Sound Of The Underground: Xibalba - Hasta La Muerte

So after 9 days of seclusion, essays and general insanity I come to you with a new segment I call "Sound Of The Underground". In this segment that I'll be trying to do every couple of months, I review something that will have definitely slipped under the radar for most of you out there, but at the same time something that most people would hopefully enjoy immensely.

Anyway, without further ado, my first new article...

1. No Serenity
2. Soledad
3. Laid To Rest
4. Burn
5. Sentenced
6. The Flood
7. Hasta La Muerte
8. Mala Mujer
9. Stoneheart
10. Lujuria
11. Cold

Hatebreed - The Divinity Of Purpose (2013)

1. Put It To The Torch
2. Honour Never Dies
3. Own Your World
4. The Language
5. Before The Fight Ends You
6. Indivisible
7. Dead Man Breathing
8. The Divinity Of Purpose
9. Nothing Scars Me
10. Bitter Truth
11. Boundless (Time To Murder It)
12. Idolised & Vilified

Alexisonfire - London Brixton Academy - 3rd December 2012

So here we have it, one of my favourite bands playing their farewell tour across the world. Within seconds of seeing the announcement I was ordering tickets, not giving a single fuck if I was going alone. This was something I knew I had to see. And see I did...

It was a cold Monday night in Brixton when I arrived at the venue, and despite a second date being added the night before due to immense demand, the line circle the block twice. I heard accents and languages from all over Europe as I found my place in line, it was apparent many had travelled far and many had also bought tickets for both nights. These were clearly the most hardcore of fans. After what seemed like an eternity, the doors opened and we filed in to what would undoubtedly be a night to treasure for a long time to come.

I was personally not a fan of opening act Ghost Of A Thousand (6), but the fact that they had reformed after a years absence just to support their friends in Alexisonfire for their final UK shows was admirable. This did not sway me into enjoying their music however, which I found to be loud and slightly abrasive. No matter, because nothing was going to spoil this evening for me.

At 9pm the lights went down and Alexisonfire (10) ambled onstage. Wasting no time, they break into fan favourite "Young Cardinals", it becomes apparent instantly that they have been missed greatly and every single person in attendance is singing as if their lives depend on it. After a short speech from the band they tear into "Boiled Frogs" and it's as if they've never been away. The band shows why they have always been a sight to witness live by tearing through hit after hit, all the while the entire venue singing along and hanging on their every word.

This was a particularly special night for me as I never believed I would have this chance to see them live, and they have been responsible for two of my favourite albums. "This Could Be Anywhere In The World" is particularly important as this song introduced me to the band that I have now loved and waited for 6 years to see. The set is a wonderful mix of old and more recent favourites, each song getting a spectacular crowd reaction. The only song which I had hoped for that wasn't played was "Mailbox Arson", which saddened me slightly, but I was uplifted by the high quality of the setlist regardless.

After titanic closer "Happiness By The Kilowatt" the crowd begins to thin, and here and there I see tears and signs of deep upset at the end of an era. I too feel some of this pain, but my joy at seeing something I never thought I would be privileged enough to see far outweighs my sorrow.

All in all this was a night I will treasure for the rest of my life and am very happy I was able to share with you.


Alexisonfire Setlist:

1. Young Cardinals
2. Boiled Frogs
3. Heading For The Sun
4. Pulmonary Archery
5. Drunks, Lovers, Sinners & Saints
6. No Transitory
7. Get Fighted
8. Born & Raised
9. Waterwings
10. Control
11. Rough Hands
12. Midnight Regulations
13. Hey, It's Your Funeral Mama
14. Old Crows
15. We Are The Sound
16. Accept Crime
17. To A Friend
18. 44 Caliber Love Letter
19. This Could Be Anywhere In The World
20. Accidents
21. The Northern
22. Dog's Blood
23. Happiness By The Kilowatt

Old Crows/Young Cardinals is out now on Dine Alone Records

P.S. the reason I've not uploaded any pictures for this review is due to me being in the seats upstairs at Brixton Academy and not getting any decent clear shots of the bands due to the distance and constantly changing lights. Ah well.

Trash Talk - 119 (2012)

And after another absence we finally have some new reviews coming your way. Here's Aaron's review for Sacramento Hardcore mob Trash Talk's latest album 119. Enjoy...

1. Eat The Cycle 2:19
2. Exile On Broadway 1:12
3. My Rules 1:03
4. F.E.B.N. 1:37
5. Uncivil Disobedience 1:17
6. Blossom & Burn (Feat. Tyler, The Creator & Hodgy Beats) 2:31
7. Reasons 2:14
8. Fuck Nostalgia 1:51
9. Apathy 1:48
10. Thanks, But No Thanks 1:22
11. Bad Habits 1:08
12. Swinging To Pieces 0:53
13. For The Lesser Good 0:28
14. Dogman 2:21
Total Time: 21:57

Madball - Rebellion E.P. (2012)

1. You Reap What You Sow 3:09
2. The Beast 2:09
3. Rebellion 2:36
4. My Blood 2:24
5. Get Out 0:54
6. It's My Life 0:57
Total Time: 12:07