Music website focused on Punk Rock, Skatepunk, Melodic Hardcore, Pop Punk, Hardcore Punk. 2010-2022.
Showing posts with label REVIEW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label REVIEW. Show all posts
Monday, December 15, 2025
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Monday, August 11, 2025
Friday, June 6, 2025
Turnstile - NEVER ENOUGH (Review)
It's an alternative rock band that sometimes plays songs with hardcore elements. And, above all, it's a band that's reaching places where no band with roots in hardcore punk had dared to go. Since "Glow On," their previous album, they've been opening up hardcore to a new audience, and that's magnificent.
While they've repeated the formula from "Glow On," I can sense an evolution on "Never Enough."
The entire album seems to exist in a bubble: at times, heavy, groove-filled riffs; at others, dreamlike soundscapes, with soft, electronic rhythms that glide like a caress.
"Dreaming" caught my attention because of its use of reggaeton beats with distorted guitars in the background. A device already used a few times in rock, and something I haven't heard since Knocked Loose and Poppy's song "Suffocate."
Throughout the album, they maintain that ethereal and explosive atmosphere that's so characteristic of them, where Brendan Yates' resonant voice intertwines with multi-textured guitars.
What I always applaud about Turnstile is their ability to fearlessly fuse styles: there's psychedelic rock, funk, dream pop, electronica, and even nods to pop punk and disco. The result is a hybrid sound that defies labels and keeps you hooked throughout the journey.
Now for the critique: one detail I personally don't like about "Never Enough" is that several of its best songs unnecessarily dissolve into overly long, ambient endings. It's fine for a couple of tracks, but for seven? It's as if they're constantly trying to remind you how eclectic their tastes are. Overall, I was perhaps hoping for a bolder twist, one that would distance itself from "Glow On," but it didn't happen.
Looking back, we see that Turnstile has achieved something enormous with "Never Enough." It's an affirmation of identity and a firm step toward a future they are building themselves, without following anyone's roadmap.
Final score: ★★★★✩
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Much The Same - Everything Is Fine (Review)
After three years of the release of their first full length album, become the release of their second full length album Survive (2006), this album is to date one of the greatest albums ever released, one year later of the release of the second album (2007), the band announced their break-up and the wish from the fans for a third album has gone. Six years has passed since the release of Survive and the legacy and the influence that Much The Same make, impact in many bands across the world induce the release for a tribute to the band (2012), featured by great bands like Jet Market, Symphony Of Distraction, Counterpunch, Adrenalized, Bedtime For Charlie, Curbside, Straightline and many more.
After the success of the tribute album, soon after something unexpected happen, it took nine years but finally Much The Same release some kind of new material, a cover song by Lagwagon Making Friends, for a tribute compilation for Fat Wreck Chords bands (2015), after this the fans all around the word ask if this can be a little sign of hope for have new album of Much The Same in the near future, in this same year Much The Same return to the stages only to perform shows and finally announces that a new album of the band comes in the next years.
After many months of speculations and delay, the last album and third one full length production of Much The Same is finally here, Everything Is Fine (2019), comes as the shortest album, featured with nine powerfull melodic hardcore songs full of insane solos with amazing riffs and of course the melodic and melancholic lyrics performed with the great vocals, with many musical and root influences of their last two full albums Quitters Never Win and Survive.
Burner
Burner take place as the first song and with an powerfull opening thanks to the energy of the execution of the drums, nice opening song and well performs that marks the official return of Much The Same, great riff for the intro and the mystical return of the vocals by Chris McGrath a lot of memories comes back with this song that enters as a new style redefining of you hear in Quitters Never Win album.
Snake In The Grass
The first single released by the band to announce the new album, performed as a slower song compared with the opening song Burner, again don’t expect hard influences and root musical technical issues by Survive, and a natural evolution that marks all the album is the voice of Chris McGrath, nice bass solos in the most end of the song works as preparation to a nice outro joined with awesome drums and guitars notes.
You Used To Have A Garden
With a brief intro, this second single released for Everything Is Fine is one of the saddest songs in the whole album, the same musical notes of Snake In The Grass, but this song has something that no one other have the melodic vocals style shared with nice instrumentals, with some backgrounds filled with nice drums solos joined with nice guitar melodies. This song has some support back vocals moments that makes this song especial in the entire album.
Haunted
Another song load with many emotional musical notes almost like in the same line as the last song of the album, again the voice of Gunnar grabs the song from the begin to the end in the same level of harmony, maybe the first one weak song in the album, not bad at all because the song opens with a nice solo instrumental performance, is the other parts of the song with weak points.
Man Of Science, Man Of Faith
One of the most impressive songs is Man Of Science Man Of Faith, for first to notice the 8-bit intro with those riffs and solos performed by the guitars and the bass shared with a powerfull and discrete drums notes makes of this song one of the best ones and finally end with an awesome solo.
