Average Rating: 3.30 Rating Variance: 0.63 Objectivity Score: 84% (Well Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicletlive. Fake History10 out of 10: On their sophomore, letlive have proved how much a band can truly go from mediocre at best to one of the best in their genre. We have a wide range of influences on this LP, from hip-hop to blues to the most chaotic of hardcore. Each second of this LP is filled with emotional and intensity that can hardly be matched. The vocal performance is out of this world, the instrumental is so incredibly tight, the production is stellar, the lyrics are clever...man, this is probably my favorite hardcore LP to come out in the 2010s so far.The Black Dahlia Murder Nocturnal10 out of 10: The Black Dahlia Murder's third LP has changed death metal for me. Between it's melodic guitars, it's pounding drums, and the divine vocal performance, the band goes through all sorts of melodic death metal within ten tracks that can go from bat-shit crazy to absolutely heartbreaking. Since I first heard this LP some years back, I have fallen in love, and with every listen I have only loved this LP more and more.The Fall of Troy Doppelganger10 out of 10: When Glassjaw released their magnum opus "Worship and Tribute", experimenting in post-hardcore became much more common. In 2005, a three piece group consisted of 19 and 20 year olds released "Doppelganger", which will be remembered in post-hardcore for it's perfect balance of emotion and structure with technicality. The lyrics are clever, the drums are pounding, the bass is groovy, the guitar work is incredible, and the vocals from both Thomas Erak and Tim Ward are just fantastic. Most certainly a milestone in the genre of post-hardcore, if I say so myself.Titus Andronicus The Most Lamentable Tragedy10 out of 10: This might just be what I'd consider the pinnacle of punk music. Through 90+ minutes, Titus Andronicus finally topped their debut LP with an incredibly HUGE sounding LP that still packs in the aggression of punk that got them to where they are today. With it's catchiness still comes a story of a man going through despair that eventually finds his doppelganger. This was the LP I was waiting for from Titus since I first got into them, and holy shit am I so happy it finally came.4.5 superbDeafheaven New BermudaHigh 9 out of 10: It took three listens for me to give this a final rating because I didn't really know how to go about it on the first two. Deafheaven has more or less kept their A game on this new LP, exploring new territory and being more "metal". Really an intense release, probably the best metal LP of the year.Down I Go You're Lucky God, That I Cannot Reach YouMid 9 out of 10: I have yet to hear a hardcore LP this year that's this experimental and creative. Words cannot describe how much I am in love with this LP currently. I know I'm going to be playing this for quite a while now.maudlin of the Well BathMid 9 out of 10: This is truly one of the most remarkable death metal LPs I have listened to. maudlin of the Well does not waste any time showing off their wide range of influences in it's hour-long drive.Mono & The Ocean TranscendentalHigh 9 out of 10: I feel like I can't give this a 10 because it's only two songs and comes out to only 25 minutes, but at the same time this is really amazing. Mono is incredibly beautiful as always, but The Ocean completely steals the show with "The Quiet Observer", which is certainly a contender for my "Song of the Year", if it hasn't already taken that title already. Basically, if you're a fan of post rock and post metal and you don't give this thing a listen, you are completely missing out on probably the strongest EP this year.Poison the Well The Opposite of DecemberMid 9 out of 10: This LP just has so much to offer for metalcore/hardcore as a whole scene. Basically, if you are a fan of hardcore of any sort, do not ignore this LP under any circumstances.Protest the Hero KeziaHigh 9 out of 10: On their debut LP, Protest the Hero completely nails the concept of a political message in music with the story of a young woman named Kezia who is being executed for virtually no reason, as told in the perspectives of Kezia, a priest, and a prison guard. Each character gets three parts to explain the general picture, their feelings for the woman (or for herself), and how they feel about the shooting. In the final track, we see (or hear, rather) the shooting happen, which brings the LP to it's closure, and leaves us with the message that society is viewing human life as so little nowadays and will lead to our downfall if we don't do something about it. Truly a beautiful piece of music.So Hideous LaurestineMid 9 out of 10: This LP is fucking enormous. Every second of it is just absolutely pounding with some of the most triumphant and tragic sounds I have heard on a metal LP ever. The more background approach to the vocals only make this seem stronger. So Hideous have really outdid themselves this time and made one of the most crushing metal LPs of the decade.4.0 excellentAugust Burns Red Found in Far Away PlacesMid 8 out of 10: Holy shit, I can't believe ABR released an LP that was this heavy, but they really needed it. I can only imagine where they will go from here, but it can surely be some of their best material, as this is probably my second favorite LP of theirs.B L A C K I E... All Caps, With Spaces GENMid 8 out of 10: This music is just so hardcore and noisy, I feel like I was bound to love this as soon as I walked into it.Between the Buried and Me AlaskaLow 9 out of 10: This album was truly the start of something beautiful for Between the Buried and Me. In a matter of two years, history would be made. However, until then, they still made one of the best albums in the progressive genre.Black Breath Sentenced To LifeLow 9 out of 10: The Needle Drop has explained this LP as "thrash metal on steroids". I really don't think there is any better way to describe this, other than of course looking at the artwork.Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside MeLow 9 out of 10: I use to always think "Deja Entendu" was better than this LP. After my latest listen, I now see why this LP seems to have the upper hand in most cases. It's progressive and feels much more "mature", for the lack of a better word.Chelsea Wolfe Pain Is BeautyLow 9 out of 10: This LP really defines melancholy in music. From when I first listened to this in 2013 to now, this LP has an incredible grip on the emotion of sadness. I absolutely adore it for that reason.Cult Leader Lightless WalkMid 8 out of 10: Within a year's time, Cult Leader has developed a sound so much more aggressive, crusty, and heavy as hell than what they showed on their debut EP. This nearly 40 minute LP is surely some of the most aggressive hardcore I have heard all year, and most likely all decade.Dragged Into Sunlight/Gnaw Their Tongues N.V.Low 9 out of 10: This is something that is just so fucking disgusting and unforgiving, that you really need a stomach to make sure you can really bare with it through it's 32 minute length. If you're into black metal that just gets to your gut though, do not ignore this fucking collaboration.Every Time I Die From Parts UnknownHigh 8 out of 10: This band has gotten better with every LP they've released since 2009. I don't think they are going to be stopping anytime soon, either. I fucking love this one.FKA Twigs M3LL155XMid 8 out of 10: The production on this is really strange and creepy, and I mean that in the best way possible. Surely one of the most interesting pop releases for this year.Full of Hell Rudiments of MutilationMid 8 out of 10: Full of Hell took quite a change of style on their sophomore LP, replacing the sludge element with harsh noise. This is probably the best change they could've made, and took this LP on an incredibly intense journey. Full of Hell and Merzbow Full of Hell and MerzbowHigh 8 out of 10: Full of Hell's hardcore mixed with Merzbow's harsh noise turned into one of the best extreme music LPs of the decade, that's a fact.Hopesfall No Wings To Speak OfLow 9 out of 10: While I'm not the craziest fan of this band, this EP near-perfectly embodies the sound of metalcore/post-hardcore. The intense emotion the latter half delivers just makes it all the more satisfying. I the Mighty ConnectorMid 8 out of 10: Cinematic, full of energy, and dare I say "epic", I the Mighty's sophomore brings the band back into the light and show that they still have quite a few tricks up their sleeves.Infest SlaveMid 8 out of 10: This LP is absolutely relentless and angry. It's very clear to see how this band had an influence on powerviolence, and it surely is an incredibly ass-kicking listen!Infest No Man's SlaveLow 9 out of 10: This is so short...but oh so sweet.Intervals The Shape of ColourHigh 8 out of 10: I'm not even a person who's a fan of shred music, but holy fucking shit the composition in this record is incredible. I didn't know if I was going to ever think of Intervals the same after Semesky left (even though I do like their previous EPs), but this is just proof that Aaron is doing just fine being by himself.Intronaut The Direction Of Last ThingsMid 8 out of 10: I never really liked Intronaut outside of being a solid live band. To me, their studio music just did not have enough going on for me to really be interested in it, which is the worst thing for me to think about any post metal band. On this LP, they are much more of a progressive metal act and it makes this LP so fucking great. It's heavy and continuously moving, the vocals are incredible, and the production is just...fuck. I love this one. Another LP from a band I don't typically like that I loved.Krallice Ygg HuurMid 8 out of 10: Krallice has certainly changed up style on their new LP, bringing in some influences of punk and noise to the table. We even see the return of Mick Barr on vocals! None of this is a bad thing at all though, as this LP turns into quite the beast.Loma Prieta Life/LessLow 9 out of 10: Easily one of the best modern screamo LPs of recent. So much passion and energy packed in about 17 minutes.Loma Prieta Self PortraitHigh 8 out of 10: Loma Prieta has taken a change in style, becoming much more post-rock influenced and a ton more abrasive and noisy. This reinventing has certainly worked in the band's benefit in one truly emotional powerhouse.maudlin of the Well Leaving Your Body MapHigh 8 out of 10: While not as fantastic as "Bath", Maudlin's final LP does have a very bittersweet touch to it that makes it a very lovely final LP.Meek Is Murder Everything Is Awesome Nothing MattersHigh 8 out of 10: This LP is awesome and nothing else matters. Check these guys out if you want some fine ass mathcore.Murder Construct ResultsHigh 8 out of 10: I always liked