Review(s): Muse, Nailbomb, Nas

Muse - Absolution: In the increasingly overcrowded genre of britpop I wonder why this band is getting all the hype.

Nailbomb - Point Blank: Metal will forever be a genre of unfulfilled potential.

Nas - Illmatic: Chingy take note; this is what rap is supposed to sound like.

Review(s): The Oath, Nuclear Assault, Nine Pound Hammer

The Oath - Deaf Ears Japan Tour 2002: Those who think this is 'amazing', 'revolutionary' or 'really good' are the same people that have the characteristic in the title.

Nuclear Assault - Handle With Care: Metal will forever be a better experience live than on plastic (or vinyl).

Nine Pound Hammer - Hayseed Timebomb: Bringing the country to the punks. Or is the other way around? Either way, this is awesome.

Review(s): Orange 9mm, Off Minor, Phil Ochs

Orange 9mm - Driver Not Included: I can see the comparisons to Quicksand, but what caught my attention was how much it sounded like Limp Bizkit and the nu metal to come (Driver Nor Included was released in 1995).

Off Minor - The Heat Death of the Universe: Screamo is virtually the only genre in which a vocalist is allowed to scream uncomprehendingly and not be criticized for it. Don't ask why, just nod.

Phil Ochs - Pleasures of the Harbor: Next Dylan? Hardly, but a very slick folk album that will be revisited.

Review(s): the pAper chAse, Pagan Babies x2

the pAper chAse - And the mAchines Are winning/essAys: John Congleton is one crazy-ass man with unbelievable driver, determination and vision. Comparing these early recordings with any of his later work and you, too, will understand.

Pagan Babies - Immaculate Conception: This thing sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom, rendering an opinion worthless.

Pagan Babies - Next: Punk meets Hardcore and more specifically, DC meets California, therefore a precursor to NYHC.

Review(s): Stay Gold, The Shining, The Pixies

Stay Gold - Caught Up In The Moment/Pills And Advice: Bane rules, and if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Bane should be flattered as hell.

The Shining - True Skies: Maybe this would be better if John Squire was still involved, but I doubt it.

The Pixies - Wave Of Mutilation: The Best Of The Pixies: I really don't see the huge allure to the Pixies. It's not that I'm unimpressed, just not impressed.

Review(s): Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Rain on the Parade, Pro-Pain

Robert Randolph and the Family Band - Unclassified: This officially begins my quest to have ProTools banned from American music making.

Rain On The Parade - Body Bag EP/When It Rains It Pours: I don't ask every hardcore band to reinvent the genre, I just ask them not to screw it up. Kudos to Rain on the Parade for not screwing it up and making it enjoyable to boot.

Pro-Pain - Contents Under Pressure: 5 songs in and I was ready to praise this metal band for not being cliche. Then I finished the disc. So much for that idea.

Review(s): Riased Fist, Rancor x2

Raised Fist - Dedication: The perfect combination of metal and hardcore? It could be.

Rancor - Demo/Flip The Switch/Never Hold Back: This band obviously didn't hold back from doing anything to distinguish themselves.

Rancor(2) - Distinguish: Normally, I'd use the word 'distinguish' somewhere in this review. Instead i'll just settle for 'not very good.'

Review(s): Ringworm, Right Brigade, Rapeman

Ringworm - Flatline: Each song is a different style, making me wonder they used the word flat in the title.

Right Brigade - Demo/EP/LP/A Poor Excuse Split Tracks: Like a fine wine, this band seems to get better with age. It's just too bad someone opened the bottle before its prime.

Rapeman - Two Nuns and a Pack Mule: I still haven't found a terribly bad album that Steve Albini's name has been attached to.