Anthem For Today - A Little Louder

1. Less Than Ordinary

2. Earthquake

3. Inside Out

4. A Little Louder

5. Anywhere But Apart

6. Falling Asleep At The Wheel

7. Believe In Me

8. Salt And Light

9. Wake Up

10. Walk Away

Anthem For Today have released their debut album, titled "A Little Louder." This album has a very generic feel for the christian rock band. The majority of these bands trying to broaden out, have an alternative pop rock sound to them, and its very prevalent on this album. These guys have a similar sound to that of a Hawk Nelson, or a Switchfoot, so if you like those bands, you could like this album. They have done a pretty good job here.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty decent standard. Now the vocals could be turned up a little, and be a bit clearer. Other then that, it has a decent sound to it. The instrumentation on this album is something that won't really turn your head or get you to take notice. This band is pretty average in this department. Not saying the band is bad or good here, just on par with most bands. They can play their instruments, and it sounds decent, so thats all you can ask for. 

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album have been done pretty decently. He can certainly sing, and his vocals are nice and clear, so you can get his message of religion and being saved by it very well. He isn't going to wow you with his singing, but he gives the perfect strength, and range for the type of music he is going for. All in all, he's done a great job here. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about their religion and views, as well as uplifting, bring your up and be strong songs. These guys have also getting away from the bad things in your life. All in all, they have a pretty uplifting album with a lot of positivity in the lyrics. We think they have done a really good job on the lyrics.

If you are looking for a single to this this album, give the song "A Little Louder" your attention, as this is the best song on the album, and it really gives you the best overall idea of what the album as a whole sounds like.

Anthem For Today have released a debut album that really shows off the sound and ideals they are about with this offering. This album also gives them a start and something to get them playing shows. We feel like these guys have done a solid job on this album and we think they have something that could keep the ball rolling. We are looking forward to hearing whats next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Religious/Alternative/Rock

Release Date: 2013

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: None

The Afterimage - Lumiere

1. Lumiere

2. Seeking 

3. Follow

4. Unseen

5. Onyx

6. Distance

7. Without You

8. Reach

The Afterimage have released their second album titled "Lumiere." This is their professional record label debut. This album has a very progressive feel to it where you get the band focusing on more of the playing ability than how heavy the album is. They have a similar sound to that of Periphery, or a Born Of Osiris type band, so if you like those bands, you could like this album. They have done a really nice job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded quite well, as all of Jordan Valeriote's work seems to be. It has a beautiful sound and we love it. The instrumentation is pretty solid as well, the band can certainly play and they try to show it off on this album. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album consist of a singing and screaming vocal duo. Their screamer can scream quite well, and he has a nice powerful voice for a progressive band, while the clean singer has a nice voice where you can hear everything he says. This duo works very well and we think it makes this album very appealing. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about relationships, loss, making your own choices and going for what you want, as well as being lost and more. We think that these are some of the things everyone goes through, so we think people can get into the messages and lyrics here. We like how they are not quite so blunt as well, you have to think for the meanings. Overall great job. If you are looking for a single to this album, we suggest "Seeking" as that is our favourite song from the album and we love the clean vocals on here. This will get you to know what the album is about. The Afterimage have made an album that really shows off what they are able to do and how talented the band is. We think this is a great second album to release to everyone. Hopefully the band gets back out there though, as they have been pretty quiet. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.Great job.

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Metal/Progressive Metal

Release Date: August 28th, 2015

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: Tragic Hero Records

Indian Handcrafts - Civil Disobedience For Losers

1. Bruce Lee

2. Red Action

3. Starcraft

4. Zombies

5. Worm In My Stomach

6. Terminal Horse

7. Coming Home

8. Centauri Teenage Riot

9. Truck Mouth

10. The Jerk

11. Lion At The Door

Indian Handcrafts have released their third album titled "Civil Disobedience For Losers" This album follows along the same style and sound that the band went with on their previous two albums. This is a very heavy and loud metal sound that just seems to scream at you with noise. These guys have a similar sound to Death From Above 1979 or a Red Fang, so if you like these bands, you could really like this album. They have done a pretty decent job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty good level, while being pretty distorted and loud. The instrumentation on this album is nothing to really turn an ear at, but the band can play and they give it something a metalhead would like. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are done in a way to sound very much like a classic metal, sort of stoner band would sing. This does make the lyrics a little hard to get, but he still has done a good job. He can certainly sing. With the lyrics, they are pretty hard to understand, but if you listen closer, you can make out what the band is singing about. These lyrics are pretty different here, they have a take on music that reminds me of stuff that Frank Zappa would sing about. It isn't so much about what they are saying here, more so just the music sounding good and heavy, which it does. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Bruce Lee" your attention, as this is the opening track and it really shows off the way the album is the best. Indian Handcrafts have certainly gone a unique route with their music, making it super loud and distorted, but we realize there is a market for this type of music, so we can get why they did it. Hopefully this band can get a little more attention and we think this album is pretty alright. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Metal/Rock/Indie

