London’s Khaidian, while not exactly new to the UK’s DIY metal scene, start 2019 off with ambition to set themselves apart from the herd. Not content to be catalogued as one thing or the other, the foursome present to us their debut record Penumbra (Armalyte Industries) in the hopes to push Metal’s boundaries with their blend of poly-rhythmic technicality and electronic flair.Continue reading
You know that old idiom about never judging a book by its cover? Well, as with most things, there are always exceptions to the rule, and (swapping books for record sleeves) the new album by Arizona thrashers Flotsam and Jetsam is definitely one of those exceptions. With the band reintroducing their classic logo a few years ago, it was only a matter of time until they also resurrected their legendary mascot “Flotzilla”, and his return to the artwork for The End Of Chaos (AFM Records) instantly tells you everything you need to know about Flotsam and Jetsam in 2018.Continue reading
When The World Becomes Undone (Long Branch Records) is the type of album that at the initial scan I really wanted to love. I’ve discussed my fondness of all things early to mid-nineties Roadrunner Records ad nauseum on other reviews so I’ll spare you the love letter here, but with so much connection between A Pale Horse Named Death and Type O Negative you can likely understand where I’m coming from.Continue reading
From the opening evil strains of ‘The Fourth’ on Dust Bolt’s newest 2019 killer pixie from hell Thrash album entitled Trapped In Chaos (Napalm Records) to the closing typewriter-on-meth induced ‘Who I Am’ there is not a beat dropped, nor a wall devoid of blood splatter. Trapped In Chaos lives up to its name as Dust Bolt delivers a manic chaotic Thrash album that rings in the new year with head-banging, ear-bleeding aplomb.Continue reading
Whilst the initial blaze of the Djent movement may have extinguished, it is clear today that the embers are still burning. The likes of TesseracT, Skyharbor and Uneven Structure may have distanced themselves somewhat from that original sound but are still strong and creative forces, whilst the likes of Monuments are still embracing that core style and firmly delivering.Continue reading
Confession time: I came late to the letlive. party. So late, in fact, that the band were just about to call it a day when I decided that they were, you know, more than just pretty good. Yes, that kind of late. Despite the break-up, and whatever the reasons and rationales behind it, you always had a sense that an artist as talented and inquisitive as Jason Aalon Butler would soon return to the music scene in some form or another. And so it has proven with Fever 333, his latest project and passion.Continue reading
I don’t think a history lesson is needed in regard to the musical stylings of Papa Roach, one-time nu-Metal darlings and voice of a generation to Rock gods in waiting. New album Who Do You Trust? (Eleven Seven Music) is now over the horizon and for a band that has been treading water for too long, maybe this is the album that pushes them back to the heights they once reached?Continue reading
It is pretty commonplace for the draw of music, especially heavy or extreme music, to be an integral part of the relationship that we have with hardship and the difficulties of life and of mental health. We more than likely have been through or know someone who has been through utter lows of mental health and perhaps have even considered or attempted suicide.Continue reading
The winter shut down that affects most of the music scene doesn’t extend it’s reach to our underground… indeed, tis the season not only to be jolly, but for dark, harsh and extreme music. Ghost Cult shines a light through the murk of early nights, and frost-bitten mornings on some of 2019’s primal releases…Continue reading
Now into their second decade together, Aussie space cadets Aver have released two albums which, while not setting the world alight, has gained them a devoted core following known as Avernauts. Undoubtedly they’ll be looking for third album Orbis Majora (Ripple Music) to enhance that population and cement a reputation as masters of heavy-riffing invention.Continue reading