Shin To Shin - 2014 - Shin To Shin

Shin To Shin is the solo project of Aaron "A2" Melnick. Shin To Shin is the debut EP under this name. Aaron Melnick has also played in bands like Integrity, In Cold Blood and Inmates. This EP released by A389 Recordings is 8 tracks and 22 and a half minutes of crushing 90's metallic hardcore. The basis for most of these songs is that straightforward but then the guitar leads start flying and we're off to the races. My favourite songs are the title track, Extinction and Intro and Costumes And Masks,  these songs are either crushingly heavy but never neglecting  a lead riff or riding a solid groove into the dirt. If you're looking for some heavy metallic hardcore, look no further than Shin To Shin's Shin To Shin.

Flehs Born - Cara Neir - 2014 - Split EP

Flesh Born is an four piece black metal band from Denton, Texas, USA. This split with Cara Neir is their second release. Flesh Born play a a raw brand of of black metal that spins itself into tight little corners and then explodes out wildly from there. The singer has a high pitched shriek that fits in nicely with the lofi chaos the instruments are making. If you're looking for some chaotic black metal with some grind and a coating of crust, Flesh Born's side of their split with Cara Neir will serve well.



Cara Neir is a black metal two piece from Dallas, Texas, USA. This split with Flesh Born is their third EP, their eight record overall. Cara Neir play an experimental brand of black metal bringing in elements of screamo, d-beat, hardcore and neocrust. These songs are unrelenting, bringing the blast beats but still allowing some melody to slip through. If you're looking for some intense black metal that isn't afraid of branching out, Cara Neir's side of their split with Flesh Born will serve well.

Sage Francis - 2014 - Grace

Sage Francis is a rapper from Providence Rhode Island. His new LP, Copper Gone is his 18th release. He is the founder of Strange Famouse Records. Grace is the single from his new LP.

Old Gray - Clip Your Wings

Old Gray is a four piece screamo band from the USA. Their latest release is a 7" Split EP with Tiny Moving Parts courtesy of Broken World Media, Kind Of Like Records and Dog Knights Productions. Rat Cave Productions produced a music video for Clip Your Wings from the aforementioned split.

ABRAMS - 2014 - February

ABRAMS is a three piece hard rock band from Denver, Colorado. February is their debut EP. Members have played in Black Acid Devil, Black Sheep Of Kali, and Luna Sol. ABRAMS play a heavy brand of rock bringing hardcore punk and stoner metal to tie everything together. They cite Metz, Torche, Death from Above 1979, Baroness, Mastodon and  Sleep as influences which is a pretty solid representation of where these songs are headed. My favourites are The Fucking Cops Are Here and Mr. Pink Always Wins but Limped Off and Sea Salt Lines are riotous and noisy in their own rights. If you're looking for some heavy grooves, ABRAMS' February will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Teen Creeps - 2014 - Teen Creeps

Teen Creeps is a three piece indie rock band from Ghent, Belgium. Teen Creeps is their debut EP. Teen Creeps play a an emo inflected fuzzed out brand of indie rock bringing in some garage rock for seasoning. Songs like Letting Go have an early 90's lazy indie rock feel to them while songs like Alp kick out the garage rock jams and Shed Some Light has a tense driving energy to it. If you're looking for some tight, well played eclectic indie rock Teen Creep's Teen Creeps will do well. Thanks to Manic Compression

Rend - 2014 - First Contact

Rend is an emo band from Marlborough, Massachusetts. First Contact is their debut LP. Rend play a noisy brand of emo with some melody occasionaly peeking through. First Contact gets off to an explosive start with Haunted which is followed by more of the same with When you know the answer (but don't raise your hand) before Parlor Trick breaks everything down and builds it back up in a slow burn.



Forever Discontent starts the second half off in an almost hardcore direction before Safe In Orbit returns to the emo Rend can pull off well before closing out with more of the same plus more of the aforementioned slowburn on Moulder. If you're looking for some desperate emo wrapped in fuzz, Rend's First Contact will serve well.

Things Fall Apart​ - ​Tall Ships Set Sail -​ ​Infro​ - Shizune - Four Way Split

Things Fall Apart is an screamo band from Columbus, Ohio, USA. This four way split is their ninth EP. These two songs are a little noodly but also bring in some post-hardcore in their use of dynamics.
Tall Ships Set Sail is a four piece  screamo band from Woonsocket, Rhode Island. This four way split is their 3rd EP. Tall Ships Set Sail play a lofi brand of screamo that feels like it might fall apart at any moment. They shake and desperately scream their way through these two songs without coming apart completely.



Infro is a screamo band from Japan. This four way split is their fourth EP and their fifth release overall. Infro play a straight forward brand of screamo, the guitars are distorted but never forgetting some melody while still come straight at you and the singer has a forceful, versatile shout.
Shizune is a five piece screamo band from Lonigo, Vicenza, Italy. This four way split is their fourth EP. An Appointment With Richard Harrison divides it's time between exploding  and screaming and the other half softly whispering and disintegrating while March Blizzard In Rostov n Donu starts twinkly with some buried shouts before building up and destroying itself.

Settler - 2014 - dissociation songs (in the key of F)

Settler is a three piece emo band from Marlborough, Massacusets, USA. dissociation songs (in the key of F) is their 3rd EP and their fifth release overall. Settler play a slightly dissonant brand of emo run through a lofi filter. These songs are equal parts energetic punk and distorted emo with some shoegazing post rock thrown in for good measure. It is being pressed on vinyl as a 7" by Sorry Girls Records and Driftwood Records. If you're looking for some energetic indie punk with that emo bent to it, Settler's dissociation songs (in the key of F) will serve well.

Upper Chief - 2014 - delete it all

Upper Chief is the solo project of Jack Tomascak from Purchase, New York, USA. delete it all is his fourth release under the Upper Chief name. Upper Chief plays a noisy brand of emo that borrows heavily from post-rock. The songs consist of one distorted guitar and some shouts, they start with a solid emo base and then proceed to kick out the songwriting conventions with waves of distortion. The guitar tone reminds of iwontstopwonderinguntilyoustopbreathing but drawn out and coming you at you in swells. The highlight of the album for me is Pavilion, the vocals are buried deep in the mix and the waves of guitar distortion rise and recede like the tide. On songs like Trust Break or Stay To Your Business and Rockwell there is more focus that comes from emo songwriting structure but there is always enough post-rock to stretch things out and vibrate. If you need some noisy post-rock heavy emo, Upper Chief's delete it all will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Enoch Ardon - 2014 - Dedos Rotos

Enoch Ardon is a five piece screamo band from Oviedo, Spain. Dedos Rotos is their third release and their first in 7 years. Enoch Ardon play a chaotic brand of screamo garnering comparisons to heavy weights like Orchid and going on tour with Loma Prieta. They had a song on the Emo Apocalypse compilation from React With Protest. These songs are short, chaotic and heavy on the distortion. There are no punches pulled here. If you're looking for some chaotic screamo, look no further than Enoch Ardon's long over due Dedos Rotos. Thanks to Cut & Paste.

