Tag Archives: New York

(review) Immolation – Acts of God (Nuclear Blast)

New York was always fertile ground for death metal and Immolation are one of the legends of that scene, this being their tenth full length album in thirty years of band´s existence. This one is featuring intro and fourteen songs of old school death metal like we are used to from this death metal institution. Vocalist/bassist Ross Dolan sounds mighty, but at the same time you can understand most of what is being sung, so it is another plus in my opinion. Songs are filled with blast beats and brutality, but Immolation also incorporates their thrash metal roots and influences in their songwriting with blistering and fast solos, some groove almost urban thrash metal parts here and there, but underneath all brutality, politics, dealing with life, anti religion, there is also melody and subtle catchiness in many songs giving them extra energy and boost making them appealing and taking you to obscure dimension of brutality, carnage and emotions, some dark, some inner demons, but making you fight the grey everyday reality through viciousness of music and death metal itself, and at the meaning of death metal, at its core, the name Immolation is written in large, blood red letters. My personal favorites: An Act Of God, Blooded, Derelict Of Spirit.

8/10

(REVIEW) COMPA-S/T

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Compa are hardcore punk band hailing from Brooklyn, New York. This is their new release containing 6 songs of noisy, fast and ferocious hardcore punk with great lyrics covering themes of migrants, being poor, trying to survive in this wild capitalist world of slavery, fighting fascism and similar themes. The music is very dark and vocals are screaming but there is an occasional nice guitar melody behind all the harshness like in my favorite off this record called Brown. This is a short but sweet e.p., it is name your price on Bandcamp so go get this one and support your scene.

https://compa.bandcamp.com/

(review) Cro-Mags-In The Beginning

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The first real Cro-Mags new full length record is out and the wait is finally over! Harley Flanagan, one of the iconic men and legends of New York hardcore scene is back in big style with this one. I will not venture into talking about all the hardships Harley had to endure with band splitting up in two camps, all the problems and fuck ups he had in his life. I just listen and let the music speak for itself.

On this record we get 13 songs in the best NYHC way, metalic and nostalgic in a way, reminding me a lot of Best Wishes, my personally favorite Mags album, but also sounding fresh and ready for the 21st century and Harley´s angry deep voice spitting rage in the lyrics with song titles like One Bad Decision, Don´t Talk About It or PTSD. The album is very dark, fast and almost apocalyptic in its vibe, being great soundtrack to the anger, anguish and despair, but also hope, never giving up and fighting the world. The musicianship is fantastic, that can especially be heard in all the awesome guitar hooks and solos, also in the instrumental song called Between Wars. I knew by the e.p. that came out prior to this record, that we are in for a treat. But, this is great, energy filled street hardcore. Welcome back, Harley and the crew!

9/10