Episode #52
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1. Weak Teeth

Weak Teeth are a four-piece hardcore band from Providence, Rhode Island. They play really fast-paced, aggressive hardcore with some extra room for experimental sounds. Often times they'll mix in some clean guitars all the while keeping the same aggressiveness and anger that's played throughout the rest of their songs. They have a self-titled 7” (2010), an LP, What a Plague You Are (2011), and a couple singles (these releases are streaming on Bandcamp HERE). Their latest record, What a Plague You Are, is a split release between Flannel Gurl Records and Tor Johnson Records. It has 11 tracks of fine, in-your-face, pissed-off hardcore, delivered with some tight musicianship. Weak Teeth's song on this episode is titled, Repetition Implies Importance Implies Importance, off of, What a Plague You Are.
2. Strike to Survive

Strike to Survive are a five-piece hardcore punk band from Santa Rosa, California. They right now have two EP's, their first release, Mirror, Mirror (2011), and the follow-up, Sore Losers (2011). Both EP's are laced with some excellent hardcore punk and a bit of thrash. Some nice guitar leads appear regularly in their songs alongside an occasional breakdown of sorts (check out both EP's on Bandcamp HERE). Right now the band is working on some new material and playing shows from time to time. Strike to Survive's song on this episode is titled, Energy Vampires, off of the Sore Losers EP.
3. Ultima Victima

Ultima Victima is a hardcore band from Mexico. They released their newest EP in 2011 titled Muertes Sin Razon (check it out on Panda Claw Records HERE). It is the follow-up to their 2009 EP, La Batalla Sera Eterna (check out a tune from that EP on EPISODE 3). The new EP features three new songs (Muertes Sin Razon, No Morrie, and Por Vida) and two re-recorded ones (Maldito Traidor and Squalo). A music video was also produced for the song, Por Vida (check it out HERE). The five tracks are a lot faster and more fierce than the band's previous material. The breakdowns are heavier with lots of double-pedal action, and continuously fast tempos. These guys need to release a full-length soon. Ultima Victima's song on this episode is titled, Por Vida, off of, Muertes Sin Razon.
4. Calculator

Calculator are a five-piece punk band from California. They've been playing music since 2007 and have released several records since then (check out some of their releases streaming on their Bandcamp HERE, which are also available through Melotov Records HERE as well). They play all sorts of styles of punk and hardcore, with a very experimental approach. The music is very technical with an almost always mixed tempo and clashing of sounds alongside a mesh of some pretty interesting guitar riffs and basslines. Each song of theirs is as unique as the next, probably best heard on the LP, These Roots Grow Deep. The three songs on their latest record, New Forms, are equally refreshing, in a sort of weird, abstract kind of way (check out the video for Drawing Circles from this record HERE). Listen with an open mind or you'll get lost in the beat. Calculator's song on this episode is titled, Abroad, off of, These Roots Grow Deep.
5. No Contest

No Contest are a four-piece hardcore band from England. Theses guys play fast and aggressive and spare no time for any breaks. They may slow down the tempo for a bit, but their tunes are consistently upbeat and always energetic. The band just recently released their debut, What's Past Is Prologue, an album full of big choruses and crispy instrumentals. Released independently, it features eight new songs, plus two from their previous EP, Static Motion (check out a tune from that EP on EPISODE 23). The album begins with, First World Problems, a fantastic opener full of gang vocals, high-end basslines, and layers of fast instrumentals. The song is followed by, Deathcard (from their previous EP), a nice transition into some familiar territory and well placed harmonies. The intensity of the album continues on in tracks, We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat, 28 Seconds Too Long, and Memento Mori (Ode to Ed). They're fast for one minute and then they're flying the rest of the way. But closing track, His Name Is Robert Paulson, starts with an acoustic guitar and vocals, for a majority of the song. When the rest of the band joins in, it's full speed ahead. Later, the rhythm section eventually fades out, and the song ends on some lone vocals. Very nice closer. Excellent debut. No Contest's song on this episode is titled, First World Problems, off of, What's Past Is Prologue.