The Starting Point are from California and have recently self-released their debut "full-length" (though in my mind it's really more of an EP at just 18 minutes for its 10 tracks), which includes eight brand new songs plus two re-recorded tunes from their split 7" with Drop It. I'd say their style is intensely melodic hardcore built around an old school framework that definitely carries with it a modern sound comparable to bits and pieces of certain contemporaries like With Honor or Go it Alone. While not wholly original, this is absolutely a band that gets my hopes up for the future (as their performances tighten up and whatnot), as the well-focused songwriting demonstrated herein keeps things short but sweet while moving along with a strong energy level and a sense of feeling that hits the spot. Many know by now that I'm a total sucker for lightly dissonant arpeggio riffs and thrashy picking patterns all that shit, so this kind of stuff always catches my ear and makes me take notice. I'll certainly be looking forward to seeing where these kids head next…

The Starting Point "Since the Third"
The Starting Point "High Society"

Like it? Buy it:

@ RevHQ

Fight Amputation has also semi self-released their latest EP, "Ugly Kids Doing Ugly Things", with Iron Age handling the CD and the band taking on the vinyl edition. While I'm not quite as into this material as what they did on their split 7" with Gunna Vahm, the songwriting from this outing sees the Pennsylvania act taking a much more original turn - abandoning most all of the His Hero is Gone styled riffage in favor of a couple of remaining hints at energetic traditional hardcore with a controlled air of noisiness, while pounding rhythms and atypical little chord progressions run the show. I think the dryness of the recording is what's leaving a little to be desired here, as some of the clarity and crunch is lost in the shuffle with the instruments all blurring together so much, but they're damn close. I'm really looking to hear these cats do a full-length, though, as these short little bursts just aren't quite enough to get the full effect of what the band is capable of unloading with their brand of bleak and dissonant hardcore/punk. Damn sure another young band to keep an eye on.

Fight Amputation "American Youth"

I think you've gotta email either the band or the label based on the format you'd prefer for this EP, and you can find that information at the band's site:

@ Fight Amputation

Last but not least is another debut full-length, this time from New York's Celebrity Murders on Chainsaw Safety Records. "Time to Kill Space" drops about a half-hour of generally fast and raw hardcore (recorded 100% analog, by the way) that shifts from classic early-80's styled blasts of aggressive three-chord hardcore to noisier and more dissonant influences that wind around and lend a more contemporary edge to things - all the while with pissed vocals that pretty much never stray from straight up yelling. Occasionally they'll slow things down for brief moments, however (as in the impeccable "War on the Telephone"), and I'd actually kill to hear them venture off in that direction more often, because those quick snippets really grab my attention every time - heavy, but without sounding metal to me at all. Some of these jams could really be the sign of better things to come:

Celebrity Murders "War on the Telephone"
Celebrity Murders "Bad Credit"
Celebrity Murders "All Hail, Glacier!"

Once more, if you enjoy the music, make the purchase:

@ RevHQ

And on a totally unrelated note, it's ranting time… so, here it goes: Why the fuck is it that almost no thrash metal bands post-1995 seem to be able to grasp the concept that back in the day when thrash rightfully ruled the world, the bands' vocalists just shouted or yelled - maybe in key, maybe not? They didn't try to do this snarling, pseudo death metal bullshit or force an overly extreme edge of acerbity into their vocals, they just did what came naturally and fit the music. And it worked! It fucking worked! So why is it that there are almost no contemporary bands that draw upon those classic thrash musical influences who follow suit with the vocals? Yes, yes, I know there are some bands out there, a select few, who know how to pull it off properly (thank you kindly, Avenger of Blood), but sadly these are not the bands who are getting much press and attention. What brings this on, you ask? Well, I hate to single anyone out, but I keep seeing ads and reviews for this Demericious band all over the place that basically refer to them as fast thrash that sounds a lot like earlier Slayer. Well, Metal Blade happened to send me a three-song sampler CD so I was curious to check it out, and what did I find? Great music that really does stay pretty close in line with the late-80's/early-90's sound of American thrash… but terrible vocals that just sound completely generic and forced in terms of matching those modern, post-Swedish invasion sneers. Seriously, when the first track kicked off I was psyched, I was already gearing up to make the buy. I fucking love thrash metal and any band who can still capture that sound today gets major props from my end, but son of a bitch, as soon as those vocals kicked in I was totally heartbroken… stunned once again by a band that can't follow through. Oh well, what can you do? They were so damn close…

Oh, and Early Man is fucking overrated. I tend to be unfairly biased against the hipster duo frenzy as it is, but god damnit, man, I don't buy their bio one bit, and even if it were to be true, it's the same deal: Pretty damn solid music, but someone should smack the vocalist and tell him to keep his half-assed Ozzy karaoke howls to himself and just stick to the riffs. Maybe if they got a bassist who could also actually deliver the goods vocally they'd be a truly good (if not "ironic") band. Although, somehow riding the wave of the whole two-man band trend has served them very well. Where is justice? Where…?