Pony! - 2014 - Cuantas Veces?

Pony! is a two piece emo band from Lima, Peru. Cuantas veces? is their debut LP. Pony! plays a catchy, shaggy brand of emo unafraid of bringing in some math rock, screamo or jump straight up and down pop punk for flavour and energy. The singer has an excellent shout that can have a rough edge to it while the guitars dance around a sometimes twinkly melodic post-hardcore emo sound. Here's where I would usually list my favourite songs but there's no point when an LP is this loaded with great songs.If you like your emo with some post-hardcore shouting and a little twinkle, Pony!'s Cuantas Veces? will serve well.

Käptain Krünçh Kîdz - 2014 - #BloodBrothers

Käptain Krünçh Kîdz is a two piece band from Ozark, Missouri, USA. #BloodBrothers is their debut EP.  Käptain Krünçh Kîdz play a combination of emo and surf rock,  the wiry kind of emo that feels like it could fall apart at any moment rammed straight into melodic surf rock. And the results don't always work. The guitars are plenty noodly and twinkly but when the songs don't hit and the riffs aren't memorable song structure falls into that black noodly hole. When they hit, they really hit (Night Mare, Fall's End, Bloodshot Eyes And An Existential Crisis) otherwise the songs just wander around a little bit. There is much potential here and this album to it's detriment is very much front loaded. If Käptain Krünçh Kîdz continue down this path they should develop into something interesting, right now this diamond is very much in the rough. The edges are starting to glean but there's a lot of polishing that needs to be done.

Black Hands Promotions Present: Iowacore Vol 3

Iowacore Vol 3 is a compilation of heavy music from in around Iowa, USA. With 91 songs clocking in at over five hours worth of free music ranging from deathcore to metalcore to easycore to djent to  post-hardcore and back again. If you like heavy metal or punk in pretty much any form, I guarantee you will find something of value here.

VA - 2014 - Casa De Heusos Vol I

Casa De Heusos is a Spanish record label, this international screamo compilation is their fifth release. Bands like British Crows-An-Wra, Peruvian Lori Berenson, American Shark Bait or Rio Bravo blast through 12 songs in under a half hour, taking you on a whirlwind world wide tour of modern screamo/emotional hardcore/people screaming their lungs out over distorted electric guitars. If you're into screamo in any capacity you will find much to enjoy and bands to discover on Casa De Heusos Vol I. Thanks to The Elementary Revolt.

Air Hockey - 2014 - Air Hockey

Air Hockey is a four piece emo band from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Air Hockey is their debut LP. Air Hockey play an eclectic brand of emo that pulls in various sounds but never strays far from their roots. If you were to toss indie rock, punk pop and midwestern emo into a blender and served with a singer with a both melodic and shouty voice and you've got Air Hockey. It took a moment for the whole thing to sink in, I had the same experience with Big Ups Eighteen Hours Of Static The multitude of styles is at first off putting but then makes for a much deeper, more vibrant album. If you're looking for some energetic punked up emo, Air Hockey's Air Hockey will serve well.

Stoic Violence - 2014 - Chained

Stoic Violence is a hardcore punk band from Long Beach, California. Chained is their new 12" EP, their fourth overall release. Vinyl is being released by Deranged Records and Video Disease Records and on cassette by Overdose Records.  Stoic Violence plays a straight forward, stripped down brand of hardcore, relying on a simple groove and a singer who can spit pure venom to slam their points home. At their best on tracks like No Escape, Two Faced, Choke and Cut Down/Empty Inside Stoic Violence conjures a chaotic, ugly brand of hardcore punk garnering comparisons to bands like Brainkiller, Hoax, No Class, Altered Boys, Nomos, Sucked Dry & Pukeoid. If you're looking for some no frills hardcore Stoic Violence's Chained will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression and Cut & Paste.

Badger Squad - 2014 - Fight Back

Badger Squad is a four piece hardcore punk band from London, England. Fight Back is their debut demo. Badger Squad play an aggressive, brand of beatdown hardcore. These song specialize in finding a heavy riff and ramming it through your brain at top speed. Highlights include Fight Back and Ungrateful. If you're looking for some heavy hardcore and don't mind some lofi production, Badger Squad's Fight Back will serve well.

Odd Dates - 2014 - File Dump

Odd Dates is a two piece band from Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. File Dump is their new EP. Odd Dates play an angular, melodic, post-hardcore informed brand of math rock. These two songs set a pretty high standard, think in the area of The Reptilian and Animal Faces and you won't be far off. Wu Wei conjures an off kilter melody and rides that into the dust while This Basement is Most Definitely Haunted almost gets lost in the riffing. Easily one of the best EPs of the year. If you like your punk rock with some math and emo, Odd Date's File Dump will serve very well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Bored Straight - 2014 - Final Session

Bored Straight is a four piece hardcore punk band from Wisconsin, USA. Final Session is their
fifth EP. Bored Straight play a straight ahead brand of hardcore punk. There are no punches pulled here and nor any major surprises. This EP is filled to overflowing with raging guitars and a drill sergeant screaming at you. If you're looking for some straight ahead pissed off hardcore, Bored Straight's Final Session will serve well.

Tawny Peaks - 2014 - In Silver River

Tawny Peaks is a six piece emo band from Montclair, New Jersey. In Silver River is their second and final LP. Tawny Peaks play a melodic, brand of emo punk that brings in some indie rock for flavouring. The main singer has a solid voice that reminds me of Shotgun Jimmie or Lou Reed and the female vocals are quite a nice touch. The music is slightly twinkly but never leaves behind the indie punk rock base. Songs like Bending Time and Portrait Of Pushkin will get stuck deep in your head. The sequencing is a bit off, making the album a tad uneven but it comes together nicely in the end. If you're looking for some emo with a little bit of twinkle and a low down groove, Tawny Peaks In Silver River will serve well.

