Photos: Long Beach Comic Expo 2020

Since 2010, the Long Beach Comic Expo has been the first big convention for Los Angeles locals. After five consecutive years in February, the convention found itself in January for the first time. The earlier placement didn’t stop comic book fans from packing the Long Beach Convention Center this past weekend for all the excitement.

From the GeekFest Film Fest to the cosplay contest, there was something for everyone. We were on hand to witness some of the wildest cosplay, which you can check out below.

If you missed the event, Long Beach Comic Con will take place at the same venue on September 5 and September 6. Tickets for this event will go on sale in the near future.

The top 20 albums of the 2010s

10 years can make a huge difference. In music, it means music acts and genres coming and going constantly. It also means a plethora of amazing albums get stuck in our heads for years to come. We look at 20 of the best albums released over the past 10 years. We’ve also included a playlist with some of our favorite songs from the decade.

20. Drive soundtrack- Lakeshore Records (2011)

Before 2011, synthwave was making waves through various message boards online. With the release of Drive's soundtrack, which includes Kavinsky and College, the genre was catapulted in front of a wide audience. Following its release, a plethora of synthwave acts such as Perturbator and Carpenter Brut made the rounds and continued pushing the genre to where it is today.

19. Tricot - A N D - Bakuretsu Records (2015)

Some people thought it was impossible for Japanese math rock band Tricot to top their 2013 debut album T H E. Fortunately, they managed to unleash another masterpiece with their sophomore album A N D. For nearly 48 minutes, the four-piece deliver breathtaking time changes merged with Ikkyu Nakajima’s tranquil vocals.

18. Besserbitch - Moments of Grey - Bolero Recordings (2014)

Swedish punk rock quartet Besserbitch wasted little time getting their point across with their 2014 debut album Moments Of Grey. From their folk-tinged "My Resignation" to their love letter to Stockholm with "Welcome To Shitholm", the 10-track release is one of the decade's most impressive debuts.

17. Macintosh Plus - Floral Shoppe - Beer on the Rug (2011)

Originating in 2010, vaporwave was finding its footing among a slew of emerging subgenres such as seapunk and trillwave. Macintosh Plus (a.k.a. Vektroid) forever cemented the genre's sound with 2011's Floral Shoppe. Upon its release, the record didn't sit well with critics and electronic fans alike. Fortunately, it was able to help shape one of electronic music's most enthralling microgenres.

16. Ceremony - Rohnert Park - Bridge 9 Records (2010)

With Rohnert Park, Ceremony continued paying homage to '80s hardcore punk. Aside from their angsty fervor, the album shakes things up with the instrumental trifecta “Into The Wayside” and the slow grooving “The Doldrums (Friendly City).” With the band’s ever-changing sound, Rohnert Park is the perfect place for newcomers to get into the act.

15. George Clanton - 100% Electronica - 100% Electronica (2015)

Following releases under the monikers ESPRIT and Mirror Kisses, electronic artist George Clanton started dropping music under his real name. With an album title like 100% Electronica, fans were hoping for the best. Fortunately, Clanton unveiled a release paying homage to old school electronica while solidifying their own place in the genre.

14. Street Sects - End Position - The Flenser (2016)

If you’re looking for something upbeat to brighten your mood, Street Sects’ End Position is not the record for you. The 10 track release delivers a somber outlook on the way we live. Inspired by vocalist Leo Ashline’s personal battles with addiction, this release can feel a bit uncomfortable at times.

13. Devin Townsend Project - Dark Matters - HevyDevy (2014)

Devin Townsend brought one of 2007's most peculiar albums with the concept record Ziltoid the Omniscient. Following an alien named Ziltoid starting a war over coffee, the release had fans and critics alike intrigued. Seven years later, Townsend continued Ziltoid's story with Dark Matters, which is one half of his double album Z2. With the aid of Stolen Babies singer Dominique Lenore Persi, Fozzy vocalist Chris Jericho, and hundreds of fans, Townsend delivered another daring concept album.

12. Anamanaguchi - Endless Fantasy - dream.hax (2013)

Through a successful Kickstarter, New York City chiptune outfit Anamanaguchi unveiled their sophomore studio album Endless Fantasy. The 22-track release has enough pizzazz to appeal to diehard chiptune fans (“Echobo,” “In The Basement”) but enough snappy melodies to attract casual dance music lovers (“Prom Night,” “Japan Air”).

11. Anathema - Weather Systems - Kscope Music (2012)

British progressive rock group Anathema delivers another chapter in their accolade-filled career with Weather Systems. This release marks the exit of longtime keyboardist Les Smith and the official arrival of Daniel Cardoso, who would take over as drummer. Produced by the band and Christer-André Cederberg, Weather Systems pulls listeners in with its two-part opener "Untouchable" and doesn’t let go until its imperial ending “Internal Landscapes.”

