Tag Archives: Philadelphia

(review)Crossed Keys-Saviors(Hell Minded Records)

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Crossed Keys from Philadelphia are in no way strangers to the scene because the band features people who played in Halo of Snakes, Kid Dynamite and Good Riddance among others and this is the new record out with Hell Minded Records. There are seven songs of nice melodic punkrock/pop punk on this record, played with heart and soul with catchy, beautiful melodic guitar parts, smart lyrics and superb singing courtesy of Joshua Alvarez. This whole material reminded me a lot of The Descendents, just simple, no bullshit and no philosophy punkrock just made to make you happy and smile and make your crappy day better. Recommended songs: True To You, Everything Breaks.

8/10

https://www.hellmindedrecords.com/

 

Crossed Keys (ex Kid Dynamite/Good Riddance) released new video for Everything Breaks

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Philadelphia’s own Crossed Keys are gearing up to release Saviors, a seven song EP that will appeal to fans of Samiam, The Bomb, and The Loved Ones. The melodic punk quintet features former members of Kid Dynamite, Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer, and The Curse. Two weeks ago, they released “Times of Grace” a fiery track that plays like a love letter to the ethos of embracing D.I.Y. culture. Today, they are following it up with “Everything Breaks.” Teaming up with D.I.Why? Productions, the band created a playful music video based on the song title. The video features singer Josh Alvarez slugging through his day as everything around him is breaking. You can watch it right now at No EchoSaviors will be released on October 4th via Hellminded Records. Pre-orders are available now.

WATCH: EVERYTHING BREAKS

“Set fire to all that you hold dear, so you don’t have to face your fears,” sings vocalist Joshua Alvarez (Halo of Snakes) in reflection of moving past the things that hold us back.  After playing in numerous bands around Philadelphia over the years, the members of Crossed Keys bring their varied experiences together to create a unique, driving melodic sound.

Alvarez is joined by drummer Dave Wagenschutz (Kid Dynamite, Good Riddance), bassist Andrew Wellbrock (Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer), and guitarists Beau Brendley (The Curse, Kill The Man Who Questions, R.A.M.B.O.) and Dave Adoff (Step Ahead, Jackie Thousand).  “Saviors” was recorded over a weekend in May 2019 at Noisy Little Critter in Downington, PA by Mike Bardzik (Joyce Manor, Kill Your Idols, Spraynard) and mastered at West West Side Music (The Misfits, Converge).

From the wistfulness of “Times of Grace” recalling shared times in basements and firehalls to the frustration of inaction voiced in the title track, “Saviors” is seven tales of gratefulness for all of those moments and people in our lives that led us to this point.

Crossed Keys has played venues all over the tri-state area, supporting bands such as H2O, Dave Hause & The Mermaid, The Lillingtons, Good Riddance, Shades Apart, and Strike Anywhere.

 

(record review)BINARY-Commit More Arson(Zegema Beach Records)

Binary are hardcore/powerviolence/metalcore/screamo band from Philadelphia and I reviewed their record for our zine. The record is out with Zegema Beach Records.

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These guys play interesting mixture of metalic hardcore, screamo vocals and occasional powerviolence blastbeats delivering an energetic punch of in your face hardcore. There are 9 songs on this record. I love how they used samples or spoken word in some songs(Do You Know How An Angler Fish Works?) because I think such parts perfectly fit in dissonant and harsh music like this one. The songs are short and sweet, just the way they should be, with strange titles like I´ll Backhand The Fuck Out Of The Seagull or Like Us On Facebook To Make Us Hypocrites, haha, I swear I can also hear Converge, Today Is The Day and some New Orleans sludge influence in there, like EyeHateGod or Buzzoven similar parts thrown in. This is the kinda hardcore that I love nowadays. Underground scene is beautiful when you discover new and awesome bands every single fucking day. Great stuff!

8,5/10