Welcome to the reviews section of calihardcore.com. Here you will find the latest reviews of both California and non-California bands. Check the archives in the box below for older reviews which have been seperated by Cali and Non-Cali sections. If you want your cd vinyl record reviewed send it to calihardcore.com, 1631 Elysian Fields Ave #164, New Orleans, LA 70117. No need to e-mail me regarding reviews, just send the stuff in to the post office box. All submissions will be reviewed and posted. Please keep in mind it usually takes 3-6 weeks for me to get a review posted. All reviews by Nick Martinson except where noted.

DISCLAIMER: I dislike 98% of music coming out these days. Chances are I will not give a pleasant review of your band however I try to be fair with everyone. Don't be offended if I don't like your band. I'm getting old and stubborn.

All reviews by Nick Martinson unless otherwise noted.

added: 11/06/09
Folsom - "Hammer Lane" - Ghost Town Records
Las Vegas is known for many things; gambling, massive hotels, hot weather, the list goes on and on. For many of us in the hardcore scene, or at least on the West Coast side of it, Las Vegas is also known for a band that stands amongst the heaviest of hardcore bands. That band is Folsom. Ghost Town Records brings us their latest effort, "Hammer Lane." Folsom may lose some marks for lack of innovation but they make up the ground by keeping things heavy and to the point. Folsom ranks up there with bands like Terror, Hatebreed and Merauder who create a sound, stick with it and deliver consistently. This is the type of band every true hardcore kid should be into, especially live. Breakdowns, mob vocals and a fierce approach, Folsom does it right and it's captured perfectly on "Hammer Lane." Check out their myspace page here.

added: 06/09/09
Murder Practice - "Prophecies of Doom"
"Prophecies of Doom" is the latest from NorCal's Murder Practice. This self-released full length is their second (the first was released on Westcoast Worldwide) and delivers a darker more crust punk influence into their already heavy sound. Without a doubt a hardcore record they moved into a more underground sound which is good news to me. The music is heavy, mostly fast and chaotic sounding with blistered vocals raging on top. I won't bother comparing this to other bands as it holds up pretty well on its own. There's nine tracks on this vinyl only release (however it does come with a CD of the album on it) and all the songs flow in the same angst ridden river. You can currently check out four of the songs on the band's myspace page which I highly recommend you do. Murder Practice has definitely made a step in the right direction with "Prophecies of Doom," a fitting title for the album. Check it out.

added: 06/09/09
Goatwhore - "Carving Out the Eyes of God" - Metal Blade Records
Louisiana's mighty Goatwhore are back with their fourth full length album. I have been a long time fan of the group but their last album, "A Haunting Curse" didn't do much for me. I can easily say this new album is their strongest effort yet. While some black metal purists might argue Goatwhore isn't a black metal band, or at least this record isn't, I really couldn't give a rat's ass. This is a classic metal album that will surely turn out to be one of the best metal albums of 2009. Badass riffs in every song, Ben Falgoust's throat ripping vocals, pounding drums and thunderous bass in every track. Production from Erik Rutan is flawless. He captured the perfect blend of raw brutality and smart studio production. Both old and new fans of Goatwhore should be into "Carving Out the Eyes of God". If this wasn't a metal album I thought all should hear I wouldn't have reviewed it here on a hardcore music website. All hail Goatwhore! Check out samples on their myspace page. The album comes out June 23, 2009.

added: 12/26/08
Man Among Wolves - "Demo EP"
San Francisco grinders Man Among Wolves keep it fast, short and to the point, just like this review. Think Phobia meets Pig Destroyer meets American Nightmare. You can download the EP for free which is linked through the band's myspace page. I definitely recommend it.

added: 12/26/08
Ceremony - "Still Nothing Moves You" - Bridge Nine Records
I'm a little late on reviewing this one but "Still Nothing Moves You" is one of best hardcore releases of 2008. They are 100% a hardcore band but they hardly sound like anyone else in particular when you're listening to their entire catalog. A wide array of influences are melded together by Ceremony in a furious pot that is kept at a boil. Most of the songs are short and fast mosh worthy gems but every now and then the band breaks into a more artistic territory and gives the listener a surprise or two. If you're not already familiar with the group go to their myspace page to hear a few songs then go pick up their latest album from Bridge Nine Records at your local indie record store.

