror inspired metal since the self-titled Rigor Mortis album. With the intensity of a werewolf tearing a victims throat, Engorged pound through 9 tracks of monstrous mayhem. Managing to combine elements of pretty much every possible style of metal possible, the band draws from death metal, early Earache styled grindcore, thrash and the crossover scene of the 80’s. If you are expecting typical goregrind with a tremendous amount of blasting and vocal gurgling you’ll be disappointed. This is energetic, 100% metal and totally not in line with what you’d currently expect from the metal scene.

I miss the times when bands played with a sense of urgency and when it was still cool to have slower parts in songs. Somewhere along the way metal became a bit too speed oriented. That’s not to say that Engorged is without blasting, because they definitely have the grindcore influence, but they also know when to slow things down a pound out a classic thrash styled breakdown or a crossover influenced section. You’re more then likely to hear just as much Megadeth influence as you are Napalm Death.

This album definitely shows an evolution in the bands sound. They are tighter then they have ever been and really have a firm grasp on what they want to do with the band. They know what eras in metal they like and really manage to come off like a combination of those eras. All fans of extreme metal will find something to their liking here. Just don’t expect this to be a typical goregrind album, because you will definitely be disappointed.

Lagwagon-Live in a Dive
(Fat Wreck Chords, 2005)

Lagwagon are one of the few bands out there that really crafted their own sound. Metal’s technicality meets with pop punk vigor, all the while some of the best vocals the genre has ever seen are layered on top. It’s catchy, fast and in general makes for one hell of a listen.

Just one listen to this live album lets you know that the band definitely can sound amazing in a live setting as well as in the studio. The vocal performance in particular in spot on and once again this guy proves that he is easily one of the best vocalists in punk. The drumming is energetic and the guitars pound out all of the nuances of the riffs managing to keep things tight yet very energetic. The band performance is right on the money and definitely won’t leave a bad taste in your mouth.

The set list definitely will not disappoint fans of the band. It offers a cross section of material from pretty much every album the band has out there. The crowd definitely isn’t disappointed with the chosen songs and shouts out every lyric with an incredible amount of energy. 22 songs in total are played and tastes may vary but you’ll be hard pressed to find a bad tune in the bunch. I would have liked to see this on DVD, but I guess a live album will do. Fans of the band that haven’t had a chance to see the band live, this is definitely recommended.

Let It Die-Stick to Your Guns
(Spook City Records, 2004)

When you get right down to it, Let it Die really isn’t breaking any new ground for hardcore. But damn this is an energetic and heavy assault of 11 tracks of breakdown laced hardcore sure to get any pit moving into a sea of swinging arms and pointing fingers.

Think along the lines of Hatebreed and Bury Your Dead and you basically know what to expect. Heavy breakdown riffs mixed with fast sections and basically not much else. They definitely aren’t varied and that is exactly what you’d want from this band. They don’t bring in any melody and you won’t find any Swedish style riffs or any clean vocals. It is one violent mosh riff after another and it’s pummeling.

The production is heavy and clear with an excellent drum sound and heavy as hell guitar tone. I think the guitar could have been just a bit thicker, especially during the breakdowns but that is definitely a small complaint. This sounds excellent and is mixed perfectly allowing the vocals to have just enough presence but not taking the mix over completely.

It’s a nice change to hear a band playing heavy hardcore without going into metalcore territory. This is simply put, heavy aggressive hardcore that all fans of Hatebreed, Bury Your Dead, or Terror will easily be able to get into.