NEVER FACE DEFEAT – Convicted (Demons Run Amok): Long-running German metallic hardcore band NEVER FACE DEFEAT released this five song EP in 2011, primarily as a very limited picture disc 7″ with a bonus CD, and then digitally across the world.  The four-piece band strongly identifies with mid-90s NYHC, slamming down thick, bulky guitars, surly bass lines and an overall streak of meanness, reflected effortlessly in the barked out lead vocals. Not an original bone to it, but a nice change of pace after digesting the latest material from Germany’s precision-obsessed metal outfits CALIBAN and HEAVEN SHALL BURN.

MIND SPIDERS – Meltdown (Dirtnap): More fuzzed out garage punk from the Dirtnap camp, this time with bonus organ and synth content! I’ve always had a hard time distinguishing between the bands on Dirtnap’s voluminous (but high quality) roster, MIND SPIDERS certainly identify with the evolved, uptempo, melodic style that the label has banked on for years. Meltdown’s standout elements are warm guitars and pushy, alternating sweet/snotty vocals that rise above the noisy rhythm section. It’s a slow-grower at first, but memorable after several focused spins.

CLASSICS OF LOVE – S/T (Asian Man): You can take OPERATION IVY out of the living cauldron of active bands (for well over 20 years now), but you can’t remove them from from memory when a few million kids (literally) mark them as a cornerstone of punk and ska… So if you’re Jesse Michaels, and you’re trying to downplay whatever history you’re connected with in discussing CLASSICS OF LOVE, it is going to be a losing effort, especially when a 40 something year old Jesse Michaels still largely sounds like his junior self. And holy hell is that awesome. Even better – CLASSICS OF LOVE seemingly revisit the heaviest songs from OPERATION IVY’s short output and trend in that direction, with a few patches of ska thrown in for good measure, plus all of the socially relevant lyrics Michaels has become known for. The 13 song release blasts by in 22 minutes with no let up at all, and is destined to be a year long favorite at Pastepunk HQ.