Whatever your stance on the polarizing, pulverizing, post-everything quintet who are Big Bear, it doesn’t matter, because 1) they are louder and radder than any opinion about them and 2) they won — so haterz can just vote harder next time, thppppt. There comes a point in any great band’s progress (and yes, I did just say “great,” not “good”) at which commentary fits about as well as a shrunk sock. That’s sort of where Big Bear are at right now — busting through mad critical socks. If you haven’t heard the rapturous dismantling of one trope after another on their latest, the self-released Under the Beach, the good news is that your most delicate cochlear cilia haven’t yet been mown down. The bad news is that you’re missing one of the most exciting escapes that hardcore has ever made from itself.
Runners-up
1_Energy
2_Therefore I Am
3_Disappearer
