After a couple of great but under the radar 7"s, Kansas City's Dark Ages return with their first full-length and it is a hardcore monster. Eschewing the recent vogue for raw recordings, Dark Ages have nailed a crystal clear, precise sound in which all of the fascinating little nuances hit you with full force. While the pedal is always to the floor, it's the weird little parts--quirky touches that remind one of Die Kreuzen's first LP or Hüsker Dü circa Everything Falls Apart--that really separate this band from the pack. I can think of no other band that captures the angry, alienated, and isolated sound of the midwest better than Dark Ages. Deluxe packaging, including heavyweight, tip-on style sleeves, a 24"x26" poster, and digital download. (Sorry State Records)