This split starts off with a new song by the Halud. With "set your body ablaze" they continue playing the typical SH-sound which you can immediately distinguished from any other band playing this kind of highly emotional freakin hardcore. The other two Shai Hulud tracks are cover versions of Bad Religion's anesthesia and NOFX's "linoleum". The latter absolutely is my fav track on this split, it rocks from the beginning till the end and it's the kind of song you want to hear over and over again. Actually it's one of those few cover songs which is better than the original in my opinion. Another Victim only deliver one cover song for this split, "boiling point" by SSD. Their two new songs are in the vein of the traditional mid-tempo chugga-chugga Syracuse style of hardcore/metal and sound very powerfully. Great intelligent and interesting lyrics about women suppression in "free in constraint". The fantastic layout and artwork complete one of the best splits I've heard in a long time.

This split EP from Trustkill is a nice record to tide you over until these bands sock you with new full lengths. There are a few cover songs and a few originals. See if you can figure it all out amidst the chaos. Furious screaming vocals and chord bending guitars kick the album's opener, "Set Your Body Ablaze", into high gear. The thundering rhythm section and emotional vocals are unrelenting as van der Velde grabs you by the ears and makes you listen: "A horde eager to accept deceit and more so to speak it/Words will sear the throats of all who freely beguile/The truth burns through my veins and in my black heart." Hulud's cover of Bad Religion's "Anesthesia" is fast, melodic and emotional with that classic hardcore sound. Upbeat and alive with energy, the guitars drive the song while the rhythm section thumps away. The fast and furious version of NOFX's "Linoleum" is another standout track. The rhythm section pummels you while screaming, pitbull vocals make you stand up and pay attention. Griswold's drums are amazingly quick, prompting me to pop a few aspirin while reviewing this disc. Fox and Fletcher's guitars trade off clean sounding harmonic riffs with crunchy rhythmic riffage. "Bitter End" by Another Victim sounds like the bastard child of Pro Pain and Max Cavalera. Throaty vocals and a thickly grooved rhythm section lead the way. The song is aggressive in nature, with thundering drumming and searing guitars. Bradshaw's vocals smack you upside the head while dropping some much needed knowledge on you: "Live as sheep/Led by the wolf/Life loses value/When there's nothing left to live for/Life loses value/When death's all that's left to give." These Syracuse, NY boys cover SSD's "Boiling Point", a fast and furious version of the original. Crunchy guitars and a thundering rhythm section slay everything in their path, while throaty, aggressive vocals torch everything that's left behind. The album closes with "Free in Constraint", an anti-sexist message that preaches one of the most interesting insights I've ever heard: "Liberation is gained when roles are not maintained." Overall, this fetches a 7 out of 10. Pretty nice work guys.

Two great bands team up on this excellent split. What else could you expect when a label like Trustkill is bringing it to us. They always manage to put out great music. Shai Hulud deliver one new song "Set Your Body Ablaze" and two covers "Anesthesia" (Bad Religion) and "Linoleum" (NOFX). Hopefully they will enjoy us with a new full-length in the near future. Next up is Another Victim with two new songs "Bitter End" and "Free In Constraint" plus a cover from SSD "Boiling Point". If you're looking for some good metallic hardcore than this is definitely something worth checking out.

Once upon a time two bands, Shai Hulud and Overcast toured together. Upon getting along so well together, the bands decided to release a split, collaboration-type deal. Thus beginning the lengthy pre-release history of this record. First off, Overcast broke up. Shai Hulud and Trustkill went on the hunt for another band to fill the void left by Overcast. Bring in their friends Another Victim into the mix. These Syracuse heavy hitters were up to the task and quickly provided two songs and an SSD cover for their part of the split. Shai Hulud encountered even more problems in the realm of members leaving, and even the awful problem of replacing a singer. Eventually replacements came and they even found their new singer in Holland. Completely revamped and ready to rock, the fellas recorded these three songs after some waiting. As the old saying goes, "Good things come to those who wait." Wait we certainly did and good this definitely is. It's always amazed me how Shai Hulud manages to be so angry and so heavy in conjunction with such melody. Because of this, they do quite a job covering Bad Religion and NOFX. Unfortunately, they only offer up one new song but it whets the appetite for the upcoming full-length. Another Victim has always been a pretty good live band but have tended to bore me with their recorded material. However, these three songs serve as fine eulogy to a band that has always had a knack for quality lyrics and refreshing politics. Oh so devastating, and I want more.

Shai Hulud feature a new lineup on this CD, having moved from South Florida to upstate New York. This is a continuation of their amazing hardcore output, with three traciks by the heavy hardcore heroes. Another Victim are a hardcore/metal group from Syracuse. Lyrically, this is a ton better than their debut on EVR. "Free in Constraint" has some of the best writing here. Though Another Victim lacks the melody and heavy finesse of Shai Hulud, the two bands compliment eachother for a solid record, complete with a hidden track of hardcore screams.