Indian - 2014 - From All Purity

Indian is a doom metal band from Chicago, Illinois, America. From All Purity is their new LP. Indian pl ay a bracing, abrasive, noisy but at times ambient brand of doom metal. Not only do these songs crawl along at a glacier place but everything seems dipped and covered in the most harsh, distorted noise. If you choose to play close attention Indian are experts at creating terrifying, noisy atmosphere that can just as easily turn towards ambient music. They are drawing comparisons to bands like Neurosis and Eyehategod in their noisy, sludgy caves. If you're looking for some abrasive doom metal, Indian's From All Purity will serve well.

Rollercoaster Kills - 2014 - Evil Debt

Rollercoaster Kills is a three piece punk rock band from Madrid, Spain. Evil Debt is their debut LP. Rollercoaster Kills play an eclectic brand of punk rock, bringing in shaggy melodic emo, wiry indie rock and some grungy garage rock. Songs like Modern Flu and Don't Ask Don't Tell take a ramshackle but still melodic brand of emo and run it through a grungy garage filter while Funeral Party brings a driving indie rock rhythm to an almost pop punk song and Adam's Massacre Song is heading in a hardcore direction . They are garnering comparisons to bands like Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Wipers, and Sonic Youth. If you're looking for some emotive, eclectic punk rock, Rollercoaster Kills' Evil Debt will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression. 

Scalped - 2014 - Demo

Scalped is a five piece hardcore punk band from San Fransisco, California, USA. Demo is their debut EP. Scalped play a balls to the wall aggressive brand of abrasive hardcore punk. The guitar tone has something especially gritty to it and the noise the band makes almost drowns out the desperation of the singer. Hyperhagia and Charred Hands are the stand outs here, and make want to hear more of what this band can offer. If you're looking for some abrasive hardcore punk to destroy things to, Scalped's Demo will serve well.

Your Weekly Madness 207

Check out Episode 207 of Your Weekly Madness. This week featuring music from Redefiners, COKE BOYS, Young Thug & Bloody jay, Barren Hope, Chalkboards, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Iron Mind, B.O.N.I.C.Z as well as Andrea Gibson performing I Do and excerpts from both Tina Fey's Bossypants and Emma Goldman's Anarchism & Other Essays

Head Split - 2014 - Demo

Head Split is a five piece crossover hardcore band from Massachusets, America. Demo is their debut EP. Head Split was formerly known as torchbearer and play a heavy, metallic brand of crossover hardcore. Lead off track The Crystal Wizard takes some metal riffs and put them to great use while Young and Ruthless has an all out savage attack and Honor Among Thieves Ft. Jordan of Ra closes things out by explosively riding a groove into the ground. Easily one of the best EPs of the year. Highly recommended. Thanks to Dead Air At The Pulpit.

Zoo Books - 2014 - Demo

Zoo Books is a three piece post-hardcore band from Cinnaminson, New Jersey, USA. Demo is their debut. Zoo Books play a mathy, twinkly brand of post-hardcore with obvious comparisons to bands like The Reptilian and Lautrec and Native. This is what I like in my post-hardcore, shouted emotional but still melodic vocals and mathy guitar riffs that skitter every which way. If you like the bracing, melodic, emo influenced stuff The Reptilian plays you will almost certainly like this. Hopefully they keep moving forward and come into their own. Highlights include Djangle Unchained, Twinkle Tappies and Why Not Scorpion?,  If you like your math rock with some post-hardcore and shouted vocals, Zoo Books' Demo will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Don't We All - 2014 - Don't We All

Don't We All is a five piece melodic hardcore punk band from Lyons, France. Don't We All is their debut EP. Members of Don't We All have also played in bands like Seekers Of The Truth, First Try and Upstart. Don't We All play a melodic brand of hardcore punk that is edging towards screamo garnering comparisons to bands like Touché Amoré and Comeback Kid. The singer has a voice when shouting that sounds like a higher pitched Jeremy from Touché Amoré at times while the band behind him churns out a melodic, energetic brand of modern punk rock. If you're looking for some speedy, melodic punk, Don't We All's Don't We All will serve well. Thanks to What Are Blood Wings?

Sport - 2014 - Bon Voyage

Sport is a four piece emo band from Lyons, France. Bon Voyage is their second LP. Sport play an energetic, punked up brand of emo garnering comparisons to bands Braid, Small Brown Bike, Algernon Cadwallader and Crash Of Rhinos. The singer's voice reminds at time of a gruffer lead singer of The Reptilian, a surprisingly apt comparison. Sport run the gambit from indie rock to twinkly emo over to melodic post-hardcore and back into some melodic emo without even blinking an eye. Outside of You Blew It! and Posture & The Grizzly this is one of the best emo albums I've heard yet this year. Highly recommended. I would list my favourite songs but that's basically all of them. Thanks to Manic Compression

Iwakura - 2014 - Demos

Iwakura is a hardcore punk band from Denver Colorado.  Demo is their debut EP. And that is the sum total of my knowledge of this band. They play a very aggressive brand of screamo inflected hardcore heading in a powerviolence direction. These songs are chaotic and explode in every direction, there is enough post-hardcore in the mix to allow them to string the songs along while they continue to collapse. If you like your hardcore with screamo and powerviolence, Iwakura's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Dead Air At The Pulpit.

War Emblem - 2014 - Constant Defeat

War Emblem is a four piece hardcore punk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, America. Constant Defeat is their debut LP. Members of War Emblem have also played in Kill the Man Who Questions, Saetia, Yo Man Go, Off Minor and more. War Emblem plays a straight ahead, no punches pulled brand of hardcore punk, they are fast without sacrificing heaviness for speed or vice versa. There's just enough riffage to pull you in but not enough to take away from the slamming nature of these songs. Highlights include Spoils Of War, Frustration, Nuke It From Orbit, Paths, (Ready To) Bleed and Flames. If you like your hardcore battering and heavy, War Emblem's Constant Defeat will serve well.

Clixxtorix - 2014 - Clixxtorix

Clixxtorix is a hardcore punk band from Madrid Spain. Clixxtorix is their fourth LP. Clixxtorix play a speedy brand of hardcore punk, picking up lessons in speed and agility from street punk rather than being exceedingly heavy. None of these songs break three minutes, Clixxtorix are experts at laying out their attack, executing it at top speed and then moving right on. If you're looking for some fastcore Clixxtorix's Clixxtorix will serve well. Thanks to xxRuidoxx.

