ALBUM REVIEW: Grumpster – Grumpster


Contrary to popular belief, Pop Punk and Emo are far from dead and buried. There are tons of true-school cool pocket scenes all over with great bands and fans supporting the hell out of them. One of best bands that have come from the underground recently to earn props is Grumpster from Oakland. Always a legendary place for Punk (thank you East Bay scene, 924 Gilman Street), but has had more than a few killer bands of late too.  Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Sylosis – Cycle of Suffering


So, Cycle of Suffering (Nuclear Blast) is Sylosis‘ post-hiatus album? Considering how tight the musicianship is and the sense of urgency you could’ve told me that this was released six months after Dormant Heart, and I would’ve bought the lie hook, line, and sinker. For a band that just reformed last year and have worked their way through various personnel changes, this is some remarkable shit. Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Midnight – Rebirth by Blasphemy


It’s a bit too early to be making any proclamations of the sort, but I think Midnight may have just released the most metal album of 2020. And yes, there will likely be scores of other heavy releases this year that will overshadow Rebirth by Blasphemy (Metal Blade) in the blast beat, low tuning, or cookie monster vocal department. What I’m talking about is the mood, or more like the mean streak that multi-instrumentalist Athenar conjures up. Continue reading →