Hardcore

2021

Album Review: Controller – “The True Sense Of Strength Within” 7.5/10 (Hardcore)

July 2, 2021 Ellis Heasley

Controller are a DIY hardcore band from Pennsylvania who released their debut full-length The True Sense Of Strength Within earlier this year. Being a completely self-released effort, it’s perhaps no surprise that this album seems to have flown pretty far under the radar for many hardcore fans, myself included. That’s a shame though, because while this record isn’t exactly the most inventive take on the genre, it’s still executed to a very high standard that should sit well with fans of respected up and comers like Thirdface and Gulch. […]

2021

Album Review: Muscle Vest – “Live Laugh Loathe” 8/10 (Noise Rock)

June 11, 2021 Ellis Heasley

Have you got 12 minutes? That’s all Muscle Vest ask for with Live Laugh Loathe. Less actually. The brilliantly titled second EP from the London-based noise rockers definitely doesn’t mess about. It follows their 2020 debut Human Resources, and picks up with much of the same raucous and angular noise rock heard on that record. Unsurprisingly then, if you like bands like The Jesus Lizard, Pissed Jeans and USA Nails, this is the one for you. […]

Ellis Heasley

Please Sir, I Want Some Core – Vol. 1

May 24, 2021 Ellis Heasley

Welcome to the first ever edition of Please Sir, I Want Some Core (yes we’re actually calling it that) – a chance to spotlight some awesome releases from across the ‘core’ spectrum which may have flown under the radar a little in the year so far. The intention here is to focus on bands it seems less people are talking about, and who haven’t already been covered on the site. Some of these are obviously bigger than others, and of course this is by no means an exhaustive list, but the hope is that you might hear and love a few records you would’ve otherwise missed. Aside from some potentially quite arbitrary/snobby lines drawn where things become almost exclusively metal, I’ve tried to cast the ‘core’ net as wide as possible here, so hopefully there’s something in this list for everyone. […]

2021

Album Review: Cruelty – “There Is No God Where I Am” 8/10 (Metallic hardcore)

May 13, 2021 Ellis Heasley

Arguably starting in around 2015 with Employed To Serve’s Greyer Than You Remember, the UK hardcore scene has been on the form of its life for a little while now. Many great records have followed in its footsteps, most of them with a healthy dose of adoration for the glory days of late 90s and early 00s metallic hardcore. Cruelty’s There Is No God Where I Am is definitely another such record, and one which more than earns its place on that incredibly strong list. […]