Homecoming
The style of the vocals and the form as the song is sing by Gunnar reminds me a lot of that style of Survive, beyond the sing lapses you can hear a well rhythm executed by the drums, a discrete in may times the guitars and bass melodies but in the end again appears to perform some amazing notes.
Strangers In Fiction
Great instrumental intro and continue with a constant great level with the execution of specially of the drums with synchronized notes across the vocals, perform note by note behind the song and goes with some parts with great solo implement, the most emotionally song, Strangers In Fiction has the best solos and guitar riffs that any song in this album, one of the most technically song with the level of any Survive song.
In The Event Of...
A totally mistake this song and the explanation is that when you have too few songs in the album and you use one to perform a totally acoustic song is like a deception left behind great well worked album with many songs with many different harmonies and melodic notes, the song is not bad at all, the only problem is the kind of song put in the worst place and moment, it can be put as a interlude for the whole album.
Passengers
After the mistake of In The Event Of… we have without doubt the best song of the album the most influenced song by the style of the masterpiece Survive, you can hear high notes and deep vocals notes open the song and continues with awesome explosives instrumental execution by the drums, awesome guitars and bass, the well execution in the vocals in the whole song is impressive and in the end part of the song have a great epic ending.
Conclusion:Everything Is Fine marks the return of one of the best bands of melodic hardcore not as perfect as we can hear in Survive masterpiece album but this album is in the same quality level as their first debut album Quitters Never Win and the songs are in the same influenced style of this last album, only two songs are in the instrumental roots of Survive like Passengers, Burner, Man Of Science Man Of Faith, and Strangers In Fiction, as the best 4 songs in the whole album. Mention the short of the album only nine songs and of them acoustic break the rhythm and the style of the album in the past songs, so the last song saves the album from this mistake, the great Passengers song. Maybe Everything Is Fine is not the best return and album for many Much The Same fans but is for sure that this album is one of the best albums of this year.
Final Score: ★★★★✩
Review written by: Punkerman_00
Wackyrace - Estado Crítico (Review)
Estado Crítico works as a path of faith and hope to bring back the good old memories of breath-taking bands in the local scene and to keep the idea of the better days of a decaying scene alive when it comes to melodic hardcore, again this EP recalled a lot of good memories of some nice great South American bands as Play Attenchon, No Big Deal, 7Dice just to mention some of them.
Across this journey in the seven songs that are included in the EP we can listen to - in short words- a continuous style and the well-known riffs and solos plus the classic main vocals with the signed Latin American punk style in the veins, only to mention the well-produced and assembled song Cenizas, also you can listen to the fast punk style, classic features of the fast melodic hardcore subgenre in each song of the seven that are included on the album like Cenizas again, the song with the long intro Malentendido, the nice riffs in Estado Crítico, the great work and vocal execution in the last one Nuestro Fracaso. However, if we have to point at the weaknesses of this EP, you will only encounter two weak and repetitive songs such as Creer en Más and Cadenas. Overall, this is a solid South American EP -considering the band's career- which counts with five nice songs where you can find impressive musical displays.
Cenizas
This might or might not be the best song in the whole EP, the opening song is always important for an EP or LP, because it brings the first impression of the whole album near perfection, a plus thing for this song is that it reminds me a lot the great Peruvian melodic hardcore album from Play Attenchon titled La Iusión Que Llevas (2007), well worked lyrics and well vocal execution across the song by the vocalist David, as a supposition maybe Cenizas is one of the last worked songs for this EP.
Estado Crítico
Nice one from the same ‘Cenizas’ mold, similar style. This may be the second best song in the whole album easily, in every time you can feel and hear the fast riffs together with insane solo moments, classic fast melodic hardcore chords and extremely melodic lyrics, a few some scream support vocals well included in some specifically parts also work regular.
Creer En Más
Not as impressive as Cenizas or Estado Crítico but the message in the lyrics is maybe one thing to save in all the song, the failure in Creer En Más, relays in the average quality after the two first songs was too high and comes with a hard fall with the third one, maintain the average quality is hard inclusive for the great and mythic bands of the melodic hardcore genre.
Malentendido
The song with the longest intro always has the best beginning to introduce some failed relationships, the pain still alive from one misunderstanding. The opening and the ending breaks with some nice riffs and fast solos, the parts work mainly because of the riffs or the solo execution, these are so enjoyable.
Cadenas
The song again falls in the same feel that we hear previously in Creer En Más, some infinite repetitive loop nothing that we hadn’t listened to before. The only thing to save maybe the nice drive from the chorus and the execution in the vocals, maybe all of this are due to the length of the song, the shortest one in the album.
Redención
The video debut comes with a do-it-yourself production, as most things done by Wackyrace . The chosen song for this labor was Redención a song with great melodies puttogether together with fast instrumental notes and well executed chords. This song also prepares you to end in a good form the whole EP, it also adds some fast vocals, well executed.
