Cool World (The Flenser) might not be the album that is going to make Chat Pile a household name, but is does exceed the expectations set by 2022’s God’s Country. This album exudes anger. It’s become a cliche for bands to say their new album is going to be their heaviest yet, Chat Pile let the music do the talking in this regard. Continue reading
The heat raged on, and so did Riot Fest. After night one’s stellar lineup, Riot Fest’s second day continued to showcase the exciting and diverse lineup that the festival had in store. With alternative music icon Beck as Saturday night’s headliner, the day was infused with alternative rock, pop, and everything in between.Continue reading
Benjamin Franklin said nothing in this world is certain except for war, death, and taxes. If he were around today, there’s no question he might consider adding Riot Fest to that list of definitive certainties.
Once again, Chicago held its very own Riot Fest – one of music’s most renowned Punk music festivals – in Douglass Park. Despite original plans to move the festival to the suburbs in Bridgeview, a month before the fest was to take place it was announced that Riot Fest would once again be held in Douglass Park as usual.Continue reading
Maul is about as self-explanatory as the name suggests, and In The Jaws Of Bereavement (20 Buck Spin) gets straight to the point.Continue reading
The sound of what was once considered West Coast Hard Core is changing. The Barbarians of California‘s new album And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth (oneRPM) carries more of a metallic stomp aligned with modern Hardcore. Right from the first song you can hear the band’s more experimental edge. Once into the meat of the album, they bridge hardcore with a Nu-Metal sound, which is not unlike what System of a Down does. They attack with a more spastic jerk. It’s hard not to appreciate the sense of adventure that runs through these songs. The new generation of nu-metal kids who attend festivals like Sick New World will dig it. Hardcore purists might have some questions. Continue reading
Eight years on from You Will Never Be One of Us, Californian Powerviolence four-piece Nails return with their fourth full-length, Every Bridge Burning (Nuclear Blast Records), evidently intent on doing some damage.
On August 10th OTTTO and Bastardane – both prominent groups within the modern hard rock scene – came to Chicago in light of their current Reconquest Tour. The two rock outfits are no strangers to touring together, as both bands played together the previous summer as well. The Reconquest Tour sees both Bastardane and OTTTO in new fashions, but when it comes to each group’s signature sound, talent and onstage energy – those matters remain the same.Continue reading
New York City’s Uniform’s new album American Standard (Dias Records ) finds vocalist Michael Bearden in a soul-baring exploration of his struggles with bulimia. The album serves as Bearden’s catharsis. The strangled snarl of his yelled vocals paints an accurate picture of the self-loathing that comes with this neurosis. This captures a raw emotional tension that lurks under the mood of the songs. This is delivered through their ability as songwriters, which is a somewhat different story. The album begins with a sprawling opening track. For twenty-one minutes you are hit with a pounding drone, at times this grooves at it drones. This is the first of the sonic dichotomies this album is full of, so if you do not appreciate clashing concepts, it might not be for you.
In this episode, welcomes back in our old friend Scott Lee to discuss the upcoming New England Hardcore and Metal Fest! We discuss this year’s lineup, including the controversial Slaughter to Prevail, 25 years of Killswitch Engage, the return of Year of the Knife, and much more! Continue reading
As the world comes to an end, one can only hope punk and metal bands will get angry regarding our collective demise to provide a decent soundtrack. Thanks to record labels who want products that can be easily marketed a more pop element has been diluting genres that should be holding the middle finger up to the imminent mushroom clouds to come. A few brave bands are shunning this kinder and gentler direction. New Jersey’s GEL is one of them. Their new album Persona (Blue Grape Music) finds the band ready to give the middle finger, as they get right up in your face with their pumped-up take on punk. 2023’s “Only Constant” had not only momentum but did not compromise when it came to the songwriting. This time around the energy leans more into the hard-core side, throwing more weight behind its punches. Continue reading