Low Sky

 Low Sky are a "sludge inspired hardcore punk" band from Greensboro, NC. I'd like to think of them as more of a Converge-inspired metallic hardcore band with a ton of post metal influence. Yes, posting that from my dimly lit basement gave me some sort of twisted satisfaction. Their newly released 7", Led Zeppelin House Show can easily be most easily compared to Neurosis' Times Of Grace, Converge's You Fail Me, and even a bit of Orchid (I'd list an Orchid record that sounds similar, but they all sound the same so you get the point. The record sounds great production wise and certainly achieves what it seems to have set out to be, but nothing more (I found the record isn't really doing anything new, but is still totally righteous).

Low Sky - Led Zeppelin House Show

Cursed.

          Cursed are a dark, metallic hardcore punk band from Ontario, Canada. They called it quits in 2009, after their tour van (along with all of their cash from the tour itself) was stolen. Although I hate that I will never see them, I think that's a pretty damn worthy reason to break up. The band released three full lengths and two EP's (not to mention their most recently released live 7"). I always tend to speak very highly of this band, as they released three exceptional records over the years, all of which are diverse and are all damn near perfect. FFO: GOOD, LOUD MUSIC. Below are the records you should check out, from best to other bests (nothing this band put out is bad, so I'd hate to toss around a term like "worst").

Cursed - II

Cursed - III

Cursed - I

The Menzingers

The Menzingers are a straight up, no-ifs-ands-or-buts punk rock band from Scranton, Pennsylvania (bonus points for having a hilarious hometown.) I didn't realize how big these guys were getting until I saw them play; it was a great show and it seems that they are well-loved. As they should be! Their songs are catchy as all hell and have a huge range of style and sound. Every song on their newest full length, Chamberlain Waits, is pure fucking gold. Get. it. now. For fans of Gaslight Anthem, early Against Me!, Dillinger Four, the Lawrence Arms or Broadway Calls.

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The Menzingers' Myspace

Chamberlain Waits

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So let these simple songs get caught in our heads

Make Do and Mend

Make Do and Mend is an awesome punk rock/melodic hardcore band from West Hartford, Conneticut. Their sound reminds me a lot of Polar Bear Club and that can't be a bad thing at all. So far they've put out 2 great EPs and their newly released full length is inching its way into my favourite releases of the year. Check it out, I assure you once you hear the first track you'll be in love just like I was. For fans of bands like Hot Water Music, Title Fight, Touche Amore and a Wilhelm Scream.

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Make Do and Mend's Myspace

End Measured Mile

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I don’t need a life preserver to keep my head above the waves, no matter where the current takes me.

Cheers

Celeste.

          

             Celeste are a Blackened Screamo band from Lyon, France. They're very mid tempo, which can get a tad bit overwhelming at points (I have trouble sitting through the ENTIRE record) BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY DON'T STILL SHRED. For fans of more recent black metal acts such as Wolves In The Throne Room and Krallice, with a touch of Pg. 99-esq Screamo. "Misanthrope(s)" is definitely my favorite. This band rules, and if you like all that is evil, you should most indefinitely check this out.

Myspace

Misanthrope(s)

Nihilist(s)

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.