The Pistol

Swedish band Sounds Like Violence convey their white-hot, angsty music with a crushing sense of urgency. Their raw, tactile sound on their debut "The Pistol" is utterly devoid of any kind of finish, leaving it stripped to the core, gripping, and downright gritty. They soften their brash sound by adding a spoonful of sugar to their rocktastic stomp, while guitar lines whip up storms of nostalgia (with a nod to early '90s American rock). Andreas Solderlund's signature vocal style, combined with the band's jagged melodies, jarred tones, and that messy-together sound, infect your consciousness. These are the boys that will no doubt make hardcore and punk kids strut the dance floor with a new grace and style. A raw, crunchy debut reminiscent of International Noise Conspiracy and Refused -- but only in the best way.