ALBUM REVIEW: Nothing – A Short History Of Decay And Ruin


 

A Short History Of Decay And Ruin (Run For Cover Records) is Nothing‘s fifth album. It opens with a more organic feel as a new level of vulnerability is exposed with the strum of an acoustic guitar and the vocals stepping out from behind the indifferent haze of effects. A clever way to lure you into this album, it gives the impresion Domenic has stepped away from Shoegaze into some kind of Emo/Indie Rock, but by the time you get to the second song and lead single “Cannibal World,” it’s clear to see this is not the case, but he is still toying with the expectations of what Shoegaze can be as a break beat drum sample keeps the song moving. Yet the main vibe that consumes the overall sound is a return to the woozy swirl of My Bloody Valentine-influenced guitars.

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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: Barathrum – Überkill


With the existence of bands like Beherit, Impaled Nazarene, and Archgoat emerging as the quintessential pioneers of the Finnish Black Metal scene back in the nineties, fair to say that throughout the years, Finland has left a long-lasting, profound legacy when it comes to presenting a harsh sonic journey of Black Metal, or most of Extreme Metal subgenres in general; even including the more contemporary names surrounding, such as Sargeist and Havukruunu.  Continue reading →