Converge - The Dusk in Us (2017)

Never been that much into metal hardcore but I always enjoyed Converge, they are above the other bands. What about their new album The Dusk in Us ? It's in the vein of the previous one, All We Love We Leave Behind, which is not bad since it was a really good album. As usual there's good fast raging songs (like the two first ones) and also a few longer, slower more melodic ones. two songs this time, I really like the first one The Dusk in Us , whereas I'm less convinced by the other slow one Thousands of Miles Beetween Us. So we have some new additions to their already long list of excellent songs, and overall an enjoyable album. Nothing really new but they stay at their high level of quality.

The BC page.

Coliseum - Anxiety's kiss (2015)

Coliseum are back with an album called Anxiety's kiss that goes a step further in the direction they already took in the last couple of albums (read HERE the interview I did with Ryan Patterson after the release of Sister faith, with my review of the album). The Black flag meets Motorhead style they had is now something of the past, and the post-punk feel they developped is now more present than ever, they're now a lot more closer to Killing joke than to hardcore. Is that a problem? I don't think so. They were a cool band and we can regret their old style, but since they're different but still excellent, in their new direction, I'm ok with it and enjoy listening to their new stuff as well. And Anxiety's kiss sure brings the quality with very well crafted songs with strong atmospheres, they create a different feel but it's not less passionnate. And don't worry the evolution is quite progressive and if you liked the two previous albums you won't be lost and probably will like Anxiety's kiss as well. as I do.

Their Bandcamp page

AC4 - Burn the world (2013)

AC4 (2008-2013) was an excellent punk / hc band with Dennis Lyxzen (Refused, International noise conspiracy) on vocals. expect nothing like Refused experimentation in breaking hardcore limits here : AC4's music goes back to the very roots of hardcore with songs that could remind Black flag or Minor threat. straightforward but full of energy. Burn the world (released by Deathwish records) is their second and last album :  16 hardcore songs, not trying to bring something new to the style, just playing it in a faultless way wihich is also satyisfying and enjoyable. the quality of the songwriting and the excellent as usual vocals by Lyxzen being enough to make the album a very fine piece of classic hardcore, one of the best HC album released last year.

the BC page 

Converge-All we love we leave behind (2012)

I use to post about less known bands than Converge. is there any use to post about their last records All we love we leave behind? yes maybe because I think it can appeal to more people than just the (many) Converge fans. I like and listen to them since a few years now but without being a huge fan. I have to say that All we love we leave behind is better than I expected, I wasn't completely convinced at the first listen, but after listening to it a few times I really like it. they managed to keep their trademark frenetic delivery, to be still grounded in hardcore (the drumming and the vocals especially) and at the same times are doing something different. what set it apart from other good hardcore bands is the guitar parts. It's maybe a bit more melodic than in their other records, and often goes into nearly stoner domain, and also in noise rock territory, while going deeper into their own Converge style. diversity, fast hardcore songs alterning with more melodic or noisy songs, catchy riffing,  intense vocals, many things gather to makes All we love behind more than another Converge record.

Converge website

Code Orange Kids - Cycles (EP 2011)

Code Orange Kids are a bunch of young guys from Pittsburgh, and they got a lot of underground attention after releasing (on Mayfly records) in October 2011 this EP called Cycles.

This Ep is actually really good so it' really well deserved interest, it carries a sense of urgency  and a lot of freshness and intensity, with a really good blend of crushing and fast hardcore and good melodies in a kind of post punk vein. A very solid debut EP and it's no surprise that their debut album planned for 2012 will be released by Deathwish records.

Listen to Cycles on their BC page.

and Here (on Amercian aftermath  is their new video for a new song called My body is a well from their coming split with Full of hell.

and you can stream the entire split Here on Absolutepunk.net.

Touche Amore-Parting the sea between brightness and me

since the begining of "Parting the sea between brightness and me", Touche amore grabs you and don't let you go until the record ends. For this record released in 2011 on Deathwish, the formula is simple, great screamo singing (impressively good singing really), energic and melodic guitars, an efficient rythmic section. All that in short, fast and good hardcore/punk songs. A record you can listen to over and over.

Check the Touche amore page on Deathwish for infos, touring dates, videos, etc.

And listen to the first, really good, song of Parting the sea between brightness and me, on Touche amore site.