Converge.

          This is my first post on the blog (will also be the longest), and what did you seriously expect it to be other than Converge? Converge have been my favorite band for four consecutive years now, and mean more to me than any band I've heard prior. Converge are a metallic hardcore punk band (self describing as "Hardcore Punk for Slayer fans") from Salem, Mass. Converge came to be in 1990, although they do not recognize anything written as "relevant" until 1991. They're definitely for fans of Neurosis, Pig Destroyer, and even early Dillinger Escape Plan. Their vocalist, Jacob Bannon, is also well known for his artistic abilities; he designs not only all of their album covers, but the covers of such acts as American Nightmare, Underoath, Bane, and Fall Out Boy.

       Now to the point. Damn near every person I've met that has some understanding of "heavier" music either likes Converge, or can appreciate them. That being said, a large majority of people just don't know where to start listening. And so below I have a list of which Converge records, IN ORDER, you should listen to if you haven't listened to them before.

Axe To Fall

 Axe To Fall is Converge's most recent release, and has a lot more thrash influence (with over 30 guest appearances it's kind of hard to go wrong).

No Heroes

 No Heroes is extremely well polished production wise, and has a lot more modern metalcore influence.

Jane Doe

Jane Doe changed the face of hardcore punk. Yup. More chaotic, faster, and tons of feedback (their guitar player, Kurt Ballou, uses a "theromin" throughout the record and it RULES).

You Fail Me

You Fail Me is Converge's most melodic release. Very accessible to those who listen to melodic hardcore.

When Forever Comes Crashing

When Forever Comes Crashing is Converge's most angst-ridden release. It's often overlooked by fans, but was a bridge between Petitioning and Jane Doe that needed to be built.

Petitioning The Empty Sky

Petitioning The Empty Sky is, well, hardcore punk for fans of Slayer ... And hardcore punk. One of the guitarists playing on this record went on to start "Bane", one of the most notorious modern melodic hardcore punk acts.  "Buried But Breathing" is one track that makes this point well known.

Poacher Diaries 

The Poacher Diaries is Converge's split with Agoraphobic Nosebleed, and is one of my personal favorite releases. This record is fast, technical, and has a hell of a lot of grindcore influence. "Locust Reign" makes me want to destroy everything ever.