Zotz - 2014 - Demo

Zotz is a four piece post-punk band from Mexico City, Mexico. Demo is their debut EP. Zotz play a dark, sinister brand of post-punk. On tracks like Bombas No! Zotz can kick up quite a distorted fuzz, it's impossible to distinguish any instruments behind the walls of distortion but usually Zotz are content to hammer away at the night with mid speed, brooding post-punk like Sangre or Elizabeth. If you're looking for some blood obsessed post-punk, Zotz's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Ruido.

Disasteratti - 2014 - Cerebral Hack Artist

Disasteratti is a three piece rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cerebral Hack Artist is their second LP. Disasteratti throw punky blues rock, straight ahead rock and roll, punked up rock with a noisy edge and driving groovy post-hardcore into a blender and out comes magic. This album is wildly uneven and unsatisfying if you're looking for a band content with staying with where they are, because Disasteratti seem compelled to push at even self imposed boundaries, smashing quickly between genres that by all accounts have no right being next to each other. Highlights include Rolling Blackouts, Convict, Forced Exposure, and Hollow  If you're looking for a group of musicians that have developed their own unique, tight, groove filled style and aren't afraid of destroying genre conventions in order to do so, Disasteratti's Cerebral Hack Artist will serve well.

UGLYFRANK- 2014 - Bobby Hill

UGLYFRANK is a rapper from Tacoma, Washington, USA. Bobby Hill is his solo debut EP. Ugly Frank is one third of the rap group ILLFIGHTYOU. UGLYFRANK is an interesting rapper, he's got the intensity and anger of a gangsta rapper but he focuses his energy on other things instead of purely rapping about violence. 90 has a creeping G-Funk heaviness to it while Frank Truise and Left Ova bring the melodic synths. The production provided by the  KReam Team allows UGLYFRANK to spit his freewheeling style to maximum effect. Hip hop doesn't have to be pretty to be killer. If you're into rap or hip hop at all, UGLYFRANK's Bobby Hill will serve well.

Ajax - 2014 - Bleach For Breakast

Ajax is a hardcore punk supergroup from New York City. USA. Bleach For Breakfast is their debut EP. Ajax plays a straight ahead brand of hardcore, super fast, no interest in guitar solos only in playing as fast they can while their lead singer barks ferociously.



 Members also play in Warthog, CREEM and Nuclear Spring. If you need some fast, short and ferocious hardcore punk in your life, Ajax's Bleach For Breakfast will serve well. Thanks to both I Could Die Tomorrow and Cut & Paste.

A Lonely Ghost Burning - Various Artists - 2014 - Alt/Punk Vol 2

A Lonely Ghost is a project intended to bring good music to more people. This is their third compilation. It walks the distance between hardcore punk, melodic org core punk rock, pop punk, quirky indie rock influenced punk and back. My favourites are Bad Ideas - So Wrong, Dogbreth - Too Much Too Fast, Trampoline Team - I'm So Popular, Growing Up A Ghost - Know Better, Boys - Sundae Skool and Shakey Ground - American Haiku but this album is overgrown with excellent new music. If you like punk rock in any capacity, A Lonely Ghost Burning's Alt/Punk will serve well.

jinzo - 2014 - ACID BANK

jinzo is an experimental band from Glasgow. ACID BANK is their second LP with another seven EP's on their bandcamp. jinzo plays an experimental brand of largely ambient chiptune. On songs like Big Glass Ft. Bekn Dignum and In My Dream I Ran jinzo conjures a danceable, melodic sound bed but otherwise this album is heavy on the instrumental ambient melodies drifting by in fits and starts. This is perfect music for either background ambient noise or paying attention to the songs and interludes as they are constructed piece by looped piece. If you are in need of something ambient or simply some synth layered quirkiness, then jinzo's ACID BANK will serve well. Thanks to We Read The Blogs We Think We Deserve.

Your Weekly Madness 205

Wednesday night/thursday morning means another episode of Your Weekly Madness. Episode 205 features music from Young Thug & Bloody jay , Creeper, Truman, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Waxahatchee, Iron Mind, You Blew It!, Slippertails, and self defense family and excerpts from Tina Fey's Bossypants, Emma Goldman's Anarchism & Other Essays as well as Alysia Harris and Aysha El Shamayleh performing hir

Ball De Bastons - Makil Dantza - 2014

Ball De Bastons - Makil Dantza is an anti-cop compilation put out by Filferro Records and Hysterical Records featuring 22 tracks from 22 different bands from Catalonia and Basque Country. Most of these bands are straight ahead hardcore punk with varying degrees of crustiness and heaviness but even an  industrial bands like Matxura pounds you senseless at high speed . If you're looking for a solid compilation of pissed the fuck off  political music, Ball De Bastons - Makil Dantza will serve well.

pocketmouse - 2014 - almost spring

pocketmouse is the acoustic side project of Julia of The Concrete Summer. almost spring is her debut LP. pocketmouse is a singer songwriter alone in her room recording onto a digital camera. Don't expect big flashy songs, these are tender and held close to the heart. The whole album reminds me a lot of Julie Doiron and the cover of Maps is a nice touch. Julie has a nice voice that can be quietly beautiful while her guitar playing either softly backs her up with pensive, melodic picking or more actively moves the songs along with energetic strumming. I would list faovurite tracks but I just realized that it's basically all of them. If you're looking to sit and listen with a singer songwriter practicing their craft, pocketmouse's almost spring will serve well.

The Black Keys - 2014 - Fever

The Black Keys are a rock and roll duo from Akron, Ohio, USA. Fever is the first song from Turn Blue, their eight LP. I hope it's not indicitave of what's to come on that album, this is generic, synth based pop music, as disposable as it gets.




So listen instead to some classic Black Keys and remember what was. 

Sosiego - 2014 - Ascensión

 Sosiego is a hardcore punk band from Antofagasta, Chile. Ascensión is their first proper EP. Sosiego play a crusty, chaotic brand of hardcore punk. They describe themselves as nihilistic neo-crust band citing Michel Foucault, Fall of Efrafa, Tragedy, Carl Sagan and Arse Moreir. If Loma Prieta stayed just as chaotic but  got all crusty and played d-beat instead of screamo it might come out something like this. Highlights include La Contraescuel,a Epifanía and Antonio Ramón Ramón If you like your d-beat crusty and chaotic, Sosiego's Ascensión will serve well. Thanks to Ruido.

Le1f - 2014 - Hey

Le1f is a rapper and producer from New York City, New York. Hey is his fifth EP. Le1f has a talent for picking out or making unique beats and then lays out his personality across them. Le1f is a challenge to norms and stereotypes just by existing let alone applying his idiosyncratic flow to unique beats. Le1f is one of the most vital and unique voices in hip-hop, I don't know any other rappers talking about the things he raps about. He knows exactly what he's going for and executes it damn near perfectly. If you have even a passing interest in hip hop or rap, or simply artists being their transgressive selves, Le1f's Hey is essential listening.

