Thomas Giles – Don’t Touch The Outside


It’s long past the time of day when Thomas Giles (aka Tommy Rogers of Between The Buried And Me) began being able to do whatever the hell he wanted. To be fair, to say his day job band has moments of eclecticism is like saying that Brexit negotiations have been a little bit difficult. And that diversity of spirit, of zig-zag, is absolutely at the core of fourth solo offering Don’t Touch The Outside (Sumerian Records), a record that is everything and nothing, and that is laissez-faire in respect of genre while being incredibly focused in trying to keep the listener moving. Continue reading →


Zeal & Ardor – Stranger Fruit


It would be fair to say that Zeal & Ardor’s arrival in the conscious of the metal scene in the early part of 2017 was greeted with a combination of surprise, incredulity and excitement. There appeared to be just as many naysayers, dubious of Manuel Gagneaux’s talent (Zeal & Ardor is basically a one-man show) as there were fast adherents to his complex and compelling mix of styles and influences. Continue reading →


Bill & Phil – Songs of Darkness and Despair


If you find yourself seeking a soundtrack to a belligerent, drug fuelled weekend look no further than Songs of Darkness and Despair (Housecore Records), the new collaboration between the iconic Phil Anselmo and horror movie mainstay Bill Moseley. Continue reading →