Murder Construct a lot more than Cattle Decapitation. I think the instrumental is just so much more interesting and Travis Ryan just proves much more here than ever, in my opinion.Noisem Blossoming DecayHigh 8 out of 10: To my biggest surprise, Noisem was able to change pretty crazily within two years. They've gotten so much more aggressive and angry, and the end results are just oh so fucking lovely.Pissgrave Suicide EuphoriaHigh 8 out of 10: I am in utter disbelief this is a real LP. Not because it's bad; far from it. However, it all just seems so impossible for something so disgusting to possibly exist. The buzz isn't faking, this is truly one of the most gruesome and sickening LPs I have listened to in the longest time. The fact that these vocals are naturally coming from another human is enough to turn my stomach, and I mean that in the best way possible.Rage Against the Machine The Battle of Los AngelesHigh 8 out of 10: I know I'm in the minority when I say I liked this more than RATM's self titled, but I honestly think this is their strongest work. It had twice the punch and energy of the self-titled with production that suits their style a lot more. Zack's flow on this is absolutely killer also. Super super solid LP!Suicidal Tendencies Suicidal TendenciesMid 8 out of 10: This is one of the few crossover thrash LPs I still love. I think what kept this LP sounding so nice throughout it's life was the energy it gives. While very angsty, this LP still gets away with it by using the aggression and speed to it's advantage.TesseracT PolarisLow 9 out of 10: Well, holy shit. This record has left me completely speechless. This record is simply Tesseract at their absolute finest to date. The instrumental is incredibly tight, the vocals just absolutely soar, and the production works with Tesseract so well. Man, I'm loving this one a lot.The Wonder Years No Closer to HeavenHigh 8 out of 10: I really don't understand how pop punk is having such a fantastic year. Normally, I'm totally against this genre, but between The Story So Far's excellent release and this even better one, it's been one hellavuh year for the genre! This LPs possibly the darkest music I have heard from this genre, which completely benefits this band in every way possible. Not to mention Jason's feature is absolutely perfect. Man, I'm loving this one to death! The World Is a Beautiful Place... HarmlessnessMid 8 out of 10: TWIABP basically released an improved version of their debut LP, but the improvement is just very noticeable and it makes this LP just that much more tasteful.Thou TyrantMid 8 out of 10: On their debut LP, Thou proves they have what it takes to be an incredibly hard-hitting sludge metal act. However, what they do lack in is creating songs that can be listened to on their own. This LP is great as an entire LP, but you will need the time to listen to it all at once. At least that's how I feel.Thou HeathenHigh 8 out of 10: A lot of people I know like to complain that this LP is too long for it's own good. It is quite the lengthy listen, yes, but I nonetheless believe this is Thou's strongest work yet. It's got everything that made them good in the past, easily distinguishable songs, and some intense emotion to spark it up a notch. I absolutely love this LP.Titus Andronicus The Airing of GrievancesLow 9 out of 10: On their debut LP, Titus Andronicus wanted to show off who they were and what they wanted to prove. In this LP's 45 minute time span, they surely gave off their message and have started their career on a super high note!Titus Andronicus The MonitorHigh 8 out of 10: While not as great as their debut in my opinion, this one's massive sound and catchiness still turns it into a beautiful LP!Trap Them Darker HandcraftLow 9 out of 10: Trap Them really hit a new high with crust punk on this LP. The music on this is so absolutely face-crushing and so full of energy, I love it! Violent Bullshit Adult ProblemsMid 8 out of 10: This really goes hard. I miss Orchid, but Violent Bullshit fills the void just fine if you ask me.3.5 greatBlack Breath Slaves Beyond DeathHigh 7 out of 10: Black Breath removes the thrash element on "Sentenced to Life" and replaces it with more sludge-influence. This isn't bad on their part at all, as this is still a very solid LP. However, I will say that I thought they did their death-thrash metal combo much better.Bungler/Great Grief There Is No Setting Sun Where We AreHigh 7 out of 10: Both bands do a pretty good job, but Great Grief definitely has the better half, showing so much maturity since "Ascending // Descending",unleashing two of their best songs to date. Bungler is more or less the same band.Caligula's Horse BloomLow 8 out of 10: Well god damn, this LP is super tight.Cattle Decapitation The Anthropocene ExtinctionLow 8 out of 10: I haven't liked Cattle Decapitation's music at all in the longest time. I began thinking they were a standard death metal act with a vocalist too good for them. However, this LP came out, and with the darker mood set and more experimentation between the act, Cattle Decapitation finally made an LP I can truly appreciate. The only thing I can't really behind are the drums. Otherwise you have killer guitars, sick bass, and the vocals of Travis Ryan that have only gotten better over time. This definitely takes the cake for the most pleasant surprise of 2015 in my books.CHVRCHES Every Open