When compiling a list of people who I was interested in seeing their point of view on this year's releases, I naturally thought of and eventually included my man Uriah from Dead End Path.
His band's record, Blind Faith made my Top 10 list for the year (complete list to be posted soon) and knowing his broad appreciation for music, not only within but also far beyond the spectrum of Hardcore ... and his keen sense of words, I knew he'd hit the nail on the head with this one. The kid never proves me wrong.
So, take a minute and read through which records made Uriah tick this year and if you're at all unfamiliar with any of these records, as I was/am, do your best to seek them out and get involved in the know. Nobody likes an unseasoned fry.
Flex your head and always ... keep the faith.
His band's record, Blind Faith made my Top 10 list for the year (complete list to be posted soon) and knowing his broad appreciation for music, not only within but also far beyond the spectrum of Hardcore ... and his keen sense of words, I knew he'd hit the nail on the head with this one. The kid never proves me wrong.
So, take a minute and read through which records made Uriah tick this year and if you're at all unfamiliar with any of these records, as I was/am, do your best to seek them out and get involved in the know. Nobody likes an unseasoned fry.
Flex your head and always ... keep the faith.
Hardcore LP's:
Title Fight - "Shed"
This is by far and wide my favorite release of 2011 and in the 8 months since it's been released has become one of my favorite records ever. This record gets me, and I get it. If it was human it would probably be my best friend. Every single fucking time I hear the opening hi-hat crashes of "Coxton Yard" to the last notes of "GMT", I'm left picking my jaw up off the floor. The record leaks honesty in every nook of sound.
War Hungry - "War Hungry"
Arguably the coolest metal/hardcore record to ever come out of the place I call home, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Warthur is a cold blooded axe butcher and it shows on every riff of this record. He has no qualms with relentlessly face-fucking you with his BC Rich Warlock while Hoodrack prods you with his pitchfork.
Omegas - "Blasts Of Lunacy"
What a cool fucking punk record.
Trapped Under Ice - "Big Kiss Goodnight"
I had the pleasure of hearing the unmixed version of some of the songs from BKG when we played Baltimore over the summer, I loved it but I wasn't completely sold just yet. That's until I heard the official mixed and mastered LP in it's entirety. It instantly struck a chord with me, from the huge choruses to the ill vocal melodies. There might be some people who wanted this record to fail for whatever reason but this is the TUI record. Proving a hardcore band appealing to a larger audience in 2011 can have not only have more than one good LP but have it completely smash their first.
Soul Swallower - "Devoured"
Someone on a blog said this record was "Citizen's Arrest meets Ringworm meets Sarcofago meets Hellhammer". That does it more justice then I ever could.
Disengage - "Expressions"
I knew this record was going to make my Top 10 before I even heard it recorded. I had the pleasure of sitting in a couple of the "Expressions Sessions" and just knew this was going to be incredibly good. I guess I'm a little biased though, they ARE my current favorite WBHC band and I love everything they've done as a band so far. Nah, actually fuck that, even if I wasn't already a fan and heard this band/record for the first time I would be floored. It's everything I love about hardcore in one incredibly tightly wrapped 13 minute package. Also, the artwork? Fucking perfect.
Boston Strangler - "Primitive"
Yes. This record fucking rules. It must have been hard writing a follow up to their breakout song "The Truth" but they somehow overcame the pressure and wrote a whole record filled with Truth's. Stranglers gonna make you pay.
Foundation - "When The Smoke Clears"
The fact that Foundation is doing something not a ton of current bands are doing says a lot about the band from the start. Not only have these guys been out for years playing the same style, they continue to do it with an incredible amount of passion and honesty. That shines through mostly on WTSC. They've perfected their sound and didn't lose any integrity in the process.
New Lows - "Harvest Of The Carcass"
So fucking heavy.
Mother Of Mercy - "IV Symptoms Of Existence"
I really hope for whatever reason people don't overlook this record as coming out this year. Sure it's not as incredibly memorable as "III" but it's still Mother Of Mercy, the riffs are huge and the songs are dark as fuck. Also, the artwork? Insane. Really love this record and I'm sad to see them go.
Touché Amore - "Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me"
Nothing I can really say about this that every young kid on Tumblr hasn't said already. Actually, that's not true. People in the hardcore scene are going to write this band off but I can tell you that this bleeds sincerity front to back. In everything that band does is out of sincerity. That's no bullshit. I've fallen in love with this record. I will not apologize for it.