10. The Red Paintings - The Revolution Is Never Coming - The End Records (2013)

Australian art rock band The Red Paintings could've walked away from it all while working on their debut album The Revolution Is Never Coming. Band members came and went, and vocalist Trash McSweeney suffered a life-changing seizure. Despite numerous setbacks, the album finally saw the light of day after five long years in eight different recording studios. The end result is a 75-minute apocalyptic voyage fit for a Tim Burton film.

9. Death Grips - The Money Store - Epic Records (2012)

Death Grips flipped the hip hop scene on its head with their debut album The Money Store. The 13-track release can equally get a block party grooving and cause ferocious moshpits. When it comes to its massive array of samples, fans are still discovering new ones to this day.

8. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories - Columbia (2013)

Years after the release of Daft Punk's Human After All, the EDM scene saw a meteoric rise with sold-out festivals and massive drops at every turn. With Random Access Memories, the modern EDM fan at the time found themselves taken aback by its stripped-down production. Daft Punk still made people move with tracks such as “Get Lucky” and “Doin’ It Right.“

7. Youth Code - Commitment To Complications - Dais Records (2016)

Youth Code's Commitment To Complications was one of industrial music's most eye-opening releases in the past decade. The 11-track album finds the duo continuing their high energy blend of EBM and hardcore punk laid out in their self-titled debut album. With Front Line Assembly's Rhys Fulber behind the board, the record has a true old-school feel to it.

6. Enter Shikari - A Flash Flood Of Colour - Ambush Reality (2012)

Following the release of 2009's Common Dreads, British post-hardcore group Enter Shikari continued their stance against government foolishness with A Flash Flood Of Colour. Some longtime fans might've been turned off by the lyrical content, but those who stuck around found themselves wanting to make a change in the world.

5. Andrew Wyatt - Descender - INGRID (2013)

After delivering indie-pop tracks such as "Animal" and "Paddling Out" with Miike Snow, Andrew Wyatt showcased a softer side with their solo debut album Descender. The singer traded the electronics for the 75-piece Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The end result is a collection of songs fit for Broadway musicals.

4. Bad Rabbits - American Nightmare - self-released (2016)

While Bad Rabbits' debut album American Love featured a slew of songs about romance, their sophomore album American Nightmare is a different ballgame. With the country going through shocking changes leading up to the election, Bad Rabbits delivered a record reflecting the world around them.

3. Hopesfall - Arbiter - Graphic Nature (2018)

Beloved post-hardcore band Hopesfall reunited after a five-year break to unveil Arbiter. Seen as an amalgamation of their previous work, the 10-track album, which was their first since 2007's Magnetic North, made longtime fans feel right at home with the opening track "Faint Object Camera." With some lyrical nods to their previous material, Arbiter can be seen as a love letter for those who've stuck by the band for years.

2. Sleigh Bells - Treats - Mom + Pop (2010)

While Poison The Well fans expected something heavy from guitarist Derek Miller, they were hit with a 180 on Sleigh Bells' 2010 debut album Treats. While the album is chockful of gritty noise-pop sensibility, vocalist Alexis Krauss smooths things out with her lavish vocals. From its blaring opener (“Tell ‘Em”) to its chaotic finale (“Treats”), Sleigh Bells hit the jackpot with this ferocious 11-track album.

1. Letlive - Fake History - Epitaph Records (2011)

It's pretty damn difficult to mention post-hardcore in the past decade without Letlive's name in the conversation. Their sophomore studio album Fake History became an instant classic in the scene with its ferocious delivery and lyrical content about society's negative impact on the planet ("The Sick, Sick, 6.8 Billion"), recognizing lost talent ("H. Ledger"), and the inevitability of death ("Day 54").

Our favorite songs of the past decade

The top 10 albums of 2019

As the closing year of the decade, 2019 delivered a wide range of new music for every kind of listener. From alternative rock to industrial, it was hard to not have a slew of favorite tunes to blare in the car or on the bus. These 10 albums, however, stood out above the rest during the last 12 months. You can also check out our playlist of the best songs from 2019 below.

10. Pop. 1280 - Way Station - Weyrd Son Records

New York City industrial group Pop. 1280 continue their Northeast dominance with Way Station. With the addition of new synth player Matthew Hord, the record brings a more chaotic ambiance from their previous material. The band can flawlessly move from dancefloor offerings ("Boom Operator") to maniacal symphonies ("Monument") in an instant.

9. Ritual Howls - Rendered Armor - Felte Records

With their fourth studio album Rendered Armor, Detroit industrial outfit Ritual Howls bring forth another assemblage of dance tunes for the nearest goth club. Paul Bancell's baritone voice is both haunting and captivating throughout the eight-track release.

