THREE GREAT RELEASES; PARASIGHT/NERVGIFT, DRONES FOR QUEENS, THE GREAT GODDAMN

 Philadelphia should be mighty proud to call Drones For Queens it's own. Practically Weapons is a fierce blend of Speed and Grind that dropped on March 10th, and is available on limited edition white vinyl. It's almost April, so check on availability pronto, but if you've missed out you can always download this awesome 4 track rager.
www.rifflifter.com
www.facebook.com/dronesforqueens

If you're in the market for some Crust/Grind/ Hardcore check out Parasight (Denmark) and Nervgift's (Sweden) new split EP. Is this a golden age for Grindcore? Because there sure seems to be a lot of kick ass bands around these days and this release from Modstand Records is no exception. Parasight has a track called Skulldozer that I'm going to put on everyone's mix tape this year. These two groups totally make me miss my days of fighting in the pit!
https://www.facebook.com/parasightdk
https://www.facebook.com/nervgift
https://www.facebook.com/modstandrecords

Do you like bands like Melvins and Shellac? THEN SAY GODDAMN! Stoner/Sludge Punks The Great Goddamn made something special just for you. Me, this is right up my alley. I'm one of those guys that thought Black Flag got really good with My War and I'd rather listen to St. Vitus or Crowbar over Metallica any day. Bangers & Hash is a groove heavy, low end bastard of an album and with warmer weather approaching this will be THE summer album for the cool kids that hate the summer time.
Out today from Void Assault Records!
 http://facebook.com/thegreatgoddamn

FALSE LIGHT'S FORCED BY FLAME 7 INCH BLAZES WITH FEROCITY

South Carolina is not the first state that springs to mind when I think crust/grindcore, but Charleston has spewed forth False Light. In true grind tradition the songs on Forced by Flame are short and brutal, but well executed and exciting. I went back and listened to False Light's self titled debut for comparison and Forced By Flame is a sure footed evolution from an already kick ass band.

False Light jams thirteen tracks onto this 7", full of rage and distress. This is the soundtrack to a mental breakdown. And, I imagine, some pretty scary pits.

You can check out Forced by Flame on Bandcamp here and order the 7" here from Headfirst Records. One reason for owning a physical copy? Look to the left at this sick cover!

XVO: POPULATION ZERO/FIFTEEN DEAD SPLIT EP REVIEWED

Philly hardcore crust punks Population Zero and Scottish black metal powerhouse Fifteen Dead have teamed up for sick split album on Suburban White Trash Records. Fifteen Dead's two tracks, Will To Power and Wealth Of Nations, are as good as any black metal I've ever heard. Population Zero have the next four tracks, Lies, Blast Effects, Preemptive Action, and Threatening Skies, all are blazing. No filler here.
Musically both bands are exciting and talented, every track is tight and brutal. I've never been a big fan of either band's vocal styles (death metal growl, scream/screech), mostly because I like to know what the singer is saying. I have learned to appreciate more extreme vocal styles by accepting them as another instrument (think John Zorn's sax on Naked City tracks), so it's a minor, personal gripe for me. I have to admit though, the vocals on Will To Power and Threatening Skies are pretty infectious. Otherwise, for punk and metal fans XVO is a damn fine addition to anyone's album collection.  
If you have a chance to catch these bands live, don't pass on it and get XVO (there's also a cassette edition for us weirdos who still like tapes). You can sample/buy the album here from Chaos Records Distro.
And since proof is in the pudding...

POPULATION ZERO...SPP

FIFTEEN DEAD