This is one of those rare times that I review the record that came out on major label, but hey it is Rise Against record, so a little rule breaking never hurt anyone eh? The new record is here.  It consists of 11 songs and the album is great! Rise Against still play their political melodic hardcore punk with heartfelt melodies and lyrics. Tim McIlrath never sounded better and the band is tighter than ever. From the album opener, the title track, across the single “The Violence” to the closing song “Miracle”, there is no bad or boring song on this record. Some songs are faster, some are more anthemic midtempo singalong hits, there is also some reggae stuff, but there is traditional Rise Against trademark hanging over the album as a whole. Some fans say that the band sold out by signing to major label, that they betrayed the underground, the band sounds too apologetic in the interviews when they are stating that this way they will get their message to more people that otherwise would have never heard for Rise Against. I will not judge, I say that I would probably not sign for major, but I was never in such situation. As long as they continue to make great music and great albums, I dont really care for major or not, but there is one thing and that is underground ethics, and I dont think that Rise Against ever gave up on it, major or not. It is far from best Rise Against albums, but it is a good album nonetheless. Top songs:”House On Fire”, “Far From Perfect”, “Mourning in Amerika”.

7/10

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It is hard to be objective because this band comes from my hometown in Croatia and I know personally most of the guys in the band, so it is hard to write something about their new album that I have just listened couple of times. It is already their third album and the guys have built for themselves a respectable place in the scene. Emphasis play post metal(how I hate that post prefixes) and it is not your usual artsy fartsy fantasizing, but very harsh and concrete version with rolling heavy drumming and thundering bass and guitars. The album contains 6 songs that are mostly long and I dont like long songs personally but in case of Emphasis the longevity of the songs is not a bad thing at all. The landscapes and surroundings that these songs provide are bleakness, greyness, moist and I must confess that in my opinion the music of Emphasis borders with sludge. The vocals are not in the front of songs, but rather their tortured howls serve as a catalyst for releasing all the despair. Guest female vocals on “Muna” are great, and the guest performance by Bojan from Eikonoise also enriched this album and made it a unique listening experience. I cant listen to Emphasis any time, but when I am in certain moods, this band and this album comes like a slap in the face of despair.

8/10

http://music.emphasis.band/album/black-mother-earth

7Years is an Italian band hailing from Livorno. This is their new album that came out via Morning Wood records and No Reason records. The album contains 13 songs of great melodic hardcore punk in the vein of the 90-ies hardcore punk bands. This means fast skatepunk songs like melodic anthems like “Lifetime”, but also some midtempo more slower songs like “DIY Or Die” with excellent guitar melodies and hooks. The lyrics are all in English and they are mostly personal with some political touch. Vocally the band is not cheesy, the vocals are right amount of harshness and melody not to be boring and not to be too cheesy. The album is also featuring guest vocals by none other than Joey Cape(Lagwagon) and Hans Roofthooft(F.O.D.) so if you love your punk rock to be melodic but also nicely produced with energetic songs you will love this one. The band is very tight, this being the result of many gigs that they played in last couple of years. This is a great album!

7/10

http://www.7years.eu – http://www.facebook.com/brdnPH