EyeLow 8 out of 10: This is really one of the sweetest-sounding LPs of this year. It may give diabetes, but it sure is undeniably pleasant.Cryptodira An Unmarked GraveHigh 7 out of 10: On these two songs, Cryptodira proves that they sure have a lot of potential in being the next great progressive act. They just need more music that's this good.Danny Brown XXXLow 8 out of 10: Danny Brown proves that even if you aren't being the most experimental in hip-hop, you can make a beyond solid modern LP in the genre.Desaparecidos Read Music/Speak SpanishLow 8 out of 10: This political punk LP is surely something unique. It's surprises me that I don't care for Bright Eyes but really dig this LP, but I guess artists can make two bands that are very different from each other after all.Facility S/THigh 7 out of 10: This band needs to release something longer than 6 minutes. This was absolutely killer otherwise.False UntitledLow 8 out of 10: Black metal seems to always have a very good year for me. This continues to be true as False unleashes a pretty monstrous debut LP.Fucking Invincible It'll Get Worse Before It Gets BetterLow 8 out of 10: This is so fast and so punchy, you really won't be able to keep up to pace with it by any means. Incredibly solid debut LP.Full of Hell Roots Of Earth Are Consuming My HomeHigh 7 out of 10: On their debut LP, Full of Hell brings quite a lot to the table to prove that they are a very worthy hardcore act. There are some screws that need to be tightened, and then they'll be one of, if not the best hardcore band in the 2010s. Great Grief Ascending // DescendingHigh 7 out of 10: With a hardcore scene over-saturated with beatdown bands, there comes the ones that decide to use hardcore to express intense emotions, such as Defeater and Touche Amore. On their first EP, Icarus has already proven that they are capable of making incredibly intense hardcore music. They have a very bright future ahead of them, indeed.Iron Maiden The Book Of SoulsLow 8 out of 10: Holy shit, I did not expect this at all. There are some kind of funny moments on this, but overall Iron Maiden has surely impressed me with the fact that they released a 90+ minute LP and have included quite a few memorable tracks. Not to mention how genius the final track on this one is. Overall, I congratulate Maiden on releasing a very solid double LP, and if this is where their 40+ year career ends, I can say it ended on the highest and most respectable note it could for them.Joanna Newsom YsLow 8 out of 10: This is a really pretty LP. Gets a little odd to me at times, but the talent behind it is undeniable. Kendrick Lamar Section.80Low 8 out of 10: Man, even on his debut Kendrick proved he was something pretty special.Killswitch Engage Alive or Just BreathingLow 8 out of 10: Killswitch Engage's sophomore LP really took all the elements of their debut and twerked them to be even better. Each good moment became great, and most of the eh moments became good at the very least. Such a shame that Jesse would take a leave after this LP.Killswitch Engage The End of HeartacheLow 8 out of 10: What Howard doesn't do for replacing Jesse's harsh vocals he easily does for replacing his cleans. Killswitch Engage release another beautiful LP despite losing such a strong voice.mewithoutYou Pale HorsesLow 8 out of 10: Really one of the prettiest LPs I have listened to this year. mewithoutYou really knows how to get down with melancholy. Noisem Agony DefinedLow 8 out of 10: On their debut, Noisem brings a lot of influences from death and thrash metal to the table. They have potential of being one of the great young talents, but they still need to organize their influences better and have more "variety".Northlane NodeLow 8 out of 10: The vocals on this performance are absolute amazing. Everything else is pretty damn nice but not nearly as strong as the vocals. Pretty damn great LP nonetheless! Of Feather and Bone False HealerHigh 7 out of 10: This is an incredibly solid and face-punching hardcore EP. In it's brief time period, it surely delivers a punch!Old Wounds The Suffering SpiritLow 8 out of 10: This LP has a lot of cliches I don't like (breakdowns, monotone clean vocals). That being said, this LP has some of the most aggressive instrumental and harsh vocals I have heard all year, and it overall comes out to be a real ass-kicker.Oneohtrix Point Never Garden of DeleteLow 8 out of 10: This is a really cool electronic LP from this year. I'm glad to have listened to this, because there hasn't been many (if any) electronic LPs that grabbed my interest this year.Slugdge GastronomiconLow 8 out of 10: Extremely heavy and dark, it's kind of hard to believe this LP is about slugs taking over the world. Sunn O))) Monoliths and DimensionsLow 8 out of 10: Super atmospheric and loud, this is really one of the most meditative LPs I have ever listened to.System of a Down System of a DownHigh 7 out of 10: So high on energy and intensity, SOAD's debut still remains very enjoyable for me after all of these years.Tera Melos Drugs to the Dear YouthLow 8 out of 10: Tera Melos' instrumental EP is certainly one of the most interesting to come out in the genre.The Black Dahlia Murder AbysmalLow 8 out of 10: While not as strong as works such as "Nocturnal" or "Everblack", The Black Dahlia Murder still proves they can pull off making something accessible while still being structured and written