Release Date: October 30th, 2012

Location: Barrie, Ontario
Website: http://www.indianhandcrafts.net

Label: Sargent House

Latchkey - Head In The Clouds

1. Calling Out

2. The Window Is Open

3. Hopefully She Drives

4. History

5. Head In The Clouds

6. Under The Gun

7. Stories

8. Breaking Point

9. Pulling Teeth

Latchkey have released their third album titled "Head In The Clouds." This album follows the same sound and style the band has been doing on their previous two albums. They have a very 90's Alternative rock feel to them that has been lost over time. They have a similar sound to that of a Third Eye Blind or an Oasis, so if you are into those bands, you could like this album. It's not bad of an album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly decently and has a nice 90's sound to go along with it. The instrumentation is decent but nothing to get all hyped about, just solid playing. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocalist has an alright voice here that you can certainly tell what he is saying clearly. Now the vocals would be better if they were more up front but thats okay. He has a good voice for the style of rock he is singing. With the lyrics, the band chooses to sing songs with messages of having it hard to get things and having all you can handle. They also have song of being controlled and imagining what could be. These are message we think everyone can get behind here. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Under The Gun" your attention as it is the best song on the album and really shows you what the album is all about. Latchkey have made their third album to continue the trend up for this band. Although 90's rock is somewhat dead, they do a great job on it. Now all that needs to happen is more shows. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Rock/Alternative

Release Date: August 19th, 2016

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: None

The Black Tie Affair - Unfinished Business

1. Warning Signs
2. Mark My Words
3. It's Not Me, It's You
4. Paper Tigers
5. Right Where You Left Me
6. Till Then
7. Purgatory
8. Wake Up Dead
9. It's Okay, I'm Used To It
10. Holding On
11. By The Time We're Done, We'll Be Legends

The Black Tie Affair have released their debut album titled "Unfinished Business." This album is one that melds rock and punk together is a sort of unique combination. The band has a similar sound to that of an A Day To Remember or a In Her Own Words, so if you like those bands, you could like this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty good standard. The bands instrumentation on the album is quite average, but it works with what they are doing so its good. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals here are easily understandable, but they sound pretty average here. Maybe with a little more work, they could push them over the top in some songs. With the lyrics, they seem to be very much on the topics of being down and girls, this is a topic many bands cover, so it would be nice to hear a little more meaningful lyrics in the songs. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the idea of the album. The Black Tie Affair have made a debut sort of welcome to album that shows they can play and how they want to play, but hopefully with a little more progression, they can make a sound and style that is more their own. Overall not a bad job. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Punk/Alternative/Post Hardcore

Release Date: March 6th, 2015
Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: None

Latchkey - Don't Let Yourself Go

1. California
2. All The Time
3. Head On
4. Bedridden
5. Tangled Headphones

Latchkey have released their second album titled "Don't Let Yourself Go." This album continues on with the style and sound that the band showed off on their debut album but just a little more music for their sets. They have a pretty alternative sound that any rock fan can certainly get into, and that will really help them with the wide range of people their music can attract. They have done a pretty good job on this album. 

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly well and has a nice sound to it. The instrumentation here is pretty average though, not to say it isn't good, just not flashy. 

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are done pretty well, the singer can sing and his vocals are quite clear so you can hear every word, this is a nice thing. With the lyrics though, they could use a little bit more to give a more meaningful message to the song they are singing, just something that has a bit more substance and power. Overall they are not bad though. 

If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a  listen to get the feel of the album. 

Latchkey's second album is something that stays on the path they wanted and never veers. It has a nice feel to it that anyone can listen to, and for that we like it. Now all that is left is just getting out there and playing shows so others can get a taste. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Alternative/Rock/Acoustic

Release Date: March 10, 2015

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: None

Beyond Haven - Beyond Haven

1. Road From Ruin
2. Crimson Sky
3. Let It Go
4. So Far Gone

Beyond Haven have released their debut self titled album. This one is a pretty rough, basic release of four song to just give you an idea of how they sound. They have a very dadrock feel to them. As this is a rough cut, it feels like a so so album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album is missing quite a bit and could use a bunch of work, but the band does classify this as a demo album. The bands instrumentation is on the average side here as well. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals really do go with that older, local bar band every weekend feel, so it fits right in with what they are doing but the lyrics are probably the best part of this album as they so have some substance to them. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. Beyond Haven have made an album that shows the very basics of what the band is planning and what they want to do with this band. Hopefully they can put it all together and bring it up a notch while melding well. There is some potential here and we hope that they max it out. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Alternative/Rock/Hard Rock