Nuestro Fracaso
A paradox comes with the last song to feed the curiosity in this debut EP, Nuestro Fracaso was the first song published in media sites, one more time one of the most well worked lyrics, this is because the lyrics of the song go directly to the emotional sense and at some extend are too direct to impress in the first listen you give to this last song.
We have seven songs not at the same great work level, considering all of them is understandable because -as expected- a new band usually begins their career with some perks, this is part of the formation and development of a band and the good criticism always works fine for this kind of bands. The Latin American scene is always too hard to stand out over other zones -like North America or Europe- with amazing legacy bands.
Not a masterpiece album only a good one for the local and continent scene, the most important point in all this review is to look forward to seeing the next and upcoming material. We truly expect Wackyrace keeps on track and evolves its sound in every aspect so they might get some further recognition like the classic Latin American bands.
Final Score: ★★★✩✩
Review written by: Punkerman_00
Lucky 33 - Where'd You Get Your Values (Review)
Cursed
Opening with audio from the 2001 movie Super Troopers, the track itself sounds great. The sound reminds me of The Misfits just a little bit which is a good thing because who doesn't love The Misfits? With the audio clip from one of the funniest back and forths in Super Troopers and a great track this was a great way to open up the EP.
Whoa!
They give us a banger of a track with yet another memorable hook that says "it feels like the world is dragging me down" this track is dedicated to the times past, good times with friends, definitely a good one!
PBR
The bass line for this song is rad, this track reminds me of some old school punk rock and it sounds awesome. One of my favorite tracks on the record it is energy packed, great lyrics and a rad old school sound.
Paycheck
The chorus on this one is really catchy, the lyrics are once again relatable with lyrics like "there was a time where I couldn't find myself" the hook and memorable lyrics make this track great, tons of melody in the vocals which is awesome. This is another one of my favorite tracks.
Not Today
I really dig the message in this track, there are so many good quote in this song such as "wear those scars, wear them with pride" and "keep your friends close, they are the only ones that matter he most" I feel like many people can relate their own lives to this song because of the lyrics.
Jimmy Steve
A calm start opens this song, it picks up and you can feel the energy in each word, I love the great vocal and instrumental work on this track. The lyrics are also great and definitely memorable, this is the perfect song to sing along with.
Conclusion: Some of the best punk rock coming out of the great state of New York, Lucky 33 have not failed to impress with their latest record! Awesome stuff.Final Score: ★★★★✩
Review written by: Skatepunkdefender
Torches - New Ways, Same Fire (Review)
Void
Opening up this album, "Void" is an awesome track. Right off the bat we get a taste of what is to come, these guys give true meaning to the term "Melodic Hardcore" with this song (and the whole album for that matter. "Void" started off the record on a high note.
Into The Fire
The second track of an album is just as important to the overall opinion of a record as the first, and this song does not disappoint. The sound of this song leans more towards the typical "punk" sound, which is never a bad thing. So far, so good.
The Rose Of Fire
Continuing on with the album, we come to track number three, a track that details the decline of the community (that is the impression I got based on the lyrics). I love the message of this song, it is strong but simple, which is great.
Conclusion
This album has not let me down yet, and I don't expect it to! I love songs that tell stories much like this one does. It is a very deep track and the lyrics reflect that fact. It is accompanied by a great instrumental track to cap it all off.
New Ways
This song gives me the impression that is about starting over new void of other people's unnecessary drama and what comes along with said drama, it should be relatable to pretty much everyone because it is common to have a drama wrapped person in their life that they can definitely life without.
Narrow Views
This song goes out to anyone who is close minded to new ideas or music etc. From what I took from this song I can conclude that when you have a closed mind you can be missing out on something that may be your favorite thing in the world, maybe even something that could potentially change your life.
The Good War
Here we are, my favorite track on the album, both instrumentally and lyrically. Despite all the messages on this album the message from this track maybe the strongest. It tells us about the only war that is worth fighting, and that war is for your freedom, strong words from the band on this one. Easily my favorite track.
Fallen Friend
Throughout my rather short life I have been lucky enough to not have a friend of mine die. I can gurantee that there is nothing good about losing a good friend. You can hear the emotion in the music on this track. It is a touchy subject and it handled well by the band for this song.
The Things We Leave Behind
Being the last track on the album, it definitely does not disappoint. As it is a complete opposite from the last song which is about losing a friend to an unfortunate circumstance, this song however is about cutting off a shitty friend for personal benefit, that point is made clear by the passionate lyrics.
Without a doubt a great way to close a tight record.
Final Score: ★★★★✩
Review written by: Skatepunkdefender
Fullcount - Part Of The Game (Review)
Here we are some years later with the second full length by another canadian band from the all known city of Quebec, they left very good impressions with Concessions & Compromises (2014), this first album was featured by the debut of Promotional EP (2012), featured by five great songs full of power and the technical of the great canadian melodic hardcore and that songs are in all the senses a bit different as they were recorded again and the sound of that songs is unique as well they sound in the first full length.