very nicely. Trevor's vocals are as killer as ever as well. Pretty intense LP!The Dillinger Escape Plan Ire WorksLow 8 out of 10: TDEP had a lot to prove after releasing their (in my opinion) magnum opus. While they didn't top it (I wasn't expecting them to), they released probably their most "artistic" and challenging work yet.The Wonder Years The Greatest GenerationHigh 7 out of 10: This LP gets really exciting at moments. While it's not the strongest piece of music I've ever listened to, I can easily get happy listening to this!The World Is a Beautiful Place... Whenever, If EverHigh 7 out of 10: While it isn't perfect by any means, TWIABP's debut has some of the most thrilling tracks I have heard in the Midwest Emo style ever. Truly a super solid LP.The World Is a Beautiful Place... Death To New YearsLow 8 out of 10: While it's only two songs, these are two of the best songs this band has released to date. I really hope they release a new LP very soon.Trap Them Seizures In Barren PraiseLow 8 out of 10: Trap Them really started discovering their sound on this LP. Truly one monster of an LP, especially for it's 25 minute length!Trap Them BlissfuckerHigh 7 out of 10: I think what kept this LP a higher rating from me was the fact that it had some pretty lengthy tracks. They weren't necessarily "bad", but some of them did overstay their welcome. However, this is still a pretty kickass LP!We Lost the Sea Departure SongsLow 8 out of 10: High on emotion and passion, this groups' newest LP is most surely for fans of post rock bands like Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai, especially if they want something a little more heavy and drone-inspired.3.0 goodAnd So I Watch You From Afar HeirsLow 7 out of 10: This LP is a little too long, but it is nonetheless super pretty and nicely crafted.Birds in Row Personal WarLow 7 out of 10: This is good and all, but all it does is give me a little taste. I think when their next full LP comes out, I'll be more into it.Birds In Row / WAITC SplitMid 6 out of 10: This EP is too short. Everything is relatively solid tho.Blackest BlackestMid 7 out of 10: On their debut EP, Blackest shows they are capable of making solid metalcore with some sludge metal elements. I truly hope they continue to improve upon this.Bring Me The Horizon SempiternalHigh 6 out of 10: This band went in the best possible direction they could. The synth on this LP really boosts everything up. I'm not a fan of a few of the songs, but for the majority of the time I like this LP quite a bit.Bring Me The Horizon That's the SpiritMid 7 out of 10: Bring Me the Horizon transitioned into more of an MCR-esque band with some electronic elements, which I thought was the best decision for them. There are three tracks I do not like on this LP at all, but the rest is some of the best stuff this band has put out ever. This band is truly getting better by the second.Chelsea Wolfe AbyssMid 7 out of 10: While not my favorite release of Chelsea's, this LP still provides a very bleak emotional aspect that keeps it strong through it's length.Counterparts Tragedy Will Find UsLow 6 out of 10: I am kind of shocked that I did enjoy this, but I would've liked it so much more if you took out the very obvious genre stereotypes (breakdowns, spoken word passages prior to the breakdown, etc.) All in all though, this is actually relatively solid!Deathdealer. Volume OneMid 7 out of 10: I really support any band that's just a drum and bass act, so I was pretty much bound to like this either way. The production is a little iffy for the style they are approaching, but overall I am really digging this release!Deer Leap/The World Is A Beautiful Place... Are Here To Help YouLow 7 out of 10: It's cool and all, but I don't get why everyone says this is TWIABP's best release. Far from it, imo.Every Time I Die SalemMid 7 out of 10: Being that this EP is under 10 minutes, it's really hard for me to give this TOO high of a rating. That being said, this is some of the most aggressive and thrilling pieces of music I have listened to. I am super excited for ETID's next LP.Extortion DegenerateMid 6 out of 10: This is a band making solid powerviolence music. That's really all I can say about this LP.Facility The First FourMid 7 out of 10: This is some of the most top notch screamo I have heard in so long. What hurts this release is that it's too short. I'm super excited to see what these guys do next!Fit for an Autopsy Absolute Hope Absolute HellMid 7 out of 10: I am very surprised that I liked this as much as I did. There are some problems through it's course time, especially the very cliche breakdowns, but for the most part this LP is full of very solid deathcore. Production is super tight, and the vocals are absolutely monstrous.Ghost (SWE) MelioraMid 6 out of 10: This LP plays pretty much exactly like this group's debut "Opus Eponymous", except with more synth and hooks. You have ten tracks, six of which are relatively solid , two of which are useless interludes, a pretty bleh track, and probably Ghost's worst song to date. Even though I do like the majority of this LP, I can't lie that I was incredibly letdown by how this LP turned out.Godbless Thee, Mooseheart The Prison Prt IIMid 7 out of 10: This LP has a lot of really cool ideas, and goes into many genres of music I like. That said, I think many of the ideas don't really have goals, which makes the