Crustcake Reviews: Coliseum - No Salvation

by crustcake gerf (NYC)

Coliseum totally rage, and though their Relapse Records debut, No Salvation, was released nearly a whole year ago, I just got my hands on a copy of the second pressing of the 12". So here's my review. You want the short version or the long version first? Alright, here's the short version:

Thirteen songs. Thirty one minutes. Pure, raw, unbridled aggression. Crusty hardcore punk metal.

Now the long version. Coliseum is the brainchild of Louisville, KY's Ryan Patterson. No Salvation flies by and hardly takes a breath, and the sound is full, thick and meaty thanks to Kurt Ballou's magic touch in the studio.

Standout tracks include "The Fate of Men" (MP3 below), "Fall of the Pigs" (which you can hear at their MySpace), and "Profetas."

The performance from all three members-- Patterson on guitars and gruff vocals, Mike Pascal on bass, Chris Maggio on drums-- on the LP is phenomenal, as only seasoned touring musicians can deliver. Maggio's drumming is especially impressive, and he never spares an opportunity to twist up the songs rhythmically. This dude has chops to rival Brann Dailor's.

The LP itself is a single disc gatefold layout, with no shortage of skeletons and motorcycles. The second pressing was done in a red, black, and white marble and copies are still available via Patterson's own imprint, Auxiliary Records.


[cover]


[inside spread]


[wax]

For best results, don your aviator shades, hop in your vehicle of choice, roll down the windows, and blast No Salvation at 11.

8.5/10 [Audible]
8.0/10 [Physical]

Download: Coliseum - "The Fate of Men" [MP3]
Listen: Coliseum [MySpace]
Buy: Coliseum - No Salvation [Amazon]