Part of the Game returns where Consessions & Compromises was end, the same composition and melodies style is keep it and the fans of the first one full length don’t be disappointed, featured by 12 songs with the return of the well-known vocals style that in some moments reminds me another great band from the UK, Darko, both have the style of crusty vocals in the main vocals. This new album features some impressive songs with great riffs in the intro of each song as in the chorus parts and with the solos well done executed as The Motion in overall the work behind the guitars is amazing with a solid execuions in the drums.
But not everything inside the new album is perfect some weak songs appears in punctual order in the tracklist and the most notorious moment comes in the end part with two songs not good as the end will be in every record, close with the same energy as the album opens don’t happen here.
Back Against The Wall
The first one always had a work to complete is the open song of album and in this case is one of the best ones in Part Of Game great intro with harmonies in the guitars making a nice solo breaking the standards, the same harmonies repeat in the critical parts in all the song.
Killdozer
More quiet energy in Killdozer the vocals appears more soon with a instant intro, this is the first one with backup vocals behind trying to give some support in the chorus of the song great addition of this melodies that appears in whole the song again the end of the song is with a nice solo performing.
The Motion
Surprisely The Motion is the first single released before the full length album was launched and maybe this song works too fine to open the album is one of the best ones and maybe not too far the best song of the album featured by guest vocals such as Etienne Dione from Mute. Great work in the guitars making the best riffs and solos in all the song.
Dry Bite
After the opera prima titled The Motion ends the next song had the bad luck to continue the tracklist but after that the song stands so well again with the good handle in the vocals the good guitars work also appears but not with the strong of the past song.
The Host
The second single is not good as we can assume as the position of this second single but it again repeats the winner formula with the signature of Fullcount the vocals and the guitars if you wait something like The Motion this song is a little too far from the quality of that one.
Ten Shots Deep
The most extensive song of whole album maybe appears in the right moment some speed changes in the vocals give the sensation to you hears, the most melodic chorus in the lyrics appears in this song behind the performing some melodic guitars harmonies share the stage both in the same way featured by in the end with a long outro.
Discord & Treachery
With a change in the execution in the intro riff begins this song, maybe the most aggressive song in whole album, the explosive vocals with all energy in some particular parts of the song, aggression and speed two great ingredients with the fine touch of riffs, easy chorus to learn and repeat again and again when you hear the song.
Alter Ego
A 180 degrees change in the style of the song the slowest style showed to this date by Fullcount but is great impressive catchy song with nice chorus behind in all the performing some cool down with Alter Ego to recharge the batteries to finish the rest of the album, the particular chorus makes you sing it with the passion that the vocals transmit, some good riffs in the middle of the song make the well done work.
Maze Dream
Freak speed begin with the drums in this song with the addition of the guitars compositions this is because Maze Dream works like an intro song very short it need to be very intense and it achieve the goal.
Leap Of Faith
The finish of the album begins according the last song Maze Dream this is logic and with this we have the weakest point of whole album, Leap Of Faith however doesn’t make this so audible with some decent chorus performing raise to be not at all disappointed.
Losing At Bullshit
Left the part of the nice intro with the riffs in the guitars again Losing At Bullshit save some dignity with this great work but the weak point comes in the structure in general of this song not great chorus or outstanding vocals performance that shares side to side with the guitars.
Dare Me Once
The end of the album is not as some fans want every time we want the same quality as the best songs show us in the whole album Dare Me Once maybe will be more great it doesn’t have the powerfull end feeling last song, maybe again the weak point resides in the performing in the vocals not the same level quality that we hear in the middle songs of the album or in the beginning of it, the good part of the album again the incredible good handle of the harmonies and riffs of the guitars.
Impressive begin and middle of Part Of The Game album by Fullcount but the end is feel like we have a decrease awesomeness level in the performing of the chorus and in the vocals in general all of the end of the album is saved again and again with the perfect execution of all instruments drums and the well handle guitars with their impressive solos and riffs in the crucial and hard moments of this particular songs. In overall outstanding album but sadly not perfect at all with these awesome songs like: Back Against The Wall, Killdozer, The Motion, Ten Shots Deep, Discord & Treachery and Alter Ego.
Final Score: ★★★★✩
Review written by: Punkerman_00
Blink-182 - California (Deluxe Edition) (Review)
This new album grabs the old good things about the old school genre from blink-182 and mixed it with new modern pop punk rhythms with hard post hardcore influences in a little songs, California converts since their first listening in the real successor after the great Take Off Your Pants and Jacket album, after disappointed album such as the selftitled and Neighborhoods, the last one more than the others, finally a decent return from the old style from blink 182 has returned from the graves of your memories.
