Since 1987 Kevin Rutmanis has been involved in the production of a steady stream of records with bands such as Minneapolis Noise-Rock legends Cows, Sludge Grunge titans Melvins, supergroup Tomahawk, Hepa/Titus, and now Lord and Lady Kevin.
Tag Archives: album review
ALBUM REVIEW: ARCTIS – Arctis
Hailing from Finland, five-piece band ARCTIS makes a strong first impression with their debut self-titled album (Napalm Records). The band combines triumphant Rock with upbeat Pop melodies and Metal undertones, giving an edge to their overall family-friendly sound. The album is dramatic and moving, with a collective musicianship that shows a promising future for the group.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Mugger – Luck Forever
Rising from Austin, Texas, Mugger are turning heads with their familiar yet fresh brand of Hardcore Punk. The four-piece band makes a promising first impression with their debut album Luck Forever (Quiet Panic Records).Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nameless – “Shapeshifter”
Hailing from Birmingham, UK Nu-Metal outfit Nameless show a whole world of imagination with their new album Shapeshifter (Self-Released). On this record, the band takes on a progressive genre-bending sound with ambitious track lengths. Drawing from influences from the likes of Deftones and Sleep Token, they combine facets of Metal and Shoegaze in such a way that keeps even the longest songs interesting. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Frozen Crown – War Hearts
Frozen Crown is a blossoming band that has captured the pep, passion, and potency of the Power Metal genre.
ALBUM REVIEW: Trash Boat – Heaven Can Wait
It is not until a band evolves and transforms their sound that they are able to unleash their fullest potential. With their last album Don’t You Feel Amazing? in 2021, British alternative rock outfit Trash Boat proved there was more to them than Pop Punk. With their fourth album Heaven Can Wait (Hopeless Records), the band has found their footing in their own unique blend of Rock, Metal, Punk, and experimental elements, taking the most captivating aspects of each to bring their brutal and contemplative vision to life.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Wind Rose – Trollslayer
On paper, a band from Italy dubbed as “Dwarf Metal” may have you scratching your head. Yet when you listen to Wind Rose, it just works and it just makes sense. The quintet from the Tuscany region takes the festive feel of Folk Metal and the playfulness from Power Metal to create this fantastical new genre. Their unique merry-making is greatly contagious and explains why they are rapidly growing in popularity. They are now getting ready to release their sixth full-length record, Trollslayer (Napalm Records) that advances the band’s well-known jovial sound. They have managed to take all their best features, importantly multiple songs about beer, and compiled it all into this new album.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Seether – The Surface Seems So Far
South African rock band Seether are back with their ninth studio album, The Surface Seems So Far via Fantasy Records. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Wolfbrigade – Life Knife Death
Sweden’s Wolfbrigade occupies a very specific place in hard-core. The band’s 11th album Life Knife Death might be their first for Metal Blade Records, but it does not venture far from the sonic ground they covered on the previous ten albums. This aligns them closely to Motorhead in a few ways, the first being they are steadfast in their dedication to burly hardcore champs. It charges at you with all the Punk and rocking fury you might expect from this band who infuses Entombed’s dense guitar tone with Motorhead’s reckless energy. The raw-throated vocals are more Lemmy-influenced than metal. There is a scant trace of the stomping sections you might expect from hardcore, though this is way heavier than punk, thus making it hardcore. Ten albums in they know what they are doing.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Stryper – When We Were Kings
Stryper is one of those bands that has won world recognition for their consistent and dauntless directive. Their resolution to overtly share their beliefs through their big and boisterous sound has made them one of the most acclaimed faith-based Metal acts out there. Their ability to share a powerful and positive message while still being aggressive has been an impressive feat throughout their career. Continue reading