Favorite Music of 2013 Day Two feat. members of Faded Grey, War Called Home, Caravels, Presagers and more

With 2013 rapidly coming to a close, it’s time to look back at the outstanding music that made this another great year for music.

Today we’re bringing you best of lists from Lance Wells (Punks in Vegas, ex-Faded Grey/Tomorrows Gone), Aaron Mattern (Punks in Vegas), War Called Home, Michael Roeslein (Caravels), Nevermore Productions, Matt Salkeld (Singer/songwriter, Drunks Go Acoustic) and Presagers.

The first part of our best of 2013 series can be seen here.

Lance Wells (Punks in Vegas, ex-Faded Grey)

In no particular order:

LPs:

AC4 – Burn The World
Dennis from Refused teams up with members of D.S. 13 and Regulations to play some classic sounding hardcore. On the other end of the spectrum from Refused’s The Shape of Punk To Come, this one sounds like the shape of punk’s past. I think I like their self-titled LP a little more, but this second album rips too.

Bumbklaatt – Luctus
Hardcore from San Diego with rad guitar riffage, thundering bass, manic drums, and dueling vocals (one guy screams and one guy sounds like the cookie monster). I really liked the artwork and packaging of this LP as well. The attention to detail is obvious here, and makes for an outstanding album on all fronts.

Caravels – Lacuna
An impressive album from one of our better local bands. Having experienced the 1990’s “screamo” era first hand, Lacuna reminds me a of record that could have come housed in a screen-printed manilla envelope. My shorter attention span was admittedly tested by the band’s meandering sound, but I have to give props to the effort, honesty and talent I hear.

Criminal Damage – Call of Death
Featuring Paul Burdette of His Hero Is Gone and Tragedy fame on guitar and vocals, Criminal Damage continues an awesome run of albums with their third LP. I’ve never been a huge fan of oi or “street” punk, but every song from this band tends to be a anthem with a catchy guitar riff and chorus. Yeah, I like Blitz too.

Integrity – Suicide Black Snake
Say what you will about Dwid and Integrity in 2014, but I really enjoyed this one. Much better than 2010’s The Blackest Curse, Robert Orr plays all the instruments here and pays much homage to the band’s long-departed original guitarist, Aaron Melnick. The song “There Ain’t No Living in Life” was also a nice surprise, harmonica and all.

Nails – Abandon All Life
Todd Jones is one pissed dude, and his musical assault on life continues with this relentless record. Positive hardcore, this is not. As the band name and album title implies, this is angry, bleak hardcore that is fast, heavy, and metallic.

Night Birds – Born To Die in Suburbia
SoCal inspired surf punk from New Jersey. As a skate punk that grew up in Boulder City and then moved to Henderson as an adult, the title and vibe of this record echoes my own personal existence. The darker lyrical themes and social commentary from their earlier records remains intact, and the instrumental intro, “Escape From New York,” also had me hooked immediately with a nod to the great John Carpenter film of the same name.

Living Eyes – Who Will Remain?
With members from Look Back And Laugh, Punch, and Talk Is Poison, Living Eyes sound exactly like you would expect. Eleven songs of fast, raw hardcore on a one-sided LP that features an awesome screen print on the B side. Graphically, musically, and lyrically, this album is the epitome of the finer aspects of the DIY punk ethic.

Red Hare – Nites of Midnite
3/4 of Swiz team up with Joe Gorelick from Garden Variety and Retisonic on drums and drop an eight song LP on DC’s own Dischord Records. I’ve always loved guitarist Jason Farrell’s unique style of melodic punk/HC, and Shawn Brown’s gruff vocals sound better than ever. If I had to pick a favorite release of 2013, this would be it hands down.

War Generation – Start Somewhere Never Surrender
Jon Bunch’s vocals made Reason To Believe one of my all time favorite bands, but aside from a handful of songs, I never cared much for his next musical endeavor in Sensefield. This new project reminds me of new(er) Samiam at times, and has also been compared to Rise Against. I’m really kind of surprised at how much I enjoyed this record, especially the lyrics that reflect back on Jon’s hardcore lineage.

EPs:

Creem – Curator
Raw and aggressive hardcore that sounds like it was spawned in early 80s Boston. When listening to this record, I envision a crew of dudes with shaved heads and Levi’s slamming and skanking in a huge circle pit. I would certainly rip it up to this band live.

