It doesn’t take long at all to realize that A Swarm Of The Sun have a knack (and an ear) for the sprawling cinematic nature that absolutely thrives especially in the post-Metal landscape.Continue reading
Tag Archives: album reviews
ALBUM REVIEW: Peeling Flesh – The G Code
One of the most exciting bands in the brutal/slam death metal genre today, Peeling Flesh, continue on their way up from the underground in Oklahoma with their latest release, The G Code (Unique Leader Records). In under a half hour, the slams and rap interludes will have your head spinning out of control, smashing into the walls of your room. What’s more, there are quite a few guests on the record to further cement how far Peeling Flesh have come and how much the scene respects them.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Blitzkrieg – Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg, the on-and-off NWOBHM veterans much loved by Metallica, are back with their new self-titled album (Mighty Music). Much like AC/DC do and Motörhead, did, Blitzkrieg stick to what they know – which is classic metal of a decidedly eighties vintage that fans of Diamond Head, Judas Priest, and Saxon will know and appreciate.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Copse – MMXXIV
Much like an anthology of a renowned author’s most acclaimed works, MMXXIV (Church Road Records) is a collection of the first two EPs released by Copse.
And there’s good reason to have the Post-Black Metal band’s five songs in one physical form: they are undoubtedly the gold standard for how the genre should sound.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – Wild God
It can not be said that Nick Cave’s career has not aged gracefully. Sure, The Birthday Party feels like another life, but with each album released in the past two decades, Cave has successfully moved towards filling the gap Leonard Cohen’s death would leave. Wild God (Play it Again Sam) continues to uphold his legacy while carrying the hopeful shimmer of a life not met with the kind of tragedy Cave has known. After the death of his son, he is moving past the kind of grief that haunted some of his more recent work. Even at 66 years old, Nick’s vocals have held up, even if the title track is more spoken than sung.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Ellende – Todbringerin
If Taylor Swift can do it, so can Ellende.
The longtime Austrian Atmospheric Black Metal outfit have re-recorded their 2016 record Todbringer for purposes of acquiring ownership. That new effort, entitled Todbringerin (AOP Records), is a shining example of Ellende’s innate ability to produce music that is precise and approached with care and balance.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Mondo Cozmo – IT’S PRINCIPLE
Josh Ostrander has had a unique and eclectic career stretching back the majority of this millennium so far. Beginning with Laguardia, to working with Eastern Conferences Champions, each one of his projects has brought something completely new and interesting to the table. Now having produced three solo albums under his moniker, Mondo Cozmo, it was time for the solo artist to explore even further into his sonic repertoire with his fourth studio album, IT’S PRINCIPLE (Last Gang Records). With the tragic passing of his namesake’s dog, Cozmo, it was clear that this was set out to be one of his most emotional and vulnerable material to date.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Black Birch – Black Birch
Incorporating various influences ranging from Crust, Post-Metal, to Black Metal, Swedish Atmospheric Black Metal two-piece Black Birch are crafting an ever-gnarly, meticulously composed debut full-length after having previously released a sold-out EP. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Nails – Every Bridge Burning
Eight years on from You Will Never Be One of Us, Californian Powerviolence four-piece Nails return with their fourth full-length, Every Bridge Burning (Nuclear Blast Records), evidently intent on doing some damage.
ALBUM REVIEW: Fontaines D.C. – Romance
This album is a huge leap of change since Fontaines D.C. released Skiny Fia in 2022. Romance (XL Recordings) finds the band wandering out into psychedelic Brit Pop. Drugs certainly might explain some of the changes, though Producer James Ford whose resume includes Gorillaz, HAIM, and Depeche Mode certainly explains the mix and how the sounds are presented here. When it comes to the groove of “Starbursters” it’s hard to argue with the results. This Irish band might have shelved The Clash influence that marked their more post-Punk flavor previously, but this does not feel like they are selling out. Continue reading