Incredible honorable mentions:
Backtrack - "Darker Half" (Would have made the list if I got the chance to own a physical copy of the record. I feel bad about this.)
Fucked Up - "David Comes To Life" (This would have made the list if it wasn't so long, I have an incredibly short attention span.)
Ice Age - "New Brigade"
Non-Hardcore LP's:
Pianos Become The Teeth - "The Lack Long After"
I never really fucked with this band before I was introduced to them by Jeremy from Touché Amore while we were on tour together. He played me a song and explained that it was about the singer's Dad. Fast forward a couple months and we are playing the same show as them at Fun Fun Fun. I decided to watch their set. Blew me the fuck away. Such an honest and uncomfortable set to sit though. After their set I picked up this record, got a backstory behind it and listened with open ears. Really glad I did.
Demonaz - "March Of The Norse"
I'm a huge fan of the 1st LP "Between Two Worlds" and this is basically a continuation of that record. Just straight up blackened rocking metal that pretty much just rips off Bathory. This is straight headbanger front to back. There is something pure about this record, it isn't over the top "evil for evil's sake". It's just honest and raw and completely listenable.
Foo Fighters - "Wasting Light"
How cool is this record? Recorded to tape in a garage, ill. Guest vocals by Bob Mould, ill. Guest bass slapping from Kris Novaselic, ill. Incredibly powerful and catchy choruses, ill. This record has everything I want, need and love in a rock record.
Gypsy - "Giants Despair"
Not really sure (along with one or two other records on my list, weird right) if this is officially 2011 or 2012. Although I'm pretty sure this one is 2011. This might be a pretentious thing to say but in my opinion it's incredibly cool that so many cool records came out of this small shit hole town. This record is the perfect mix between Handsome, Jawbreaker and Dinosaur Jr. and flows pretty perfectly front to back. Excellent production from none other than my main man Will Yip.
Yuck - "Yuck"
Killer record. I'm a huge fan of Dinosaur Jr. fan and subsequently, bands that rip off Dinosaur Jr.. I'm not saying this entire record is a complete Dinosaur Jr. rip off but it definitely takes queues from Mascis and company. Really catchy and fun songs. I've listened to this a bunch this year.
Ghost - "Opus Eponymous"
Creepy, evil, heavy, over the top. Everything I love and hate about metal. I guess this is kind of a shtick or gimmicky band but this record rocks. I think the image mixed with the darkness of the sound really makes this record stand out for me. Plus I'm really into the artwork, which is sort of cheesy but given everything else about this band, it works.
Cult Of Youth - "Cult Of Youth"
I'll be the first to admit I don't really know too much about this style of music, I mean I get it and I know there are a whole scene of bands who worship Death In June but I really don't GET it. My friend George turned me on to this band after telling me a story about he saw them in a sketchy Philly bookstore and all the freaks he encountered. Anyway, this record is pretty dark and bleak and something about it really stands out for me. Really into the chanty type parts. I guess if you've never heard Death In June or Cult Of Youth for that matter just imagine if black metal bands played acoustic? I don't know, but this is cool.
Samiam - "Trips"
I've been a huge Samiam fan since high school but to be honest never got into their last record (not really sure why). Needless to say I was a little apprehensive about checking this out but am really glad I did. It's just Samiam, a little bit more "mature" or whatever bullshit but this is still really catchy. They can still write amazing songs.
Bon Iver - "Bon Iver"
Got really super into this record on our last tour. The dude just has a way to my heart. His voice is magical and as corny as it sounds, makes me feel calm and comfortable. I don't want to over romanticize it or anything but it really is awesome.
Honorable mentions:
Zola Jesus - "Conatus"
Strand Of Oaks - "Pope Killdragon"
True Widow - "As High As The Highest Heavens"
Magic Circle - "Magic Circle" (I don't think this is technically out yet so I'll save it for 2012)
I Am The Avalanche - "Avalanche United
Rival Schools - "Pedals"
EP's/7":
Whirl (Whirr) - "Distressor"
Not sure if this counts for two reasons: 1. While I'm almost positive this was released this year, I think it might have been last year. 2. This might technically be classified as an LP. Spanning 7 songs (6 and an intro). Whatever, I'm making my own rules on this one. Soulful chilled out shoe gaze from kids barely out of high school. The first real track on the record, "Leave", could straight up be confused for the best song off "Loveless". Perfect for winter depression or riding your bike on the first warm day of spring.
