So, Bring On Mixed Reviews

Key To The Midway – Keep It To Yourself EP – Review

Release Date: August 31st, 2010
Record Label: None
Genre: Pop-Rock

After knowing some of the band members from Key To The Midway for several years, we have gotten to know how goofy, as well as how talented they are. Starting from the ground up, these five guys from Kalamazoo, MI went ahead and named their band after carny carnival folk slang for something that is considered a “fools errand” and enlisted the duties of producer Rob Freeman (Cobra Starship, Hit the Lights) for their first effort. The result being the bands new EP “Keep It To Yourself” which was released during the perfect time for light-hearted pop rock, the middle of summer. Read more »

Murderdolls – Women And Children Last – Review

Release Date: August 31st, 2010
Record Label: Roadrunner Records
Genre: Horror Punk

The Murderdolls have been dormant over the past few years but the just like the walking dead the angry horror show rises from the dead once again, with their latest effort entitled Women and Children Last out now on Roadrunner Records. The new album contains fourteen new tracks of sex, blood, and all things postmortem for a little over forty-four minutes. While the original effort made a lot of noise, partially off of Joey Jordinson’s fame within Slipknot; will the new effort prove the band still has the same relevance? Read more »

Kataklysm – Heaven’s Venom – Review

Release Date: August 24th, 2010
Record Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Genre: Death Metal

The northern hyperblast continues with Kataklysm’s latest effort entitled Heaven’s Venom out now on Nuclear Blast Records. Ten blistering numbers that explode from the beginning and leave nothing but a field of shrapnel after the forty-six minute symphonies of warfare comes to a halt. Which poses the question; does Heaven’s Venom reinvent the wheel? Read more »

Adai – Felo De Se EP – Review

Release Date: June 15th, 2010
Record Label: Cavity Records
Genre: Experimental Metal

Despite the lapse in band updates and the relatively quiet nature of their label Cavity Records, the building buzz that surrounds this Denver, CO duo isn’t surprising to say the least. Since their last EP in 2008, “I Carry,” Adai has toured the country and strengthened a fan base around their unique experimental metal. Their latest EP “Felo De Se” carries no less grandeur then before, and even further solidifies the genuine originality the band possesses. Read more »

Review Gauntlet: August 2010

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Sundowner – We Chase The Waves – Review

Release Date: August 3rd, 2010
Record Label: Asian Man Records
Genre: Acoustic

2010 has been a busy year for members of The Lawrence Arms. They are currently in the midst of working on their first new full length in four years, Brendan Kelly released his first solo album, and now Chris McCaughan has just released his second solo album, “We Chase The Waves” under the moniker Sundowner. I have been eagerly awaiting a new offering from Sundowner because his 2007 effort, “Four One Five Two” was one of my favorite albums in recent years. It’s a record that I keep coming back to, and every time it’s as good as it was when I first heard it. I have a feeling “We Chase The Waves” will also stand the test of time. Read more »

Papa Roach – Time For Annihilation – Review

Release Date: August 31st, 2010
Record Label: Eleven Seven Music
Genre: Rock

Papa Roach have gone through so many paradigm shifts throughout their career, from rapping Nu Metal, to Alt Rock, to their current standard rock, it is almost a wonder how they have survived thus far. Recently, after the band left Geffen Records, where the label was pushing a Best Of compilation that the band abhorred, they signed with Eleven Seven Music and went the route that all popular rock bands go after a while, a semi-cop-out effort.  At least that was what came to my mind when I picked up their newest release — a hybrid live and studio release entitled “Time For Annihilation.” Read more »

The Birthday Massacre – Pins And Needles – Review

Release Date: September 14th, 2010
Record Label: Metropolis Records
Genre: Synthrock

The Birthday Massacre of Canada has sharpened the axes and are ready to unleash their latest effort Pins and Needles out September 14th on Metropolis Records. Those whom have followed the band know what to expect a dark atmospheric blend of industrial synth and keyboards, with a steady rock beat, and the capturing vocals drawing you in to the catchy songs. With eleven new tracks to expand there audience and prove their command on their sound. Read more »

The Devil Wears Prada – Zombie EP – Review

Release Date: August 24th, 2010
Record Label: Ferret Records
Genre: Post Hardcore

As many others have already pointed out, The irony of a christian band making a effort conceptually around zombies, isn’t lost on me. But one look at the album art and after a spin or two of their new EP “Zombie“, it’s more likely The Devil Wears Prada simply played a few too many rounds of Left 4 Dead 2 and wanted to match their brazen post-hardcore with the theme of the flesh-eating undead. Read more »

Mad Caddies – Consentual Selections – Review

Release Date: July 20th, 2010
Record Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Genre: Punk

Mad Caddies most recent album hit shelves last month with the release of Consentual Selections; a “best of” CD comprised mainly of the bands various albums in the past fifteen years. The twenty-four track playlist takes you through the bands phases of punk, rock, reggae with ska being ever-present in the trip. In addition to a selection of favorite songs off of their old albums, Consentual Selections features two new tracks ‘Save Us’ and ‘Why Must I Wait.’ Read more »