Burning Hammer, the new death-thrash trio led by former Havok and Machine Head guitarist Reece Scruggs, signs to Nefarious Industries and drops the lyric video for debut single “Rabid Lycanthropy.” A debut album arrives in early 2027. Watch it now and stream the single below. Continue reading
Jungle Rot’s Cruel Face of War (Unique Leader Records) finds Dave Matrise as the sole original member, but it works in his favor as he has assembled a heavier, more modern-sounding band. These guys still get what he was doing back in the nineties, and they are true to who the band was, and have created something vital rather than taking you down memory lane. At 57, Dave has retained his ability to growl with heft and resonance. This album also benefits from excellent production, with effects and layering that fall in all the right places. “Apocalyptic Dawn” kicks the album off with the kind of energy that you want from these guys. The title track carries a more manic, thrashing feel. Continue reading
The more uncertain the times, the more violent the reaction. A point proven in the eighties with the explosion of Hardcore and Thrash, and this self-titled debut by Oregon act Stress Test is like taking a step back into that time. A time when everyday existence meant the fear of war, disease and hate; a time when religion and politics were even more corrupt and depraved than certain types of criminals. The sad thing is though, you only have to spend thirty seconds watching the TV or doomscrolling through your news feed to see history repeating itself, only worse and often in more insidious ways. Continue reading