music feel a bit questionable at what it's trying to achieve. Nevertheless, it's a pretty cool LP from the homeboy in Cali.GridLink Amber GrayMid 7 out of 10: On their first LP, GridLink shows the project's main purpose with full on force, and it surely keeps the listener interested for 11 minutes. Maybe it's too brief for me, but it can be too much for other's I'd imagine.Grimes Art AngelsLow 6 out of 10: There is so many things done well with this LP. I'm just not a huge fan of Grimes' style. I can enjoy this for what it is and I highly suggest people look into it, because it is pretty inspiring for any "bedroom" musician, but I can't do much else other than enjoy it.Haunted Shores VisceraMid 6 out of 10: There's really good ideas on this. Both Marc and Misha have proven to be incredible songwriters. What brings this down is that it just sounds like Periphery. It has a different style, but the sounds are just so clearly taken from Periphery. If someone told me this was demos for Clear Pt 2, I would believe them quite honestly. It's an enjoyable listen, but come on Misha, can you work on ONE thing that doesn't have the same guitar tone?Hell Mary Hell MaryMid 7 out of 10: This is some really solid hardcore! Though I don't really have much else to say about it...Homewrecker Worms and DirtMid 7 out of 10: While this does have it's beatdown elements that can be a bit much for me, the overall performance on this LP is completely solid. This band surely has a bright future ahead of them if they use less of the beatdown in their music.Homewrecker Circle Of DeathLow 7 out of 10: This is basically like their debut, except shorter. Though I dig that it delivers more punch.Horrendous AnaretaMid 7 out of 10: This is a cool LP and all, but I can't help but think "Ecdysis" was just so much better, honestly.Jay Rock 90059Mid 6 out of 10: There's songs on this (East Bake, 90059, Vice City, etc.) that I LOVE. However, the most is kind of just there. It's enjoyable for sure.KEN mode SuccessMid 7 out of 10: I am totally a fan of KEN mode, but I have yet to find an LP from them that I am in love with. This continues with this LP. Good, but nothing super spectacular, in my opinion.Killswitch Engage Killswitch EngageHigh 6 out of 10: Killswitch Engage's debut doesn't do much other than show the band has energy and passion. They can easily be a super strong band in their game, they just need more work on songwriting and musicianship. Kronos Colossal Titan StrifeLow 6 out of 10: I'm not the hugest fan of this style of death metal, but this LP is definitely a lot of fun and has some really cool lyrics about Greek mythos. My biggest problem with it comes from the fact it doesn't really have much tricks up it's sleeve. If you want a solid death metal LP, look no further. La Dispute Rooms of the HouseLow 7 out of 10: My biggest problem with this LP is that it's too bright-sounding, honestly. Especially because the lyrics on this LP aren't all that bright, it kind of feels a bit awkward. This is definitely not La Dispute's strongest LP, as their previous two are pretty exceptional in my opinion, but this is still a relatively solid post hardcore release.Listener Wooden HeartLow 7 out of 10: Not one of my absolute favorites of music, but the emotion on this release is surely intense.Panopticon On the Subject of MortalityMid 7 out of 10: This is just some really solid black metal. This project didn't really blow up until later projects.Prologues Owls in a BookshelfHigh 6 out of 10: This CT metalcore duo just started out, and they are very much on a decent start. This EP does have faults, but none that can't be fixed in due time. Revenge (CAN) Behold.Total.RejectionMid 7 out of 10: I am really not a huge fan of Revenge's music for the most part. I feel like for the LPs prior to this one, they were just releasing pretty meh B-sides to their debut. Plus seeing them live earlier in 2015 did not prove to be all that exciting either. I was going to completely ignore this LP, but decided to give it a shot because I was bored. I am pretty glad I did, because I feel like this is the most solid this band has been since their debut. This isn't my favorite release in the world, but my God how fucking disgusting and intense this thing is. Truly a huge improvement on these guys' part, and I'm excited to see what their next LP will turn into if they just get better from here onward.Scale the Summit VMid 7 out of 10: While not as great as their previous two releases, Scale the Summit still comes out with an incredibly solid instrumental LP!SikTh OpacitiesLow 7 out of 10: No, it's not absolutely amazing by any means. It's pretty much just a continuation of where they left off. That being said, the fact that we received something from fucking SikTh after nearly a decade, I have to say I am really satisfied and am hoping that they release a killer full length ASAP. Welcome back SikTh, I missed you so.Soilwork The Ride MajesticLow 7 out of 10: I have to admit that I am a bit surprised that I did like this. Not that I don't like Soilwork, but I really didn't know where they could go after their 2013 double LP "The Living Infinite". They certainly went a good direction, even if it's not the absolute best LP.Suis La Lune Distance/ClosureMid 6 out of 10: This is certainly a good listen, especially if you want some solid screamo/post-hardcore. However, there are parts of this that