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A Sacramento, CA, hardcore institution since 1995, Hoods was founded by guitarist Mike Hood, and has since released several albums for a number of independent labels, including 1999's Alone EP (for Breakout), 2001's Time...the Destroyer, 2003's Pray for Death (both for Victory Records), and 2005's The King Is Dead (for Eulogy Recordings). Through it all, numerous musicians have flitted through Hoods' ranks, but, at press time, the band was rounded out by vocalist Ben Garcia, bassist Nate Vicious, and drummer Whiteboy Ben. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

After breaking up in 2001, Earth Crisis reorganized as Freya, with three ex-Earth Crisis members (vocalist Karl Buechner, guitarist Erick Edwards, and bassist Bulldog) joined by new recruits Darian Lizotte (guitar, vocals) and Corey Koniz (drums). Switching their focus from songs about straight-edge life and advocacy of veganism and animal rights, their first album, 2003's As the Last Light Drains, had songs that acted as vehicles for cathartic emotions. The hardcore punk base was retained in the arrangements, but the occasional more standard lead vocals of Lizotte added some balance to the growl-scream of Buechner. Their second Victory release was a ten-song split with Sacramento's Hoods in 2004. ~ Richie Unterberger