Entry the 34th: Converge - When Forever Comes Crashing

Broadening my horizons by checking out the Equal Vision Records website, I learned of a number of interesting bands, which is how I came to be aware of Converge. What an improvement over the last few records i had bought! Converge were like nothing I had ever heard before, especially compared to the other bands from Boston that I was familiar with like Slapshot and Blood For Blood. The songs were varied and exciting, the vocals were frantic, and it was scary sounding. Not in the Integrity way of apocalyptic visions and heresy, but more like rabidity, less directed, more wanton.

This album is still a favorite, having bought this not long after its release, it's nice to be able to say I was on board for at least one band that almost a decade and a half later are still respectable. Converge are critical darlings today, and they deserve it. Thirty four records into this, they play a big part in redeeming my young record collection.

Check out: My Unsaid Everything

Entry the 28th: Blood For Blood - Revenge On Society

As I recall, I got this a day after my birthday, from a different store that I wasn't able to make it to on the big day. Yet again, the Victory Records website directed me towards this. Boston hardcore with a bitterness reminiscent of Slapshot but without all the straightedge and hockey references. A bitterness that was somewhat comical even to the surly teenager that I was, so cartoonishly angry were the lyrics. My crustiness prevailed however and I managed to take these guys (mostly) seriously.

Leaning more toward the hardcore end of the music I was listening to, Blood For Blood was close enough to punk to appeal even to some of my less hardcore-inclined friends like Jules. Somewhat appealing anyway.

This is still a pretty fun listen. It does the trick that it is supposed to do, but I would not say that I would go out of my way to listen to it very frequently. Some of these slower songs are pretty terrible, but otherwise this record can still make me smile.

Check out: Wasted Youth Crew (My Kind Belong Nowhere)