remind me too much of Touche Amore, at least vocally. It does get a bit ticky after a little while, at least in my ears.Swallow the Sun Songs From The North I, II & IIIDisc I- Mid 7 out of 10: The first disc is pretty much as standard as Swallow the Sun could get with their sound. The vocals and synth are always stellar, but everything else is pretty much just doing it?s job by the books. This is pretty much just a continuation from their previous LP. Pretty good, but nothing out of the ordinary by any means. Disc 2- High 4 out of 10: Swallow the Sun goes for a much softer approach on this disc, which I can appreciate. However, I can?t really say I?m liking it much at all. They just feel like those sweet moments the band typically puts in their music, and extends them to full length songs. Being the shortest disc on this triple LP, it certainly drags out the most. Disc 3- Mid 8 out of 10: Okay, this disc is having me super conflicted. This is just so heavy and so dark, and makes for some of the absolute most soul-crushing music I have heard this year. Swallow the Sun made one the most unforgiving LPs in extreme metal for 2015, that is certainly a fact. Overall: High 6 out of 10: Swallow the Sun should certainly be applauded for their ambition, because it takes serious guts to release a triple LP in extreme metal. However, I gotta say that this LP has me very conflicted, to say the absolute least. Disc 1 is cool, Disc 2 is boring, and Disc 3 is fantastic. Can I count them as separate though? Probably not. System of a Down ToxicityMid 6 out of 10: I always thought this one was very overrated. It has some good tracks and very memorable singles, but most of their other work is just so much better.The Saddest Landscape The Sound Of The SpectacleMid 7 out of 10: The Saddest Landscape prove on their debut LP that they have a lot of aggression and emotion. Some of the songs could be structured better, but overall this is a fine listen for anyone who wants some good post hardcore.Thou PeasantLow 7 out of 10: Nowhere near as good as their debut LP, but still very solid and hard-hitting.Toothgrinder Schizophrenic JubileeLow 7 out of 10: You know, I like so much about this. I really like the vocals, and the instrumental has so much influence in it that it goes so many directions. My biggest problem is the sometimes really generic breakdowns that go on. I really hope this band releases something even stronger in the future.Underoath They're Only Chasing SafetyMid 7 out of 10: I'm not going to act like this is my favorite release in the world, but holy shit it gets super fun. It's like Taking Back Sunday with more harsh vocals than just a guest feature. I totally see why many people don't really like this LP, as I use to HATE it. However, I really found a pretty decent liking for it.Violent Bullshit Age of Quarrel II By Amon Düül IIIMid 7 out of 10: It's really good, but I think it's really hard to fully love something that's barely seven minutes.2.5 averageAssemble The Chariots World ArchitectsLow 5 out of 10: I don't really see this too different from every other band that has this style, but I will admit that the vocals and synth on this are very top-notch. Otherwise, the instrumental just seems like another Born of Osiris type band with elements of black metal here and there.Born of Osiris Soul SphereMid 5 out of 10: This is really one of the most "whatever" LPs I have listened to. This seriously did nothing good or bad for me, it was just...whatever. I already accepted that BoO wasn't going to release something Discovery level, so I really don't care. This is probably the last LP I check out from these guys, because I barely even decided to check this one out.Coheed and Cambria The Second Stage Turbine BladeLow 5 out of 10: The production and sounds on this are so flat it just comes off boring as hell after a while.Defeater AbandonedMid 5 out of 10: Wow, talk about a huge disappointment. Defeater is more or less the same band, except now it feels like they're drowned out of the sound they already perfected, if that makes any sense at all. Man, this is a huge bummer. Such a fall from grace.Lamb of God VII: Sturm Und DrangLow 5 out of 10: Some of the vocal bits on this are pretty cool, and the instrumental is what you'd expect from LoG. It's certainly better than "Resolution", but at the same time can get very boring really quickly. I don't get why people made such a fuss about the clean vocals, they really aren't that different from Randy Blythe's usual style...Native Construct Quiet WorldHigh 5 out of 10: This band is incredibly talented, don't get me wrong. If I listened to this in 2013 or even 2014, I would think this was one of the best. However, it's been a long time since I enjoyed progressive music that is like this, and it's far too cheesy for me to really enjoy too much. However, if you are into progressive rock/metal, I would not ignore this one by any means, because these guys are certainly talented and some of the moments (especially in the harsh vocals) are pretty tight.Pig Destroyer Book BurnerMid 5 out of 10: Pig Destroyer is one of my absolute favorite bands. On this LP however, what made them what I love was taken away and it just comes out as a pretty lackluster grindcore LP with killer vocals from none other than J.R. Hayes.Sunn O))) KannonLow 5 out of 10: Come on, Sunn O))). You know you're more than this. This is