I was sitting around with my girlfriend when I showed her this record and she told me she’d heard of them, which I took as a good sign because she’s a bit of a hardcore connoisseur. With hope and expectations in my heart, I put No Consequences by Philadelphia’s Braindead on the stereo.

The band sure as hell wear their influences on their sleeves. My only real complaint about this record is that it seems a bit all over the place. It sounds like they took their favorite bands, ranging from Gorilla Biscuits, Kid Dynamite to Bane and took every note to heart. There is definitely a passion, drive and love for hardcore present in their sound though. With a little more focus, Braindead will be a fantastic band, and I look forward to hearing more from them.

Tags: Album Review, Braindead, Burn Bridges Records, Review, record review by Costa
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I’ve always heard of Scream Hello, but never really sat down to listen to them. Man, I was missing out. A great mix of melodic pop punk with smart lyrics, I’ve been spinning this little teaser for their upcoming full-length, Everything Is Always Still Happening constantly. If you don’t find yourself tapping your feet or even dancing to “Vinegar & Baking Soda,” you’re a goddamn Communist sympathizer who deserves life in jail.

Tags: Album Review, Album Spotlight, News, Review, Scream Hello, record review by Costa
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First off, Astpai are European. How fucking hardcore is that? Ok, maybe not terribly so. I mean, I lived there for a while and I’m not that hardcore. Still, the Austria-based band represent the genre perfectly. A great mix of politically-minded thrash, hardcore, with a touch of pop-punk melodies can be found on their Corruption Concealed (Under Deceptive Slogans), out now on Rise Or Rust Records. The record takes some time to pick up and find itself, but by the end of the second song you will be totally into it. Somewhat surprisingly, you do find songs like “Hard To Manage Broken Windows” delving into a more melodic acoustic sound, something that you’d think someone like New Found Glory would be using. Soon enough though, the Look Back And Laugh-esque parts kick in with the blistering guitars and vocals growling, enough to sound like they’re bleeding. All of this without the misplaced machismo you’d usually associate with vocals like that. I’ve been on a hardcore fix for a while now and Astpai definitely are helping to sooth that craving, so check out Corruption Concealed… if you come across it.

Tags: Album Review, Astpai, Review, record review by Costa
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This tasty little bit for today’s 7-Inch Corner is from the magnificently-named Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate). Yes, that’s their full name. I know, it’s a mouthful. The Michigan-based  band’s Year Of The Rabbit 7-inch for some reason, reminds me a bit of a lullaby. A lullaby that’s both sweet but incredibly haunting as well, without trying too hard.

The title track is my personal favorite, and I can see this band developing a growing following. They take the best parts of indie, pop, and a touch of folk music to make their own unique sound, even as this sorta sound is getting popular these days. I’m pretty sure Empire! Empire! (no way in hell I’m remembering the whole name) are a name you’ll be seein’ later.

Tags: 7-Inch Corner, 7-Inchs, Album Review, Empire! Empire!, Review, record review by Costa
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Two weeks ago was one of those bad, bad weeks where it rained when I was on my bike and it seemed that everyone I knew was too busy for me. A good friend called and invited me to come see Blacklisted with her in NYC and I quickly agreed knowing that a good hardcore show would let me forget the bullshit if only for a few minutes. There is a lot of buzz regarding the band’s new album Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God (Deathwish), which is by far their most provocative and intensely emotional release to date.

Read more after the jump.

[Read more →]

Tags: Album Review, blacklisted, record review by Lily
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