Top 5 lists from around the world

One of the things I thought I had for myself was my love for lists. That is until I got into hardcore, record collecting and just digging deeper that what lies straight ahead. Now, it seems like everybody I share some of these passions with are into making lists - about anything really. I dropped finding out why lists are so fascinating for me and I just come to grips with the fact that most of the stuff I need, have or like just seems more interesting if it appears on a list.

...and thus shall the lists of many fellow rock music enthusiasts see the light of day!

I basically asked a bunch of people (some are from bands and some are friends) to share the fellowing top 5 lists (not in order though) with me:

• Top 5 hardcore 7"s of all time
• Top 5 hardcore LPs of all time
• Top 5 hardcore LPs from the year 2000 and after

Aram Arslanian (Keep It Clear, True Identity, ex-every band you've been into the past 15 yrs)
All time 7"s:
Bad Brains - Pay To Cum (Self released on Bad Brains Rec.)
Minor Threat - S/t (Dischord)
Minor Threat - In My Eyes (Dischord)
The Abused - Loud And Clear (Self released on Abused Music)
Antidote - Thou Shalt Not Kill (Self released on Antidote Rec.)

All time LPs:
Bad Brains - ROIR Sessions (ROIR)
Minor Threat - Out Of Step (Dischord)
Agnostic Front - Victim In Pain (Rat Cage)
Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)
Youth Of Today - We're Not In This Alone (Caroline)

LPs after 2000:
Nails - Unsilent Death (Six Feet Under)
Count Me Out - 110 (Indecision)
The First Step - What We Know (Rivalry)
Mindset - Leave No Doubt (React!)
Have Heart - The Things We Carry (Bridge 9)

Tom Pimlott (Violent Reaction, UK)

All time 7"s:

Minor Threat - S/t (Dischord)

State Of Alert - No Policy (Dischord)

Negative Approach - S/t (Touch And Go)

Poison Idea - Pick Your King (Fatal Erection)

The Abused - Loud And Clear (Self released on Abused Music)

All time LPs:

Negative FX - S/t (Taang!)

DYS - Brotherhood (Xclaim!)

Agnostic Front - Victim In Pain (Rat Cage)

Jerry's Kids - Is This My World? (Xclaim!)

Killing Time - Brightside (In-effect)

LPs after 2000:

Knife Fight - Crisis (Lengua Armada Discos)

Out Cold - Will Attack If Provoked (Deranged)

Career Suicide - S/t (Ugly Pop)

Mind Eraser - Glacial Reign (Painkiller)

Foreseen - Helsinki Savagery (Take It Back)

Liisi (Owner at MÄRSS, Estonia)

All time 7"s:

Inside Out - No Spiritual Surrender (Revelation)

Bane - Holding This Moment (Equal Vision)

Chain of Strength - What Holds Us Apart (Mindpower)

Project X - Straight Edge Revenge (Schism)

Ten Yard Fight - Hardcore Pride (Big Wheel Recreation)

All time LPs:

Integrity - Systems Overload (Victory)

Judge - Bringin' It Down (Revelation)

Mind Eraser - Cave (Painkiller)

Battery - Until The End (Conversion)

Insted - What We Believe (Epitaph)

LPs after 2000:

Mind Eraser - Cave (Painkiller)

The First Step - What We Know (Rivalry)

Champion Promises Kept (Bridge Nine)

Have Heart - The Things We Carry (Bridge Nine)

Have Heart - Songs To Scream At The Sun (Bridge Nine)

Chris Bavaria (Mindset, Praise, United States)

All time 7"s:

Negative Approach - S/t (Touch And GO)

Last Rights - Chunks/So Ends Our Night (Taang!)

Antidote - Thou Shalt Not Kill (Self released on Antidote Rec.)

