Gravedigger Magazine

Defeater – Empty Days & Sleepless Nights

Empty Days

Defeater's new record, Empty Days & Sleepless Nights is, perhaps the most highly anticipated hardcore record of Spring 2011.  This release, on Bridge9 records is a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Lost Ground EP and something of a partner record to Defeater's debut full-length, Travels.

At first listen, it is obvious that the band has progressed musically.  This record is more overtly somber, lacking many of the Verse-like qualities that their previous efforts have displayed.  There are more melodies in the guitar and although Defeater has never been a very typical band, they have further rejected the normally accepted styles of hardcore on this record.

More after the jump.

Album Preview: Ressentiment

East of the Wall have a lot going for them on their new full-length, Ressentiment, which is set for release July 20, 2010.  The whole album is very well put-together, beautifully written, and ceaselessly interesting.  Ressentiment goes through changes almost thematically, switching up smoothly while making it so that nothing feels cheap or gimmicky, thrown in or unnecessary.  Every aspect of every song seems to contribute to the record in its own little way.

Some Mistakes Demo Review

Some Mistakes, is a new band for fans of Verse, Ruiner, and Defeater, with whom Some Mistakes played their second show, in February of 2010.  Despite the recording quality, the Some Mistakes demo is a strong offering from such an inexperienced band. The demo has lyrics with deep political and personal meanings, which, along with the heartfelt, emotional vocals may be the strongest point of the album.

Some Mistakes open their three-song demo with “Burn the Papers”, a slow and melodic emotional roller coaster of song. While it builds, vocalist Will Turner (former bassist of Word Travels Fast) transforms into an angry, screaming ball of energy. The second track “Into Myself” chronicles the struggle in Turner’s home life and his childhood. “Aspirations (…Reprise)”, is the story of Will’s older brother dying while both boys were young.

Bury Me Breathing: Through Eyes Not Your Own

Bury Me Breathing, Through Eyes Not Your OwnHaunting, heavy and fast.  The Atlanta metal band Bury Me Breathing have really done well to highlight their strengths with their most recent release. Through Eyes Not Your Own can be downloaded for a donation at BMB’s BandCamp site. It comes with album art and a lyrics booklet, which is every bit as strange as the music itself.

Come What May: Solace EP

Come What May: Solace EPThe Athens 5-piece, Come What May, have made a solid first effort with the Solace EP.  The album pulls from bands like The Chariot, Thrice and Taking Back Sunday without sounding like a rip-off and although it has a style often done, and some would say done out, it is seldom done right.  Every aspect of this EP has been thought through and executed perfectly and with staggering attention to detail. There are times in the album when little things like the addition of organs and sleigh bells show just how much care was put into writing and recording the songs and does well to set Solace apart from similar releases.

DEA: Good Guys LP

At first listen, DEA sounds like a generic capitol city straight edge band, fast tempo, high-energy, and simple songs. First impressions can, however, be deceiving. Good Guys, which can be found for free from Get Outta Town Records, is overall a quality album for fans of the genre. Lyrically, DEA focus on counter-culture, especially in regards to drug and alcohol use while stylistically, the band stands out with their unusual and often refreshing guitar and bass harmonies, which outshine the all-too-common tough guy hardcore sound of the vocals. Good Guys is short and to the point, with all 13 songs taking up little more than 20 minutes, but not redundant or monotonous. Riffs and rhythms are constantly changing, so no two songs sound the same, or even similar. When played through, Good Guys is fast, powerful and exciting; as any hardcore album should be, far outshining most of what similar underground bands are releasing. One thing is for certain: DEA are a credit to the genre, and a band to keep an eye out for.
8 out of 10
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