SSR #27: Landmine Marathon- "Gallows" Cassette
When it comes to standing out from the hordes of extreme metal bands out there, which is more important— pure, unadulterated heaviness or innovative, memorable songwriting, and song structures? I’d say a nice combination of both is necessary to make a great album these days. Enter Phoenix, Arizona’s Landmine Marathon, whose new album, "Gallows", strays from the uber-technical, yet avoids indiscriminate monotony.
SSR #28: Suicide State / Hiding Inside Victims- Split EP
Suicide State, from Holland, have obvious influences from WORLD BURNS TO DEATH & POISON IDEA. They focus on universal problems; Racism, fascism, human & animal rights, globalization, and preserving nature to name a few. On the flip side, L.A. punks H.I.V., come on strong with a progressive H/C style that delivers like a fist to the face! This release has a definite late 80’s vibe to it (including the cover art), which gives it an extra charm.
SSR#20: Paucities / Atomck- Split EP
Paucities, from Chicago, wave the flag of the new wave of American Mince-Core! They play raw & rough, thrashy mid-tempo with brutal growling vokills. Along the lines of AGATHOCLES meets IMPETIGO while hanging out with AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED. Atomck hail from Newport, UK and bring forth crazy, disjointed, thrashing riffs, solos spiraling out of control, drum blast-o-rama, topped off with growls and hysterical bitch shrieks.