Minor Threat - In My Eyes (Dischord)

7 Seconds - Skins, Brains, Guts (Alternative Tentacles)

All time LPs:

Crucifix - Dehumanization (Corpus Christi)

Void/Faith - Split (Dischord)

Agnostic Front - Victim In Pain (Rat Cage)

Warzone - Don't Forgot The Struggle, Don't Forgot The Streets (Fist)

Bad Brains - Rock For Light (PVC)

LPs after 2000:

Tragedy - Vengeance (Self released on Tragedy Rec.)

Dead Stop - Live For Nothing (Complete Control)

Count Me Out - Permanent (Indecision)

Kill Your Idols - No Gimmicks Needed (Blackout!)

The Vicious - Alienated (Ny Våg/Cage Match Federation)

Matti Sølvberg (hxc enthusiast from Copenhagen)

All time 7"s:

Judge - New York Crew (Schism)

Earth Crisis - Firestorm (Victory)

Burn - S/t (Revelation)

Inside Out - No Spiritual Surrender (Revelation)

Alone In A Crowd - S/t (Flux)

All time LPs:

Bad Brains - S/t (ROIR Sessions) (ROIR/We Bite)

Youth Of Today - Break Down The Walls (Wishingwell)

Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)

Suicidal Tendencies - S/t (Frontier)

Leeway - Born To Expire (Profile)

LPs after 2000:

Have Heart - The Things We Carry (Bridge Nine)

Down To Nothing - The Most (Revelation)

Rude Awakening - Collateral Damage (Bridge Nine)

Incendiary - Cost Of Living (Closed Casket Activities)

No Warning - Ill Blood (Bridge Nine)

Artyom Lebedev (Straight On View blog, Russia)

All time 7"s:

The Abused - Loud And Clear (Self released on Abused Music)

Side By Side - You're Only Young Once (Revelation)

Burn - S/t (Revelation)

Outburst - Miles To Go (Blackout!)

Floorpunch - Division One Champs (In My Blood)

All time LPs:

Youth Of Today - We're Not In This Alone (Caroline)

SS Decontrol - The Kids Will Have Their Say (Xclaim!/Dischord)

Underdog - Vanishing Point (Caroline)

Leeway - Desperate Measures (Profile)

Supertouch - The Earth Is Flat (Revelation)

LPs after 2000:

Rampage - Limit of Destruction (Lockin' Out)

No Warning - Ill Blood (Bridge Nine)

Stop And Think - Both Demos (Painkiller)

True Colors - Focus On The Light (Six Feet Under)

Shipwrecked - The Last Pagans (Crucial Response)

Andy Norton (Praise, United States)

All time 7"s:

Minor Threat - S/t (Dischord)

Minor Threat - In My Eyes (Dischord)

Youth Of Today - Can't Close My Eyes (Positive Force)

Inside Out - No Spiritual Surrender (Revelation)

Gorilla Biscuits - S/t (Revelation)

All time LPs:

Minor Threat - Out Of Step (Dischord)

7 Seconds - The Crew (Better Youth Organization)

Dag Nasty - Can I Say (Dischord)

Embrace - S/t (Dischord)

Youth Of Today - We're Not In This Alone (Caroline)

LPs after 2000:

Count Me Out - 110/Permanent (Indecision)

Carry On - A Life Less Plagued (Bridge Nine)

The First Step - What We Know (Rivalry)

Go It Alone - The Only Blood Between Us (Rivalry)

Mindset - Leave No Doubt (React!)

Chris Lüpold (collector and appreciater, Schweiz)

All time 7"s:

The Abused - Loud And Clear (Self released on Abused Music)

State Of Alert - No Policy (Dischord)

Negative Approach - S/t (Touch And Go)

Judge - New York Crew (Revelation)

Anti-Cimex - Anarkist Attack (Bullshit)

All Time LPs:

Uniform Choice - Screaming For Change (Wishingwell)

SS Decontrol - The Kids Wil Have Their Say (Xclaim!/Dischord)

Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today (Revelation)

Judge - Bringin' It Down (Revelation)

Warzone - Don't Forgot The Struggle, Don't Forget The Streets (Fist)

LPs after 2000:

True Colors - Rush Of Hope (Six Feet Under)

Mindset - Leave No Doubt (React!)

