Rough Edge: Underminded CD Reviews

UNDERMINDED

"Eleven: Eleven" (Uprising; 2007)

Reviewed by Snidermann

San Diego quartet Underminded play the kind of enraged melodic hardcore that gets jackhammered into your skull on the 11-track "Eleven: Eleven."

Take parts of Snapcase, Comeback Kid, and Norma Jean and toss them in a centrifuge and out comes pummeling affairs like "Ya Basta!" and "Croatia." Normally decked out with spine-shivering breakdowns, squealing guitars, and bellicose vocals, tracks like "The Greatest American Sob Story" sounds like The Bronx and Underoath in a knife fight while "F.U.L.B.J." pumps out an infectious unified scream reminiscent of AFI or Rise Against.

Putting an artistic spin on aggression, Underminded will blow you away with their sonic firepower and well-rounded West Coast hardcore assault.

For more information, check out http://www.underminded.com.

"Hail Unamerican!" (Kung Fu; 2004)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Once again I am to review a band that has incredibly powerful music and a vocalist who insists on doing nothing but scream into the microphone. Underminded is that band and the name of their CD "Hail Unamerican."

Throughout, the music is strong, very well played and formidable. If this where an instrumental release it would rate a much higher score. However, the incessant screaming vocals bring this entire project right down the drain.

Hey, I like harsh and heavy vocals as much as the next guy, but they have to be done correctly to be effective. The over-the-top vocals work on a few songs here, but after awhile, I knew where each song was going and, frankly, I was just not interested anymore.

For more information, check out http://www.underminded.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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