Coliseum

Before there were millions to be reaped, hardcore bands weren’t afraid to confront, confuse, and contuse their audiences—in fact, that was kind of the point. Kentucky’s three-piece powerhouse Coliseum hasn’t forgotten: Shouter/guitarist Ryan Patterson makes no bones about getting in kids’ faces and shaking them out of their passive-consumer trances. Its self-titled 2004 debut—a viciously thick, discordant stew of Motörhead and Void—caught the attention of Relapse, who added the group to its roster with 2007’s No Salvation. For its latest and most melodic record, House With A Curse, the group left Relapse for Temporary Residence, replaced drummer Chris Maggio with forceful stomper Carter Wilson, hired J. Robbins of Jawbox and Burning Airlines to produce, and brought in fellow Louisvillian Bonnie "Prince" Billy to guest star.

Updated 08/19/2010