The Nerve Agents - S/t (Revelation)

Stand And Fight - Together We Win (Bridge Nine)

Shipwrecked - The Last Pagans (Crucial Response)

Rich Perusi (American homie residing in Copenhagen)

All time 7"s:

Side By Side - You're Only Young Once (Revelation)

Antidote - Thou Shalt Not Kill (Self released on Antidote Rec.)

Agnostic Front - United Blood (Self released)

Minor Threat - S/t (Dischord)

Last Rights - Chunks/So Ends Our Night (Taang!)

All time LPs:

Jerry's Kids -  Is This My World? (Xclaim!)

Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)

Bad Brains - Rock For Light (PVC)

Agnostic Front - Victim In Pain (Rat Cage)

Black Flag - Damaged (SST/Unicorn)

LPs after 2000:

Tragedy - Vengeance (Self released on Tragedy Rec.)

War Hungry - S/t (Six Feet Under)

Dead Stop - Done With You (Complete Control)

The Flex - Wild Stabs In The Dark (Milk Run/Video Disease)

Mind Eraser - Cave (Painkiller)

Jonas Fantassi (Revelation addict residing in Copenhagen)

All time 7"s:

Chain of Strength - True Till Death (Revelation)

Underdog - S/t (New Beginning)

Inside Out - No Spiritual Surrender (Revelation)

Judge - New York Crew (Schism)

Earth Crisis - All Out War (Conviction)

All time LPs:

Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today (Revelation)

Agnostic Front - Victim In Pain (Rat Cage)

Bad Brains - Rock For Light (PVC)

Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)

Youth Of Today - We're Not In This Alone (Caroline)

LPs after 2000:

Cold World - Dedicated To Babies Who Came Feet First (Deathwish)

Have Heart - The Things We Carry (Bridge Nine)

Champion - Promises Kept (Bridge Nine)

Down To Nothing - The Most (Revelation)

Take Offense - Tables Will Turn (Reaper)

Nabil Adrien Ortega (Just Say Yo! fanzine, France)

All time 7"s:

A Step Apart - There Is A Choice (Not Just Words)

Burn - S/t (Revelation)

Inside Out - No Spiritual Surrender (Revelation)

Verbal Assault - Tiny Giants (Giant)

Outspoken - The Current (New Age/Conversion)

All time LPs:

411 - This Isn't Me (Workshed)

Supertouch - The Earth Is Flat (Revelation)

Dag Nasty - Can I Say (Dischord)

Silent Majority - Life Of A Spectator (Exit)

Unbroken - Life. Love. Regret. (New Age)

LPs after 2000:

American Nightmare - Background Music (Equal Vision)

Champion - Promises Kept (Bridge Nine)

Count Me Out - Permanent (Indecision)

The First Step - What We Know (Rivalry)

True Colors - Focus On The Light (Six Feet Under)

Alexis Straight & Alert (Harm Done, Straight & Alert Rec, France)

All time 7"s:

Turning Point - S/t (Hi-Impact)

Earth Crisis - Firestorm (Victory)

Brotherhood - No Tolerance For Ignorance (Skate Edge)

Chain Of Strength - True Till Death (Revelation)

Urban Waste - S/t (Mob-Style/Wasteland Productions)

All time LPs:

Youth Of Today - We're Not In This Alone (Caroline)

Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)

Judge - Bringin' It Down (Revelation)

Bad Brains - Rock For Light (PVC)

Floorpunch - Fast Times At Jersey Shore (Equal Vision)

LPs after 2000:

True Colors - Focus On The Light (Six Feet Under)

Twitching Tongues - Sleep Therapy (Durty Mick)

Deal With It - End Time Prophecies (Dead And Gone)

The Rival Mob - Raw Life (Lockin' Out)

Cold World - Dedicated To Babies Who Came Feet First (Deathwish)

Nico Welmer (collector & appreciater, The Netherlands)

All time 7"s:

The Abused - Loud And Clear (Self released on Abused Music)

Bad Brains - Pay To Cum (Self released on Bad Brains Rec.)

