Xibalba - Madre Mia Gracias Por Las Dias

Who:  Xibalba

What:  Debut studio album from this SoCal deathcore destruction unit. Originally released by the band in 2010, then re-released on A389 Recordings in 2011, and re-re-released by Southern Lord in 2012.

When:  2010

Where:  Pomona, CA

Why:   Fuck the polished shit. This is deathcore done right.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Xibalba - Madre Mia Gracias Por Las Dias - Self-released/A389/Southern Lord

1.  Bright Sun -- *****
2.  Madre Mia -- *****
3.  Never Knell -- *****
4.  Fallen -- *****
5.  Time's Up -- *****
6.  We Deserve To Die -- *****
7.  Red -- *****


Radness Average:  5.000


Xibalba - Madre Mia Gracias Por Las Dias (zippyshare)
Xibalba - Madre Mia Gracias Por Las Dias (mega.nz)


Verdict:  For real. Xibalba are the best metalcore band in America right now. Watch out for the new record.

For fans of:  Harm's Way, Nails, Fury of Five, Rotting Out, Expire

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XTRMST - debut EP

Who:  XTRMST

What:  Debut EP of straightedge California hardcore featuring current AFI members; self-released by the band.

When:  April 2014

Where:  Various cities in Northern California

Why:  To make up for all that selling out AFI did in the last decade.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

XTRMST - debut EP - self-released

1.  Dirty Nails -- *****
2.  Conformist -- ****
3.  Exterminate -- ****
4.  The Breed -- ****


Radness Average:  4.250


XTRMST - debut EP (zippyshare)
XTRMST - debut EP (mega.nz)

Verdict:  For me, it was a nostalgia trip back to the early 2000s and happy memories of Indecision Records and Orange County hardcore. Your experience may differ.

For fans of:  AFI, Bleeding Through, Throwdown, Adamantium, Atreyu




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Abuse. - Abuse. (2013)

Who:  Abuse.

What:  First and only studio album from this short-lived grindcore/power violence band. Released on To Live A Lie Records.

When:  August 2013

Where:  Raleigh, NC

Why:  This is the most intense grind/violence that you'll hear this decade.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Abuse. - Abuse. - To Live A Lie Records

1.  We're To Blame -- *****
2.  Adrenaline -- *****
3.  Bloodlust -- *****
4.  Cold Sweat -- *****
5.  Enforcer -- *****
6.  Spineless -- ****
7.  Cancerous Growth -- ****
8.  Same Shit, Different Death -- ***
9.  Life's Idiosyncrasy -- ****
10.  Disorientation -- *****
11.  Assembly Line -- *****
12.  Act of Defiance -- ****
13.  Quicksand -- *****
14.  Cause of Death -- *****
15.  Surrounded -- *****
16.  Dictation -- *****
17.  Stalemate -- ****


Radness Average:  4.588


Abuse. - Abuse. (zippyshare)
Abuse. - Abuse. (mega.nz)

Verdict:  Abuse. broke up shortly after the release of this album. They never got the chance to tour and develop. At least we're left with this reminder of what could have been.

For fans of:  Hatred Surge, Mammoth Grinder, Code Orange, Magrudergrind, Extortion





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You Blew It! - You Blue It

Who:  You Blew It!

What:  Stop-gap EP of Weezer covers from this Florida pop-punk band. Released on Top Shelf Records.

When:  August 2014

Where:  Orlando, FL

Why:  Because the Blue Record is better than Pinkerton. In your heart of hearts, you know this to be true.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

You Blew It! - You Blue It - Top Shelf Records

1.  In The Garage -- *****
2.  My Name Is Jonas -- *****
3.  Only In Dreams -- ***
4.  Surf Wax America -- ****
5.  Susanne -- **


Radness Average:  3.800


 You Blew It! - You Blue It (zippyshare)
 You Blew It! - You Blue It (mega.nz)

Verdict:  The back half of this EP is a little shaky but there are far worse ways to spend your time than to spend it listening to this record. Hail to Rivers Cuomo!

For fans of:  Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Blink 182, Weezer,





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Wretched - Cannibal

Who:  Wretched

What:  Fourth studio album of blackened-yet-flamboyant death metal. Released on Victory Records.