added: 11/5/08
Bulldoze - "The Final Beatdown" - Trip Machine Laboratories
As far as I know, the mighty New Yorkers known as Bulldoze never made it out to California for a tour during their original run which is too bad because they surely would have kicked much ass and been received well. I remember back on Madball's first Cali tour (or maybe it was their second?) hearing a big buzz about Bulldoze. Anyway, if you're unfamiliar with Bulldoze and looking for some mid-90s New York hardcore/tough-guy style along the lines of Biohazard, District 9 and Madball then you'll find it here on this complete discography CD. Also included is a bonus DVD and a decent sounding live set from the Wetlands. The live set includes a cover of Breakdown's "Sick People." Overall this is a great CD/DVD set for both old and new fans alike. Definitely recommended.

added: 11/5/08
Robots and Empire - "Omnivore" - Trip Machine Laboratories
Good stuff here from New York's Robots and Empires. Sort of a mix of Bloodlet, Cave In and Deftones while not exactly sounding like a copy of any one particular group or sound. The sound is thick, heavy, sometimes melodic and a bit spacey. The vocals go from low end screams to more straight forward singing. The band cites Black Sabbath, Hum, Quicksand and Orange 9mm amongst others as influences which is certainly apparent. Overall definitely worth checking out. Not hardcore but hints of it are there. The band's myspace page is myspace.com/robotsandempire.

added: 11/5/08
Atlas Shrugged - "Vigilante Songs" - Trip Machine Laboratories
"Vigilante Songs" is a demo recorded in 1998 from Atlas Shrugged plus an 8 track live set recorded in 1997 at CBGBs. I've been familiar with the band since around this time and never quite understood why they didn't gain more popularity then they did. Perhaps their original breakup in 1998 had something to do with it? They played (and have since started playing again) mid-tempo hardcore on the melodic side. I wouldn't go so far as to say they were a post-hardcore band but fans of that genre might be into them. Maybe if Fugazi tried to be a hardcore band they might sound something like Atlas Shrugged; No tough guy anthems but more emotional and thoughtout. Check out their myspace page at myspace.com/atlasshruggednyhc.

added: 11/5/08
Verse - "Aggression" - Bridge Nine Records
Verse continues their pattern of making really solid and passionate hardcore albums here on their latest effort Aggression. The album, like their earlier work is on the melodic side but furious none-the-less, similiar to a band like American Nightmare. For some reason I get bored quickly with this sound but there's a few moments on here I enjoy like the track "Scream" and the singer Sean Murphy's repeated cries of "I'm broken!" that sound like they would go over extremely well at a live show. I'm sure Verse is a band most here are familiar with and being that this came out back in June you've probably already picked it up but if not I think it's at least worth checking out some samples from their myspace page.

added: 11/5/08
See It Through - "Breakthrough" - Fierce Justice Productions
Seems kind of pointless to review this since the band has recently broken up but here's a quickie anyway; Trial-esque style hardcore on the slightly melodic side. Fairly typical hardcore release that doesn't really offer anything that's not already out. The band came from Reno which was cool because the Reno scene has always had close ties with the NorCal scene. Check out the band's myspace page to hear three of the songs. Not bad but not great.

added: 11/5/08
Ambitions - "Stranger" - Bridge Nine Records
Featuring ex-members of With Honor, Ambitions has released a superior album of energetic and passionate hardcore. Normally a band with this much melody mixed in with hardcore and a clean/screamed vocals combo I would not be into but the band has so perfectly captured their energy and passion in their delivery that it is hard to not get into this release. I'm not going to say anything more than check out Ambitions for the real deal. Their myspace page is at myspace.com/ambitionhc.

added: 11/5/08
Have Heart - "Songs To Scream At The Sun" - Bridge Nine Records
Here's another band most readers here are probably familiar with so I won't go into too much detail but in case you're not familiar with Boston's Have Heart you need to head over to their myspace page and have a listen. They play straight forward hardcore influenced by bands like Youth of Today, Ten Yard Fight, Bane, etc. Top notch stuff here.

added: 11/5/08
Adversary - "Singularity" - Trustkill Records
I find this an odd release simply because it was released by Trustkill Records. This is a 100% metal album. Not metal-core, or uber-brutal hardcore but straight up metal in the style of later-era Carcass, At The Gates and Opeth. It's pretty good for what it is but for the most part, modern metal is not something I'm into. I guess Trustkill figured if they've got so many hardcore bands trying to be metal that they might as well just release a real metal album. Whatever. The album comes out November 11. Myspace.com/adversarymetal is where you can check out a few songs.