Black Flag - Nervous Breakdown (SST)

Minor Threat - S/t (Dischord)

Negative Approach - S/t (Touch And Go)

All time LPs:

Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)

Dag Nasty - Can I Say (Dischord)

Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables (Cherry Red)

Embrace - S/t (Dischord)

Minor Threat - Out Of Step (Dischord)

LPs after 2000:

Champion - Promises Kept (Bridge Nine)

Dead Stop - Done With You (Complete Control)

The First Step - What We Know (Rivalry)

In My Eyes - Nothing To Hide (Revelation)

Kid Dynamite - Shorter, Faster, Louder (Jade Tree)

James Carroll (Perfect People, United States)

All time 7"s:

Warzone - Lower East Side Crew (Revelation)

Bold - S/t (Revelation)

Outburst - Miles To Go (Blackout!)

Turning Point - S/t (Hi-Impact)

Minor Threat - In My Eyes (Dischord)

All time LPs:

Straight Ahead - Breakaway (I Risk)

Trial - Are These Our Lives? (Equal Vision)

Youth Of Today - Break Down The Walls (Wishingwell)

Bad Brains - Black Dots (Caroline)

Judge - Bringin' It Down (Revelation)

LPs after 2000:

Sinking Ships - Disconnecting (Revelation)

Stop And Think - Both Demos (Painkiller)

Cardiac Arrest - In The Mouth Of Madness (Even Worse)

Count Me Out - Permanent (Indecision)

The First Step - What We Know (Rivalry)

Mike Preston (Record Nerd Yo blog, United States)

All time 7"s:

Chain Of Strength - What Holds Us Apart (Mindpower)

Insted - We'll Make The Difference (Nemesis)

Born Against - S/t (Vermiform)

Mental - Get An Oxygen Tank (Bridge Nine)

Rancor - Flip The Switch (Youngblood)

All time LPs:

Youth Of Today - We're Not In This Alone (Caroline)

Circle Jerks - Group Sex (Frontier)

DYS - Brotherhood (Xclaim!)

D.R.I. - Dealing With It (Death/Enigma)

Th' Inbred - A Family Affair (Toxic Shock)

LPs after 2000:

In My Eyes - Nothing To Hide (Revelation)

Lights Out - Overload (Youngblood)

The First Step - What We Know (Rivalry)

Mindset - Leave No Doubt (React!)

Cut The Shit - Harmed And Dangerous (Gloom)

Benny Thøgersen (Old hardcore guru who got me into it. Copenhagen)

All time 7"s:

Gorilla Biscuits - S/t (Revelation)

Cold World - Ice Grillz (Lockin' Out)

Mental - Get An Oxygen Tank (Bridge Nine)

Antidote - Thou Shalt Not Kill (Self released on Antidote Rec.)

Crunch Time - The Realness (Lockin' Out)

All time LPs:

Minor Threat - Out Of Step (Dischord)

Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today (Revelation)

Youth Of Today - Break Down The Walls (Wishingwell)

Bad Brains - S/t/ROIR Sessions (ROIR)

Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)

LPs after 2000:

Terror - Lowest Of The Low (Bridge Nine)

Have Heart - Songs To Scream At The Sun (Bridge Nine)

Blood For Blood - Outlaw Anthems (Victory)

Down To Nothing - The Most (Revelation)

H2O - Nothing To Prove (Bridge Nine)

Drew Maxey (Perfect People, United States)

All time 7"s:

Minor Threat - S/t (Dischord)

Black Flag - Nervous Breakdown (SST)

Judge - New York Crew (Schism)

Negative Approach - S/t (Touch And Go)

Agnostic Front - United Blood (Self released)

All time LPs:

Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables (Cherry Red)

Circle Jerks - Group Sex (Frontier)

Bad Brains - S/t/ROIR Sessions (ROIR)

