ALBUM REVIEW: Drill For Absentee – Strand of a Lake, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 – Expert Work Records


Drill For Absentee are a Philadelphia trio whose original run lasted from 1995 to 1999. Their catalogue is hardly the most extensive. Since their 2021 covid era reunion the band, Kevin Kelly – Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Michael Nace – Guitar, Vocals and new Drummer Ken Kuniyoshi (replacing co-founding member Bryan Sargent) have been busy in the recording studio. What they’ve come up with are two EP’s which have been put together as one LP (Note – Vol. 1 was put out digitally on September 13, 2022) while Vol 2 was forged between August 2022 to March 2025, out now via Expert Work Records. Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Shaky Knees Festival (Deftones, Blink-182, My Chemical Romance, Lenny Kravitz, IDLES, DEVO) – Live in Piedmont Park, Atlanta 


There’s always a certain electricity in the air when it comes to live music—that buzzing mix of excitement, passion, and energy. At music festivals, that electricity doesn’t just hum, it surges. For three days, Shaky Knees lit up Midtown Atlanta, bringing with it stacked headliners, four stages of nonstop music, and an undeniable current of energy. This year marked the festival’s first time in Piedmont Park after moving from Central Park, and thousands flocked to the grounds.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Dazzling Killmen – Dig Out The Switch


St. Louis, Missouri’s Dazzling Killmen emerged in 1990 and were named after a character in Lucas SamarasCrude Delights. They managed two full-length albums and four singles before splitting in 1995. Continue reading


INTERVIEW: Pinkshift Embraces Their Heavy Side on “Earthkeeper” – New Interview and Album Deep Dive


In this episode, Keefy catches up with Pinkshift! We last met them a few years back at Riot Fest, supporting their debut album! The band is back with “Earthkeeper” – out now from Hopeless Records! Befitting of these tough times, “Earthkeeper” is a battle cry for change, tapping into their rage and Nu-Metal influences!Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Fleshwater – 2000: In Search Of The Endless Sky


Fleshwater’s new album 2000: In Search Of The Endless Sky (Closed Casket Activities) displays the lessons the band learned from playing arenas with a more anthemic nineties Rock sound than what was heard on “We’re Not Here to Be Loved.” It shoved singer Marisa Shirar into the spotlight, forcing her to own her identity as a frontwoman. The mix of this album is more radio-friendly with the vocals out front, as the guitar swirls around them. Shirar’s singing style is more Rock-oriented on this album, belting the choruses out as the guitar sits back in the mix. The atmospheric opener is the strongest song on the front end of the album, as the singles dial back the more shoegazing elements. Though it depends on what you want from music in this regard; if you are a fan of Paramore, the more alternative rock-leaning sound might be more to your liking.  Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Lowheaven – Ritual Decay


Canadian post-Screamo merchants Lowheaven open Ritual Decay (MNRK Heavy) with a swell of noisy ambiance, setting the stage for an explosion of screamo intensity against a stark, apocalyptic mood that bears more resemblance to Neurosis. The sung vocals add a melodic counterpoint that might remind you of Glassjaw. They are prone to hover over crushing Sludge-drenched stomps to give the album its heavier edge. These are often broken up by atmospheric guitar passages before reaching their scathing climax.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: The World Is A Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid To Die – Dreams Of Being Dust


Much like their distinct name, The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die continue to pen unique songs with flavor and character, and new studio album Dreams Of Being Dust (Epitaph Records), is no different.Continue reading


Alkaline Trio Shares a New Single and Video for “Oblivion” – Tour Dates with Blink-182 Kicking Off Soon


Alkaline Trio proudly unveils the brand spanking new single “Oblivion,” the first of three songs recently recorded with producer Travis Barker of Blink 182. The first Alkaline Trio studio recording to feature drummer Atom Willard alongside guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba and bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano, “Oblivion” is a devilishly hooky new number that continues the relentless creative tear that kicked off with the January 2024 release of the band’s 10th album, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs (Rise Records). Available now across digital platforms, “Oblivion” will also be released as a limited edition D2C exclusive vinyl 7-inch. The b-side on the vinyl will be the demo version of the song which will be exclusive to the vinyl and not available digitally. Also unveiled today is the official “Oblivion” music video, directed by Mark Eaton. Watch here:

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ALBUM REVIEW: TSS – End of Time


Nestled somewhere between Bad Omens and Breathe Carolina is a lesser-known French gem that’s set to appease a wide audience. TSS –formerly The Sunday Sadness– is following in the footsteps of so many modern alternative bands in the method of genre categorization; it’s a bit of a catch-all. Elements of metalcore, alt rock, synthwave, emo, and even neo-metal can be found across their latest album, End of Time (Fearless Records)

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ALBUM REVIEW: Bronson Arm – Casket Schwagg 


Kalamazoo, Michigan is home to Bronson Arm (Blake Bickel – Guitar/Vocals, Garrett Yates Drums) who are back with a new release a mere year after last year’s self-titled debut. The oddly titled Casket Schwagg (Learning Curve Records) is described as a politically charged album by Bickel despite the band not being politically charged themselves, whether this proves potentially off-putting to some remains to be seen. Continue reading