Verse - Aggression

One of the most inspirational hardcore acts of our time, and another casualty among the great hardcore acts of today. I'm starting to think Bridge 9 might be a curse to some bands haha. "Aggression" is a modern hardcore fans dream. Perfection throughout the entire listen. Never a dull moment, and great all over. Lyrics, production, to the music it's self. If you like bands like Have Heart, Modern Life Is War etc, then don't hesitate to check this out.

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Ion Dissonance - Cursed

While a lot of people were disappointed with "Minus The Herd", it seemed like ID had to prove themselves once again, and regain that trust they had with their fans. Well if "Cursed" didn't get them back, nothing will. This album is probably their most technical album to date. Everything mixed so well together on this release. It's pure hell on CD. It's pretty much everything you can ask for from the Canadian "deathcore" band. Hostile from beginning to end. Not a moments rest. Enjoy, but with caution to your ears.

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Hospital The Musical - REDorphan

If you like super tech guitar riffs, drumming and all that great stuff, plus a dude screaming his vocal cords off for a whole album, then welcome Hospital The Musical into your life. You'll be happy you did. This is a genre that I had thought to be rather dead, but every now and then a good band like these guys pops up in the Screamo scene. This album is so intense, you can't help but wanna hear the whole thing. Australia has been putting out some pretty good band in the last few years, and I might have to say Hospital as pretty close to the top of the heap.

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The Hives - Barely Legal

The Hives=The Rolling Stones of swedish punk rock. This band is a lot more legit then what people give them credit for, and we can thank the crappy music media outlets like MTV and MuchMusic for having their hands in that. Another great way to take away a bands credibility these days. Now this album doesn't have any of the Hives big hits on it or anything, as it was their first release ever, and they hadn't blown up. But this record is great non the less. I'd say its their best of their entire career, and I'm an actual Hives fan. Give it a shot, you might actually see how great this band really is.

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Death By Stereo - If Looks Could Kill, I'd Watch You Die

When I used to live in Edmonton, about 7 years ago, I worked with a guy who was insanely obsessed with DBS. Everyday on the ride home from work, he would play this mixed CD he made of them. I liked them instantly as well. They had their own sound, and still do to be honest. So I bought all their music, and each record at that time was punk as fuck, and just awesome. Unfortunately DBS is a mere shadow of the band they used to be, but that still doesn't take away from how amazing, and genre defining their first couple of records are. If anyone knows Eighteen Visions or Throwdown, then you have probably heard the name Keith Barney. He's kind of a legend in the Orange County hardcore/metal scene. Being a founding member in each of these bands, and back when I first got into DBS, that was a big thing that pushed me into their stuff. But "If Looks Could Kill" (Keith's one and only album with the band) has to be the record that truly defines the true DBS sound. Nobody sings like Efrem. For some thats a good thing haha.

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Conditions - Fluorescent Youth

I found this band one day out of pure luck. I can't remember the exact way, but when I took my first listen I was pleasantly surprised. Apparently after Brandon Roundtree had seen the demise of his former band, the great Scarlet, he decided to start Conditions. Now if you're thinking this band is going to sound like Scarlet, you will be greatly disappointed. I guess they label themselves as Rock/Alternative, but most call them Emo, but thats mainly cause those people think anything without screaming these days should be labels as such. I wouldn't put them in that genre myself, since they don't sing about any of the things that mostly lump bands with that scene. Anyways, "Fluorescent Youth" is their newest release, and I find myself horribly addicted to it. They right great songs with awesome hooks. Very good song writing, and structure. They rerecorded 2 songs off their previous EP's, being "Keeping Pace With Planes" and "Illuminati". Give them a listen, and if you dig it, check their previous releases.

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Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer

Cancer Bats is one of the best Canadian acts around these days. There isn't many bands from my knowledge that have the sound that this band has, or the unique vocals that Liam offers. It took me an extra long time to finally get into this band, and that mainly had to do with how the scene had swallowed them up, and every kid with a swoop hair cut, and spray on jeans had a Cancer Bats shirt on, and for some that can really take away from a bands credibility. But I decided to finally form my own opinion of this band, and they didn't disappoint. Their first release blew me away right away. Aggressive, and heavy in so many different ways. So I moved on to their next release. Being Hail Destroyer, which seems to have been the album that pushed them to where they are now. Man, am I glad i got out of my hard headed ways, cause this band is something special, and everyone should give them a shot. If you don't, you're missing out.

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All Pigs Must Die - All Pigs Must Die EP

Recently I found out that the singer of the great Hope Conspiracy (Kevin Baker) has been mingling in a band with Converges drummer (Ben Koller). The combination is amazingly aggressive and pissed off. I cant even really think of any other way to describe this new venture, other then the words used above. I guess I'd say if you enjoy the sounds of Converge, Nails, and Hope Con, then there is no reason why this band wouldn't give you a little tingle in your pants. This self-titled album is apparently only a sign of things to come, as it has been released via Twitter that they are currently already working on the follow up to this current 5 song EP. Also, if you're a Hope Con fan this will hold you over til they release their next brutal assault upon your ears. Til then, enjoy All Pigs Must Die.

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