High Life

This record goes by so fast that I had to listen to it numerous times just to review it. These Texans blaze through 6 tracks of hardcore mayhem that is hard to compare to just one thing. The embracing of the party culture makes me think of local Texas hooligans ANS, also in the style somewhat but definitely have a lot of different elements that make them stand apart. This band would destroy your house with their blistering hardcore and then impregnate your budding teenage sister, you know the one all the guys want to "get with". This has that great sloppy element like Void with mind numbing fast parts and tempo changes that I could see fans of Warkrime being down with. The singer sounds like he ate a baby for breakfast and is now angry about the inevitable indigestion. Instruments are all around solid. This is some interesting hardcore that is worth checking out because it's too hard to fully describe. There is a link to all their recordings from 2008 somewhere but I can't find it, so do the work for me, trust me it will be worth it. That or turn a couple tricks, get some cash and buy their ep from Cowabunga Records. 

http://www.myspace.com/highlifetx

4/5

-Davey

Tokyo!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0976060/

I decided that it was about time to get my fat-ass off the couch and into a movie theater for some exercise. I had high expectations for "TOKYO!" even though it looked "hipster-up-your-ass"

I was stoked on this, but a little skeptical. I liked Gondry's "Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind", but hated "the Science of Sleep". I liked Joon-ho Bong's "The Host" which was a wacky good time, and I've heard that Leos Carax's "Pola X" pushes the level of decency for its graphic incestuous sex scenes. I went into the theater having heard positive reviews and with an open mind. Although all three stories had some cool and creative elements, none of them were really terrific. Here's my review of all three separate shorts, rapid fire

1. Gondry's short "Interior Design" (chair-leggs-bitch) was so fucking pretentious that I felt embarrassed for entering the theater with the other 7 people there. I'm sure the hipsters will love this one the most, claiming that I did not clearly understand the delicate subtleties of existentialism- no I got it. It was weak, and a waste of time. 2/5

2. Leos Carax's "Merde" (green-suit-sewer-man) I found more enjoyable, and had some really creative and original elements to it, as well as some impressively long takes. For sheer story and creativity- 3/5

3. Joon-ho Bong's "Shaking Tokyo" (fish-face-shut-in) was my favorite of the three. The characters seemed genuine, and had a great feel to it. My only complaint is that the ending was sudden and predictable- Just like Steve Irwin's death. 3/5

Overall- 3/5
Skip it/rent


-eddie

LET DOWN

This band is so pissed! Probably one of the most pissed bands in hardcore today. If you have not heard Let Down they are a straight edge hardcore band from Pennsylvania. I can hear all you stoners sighing but you know what this band is not preachy and sings about plenty of everyday issues that even you alcoholics can relate to. They sound like SSD's "Get It Away" humping Chain Of Strength's "The One Thing That Still Holds True" into submission. You have the intense vocals that make Springa seem like the fat girl in your seventh grade PE class. The instrumentation embodies the best parts about hardcore and infuses it with breakdowns that can be likened to the late 80's youth crew bands. Breakdowns can go so horribly wrong but these breakdowns are as fresh as a 12 year old girl's panties. They never once take away from the rage and pure energy this band exudes. The tempo changes that this band does are incredible, switching in an instant and keeping you on your toes but at the same time being totally justifiable. This record is intense throughout and although the influences are evident, they pay homage to them in such a way that seems new and exciting, much like seeing your first boob.  Only one song barely breaking the two minute mark this is some great hardcore that I could not recommend highly enough. Once again download below but buy their records, support the band! 

5/5

Blogload: http://stupidwarezcom.blogspot.com/2008/04/let-down-were-in-this-alone-2008.html

Myspace: www.myspace.com/letxdown

-Davey

Switchblade Sisters

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073778/

At the recommendation of a friend I recently watched this exploitation classic. I was VERY hesitant because the DVD had Tarantino's face eclipsing half the cover announcing his re-release of the film.

Switchblade Sisters wasn’t half bad. It had your standard 70's b-movie acting and dialogue, bad lighting, and a fabulous soundtrack. It didn't drag the way so many exploitation films do. It had some great all girl knife fights, a brawl against a giant lesbian, and the most violent roller rink incident of the decade. The only thing it needed was just a tad more sex and violence. When I watch a 70's exploitation film I expect more bare breasts and pubic hair than I can handle and sadly this was lacking that. If you're a fan of the genre, or if you watch whatever Tarantino tells you to, it's totally worth a watch.