8. Lite - Multiple - Topshelf Records

Lite continue their math rock crusade with their sixth studio album Multiple. With a vast discography behind them, the Japanese band can still bring forth a fresh take on the genre. On the standout track "Ring," the group team up with rapper Maco Marets and singer Utena Kobayashi for a buoyant number.

7. Maria Taylor - Maria Taylor - Flower Moon Records

Singer-songwriter Maria Taylor easily has the most family-oriented album of 2019. The Azure Ray member enlisted the help of her son, brother, father, and sister-in-law for a completely honest release. Much like her 2016 studio album In the Next Life, Taylor's self-titled release is filled with songs about the trials and tribulations of life with tracks such as "Beautiful Life," "Spinning Wheel," and "Miley's Song" (which was written and performed by her son Miles).

6. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Infest the Rats' Nest - Flightless/ATO Records

Australian rockers King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard got in touch with their metal side on Infest the Rats' Nest. While metal influences were sprinkled in their previous albums, the group delivered a record that wouldn't feel out of place blaring at a Metallica concert. For 35 minutes, the group merge their metal swagger with a story of rebels doing the best they can while stuck on Venus.

5. Fever 333 - Strength in Numb333rs - Roadrunner Records/333 Wreckords Crew

Political rap metal supergroup Fever 333 unleash hell on their debut album Strength in Numb333rs. The 10-track album is exactly what the music landscape needed amidst all of the chaos on the streets. While the album is filled with raging tracks such as "Burn It" and "One of Us," the album slows it down for a moment with "Inglewood/3," which dives into vocalist Jason Aalon Butler's upbringing.

4. Devin Townsend - Empath - Hevy Devy

With Empath, Devin Townsend pushed himself to the limits in terms of production, and the end result is a 74-minute tidal wave of sound. With a slew of guest appearances on board (this is probably the only album you'll hear both Nickelback's Chad Kroeger and Beneath The Massacre's Elliot Desgagnés), Empath shines with tracks such as "Spirits Will Collide" and "Borderlands." The 22-minute finale "Singularity" is easily one of Townsend's most wondrous tracks ever put together.

3. Rammstein - Rammstein - Universal

A decade after their sixth studio album Liebe ist für alle da, beloved metal group Rammstein unveiled their self-titled studio album. Without longtime producer Jacob Hellner behind the boards, the band turned to their live sound engineer Olsen Involtini. The end result is an 11 song voyage through their entire musical landscape with titanic numbers such as “Tattoo” and “Puppe.”

2. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - End of Suffering - International Death Cult

If you don't know Frank Carter can write a good damn tune, let End of Suffering be your introduction to the English rocker. The 12-track release finds the singer baring his soul on personal issues such as suicide ("Angel Wings") and his family ("End of Suffering"). The release also features a guest appearance by Tom Morello on the Godzilla-inspired stomper "Tyrant Lizard King.”

1. Silver Snakes - Death and the Moon - Evil Ink Records

Los Angeles' Silver Snakes pushed their industrial rock vigor further with their fourth studio album Death and the Moon. The 11-track album can entice fans of both Stabbing Westward and Chevelle with cuts such as “Smokedance” and “Wool.” Unfortunately, the band’s breakup announcement at the start of 2020 means Death and the Moon is their final opus.

Our favorite songs of 2019

New York Comic Con 2019: The best cosplay

The 2019 installment of New York Comic Con is officially in the books but not without some spectacular surprises. From Ryan Reynolds to the cast of Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), many fans walked away with new memories this past weekend.

One of the most noticeable things about New York Comic Con is the cosplay. Everywhere you turned, someone was dressed as your favorite character. Sometimes, people came up with new versions of existing characters.

You can check out some of our favorite cosplay from the convention below. The 2020 installment of New York Comic Con will take place from October 8 through October 11 inside the Javits Center.

Review: Enter Shikari tear up NYC's Bowery Ballroom

After some heavy touring in support of 2017's The Spark, U.K. post-hardcore/electronic group Enter Shikari are taking some to work on a brand new record. Before hitting the studio, they decided to tour North America once more. On Monday, the band found themselves inside New York City's Bowery Ballroom. While it was a dreary Monday night, a sold-out crowd awaited the four-piece act (five if you choose to include their keyboard Sparky).

Following some moving words from Grace Meinzer, Enter Shikari kicked things off with their infectious new single "Stop The Clocks," which their headlining tour is named after. Enter Shikari's set had the makings of a greatest hits compilation with fan favorites such as "Destabilise" and "Mothership" igniting ferocious moshpits Whether he was hiding behind the curtain during "Sssnakepit" or wearing a shoe as a hat during "Juggernauts," vocalist Rou Reynolds was full of liveliness.