Face Reality - "S/t" 7
This was my first "record of the year". Got the premaster back in March from my boy James and was instantly blown away. This record kills. Straight up, straight edge, icky sticky Detroit hardcore. The opening skank beat will make even the most jaded Coreman dust off their Doc's/Dunk's. Get it.
No Tolerance - "No Remorse, No Tolerance"
This fucking thing is hard as nails. Brotherhood meeting up with Confront in a back alley is early 90s Allentown PA and stomping nazi bonehead skulls in - in supreme unity. Such a cool sounding hardcore record. This is my shit.
United Youth - "Youth United" 7"
Yes, I'm fully aware this record isn't actually called "Youth United" but that was the working title and I really wish they stuck with it. Anyway, none of that bullshit matters because this one is a ripper. I think they youngin's really stepped it up with the 7". Nothing incredibly ground breaking I guess but where they lack technical prowess they make up in an insane amount of Red Bull/sugar fueled youthful energy.
King Krule - "King Krule" Ep
The artist formally known as ZOO KID is back with this incredible little package of amazing songs. Still the same deal as you'd expect with Zoo Kid but just fine tuned a little bit more and a tad more focused. Dude has an amazing voice, dude can play guitar and dude is only 16.
Iron Age - "The Sage Demos"
I sincerely miss this band. These two songs, in my humble opinion, are the best songs that band has ever written. The riffs are actual medusa like monsters and the King Diamond-esque vocals in parts really hammer the point home that this band is/was on a whole different level.
Mammoth Grinder/Hatred Surge split
Wow, Mammoth Grinder fucking rips the shit out of the ass of this record. Literally pounding heavy. Had the pleasure of playing with these psychos/seeing them a couple times this year and they have become one of my favorite current bands. Don't let the name fool you, if you're into classic death metal ala Master, Possessed or even Entombed check this band out. As far as the Hatred Surge side goes, they play a lot more of a grindy style mixed with some d-beat and are technically on point. This is front to back a PULVERIZER.
Supertouch - "Lost My Way"
Another flawless Reaper release this year (Darker Half, Tables Will Turn, BKG, Laid To Rest - they released a TON of bangers in 2011) and this one fits perfectly in the mix. A little more rock and brit pop influenced than their last record which was released you know 20 years ago. It's still Supertouch and that's what I love most about it.
Waste Management - "Power Abuse"
Such a ripper front to back. I'll early 80's styled NYHC not unlike The Mob, The Abused and Urban Waste. Not to mention the artwork fucking rules.
Honorable mentions:
New Brigade demo
Procession - "Fade" EP (Would have included this but I'm not sure if it's officially out yet)
Memoryhouse - "The Years" Ep
Beach Party - "S/t" Ep
War Hungry - "War Hungry"
Arguably the coolest metal/hardcore record to ever come out of the place I call home, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Warthur is a cold blooded axe butcher and it shows on every riff of this record. He has no qualms with relentlessly face-fucking you with his BC Rich Warlock while Hoodrack prods you with his pitchfork.
Omegas - "Blasts Of Lunacy"
What a cool fucking punk record.
Trapped Under Ice - "Big Kiss Goodnight"
I had the pleasure of hearing the unmixed version of some of the songs from BKG when we played Baltimore over the summer, I loved it but I wasn't completely sold just yet. That's until I heard the official mixed and mastered LP in it's entirety. It instantly struck a chord with me, from the huge choruses to the ill vocal melodies. There might be some people who wanted this record to fail for whatever reason but this is the TUI record. Proving a hardcore band appealing to a larger audience in 2011 can have not only have more than one good LP but have it completely smash their first.
Soul Swallower - "Devoured"
Someone on a blog said this record was "Citizen's Arrest meets Ringworm meets Sarcofago meets Hellhammer". That does it more justice then I ever could.
Disengage - "Expressions"
I knew this record was going to make my Top 10 before I even heard it recorded. I had the pleasure of sitting in a couple of the "Expressions Sessions" and just knew this was going to be incredibly good. I guess I'm a little biased though, they ARE my current favorite WBHC band and I love everything they've done as a band so far. Nah, actually fuck that, even if I wasn't already a fan and heard this band/record for the first time I would be floored. It's everything I love about hardcore in one incredibly tightly wrapped 13 minute package. Also, the artwork? Fucking perfect.
