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Bad Religion - New Maps of Hell (Deluxe)
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With the impending implosion of his former band Taken looming over his head like a storm cloud, Ray Harkins didn’t waste any time getting a new band together. With the same amount of haste displayed by Captain Renault calling for a “Round Up of the usual suspects” at the end of "Casablanca," the team of crack muscians known as Mikoto was formed. This band has been gaining steam pretty steadily over the past few months, and the culmination of their efforts is this EP. This self-titled EP is just a little taste of what the band has in store for the future, and needless to say they have gotten off on the proverbial “right foot.”

Mikoto rips through these 5 songs with the ferocity of a rabid lion loose on an antelope farm. Those expecting “Taken Part Two” will find subtle similarities to some of Taken’s material, but for the most part Mikoto’s music treads down an entirely different musical path. Mikoto’s style is a bit more streamlined, and much more melodic. Now, when I say melodic don’t get your panties all crumpled up in a huge bunch. Mikoto’s melody isn’t the end result of a flailing attempt at roping in fans. The one-two vocal punch consisting of Ray Harkins’s trademark scream and guitar player Matt Moody’s piercing backup vocals adds a more sensitive vibe, without making the album a sticky, sugary, nougat-filled wasteland. Like I said earlier, the music is pretty ferocious, reminding me of This Day Forward mixed with Taken’s technical proficiency. The band strays away from ordinary, predictable “break your face with a crowbar style” breakdowns, which is very refreshing in my eyes. For the type of hardcore fan who just HAS to be able to throw a windmill and spark up some two-stepping fear not, this record has many moments which will make the urge to dance and break shit irresistable

The aspect of this record I enjoy the most, are the lyrics. If you have had the chance to read Ray’s lyrics on Taken albums you should know what to expect. Ray's lyrics span everything from personal conflict to introspective thought, all the while promoting positivity in a manner that transcends the bullshit “broken heart” imagery so many bands have beaten into the ground lately. This EP is a breath of fresh air to the hardcore scene. It might not be the most revolutionary music in the world, but Mikoto writes music that is worth hearing, and they have a message that is more than worthy of our attention.

[Originally posted on Punkrocks.net]



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    Posted by Paris_in_flames on 2007-07-24 00:47:42
    My Score:

    Why the shit was this on level plane?

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-03-05 20:28:05

    Mikoto is one of those bands that make me happy that I check aversionline.com 's MP3 blog.

    Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-11-19 14:04:23

    First things I thought of after hearing this were Underoath mixed with Alexisonfire

    Posted by ryanbolger on 2005-11-10 23:46:40

    you guys are making it sound like alexisonfire started that entire genre.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 2:52 PM (EST)

    seriously... this band does not compare to taken...

    its a complete ripoff of trendy emoscreamocore...

    let alexisonfire write their own music... if you think different... just listen to alexisonfire- prior to their last full lenght...

    you'll feel raped...

    and ray... dont put down every band you review... then go be a hypocrit and release an album that sounds like everyone else...

    Posted by ryanbolger on 2005-11-08 23:13:29
    My Score:

    this EP is good.

    the taken re-issue DVD is better.

    i'm dying to them live. ray puts every ounce of energy he has into his life performances, the intensity is almost unbearable.

    i enjoyed the demonstration EP better, as there was a bit more diversity between songs. "blessed are the broken" and "falling between the cracks" are almost the exact same song it seems.

    either way, i'm glad ray is still doing something, and look forward to hearing more from this band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at 2:27 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    score is for Moody being a great dude that should come visit his god damn friends in iowa city!

    PGTT!

    brian k.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2005-11-08 11:24:20

    Eh, anonymous dude is about right on with the AOF comparison.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at 9:10 AM (EST)

    while i was reading the review i was understanding if it'd be a love is red type of thing or something better.
    the level plane cleared it out. i'll surely check it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at 4:36 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    boring boring
    always tape machine recording i heard all this before
    your emotions make you a monster

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2005-11-08 03:20:42

    Yeah, after hearing the samples I was really bummed. I'd been looking forward to this release since I heard the band was announced (RIP Taken). Maybe I'll check out some MP3's, see if they can't change my opinion. Ray's vocals are pretty incredible, I hope they don't get stuck on some trendy stuff like what I heard.

    Just shooting from the hip here.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at 2:33 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    this band sounds nothing like alexisonfire

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at 2:32 AM (EST)

    this is medicore post-hardcore at best. there is all this buzz around this band when they just sound like alexisonfire with breakdowns. i was very suprised after hearing this ep because ray harkins (the singer) always writes negative reviews on bands that copy other bands' style, when this band is clearly a cookie cutter alexisonfire band.

    Posted by moneenerd on 2005-11-08 01:16:40

    incredible band

    Posted by maverick on 2005-11-08 01:16:33
    My Score:

    This is good shit.

    -Scott

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