so lazy.The Acacia Strain Coma WitchMid 5 out of 10: There's a lot of good things coming from this LP. Vincent's vocals are absolute killer and "The Observer" is truly one of the strongest songs of 2014. However, a lot of the tracks on this LP are filled with such lame generic stereotypes that it just begins to lose it's flavor. The heaviness and Vincent keeps it listenable though, so it's alright.The Cure Three Imaginary BoysHigh 5 out of 10: The Cure's debut is certainly not as memorable as their later work, though I won't ignore that it surely has some really cool moments (i.e. "Subway Song").2.0 poorBeach House Thank Your Lucky StarsMid 4 out of 10: "Depression Cherry" wasn't one of Beach House's strongest LPs, so I was hoping this is where all the good stuff was gonna be. Unfortunately, that isn't true at all. This is probably their weakest LP to date, honestly...David Maxim Micic EGOHigh 4 out of 10: My biggest problem with this EP is that it just doesn't offer enough for me in it's four tracks for me to really enjoy all that much. The third song was pretty cool, but it was so much shorter compared to the rest of the EP that it didn't really matter. This has so much potential, but it just falls so flat in my honest opinion.David Maxim Micic ECOMid 4 out of 10: Pretty much the same opinion on the first EP, except this one has vocals that are just way too cheesy for my taste.Foxing DealerHigh 4 out of 10: I didn't really enjoy this LP by any means, but I feel like a lot of people are hating this more than it deserves. It's just an emo-by-numbers LP.Kublai Khan TX New StrengthLow 4 out of 10: Nah, I'm not ready for the pit. Thanks though.Rain City Drive Routine BreathingLow 4 out of 10: I didn't expect to like this, and I didn't. I kind of just listened to it to compare it to Instant Gratification, which I (unfortunately) liked this more. Senses Fail From the Depths of DreamsMid 4 out of 10: I use to love this band and this EP back in 2008/2009. A lot of time has passed since then, and re-visiting this EP wasn't the worst experience. I've had much worse revisits to nostalgia before and surely will after. However, I still think this is a very dull and dated EP. The Devil Wears Prada SpaceMid 4 out of 10: I went into this expecting something way worse. I'm disappointed it wasn't, because it proved my listening of this meaningless. Pretty much if you enjoy TDWP, this will certainly tickle your fancy.1.5 very poorBoys Night Out Make Yourself SickMid 3 out of 10: There's times where I think being melodramatic works very well, such as La Dispute. I think this band doesn't do it well at all, and it really makes listening to this LP very unpleasant. Dance Gavin Dance Instant GratificationHigh 3 out of 10: OK, I love Dance Gavin Dance. I'm going to say straight up that "Acceptance Speech" is one of my favorite LPs in 2013, so you can imagine my excitement when I heard this was coming out. I pre-ordered it right away, as a matter of fact...and now I know never to pre-order something so quickly. Tilian's vocal performance was completely dumbed down on this, some of the instrumental sounds like a incomprehensible jam session, the production is way too polished, and the lyrics are beyond awful, even for DGD standards. They went from releasing my favorite LP of theirs to releasing their worst LP yet, in my opinion. Even the songs I liked (We Own the Night, On the Run, The Cuddler, and Lost) are kind of just solid DGD songs you'd expect to actually be their least best on a normal LP of theirs. I really hope they bounce back, because I cannot even stress how much this let me down. Drake and Future What a Time to Be AliveHigh 3 out of 10: The production on this is pretty solid, and Drake's part are decent. What really kills this release is Future, who is just so boring it's almost unbearable when he comes on. He takes up most of the mixtape also, so the overall listen is rather unpleasant.Self Defense Family Heaven Is EarthLow 3 out of 10: Is this better than their debut? By far. Is it any good? Hell fucking no. This is boring as absolute shit. Don't give me that "It's artsy!" shit either. I have heard many other art-rock LPs that prove so much more than this one.Shallow Views FeedersLow 3 out of 10: Uh... they have decent ideas. Most of these songs are inseparable, though. The harsh vocals have a nice tone, but the lyrics are fucking hilarious and the clean vocals are really cliche. Maybe I just don't really care about this genre, so if you want a slightly better-sounding Emmure, I guess check this out?1.0 awfulMiley Cyrus Miley Cyrus and Her Dead PetzLow 1 out of 10: I really don't know what to say other than I am incredibly offended this is real.Slayer RepentlessLow 2 out of 10: Don't even lie to yourselves. You know this pile of shit is awful. Slayer's charm has long expired, and this is just an embarrassment of a once solid legacy.Title Fight HyperviewMid 1 out of 10: I knew I wasn't going to like this LP from the get-go, especially since I already had a very bad relationship with Title Fight as it was. I only listened to it because of a dare I made on myself (rather silly, I know). Holy shit though, this is the worst of the current shoegaze scene I have heard. The only thing decent about the whole thing is the production. This is super stale and artificial as hell. Fuck this shit.
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