Contravene/Svart Aggression split 7":
"Funny thing is that I'm so crazed with Contravene that I didn't realize this was a split. I mean Svart is always Swedish, but it wasn't until I listened to their side and thought - since when did Shelly start singing in Swedish - before I realized this was a split record. Duh! Thing is that it's such a good split - which pairs up two awesome bands who are very similar in sound and style. Contravene - as I said are my favorite of the season! Bringing back the classic anarchopunk style with heavy power but no crust or metal. Her voice is awesome. It's powerful and she can sing! There are also two other voices that add to the power. Musically they've got a light and powerful sound, with guitar melody that makes it super catchy. There are comparisons running through my head, but I can't quite name them. If you like your anarcho-peace punk - this band is where I'm placing all of my hope! Svart Aggression are rad because they also have female vocals - dual male-female actually. They've got a similar style of power and energy mixed with catchy melody. The accents are distinct and the male vocals are pretty gravely and the guitars are slightly heavy and metallic - and a bit more in the ultimate crust style. What an awesome split!!! These two bands rule and I'm loving the anarcho-punk!!!" (-Chris/Slug and Lettuce #66)

Contravene s/t 7":
"Contravene is a great Arizona based 5 piece political, activist, crust band. They play a very good tempo of deep crust music with pretty good, no, make that awesome female fronted lyrics. This album is a very good release as it included song lyrics, and lengthy explinations to the songs as well as some stories to go along witt the explination. Song topics range from how punks dont treat each other as equals, how if you've been in the scene longer, you're an "elder" type person. Also songs about organization to make a difference and a song about borders. Arizona is next to the Mexican border therefore a lot of police brutality goes on with the "illegal" immagrants. All the songs are really good and so is this band. If you ever have a chance to see them (most likely at a Solidarity festival), then do it." (-Manufactured Citizens)

Urine Specimen "raw" 7":
"It's good to hear a one man band that's not completely terrible. Aki, aka Urine Specimen, is out of Finland, but traditional Finn punk style doesn't come straight to mind. It maintains some roots plus a small dis influence, but this mainly sounds like it came out of the USA. It's got "raw" production, with everything still sounding listenable. Not a bad release, but the cover makes it look like its headed straight for the used record bin of record stores everywhere" (-Jay/Slug and Lettuce #65)

Sea of Deprivation "catharsis in disharmony" LP:
"Wow. Incredibly heavy destroying dark hardcore which blends Black Sabbath like heavy sludgy hardcore with grindcore, death metal, and crust. Mix in nihilistic political lyrics and you've got one hell of a sound! I didn't know what to think of this to begin with but this is a surprise favorite this issue!" (-Mangelslakt #3)

"From the ashes of Misanthropic arises Sea of Deprivation. Agonizing vocals, thick guitars, brutal drums and political lyrics. This is one kick ass LP! If you liked Misanthropic, and other bands like Dystopia, then this is right up your dark alley! Nine songs and a Disrupt cover. My friends and I agree, Sea of Deprivation rock! (DD/Heart Attack #29)

Axiom/Church of Nihil/Autonomia 3 way split LP:
"Wow, here's a good one. Axiom, Church of Nihil, and Autonomia. First, Axiom plays more hardcore inspired by peace punk which hits right on the money. A little too dogmatic for me at times, but hey. Church of Nihil is dark hardcore which I liked quite a bit. Finally Autonomia is awesome political peace punk from Peru!! Fuck yeah. A great LP here." (-Mangelslakt #3)

Moral Hazard/Chupacabra split 7":

Carol Ann "score to settle" 7":
"Catchphraze continues to deliver the goods when it comes to new crust style bands, and this is no exception. Grinding, driving, somewhat metallic hardcore with anguished vocals. No frills here, and nothing too original either, but solid politically driven hardcore that will definately please fans of this label's other releases and of the Profane Existence style." (-BD/HeartAttack #23)

"Oh my, are those vocals coming from a guy? Really raspy screaming vocals on this one. The slow dirge-y breakdowns remind me of Christdriver in a way with the really low basslines. The rest of this is faster. I really like the tempo changes on these three songs. Really fast and angry, then those slow breakdowns all of the sudden. Not Bad" (-SR/Maximum Rock N' Roll #197)

Misanthropic "open up and take your bullet" 7":
"This band is awesome: Drop-tuned with an evil heaviness this is heavy on the metal with a balance of grindcore and metal-hardcore. The dual vocals are pretty well matched in the scream-o style of rasping evilness but with some more mid-range gruff trade off as well. The metal guitar riffs are strong throughout this. The sound is huge and powerful. It's pretty epic and monumental with driving hooks - I'm totally hooked. The heavy metal mastery with crusty vocals males a good blend of the cross-culture of these genre's - and I'm totally addicted!" (-Slug and Lettuce #62)

"This hardcore is very metallish. Sometimes it sounds like genuine death metal, but most of it is brutal hardcore with metallish guitar and each song has a lot of parts. Cross Antischism with Assuck. Now that's a compliment for sure. Fans of those bands will like Misanthropic. Four songs. Very nice cover." (-MR/HeartAttack #23)

"Political grindcore with enough driving tempo changes and metally breakdowns to keep you interested, plus screamy, deep, distorted vocals original enough to keep you involved" (-TJ/Maximum Rock N' Roll #197)