When:  June 2014

Where:  Charlotte, NC

Why:  Because this record is a thousand times more brutal than what passes for metalcore these days.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Wretched - Cannibal - Victory

1.  Gold Above Me -- *****
2.  Morsel -- ****
3.  Calloused -- ****
4.  Thin Skinned -- ***
5.  L'Appel Du Vide -- ***
6.  Cranial Infestation -- *****
7.  Salt Lick -- *****
8.  Cannibal... -- ****
9.  Wetiko -- *****
10.  To The Flies -- *****
11.  Engulfed in Lethargy -- ****


Radness Average:  4.272


Wretched - Cannibal (zippyshare)
Wretched - Cannibal (mega.nz)

Verdict:  I've seen this road warrior band twice in Austin just this year. Good and getting better. The next album is going to be something special.

For fans of:  Black Breath, The Faceless, Black Crown Initiate, Dying Fetus, Revocation





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Young And In The Way - When Life Comes to Death

Who:  Young And In The Way

What:  Second studio album of blackened, crusty metal mayhem. Released on Deathwish Inc.

When:  May 2014

Where:  Charlotte, NC

Why:   The only way to get signed to Deathwish these days is to play all styles of heavy music at the same time.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Young And In The Way - When Life Comes to Death - Deathwish Inc.

1.  Betrayed By Light -- ***
2.  Fuck This Life -- *****
3.  Be My Blood -- *****
4.  Self Inflicted -- ****
5.  Loved and Unwanted -- ****
6.  We Are Nothing -- ****
7.  Final Dose -- *****
8.  Weep In My Dust -- ****
9.  Take My Hand -- ****
10.  Shadow of Murder -- **
11.  Embrace Extinction -- ****


Radness Average:  4.000


Young And In The Way - When Life Comes to Death (zippyshare)
Young And In The Way - When Life Comes to Death (mega.nz)


Verdict:  Enjoyable record. Heavy record. That said, Young And In The Way is trying to be all things to all people. Stop trying to please the crowd and just play your music.

For fans of:  Trap Them, Nails, Black Breath, Ken Mode, Fuck The Facts




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Various Artists - Victory Spring Rock Sampler 2014

Who:  Most of the Victory Records lineup.

What:  A compilation CD containing the latest singles from all of these bands.

When:  April 2014

Where:  The label is based out of Chicago, IL.

Why:   I've loved this compilation series since it was originally called Victory Style. That said, not all of these songs are winners.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Various Artists - Victory Spring Rock Sampler 2014 - Victory Records

1.  Emmure (Queens, NY) - "Nemesis" -- ****
2.  Comeback Kid (Winnipeg, MB) - "Should Know Better" -- ****
3.  The Bunny The Bear (Buffalo, NY) - "Pale Green Eyes" -- *
4.  Reverend Horton Heat (Dallas, TX) - "Let Me Teach You How To Eat" -- *****
5.  Close Your Eyes (Abilene, TX) - "The End" -- *
6.  Seeker (Dallas, TX) - "When Hope Fails" -- ***
7.  Neurotic November (Miami, FL) - "Nonchalant" -- **
8.  Erimha (Montreal, QC) - "Condemned to Desolation" -- ****
9.  Tear Out the Heart (St. Louis, MO) - "Dead by Dawn" -- **
10.  Islander (Geenville, SC) - "New Colors" -- **
11.  Terror (Los Angeles, CA) - "Hard Lessons" -- *****
12.  Counterparts (Hamilton, ON) - "Compass" -- **
13.  Darkness Divided (San Antonio, TX) - "Remnants" -- **
14.  Ill Nino (Newark, NJ) - "La Epidemia" -- ****
15.  Sister Sin (Gothenburg, SWE) - "Fight Song" -- *
16.  Wretched (Charlotte, NC) - "Karma Accomplished" -- ****
17.  A Day To Remember (Ocala, FL) - "The Downfall of Us All" -- ***


Radness Average:  2.882


Various Artists - Victory Spring Rock Sampler 2014 (zippyshare)
Various Artists - Victory Spring Rock Sampler 2014 (mega.nz)


Verdict:  The same old Victory as always. Half of this is miserable crap. The other half will blow your mind.

For fans of:  Any of the bands on this compilation.

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Fuck... I'm Dead - Bring On The Dead

Who:  Fuck... I'm Dead

What:  First studio album of deranged grindcore from these Australian maniacs. Released on Razorback Records.

