SECRETS - "Waste Away" Single Review

Surprise! A month before SECRETS are set to hit the road for Warped Tour 2016, they release this unbelievable new track. That's right, only 6 months after the release of their 3rd album, "Everything That Got Us Here" SECRETS have surprised us all with this new track.

To buy the single on iTunes please click this (link). And of course make sure you catch them on Warped Tour this summer.

Warped Tour 2016 Lineup Review Pt. 2

Not a conventional review, but we're going to break down this year's choices for the 2016 lineup of Warped Tour. 20+ years on the road every summer, bringing you all kinds of music. And this year, it seems the tour is getting back to basics. Lots of great pop punk bands, and not as many heavy headliners. This is PART 2 of a two part post covering the 2016 edition of Warped Tour. Click this (link) to read PART 1. 

Click this (link) to visit the tour's official website.

Hands Like Houses - "Dissonants" Review

Get ready for the best album from Hands Like Houses! Our favorite band from Canberra just released their 3rd album, "Dissonants". It comes highly recommended. If you need a reason to listen, well it's simply exquisite. The band have outdone themselves with this album, and it was worth the wait. To buy their album on iTunes click this (link). 

Hands Like Houses - "Colourblind" Single Review

Yes times about four thousand. Hands Like Houses' new album, "Dissonants" is shaping up to be one of the best releases of the year. The record's first two singles, "I Am" and "New Romantics" blew us away with their arena sized choruses and sick hooks. Now "Colourblind" has done it again. To preorder "Dissonants" click the following (link). To read reviews of previous singles, "I Am" and "New Romantics" click the respective links. 

Featured Post - SECRETS

This month's featured band released their 3rd album on Dec 11. And the title is very appropriate. SECRETS haven't had an easy road, and "Everything That Got Us Here" couldn't be a better testament to their abilities. They've lost members, had their fair share of road trouble, and are signed to Velocity/Rise Records, which by some standards is a headache all its own. To buy their album on iTunes click this (link). 

SECRETS - "Everything That Got Us Here" Review

Possibly our last album review for the 2015 year! SECRETS will wrap up 2015 for us with their 3rd album "Everything That Got Us Here". The band has been slowly rising in popularity, and, to the delight of their record company, in sales. SECRETS signature blend of hardcore verses, memorable guitar riffs, and pop-influenced choruses doesn't sound like anything new. But their particular take on post hardcore has earned them a loyal fanbase. If you haven't already checked out this band, you're missing out. Click this (link) to buy the album on iTunes. And be sure to keep an eye out more SECRETS coverage in our "Featured Post". 

The Amity Affliction - "Shine On" Single Review

The Amity Affliction spent their summer on promoting their first DVD "Seems Like Forever" on Warped 2015, and the fall touring with SECRETS, Chelsea Grin, The Plot in You and Cruel Hands. Next on their schedule is a tour with A Day to Remember, Motionless in White, and The Ghost Inside. But before that, they've surprised us by releasing new single, "Shine On". To buy it on iTunes click this (link).

SECRETS - "Rise Up" Single Review

The next single from SECRETS 3rd album is here! "Rise Up" follows "Left Behind", which was released about a month ago. The lead single reintroduced the band a second time to fans, having switched unclean vocalists during the recording process. The song featured a more mature, abet a Tyler Carter-esc clean vocal performance from Richard Rogers, and a powerful debut from new unclean vocalist Wade Walters, who is featured on bass for the "Rise Up" music video. To preorder the album on iTunes click this (link), and to read our review of the album's lead single click this (link). 

Quick Picks: Best Acoustic EPs

Isn't it funny how a change of instruments can make or break a song. A growing trend in bands is to release acoustic albums. Originating in the early 10s, now it's become the norm for bands who are between albums. Some albums or EPs tide fans over until the next big thing. Sometimes it works, and sometimes you should just stick to the dropped guitars and heavy bass beats. These are the ones that worked, for us at least. Click our Top 10/Quick Picks page for more lists like this. 

SECRETS - "Left Behind" Single Review

SECRETS lost original frontman Xander Bourgeois in 2013, and this October they announced that Aaron Melzer would be exiting the band after a 2 year stint. To the surprise of fans, SECRETS also announced that they had finished their 3rd album, but it was recorded with new frontman Wade Walters (I almost shit my pants because I thought his name was Wade Wilson and that would have been too much for me to handle). 

Set for a December 11 release date, we eagerly await the new album from this band. Though they have gone through many lineup changes, SECRETS have gotten better with time ("Fragile Figures" being on of the best modern post hardcore albums we've had the pleasure of listening to) To preorder their album on iTunes click this (link).

Top 10 Modern Post Hardcore Albums

Screamo, emo, whatever you call it you love it. Traditionally a fusion of hardcore punk and post punk, today it has become more of a blend of metalcore, hardcore punk, pop punk, and various alt. rock off shoots. When we say modern, we're talking 2009 to the present. So if you don't see an album, be sure to check out our "Top 10 Classic Post Hardcore" albums post. 

Go to our Top 10 page to see our honorable mentions. We understand that everyone has their own opinions, and definitions of post hardcore may vary. Keep in mind we can only listen to so many albums before our brains explode, so we've probably overlooked an album or two. If that's the case, we're sorry so please comment and let us know which album you think should be included. 

Quick Picks: 10 Bands to Watch (Mid 2015 edition)

A "Quick Picks" countdown, here we will be counting down the 10 bands you should be watching in the coming year. Be sure to leave comments if you think we missed a band!

SECRETS - "Renditions" Review

This is one band that keeps getting better with time. As a Rise/Velocity Records signee, SECRETS was bound to put out an acoustic EP sooner or later. After releasing the deluxe edition of their sophomore album, "Fragile Figures" in 2014, fans got pumped for new material. And it was delivered in the form of "Renditions". 
    **The band is currently working on their upcoming 3rd album.** 

Our Last Night - "Younger Dreams" Review

About two years ago I stumbled across the song "Liberate Me" by Our Last Night. The band had just released their their "Oak Island EP", and I loved the aforementioned single from "Age of Ignorance", so I decided to give the EP a listen. I was floored by what I heard, and the fact that I hadn't already gotten into this band. Their new album, "Younger Dreams", was released on June 16. After a string of successful covers (i.e "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry and "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift), this full length was greatness in the making. This album rides the wave the band started when they made the bold decision to go independent. To buy the album on iTunes follow this (link).