November 2012

I took a break from my endless hours of homework to walk over to Phonoselect to pick up my records for November earlier today, and I'm really into what I picked up. Smoking Popes - This Is Only A Test LP, Cops and Robbers - Execution Style 7", and probably my favorite LP that I've picked up this year, Poison The Well - Tear From The Red. The Smoking Popes LP was on special which is why I picked it up. Definitely not my favorite record of theirs, but it does have some really good songs and I'm glad to have it in my collection. Cops and Robbers was always an underrated band in my mind, and I've never owned any physical copies of their records. It was also on special so I had to grab it. Poison The Well has always been, and always will be one of my absolute favorite heavy bands. I hesitate to use the term "Metalcore" because of what that genre has turned into over the last few years (makeup, autotune, and general douche baggery). Modern bands are still trying to catch up to what this band did over a decade ago. Opposite Of December was one of the records that really opened my mind to heavy music, and that one will always be special for me, but I think Tear From The Red is even better and more intense. I'm super excited to own this.

October 2012

My friend Mike runs a record label called Escapist Records. He put out TTNY's first record in 2007 and has been a great friend ever since. He was nice enough to send me a sweet care package with some shirts and records. He hooked me up with Territory - Sic Semper Tyrannis LP and Light Years - Just Between Us 7". Both are rad and I'm glad that he's doing both of these bands. Territory is one of the best new heavy bands that I've heard in awhile. Definitely reminds me of Integrity which I love. I saw a review the other that said "Territory: for fans of Satan at 1000 miles per hour". That pretty much sums it up. Heavy, fast, and fucking pissed off. Light Years is the exact opposite, catchy and fun. I dig this 7" and I think they're gonna do a lot of big things. Check out www.escapist-records.com and support this label. Good dude putting out cool bands