Trial - Are These Our Lives? (Equal Vision)

Sick Of It All - Blood, Sweat And No Tears (In-effect)

LPs after 2000:

Bane - Give Blood (Equal Vision)

Ruiner - Prepare To Be Let Down (Bridge Nine)

Comeback Kid - Wake The Dead (Victory)

Blacklisted - ...The Beat Goes On (Deathwish)

This Is Hell - Sundowning (Trustkill)

Gijs Edge (appreciater, The Netherlands/UK)

All time 7"s:

Black Flag - Nervous Breakdown (SST)

The Swarm aka Knee Deep In The Dead - Old Blue Eyes Is Dead (No Idea)

Tragedy - Can We Call This Life? (Self relased on Tragedy Rec.)

Chain Of Strength - True Till Death (Revelation) 

American Nightmare - S/t (Bridge Nine)

All time LPs:

Unbroken - Life. Love. Regret. (New Age)

Catharsis - Samsara (CrimethInc)

Minor Threat - Discography (Dischord)

Jerry's Kids - Is This My World? (Xclaim!)

Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)

LPs after 2000:

American Nightmare - Year One (Bridge Nine)

The Hope Conspiracy - Endnote (Equal Vision)

Converge - Jane Doe (Deathwish)

The Suicide File - Twilight (Indecision)

Carry On - A Life Less Plagued (Bridge Nine)

Karl X Beyond (Last Crusade, UK)

All time 7"s:

The Abused - Loud And Clear (Self released on Abused Music)

Youth Of Today - Can't Close My Eyes (Positive Force)

Madball - Ball Of Destruction (Relativity)

Minor Threat - S/t (Dischord)

Negative Approach - S/t (Touch And Go)

All time LPs:

Cro-Mags - Age Of Quarrel (Profile)

Warzone - Don't Forget The Struggle, Don't Forget The Streets (Fist)

Underdog - Vanishing Point (Caroline)

Bad Brains - Rock For Light (PVC)

Uniform Choice - Screaming For Change (Wishingwell)

LPs after 2000:

Rampage - Limit Of Destruction (Lockin' Out)

In My Eyes - Nothing To Hide (Revelation)

Omegas - Blasts Of Lunacy (Parts Unknown)

Boston Strangler - Primitive (Fun With Smack)

Mental - Planet Mental (Lockin' Out)

Lastly, yours truly:

All time 7"s:

Gorilla Biscuits - S/t (Revelation)

Antidote - Thou Shalt Not Kill (Self released on Antidote Rec.)

Minor Threat - S/t (Dischord)

Chain Of Strength - True Till Death (Revelation)

Minor Threat - In My Eyes (Dischord)

All time LPs:

Youth Of Today - Break Down The Walls (Wishingwell)

Youth Youth Youth - Sin (Fringe Product)

Dag Nasty - Can I Say (Dischord)

Insted - What We Believe (Epitaph)

Straight Ahead - Breakaway (I Risk)

LPs after 2000:

Comeback Kid - Turn It Around (Facedown/GMS)

Lack Of Interest - Never Back Down (Deep Six)

Have Heart - The Things We Carry (Bridge Nine)

Champion - Promises Kept (Bridge Nine)

The First Step - What We Know (Rivalry) 

Top 10 - 2014

My last post was in January 2013 (rip HXCWAX). It was my top 16 list of records from 2012. I had kind of considered this blog dead since. Not having an outlet created sort of a problem for me as there are few things I like more than making lists though.
Short story even shorter; I had to find an outlet for my best of 2014 list. 

An ultra quick summary of why this blog ran out in the sand....
I didn't feel like posting stuff that I wouldn't read myself if I came across it on another blog, so the posts got few and far between as I'm not the post creative person, nor am I a wordsmith. My studies became more intense and I started a record label (Ed. took over a defunct record label: Just Another Day Records) where I put out the first 7" in September by Perfect People (St. Louis, MO). This 7" is absolutely killer, but my word has no power here as I'm biased, so take it from my man Mike and his post about the release. New releases are coming in 2015. First one is already in the making. (I won't include the PP 7" in the list because of the aforementioned biased point of view, but it should definitely be in the top 10!)

