Five Albums That Changed My Life: Bart Hirigoyen of Birds in Row

Hailing from France, Birds in Row is a power trio that construct hardcore jams that are often anthemic and always sonically satisfying. In their two years of existence, the band has toured all across Europe and played with the likes of Defeater, La Dispute, Punch, Loma Prieta, and City of Ships. Vitriol Records - the LA label founded by Justin Smith of Graf Orlock, Ghostlimb and Dangers - will be releasing 'Collected,' a compilation of all Birds in Row's recorded output. As the band prepares to record their debut full-length (and first release for Deathwish Inc), 'Collected' serves as a complete introduction to this explosive band. To help celebrate the release, Birds in Row vocalist/guitarist Bart Hirigoyen is the latest musician to take part in Noisecreep's 'Five Albums That Changed My Life' series.

'Caution,' Hot Water Music (2002)

"I first really got into HWM with this album after hearing the song 'Remedy' on a sampler. I already knew a bit of 'A Flight and a Crash,' their previous album, but 'Caution' put me deep into their music. My friends and I were starting our first band, we were 14, and we decided that I was going to sing. Chris Wollard and Chuck Ragan had the throats I wanted to have at that time when I got into singing in a band. I like to say that HWM is the band that made me want to sing."

'Witness,' Modern Life Is War (2005)

"I got into modern hardcore through some different bands such as Comeback Kid, Go it Alone, Champion... and one day I found 'Witness.' I may have listened to this album a thousand times. The music and lyrics totally smell like my life and the city I live in. It's been a huge influence for me."

'You Fail Me,' Converge (2004)

"When you're a kid listening to metal or punk, or rock in general, you always get to this phase where you are looking for your limits of what is the most extreme music you can listen to... at least it happened to me. So logically I got to know Converge, first with 'Jane Doe,' and then 'You Fail Me.'This is the album that totally made me love that band. Violence, dark melodies, great lyrics, and a unique ambience – there are a lot of good reasons to love it, but I think that what really changed my point of view on music with this album (and the next ones) is the aesthetic that links together the music, lyrics and artwork. It showed me the importance of it and how many different dimensions music can have."

'Nevermind,' Nirvana (1991)

"This is the first punk album I ever listened to. I was around six and my elder brother was into his preteen depression, listening to that album a lot. I loved it and we spent some good times playing air guitar to those songs."

'Metallica,' Metallica (1991)

"As far as I know, this is the first metal record I listened to. Once again, thanks to my brother. I think it got me into heavy music or metal in general. I've never seriously checked out the other records of the band. It did not make me a fan of them. It just introduced me to those heavy riffs that I wasn't used to."

Vitriol Recordsis currently taking pre-orders for the Birds in Row 'Collected' LP. It combines the band's previous releases; 'Rise of the Phoenix' EP (5 label split release 2009) and heralded 'Cottbus' EP (6 label split release 2010), into one stunning full-length album.

Bird in Row tour dates:

12/09: Rennes, France @ Mondo Bizarro w/ Comity, Celeste, Selenites, Calvaiire

12/16: Toulouse, France @ Caravan Serail w/ Ancre

12/17: Montpellier, France @ Black Sheep w/ Verdun