Snow Roller - 2014 - Another Step In Your Career Ladder

Snow Roller is a four piece emo band from Portland, Oregon, USA. Another Step In Your Career Ladder is their debut EP. Members also play in The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die. Snow Roller play a melodic, guitar focused brand of emo with a singer that might put some off. The highlight for sure is Mirror and the follow up Limits but the opening two tracks Slouch and Wasted Time are excellent fuzzy indie rock and more straight up ahead indie rock. Snow Roller are not averse to following a riff down it's melodic rabbit hole and I want to compare them to Television in that catchy but still mathy riff focused punk. If you're looking for some fuzzy indie rock influenced emo with riffs galore, Snow Roller's Another Step In Your Career Ladder will serve well. Thanks to i think i might hate everything.

Grammer - 2014 - Awesome Knives

Grammer is a five piece emo band from Springfield, Missouri, USA. Awesome Knives is their debut EP. Grammer play a melodic brand of midwestern emo drawing obvious comparisons to bands like American Football or Mineral but stopping there is over simplifying. Grammer also bring a touch of post-hardcore to weird up the songs and add a slight edge of chaos and danger. The guitars are clear and melodic, carrying the melody forward and twinkling while the singer has a reaching voice that glides forwards and can have a nice rasp to it. This is a rock solid foundation on which to construct their own, more unique sound. If you like your emo with a little rasp and some midwestern twinkle, Grammer's Awesome Knives will serve well.

Your Weekly Madness 204

 Check out episode 204 of Your Weekly Madness featuring music from Battle Ruins, Polar Bear Club, WVRM, You Blew It!, I Kill Giants, Absolut, from Digital Dynasty #28 Anubis 9:3, Lucas Skywalk, Illa Ghee, Up Front AKA Gihadi, as well as excerpts from Emma Goldman's Anarchism & Other Essays and Tina Fey's Bossypants and Sarah Jones performs her poem Your Revolution.

Arch Enemy - 2014 - War Eternal

Arch Enemy is a five piece melodic death metal band. War Eternal is the first song and title track from their 10th studio LP their first with new lead singer  Alissa White-Gluz. Arch Enemy was formed in Halmstad, Sweden by Johan Liiva , brothers Michael  & Christopher Amott and Daniel Erlandsson. Christopher Amott has come and gone, currently pursuing a solo career and Daneil Erlandsson only left once. Johan Liiva was replaced by Angela Gossow in 2000 who is now transitioning to business manager. Her replacement is former lead singer for The Agonist Alissa White-Gluz. I think I like her voice more than Angela's even.

Scare Tactic - 2014 - Demo

Scare Tactic is a four piece hardcore crust punk band from Bremen, Germany. Demo is their debut EP. Scare Tactic play a straight forward brand of crusty hardcore. The guitars are chunky, distorted and crunchy with crust while the singer has a nice deep voice capable of guttural rumblings. If you like your hardcore crusted over and focused on crushing your skull, Scare Tactic's Demo will serve well.

Via Fondo - 2014 - Fast

Via Fondo is a four piece screamo band from Uppsala, Sweden. Fast is their fourth EP. Via Fondo play a brand of screamo with chaotic songs, pummelling guitars, tortured screams, and some twinkly guitars in the moments of lesser chaos. If you like Suis La Lune or La Quiete you will almost certainly like this. If you like your screamo chaotic and punky, Via Fondo's Fast will serve well.

Freddie Gibs & Madlib - 2014 - Pinata

Freddie Gibbs is a rapper from Gary, Indiana. Pinata is his second LP with another solo LP scheduled for later this year. Freddie Gibbs is your classic gangsta rapper with a voice constantly being composed to Tupac. Freddie Gibbs' street tales and drug dealing are laid out matter of factly with none of the gloss or shine modern rappers use. Self described as having "an icemaker for a heart," Gibbs uses Madlibs inventive beats to take detours and back roads into memories he might not otherwise visit. Throw in guest verses from luminaries like Raekwon and Scarface and newcomers like Ab-Soul, Danny Brown, Domo Genesis & Earl Sweatshirt and you've got a banger.



Madlib is a DJ and producer from Oxnard, California. Pinata is his 10th LP with an equal number of collaborations with other people as well as releases under the names of Jaylib, Madvillain, Quasimoto and Yesterdasy New Quintet. Madlib has worked with rappers like Talib Kweli, MF Doom and producers like J Dilla. He has developed a reputation as a crate digger with a taste for jazz, pyschedelic soul and blaxpolitation funk all of which he puts to great use on this album. Instead of a traditional boom bap Freddie Gibbs gets old school funk and soul to spit his street tales on. If you like hip hop or rap in any capacity, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Pinata is essential listening.

Execució - 2014 - Demo

Execució is a four piece thrash metal band from Barcelona, Spain. Demo is their debut EP. Execució play a straight forward brand of thrash metal, heavy riffs flying everywhere which way and the singer has a voice that could wake the dead. This is old school, riff focused thrash metal with a possessed drill sergeant on vocals. If you've been missing some aggressive thrash metal, Execució's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Ruido

.

Your Weekly Madness 203

Check out the third episode of the official podcast of Project: Burnt,

There is a voice mail you can and leave messages on 206-339-3919, your messages will probably be played on a future show.

This week features the music of Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, lovechild, Brain Corruption, No Crosses, Battle Ruins, beatriz carnicero, polar bear club, human ruins, as well as excerpts from Emma Goldman’s Anarchism & Other Essays, Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Gil Scott-Heron performing his poem The Revolution Will Not Be Televized.

Your Weekly Madness 201

My former radio show Who Programmed This?!? has been reborn exclusively as the official podcast of Project:Burnt.

There is a voice mail you can and leave messages on 206-339-3919, your messages will probably be played on a future show.

This week features music from  Posture & The Grizzly, Go Deep, Stras X Ser, Danger! Danger!, Trauma Harness, Dejection, Childish Gambino and excerpts from Anarchism & Other Essays by Emma Goldman and Bossypants by Tina Fey

Fade - 2014 - Familiar Ghost

Fade is a three piece emo band from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. Familiar Ghost is their debut EP. Fade play a melodic brand of emo that wraps itself in layers of fuzz.These four meloncholy songs explore loneliness and despair by constructing melodic emo songs with a warm, enveloping layer of distortion. This EP makes me think of hearing Nobody, Ever and Healing Powers for the first time, this is the sound of a new band finding their footing and launching their own ship. If you like your emo wrapped in warm fuzz then Fade's Familiar Ghost will serve well.

