Madball - Infiltrate the System - 2007 - Ferret Records
Written by Al Baxter
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
The whole N.Y. scene has proved itself to be the most sophisticated hardcore and metal scene around since the early 80s, and Madball as one of the oldschool pioneers, still represents the genre to the max. This quartet needs no introduction as they fairly paid their dues for nearly 20 years by making and revolutionizing the hardcore music as well as the scene.
On this top-notch album called "Infiltrate The System", Madball definetly shows the development of their creativity and musical skills with 13 tracks full of fast, hard riffs, brutal vocals that scream and grunt, intense lyrics about personal, social and political topics without being very pretentious. It almost feels as if it was the continuation of their previous album "Legacy." Do not expect this album to match up with the stuff they were doing 15-20 years ago, however expect a great hardcore album that will knock your ass to the ground leaving you with a bruise or two to prove that hardcore is taking the right path in evolution.
I truly recommend this album to fans of Neggative Approach, Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All, Judge and Warzone. An instant NYxHC classic by a classic artist.
Banner Pilot have announced plans to enter the Terrarium studio in Minneapolis next month to record their debut long-player and follow-up to their Pass the Poison EP and their 2007 Split with the Monikers. If you havent heard em' peep the link yo!
The Panic Division - Songs From the Glasshouse - 2007 - The Militia Group
Saturday, 25 August 2007
The Panic Division really are a weird group of guys. They come across with a keyboard/synth ridden rock album that proves to be a 90s dance/pop music revival. Now "Songs From the Glasshouse" isn't an album that's going to appeal to all crowds. If you're not into dancy
sounding music that is comprised of music built off the instrumental aspects of Rick Ashley then chances are you'll pass this one up.
The Milita Group is a label known for releasing the most unique styles of pop/rock around. They've brought up pop punkers like Cartel as well as mellowed out acts such as Copeland or Ronnie Day. But also venture outside of those barriers with artists like The Panic division and Mobile. At times vocalist Colton Holliday seems as if he's aiming to sound like Thrice's Dustin Kensrue, while at other times he heads off on his own tangent creating a tone that's fully original and wholey credited to The Panic Division.
"Songs From The Glasshouse" is an album that's very experimental and a treat for Indie fans and pop fans alike. They're flamboyant at times with their 90s sounding keyboard arrangements, but still fun at the same time. This album may take a few spins to warm up to, but after that The Panic Division prove that they can create an amazing album chock-full of catchy lyrics and vocal arrangements. If you're familiar with Detroit's Search The City then you might want to check out this effort.
Full Blown Chaos - Heavy Lies the Crown - 2007 - Ferret Records
Saturday, 25 August 2007
I'm not sure how many kids around the nation try to claim that they're the kid that gave Ray Mazzola "Heavy Lies the Crown" for the title of the newest effort by Full Blown Chaos. But I do know that while the story is quite real as well as inspiring, the seriousness of the story behind the album has not shown Full Blown Chaos letting up from their intensely compiled sound that was born on the stages of many fine New England hardcore establishments.
Much like many hardcore bands of today, Full Blown Chaos have molded their sound into a new style. Not like that of Throwdown, (aka Pantera numero dos) But they've definitely added a much more ferocious and metallic face to a sound that once was solely comprised of Biohazard, Sick of it All and Agnostic Front influenced tunes. Many might be worried that the group have fallen flat on their face with this
transformation, but much like New England neighbors Sworn Enemy, Full Blown Chaos have made it work. "Heavy Lies The Crown" has hit the market as not only a brutal hardcore album, but also as a new chapter in a heavier sounding metal market.
Don't be afraid to give this album a shot. The band's transformation is true, but hasn't ruined what Full Blown Chaos set out to do from the beginning. Tough, Ravaging and down right slick; those are words that best describe this metallic masterpiece from Ferret Records.