California (Deluxe Edition) contain the original fourteen tracklist songs from California standard and original album plus a new twelve tracks, that works as a bonus album of California, great but it feels like a long album with many songs, but the best songs are Cynical, Bored To Death, Los Angeles, No Future, Kings Of The Weekend, Teenage Satellites and Rabbit Hole, this seven songs have the hard and root influences of the old school style for the blink-182 old fans always love and exactly the half of the album is totally awesome, meanwhile the rest are decent and good songs. The bonus tracklist set features twelve songs and the less of the middle bonus album are awesome because feels like the best songs that you can find in the original California tracklist, you can hear these songs as: Parking Lot, Misery, Wildfire, Lost Long Feeling, Bottom of the Ocean. California without doubt worth it but you need to carefully and listening a few times each part of the album, if you grab the original with the fourteen songs or the bonus album.
Cynical
Many fans said that this particular song is one of the most fast songs that blink-182 ever written, they aren’t wrong to affirm this, Cynical works as the great song of the whole album that opens the album but lamentably the song fits to be one of the most short of California.
Bored To Death
California starts good and Bored to Death for good appears after Cynical, this song becomes the first single released before the California album’s official release, the support vocals from Matt Skiba fits to the perfection sharing the main vocals from Mark. The intro in the song has hard influences about some particular song that you can find in Take Off Your Pants and Jacket album.
She’s Out Her Mind
The great begin of the album falls when this song appears as the third one, not bad at all but you are noticed about the long duration of California is a weak point against itself so this third song starts the sensation of boring and monotony of whole album in particular in many songs.
Los Angeles
Uncertainly begin with this song but after that weird intro it becomes in one of my favorites songs of California, the energy in the vocals sing from Mark and the back support from Skiba is everything in this song, the pause in some parts of the rhythm in this song made of this a great variation in the whole style.
Sober
As the time runs into the song it seems that it makes an improvement itself, as you can hear when the song gets the middle length some slowdown break takes part to make a changes in the style and again the classical rhythm of sober takes place to be a good finish move.
Built This Pool
Built this pool works as a pause or as an outro for California album, so don’t expect more of this song if we can say that is a song, you define if it, particularly is the first of two outros from the album, that works to closes the first part of California, short as the outros will be.
No Future
When you hear No Future maybe you fall in love with this song or maybe not, No Future is one of the best songs together the first two songs of the whole album, the songs works as the most melodic pop song from blink-182 for this last album. The dramatic part appears when Skiba takes part in some solo vocals performance breaks everything.
Home Is Such Lonely Place
A slow pop song from blink-182 the first one to be the most slow, all the song goes in that way, the slow one, maybe this things makes Home Is Such Lonely Place the most weak song but it seems that California shows many faces about blink-182 but this one is the most boring.
Kings Of The Weekend
The fast energy in California album recovers some levels with this song, after you maybe sleep with the last song, you can awake with some enjoyable rhythms that Kings of the Weekend gives across the length of this song, great handle of the drums in a particular case, all of this to Kings of the Weekend a fresh air.
Teenage Satellites
Some levels of that energy that California show us decrease a little with Teenage Satellites but maybe is only is the intro, because is enjoyable the rest of the song not fast as the first two songs, again we have a solo vocal performance in the middle song from Mark Hoppus that impress the progress of the song. The share in scene with Skiba in the vocals is a great point for this song.
Left Alone
The classical pop melodies from the last style that we see in the last albums from blink182 such as the selftitled album, a song that’s doesn’t defines nothing but is not bad but not impressive as other songs in the album.
Rabbit Hole
Again a great song epic energy in the begin to the end crazy drums performance from Travis Baker, Rabbit Hole changes the rhythms occasionally and works in all the senses, some Skiba parts in the vocals, and later Mark Hoppus take the control over the song.
San Diego
The second song with a name of a city of California State maybe that is the main reference that encloses the development of this last album from blink-182, a slow start of San Diego but gets better as the song runs, some nice parts in the solo vocals from Skiba.
The Only Thing That Matters
The intro impress but the illusion falls again is like the long duration of the album feels hard at this point, this song is the fourteen song some good point of this song is a little short add to this the fast performance gets it to end too soon.
California
In the selftitled album name of the song we expect more of this and adding that is the last song of the album, but in the same way the song goes in a slow pop way that blink-182 show us in this album, so the way to end the album with a slow over-loaded pop song maybe not will be the best way.
Brohemian Rhapsody
The second and official ending album outro, the first one was Built This Pool but that one seems to end a great part of the album, so with the Brohemian Rhapsody we have the official outro to be a shape to end the whole album.
Parking Lot
A start with more doubts that hits, all this bonus album covers all this things while you hear it complete, Parking Lot has the California spirit mid fast pop punk from begin to end but if you came for listen the whole California behind, you expect some open fast pop punk to recharge energy, but that saves Parking Lot is there are worst songs that this one.
Misery
Maybe this song is the best from the bonus album, the intro solo performed the boss Mark Hoppus guarantee that everyone in this song fits and works by the correct way, the perfect mix shape of a classic pop punk with some modern slow melodies makes of Misery the best song in the bonus album. Is like Bored Death, a musical successor, awesome lyrics and great uses of the chorus.