Back Legs - 2014 - Demo

Back Legs are a hardcore punk band from Austin, Texas, USA. Demo is their debut EP. Back Legs play a chaotic brand of powerviolence infused hardcore where the songs feel like they might fall apart at any moment. The singer has an anguished shout barely able to escape the pursuing demons and the band hammer out a shaggy, aggressive strain of hardcore punk. If you like your hardcore punk to have a frenzied powerviolence attack Back Leg's Demo will serve well.

The Estranged - 2014 - The Estranged

The Estranged is a three piece post-punk band from Portland, Oregon. The Estranged is their third LP. The Estranged play a dark, brooding brand of post-punk with just a hint of noise thrown in for flavour. They cite bands like Echo & the Bunnymen, The Only Ones, These Immortal Souls, The Troggs and The Creation. Most of these songs have a solid driving rhythm behind them perfect for either driving away the darkness of night or inviting in those dancing demons who make the night their home. This album finds The Estranged expanding their sonic palette through the use of a bow on guitar, feedback loops, piano, farfisa, backwards guitar, female back-up vocals. If you like your post-punk dark and brooding but still driving, The Estranged's The Estranged will serve well. Thanks to Elementary Revolt.

Constrict - 2014 - Carved In Stone

Constrict are a five piece straight edge hardcore punk band from Barcelona, Spain. Carved In Stone is second EP. Constrict play a thrashy, mosh pit ready brand of hardcore punk. The dual guitars bring the heavy crunch and focus on destroying everything around while the vocalist has a harsh shout that is put to great use. If you like your hardcore speedy and thrashy Constrict's Carved In Stone will serve well. Thanks to Ruido

Conan - 2014 - Blood Eagle

Conan is a doom metal three piece from Liverpool, UK. Blood Eagle is their new LP courtesy of Napalm Records recorded in the singer's own Skyhammer Studio. Conan plays a towering, menacing, incredibly heavy and skull crushing brand of doom metal. Blood Eagle closes and opens with 9 minute orgies of doom metal riffs.



There is very little interest here in anything other than mid tempo lumbering stomp designed to slam you further and further into the ground. Foehammer has a ferocious opening but settles into a more reasonable, lumbering riff focused monster. They opened for Sleep in Norway and have a split with Bongripper so you know roughly what to expect. If you like your doom to only focus on being heavy and riding those riffs then Conan's Blood Eagle will serve well. Thanks to Elementary Revolt.

Enta - Anodes - 2014 - Split

Enta is a screamo band from Champaign, Illinois, USA. The Split with Anodes is their third EP. Enta plays an atmospheric brand of midwestern screamo, injecting both noise and space as well as lengthening the songs with melodic post-rock. In contrast to Anodes, Enta has a very clear, melodic sound. The contrast between the two, melodic and reaching versus heavy and dark make for a compelling split.



Anodes is a four piece screamo band from St. Louis, Missouri. The Split with Enta is their second release. Anodes is a blistering post-hardcore punk band that powers through these songs and takes no prisoners with their crusty attack. The singer has a desperate, dirty voice that bellows constantly and instrumentally, especially compared to Enta, Anodes are chaotic, dark and claustrophobic.

Torn - 2014 - Demo

Torn is a metallic hardcore from the United States of America. Demo is their debut EP. Torn play a crushingly heavy brand of metallic hardcore that can easily pass for metalcore, members have also played in Advent, Venia, and Jawbone. There's not much to say about this except that this demo utterly rips and Torn is a band to watch. This is a band with a fully formed song and finely tuned engine that they already know how to handle perfectly. Highly recommended. If you like your hardcore crushingly heavy and just a little crusty, Torn's Demo will serve very well. Thanks to Toxicbreed's Funhouse.

Step Off - 2014 - Demo

Step Off is a four piece straight edge hardcore punk band from Roanoke, Virginia, America. Demo is their debut EP. Members also play in Calloused . Step Off play a fairly straight forward, old school brand of hardcore, garnering comparisons to the Boston hardcore sound. This EP wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for the dry, punchy sound Step Off conjure. If you enjoyed Volatile's Chin Check then you should enjoy this. If you like your hardcore with just a hint of noise, Step Off's Demo will serve well. Thanks to What Are Blood Wings?

Posture & The Grizzly - 2014 - Busch Hymns

Posture & The Grizzly is a three piece emo band from Willimantic, Connecticut. Busch Hymns is their debut LP courtesy of Broken World Media. Posture & The Grizzly are one of the new breed of bands who gleefully graft emo onto punk or even pop punk and enjoy the speedy results. I'm never sure how to describe this band other than to say give it a listen and you will probably be entranced. These three musicians know exactly what they're going for and they achieve come hell, high waters or broken strings. If you like punk or emo in any capacity, Posture & The Grizzly's Busch Hymns will serve well.

Worsen - 2014 - Blood

Worsen is a black metal band from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Blood is their debut EP. Worsen is a part of the AC//13 Collective and shares members with Young and in the Way, Ayr and Votnut. Worsen play a desolate, frozen brand of black metal as exemplified on Collect Their Skulls, Leave Their Bones, only occasionally allowing some melody to sneak in on Open Vein. Mortal Sin is a more typical straight forward black metal song, all shrieking and whirling spikes and closer and title track Blood wears you down underneath frigid, hypnotic riffs. If you like black metal, Worsen's Blood will serve well.

Your Weekly Madness S02E02

Your Weekly Madness is the new name of the former radio show Who Programmed This?!?. Now exclusively a podcast, Your Weekly Madness aims to present a mix of eclectic music, radical politics and comedy.You can download this week's episode here and subscribe to the RSS feed here. This week the show starts off with Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band performing Why Is It So Hard live from SXSW in 2011



Next up is a mashup, James Brown VS Led Zeppelin, Whole Lotta Sex Machine

]

Dirty Vegas - Days Go By



Yello - Oh Yeah, which some of you might know from Ferris Bueller's Day Off



Basement Jaxx - where's your head at



Red Dons - Walk Alone


Gross - It's Better This Way


Red Hot Chili Peppers (Jon Daly) - Abracadabralifornia



From Curb Biters Demo, Dayglow and Bitch In Heat




 The Cassus &  ¡Silencio, Ahora, Silencio! Split



 From Black Veins debut EP, The Cycle Will Cease To End and Stone Sun

Home - 2014 - Bound To Gravity

Home is a punk rock band from Innsbruck, Austria. Bound To Gravity is their debut LP. Home plays a heavy brand of music in an intersection where sludge metal, stoner metal, noise rock and post-hardcore meet. Home comes barreling out of the gate at top speed with the off kilter raging slab of anger that is Hole, while the followup track Next To Last starts off a sludgy lumbering beast and only sinks deeper into that noisy sludge. Home keeps it heavy and brings in the post-hardcore with No Way Out My Friend and things continue in that eclectic vein throughout the whole album. Home brings together a variety of sounds, throws them in the blender and rides that askew mix into the ground. If you like your music heavy with no regards to genre conventions, only songwriting and heaviness then Home's Bound To Gravity will serve well.