added: 11/5/08
Say Bok Gwai - "Chink in the Armor" - Edgetone Records
San Francisco's Say Bok Gwai is back for a second round with their sophmore album "Chink in the Armor." Self declarded "Canto-core," the band mixes punk, metal, hardcore and little bit of expermental into the furious mix of sometimes serious, sometimes not, unique music. Vocals go back and forth from Cantonese to English and are often not exactly for the PC minded. Just like the last album, it's a tough swallow at first but after repeated listenings I found the band has quite a lot to offer. Also, like the last album, my main complaint is the recording quality which doesn't do the songs or the band justice. If you're into bands like Spazz, Dead Kennedys, D.R.I, etc and have an open mind for some original music check out Say Bok Gwai. Their myspace page is at myspace.com/sbg.

added: 11/5/08
No Truce / Crucified - "split" - Escapist Records
This split release between two of NorCal's hardest bands, No Truce and Crucified, is a great introduction to each of the two. No Truce delivers three new songs ("The Binding of the Wolf", "9 Nails" and "Vultures") and the Crucified tracks come from their four song demo ("Order out of Chaos", "Beast of the Right", "Wolves of the Pontiff" and "E Pluribus Unum") which I gave great praises in an earlier review. The No Truce tracks show the band continuing down their heavily metal influenced roots while maintaining their hardcore integrity. Both bands are similar in style so I'm sure anyone who likes one will like the other. For fans of Ringworm, Merauder, All Out War, etc. Both bands have web pages linked on the Bands page.

added: 9/24/08
Out To Sea - "Mouth Like A Sailor Demo 2008"
Good solid melodic/traditional style hardcore from Dallas, Texas. Six songs that rock from start to finish. Gang vocals, mosh riffs, breakdowns; it's all here. Vocals are mostly mid-range screams with a little bit of actual singing here and there which I am presuming comes from one of the guitar players. Musically there's just enough edge to set them apart from the never ending stream of "plain" hardcore bands. I definitely look forward to hearing more from Out To Sea as their "Mouth Like A Sailor" demo is a good sounding start for a band. Check them out on their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/outtoseatxhc

added: 9/24/08
Destroy Everything - "Freedom of Speech Means Talk is Cheap" - Tent City Records
This Chicago based punk rock band's latest disc, "Freedom of Speech Means Talk is Cheap" landed at the number 3 spot on Interpunk.com's top sellers list the week it was released back in April (which is when I received this - yeah, I'm a little slow to review things sometimes - [understatement of the year]). Think NOFX mixed with some Anti-Flag. I don't listen to much punk, especially new stuff, but this seems pretty good. Good production, political/social lyrics, lots of energy, etc. Check out their website at destroyeverything.com if you want more info.

added: 9/24/08
Fed Up! - "Fuck Your Life"- United Riot Records
"New York City sensitive nice guys form band" would not be a newspaper headline announcing the formation of Fed Up. Definitely not-PC old school style hardcore. Think Negative Approach meets No Redeeming Social Value meets Murphys Law (minus the ska moments) but not as good as any of those three bands. With lyrics like "peeping through windows, looking up skirts, staring at tetas in wet t-shirts. Blew all my money on stupid hoes, wasted my paycheck on striptease shows" I don't think they have to worry about anyone taking them too seriously. Weak, boring and very often immature lyrics and sub-par recording quality makes this release amateur at best. You can check out their myspace page at myspace.com/fedup if you want to hear them for yourselves.

added: 5/22/08
Crime In Stereo - "Crime In Stereo Is Dead"- Bridge Nine Records
This is a very interesting album. An album normally this melodic I would probably not be into but there's a lot of thought put into the songs on "Crime In Stereo Is Dead". While it's certainly melodic and catchy the album is still very punk much in the way Fugazi is/was very punk despite playing it's own brand of rock. If you're looking for something a little different and on the melodic side definitely check out Crime in Stereo's most recent release. More info can be found HERE.

added: 5/22/08
Belay My Last - "The Downfall"- Mediaskare Records
Belay My Last come and deliver their pounding metal style from the depths of Fullerton, CA. Not the most groundbreaking of all releases but not bad for this style. If you're a fan of All Shall Perish, Between the Buried and Me, Red Chord, etc, you will certainly dig Belay My Last and their debut album "The Downfall". Check out their myspace page at myspace.com/belaymylast

added: 5/16/08
Fight Pretty - "Rewiring the Human Body"- Dwell Records
Just based on the album cover and band name I was expecting to hate this CD but it turns out it's pretty damn good. I'm reminded of All Bets Off, which is unusual considering how original they were, because they bring in a lot of raw rock sounds and bend the hardcore genre quite a bit while retaining a hardcore style and delivery throughout. Fight Pretty definitely gets my number one recommendation for the week. Go check out their myspace page at myspace.com/fightpretty to listen.

