Doing research for bands these days is turning into more of a hassle than it really should be. Take this album by for example. After visiting multiple sites to get a grasp on what exactly the word on the street is for Transistor Transistor, a whole cornucopia of exotic labels and monikers were heaped high on their 11 song LP Ruined Lives. Post-hardcore emo punk-inspired noise rock seems to sum it up. It was confusing. All those terms will be pushed to the side for the sake of those that might not exactly be up to date with the shotgun spray of sub-genres that exist.

The main question that one might have is why some gritty, black t-shirt wearing bands get all the publicity and others are left on the side of the road even though they have far superior offerings. How often are the groups featured in Decibel or Revolver magazine disappointments? How did From Autumn to Ashes get on the Freddy vs. Jason soundtrack? Why are teenage skateboarders sporting 18 Visions and Norma Jean hoodies?

Not to intentionally castrate anyone, but Ruined Lives tears to shreds a majority of bands that are touted as “brutal” and “punishing” while also being “fragile” and “emotive”. Transistor Transistor don’t have time for those latter hindrances. Their focus is set on churning out songs that are as dark and heavy as unrefined molasses and as thick as War and Peace.

The opening track “Morning Sickness” opens with a blasting riff accompanied by slightly whiny vocals. Might this just be another generic heart-on-my-tattoo-sleeve whiny band? Those fears were quickly put to sleep when the second half of that song builds to a point of near combustion. Every instrument sounds as if it’s being torn apart as the members bludgeon the hell out of them. Turns out, this is par for the course.

The shorter songs like “Letter of Resignation” and “Brass Bones” pack furious punches, but the real pleasures are the more drawn out tracks. The closer, “Teratogen,” adds layer on top of layer until the end product is an engulfing chasm of sound and “Irreversable” builds to a shrieking climax that can collapse chests. Therein lies one of the missteps. Occasionally the momentum outlasts its appeal. “Pillar of Salt” and “Harvest” could have a couple minutes shaved off and I doubt anyone would complain.

The repetition can be a bit stale, but in general, Transistor Transistor’s ability to pile droning harmonies into their nasty basement rock is a welcome continuation. Not surprising given that their producer is Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou. The vocals sometimes get elbowed out by the growling strings but this is a minor annoyance. For those who like their music to dig deep, this down-tuned shovel of an album will first spit on the Blood Brothers grave then take you six feet under and keep going with pleasure.

www.myspace.com/transistortransistor