Boston Strangler - "Primitive"
Yes. This record fucking rules. It must have been hard writing a follow up to their breakout song "The Truth" but they somehow overcame the pressure and wrote a whole record filled with Truth's. Stranglers gonna make you pay.
Foundation - "When The Smoke Clears"
The fact that Foundation is doing something not a ton of current bands are doing says a lot about the band from the start. Not only have these guys been out for years playing the same style, they continue to do it with an incredible amount of passion and honesty. That shines through mostly on WTSC. They've perfected their sound and didn't lose any integrity in the process.
New Lows - "Harvest Of The Carcass"
So fucking heavy.
Mother Of Mercy - "IV Symptoms Of Existence"
I really hope for whatever reason people don't overlook this record as coming out this year. Sure it's not as incredibly memorable as "III" but it's still Mother Of Mercy, the riffs are huge and the songs are dark as fuck. Also, the artwork? Insane. Really love this record and I'm sad to see them go.
Touché Amore - "Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me"
Nothing I can really say about this that every young kid on Tumblr hasn't said already. Actually, that's not true. People in the hardcore scene are going to write this band off but I can tell you that this bleeds sincerity front to back. In everything that band does is out of sincerity. That's no bullshit. I've fallen in love with this record. I will not apologize for it.
Incredible honorable mentions:
Backtrack - "Darker Half" (Would have made the list if I got the chance to own a physical copy of the record. I feel bad about this.)
Fucked Up - "David Comes To Life" (This would have made the list if it wasn't so long, I have an incredibly short attention span.)
Ice Age - "New Brigade"
Non-Hardcore LP's:
Pianos Become The Teeth - "The Lack Long After"
I never really fucked with this band before I was introduced to them by Jeremy from Touché Amore while we were on tour together. He played me a song and explained that it was about the singer's Dad. Fast forward a couple months and we are playing the same show as them at Fun Fun Fun. I decided to watch their set. Blew me the fuck away. Such an honest and uncomfortable set to sit though. After their set I picked up this record, got a backstory behind it and listened with open ears. Really glad I did.
Demonaz - "March Of The Norse"
I'm a huge fan of the 1st LP "Between Two Worlds" and this is basically a continuation of that record. Just straight up blackened rocking metal that pretty much just rips off Bathory. This is straight headbanger front to back. There is something pure about this record, it isn't over the top "evil for evil's sake". It's just honest and raw and completely listenable.
Foo Fighters - "Wasting Light"
How cool is this record? Recorded to tape in a garage, ill. Guest vocals by Bob Mould, ill. Guest bass slapping from Kris Novaselic, ill. Incredibly powerful and catchy choruses, ill. This record has everything I want, need and love in a rock record.
Gypsy - "Giants Despair"
Not really sure (along with one or two other records on my list, weird right) if this is officially 2011 or 2012. Although I'm pretty sure this one is 2011. This might be a pretentious thing to say but in my opinion it's incredibly cool that so many cool records came out of this small shit hole town. This record is the perfect mix between Handsome, Jawbreaker and Dinosaur Jr. and flows pretty perfectly front to back. Excellent production from none other than my main man Will Yip.
Yuck - "Yuck"
Killer record. I'm a huge fan of Dinosaur Jr. fan and subsequently, bands that rip off Dinosaur Jr.. I'm not saying this entire record is a complete Dinosaur Jr. rip off but it definitely takes queues from Mascis and company. Really catchy and fun songs. I've listened to this a bunch this year.
Ghost - "Opus Eponymous"
Creepy, evil, heavy, over the top. Everything I love and hate about metal. I guess this is kind of a shtick or gimmicky band but this record rocks. I think the image mixed with the darkness of the sound really makes this record stand out for me. Plus I'm really into the artwork, which is sort of cheesy but given everything else about this band, it works.
Cult Of Youth - "Cult Of Youth"
I'll be the first to admit I don't really know too much about this style of music, I mean I get it and I know there are a whole scene of bands who worship Death In June but I really don't GET it. My friend George turned me on to this band after telling me a story about he saw them in a sketchy Philly bookstore and all the freaks he encountered. Anyway, this record is pretty dark and bleak and something about it really stands out for me. Really into the chanty type parts. I guess if you've never heard Death In June or Cult Of Youth for that matter just imagine if black metal bands played acoustic? I don't know, but this is cool.