Dead Ending – DE II
More pissed and political hardcore from Vic Bondi (Articles of Faith) and Jeff Dean (Tomorrows Gone). This is desperate music for desperate times from guys that lived through Ronnie Reagan’s two terms in office. I can’t wait for DE III.

Fredward – //
I already reviewed this EP for Punks in Vegas, so you know how much I love it. Take the very best elements of Hot Water Music old and new and add a few twists and turns. I’d love to hear some new jams from this local band in 2014.

Paint It Black – Invisible
I’ve been following PIB for years, and this six song EP is as good or better than anything the band has done. The songs “Headfirst” and “Little Fists” particularly hit home with me now that I have a son. Dan Yemin never lets me down.

Puig Destroyer – S/T
While not exactly my usual cup of tea, I really enjoyed this 6 song 7” of baseball themed grind. From the artwork to the lyrics to the actual music, this project has been perfectly executed thus far. And fresh off the hot stove, these guys just rolled out a new EP for the offseason called Wait For Spring.

Sickoids – No Home
Sickoids S/T LP from 2012 flew under the radar a bit, but I’m not really sure why. With ex-members from Direct Control and Government Warning, you know this one rages. The sound is slightly crustier with a big, rumbling bass sound, but there are still plenty of melodic elements, especially in the fuzzed out guitars.

Stop Breathing – Santa Cruz
These homies from SoCal made my “Best of 2012” list with their awesome S/T LP on No Idea Records. This five song 7” continues in the same vein, and features a cover of Void’s “Who Are You”. Dischord inspired harDCore by way of Ventura, CA.

Title Fight – Spring Songs
I slept on this band until I saw their album Floral Green on numerous “Best of 2012” lists. The four songs here sound like an extension of that great LP. I’m reminded of the band Small Brown Bike at times, which is certainly a compliment.

True Head – S/T EP
Late 80’s Dischord stylings a la Soulside from ex-members of Lion of Judah and The First Step. Honestly, this one is kind of hard hard to describe, but that’s a good thing here. Check out the songs “Dream Child” and “Loose End” as a perfect example of the band’s melodic, bass driven sound.

Unfair Fight – Destruction of Words
After a couple releases and a ton of shows played, LV’s own Unfair Fight nail it with this 6 song EP. I hear an amalgamation of styles (including punk, hardcore, and metal), improved song writing, and a great recording. I look forward to the physical release of this EP, as well as new material from UF in 2014.

Reissues:

• The Abused – Loud and Clear
• Big Boys – Industry Standard/Where’s My Towel? and Fun, Fun, Fun
• Bl’ast – Blood
• Chris Colohan triple threat of Cursed – One, Left for Dead discography, and The Swarm – Parasitic Skies
• Jawbox – Grippe
• Poison Idea – Kings of Punk
• Quicksand – Manic Compression
• Samiam – Whatever’s Got You Down
• Supertouch – The Earth Is Flat
• Texas Is the Reason discography

Aaron Mattern (Punks in Vegas)

1. Direct Hit! – Brainless God
2. Off With Their Heads – Home
3. The Flatliners – Dead Language
4. Swingin’ Utters – Poorly Formed
5. War Called Home – Origins EP
6. Nothington – Lost Along the Way
7. The People’s Whiskey – The People’s Whiskey
8. RVIVR – The Beauty Between
9. Bad Religion – True North
10. The Implants – From Chaos to Order

War Called Home

In no particular order:

Implants – From Chaos to Order

This record is melodic and tight. Even the slightly over-produced vocals don’t deter from the onslaught of speed and melodicism that Implants have crafted. These “old guys” just schooled all the kids on how things need to be done.

Heartsounds – Internal Eyes

Slightly slower than previous album Drifter but a logical evolution for this band. The musical duet of Ben and Laura continues to be perfected and honed. Another super-tight sound on this record.

Bad Religion – True North

“Return to form” or just a better punk record? Whatever the case, this album heralded in 2013 and is probably Bad Religion’s strongest release since The Empire Strikes First.

A Wilhelm Scream – Partycrasher

An utter sonic assault with pure throaty and riffy goodness…now can anybody really decide which Wilhelm album is the best?

