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OK Kids here is how the rating system works:
=INCREDIBLE, BUY THIS NOW!!
=PRETTY GOOD, IF YOU SEE IT PICK IT UP
=ITS OK I GUESS, LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS COPY FIRST
=NOT REALLY GOOD, BUT LISTENABLE
=PRETTY BAD, AVOID IT IF POSSIBLE
=HOLY CHRIST! WHY DO YOU PLAY INSTUMENTS

These reviews are nothing more then MY OPINIONS. Nothing more, nothing less. You are free to disagree, all opinions are made with a totally open mind with nothing to gain personally. And all reviews are based SOLEY on the recorded material. If a band is incredible live but sucks on CD, then the review is on the sucky CD. No review is a personal attack on anybody.



Minus (Europe) - Jesus Christ Bobby (12 songs)
More then bad, this is just disturbing. I don't know what the fuck this is supposed to be, but I'm taking it out of my CD player as soon as I can.

Next 2 Last (New York City, USA) - demo tape (2 songs)
This is more or less the same old thing. Its pretty generic hardcore, although it is played pretty well. But you get the sense of -didn't I here this band a million times already- They are a new band, so hopefully in the future they will find their style. Nothing great here, but I do see potential.

No Innocent Victim (California, USA) - Tipping The Scales (11 songs)
First off I want to say that I like these guys lyrics a lot and and their dedication to their message, and respect them very much for it, I just wish I liked the music better. There is no one thing that I can put my finger on that I don't like but it just doesn't do it for me. Its very death-metalish, but without the solos. It's got the speedy Morbid Angel music with the harsh, I can't understand what he's saying vocals and maybe thats whats turning me off. It is definitely not a bad CD or band but its just not my thing. Maybe some more change of paces and breakdowns, and more understandable vocals.
No Innocent Victim Website

No Retreat (Pennsylvania, USA) - Rise Of The Underdog (11 songs)
This is a pretty brutal CD. If you like Bulldoze, and Irate, and bands like that then you will cum in your pants. This is tough guy metal pure and simple; complete with the double bass parts and the death metal vocals. The production on this is a major drawback unfortunatly.
No Retreat Website

NYC Takeover Vol. I (Various Bands) - (12 songs)
This CD is a live recording of 3 bands taken on Oct. 22,2000 at a CMJ music showcase in NY. First up is All Out War; you know what to expect from these guys by now. Blistering metal-core that sounds even better live then on CD. Next up is Reach The Sky. I'm kinda' into this band but it sounds weak trying to follow AOW. There is just not enough power behind them, although they do play it well. Then is Grey Area. They're ok I guess, not my style.

NYC Takeover Vol. II (Various Bands) - (12 songs)
Same idea as volume I but with different bands, I like this one a lot better though. It opens up with Skarhead. I have never really been big on this band but this changed my mind completely. This is a really good set by these NY natives and I have to admit it made me wanna' move. Also for all you District 9 faithfulls, Myke the singer is helping out on voals for Skarhead. Next is Buried Alive, somewhat along the lines of Morning Again. VERY heavy!! This is brutal power. Last is River City Rebels. Once again, not my style but its almost listenable.

O.S. 101 (New Jersey, USA) - Pura Vida (12 songs)
This old school style band just plain out lacks originality. They sound A LOT like H₂0, with a Murphy's Law attitude. It's not a bad CD, its just been done before.


One Last Sin (New York, USA) - ...When Guilt Reigns (14 songs)
This is sort of like Shai Hulud, but not as good. Don't get me wrong, its not bad, but its not great either. They are a less technical, less complicated version of Shai Hulud or One King Down. The songs unfortunately do start to drag after a while, mostly because of they similarity to one another.
One Last Sin Website

Reach The Sky (Boston, USA) - Friends, Lies And The End Of The World (12 songs)
This is usually the type of band that I don't like, but this CD so damn catchy. Imagine a mix of Quicksand and Gorilla Biscuits and thats these guys. At times it gets a little too commercial, but it's forgivable in this case. I especially recommend it to anyone who likes that Revelation type sound (i.e. Texas Is The Reason, Sensefield, Supertouch, etc..).
Reach The Sky Website

Right For Life (France, Europe) - Destroy Babylon (8 songs)
WOW!!! That's all i can say about this CD. I actually thought this CD might be good, boy was I wrong. This is just a bad 25 ta' Life rip-off. To be honest I can't even tell you what language he's singing in.