Release Date: June 2008

Location: Barrie, Ontario
Website: http://www.beyondhaven.com/

Label: None

Latchkey - Set The Setting

1. Misplaced

2. In A Blizzard's Rage

3. Indifference

4. This City

Latchkey have released their debut album titled "Set The Setting." This album is a mix of almost acoustic and alternative, which makes it a little hard because you don't know if its going to pick up too much for some people. They have done an alright job on it though. When looking at the recording quality of this album, they have done a pretty good job at getting a decent sound here. The instrumentation on this album is pretty average, which is expected though on a bands first album. Now onto the lyrics and the vocals, the lyrics could use some work to be more meaningful and the vocals could also use some tweaking to be more  in the right range at some spots. If you are looking for a single for this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen, or listen to the whole album as it is only four songs. Latchkey have done a good job on this album, hopefully they will progress and get better as they work on their crafts. We also hope the band plays more shows to get the name out there. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Alternative/Rock/Acoustic

Release Date: July 10th, 2013

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: None

The Vegas Wake Up - A Long Standing Grudge

1. The Little Things
2. Calculated And Anticipated
3. The Suburban Rules (What Dreams Taste Like)
4. Little Bird
5. Today In Slow Motion
6. Fix Me
7. The Prototypical Overthinker
8. Worst Case Ontario
9. Wither Away
10. A Little Ego Death Never Hurt No One
11. The Cubicle Confrontation

The Vegas Wake Up's second album is pretty similar in sound to their first one, but it has a more well roundedness to it. The band has a sound that is a mix between new pop punk and standard pop punk, which is nice because not everyone likes the new sound of pop punk. When you look at the recording quality of this album, it has a pretty decent sound to it and the instrumentation is a little bit above the average that you expect so thats good.Next is onto the vocals, they seem to bee a little too raspy for our tastes which could hurt the likeability of the album and the lyrics are pretty typical for pop punk. If you are looking for a single for this album, listen to the song "The Suburban Rules" as this song  is the one the band put out first and it gives you an idea of how the rest of the album sounds. The Vegas Wake Up have done a pretty good job on the transition and progression from album to album. They don't quite seem to be there yet, but this is great progression. Hopefully they just keep it up and continue to do what they do. Give this album a listen to decide for yourself what you think  of it and make sure you follow what the band is up to.

Genre: Pop - Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: November 16th, 2013

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: None

Indian Handcrafts - Indian Handcrafts

1. Drop Out
2. Red Action
3. Starcraft
4. Microwave Lunch
5. The Jerk
6. Jacklord
7. Centauri Teenage Riot
8. Leary Vs. The Wolfman

Indian Handcrafts second album has a sound and feel like they are teetering on that fence between Metal and Indie, the album is too heavy to be indie and too indie to be metal. These guys who are made up of only two guys, sound similar to another duo, DFA1979, so if you are a fan of them, you'll probably like this band as well. When you look at the recording of this album, its pretty good for what the band is trying to do with their grungy, dirty, distorted rock here and the music its self sounds pretty good. With the vocals, they seem like they could be more up front and louder, and the lyrics could be a little more interesting on the album. If you are looking for a song to listen from this album, there is not a single, so just bypass the first song as its just a intro and listen from there. Indian Handcrafts have something here thats interesting and not many are doing, so if the band can do just a little bit more on the quality of the recording and you could really have something here. Give this album a listen and  make sure you follow what the band is up to.

Genre: Indie/Metal/Rock

Release Date: May 20th, 2011

Location: Barrie, Ontario
Website: http://www.indianhandcrafts.net

Label: None

Behold! The City - Seekers

1. I Am Iscariot

2. Resuscitate

3. Dead Future

4. Momento Mori

5. Ascendance

6. Grave Robbers

7. Radicals

8. The Vigilant Few

9. Sarah's Song

10. For The Seekers

Behold! The City have released their debut full length album entitled "Seekers." This album puts the band out there finally shows what they have to offer on a bigger scale. This band has a unique sound since they are not quite a hardcore band, but not a screamo band either, they fit in the  middle somewhere, but its great to hear someone doing something a little different on this album. The album has been recorded pretty decently and the band has some talent here on these songs, so expect a decent record here. One thing that is kind of iffy is the changes within the songs, not really sure what to think about them, but on the other side, they have a decent landscape onto the album. A song to listen to on this album would  be "The Vigilant Few" This song shows off what the band is all about and has pretty good  lyrics to go along with it, so if you want a song to go to first, it would be that one. All in all, this band has done a good job on their indie label debut and should be looked out for in the future. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Hardcore/Punk/Christian
Release Date: August 28th, 2012

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: Red Chord Records

The Vegas Wake Up - No Turning Back EP

1. My Diagnosis

2. Fight On

3. Spread The News Like A Wild Fire

4. Join The Feast

5. No Turning Back

6. Waves

The Vegas Wake Up's debut album is a heavily post-hardcore infused pop - punk album. The guys have decided to go in a way that really makes it hard and fast, yet very poppy. it is a pretty decent album, with good hooks and decent instrumentation. From what is heard on this album, the band could make if further with a little more work and a little more tweaking of the sound. All in all, this is a decent album and needs a listen, so give it one.

Genre: Pop - Punk/Punk/Rock

Release Date: January 7th, 2010

Location: Barrie, Ontario

Label: None