Good Old Days
The bad things in California get a little worse with many songs in this bonus album, the bored status in songs that we hear in the last songs in California repeats album, and more evident because there are more songs with this style. Good Old Days goes in the same direction as Home Such As Lonely Place, slow pop modern pop punk with no variations in the rhythms.
Don't Mean Anything
This song gets a little better with the chorus in the lyrics that repeats again with pauses and again repeats it, with a rare support in the back vocals from Skiba but again, the best of the song is the outro of this song.
Hey I'm Sorry
The classic modern style that handle the unique pop punk style that has blink-182 with that slow and melodies shape covers this song, the only good thing about this song is the chorus into the whole lyrics, sing with another way with a more energy than the all the song.
Last Train Home
This song sounds like an Alkaline Trio songs into a blink-182, fortunately only the intro sounds all weird shapes but the continued progress song doesn’t get better and continues with this Alkaline Trio sounds in all the senses, maybe the worst song of this bonus album.
Wildfire
Continue with the good way as we hear in Parking Lot and Misery, a wildfire appears as the third good song in this bonus album, a lot of energy and maybe not fast pop punk song but it haves fast little moments in all the song, this songs with the last cited without doubt can fits and replace that ones in the original California release, these are a better ones.
6/8
If we have weird songs with hard influenced with the Alkaline Trio’s style this song doesn’t get back and jump in the front of your ears to be the most annoying song in this bonus album, definitively the most experimental song with some parts that doesn’t sound like blink-182 in no one styles, no slow pop punk, no mid fast blink-182 or the modern pop punk that covers California standard edition.
Long Lost Feeling
Again some fan service for old blink 182- fans short and sounds familiar the intro and that guitar with the drums make you remember the style that you can find in Take Off Your Pants and Jacket album with the intro and some solo parts in the whole song. Again we have a slow song but that old style parts made of this song a good one in this bonus album.
Bottom Of The Ocean
This song definitive will be the end of the original tracklist for California replaces California song but maybe California stays in that place because takes the same title from the album name, but this is a little better song. The shape of this song is cover with this modern pop punk in all the blink-182 style that defines the most good songs in California, everything works fine with some main vocals, and back support vocals with the addition of the female vocals as support of Mark Hoppus.
Can't Get You More Pregnant
The outro from this bonus album and the second with more duration works to close a disappointed bonus album, which seems all of these songs doesn’t be the chosen to enter in the official and standard edition of California and stay as the demos one converted in studio version.
Bored To Death (Acoustic)
Expected that bored to death will be a studio acoustic version, because there are many live performances of this song everywhere, so you only need go to YouTube and search the acoustic version from Bored to Death and your day is make, this version sounds nice but again is a live version.
California Deluxe Edition is a decent return of blink-182 with the main songs of California original release that you can hear the last year and one of the best returns with a really movement in the inclusion of Skiba frontman from Alkaline Trio, plus to this add the little ones from the bonus album, we can hear many inlfuences from the last good album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket in many songs from the standar edition and in the bonus. But not everything is good when you have many boring songs and add to this California weak point in the long duration with sixteen songs.
Final Score: ★★★✩✩
Review written by: Punkerman_00
No Trigger - Adult Braces (Review)
After speculation and false rumors about the band had slit up, Be Honest (2010) their second EP comes out featured by two great songs, as a preparation for their second LP that take 2 years to comes out, Tycoon (2012) was released as the Canyoneer’s spiritual successor follow the line of the melodic hardcore No Trigger’s unique style.
Now 5 years later Adult Braces (2017) comes out featured by 4 great songs made and conformed by the origins roots of the forgotten amazing melodic hardcore/hardcore shapes from Canyoneer, Extinction in Stereo and the great melodies from Tycoon, this is Adult Braces, the best EP to the date from No Trigger.
Sleeping Bag
Vamos a tocar with this kind spanish words Adult Braces begin with a slow part but the energy shared with that aggressive and explosive hardcore style moments appears with the great vocals from Tom Rheault, nice riffs with great solos, Sleeping Bag takes shapes and hard influences from the old No Trigger stuff so we can affirm that Sleeping Bag is made with Canyoneer influences inside the whole song. Impressive the way that Sleeping Bag with that shapes makes the first awesome fast song of the whole EP.
Holy Punks
Holy Punks the second song opens quickly with a frenetic begin and a particular vocals style from Tom Rheault that never heard in past albums, Holy Punks have a great way and singular musical shapes maybe influenced from the melodic style of Tycoon showed five years ago, a song plenty of melodic segments with little hardcore parts. Not the most aggressive song from No Trigger but the most nice melodies does the work very well making of Holy Punks one of the best songs from No Trigger career.
