I think metalcore has a new genre classifier. You know how NOFX always references melodic hardcore? And how RANCID is modern streetpunk? Well DIECAST to me is the essence of metalcore, and by the musical accomplishments on this record, they are now in my mind, the instrument of measurement for all other metalcore bands. “Day [...]

From virtually the inventors of pop-punk come thirteen new tracks, creating this band’s first full length in a long, long time. Does their legendary name and old-time mastery of the genre still live up to a top billing? You betcha! “All This and Puppet Stew,” is a refreshing opus of ingenious, hook soaked punk rock [...]

This disc hit hard right from the start. The DIABOLICAL EXPLOITS show off some scorching East Bay punk rock in the spirit that only its late 80s and early 90s forebearers could possess. Building off a sound that LOOKOUT! Records made famous a short while back, these scene veterans have put together their own explosive [...]

As tastes in the United States have largely shifted away from that Fat/Epitaph melodic hardcore sound of the mid 90s, there’s been a real void in seriously good bands that take part in that genre. Thankfully, our northern friends in Canada have been pumping out the goods, and this debut full length from DEVILLE is [...]

It’s nice to see that after Epitaph has diversified so much with their roster, they still like to put out some raging melodic hardcore. DEVIATES really don’t do too much different than their contemporaries, 98 MUTE, PENNYWISE, BAD RELIGION and even THE OFFSPRING, but for what they do, it sounds mighty fine and with bucket [...]

Despite the decidedly not “posi-core” title to this debut EP, THE DEDICATION have quite a lot to offer in the vein of awaking the spirit of early 80s hardcore. In other words, this is 100 times more in the vein of VERBAL ASSAULT than say, EARTH CRISIS, and honestly, thank goodness, as we sure don’t [...]

I heard some people raving over this cd, and I’m not surprised, because overall, it’s a fairly solid release. Unfortunately, beyond the highly talented vocals of Nathan Lawler, the music doesn’t quite inspire this to be the incredible release that it could have been. DEATH ON WEDNESDAY (who have a great name by the way) [...]

If someone ever needs justification of the DIY ethic, they would do themselves good to check out a show at the new Charm City Art Space (www.ccspace.org) in Baltimore. After the MD/DC/VA area suffered a huge loss with the shutdown of St. Andrew’s Church in College Park and several other such venues, the Baltimore area [...]