Samiam - "Trips"
I've been a huge Samiam fan since high school but to be honest never got into their last record (not really sure why). Needless to say I was a little apprehensive about checking this out but am really glad I did. It's just Samiam, a little bit more "mature" or whatever bullshit but this is still really catchy. They can still write amazing songs.
Bon Iver - "Bon Iver"
Got really super into this record on our last tour. The dude just has a way to my heart. His voice is magical and as corny as it sounds, makes me feel calm and comfortable. I don't want to over romanticize it or anything but it really is awesome.
Honorable mentions:
Zola Jesus - "Conatus"
Strand Of Oaks - "Pope Killdragon"
True Widow - "As High As The Highest Heavens"
Magic Circle - "Magic Circle" (I don't think this is technically out yet so I'll save it for 2012)
I Am The Avalanche - "Avalanche United
Rival Schools - "Pedals"
EP's/7":
Whirl (Whirr) - "Distressor"
Not sure if this counts for two reasons: 1. While I'm almost positive this was released this year, I think it might have been last year. 2. This might technically be classified as an LP. Spanning 7 songs (6 and an intro). Whatever, I'm making my own rules on this one. Soulful chilled out shoe gaze from kids barely out of high school. The first real track on the record, "Leave", could straight up be confused for the best song off "Loveless". Perfect for winter depression or riding your bike on the first warm day of spring.
Face Reality - "S/t" 7
This was my first "record of the year". Got the premaster back in March from my boy James and was instantly blown away. This record kills. Straight up, straight edge, icky sticky Detroit hardcore. The opening skank beat will make even the most jaded Coreman dust off their Doc's/Dunk's. Get it.
No Tolerance - "No Remorse, No Tolerance"
This fucking thing is hard as nails. Brotherhood meeting up with Confront in a back alley is early 90s Allentown PA and stomping nazi bonehead skulls in - in supreme unity. Such a cool sounding hardcore record. This is my shit.
United Youth - "Youth United" 7"
Yes, I'm fully aware this record isn't actually called "Youth United" but that was the working title and I really wish they stuck with it. Anyway, none of that bullshit matters because this one is a ripper. I think they youngin's really stepped it up with the 7". Nothing incredibly ground breaking I guess but where they lack technical prowess they make up in an insane amount of Red Bull/sugar fueled youthful energy.
King Krule - "King Krule" Ep
The artist formally known as ZOO KID is back with this incredible little package of amazing songs. Still the same deal as you'd expect with Zoo Kid but just fine tuned a little bit more and a tad more focused. Dude has an amazing voice, dude can play guitar and dude is only 16.
Iron Age - "The Sage Demos"
I sincerely miss this band. These two songs, in my humble opinion, are the best songs that band has ever written. The riffs are actual medusa like monsters and the King Diamond-esque vocals in parts really hammer the point home that this band is/was on a whole different level.
Mammoth Grinder/Hatred Surge split
Wow, Mammoth Grinder fucking rips the shit out of the ass of this record. Literally pounding heavy. Had the pleasure of playing with these psychos/seeing them a couple times this year and they have become one of my favorite current bands. Don't let the name fool you, if you're into classic death metal ala Master, Possessed or even Entombed check this band out. As far as the Hatred Surge side goes, they play a lot more of a grindy style mixed with some d-beat and are technically on point. This is front to back a PULVERIZER.
Supertouch - "Lost My Way"
Another flawless Reaper release this year (Darker Half, Tables Will Turn, BKG, Laid To Rest - they released a TON of bangers in 2011) and this one fits perfectly in the mix. A little more rock and brit pop influenced than their last record which was released you know 20 years ago. It's still Supertouch and that's what I love most about it.
Waste Management - "Power Abuse"
Such a ripper front to back. I'll early 80's styled NYHC not unlike The Mob, The Abused and Urban Waste. Not to mention the artwork fucking rules.
Honorable mentions:
New Brigade demo
Procession - "Fade" EP (Would have included this but I'm not sure if it's officially out yet)
Memoryhouse - "The Years" Ep
Beach Party - "S/t" Ep
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