PRONG 'No Absolutes' (2016)

Geez, ANOTHER studio album from Prong? YEAH..Its even better than Ruining Lives I think. Been listening to this for days. Tommy Victor again killing it with his punchy and crunchy rhythms. Title track is my immediate favorite. Also 'Cut and Dry' is the single they're pushing. This will be in my rotation for a long time.

3/11/2016

2 weeks later and connecting with Tommy again on Facebook. An old friend. Hardest working man in metal. Machine.

MARKED MEN 'Ghosts' (2009)

They've been popping on my radio feeds for some time now. They're from Texas and so I could only guess that they're in cahoots with the Riverboat Gamblers who I've been on top of for the past few years. And now I've finally had time to listen to the full album. Similar to the RED DONS who I've been on a kick with, this is loose and fun punk with a little pop sensibility. Some of it sounds like old Wire sped up real fast. I'd gather they put on a good live show.

RED DONS 'Fake Meets Failure' (2010)

There's something about this album that's got me playing it on repeat on and off for days. Very fluid and seemingly effortless punk rock playing with melody and urgency. Quick. And enough hooks that it doesn't get old. I guess they're from Portland, OR. No idea. Every website I find says something different. 'Secret Agent' is kicking my ass. It reminds me of a time when Maximum Rock and Roll introduced unique bands. Definitely will be revisiting this band!

TODAY IS THE DAY 'Pain is a Warning' (2011)

Not too familiar with this band's material, but I know they're noisy and damaging. This 2011 album is no different. Plenty distorto, off tempos, lacerated vocal chords. 'Death Curse' is a exercise in brutality. Their 9th album. Steve Austin being the mainstay and now they've signed to Southern Lord records. 'Wheelin' is my pick hit and has a nice groove to it.

CARBONAS 's/t' (2007)

This is a pretty nice upbeat punk band. Garage-y and catchy. Atlanta band that hit me the right way since I haven't been listening to this style of music for a while. Drummer rockin the kit and it seems to be faster than the bands which are recalled. Short album as all the songs around 2 minutes, the way this sound should be played.

RED ROCKERS 'Schizophrenic Circus' (1984)

Very college radio rock music where I hear immediate Big Country and Alarm influences. I went through a phase a few months ago where I was all about discovering the records I never listened to in the early 80's because I was obsessed with metal and punk. There are a few catchy songs on this, but a great deal of it sounds over produced too, even by today's standards. 'Shades of 45' is a good laid back pop song for decades gone by. This makes for a good shuffle band, but I'll probably not listen all the way through again.

Various Artists" RISE 13; Magickal Rock Volume 1 (1999)

While playing Corrosion of Conformity  Radio on Spotify, one of these bands popped up as a similar artist, but similar to the newer sound of C.O.C. which I am not thrilled with. The compilation has literally only 2 bands which I thought were decent; Spirit Caravan and Orange Goblin. This is all stoner metal; slow Sabbath dirge but the songs aren't as interesting as Black Sabbath.