White Lung - 2014- Drown With The Monster

White Lung is a four piece punk rock band from Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada. Drown With The Monster is their single, the first for London based Domino Recording Company. Drown With The Monster continues where Songs of The South left off, unrelentingly heavy and ferocious with a distinct aesthetic. Exclaim! suggests Domino will release their forthcoming third LP, but for now this song is being released as a 7" with Snake Jaw as the b-side

Vindensång - 2014 - Alpha

Vindensång is a three piece ambient band from Pennsylvania, USA. Alpha is their second LP. Vindensång play a darkly atmospheric brand of ambient music influenced by post-rock, a little doom and a little black metal.



This really is an album more suited for headphones in order for the atmosphere Vindensång summons to really engulf you. These songs take an enchanting atmospheric and ambient base and build towering, intense songs bringing together post rock and black metal.



 The singer has a voice that would serve well fronting the coldest of black metal and musically Vindensång stitch passages of experimental rock together, binding them with the darkened atmosphere. If you're ready to put your headphones one and travel through this world, Vindensång's Alpha will serve well.

Off! - 2014 - Hypnotized - Video

Off! is a  four piece hardcore punk band from Los Angelese, California, USA. Wasted Years is their new LP, Hypnotized is a new song from that LP. It's vaguely political with references to conspiracy theories and continues to wave the flag for modern hardcore punk. Off! consists of Keith Morris, Dimitri Coats, Steven McDonald, Mario Rubalcaba who have played in bands like Circle Jerk, Black Flag, Midget Handjob, Buglamp, Burning Brides, Redd Kross, Tourists, Tater Totz, Sparks, Beck, Earthless, RFTC, Hot Snakes, Clikitat Ikatowi.

Almenara - 2014 - Desestructurando lo Aprendido

Almenara is a five piece punk band from Valparaíso, Chile. Desestructurando lo Aprendido is their third EP. Almenara play a catchy, fast brand punk pop and do roughly the same thing on acoustic. The guitars are smooth and whip fast, the singer has a forceful short and there are no shortage of background Whoa oh oh's. Every song on this all too short EP introduces itself forcefully, makes itself known and then vacates the stage just as quickly. The last two songs are acoustic punk songs that seem constructed for everyone in the pit to sing along with at the top of their lungs. If you like fast punk or have a soft spot for some acoustic punk, Almanera's Desestructurando lo Aprendido will serve well.

Siega - 2014 - Demo Tape

Siega is a four piece hardcore punk band from Barcelona, Spain. Demo Tape is their second EP. Siega play a speedy brand of hardcore punk. The singer has a forceful if somewhat strained at times shout and the band behind him is playing somewhat noisy, groove filled hardcore. The only track on here I don't like is the shortest track which just thrashes around aimlessly, otherwise this EP is straight ahead heavy hardcore. If you like your hardcore heavy and unafraid of a fucking up a groove, Siega's Demo Tape will serve well. Thanks to Ruido.

Big Ups - 2014 - Eighteen Hours Of Static

Big Ups is a four piece punk rock band from New York City, New York, America. Eighteen Hours Of Static is their debut LP. Big Ups play a frenetic brand of emo incorporating elements of noise rock, hardcore and post-rock, they are a band wound very tightly, exploding as carefully as they can.



This is the sound of a band in a dank, dark basement somewhere hammering out their tunes. Big Ups goes from wirey emo to muscly punk pop to slacker style indie rock and back without missing a beat while the singer is able to conjure hooks seemingly out of nowhere, shouts like his life depends on it and brings some energy to the talk singing parts. Highlights include TMI, Disposer , Justice, Goes Black, and Fine Line.



 If you like your punk rock to gleefully skip between genres while staring at and directly confronting the darkness and evils in life or just like some songs to jump and down to, Big Up's Eighteen Hours Of Static will serve well.

El Hambre - 2014 - El Hambre

El Hambre is a powerviolence band from Valencia, Spain. El Hambre is their debut EP. EL Hambre plays kinetic brand of. powerviolence that specializes in spinning like a jagged jackhammer, spewing crusty hardcore fragments everywhere at lightning speed. At times they incorporate a groove or throw in some hardcore for flavouring but mostly El Hambre seem focused on obliterating any life that might be in their proximity. If you like your powerviolence short and jagged, El Hambre's El Hambre will serve well.

New Lows - 2014 - Abhorrent Endings

New Lows are a five piece hardcore punk band. Abhorrent Endings is their EP courtesy of Deathwish Inc. New Lows play an extremely heavy brand of hardcore punk that is never content with what you might consider to be heavy. Members have played in Think I Care, So Be It, The Prowl, Riff Raff, and more. If you like your hardcore to be unrelentingly heavy and dark, New Low's Abhorrent Endings will serve well.  Thanks to Elementary Revolt

Brain F≠ - 2014 - Empty Set

Brain F≠ is a garage punk band from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Empty Set is their second LP. Brain F≠ (pronounced Flannel) play a catchy, raggedly melodic brand of garage punk where it feels like everything might fall apart at any second but the energy and momentum keep the shaggy dog rocking forward Members have also played in bands like Yardwork. Grids,  Double Negative, Joint Damage and Logic Problem.  I quite enjoy the combination male and female vocals over top the noisy garage rock, they "sing together as if they’d rehearsed separately, creating a captivating chaos." If you like your punk with a little indie rock and a whole swirl of noise, Brain F≠'s Empty Set will serve well.