With Greta Thunberg's recent rise in popularity, talks about climate change have been growing more than ever. "It's 2019, and we still have people that don't believe in science," Reynolds stated before going into "Arguing With Thermometers." Taken from A Flash Flood of Colour, the track tackles oil companies destroying ice caps for profit ("They'll plant their flags in the seabed/ Shackleton is rolling in his grave").

It wouldn't be an Enter Shikari show without members using the floor as their stage. Inside an intense circle pit, guitarist Rory C. and bassist Chris Batten were carried through the crowd during the 76-second blazer "The Paddington Frisk." Reynolds decided to join the crowd before realizing he needed to operate Sparky for "Undercover Agents."

Introduced during their last North American tour, the band burned through a quickfire round of four beloved songs: "Sorry, You're Not A Winner," a new mix of "No Sleep Tonight," "The Last Garrison", and "Meltdown." Merging four songs in eight minutes, the quickfire round kept the crowd guessing where they were shifting next.

With so much going on in the world, Reynolds wanted the sweaty audience to make it a better place. "All we ask from this set is to absorb this energy. You drink it in. Take it to the outside world because it needs it so much," he said.

Enter Shikari setlist

1)Stop The Clocks

2)Destabilise

3)Sssnakepit

4)Arguing With Thermometers

5)Anesthetist

6)Rabble Rouser

7)Juggernauts

8)The Paddington Frisk

9)Undercover Agents

10)Torn Apart

11)Airfield

12)Motership

Quickfire Round

13)Sorry, You're Not A Winner

14)No Sleep Tonight

15)The Last Garrison

16)Meltdown

Encore:

17)Slipshod

18)Live Outside

The five best games from Play NYC 2019

This past weekend, hundreds of developers showcased their latest and future games at Play NYC. With thousands packing the Metropolitan Pavilion, many walked away with their new favorite game. We look at five games that stood out at NYC”s biggest gaming convention. Follow Play NYC on Facebook and Twitter for updates on next year’s event.

Hey Cutie

Developed by One Method Monkey, Hey Cutie combines the excitement of dating with the thrill of board games. Your goal is to date as many people as possible, and there's a wide variety of individuals for your choosing. In order to win their hearts, though, you must build stats and throw on some fancy attire. The Kickstarter for Hey Cutie is set to go live in September. You can sign up for their mailing list here.

Battle Royale For Your Heart

Mixing battle royales and romance, visual novel Battle Royale For Your Heart lets you find a partner both on and off the battlefield. Developed by LegendEx Games, you'll be able to choose from multiple partners. If you're only interested in battle, you can simply ignore the romance portion. You can download the demo here.

Tomato Smush Bois

Developed by Blake Andrews, Tomato Smush Bois is a great throwback to '80s gaming. In the game, your goal is to destroy as many tomatoes as possible. As you continue doing damage, the screen becomes drenched in red and green pixels. While there's no release date for this game, follow Andrews on Twitter for any updates.

Repertoire

Repertoire allows you to make beautiful music without any prior music experience. All you need is a smartphone and your fingers. Developed by Playful People, this game features a plethora of beloved piano classics such as Bach's "Little Prelude No. 939" and Chopin's "Grande Valse Brillante". You can pick up a free beta test version here.

The Last Hex

Developed by That Indie Studio, The Last Hex is a deckbuilding RPG in the vein of Slay the Spire and Dimensions of Dreams. After picking your class, you're off to battle numerous enemies in randomized worlds. With the correct cards in hand, you'll be able to fend them off. The game is currently in early access.

Photos: NYC Pride Parade 2019

Millions of people packed the streets to see the 2019 installment of the beloved NYC Pride Parade yesterday.

This year’s event marked the 50 year anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which kickstarted the LGBTQ+ rights movement. On June 28, 1969, police raided the popular gay bar Stonewall Inn located in Greenwich Village. Occupants of the bar took to the streets with a fierce riot. The following month, a Gay Power rally took over Washington Square Park. On June 28, 1970, the very first official pride parade was held.

This was also the first WorldPride event for a city in the United States. Founded in 2000, WorldPride showcases some of the best events surrounding LGBTQ+ culture. In 2021, WorldPride will make its way to Copenhagen.

Our photos from this year’s pride parade can be seen below. While it’s over, there’s still some great events happening during WorldPride NYC, including the Criminal Queerness Festival and The Golden Girls Musical Parody.

Photos: Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2019

Since 1983, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade has always been the official start of summer for many in New York City. Thousands of people march down the street wearing their best costumes while hundreds of thousands of folks watch in awe. Last year's parade featured nearly 850,000 people gathering to witness an amazing event in the sun.

Today, the 37th annual parade took place, and it delivered with colorful costumes, floats, and performances. Coney Island native Arlo Guthrie and his sister Nora graced everyone at the parade as King Neptune and Queen Mermaid.

You can check out our photos from the event below. While the parade might be over, there's still plenty to do at Coney Island this summer. Head here to check out their upcoming events.