ALBUM REVIEW: AWOL – Tear ‘Em To Bits


One of the defining characteristics of the hardcore scene is its emphasis on community and companionship, especially between the artists and the fans.

Australian up-and-comers AWOL have debuted with Flatspot Records for their sophomore record Tear ‘Em To Bits and this is, by and large, a hardcore album for the people.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Atræ Bilis – Aumicide


There are two dead giveaways that Atræ Bilis have something very, very weird in their back pocket.

Released by the continuously boundary-blurring 20 Buck Spin, Aumicide’s cover artwork is something that, let’s just say, probably shouldn’t be focused on too long whilst at work or in a public setting. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: The Ghost Inside – Searching For Solace


Twenty years into their existence, Metalcore prize fighters The Ghost Inside look, feel, and sound as good as they ever have. Searching For Solace (Epitaph Records) the sixth installment in the band’s catalog, is not only a de facto extension of the emotionally driven self-titled album; it’s purposeful, tight, and as good a case as any that TGI are (still) at the height of their career.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Necrot – Lifeless Birth


 

Despite crust death metallers Necrot forming in 2011, the Oaklanders’ newest slab is only the trio’s third full-length in their brief-yet-inviting discography.

Essentially, the band doesn’t rush to put out a record, nor do they seem to want to release something before every “i” is dotted and “t” crossed.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Belore – Eastern Tales


The concept of Epic/Atmospheric Black Metal seems to thrive on extreme ends of the spectrum: it’s either performed as passionately and pristinely as a fantastical saga, or it’s generic drab that breeds vague cliches and untethered musical arrangements. There is no in-between.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Coffins – Sinister Oath


Sinister Oath (Relapse Relapse), the sixth full-length from Tokyo-based Coffins, is a measuring stick for the Death/Doom scene, providing an undeniable starting point for anyone looking to dip their toes into the genre, performers and fans alike. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Hideous Divinity – Unextinct


When it comes to Italian Brutal Technical Death Metal heavyweights Hideous Divinity, you tend to know what you’re getting yourself into prior to sitting down to give a listen or two.

And that isn’t a bad thing.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Mastiff – Deprecipice


The multilayered masterpiece that is Deprecipice (MNRK Heavy) is lightyears away from anything else that has graced the brutal metallic sludge/Hardcore/Death Metal scene for quite some time. Leave it up to Mastiff to be the ones leading the charge. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Kollapse – AR


The newest offering from Kollapse is by no means something that should be consumed whilst in a distraught headspace. AR (Fysisk Format Records) is as much an introspection as it is a complex collection of seven Noise Rock, Sludge, and experimental tracks from the Danish trio. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Arms And Sleepers – What Tomorrow Brings


 

Mirza Ramic doesn’t do anything halfway.

The musical artist and producer helped to found Arms And Sleepers, an electronic trip hop outfit that was formed back in 2006 and has since released 13 full-lengths and 20 EPs in that time. His latest effort is no less impactful.Continue reading