Off! - 2014 - Hypnotized

Off! is a  four piece hardcore punk band from Los Angelese, California, USA. Wasted Years is their new LP, Hypnotized is a new song from that LP. It's vaguely political with references to conspiracy theories and continues to wave the flag for modern hardcore punk. Off! consists of Keith Morris, Dimitri Coats, Steven McDonald, Mario Rubalcaba who have played in bands like Circle Jerk, Black Flag, Midget Handjob, Buglamp, Burning Brides, Redd Kross, Tourists, Tater Totz, Sparks, Beck, Earthless, RFTC, Hot Snakes, Clikitat Ikatowi. Thanks to Stereogum

You Blew It - 2014 - You & Me & Me

You Blew It! is a three piece emo band from Orlando, Florida, America. Keep Doing What You're Doing is their new LP courtesy of Topshelf Records. You Blew It! play a brand of midwest emo garnering comparisons to bands like American Football and Braid. Below is the official video for You & Me

Losing Traces - 2014 - EP

Losing Traces are a five piece punk rock band from Brianza, Italy. EP is their debut recording. Losing Traces play an emotional brand of post-hardcore that strongly reminds of bands like Touché Amoré. If Losing Traces are capable of growing and expanding on this excellent foundation I will be listening, otherwise there are other bands doing this same thing. When Love Burns is a real highlight as well are Asphodelus and Farewell. If you like your hardcore with a hint of melody and a heaping of emotional desperation, Losing Trace's EP will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Sagrada Familia - 2014 - Demo

Sagrada Familia is a four piece punk rock band from Madrid, Spain. Demo is their debut EP. Sagrada Familia play a catchy brand of punk that can smash you over the head as quickly as the songs get stuck in your head. They put backing vocals to great use on Dejad De Hablar, Ya Es Mi Dia and Enterrado closes the album on a bass heavy, head banging note. If you like your punk a little shaggy but still rocking, Sagrada Familia's Demo will serve well.

Bitchmouth - 2014 - Cassette Demo

Bitchmouth is a four piece hardcore punk band from Richmond, Virginia, America. Cassette Demo is their debut EP. Bitchmouth plays a rocking chaotic hardcore that manages to find a groove and ride it out before self destructing into noise. Kelsey Hulvey has a piercing shreak on Red Fingers, Bed Of Filth rocks the stop and start rhythm while Black Candles is nothing less than a kinetic freakout. If you like your hardcore a little shaggy but never less than going full speed ahead, Bitchmouth's Cassette Demo will serve well.

Major Kong - 2014 - Doom Machine

Major Kong is a three piece doom metal band from Lublin, Poland. Doom Machine is their third EP. Major Kong play a riff focused brand of doom metal that comes out adjacent to stoner metal, the guitar has a snarling fuzz that lures you in. Major Kong would go perfectly with bands like Sleep, Fu Manchu, Kyuss, Dozer, Unida, or a lot more bands on Man's Ruin in the 90's. There are no frills or niceties here, just hypnotic riffs that refuse to let up. These are 5-9 minute metal riff orgies and if that doesn't sound appealing to you then move on. But if you need a soundtrack to your next session or just like heavy riffs, Major Kong's Doom Machine will serve well.

††† - 2014 - †††

††† (Pronounced Crosses) is a three piece electronic rock band from Los Angelese, California, USA. ††† is their "new" LP. †††  consists of Deftones singer Chino Moreno, Far guitarist Shaun Lopez and Chuck Doom.



They have released two EP's prior, both of which are included in this LP. ††† play an brand of synthesizer rock that feels built for a stadium garnering comparisons to bands like Nine Inch Nails and through iconography only is very reminiscent of witch house. I find this  LP frustrating because it immediately contrasts hard hitting, wall of noise Rob Zombie style electro rock but then follows it up with layers of synthesizers that never go anywhere. In their softer moments †††  reminds me of bands like Air or The Neverending White Lights.




This outfit clearly has the ability to make turn-it-up-to-11 style anthemic arena rock but they get mired in layering slow synth over slow synth and the droomy atmosphere drains all energy from the proceedings.This album being an LP seems off to me because of the only five new songs, old fans will know most of these songs already and it becomes unwieldy and uneven when stitched together into this "new" LP.

My favourite songs are spread pretty evenly across all three releases, †his Is A †rick, Bitches Brew, †hholyghs†, The Epilogue, Fron†iers, Op†tion, Blk Stallion and Prurien†. If you like your rock electronic and not averse to wandering through layers of synths, †††'s ††† will serve well.

Against Me! - 2014 - Transgender Dysphoria Blues

Against Me! is a four piece rock band from Gainesville, Florida, America. Transgender Dysphoria Blues is their sixth LP which I have been sleeping on for far too long. It is also the band's first album after their lead singer transitioned to Laura Jane Grace, which hasn't frankly changed Against Me!'s sound at all. Lyrically Transgender Dysphoria Blues is intensely personal as Laura sings and screams about the homo and transphobia she experiences but musically it simply continues the transition from punk to mainstream that Against Me! have been working on.

 If Laura can completely abandon both radical politics and radical openness then Against Me! can take their punked up, catchy energy and use the dying mainstream music industry to get those songs out there. Green Day would be a pertinent example except that Against Me! actually had political opinions and wrote songs about them at one point. Regardless of how punk these songs are, they are catchy and while some fail to ignite there is a lot of gold here. I would list my favourite songs but there's no point when that's virtually all of them. If you enjoy intensely personal music blasted at high speed and volume, Against Me!'s Trangender Dysphoria Blues will serve well.

The 24th Street Wailers - 2014 - Aim To Please

The 24th Street Wailers are a four piece blues band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Aim To Please is the first single from their upcoming LP Wicked. Awesome as always, this song gets me excited for the new album.

Juanito Piquete - 2014 - Bajo El Foco

Juanito Piquete is a punk rock band from Barcelona, Spain. Bajo El Foco is their new EP. Juanito Piquete play a muscly brand of punk rock and handily walk the line between catchy and driving. If The Demonics weren't such a surf punk band it might come out something like this. The female backing vocals on Del Tedio a la Traición are a nice melodic touch, Castigo has a rock solid foundational riff and Dolor en Tierra flows and grows . If you like your punk melodic but never forgetting the social consciousness or how to rock,  Juanito Piquete's Bajo El Foco will serve well.

Acousma - 2014 - Acousma

Acousma is a hardcore punk band from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Acousma is their second EP. This is another unreleting slab of screamo influenced dark hardcore with a little more powerviolence in the mix. These songs feel more chaotic, about to fly apart at any moment than Acousma has in the past. The singer still has a great high pitches screach and the band can kick up an absurd amount of noise and crusty hardcore. Buy it here and support awesome independant hardcore.