added: 5/16/08
Exhausted Prayer - "Looks Down in the Gathering Shadow"- Dwell Records
Exhausted Prayer comes storming out of Los Angeles and play black metal with some death metal influence as well. Overall pretty good stuff here although I'm not thrilled with the recording quality and production of the album but it's far from terrible. I don't listen to black metal often but these guys are doing it well and definitely worth checking out if you're into this style. Their myspace page is myspace.com/exhaustedprayer

added: 5/16/08
Hail! Hornet - "Hail! Hornet"- Dwell Records
Self proclaimed, "Grime Metal," I suppose it is a fitting description that the band is attached to themselves. It's right along side Sludge metal, Doom metal, and all that. Raw production, gritty vocals, low tuned guitars and thunderous drumming is what is coming out of the speakers when Hail! Hornet is playing. If you're into a lot of the bands on Southern Lord Records or Relapse Records (High on Fire, Lair of the Minotaur, Goatsnake, Alabama Thunderpussy, etc) you should be into these guys. Very solid.

added: 5/16/08
Inked In Blood - "Sometimes We Are Beautiful"- Facedown Records
Portland based melodic metalcore. This doesn't do much for me as it isn't really my style. Solid production and effort but I don't hear anything that will seperate this band from the sea of other bands doing this style right now. If often shop at Hot Topic then Inked In Blood is the band is for you.

added: 5/16/08
A Plea For Purging - "A Critique of Mind and Thought"- Facedown Records
More Hot Topic "metal". Lot's of breakdowns, excessive mindless Iron Maiden rip-off harmonies, blast beats at the wrong times, faux-heaviness, more breakdowns and solos. The band sights Iron Maiden and Dragonforce as heavy influences and hail from Nashville. Production and sound are top-notch it's too bad these guys are so run-of-the-mill.

added: 1/26/08
Crucified - "Demo 2008"
Fuckin' THANK YOU. I get so much mediocre crap these days to review it thrills me to get a demo as intense as this one from Crucified. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Northern California produces some of the best hardcore bands in the country. The unfortunate part is rarely do any of them get the recognition they deserve. Although not long together in existence this band deserves much recognition. They mix up Ringworn and All Out War fury and create an abrasive and gritty chainsaw-esque sound. Recorded at Panda Studios in Oakland, a studio I'm not familiar with but look forward to hearing more work come out out of there because the recording quality is perfect for a band like Crucified. This is easily the best demo I've heard in a very long time. They've got a split coming out with No Truce later in the year and I will eagerly be waiting for it to come out. Check out the band's myspace page at myspace.com/crucified13 to hear two of the four tracks from here. Contact the band and get the full demo. You will not be dissapointed.

added: 1/26/08
Arson Anthem - "Arson Anthem" - Housecore Records
Most of you probably aren't already familiar with Arson Anthem so here's a brief introduction... The band is comprised of Philip Anselmo (ex-Pantera, Down, Superjoint Ritual, etc) on guitar, Mike Williams (Eyehategod, Outlaw Order) on vocals, Hank Williams III (solo artist, Superjoint Ritual, Assjack) on drums, and bassist Collin Yeo. The band formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and there was instant buzz around New Orleans about the new formation. The goal of the group was to re-capture the emotions of and set fire to the music scene like bands like Negative Approach, Hellhammer, Discharge and Void did when they first started. Anselmo manages to create riffage in exactly that way but adds his own style on top to create a furious and intense sound. Williams brings his usual trademark torn, ripped and shredded vocal style to the forefront and Hank III's drumming skills may not revolutionize the world of drumming but it compliments the music perfectly. Lastly we have Yeo holding down the distored back end on bass solidifying the groups delivery and fury. At first Arson Anthem may seem like just another run of the mill band but after multiple listens you will hear a lot more going on a realize the group holds a lot of merrit on it's own. There's eight tracks on here but no song is longer than 100 seconds so they go by quickly. The music is straight to the point and they go right for your throat. I really hope the band sticks with it and tours. Arson Anthem is for people who really understand and have a "fuck all" attitude about things. This is raw and furious punk in it's purest form. No bullshit here. Check out the band's myspace page at myspace.com/arsonanthem or go to the Housecore Records site to hear tracks.