Album Review -I Stared Into The Forest 'Society Discontinued' (Fading Halo Records)

It seems there's a bit of a cracker of a hardcore/grind/crust scene going on in Romania at the moment,and leading the charge is DIY label Fading Halo, with math-grind outfit  Coins As Portraits(see our recent review http://bornagainnihilist1.blogspot.com/2011/11/album-review-coins-as-portraits-form.html) , and now the more melodic I Stared Into The Forest , who incorporate elements of death metal, grind and sludge into their cacophony of noise, to varying results.It's breakdown heavy stuff, but with some interesting passages of melodic guitar that incorporate an almost post metal feel , albeit filtered through a hardcore prism.There is reminders of bands like Converge and Shai Hulud in the sense of manic, depressive energy that permeats throughout ,particularly in the schizo battery of 'Sloth Machine' , and the stuttering,machine gun grooves  of 'Clean Up the Snow' . Hardly earth shattering stuff, but an enjoyably aggro listen nonetheless, and the band show tremendous promise.Here's to a full length soon, and in the mean time, it would be wise for hardcore aficionados to keep one eye on Fading Halo Records . . .

Rating: 7/10
For fans of :Converge, December, Darkest Hour, Job For A Cowboy
Listen/Download the album here: http://www.fadinghalorecords.com/?page_id=95 
Stephen O ' Connor
bornagainnihilist@gmail.com

Album Review -Coins As Portraits ' Form and Structure.Storm and Fracture' (Fading Halo Records)

'Form and Structure.Storm and Fracture' by Coins as Portraits  is the first of two brand new releases from Romania based label Fading Halo Records, the other being the debut release from hardcore outfit I Stared Into The Forest.Essentially a short, seven track EP , it showcases the four pieces' knack for writing interesting jazz tinged matchcore, with hints of early Dillinger Escape Plan in their labyrinthine riffing patterns.Unfortunately, the band struggle to muster much that hasn't been done before , and in a more interesting fashion , but it's a competent debut nonetheless, with the band's musicianship sterling throughout, and a clear, sharp production.There is an interesting use of jazz instrumentation(flat chords, interesting use of scales) in pieces like the mini, two part epic 'The Human Predicament' , and  closer 'Solipsism' , that 'll hold the interest of your average mathcore fan, and the band show promise, but seven tracks of constant polyrhythmic blasting become monotonous very quickly , and the overall impression at times can be one of a flight of stairs falling down a flight of stairs.One for ADD sufferers and Nasum fans then alike.

Rating:6/10
For fans of : The Locust, The Dillinger Escape Plan, I'll Eat Your Face, Napalm Death
Download the album here: http://www.fadinghalorecords.com/?page_id=93 
Stephen O ' Connor
bornagainnihilist@gmail.com