2014 was an incredible year for hardcore. If you disagree then we probably don't share the same taste in music. Here is my top 10 for the year (LPs and 7"s combined).

1.
Band: Face The Rail
Title: Learning To Die
Format: LP
Label: Katorga Works

I didn't know this San Francisco-based band before KW put out this LP. I went to discogs to see if they had released anything prior to it which they had; One LP and one 7". Those I haven't consumed yet, as I am still working on this one. I think I play it once every second day at least. The fact that this is a 2014 release and not 1989-90 is beyond me. They've captured the sound perfectly and added their own touch. I really want to compare this to something, but it's so hard. I'm not sure if they've been inspired by the 80s post-punk scene in the UK, but one of the first bands that came to mind were The Chameleons (the guitars) and some 80s American hardcore, maybe in the youth crew-ish area, but not quite.
Listen to the track Heartbreak Kid. 
Buy the LP from Katorga Works.



2.
Band: Boston Strangler
Title: Fire
Format: LP
Label: Fun With Smack

This might be the most hyped band within my music-sphere right now. At first I thought the hype was purely based on the unavailability of info about them, the fact that no one knew anything about the first LP in terms of how many were pressed, where it could be obtained or anything. I'm fairly certain that this was not a strategic plan from the label or the band, but more due to just doing things in your own pace and really not caring about anything. The first LP was great, but I felt it didn't warrant the hype the band got. Fire cements Boston Strangler's position at the front of this kind of hardcore. It's sold out from the label, but a repress is in the works. Several distros still has it though. 

3. 
Band: S.H.I.T.
Title: Feeding Time
Format: 7"
Label: Static Shock Records

Man, I love S.H.I.T. I first heard their 2012 demo last year (where the title track Feeding Time first appeared). This is my favorite track and I had to wait for the third 7" before it was available on vinyl. This is the band's third 7" - they all came in 2014. I feel a little funny about putting a two-song 7" on a list and measuring it by the same standards as a full length, but who cares anyway...
Listen here. Buy here. 





4.
Band: Ajax
Title: Bleach for Breakfast
Format: 7"
Label: Even Worse Records (EU), Self released (US)

Ajax consist of members of Warthog, Creem and Nuclear Spring. This is the demo of the year and thankfully Nöel (Even Worse Rec.) pressed it on a 7". Mind that drumming!! On Dec. 9th the preorder for Ajax new 7" will go up on Katorga Works. Be ready. 
Listen to two tracks here.
Buy here (US) or here (EU)






5. 
Band: Long Knife
Title: Meditations on Self Destruction
Format: LP
Label: Self released.

This LP has only been available at the Long Knife/Forward US tour thus far, but will eventually be available for purchase by the internet people. I am lucky that I have good mates in my life that will pick up the stuff I can't myself because of around 4000 fucking miles. Anyway, this release is a great follow up to their debut LP from last year. 
Listen here.






6. 
Band: True Love
Title: New Young Gods
Format: 12"
Label: React! Records

I jumped on the TL wagon a bit late. I didn't know about their debut 7" put out by Mayfly Records last year before six months after its release. Fast forward to now where the True Love preorders have left the R! HQ (is this the fastest preorder yet from R!?). This release has it all for me. I love the artwork, I love the music and love the label. I cannot stop getting American Nightmare vibes and who could complain about that? 
Listen here. Buy here. 




7. 
Band: White Lung
Title: Deep Fantasy
Format: LP
Label: Domino (I think...)

I've always been a fan of Anne-Marie's drumming, and this record showcases her skills very well. Although a bit monotone, I think a lot of the credit for the the style of White Lung's music can be credited to her. This band is very interesting, especially live. 
Listen here. 







