 Drew Walton's Top 10 of 2005: Well, 2005 brought a lot of changes in my life, and what better to help cope than music? I saw countless shows and heard countless new bands this past year. You will read about many of them in my top 10 list. These are my top 10, so check them out if you haven't already.
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Number 10: |
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Comeback Kid - Wake The Dead / Victory
Comeback Kid traded in some of their breakdowns for more melodic guitar progressions on this record. The outcome was a new-school punk rock feel, yet the same Comeback Kid hordes of people came to love on Turn It Around. The songwriting on this record is definitely an upgrade from their previous effort. Maybe there's hope for Victory yet... |
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Number 9: |
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Black My Heart - Before The Devil / Eulogy
Eulogy has definitely stepped their game up and released some great hardcore albums in 2005, several of which are making appearances on my top 10. Black My Heart takes the cake for simply being as heavy as possible. There are as many breakdowns in every song as is possible. The band uses dramatic stops and pauses all over the place to keep listeners in anticipation the whole time. This is the new face of tough guy hardcore, but without ridiculous lyrics or fake imagery.
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Number 8: |
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Allegiance - Overlooked / Rivalry
It's hard to place what is so good about Allegiance. Whatever that special something is, they’ve got it. The metallic edge they put on their style of traditional hardcore just adds such intensity to an already intense style of music. Using a heavy, metallic guitar tone throughout the album, the band comes off as heavy and crunchy, but never seems outwardly metal. If you like traditional hardcore, but want something that can pack a punch, pick up this album. |
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Number 7: |
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Ringworm - Justice Replaced By Revenge / Victory
Ringworm is fucking insane. It's hard to explain Ringworm's sound, but they're exceptional at whatever it is they're doing. Their blend of thrash metal and modern hardcore is not something easily forgotten. Playing fast as hell, pissed off at the world around them, and with lots of talent, Justice Replaced By Revenge is relentless throughout its duration. If for nothing else, check these dudes out on the count of their singer's name being The Human Furnace.
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Number 6: |
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Cold World - Ice Grillz / Lockin' Out
Cold World shot to the top of the hardcore world after their untimely breakup this past summer. The band's last show was at Posi Numbers Fest in the summer of '05. Taking the cake for ridiculous shirt prices on E-bay, this band has become a spectacle. Mixing New York Hardcore style with hip-hop flavor and a few samples, Cold World created something quite refreshing and new with Ice Grillz.
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Number 5: |
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Donnybrook! - Lions In This Game / Hand Of Hope
Topping off the Hand Of Hope family, Donnybrook has put out an amazing album. I have no complaints with this record, and listen to it from start to finish every time. This band rose to fame in the hardcore scene this year after releasing this album, and rightfully so. Seeing them live and listening to this album countless times have been great experiences since the beginning. For great hardcore, distinct vocals, and a District 9 cover, check out Lions In This Game.
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Number 4: |
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Guns Up! - All This Is / 1917
Taking the crown that No Warning once held, Guns Up! is the heaviest, hardest band in hardcore. Taking obvious influence from Ill Blood-era No Warning, the band capitalizes on long, slow, heavy build-ups and harsh vocals to come up with a sound that is quite refreshing in today's time. With a signature crunchy guitar tone, intense vocals, and more anticipation than you can shake a stick at, All This Is is a force to be reckoned with.
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Number 3: |
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Mental - Planet Mental / Lockin' Out
I don't know what they put it in the water in Boston, but numerous great bands sure do come out of that city. Being one of the best or the best, Mental put out something amazing with Planet Mental. Straying away from traditional clichés, Mental have crafted their sound and focused their songwriting talents beyond your average hardcore band. I got the chance to see their last show ever, and it was great to see such a great band perform their last show.
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Number 2: |
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Modern Life Is War - Witness / Deathwish Inc. (Review, Featured release)
If I had to describe Witness in three words, it would be: passionate, raw, and intense. This band showcases everything one could want. The lyrics are clever and heartfelt without being cheesy, the music is innovative and passionate, and the songwriting is of the highest caliber. I saw these guys twice this year, and they pour such heart and passion into their music, and that is shown both live and on record. If you have not heard this yet, do yourself a favor and climb out of that rock you're living under.
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Number 1: |
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Internal Affairs - self-titled / Malfunction
I can easily say with great confidence that Internal Affairs is my favorite band. Vocalist Corey Williams is my hero, and his vocals are about as insane as you can get. While most hardcore bands are "fast", Internal Affairs is a fucking train wreck. From two-step parts to faster-than-fast, this band holds it down with the best of ‘em. I can imagine some people being bothered by the vocals a bit, but I (and many others) love them. Approach this with an open mind, and prepare to hear some great traditional hardcore.
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Honorable Mentions: |
Hoods - The King Is Dead
Blacklisted - ..The Beat Goes On
Municipal Waste - Hazardous Mutation
Shattered Realm - From The Dead End Blocks Where Life Means Nothing
Lights Out - Overload
Kids Like Us - Outta Control
Killing The Dream - In Place, Apart
Ramallah - Kill A Celebrity
Madball - Legacy
xLooking Forwardx - The Path We Tread
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Top EP/MCDs of 2004: |
1. Set Your Goals - Demo
2. In This Defiance - Tour Demo
3. This Is Hell - This Is Hell
4. Slumlords - Drunk at The Youth of Today Reunion
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Best non-Hardcore Release of 2005: |
Common - Be
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Looking forward to in 2006: |
Guns Up!
The Hope Conspiracy
The Warriors
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