When:  November 2001

Where:  Melbourne, Australia

Why:   Insane rage like none you've ever heard before. The most batshit crazy aspects of Melt Banana, Terrorizer, and Old Lady Drivers mixed together.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Fuck... I'm Dead - Bring On The Dead- Razorback Records

1.  Twist of Death -- *****
2.  A Fraction Off Death -- *****
3.  Army of Hermaphrodites -- *****
4.  Burnt to an Absolute Crisp -- *****
5.  My Feral Fucktoy -- *****
6.  Colon Commando -- *****
7.  Delicious Dolop -- *****
8.  Fucking the Fetuses -- *****
9.  Skull Fucked -- *****
10.  Shopfront Whore -- *****
11.  Jeffrey Dahmer's Cookbook -- *****
12.  Picked Member -- *****
13.  Shotgun Facelift -- *****
14.  Barefoot and Shitfaced -- *****
15.  Violet -- *****
16.  Inject Me With AIDS -- *****
17.  Slowly Raped with a Chainsaw -- *****
18.  Toilet Tantalizers -- *****
19.  Spray Me with Fecal Matter -- *****
20.  Licky Webster -- *****
21.  Fuck... I'm Dead -- *****
22.  A Fraction Off Death (live) -- *****
23.  Licky Webster (live) -- *****



Radness Average:  5.000


Fuck... I'm Dead - Bring On The Dead


Verdict:  If such a thing as the Grindcore Hall of Fame existed, Fuck... I'm Dead would get in on the first ballot. Crucial listening.

For fans of:  Discordance Axis, Phobia, Pig Destroyer, Nasum, Brutal Truth

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Xibalba/Suburban Scum split LP

Who:  Xibalba and Suburban Scum

What:  Split LP from two of America's up-and-coming metalcore/deathcore/slamcore/whatever bands. Released on Closed Casket Activities.

When:  June 2014

Where:  Pomona, CA and North New Jersey respectively

Why:   Suburban Scum keeps the Dirty Jersey metalcore tradition alive. Xibalba is simply the best band going right now.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Xibalba/Suburban Scum - split LP - Closed Casket Activities

(Tracks 1 and 2 are Xibalba. Tracks 3-6 are Suburban Scum.)

1.  Death Threat -- *****
2.  Suicide Note -- *****
3.  Intro -- ****
4.  Misery Loves Company -- *****
5.  Refuse to Suffer -- ****
6.  Little From the World (Cold As Life) -- *****


Radness Average:  4.500


Xibalba/Suburban Scum - split LP


Verdict:  Suburban Scum brings the hate and plays a Cold As Life cover. Xibalba is the best freaking band in America right now.

For fans of:  Harm's Way, Nails, Fury of Five, Rotting Out, Expire




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Brighter Than A Thousand Suns - Flux

Who:  Brighter Than A Thousand Suns

What:  Second EP of post-hardcore, post-alternative, post-everything music. Self-released by the band.

When:  May 2014

Where:  New Milford, CT

Why:   I finally found a band that's shitty enough to get played on 101X.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Brighter Than A Thousand Suns - Flux - self-released

1.  Fearless -- **
2.  Vessels -- *
3.  Suffering Is Not Enough -- *
4.  We Stopped Dreaming -- **


Radness Average:  1.500


Brighter Than A Thousand Suns - Flux


Verdict:  Genuinely awful. Keyboard music that can't figure out if it wants to be Depeche Mode or some strange version of Coheed & Cambria. Not recommended for anyone.

For fans of:  terrorism

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Abrams - February

Who:  Abrams

What:  Debut digital EP released by the band.

When:  May 2014

Where:  Denver, CO

Why:   AmRep-style noise-rock meets new-school stoner metal.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Abrams - February - self-released

1.  The Fucking Cops Are Here -- ****
2.  Mr. Pink Always Wins -- **
3.  Limped Off -- *****
4.  Sea Salt Lines -- ****


Radness Average:  3.750


Abrams - February


Verdict:  These new-school Colorado noise-rock weirdos are on to something. Can't wait to hear more in the future.

For fans of:  Death From Above 1979, Unsane, Hammerhead, Fu Manchu

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Godflesh - Decline & Fall

Who:  Godflesh

What:  Self-released 2014 EP preceding the band's new LP. Decline & Fall debuts the modern Godlfesh sound as Justin Broadrick had recently switched to playing eight-string guitars.