8. 
Band: Night Fever
Title: Vendetta
Format: LP
Label: Adult Crash Records

Second MLP by the kings of k-town hardcore. Although not as sick as their debut MLP New Blood, this is in the very same vein. I consider Night Fever as one of the best hardcore bands in Europe right now, maybe even in the whole world, and that has much to do with Salomon's skills as a vocalist and a frontman. If you can catch these guys live, do it!
Listen here. Buy here. 






9. 
Band: Protester
Title: S/t
Format: 7"
Label: Trash King Productions

DC Hardcore has really made a strong effort this year. Killer 7"s by Public Suicide, Pure Disgust and Protester. This is hardcore with the right amount of youth crew influences and the right amount of pissed, crappy youth attitude. 
"this recording blends the best of DC/Boston ’82 with Clevo/Seattle ’89 and a musical vocabulary that is enriched by, without being dulled by, all that has/is/will be punk."
Listen here. Buy here. 





10.
Band: Public Suicide
Title: S/t
Format: 7"
Label: Caught Up Records

The second entry of DC Hardcore. Public Suicide has been one of my favorite new hardcore bands since their cassette demo. It is a rager!
Listen here. Buy here. 

Honorable mentions:

2012's top 16

When I was significantly younger, I used to discover new music via peoples top 10 lists in fanzines. It was the best when I found someone who had 8 bands on his top 10 that I loved and 2 bands I'd never heard of! I love making lists, whether it is to-do lists, top X lists or lists of females I think are cute (the last one might not happen so often anymore...). My music-appreciation sphere is ever expanding and even though I consider myself to know 92% of the bands worth listening to in hardcore (with the exclusion of the sub-genres I can't stand, like Beatdown), I constantly stumble across an exciting band - mostly new bands now, because of the aforementioned. 

Last night I just updated my iPod with releases from two new bands I wanted to check out. All of a sudden I got tired and decided to wait a day with the new tunes. Do you ever get this awesome feeling when you're about to go to sleep, that tomorrow is going to be great because there will be brand new music to listen to? I love that! The releases were Natural Law - 

Anyway, this post is my top 10 releases in 2012. I like lists, I like publishing my taste in music to set the young minds straight.

Go!

10. 

Wait... I can't do this. I have 16 titles and I can't/won't cut any. This has just be modified to a top 15. 

16. No More Art  - Tough to Breath 7" (Deranged Records)

NMA holds the 15th place for several reasons. Before we conclude this as the least good of these 15 titles, remember this is better than every other release I've heard this year, except the 14 titles beneath. This would have been higher up (or down here) on the list, if it held more than 2 tracks. I need one or two more, because the two it holds are amazing! Jessica Milone's voice is amazing and this kind of music does it justice. 

Listen here.

15. Lose The Life - The End of Conformity LP (Ugly & Proud Rec.)

This is reincarnation of 90s Clevo-hardcore right here. But it's swedish, and it's unreal. My favorite track of this Demo + EP release is Pat On The Back! Please take a listen here.

14. Cerce - Self Titled 7" (It's A Trap Rec./Solidarity Rec.)

Female fronted neocrust with a badass and in your face attitude. Please just listen to the track Weary here. It's incredibly pissed off but not weak and shrill as a lot of neocrust is to me - call me ignorant. But this 7" has depth and uncomprimising pace. Get down with it.

13. Natural Law - Find the Flock LP(Deranged Rec./Katorga Works).

This LP would probably be higher up on the list had I not just stumbled upon it yesterday (dec. 31st!). The opening track is my favorite right now - such a badass beginning! Listen here.

12. Death Token - All Dreams are Nightmares LP (Adult Crash Rec.)

Two words come to mind when I spun this the first time: Burning Spirits. This is Japan meeting Scandinavia and it ain't pretty. If you like Bastard, Judgement, Death Side and the likes then you'll appreciate this. Listen here.

11. Verse - Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace LP (Bridge 9 Rec.)

It first this held the 1st place for a long time, but then something happened. Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace did not get worse, but new releases were thrown at me that were just better. Compared to the earlier works of Verse, this most resembles Aggression, but even that is a misleading comparison. This record is more down tempo, lyrically more challenging (even though the lyrics of Verse are quite challenging already). Listen here.

