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Black Cross

Art Offensive
2003
Equal Vision

Black Cross - Art Offensive (Cover Artwork)

Review by: BrandonSideleau
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Published on April 6th 2004

Louisville's Black Cross (formerly known as the Black Widows) play potent hardcore punk with a dash of grungy metal and melody thrown in for good measure. This is their first album for EVR and it, put simply, rocks my socks off.

The band is often desrcibed as a mix between Black Flag and Drive Like Jehu, and I must say that is a fairly good description. It is loud and heavy as hell, but at times very original and wandering, which is a great thing. It keeps the album from becoming repetitive like so many other punk releases. My favorite songs on the record would have to be "Black Market Cigarettes", the frenetic "Just Go Outside", and "Bitta's Walk". The record hints at a great live show and hopefully soon I will be able to confirm those hopes.

Go out and buy this if you are sick of hearing the same old tired metalcore and emo crap dominating the indie music scene right now, or if you just want some deeply satisfying hardcore punk rock.

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Posted by Piebalding on 2004-11-15 12:07:23
My Score:

This is by far one of my favorite albums of 2003 and I agree it was completely overlooked. A lot of old punk/hardcore influence i.e. Black Flag etc. plus a generous dosage of brand new, creative stuff. By far the best band the Pattersons have ever been in.

Posted by ObeyYourParents on 2004-06-02 02:25:20
My Score:

An enjoyable listen. I think its more akin to Rites of Spring and Ignition, but thats just my opinion. I really wish they'd tone down the whole "cookie-monster" growls though ( A little can go a long way). Regardless, this record is still vital.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 11, 2004 at 1:14 AM (EDT)
My Score:

it took people a while to review this... i could've sworn i heard about this record in the fall of 03.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 9, 2004 at 12:43 PM (EDT)
My Score:

this cd is pretty good. but i have some problems with the vocals. the yelling seems forced or something like that. just listen.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 8, 2004 at 7:20 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Shut up, most bands rip stuff off of other things to get their name, and the ones that don't usually have lame ass names and usually suck.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 8, 2004 at 2:41 AM (EDT)
My Score:

The Anarchist Red Cross used to be a radical group that did first aid during protests or political prisoner support. I don't remember which. They changed thier name to the Anarchist Black Cross to avoid confusion with the shitty arkansas flood control group which is called the Red Cross. Now they are an anti-prison radical group. This band is ripping things off.

Oh, the Brides of Destruction are fucking AMAZING. Fuck you.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 12:08 PM (EDT)
My Score:

this record and this band are awesome. good review.

the only thing better than the record is their live show

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 9:50 AM (EDT)
My Score:

BC's live show is great. One of the few upsides to living in KY is getting to see them more than the rest of the country.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at 1:15 AM (EDT)
My Score:

i second that brandon s is da shit.

plus this was one of my fav records of 2003. definitely gotten unnoticed.

Ramo

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 8:50 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I have this on gold vinyl, yes it is great. The vocals take a chapter out of the good ol' SEAWEED book.

Barkley"SEAWEED"Barkster

Posted by dazed on 2004-04-06 16:10:32
My Score:

I preferred the Black Widows EP a little, but this is a good hardcore album. Very accurate review.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 3:58 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Brandon is the man.

-sickboi