It may sound like a whimsical name for a quaint English country cottage but Dun Ringill has a far more serious pedigree, its members grouped from the ranks of Doomdogs and The Order Of Israfel among others. Debut album Welcome (Argonauta Records) drags influence from Nordic Folk as well as other more eccentric fields, while retaining something of a Stoner groove.Continue reading
For some time now, Californian Psych junkie Zach Oakley has wanted to team up with his percussionist brother Matt, and this wish has finally materialised with new project Volcano. Debut album The Island (Tee Pee Records) is a million miles away from the weird Blues of Harsh Toke, Joy, and Loom, from where the quintet has been culled: introducing African rhythms to whacked-out jams and creating an unusual yet vibrant concoction.Continue reading
I must confess, writing about Skunk Anansie’s 25Live@25 (Republic of Music) is mega hard. I keep jumping up and dancing about the flat, singing loudly and off-key. I’ve been listening to Skunk Anansie since 1995 with the song ‘Selling Jesus’. They haven’t disappointed. They don’t disappoint with this live retrospective either. If you are a major Skunk-head, you are going to flat-out love this album. If you are a newbie, welcome! You are going to love this album. Continue reading
P.O.D. Is back with a new album, and pretty much continuing the arc they began on their last album The Awakening (Universal). Circles is the bands’ first album on their new label, Mascot Label Group, and we find the veteran band hanging out hard in their wheelhouse. By this point in their career, they know where they live musically and what their fans want from them. When they choose to experiment, like on the Rap Rock and Reggae heavy Circles, it’s always interesting at least. When they go to the tried and true, you get the classic P.O.D. Sound. There isn’t a lot of in between, or anything all new here, however. Continue reading
Hailing from the windy city, Chicago, Cave drops their sixth full length album Allways (Drag City); an instrumental profusion and six songs and forty-one minutes of mind altering fare. Cave have been around since 2007 and have released a plethora of 7” and cassette tapes in addition to albums.Continue reading
There are no rules in punk rock. Suicidal Tendencies helped espouse that philosophy as much as any band ever. So really at this stage of the game, touring the world, playing anniversary shows celebrating their legendary self-titled debut, and having a lineup that is straight fire, they can do whatever they want to. However frontman Mike Muir didn’t always think this was the case. During the mid 90s hiatus of ST, Muir released the solo album Lost My Brain…Once Again (Epic), which sounded quite familiar. That album featured Steve Jones of Sex Pistols, Adam Siegel of Excel, and even Dave Kushner who went on to Velvet Revolver. A punked up throwback to the early – non-crossover thrash sound of the band, but the same brilliance from Muir lyrically and even some more of the fun of ST sideband, Infectious Grooves. Muir had wanted to redo this album for years but finally settled on having the latest incarnation the bands re-record it under the name STill Cyco Punk After All These Years (Suicidal Records).Continue reading
Bad Rabbits’ new album, Mimi (InGrooves), huh? Not my usual review fare, I will admit, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t work for me. After several weeks of hardcore, doom, death metal, and Gundam themed albums, Bad Rabbits house blend of funk, synth pop, rock, and R&B may be the palate cleanser I didn’t know I needed. Continue reading
The worst kept secret in metal this summer is that Suicidal Tendencies has a new album coming out this fall. Dave Lombardo tweeted it and Mike Muir has been telling fans at their shows the new album is coming. Now it’s official, their new album STill Cyco Punk After All These Years drops on September 7th from Suicidal Records. The album is a re-working of an album recorded by ST’s frontman Mike Muir back in 1995. Released then under the name Cyco Miko and titled Lost My Brain (Once Again!), the album featured Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones on seven of the songs. Pre-orders for the new album just went live and to celebrate, you can boogie down with a new ST track right now, ‘F.U.B.A.R.’!Continue reading
Norwegian hipster operatic metal: Got your attention?
Leprous, the opening act at the House of Blues, Anaheim, sure had mine with lead singer and keyboardist Einar Solberg’s crowd wooing; his Iron Maiden/Radiohead-esque harmonic vocals emanating from the stage. It felt like the band was performing a personal score to the movie of my life.Continue reading
Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, internationally known as the bassist and co-founder of Korn will release his long-awaited jazz fusion album titled Bassically this November 17. The album will have 17 tracks and be a departure from rap-metal some of his other projects outside of Korn have featured. Continue reading