10. Dead Weight - NWHC 7" (React! Rec.)

Badaaaaaaaass!!! I first saw these guys play at the React! Showcase showcase in 2011 at Gilman and it was amazing! This is hardcore like you remember it, groovy and filled with no remorse and a little hate. Listen here.

9. Clear - Demo 7" (Triple-B Rec.)

Boston Hardcore. Enough said. 

Seriously. Listen here.

8. Mammoth Grinder - In & Out 7" (Self released).

Again, this would probably be ranked higher had there been more songs on it.But those that are here, fuck. This is a lethal dose of crusty hardcore/punk, with d-beat and old school metal influences. Catchy as hell and it all ends with an Amebix cover.

Listen here. 

7. Losin' It - Danger Zone 7" (Life To Live Rec.)

Released on Lockin' Out during the Mental-era...... wait.... I got this one mixed up. Released on Life To Live, a label that has really started to show some potential with awesome releases (Alert, Losin' It, Step Aside, Outlast). This is as Mental as it's gonna get. Fun and groovy hardcore that is in your face at the same time. And their first debut full length (No Apology) will be released in a few weeks also on LTL! Listen to Danger Zone here.

6. The Boston Strangler - Self Titled LP (Fun With Smack Rec.)

Probably the most anticipated and hyped record of the year and with good reason. This record is a blast from start to finish. Boston Hardcore the way it should sound. Prisoner Abuse is somewhere down the line of this and the PA debut full length was also released this year, but BS is much better. Listen here.

5. Bang Bros - Group Therapy 7" (I Drink Milk Rec.)

I have tried to be as little biased as possible about this one, because my good buddies play in this band. But being as objective as I can, this 7" is unreal. Again, this has a very strong Lockin' Out-Mental-Justice-Crunch Time vibe. THE REALNESS!!! This 7" hasn't gotten the attention it deserves, I gotta say it. Please take a listen (AND view) here - awesome video for the song Weak.

4. Enough - Common Visions LP (Assault Rec.)

The first thing that came to mind when I heard this record and I still think of that, is the great sound it has. This is youth crew with the right sound, as if you are standing right next to the instruments. After a few solid 7" releases, this really took them to the next level and I expect another release like this from them in 2013. Listen here. 

3. Out of Sight - Self Titled 7" (Dead Instincts Rec.)

Technically, this is from december 2011 (pre-order), but it was released in 2012 - I think. I've ruled that it counts. This reminds me of Brotherhood - the old Seattle hc band. This probably doesn't surprise anyone, least of all the band itself as they played a Brotherhood cover when they played the React! Showcase at Gilman in 2011. Listen here.

2. Mindset - Leave No Doubt LP (React! Rec.)

This one and the #1 were the easiest to place. Some of the others I was like "maybe one spot higher or lower.." but these are easy. This is the best youth crew LP in years... many years. Everybody knows it and starts why some are starting to say the opposite. Once something gets popular enough there will always be a growing crowd who starts to dislike it for the fact that it is getting popular. One of the many retarded corners of the human mind. Anyway, this is that good! The tracks that stand out to me are Thrive, Waste II and LEAVE. NO. DOUBT. About Waste II. It is also on their Time & Pressure 7", but here it is a wee bit more down tempo and it makes it a lot better! Listen here.

1. Putrefaction - Blood Cult LP (Distro-y Rec./Underground Movement/Phobia Rec./Ratbone Rec.)

This album is amazing. This is the perfect combination of d-beat, crust, metal, hardcore and punk - and with the right sound! This is the second Irish band that made it to my top 16 list which I find pretty interesting. Stuff is really going on in Ireland. Putrefaction play this evil and uncompromising style of crust that is raining with heave d-beat and forward trampling rage. A must listen for anyone who does not hate themselves or good music. Listen here.