Hardcore AoTY #3

Ceremony - Rohnert Park

This album is the closest to 80's hardcore I have heard in any recent releases. For those not familar with Ceremony they are a San Francisco bay-area hardcore band that has been around for five years. Rohnert Park is hands down the most unquie album they have released to date though, while less "intense" at times than their previous releases it is also their most stripped-down sounding. Blending a mix of early Stooges influences with more typical hardcore influences (i.e. Black Flag) this album is unpredictable but always punk. It's unusual and definitely worth a listen. This is an album that might be a case of fridge brilliance though, it wasn't until my second or third listen that I truly appreciated it and as far as I can tell that is the only flaw it exhibits.

Hardcore AoTY Contender #2

Touche Amore/La Dispute - Searching for a Pulse/The Worth of the World 7"

This split comes courtesy of two pretty sick bands. I saw Touche Amore back in May opening up for Converge and they were awesome live. They blend "traditional" with screamo and sound reminiscent of Orchid at times. La Dispute has more of a post-hardcore sound mixed with some prog. Both bands sound amazing on this and there is a consistency here that is lacking on a lot of splits.

Hardcore AoTY Contender

More Than Life - Love Let Me Go

More Than Life is a melodic hardcore band from England that deserves a lot more credit. Checkout this album it's one of my favorites of this year (so far) and blends melodic screaming hardcore seamlessly with emotional lyrics.