Dogs On Acid
Dogs On Acid was the first single released from Adult Braces and without doubt the best song of the EP it had the most hard and deep influences from Canyoneer, unique style from the four songs, singular way to start the song with a too shortly acoustic performance, as the song continue your memories go back in the past remind you Canyoneer album, if you don’t feel this probably you don’t know the magic of Canyoneer, a song from the begin to the end with that classic hardcore aggression with an awesome vocals, epic end with those great chorus from the lyrics song.
Hyperaware
Hyperaware closes the EP in the correct way such as a great song with influences taken from the end part songs from Canyoneer in the style line with songs like: Tundra Kids, Hail Mary Leaky and Attack of Orion and the Left Arm Sunburn, as always the unique style is present in each song segment, most of the melodies parts well worked joined with aggressive hardcore parts, amazing control in the vocals from Tom make the song from the beginning to the end a nice success.
Hard to listen an album or EP from No Trigger that makes you disappointed, quality is always too close from their name and with Adult Braces isn’t the exception and probably will be the best EP of the year and from the great career of No Trigger, consolidation is Adult Braces maybe it will born from the union of Canyoneer, Tycoon and addition of the roots return from Extinction In Stereo EP from this last one also you found hard influences that build in good shape Adult Braces, as an EP (Adult Braces) is short but amazing effective and the energy perceived in the 4 songs the form that is structured showed as a full length production. The similarity of Adult Braces with Canyoneer Tycoon and Extinction In Stereo appears instantly with the first song Sleeping Bag and it is maintained to the last one Hyperaware, the five years of waiting for new material worth the time. Adult Braces is scored perfect because the 4 songs are pure quality and clearly influenced by the last three amazing No Trigger’s works LP’s Canyoneer, Tycoon and the EP Extinction In Stereo.
Final Score: ★★★★★
Review written by: Punkerman_00
Windover - Maze (Review)
In this new era, new bands born influenced by the great scene of lately 90’s and 00’s with a new proposal behind their own hands such as the mix of genres as punk rock/melodic hardcore with hardcore/metalcore, this is a special case named Windover, they came from the frozen lands of Oriental Europe to be exactly from Belarus, Minsk. Windover born and bring to us their first and debut EP titled Maze (2017) after the release of the single Revival (2015). Revival has another different vocal and nothing to miss with the new work in the vocals behind Maze but Revival feels like more a heavy hardcore old school song and the new EP Maze feels like a modern melodic hardcore/metalcore by the main style used in the performance into the vocals in each song.
Since their first single Revival many changes are come to the band as movements in their lineup after that Maze comes two years later is their first and debut EP with a composition of 4 special and mixed songs that show us and you clearly hear the specific melodic hardcore/metalcore mix that are in the whole EP, specially metalcore influences are located in the main vocals of all the songs behind the melodic part are in the riffs and solos and the heavy touches in the drums and the fine parts in the bass executions.
Maze can be described as a journey that begin with melodic hardcore/skatepunk roots with their first song Wasting Time follow with Stun an aggressive new hardcore style that can fits perfectly in metalcore roots, next to this song we hear Ruthless a mix behind the two past songs, in Maze again we have the purest hardcore roots that Windover employees to finally end with a great song with melodic hardcore roots mainly named Swamp.
Wasting Time
Wasting Time the first track introduces inside the EP with an excelsior intro with great guitars riffs and begins with all fury vocals from the vocalist, in the back you can hear the great work with the guitars, to end with a short riff too. Wasting Time maybe describes itself as a mix of melodic hardcore/metalcore.
Stun
Stun continues the journey of Maze with all the aggressive and powerfully deep vocals performance shared the song with nice works in the guitars and the speed in every hit in the drums. The song lost a bit of the technique and melodic hardcore style, as we hear in Wasting Time.
Ruthless
Another song with an awesome riff/solo Ruthless feels like as a more personal song with an unique style in their hardcore vocals under the roots of the old hardcore school so this basically is what a pure emotion song is inside in Ruthless.
Maze
Maze is a good song because is the only one that uses the support vocals to give it another vision for the song that you can perceive every second together with this additions we have again the great solo and riffs performance.
Swamp
Uncertainly begin with Swamp maybe this is because the intro starts with the screaming aggressive vocals but it upturn from the middle song to the end of this one, great mix with the hardcore vocals and the technically guitars with this riff in the middle of the song, the best riff in the EP for sure.
Conclusion:Maze EP approves the test it feels fresh, innovative and with a lot of amazing loads of feelings and emotions in every songs specially in Wasting Time Maze and Swamp the best song s of the EP, maybe this is for the great mix between two genres melodic hardcore and this new and old roots of hardcore used in the whole EP. The most weak song of the EP Stun and in a few degree Ruthless the middle song of the EP. Great begin for Windover maybe the use of back and support vocals as we hear in Maze maybe gives it more satisfaction to more audiences not influenced as strong with the scream and hardcore vocals.