Trustkill Records has definitely been the best hardcore/metal label for at least the past year and a half, releasing albums by Poison The Well, Walls of Jericho, and an epic split between Race Traitor and Burn It Down (which I named split of the year). This time, Shai Hulud (equiped with new singer) and Another Victim wrestle for the crown of best heavy split of 2000. I'll admit, I've never been much of a SH fan, but their three offerings including covers of Bad Religion's "Anesthesia" and NOFX's "Linoleum" along with new SH track, "Set Your Body Ablaze" have me doing a 180 quick! Each song is perfectly done. You couldn't ask for better tracks than these (except for perhaps another new original track). Another Victim bring a three gun arsonal to the table as well with "Bitter End," "Free In Constraint," and a cover of SSD's "Boiling Point." Is it me or do AV sound like a perfect mix between Hatebreed and Blood For Blood? This isn't a bad thing! AV's tracks have as much fury as SH's but take things a step lower into the durges of pit chaos. You won't be disappointed with this one, folks!

Shai Hulud is probably one of the best hardcore bands out there right now. I guess that's a pretty bold statement to start a review with, but I guess I'm just bold that way. Few bands really manage to mix the composite sounds that make up Shai Hulud. You've got this guy, just fully screaming his head off, and you've got this achingly sad melody in the background. Throw in some insightful, and genuinely pained lyrics, and you're looking at Shai Hulud. The sad thing is that Shai Hulud hasn't put out a new record in a while, which sucks, but they've been busy putting out splits, and auditioning singers. Their last split, three powerful tracks with the infamous Indecision was staggeringly good. After I heard it, I had to go dig up their other stuff. And suffice to say, I've got just about everything. Check out the Shai Hulud page at Trustkill or the Unofficial Shai Hulud Page for more about the old releases. But on to the new. The newest recording, A Whole New Level of Sickness is a split with the ever popular, and underrated Another Victim. I suppose they should get equal billing in this review, but sadly, I'm a die hard Shai Hulud fan, so the Shai gets their name in lights. There is one new track, which is, like much of their past material, truly anguished, and truly brilliant. But the next two, are quite a departure for any hardcore band. Covers of classics by both Bad Religion and NOFX. Like a lot of your who got into hardcore, I started out listening to Bad Religion and NOFX, so they always have a special place in my heart, and hearing one of my new favourites covering an old favourite is always a treat. The first, is the track Anesthesia, from Bad Religion's Epitaph days. Out of all the Bad Religion songs, it probably fits Shai Hulud best. Though, I'm still not completely sure what it's about. Linoleum, is probably one of the most uplifting NOFX songs, and is undoubtedly my favourite in ages. Shai Hulud throws their new vocalist at it, and doubles the speed (which, if you know NOFX at all is quite an accomplishment), and somehow manages to keep the cynical optimism of the original. Another Victim contributes 3 tracks of their own, and show more lyrical intelligence than most of the bands they're lumped in with. Don't confuse them with the fundamentalist drivel of No Innocent Victim, as I almost did when I saw the name, this is a forward thinking band with intelligent ideas of their own. In spite of the lyrical maturity, they were still a letdown after the three track onslaught of Shai Hulud. All in all, a great split, though more than 50% of the greatness comes from half of the disc.

Finally! I've been waiting for this forever! The only let down here is that Shai Hulud only showcase one new track. The good news is that the track is excellent - technical, complex, melodic, diverse, a true winning combination! This is their first recording with the new singer, who ironically sounds almost identical to their previous vocalist. The lyrics for their new track, "Set Your Body Ablaze" are intelligently posed, as always. Musically the complicated changes and layered guitars are just perfect, there is always a lot more going on than you first realize. They even finish up with two pop punk covers gone mad! Bad Religion's "Anesthesia" and NOFX's "Linoleum" are twisted into the heavy and rhythmic Shai Hulud style, the former being far less recognizable and one of the best covers I've ever heard. This band is easily the best band that has been spawned from the hardcore scene in years, and they can do no wrong. Another Victim unload some seriously heavy shit, chock full of mid-paced, relentless brutality. The lyrics here are a surprise for this style of basic and primal music, covering important and intelligent ideas such as gender issues with "Free in Constraint". It's a really interesting message coming from the type of band that is unfortunately often tossed off as "macho", so they really shine by using their platform to discuss topics with meaning. Though the music is a bit simplistic, it's definitely well performed and powerfully recorded. Pick this up, for sure. The artwork and layout are fantastic as has come to be expected from the mighty Trustkill. This is definitely one of the strongest hardcore releases I've heard in a very, very long time. If this were longer there would be no competition.

This is that long awaited split that we have all been waiting for. I haven't listened to Shai Hulud much, but I think these guys are alright. They do two cover songs, Anesthesia by Bad Religion and Linoleum by NOFX. I'm sorry, but not even a hardcore band can make NOFX sound good. The wait for this CD is totally worth it just for the three songs by Another Victim. These guys got a much better sound. It's less chug-chug sounding. They do a SSD cover, "Boiling Point," and a sick remix of Free in Constraint. This is a great CD.