Category: Reviews
-
Bleed – The Hatred Inside
Bleed are by all accounts a very theatrical band, in the tradition of Gwar or White Zombie, but all this would mean nothing if they didn’t have the tunes. Thankfully they do. Their songs are both heavy and catchy, coming on at times as a cross between Alice Cooper and classic Overkill. In fact, this…
-
Sunder – self-titled
This French psych outfit rose from the ashes of The Socks, which burned out pretty quickly after putting out their debut album on Small Stone. Mind you, that Socks debut was a fairly solid effort, which gives me reason enough to peruse what this new offshoot has in store. Sunder starts off with some haunted…
-
Tsjuder – Antiliv
Let me start by saying… holy shit. Antiliv is THE most fierce black metal album to come out this year so far. From sounds of pure war, tanks, explosions, air raid sirens and riff after riff after riff, these fantastic bunch of Norwegians have proved that they still know how to do this. This album…
-
Pigs – Wronger
These Pigs have a pretty impressive noise-rock pedigree, featuring Dave Curran from Unsane on guitar/vocals, and a bassist/knob-twiddler (Andrew Schneider) who’s produced the likes of Unsane, Keelhaul and Converge. They put out a pretty decent EP the other year ahead of this, their second full-length release. Right from the get-go, Wronger dishes out the distortion,…
-
The Visit – Through Darkness Into Light
Shiver-inducing. If that isn’t a qualifier of “metal” status then what is? Through Darkness Into Light is a release of goosebumpy highs and deep rumbling lows from The Visit, Ottawa duo Raphael Weinroth Browne (cello) and Heather Sita Black (voice). Listening to the album repeatedly lends newfound appreciation of the emotional wallop packed into this seemingly…
-
Limb – Terminal
Limb play excellent stripped down stoner-doom, with more than a hint of Corrosion of Conformity and Motorhead. Another plus on the band’s second album, Terminal, is an excellent concise yet organic production from the legendary Russ Russell; he has truly captured the essence of the band. Moreover, Limb’s song-writing is first class (all bands without…
-
Irata – Sweet Loris
Though Irata are relatively unknown, this Carolina trio comes with some instant sludge cred—this record was produced by Phil Cope and is being released on Kylesa’s Retro Futurist Records. Oh, and they’ve also snagged the opening slot on Kylesa’s upcoming tour. I guess that comes with the territory, eh? Thus, it should probably come as…
-
Temple of Baal – Mysterium
Temple of Baal is an impeccable four piece who seemingly rediscovered themselves. Their last effort Verses of Fire was a bit lacking in areas of raw power, emotion and execution. That isn’t to say it was terrible, but now the band has more than excelled on all those areas. Mysterium is a powerful and spiritual…
-
Speedtrap – Straight Shooter
Reviews I’m seen for this simply splendid album seem to focus on two bands as influences on Speedtrap, Motorhead and Chrome Division (I don’t see them as an influence but they share attitudes and influences). For sure I hear Motorhead, which is as it should be, if you don’t love Motorhead, you don’t love life.…
-
Crux of Aux – Mona
Despite the best efforts of No Why Records founder Mark McGee and his former bass playing cohort in I Hate Sally/The Chariot, Dan Vokey, I have never found the time to check out Shallow North Dakota. And my knowledge of Cursed is cursory at best. But it was that same rhythm section (I think) that…