Final Score: ★★★✩✩
Review written by: Punkerman_00
Propagandhi - Victory Lap (Deluxe Edition) (Review)
Canadian punk rockers Propagandhi are back with their latest full length album titled "Victory Lap" released on September 29th via Epitaph Records. "Victory Lap" is their first full length release since 2012's "Failed States".
"Victory Lap" is being met with some negativity from long time Propagandhi fans, I personally love the touch of metal in the album. I love it when bands can play more than one style, and Propagandhi are putting their versatility on full display on this record. Even if you're not a huge fan of the sound of this one but a fan of the band this album totally deserves respect.
So much can be said about the styling of this album, the melodic metal/punk hybrid sound provides a great 16 track album. If i had to pick a genre for this album, I would probably classify it as metal, although some may disagree.
Victory Lap
The title track from the record starts off the album with a bang. I believe this track is about a man's morality and happiness in life, the mention to Russian philosopher Ayn Rand. She is known for her philosophical system of Objectivism which in short means that happiness should be the purpose of one's life.
Comply / Resist
A track in the voice of Christopher Hitchens, an Anglo-American author. This track reflects on Hitchens thoughts and ideas on how North America was colonized, mainly mocking his contempt for indigenous people.
Cop Just Out Of Frame
This track uses the action Quảng Đức (a monk who famously burned himself to death) as a critique on people who sacrifices a lot but in reality does nothing to change things in the world.
When All Your Fears Collide
I can't help but to think this song is about the daily struggles of anxiety, lyrics like "When all is said and done, they're going to tear you apart, you feel yourself corroding on the inside" confirms my assumption, I believe. I can relate to that lyric because of my ongoing case of anxiety.
Letters To A Young Anus
A politically charged track, that makes mention to the New Democratic Party, which is a popular political party in Propagandhi's home country of Canada. This song helps with citing the irony of a leftist voting for the NDP despite their recent actions, as they have been doing the opposite of the party's principles.
Lower Order (A Good Laugh)
This track details Chris' observance of animal's suffering and why he is a vegan. The story is told through two personal expiriences of seeing animal's suffer. The song calls out hunting for sport and factory farms.
Failed Imagineer
A personal favorite track for me. The song employs the story of a man when the war ended, with the story being told as two people sit down to have a drink together. The track really captures the story and tell's it quite well and I love the sense of imagery, the feeling as if you can visualize the story.
Call Before You Dig
Another track on the album that switches tempo, Call Before You Dig goes from slow and melodic to fast and heavy on the drop of a dime. With a great riff and amazing drum work. This is one of the best songs on the album.
Nigredo
The 9th track on the album features a slow opening and a steady paced melody, with occasional shredding from the guitar. It really encompasses the range of talent from all the members of the band. It isn't my most favorite song on the album but there is not really anything bad to say about it.
In Flagrante Delicto
The opening of this track reminds me a lot of Metallica, as the song progresses you can hear some influence of bands like Metallica. Very melodic vocal range for this track, mixed with the killer bass line makes In Flagrante Delicto my favorite track of the album.
Tartuffe
A complete banger of a track, opens strongs and keeps the energy throughout the song. Very consistant riff, it really shows that the band has returned to their metal roots but also still have the punk sound loved by their fans.
Adventures In Zoochosis
This track has a long intro before the song itself starts, the song contains a slower pace, with a strong message.
WishingProbably one of the punkest sounding songs on the record, complete with a double time drum sound. Another track with amazing guitar shredding.
Beyond
This is a pretty solid way to start ending an album, the album's 14th track which is included in the deluxe edition, it kinda reminds me of Strung Out during certain parts because of the vocals.
Technocracy
This opens up with a metal based intro, as we progress in the track the metal vibes are there, as well as some punk too, leaving us with a perfect metal punk hybrid.
Laughing Stock
A great way to end the album, they end it on a high note. This track is a bonus and you can find it here on the blog.
Conclusion:
Propagandhi have not failed to impress with their latest release, Victory Lap is great entry into their discography. Everyone seems to feel different about this album which is natural but I personally think that this change of sound is great. It's not even like their sound changed drastically since Failed States came out in 2012. Too many people expect the sound from How To Clean Everything which was released in 1993.
I don't think the album deserved the negative feed back based on the fact that band doesn't sound like how they sounded almost 25 years ago. Victory Lap is a solid album and agreat listen for anyone, whether they prefer punk or metal because the album provides both sounds.
Propagandhi have not failed to impress with their latest release, Victory Lap is great entry into their discography. Everyone seems to feel different about this album which is natural but I personally think that this change of sound is great. It's not even like their sound changed drastically since Failed States came out in 2012. Too many people expect the sound from How To Clean Everything which was released in 1993.
I don't think the album deserved the negative feed back based on the fact that band doesn't sound like how they sounded almost 25 years ago. Victory Lap is a solid album and agreat listen for anyone, whether they prefer punk or metal because the album provides both sounds.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)