RIPPING HEADACHE EP

K- TOWN strikes again! If you know anything about K-Town and all the great hardcore and punk that has come out of there then this ep should make your penis tip moist or your labia quiver with anticipation. The hardcore from this region of the world had slowed down for awhile to make room for great punk bands such as No Hope For The Kids but this record brings da hardcore boi! It sounds like Amdi Petersen's Arme but faster and uglier and with all the instruments "ripping" much like the name implies. Throw in some La Piovra and some early 80's USHC from the midwest and you get a smidgen of an idea of the magnitude of just how much ball hair this record can singe. Cool cover art, its angry, and the instruments are played extremely well without ever being predictable. Yeah I know that the last review was a good one too but this came out last year and more people need to pick this up. *Warning* If you live in California do not engage in the joyous fisting presented on this cover, as it is now illegal and considered cruel and unusual punishment.

Download Link: http://hardcorefuckingrules.blogspot.com/2009/06/ripping-headache-self-titled.html

5/5

-Davey

Wasted Time - Futility LP

I have been waiting for this record for quite some time now seeing as both their 7"s made me want to rape and pillage and burn down small villages fueled by adrenaline laced hardcore fury. My personal life aside, this record takes all the elements of Wasted Time you loved and cranks it up to 11 (you know like the amps Spinal Tap used). They play faster, tighter and more brutal than ever but still maintaining that Poison Idea and Boston hardcore vibe with that signature heavy guitar sound. Not only does the new found speed grab my attention but the varying tempos used on this record. One minute its blistering fast, then you got an intense mid tempo rager to beat your wife to. They also employ some other hardcore influences with the closing track "Withdrawal" sounding like an angrier So Cal tune from the 80's. Other songs include "Isolationist", "Burning Bridges To Keep Warm" and the title track "Futility" you get an idea where the lyrics are coming from... an agoraphobic who lives life as a recluse surrounded by way too many cats. No but seriously, this record is pure hardcore mayhem from start to finish. 2009 is only halfway over but this will be the best record of 2009, no contest. If you don't want to take my word for it, download below, listen to it and buy it!

5/5

http://jesuschristheadlock.blogspot.com/2009/06/wasted-time-futility-lp-2009.html

http://www.myspace.com/wastedtimesucks

-Davey

Hjertestop

So when I heard that Hjertestop was doing an LP on the illustrious No Way Records I was so excited since their first 7" was pretty rulin but before I got it I heard a few not so positive reviews of it. Unbeknownst to me these people were right, this LP was available to me for free and I still decided not to keep it. I mean it's not terrible, it's like when you order a burger that looks delicious in the picture and then you bite into it and it tastes like a burger but one that was smeared with a light shit flavored secret sauce. They are going for that whole so cal hardcore thing, you know bands like the Adolescents and Bad Religion who had some punches but melody as well. The melody falls short and the tunes just did not give me that firm tug on the scrotum I was expecting. Some of the riffs are pretty catchy but in that BYO records, I'm 45 and shop at hot topic and talk about the old days even though I wasn't there type of way. It's not the worst thing I have ever heard but not even interesting enough to keep around for a once a year spin on ye olde turntable. Download below for their first ep, which is definitely worth checking out and was just repressed in the U.S. by Fashionable Idiots so pick that up and avoid the LP like that clingy girl you accidentally let blow you at last weekend's kegger. 

Download:

http://amargadodelavida.blogspot.com/2008/09/hjertestop-aarh-fuck-der-er-hjertestop.html

www.myspace.com/hjertestop

2/5

-Davey

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

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

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