Hardcore

Refused – Freedom [Things You Might Have Missed 2015]

By Jean-Luc Ricard on January 10, 2016 in 2015, Epitaph Records, Hardcore, Not Metal, Swedish Metal, Things You Might Have Missed 2015, Hardcore, Not Metal, 19 comments

“If you don’t know who Refused are, or that they’re (along with Born Against) Fucking Dead, you must be so young that you missed the phase in the early 2000s where every two-bit nü-metal act on the planet was citing their final record as a major influence (for the masochists among you here is a reminder of just how bad this era was). You young rapscallions are perfectly capable of using AltaVista yourselves so I’ll spare you the history lesson; all you need for the moment is that the band split in 1998, and few ever expected them to return.” But honestly, what old guy can pass up reliving their wasted youth?

Ektomorf – Aggressor Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 19, 2015 in 2015, AFM Records, Groove Metal, Hardcore, Hungarian Metal, Reviews, Groove Metal, Hardcore, 35 comments

“Given how Ektomorf sounds (hint: like Soulfly), you’re probably surprised to see my name up there in the author’s hot seat instead of Dr. Fisting’s due to existing AMG precedents. Cards on the table: I brought this upon myself.” Took one for the team, he did.

The Hell – Brutopia Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on November 12, 2015 in 2015, English Metal, Hardcore, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Hardcore, 16 comments

“Hardcore largely exists as a reaction to things in the world that invoke the ire of an angry singer. This can range from society as a whole (Pro-Pain), the government (Sick of It All), or some unnamed person who wronged the narrator so often and so consistently that it literally must be their job to anger the guy (Terror).” More music for Leg Day at the local gymnasium.

Black Breath – Slaves Beyond Death Review

By Mark Z. on September 29, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Death Metal, Hardcore, Reviews, Southern Lord, Death Metal, Hardcore, 33 comments

“Back when I was a snot-nosed college senior rolling around with my windows down and blasting Black Breath’s newly released Sentenced to Life. At the time, I felt so hip for listening to this so-called “Entombedcore” right as it was catching on, when bands like All Pigs Must Die, Early Graves, and Black Breath themselves were at the forefront of a sound that combined the throat-shredding fury of mid-aughties hardcore with a guitar tone and riffing style heavily inspired by Swedish death.” Remember those carefree days of youthful metal elitism?

Blacklisters – Adult Review

By Roquentin on September 25, 2015 in 2015, English Metal, Handshake Inc, Hardcore, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Hardcore, Noise Rock, Non-metal Metal Things, Post-Hardcore, Punk, 17 comments

“Leeds-based foursome Blacklisters’ sophomore release Adult is a cynical punch in the face accompanied by a sardonic smile. An eruption of sickening bile gestated for years in pools of angst spat by generations of punk, hardcore, and noise bands.” If you’re like me and don’t like clowns, this cover creeps you out.

Sibiir – Swallow & Trap Them Review

By Kronos on August 28, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Disiplin Media, Hardcore, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Hardcore, 7 comments

“While there are some who would have ol’ Kronos trapped in a padded room reviewing deathcore and only deathcore for the foreseeable future, one of the perks of Angry Metal Guy’s preoccupations is that I’m able to slip in a review every now and then that doesn’t quite fit the death/grind beat that I usually work.” Hey. Who approved this review?

Enabler – Fail to Feel Safe Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on August 14, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Century Media, Hardcore, Metalcore, Reviews, Hardcore, Metalcore, 29 comments

“Last year Enabler put out one hell of a record in La Fin Absolue du Monde. I didn’t score it, as we don’t do that for our Things You Might Have Missed features, but you can tell how much I loved it by its presence at the top of my Top Ten end-of-year list, above even Voices’ wonderful London. Looking back I might swap them around, but no matter; it’s a killer album, so when Madam X received the promo for Enabler’s latest opus she kindly sent it in my direction. I was, naturally, throbbing with anticipation.” Sometimes life can rob your throb.

Milking The Goatmachine – Goatgrind Review

By Mark Z. on July 15, 2015 in 2015, Death Metal, German Metal, Grind, Hardcore, NoiseArt Records, Reviews, Death Metal, Hardcore, 13 comments

“Joke bands have never really been my thing. While I love groups like Cannabis Corpse and find their puns chuckle-worthy, it’s the riffs, not the mildly amusing weed references, that keep me coming back. That said, when an album called Goatgrind by Germany’s Milking the Goatmachine showed up in the AngryMetal promo list, I made a special exception.” Don’t ask him why.

Jungle Rot – Order Shall Prevail Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 1, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Death Metal, Hardcore, Reviews, Victory Records, Death Metal, Hardcore, 29 comments

“Looking at my calendar whilst putting my finishing touches on this review, it’s one day after the official release date of Jungle Rot’s latest record Order Shall Prevail and the digital presses have ceased for the day. Some slight lateness matters little; the album’s been up for streaming, and those interested have doubtlessly heard it already and those uninterested have continued not to care one iota about its existence. Jungle Rot produces a specific type of music that caters solely to their established audience, and Order Shall Prevail doesn’t mess with the formula.” The lords of Neanderthal death are back, if you care.

The Armed – Untitled Review

By Kronos on June 27, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Hardcore, No Rest Until Ruin, Reviews, Hardcore, Mathcore, 20 comments

“Detroit’s The Armed caught fire in 2012 with their second EP, Spreading Joy and haven’t lost momentum since then; successive years have seen EPs, splits, and singles, but until now an LP has been elusive. Now we know why. This LP, left untitled, is an out-of-left-field insurgency, absolutely decimating the group’s previous output and reinventing the mosh-friendly and hard-hitting mathcore that made “Cop Friends” and “Sterling Results” smash skulls and wreck cervicals.” And worst cover of the year goes to….