3/5

-Eddie

Let The Right One In

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1139797/

I was a little skeptical when I heard there was another friendship/romance vampire movie coming out, especially since "Twilight" caused hoards of teenieboppers to soil their panties, but I decided to to check it out anyway.

This movie rocked the shit. This little gem from Sweden (Based on the novel by the same name) was one of the best movies I've seen in a long while. It's a wonderful mix of the innocence of childhood, and the dealing of very adult issues. It also put a very human perspective on vampires, much like "Interview with a Vampire" and "Near Dark". This movie was original, creative, endearing, and would escalate to extreme violence without a moments hesitation -much like sex with my stepfather. Several characters are introduced with very little back story, however enough information is provided for the viewer to piece together a good guess about that character's background, which is a refreshing break from mindless Michael Bay garbage that gets pumped out every month. This is definitely a must see, it comes out on DVD and Blu-ray 3/10/09, don't miss it.

5/5

-eddie

Hey gang- it turns out that the american dvd/blu-ray release's subtitle tracks differ a bit from the original release, and not for the better. Fans are demanding a re-release but I doubt its gonna happen, as it's not exactly financially viable. I have the blu-ray version and it's not a deal-breaker but it is annoying as hell. There's no major plot differences, but bits of dark humor and character development do get lost, I think the "dubbed" track is still original but I can't stand dubbed movies with the exception of kung fu. You can check out all the differences HERE. Thanks to Filmdrunk.com for the heads up.

A lot of links are down but i BELIEVE to the best of my knowledge that these have the correct subs. (xvid Eng hardcoded subs from a dvdsrc and i think these are also PS3 compatable) if someone could verify that would be great. Not my links.

http://rapidshare.com/files/159862660/Let.the.Right.One.In.SAPHiRE_urmanon.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/159866599/Let.the.Right.One.In.SAPHiRE_urmanon.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/159870818/Let.the.Right.One.In.SAPHiRE_urmanon.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/159875534/Let.the.Right.One.In.SAPHiRE_urmanon.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/159880079/Let.the.Right.One.In.SAPHiRE_urmanon.part5.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/159884974/Let.the.Right.One.In.SAPHiRE_urmanon.part6.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/159891014/Let.the.Right.One.In.SAPHiRE_urmanon.part7.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/159892386/Let.the.Right.One.In.SAPHiRE_urmanon.part8.rar

MAGNET issued this statement: “We’ve been made aware that there are several fans that don’t like the version of the subtitles on the DVD/BR. We had an alternate translation that we went with. Obviously a lot of fans thought we should have stuck with the original theatrical version. We are listening to the fans feedback, and going forward we will be manufacturing the discs with the subtitles from the theatrical version.” No news for exchange program. Read full article here: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/

Bastard Sons Of Apocalypse

Bastard Sons Of Apocalypse - Strangled By The System LP

No charge d-beat rock and roll! These rowdy Texans blaze through ten tracks of intense d-beat hardcore that will make you want to burn down your local government official's place of employment and/or residence. It's always great when someone can get you pissed at the government all over again! I definitely hear a Discharge influence with the repetition in the choruses in songs like "25 Years" and "Wave Of Death". The vocals and their patterns though come from a more straight forward hardcore approach and give the d-beat a tinge of that 80's hardcore feel. Most of the great current d-beat hardcore bands have vocals that sound like Dr. Claw on meth but this release goes for more of that Totalitar approach. The instrumentation is well executed and not as heavy as some d-beat bands but hits you in the face like an unexpected money shot. Fast unrelenting d-beat hardcore with buzzsaw riffage and pummeling drums. The kind of tunes that when done correctly, make you consider hitting a complete stranger with your car or lighting a homeless man on fire. Great stuff from a promising band. Check out their eps as well. Link below to download but if you find this record buy it! Support the band, buy the vinyl.

4/5

http://www.myspace.com/bastardsonsofapocalypserocknroll

Blogload: http://crustcracker.blogspot.com/2008/08/bastard-sons-of-apocalypse-strangled-by.html

-Davey