Direct Hit! – Brainless God

The apocalyptic pop-punk sneer that forms the foundation of this concept album is almost too perfect.

Various Artists – The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute

A collection of a lot of great songs, performed by great bands and artists, by the late master-songwriter Tony Sly. Strung Out slightly outpaced everyone else on the album with their scorching cover of “Soul Mate.”

Less Than Jake – See the Light

Less Than Jake unapologetically doing what Less Than Jake does best…Ska/Punk. I don’t know if there will ever be another Losing Streak or Hello Rockview, but still solid nonetheless.

Lipstick Homicide – Out Utero

Pop punk sung by girls the way that pop punk should be sung by girls: the right balance of snotty humor mixed with bubblegum laden hooks. Just awesome.

Masked Intruder – Masked Intruder (Fat Wreck Chords re-release)

Four-part harmonies, punk rock, and primary colored ski-masks…need I say more?

Dethklok – The Doomstar Requiem (A Klok Opera)

“Where is Toki? Where is Toki?” An highly layered opera for a fictional death metal band with blazing guitar and drum-work. This honestly borders on genius. Not punk, but it’s so good.

Michael Roeslein (Caravels)

In no particular order: 

• Bars of Gold – Wheels
• Crash of Rhinos – Knots
• Hospital Ships – Destruction in Yr Soul
• Into It. Over It. – Intersections
• Kurt Vile – Wakin On A Pretty Daze
• The National – Trouble Will Find Me
• Tera Melos – X’ed Out
• This Town Needs Guns – 13.0.0.0.0
• Volcano Choir – Repave
• Yo La Tengo – Fade

Nevermore Productions

1. A Wilhelm Scream – Party Crasher
2. Authority Zero – The Tipping Point
3. Parquet Courts – Light Up Gold
4. Unfair Fight – Destruction of Words
5. Mercy Music/No Red Alice – Ebony and Irony
6. Assuming We Survive – Get Busy Living
7. City and Colour – The Hurry and the Harm
8. The Bronx – IV
9. Caravels – Lacuna
10. Behind The Fallen – Pages Of The Past

Matt Salkeld (Singer/songwriter, Drunks Go Acoustic)

So many great records this year. This wasn’t easy, but this is what I came up with.

1. Off With Their Heads – Home
2. The Flatliners – Dead Language
3. The Shell Corporation – Mandrake
4. Red City Radio – Titles
5. Implants – From Chaos to Order
6. Alkaline Trio – My Shame is True
7. A Wilhelm Scream – Partycrasher
8. Gas Drummers – We Got the Light
9. Drag The River – Self Titled
10. The Songs Of Tony Sly – A Tribute

Presagers

Justin Fornof (bassist)

1. Celeste – Animale(s)
2. Oathbreaker – Eros|Anteros
3. Ghost – Infestissumam
4. Twitching Tongues – In Love There is No Law
5. Nails – Abandon All Life
6. Chelsea Wolfe – Pain is Beauty
7. Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks
8. Black Sabbath – 13
9. Watain – The Wild Hunt
10. Alpha & Omega – No Rest, No Peace

A.J. Perez (vocalist)
In no particular order:

• Deafheaven – Sunbather
• Oathbreaker – Eros|Anteros
• Citizen – Youth
• Harm’s Way – Blinded
• Doomriders – Grand Blood
• Nails – Abandon All Life
• Full Of Hell – Rudiments of Mutilation
• Twitching Tongues – In Love There is No Law
• Altar Of Plagues – Teethed Glory and Injury
• This Routine Is Hell – Howl

Jordan Eustaquio (guitarist)
In no particular order:

• AFI – Burials
• Modern Life Is War – Fever Hunting
• Deafheaven – Sunbather
• Oathbreaker – Eros|Anteros
• Russian Circles – Memorial
• Integrity – Black Heksen Rise
• Beyond Creation – The Aura
• Twitching Tongues – In Love There is No Law
• Ghost – Infestissumam
• Celeste – Animale(s)

Photo of Seth Spicer by Aaron Mattern. Photos of Aaron Mattern,  Michael Roeslein and Matt Salkeld by Emily Matview
PIV “Favorite Music” banner by Adam Blasco of Broken Arrow Collective.