Down To Nothing — Demo 2002

This was one of the first things Down To Nothing ever recorded, when they were just getting started. It's almost a decade later, but this demo still holds its own with the rest of their releases. The recording quality is pretty solid, and the music and vocals are classic DTN — with the exception of being a little more metalcore. But the unbridled rage and hard breakdowns are still there, and the straight edge vibe is pervasive to say the least. The song 'Burn' was rerecorded on 'Splitting Headache,' and 'I Hope It's Worth It,' the secret song on 'Save It For The Birds' is on here too. Pretty good stuff.

Down To Nothing — Demo 2002

Track Listing:

1. Keep Your Head Up
2. Burn
3. Life Of The Party
4. Used Up
5. Contaminated
6. Stand Down
7. I Hope It's Worth It

What can I say about DTN that isn't common knowledge? This is the biggest band from Richtown, Va since Count Me Out or 4 Walls Falling, and with good reason. I'm not about writing anything too personal on a band like this, but I'll leave it with saying their live shows are consistently some of the funnest and most intense I've ever seen — and I've seen them a lot.

www.myspace.com/downtonothing

Go It Alone — Hollywood North Demo

This demo is sweet. The guitar is crunchy and sound quality isn't quite perfect, but the energy and passion Go It Alone was known for is definitely there. They recorded this demo before they ever even played a show — in fact they didn't play together as a band for over a year after recording this. But they knew what they were doing, and as with a lot of Pacific Northwest bands there's a kind of desperation in the sound that makes it really urgent and angsty. Must be the rain. Anyway, despite the rough conditions when it was recorded, this demo is sweet, with well-written songs and classic lyrics. Some of these tunes appeared later on Vancouver Gold and The Only Blood Between Us with the song structure virtually untouched. I guess they got it right the first time.

Go It Alone — Hollywood North Demo

Track Listing:

1. Picking Up The Pieces
2. Close At Hand
3. Reflection
4. Turn It Off
5. Water Finds Its Own Level
6. Go It Alone

Go It Alone was a hardcore band from Vancouver, BC, circa 2002-2007. They released this demo, a  few 7"s and splits, and 2 LPs. There is a photography book commemorating their existence and final show.

http://www.myspace.com/goitalonehc

Sinking Ships — Demo 2004

Sinking Ships may very well hold the title of Most Depressing Melodic Hardcore Band. Lyrically, it's a far cry from Champion — the singers of both bands are brothers, but there seems to be little in common besides the Core. But along with the really sad lyrics are complex music and lots of energy, and something redemptive in the sound. Anyway, this is their first release from way back in 2004, from before they were really doing much. But it's sweet, good enough that they rereleased 6 of the tracks on the Meridian EP and only edited the vocals a little. These are probably my favorite songs by them, mostly for the unique songwriting and powerful delivery.

Sinking Ships — Demo 2004

Track Listing:

1. Int(Chi)Ro
2. Roads Leading Midwest
3. Memorial
4. All Paths Of Glory
5. The Limit
6. Angels Live In My Town
7. Kiss The Sharks

Sinking Ships were a melodic hardcore band from Seattle circa 2004-2008. They released a bunch of demos and splits, the Meridian EP, and the Disconnecting LP on legendary Revelation Records.

http://www.myspace.com/sinkingships