Tag Archives: music reviews

EP REVIEW: Have Mercy – Have Mercy

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After the worldwide lockdown began in March 2020, Baltimore indie emo quartet Have Mercy decided to throw in the towel for the band four albums deep into their career. Seeing the world through a fresh lens, frontman Brian Swindle’s life then took a whole new turn. After getting sober and engaged, he started writing songs that would reintroduce the band and their growth through some of the craziest years in recent history. The new self-titled EP via ZODHIAC Records showcases Swindle’s progression with a more upbeat sound.Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: I Prevail – True Power

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I Prevail, when they revealed themselves to the world with their breakout Taylor Swift cover, could only be described as bursting onto the scene. Since then the post-hardcore group has become one of the most exciting bands out today. Smashing out more hits in two albums than some bands accomplish in their whole career. In their last release Trauma, the band delved into different external influences bringing rapping into their songwriting, will True Power carry on this trend?

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ALBUM REVIEW: thoughtcrimes – Altered Pasts 

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Altered Pasts (Pure Noise) is the debut album from the Long Island based five-piece featuring ex-Dillinger Escape Plan drummer Billy Rymer, who also plays guitar on the record alongside his long-time friend Brian Sullivan. Rymer was inspired to pick his guitar back up and jam with Sullivan during his off time with Dillinger, dabbling once again with the instrument he had to put to one side to focus on his drumming during the height of their fame. Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Might – Abyss

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Based in Hannover, Germany, duo Might was formed in 2020 by Ana Muhi (vocals/bass/piano) and Sven Missullis (vocals/guitar/drums) and are part of the Exile On Mainstream roster which has been/is home to the likes of The Hidden Hand, Trialogos, Gore and Dälek.Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Conan – Evidence of Immortality

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For years, Conan has shaped themselves into one of the heaviest bands on the planet. With their fifth release, Evidence of Immortality (Napalm Records), they maintain sole possession of that throne with their enemies’ heads at their feet. While the “caveman battle doom” pioneers have their own sound, they continue to push their own boundaries of their older releases ever so slightly to keep everyone coming back for more. Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Soilwork – Övergivenheten

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Whilst being long-term veterans and a pinnacle force of Swedish melodic death metal, recent years have shown to be quite a turning point for Soilwork. 2019’s Verkligheten was arguably both the band’s strongest album for some time and their most well-received.Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Pistols At Dawn – Ascension

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Hot on the heels of last year’s four-track EP Nocturnal Youth, comes Pistols At Dawn’s latest album Ascension (JFL Entertainment). The Atlanta-based quintet’s sound is alternative-influenced hard rock, and their newest one Ascension is a promising if patchy, display of heavy grooves and soaring choruses with a brooding atmosphere. Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: Russian Circles – Gnosis  

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The eighth album from the ultimate instrumental power trio of post-rock / post-metal, featuring guitar wizard Mike Sullivan, drummer Dave Turncrantz and ex-Botch / These Arms Are Snakes bassist Brian Cook, who currently also splits his time playing with Aaron Turner (ex-Isis) in Sumac (editor’s note: and maybe the potential Botch comeback too).Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: A-Z – A-Z

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From the opening strains of guitar riffage, I feel like I’ve been transported back to my teenage years (the eighties / early nineties). Then I’m like, is that a cowbell? Surely not? But ZOMG, I’m having flashbacks. The hair. The jeans. My Samik bass. By two minutes in, I’m singing the refrain from ‘Trial By Fire’. This is an instant in the feelings. Continue reading →


EP REVIEW: Alpha Wolf – Holding Absence – The Lost and The Longing

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After bonding at the Impericon Festival back in 2019, Sharptone Records labelmates Alpha Wolf and Holding Absence have kept in touch, much to their fans’ benefit. Their new EP split The Lost & The Longing consists of four strong tracks, including two collaborations between each band – collaborations none of us knew we needed.Continue reading →