Those who dwell in these dark territories of underground Rock and Metal, of the noisy, the abrasive, the alternative, and the avant-garde are not always so open to big anthemic hooks. Sometimes our reaction to music that dares to rouse the spirits and attempt to soar can be somewhat dismissive. But let us not entirely close our ears and our hearts to hope, because sometimes in the right hands, the results of such sincere passions can be glorious and in the case of Everything A War (7 People Records/ Village Slut)—the latest record by former Prog-Metal frontman David Judson Clemmons (previously of Damn The Machine)—glorious is exactly what they are. Continue reading
Tag Archives: by Tom Osman
ALBUM REVIEW: Venamoris – To Cross Or To Burn
Suppose the spirit of Dorothy Vallens from David Lynch’s surrealist, noir classic Blue Velvet could be transported into a Trip-hop-inspired, dark, Electro-Rock album in 2025. In that case, it’s hard to think of a more fitting home than To Cross Or To Burn (Ipecac Recordings) – by Paula and Dave Lombardo under their Venamoris moniker. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Rectal Smegma – To Serve and Protect
Back in 2023 this young (not so young), innocent (well, pretty corrupted actually) writer had the pleasure of attending Berlin Deathfest—two days of Death Metal, Slam and Grind. For the pummelling rhythms, churning riffs, turbo-charged energy and just gleeful silliness it’s hard to pick a bigger high point than Dutch, Goregrind four-piece Rectal Smegma. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Häxkapell – Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp
I am neither the world’s biggest Black Metal fan, nor authority, and I would never pretend to be either. That said, the door to me being swept off my feet by Satan’s minstrels is always open. It happened last year with the latest Trelldom release, …By The Shadows….Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Haunted Horses – Dweller
On the band’s fourth album, Dweller (Three One G Records), Seattle Noise-Punk trio Haunted Horses treat the listener to a ghastly, gothic, sci-fi nightmare of the soul. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Blue Heron – Everything Fades
You might not live on the desert plains, but with Everything Fades (Blues Funeral Recordings), Hard Rock three-piece Blue Heron can show you the way there. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Trelldom – …by the shadows…
On …by the shadows… (Prophecy Productions), Norway’s Trelldom shows how Satan can find subtle ways to drag the listener into hell. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Melt-Banana – 3+5
If Noise-Rock, and Punk were musical movements built on no more destructive behaviour than a gigantic excess of sugar, and were intrinsically aligned with computer game soundtracks, the world might have many a Melt-Banana. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Insect Ark – Raw Blood Singing
On Raw Blood Singing (Debemur Morti Productions), Insect Ark returns with an otherworldly and compelling sci-fi landscape of noir, subtle menace and mystery. Continue reading