The reigning kings of destructive hardcore metal, have brought forth yet another testament to their sheer brutality: The Venomous Grand Design. Ever since their emergence from the Cleveland metal scene, Ringworm has garnered the immediate attention of hardcore metal fans, leading them to spots on tour with bands such as Blood For Blood, Hatebreed, and Terror. Ringworm displays an awesome ferocity in the power of their instruments, and vocalist the Human Furnace uses his voice as a tool to extract the diabolical nature of anyone who hears it.

Ringworm was spawned in 1991 from the metal scene in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1993, the band released The Promise on Incision Records, finding their place amongst other hardcore metal heavyweights such as Terror and Earth Crisis. However, despite this early success, Ringworm decided to pursue personal ventures, the Human Furnace concentrated his focus on tattooing and his artwork, while other members joined up with hardcore legends Integrity. Nearly 10 years later, 2001 saw Ringworm emerge from their dark place in the shadows with their critically acclaimed Victory Record's debut: Birth Is Pain. Extensive touring followed, although this was interrupted by personal ventures, as the Human Furnace owns a chain of tattoo shops, and guitarist Frankie "3 Gun" Novinec was touring with fellow hardcore deity, Terror. However, 4 years later, Justice Replaced By Revenge was released. Following their extensive touring in support of their latest album, Ringworm made record time recording their latest offering: The Venomous Grand Design.

Shipwreck are four Midwestern gents, who, as far as I know, have never been anywhere near the ocean. In fact, I don't think they even know anyone who owns a boat. Nevertheless, they have a sound that somehow evokes the enigmatic, haunting, and sometimes dangerous allure of the open sea, and I'm not just saying that because it's a convenient metaphor. Alternately placid and furious, Shipwreck melds quiet and loud in a way that might fall apart in lesser hands, but they do more than just keep it together; in fact, on a good night they make you forget, if just for a moment, where you are, who you're with, and what you're doing tomorrow.