At the close of 2004, Solidstate records signed three bands and released their debut albums on the label. Each of the bands then went to perform together on the Youngbloods tour. I have had a chance to buy all of these band's cds and see their live show.

1. The Chariot- "Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing, Nothing Is Dead, Nothing Is Bleeding". Don't let the longwinded album title and song titles fool you; this album is SHORT! At only 28 minutes long, the album was a little TOO short. That's one thing this new band has going against them. The songs last for only 1.5 -2 minutes each, including musical interlude intros! However, the songs ARE devastating and chaotic. The band shows true promise with their work, they just need to expand the scope of their songwriting. Each song generally rests on a certain guitar riff... repeats it a few times... smashes into a mosh riff... then ends. They seemed to be going for a lon-linear approach to their music, but sometimes the song seems repetitive. Thats not good when the song itself is only 2 min. long! Overall, I really did enjoy the chaos and blistering beats of the album. Its sure to get the "norma jean" clone stigma attached to it, considering it has norma jean's old lead singer and is the same style of music. But Norma Jean prevails in that their songs are just put together a little better, and are a little longer. The Chariot definitely has a promising future. Absolutely nuts live. 3/5

2. He Is Legend- "I Am Hollywood" This is an album that I have been spinning for awhile now. I just don't really get sick of it. Every song on the album is good. I love their unique style. They combine elements of hardcore and punk with... funk, melodic rock, and classical rock. Have you ever heard a hardcore song with slap-bass? Now's your chance. They lyrics are zany and include many references to Hollywood movies. Hence the name of the album. The guitars on the album soar, harmonize, chug, and resonate with melody... all within the same song. I never thought so many different styles could be put together and sound so well... but it works. The songs can go from blistering fast to down tempo, melodic to breakdown heavy in the blink of an eye. The final track, "I Am Hollywood" is an audience favorite with its multiple breakdowns... Onstage this band is kinda weird. The lead singer flails his arms like a hippie and often gets away from the mic. But they can really move a crowd. 4/5

3. Showbread- "No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical" This band is a force to be reckoned with. Already I've heard too many people complaining about their gimmicky style... but people, you've missed the point. They're SUPPOSED to be gimmicky. Picture seven guys who all dress in the same black and red clad outfits. They post banners that have music notes that are crossed out, and adorn the same logo on their arms. They swarm the stage and jam out with strobes in effect... and they have a key-tar (keyboard strapped and played like a guitar). This album easily gets my award for the most creative album of the year. Their songs have a definite blisteringly fast punk rock base... but the dual-screams of the two lead singers and the inevitable breakdowns add a spazzy twist. The music is pure sonic assault. Fast guitars, wierd tunings, electronica, on point drumming... its just a dizzying effect. Their first release "Mouth Like A Magazine" is perfectly toe-tapping danceable. It perfectly captures their fifties-rock mixed with 70s gutter punk mixed with 90s spazzcore sound. Just wait till the awesome breakdown. Yet, for all the craziness to be heard on the album, the band is not afraid to show a lighter side. There are a couple songs that are stripped down to just an acoustic guitar with vocals, or maybe a little drums. These songs serve more as worshipful sing-alongs as the band expresses its faith in Jesus Christ. And for some reason, it all fits so well with the rest of the album. PICK THIS ONE UP! They're perhaps the best performer I've seen live too. (On the youngbloods tour, they received a loud "encore" shout from the audience... but they were only the third of five bands to perform! They were also the only band to get encored at the show) 4.5/5