When:  June 2014

Where:  Birmingham, England

Why:   The crown jewel of the British Empire. Yes, that jewel may be a beyond-opaque opal that is darker than a thousand midnights, but it's still a jewel.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Godflesh - Decline & Fall - Avalanche Recordings

1.  Ringer -- *****
2.  Dogbite -- *****
3.  Playing With Fire -- *****
4.  Decline & Fall -- *****


Radness Average:  5.000


Godflesh - Decline & Fall


Verdict:  Awesome incarnate. If you liked Decline & Fall, then you're going to love A World Lit Only By Fire (coming soon). Crucial, mandatory listening.

For fans of:  All things in this world good and pure.

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Aborted - The Purity of Perversion

Who:  Aborted

What:  Debut studio album of Belgian slam/gore/death metal. My copy was released by Soulreaper Records.

When:  May 1999

Where:  Waregem, BEL

Why:   This band is the middle ground between Carcass and The Acacia Strain.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Aborted - The Purity of Perversion - Soulreaper Records

1.  Intro -- ****
2.  Act of Supremacy -- *****
3.  The Lament Configuration -- *****
4.  The Sanctification of Fornication -- *****
5.  Organic Puzzle -- ****
6.  Necro-Eroticism -- *****
7.  Highway 1-35 -- *****
8.  Gurgling Rotten Feces -- ****
9.  Wrenched Carnal Ornaments -- *****


Radness Average:  4.667


Aborted - The Purity of Perversion


Verdict:  Shockingly powerful debut from this now long-running band. Even more impressive when compared to the more recent Aborted albums. Beavis & Butthead approved!

For fans of:  Carcass, The Acacia Strain, Devourment, Impaled, Dying Fetus




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Abiotic - Symbiosis

Who:  Abiotic

What:  Debut studio album of South Florida tech/prog death metal. Released on Metal Blade.

When:  October 2012

Where:  Miami, FL

Why:  Because, sometimes, it feels like Abiotic is the only band in Florida not doing it for the nookie.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Abiotic - Symbiosis - Metal Blade

1.  Metamorphilia -- ****
2.  Vermospaien -- ****
3.  A Universal Plague -- *****
4.  To Burgeon and Languish -- ****
5.  Hegira -- *****
6.  Conquest of Gliese -- ****
7.  The Singe  -- *****
8.  Exitus -- **
9.  Facades -- ****
10.  The Graze of Locusts -- ***


Radness Average:  4.000


Abiotic - Symbiosis


Verdict:  I saw this band open for Dying Fetus and Exhumed in 2013. At the time, I didn't dig Abiotic but later found out that I saw them with a replacement singer. I saw Abiotic headline a show in Austin last year with their real singer and the 2014 show was an entirely different story from the 2013 show. Very good stuff. The bass player rules. Abiotic plays the same style of metal as bands like The Faceless but does it with far more creativity and imagination.

For fans of:  The Faceless, Animals as Leaders, Veil of Maya, Periphery





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Cold World - How The Gods Chill

Who:  Cold World

What:  Third studio album by this Pennsylvania hardcore/emo/hip-hop hybrid act. Released on Deathwish Inc.

When:  August 2014

Where:  Wilkes-Barre, PA

Why:  The record on which all Life of Agony, Wu Tang Clan, and Killing Time fans can agree.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Cold World - How The Gods Chill - Deathwish Inc.

1.  Intro -- ***
2.  Blind -- ****
3.  The Real Deal -- ****
4.  Never Knows Best -- *****
5.  Cracks of Hate (feat. Meyhem Lauren) -- *****
6.  No More Fun and Games -- *****
7.  Tome Check-In  -- ***
8.  Never -- *****
9.  Find Your Way -- *****
10.  Omega -- *****
11.  Youthful Expresion 2014 -- *****
12.  Hell's Direction (feat. Kool G Rap) -- *****
13.  Outro (feat. Max B) -- ***


Radness Average:  4.385


Cold World - How the Gods Chill


Verdict:  Slightly disappointing as the follow-up record to the almighty Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First LP but still better than 99% of all recorded music.

For fans of:  Harm's Way, Trapped Under Ice, Life of Agony, Hatebreed, Terror





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