Needle - No Funeral EP (2018)

DAMNNNNN! This band came out of nowhere to deliver 7 disgusting grindviolence songs that will make even the most annoying old heads (who are still stuck in the late 80's) appreciate what these youngsters are doing. Needle proves that age doesn't matter at all when it comes to writing fast, killer music. These dudes are even younger than Bandit (if you can believe that), but they definitely don't show it with these songs. I got the opportunity to play with them in Philly a week ago and was utterly blown away. The drummer throws in so many different styles of one foot blasts in every short song, which totally reminds me of...well, me! But seriously, don't sleep on them, this release makes me super hopeful for the younger generation making grindcore and power violence. The song writing and vocals are top notch, with both old school and new school grind and PV elements throughout. I especially enjoyed the songs Critical Failure (with a cool hip hop beat at the end) and  BMT (which really showcases the many cool things the band can do). This No Funeral EP rips so hard and someone needs to release this ASAP. 

Needle Bandcamp

Scalp the Pioneer - Demo 2017

Yo, this shit is hard as fuck! Seriously, this demo came outta nowhere and punches you right in the face from the moment the first song, “Scalp the Pioneer”, starts. This demo is 2 tracks, each with a nice blend of fast power violence-esque parts (I’m thinking Apartment 213), some sick 2-step/thrashy parts (like my boys in Ground do) and topped off with some of the nastiest breakdowns you’ll ever hear. STP does well in incorporating each of these elements into these two songs and these tracks will just pummel you from start to finish. Just heavy riffs, punishing drums and nasty high screams all mixed together that makes me wish this demo was longer and makes me want more. Definitely check this out if you’re into fast hardcore with sick breakdowns. 4.5/5 download, support and blast this shit outta your speakers. edit: this is actually just 2 sample songs for a release with more songs, stoked!

Scalp the Pioneer bandcamp

Dunning Kruger - Worried About It tape (2017)

Do you like hard, dirty, metallic hardcore punk that sounds like it came straight outta Scandinavia circa 1982? If so, you’ll definitely dig this release by Dunning Kruger from Philly. I got to play with these dudes a few months back and they definitely captured their harsh live sound within this release. This tape is six songs of raw as fuck hardcore punk that clocks in at around ten minutes. The riffs are metallic, while the drums and vocals are more akin to those 80s Scandi hardcore and crust bands, so there’s a nice blend that both punks/hardcore lovers and metalheads can enjoy. You can tell that these dudes know what the fuck they are doing and what kind of sound they are going for, as the recording itself sounds like there were no bullshit studio tricks involved. I jammed these tracks a shit ton and I feel like y’all should definitely check this out. 4/5 must download – Definitely looking forward to future releases

Dunning Kruger bandcamp

Carlos Danger! - Death at a Birthday Party (2017)

So like my review of the Shinobi tape, Carlos Danger! is a project that I may not do justice to in my review, but I actually found these songs to be quite catchy after a few listens. Death at a Birthday Party is six songs of acoustic pop punk with a vocal style similar to that style, with the occasional scream for some added emotion in a few of the tracks. Ryan’s riffs are super fucking catchy though and I feel like this ep is the perfect soundtrack for either a long road trip or for simply just chillin at the park (like me, right now). Maybe it’s because I am getting older and have experienced the early-mid 2000’s metalcore scene firsthand, but I feel like if this came out in 2002, Ryan would be an opening act on an A Long Winter tour (I mean that as a compliment, of course). Obviously I wish there were drums and a full band to accompany Ryan on these tracks, but as they are now, they are still interesting and worth a download. I’d be stoked as fuck if there were some drum tracks added to these songs in the future. 3/5 (4/5 if you normally listen to this kinda stuff) – I can appreciate the musicianship but probably not something I’d go out of my way to listen to on my own.

Carlos Danger! bandcamp

Shinobi - Tape No. 1

There’s something very familiar about Shinobi’s Tape No. 1, something that makes me feel super nostalgic as memories of late 80’s and early-mid 90’s grunge and alt-rock seep into my mind as the first song, New Wave, starts. I may not be the best person to review this demo, but each song is super catchy and I found myself humming along to Johnny’s vocals throughout the majority of it. While the songs are catchy, there is definitely sprinkles of heaviness, guitar feedback and punchy, punishing drums scattered about in each song (Ala Quicksand). The demo itself consists of 3 songs: New Wave, Ripoff and Bullet from a Gun. Out of the three, Ripoff is my favorite as it hits hard and never lets up. If you feel like listening to something that’s very different, something that sets itself apart from a lot of the other bands around the Philadelphia and Central New Jersey area, then definitely check out Shinobi’s Tape No. 1.--- 4/5 – definitely worth a download, would jam in my car.

Shinobi bandcamp

Dripping Face - 2017 Demo

I’ll be totally honest and say that I have never been a huge fan of drum machine bands, or drum programmed bands. However, this demo (coming in under 4 minutes) is an excellent blend of heavy grinding riffs and super harsh vocals, so it’s easy to look past the drums. Jordan’s vocals are on point, as always, and his style and range proves once again why he is one of the best (and most underrated) grindcore vocalists around today (check Priapus or brainXtoilet if you haven’t already). The lyrics add a dissonance to each song, along with feelings of rotting and withering—perfect for this type of material. The demo itself consists of 6 short songs, filled with both heavy and blast-tastic brutality that any fan of grindcore will be able to appreciate. The longest song is a minute and six seconds, so if you have a short attention span, you will enjoy this release. 3.5/5 – worth a download, would listen again.

Dripping Face bandcamp

In Flames Challenge - Battles (the last one, finally)

2016's Battles


I didn't enjoy this. Nothing stood out. It was all pretty lame.

Like all of their late-catalog, there are moments of good guitar work, but the abundance of weird clean parts, dancey programmed drums, pop rock parts and the menagerie of variously styled, but ultimately saccharine, breathy and effects drenched vocals ruin it for me. This album, in particular, has more than you average number of pop-metal parts and there's a children's children's choir in multiple songs.

At times, it sounds like late period Offspring, of which I am also not a fan, although I would blast through an Offspring Challenge.




In light of how little this record impacted me, let's see what other people had to say:

Amazon 1-star Review:

I had the displeasure of listening to this album a few times in the past few days at work and on my commute. Unfortunately, this album was very poor compared to In Flames' other works... There isn't a single track from the album that I can recommend.

Amazon 5-star Review:

Great album. I heard other reviews claiming that there was a nu-metal touch, like that's a bad thing... Very mature and evolved album that follows their current trend of albums, only better. 

Four reviews from Youtube, which I can only assume are, respectively, two positive reviews and two negative reviews:

It also teaches us that the Russians speak Spanish, and also that liking the new In Flames is un-American.

All in all. I think current In Flames sounds like they'd be the dopest, phatest, most turnt Christian Metal band. So bad. I'm so happy this is over. 0 Goats.