Los Angeles punk/ska veterans were formed in 1994. This is their new album on Rise Records, first in 9 years. The album is bringing 13 new melodic punk/ska anthems that will make your booty move and make your day nice. The mastermind John Feldmann gathered an impressive lineup including MXPX Mike Herrera on bass and Phil Sneed(Story Of The Year)on guitar, the drums on this album plays no other than Travis Barker(Blink 182). The songs are reflecting the bands existence and life stories that happened in John Feldmanns life. The album is pretty diverse concerning the style from the fast melodic punk opener “A Million Miles” to ska melodies of “Get What I Need” with guest vocals by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182. Besides him, the album features some prominent guests performances by the members of 311, Mighty Mighty Boss Tones, Twenty On Pilots, One Ok Rock… I love the vibe on this album especially reggae beat of “Tijuana Sunrise” which is a perfect soundtrack for a sunny summer day. This is an excellent melodic and anthemic record, so get this because you wont regret it!
I never heard for All For Revenge prior to this album. As I understand this is their second studio album. The guys are hailing from Troy in upstate New York. This album contains 11 songs in the vein of 90-ies style New York Hardcore bands like Biohazard, 25 Ta Life, All Out War etc..but the guys also bring in some modern hardcore and metal influences too. The songs are energetic, excellent for moshing and releasing your anger vent. I liked the straight forward in your face attitude of “Hard Road” and moshing rolling rythm of “Kill The Korporation” with almost metalcore death metal growling vocals. The title song has great street vibe and ironic vision of dirty street life so, this song is one of the album highlights. Somewhere around the middle of the album things get little repeative and all the songs sound a little similar. The final third of the album picks up the pace again with good songs like “Struggle” and “Anthem” which has guest vocals by Keith One Shot. If you love your hardcore groovy and tough, you will love this record.
The new album by French melodic punk hardcore band Hightower is out on the great label Krod Records. France has a great music underground scene and I enjoy discovering new bands, like this one. The album contains twelve songs of beautiful structured and played melodic punkrock with some hardcore influences. The lyrics are in English language and they deal mostly with personal issues. There are also some faster paced songs on the album with energetic fast drumming and short in your face attitude like “Ernests Castle” or the excellent opener “Numero Uno”. The only thing that could be a little tighter and kinda more harsher and a bit more convincing are the vocals. Dont get me wrong, the vocals are melodic, the singer is great, but it wouldnt hurt to do some shouted parts with the more clean and melodic parts. But, thats only me, that is the beauty of punk zines that we can blabber about the records we like and the records we like less. This one is a great record and I am very happy I discovered this band. I would love to see the guys live, I am sure this songs sound just awesome live. Top songs for me:”Numero Uno”, Titty Twister”, “Tournesol”.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 