River City Rebels (Mass., USA) - Racism, Religion, and War (14 songs)
Hmmm.... well it's hard to review this because it's not really the style I'm into. Its kind of poppy-punk with horns and everything. Along the lines of the Bostonnes I guess. Its got a positive message which is cool, and the whole oi sound to it; but its just not what I'm into. If you like that stuff then judge for yourself.
River City Rebels Website

Rykers (Germany, Europe) - Life's A Gamble (18 songs)
These guys are probably the most popular band in Europe and I can see why. This CD is just straight up hardcore without a lot of metal. The best way to describe them would be imagine Sick Of It All with a little more brutality in the music and deeper vocals. If you havn't heard these guys yet, then you need to do something about that.
Rykers Website

Shutdown (New York City, USA) - Few And Far Between (12 songs)
Thank god. After Against All Odds I was getting a little worried. I have listened to these guys for years and knew that they were better then that album; and here they have proven it. They retain their "youth crew" style of hardcore and still manage to throw in some stompy dance parts. Its produced by Roger Miret and they cover Warzone's "Don't Forget The Struggle, Don't Forget The Streets", what more do you need.
Shutdown Website

Sick Of It All (New York City, USA) - Call To Arms (15 songs)
This is the greatest hardcore band ever, and they prove it once again with this CD. It's everything you have come to expect from SOIA. There is no sign of getting lighter as some other bands do when they get popular (not mentioning any names). As a mattter of fact, this CD may even be less main stream then previous CD's. A lot of people think that they "sold out" or whatever; that's just stupid. Go buy the CD, go see them live, and then come back and I gaurentee that you will say that these guys represent everything that hardcore is all about.
Sick Of It All Website

Stampin' Ground (England, Europe) - Carved From Empty Words (10 songs)
Kery King and company would be proud. This CD from these UK lords is just balls to the wall metal; not that there's anything wrong with that. If you like Slayer and Morning Again then this CD should be in your stereo right now. Very rough vocals and screaming guitars, all you metalheads will love this.
Stampin' Ground Website

Strife (California, USA) - Angermeans (10 songs)
Well it looks like those rumors were true, Strife is back together and here is the CD to prove it. Although there is a problem; the CD is not good. I was really exited when I saw this in the mail I couldn't wait to get it into the CD player. I have to say I was disapointed, very disapointed. Strife is one of my favorite bands and I really wanted to like this CD. But I could not. The songs seem long and forced together with no real flow. There are WAY too many effects on the vocals, and the whole CD seems to be recorded very low and muddy.
Strife Website

Strife (California, USA) - Truth Through Defiance (17 songs)
This is not all new music from these sXe kings, but its a little taste. The first 10 songs are un-released songs, and songs from comps, and the other 7 are from a live set. Whether your sXe or not, you have to love this band. They are just so damn angry is scary at times. This CD is basically a small fix for the Strife fans that are still heartbroken over their break-up; although I have heard some rumors...... hey ya' never know.
Strife Website

Thursday (New Jersey, USA) - Full Collapse (12 songs)
He he... hey Beavis, this sucks.
I don't get this band at all. After listening to this CD I had to watch some porn just to make sure I was still straight. My god, put some balls in your music or buy a spine or something. Stop your pussy whining and write a breakdown.

Together We Fall (Maryland, USA) - Drowned (8 songs)
This is a good CD that gets a little boring after a while. After the first few songs you are really into it, but then you lose interest. I like their style, in the vein of Madball, but the songs are too similiar to each other. And that makes the CD drag a little bit. If these guys do something about that, then I could see them getting very popular very quickly.

Waterdown (Germany, Europe) - Never Kill The Boy On The First Date (12 songs)
This CD is definitely original and different and I want to give them a lot of credit for that. I'm not really into the band much though. Imagine Green Day, but with a second singer who's job is only to scream like Tim from V.O.D. The music is a little pop-punkish with a couple of heavy parts, but not really dancy heavy. It's like its not commercial enough to be considered commercial, and not heavy enough to be considered heavy.
Waterdown Website


With One Intent (Massachusettes, USA) - Leaving It All Behind (6 songs)
I really wanted to like this CD, but i couldn't. Not only do every song sound a like, but every riff sounds alike. Its boring, generic hardcore.


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Hardcore Scene Report Website
c/o Jon
4120-19B Hutchinson River Parkway East
Bronx, NY 10475

Any band or label that doesnt agree with the review that I have given has 2 choices:
1- You can e-mail me and discuss it with me in a professional manner.
or
2- You can GO FUCK YOURSELF!

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