Napalm Death’s Shane Embury is a musician who seemingly never rests! After spending the best part of four decades playing the earth-shattering bass in the world’s premiere Death / Grindcore band, he has also dabbled in a seemingly endless succession of side projects and guest appearances. In 2021 he created one of the albums of the year by returning to Blood From The Soul and bringing in Converge vocalist Jacob Bannon for the journey, and in 2022 he provided music of a more obscure and experimental electronic persuasion, with Dark Sky Burial.
Mental health is a topic that has been covered by the alternative scene a lot, potentially even being one of the most active causes in the community. Where bands and artists feature a lot darker and edgier sounds and images, themes of depression, anger & loneliness comes alongside as part of the package deal. Metalcore newcomers, Graphic Nature are no different to that. Describing himself as an outsider, vocalist Harvey Freeman says “Not enough people talk about it in a genuine way.” With their debut album, A Mind Waiting To Die (Rude Records) Graphic Nature are here to change things to talk about the crisis of mental health issues genuinely, in their own style.
Naga Siren is a five-piece Hardcore Punk act based in Oslo that plays fast and catchy tunes influenced by American post-Hardcore scene, while also blending it with the nuance of Scandinavian hardcore. They started out as a side project of the members of various other bands: Despereaux, ieatheartattacks, Himmelhøyt, and Oberst. The current lineup is composed of Emil Odd Solbakken (vocals), Oliver David Kimmel (guitar), Tarjei Kristoffersen (guitar), Erik Fossmo (bass), and Steffen Landerud (drums). They released their new single Cut & Run on January 19th, which is highly anticipated.
Ghost Cult recently held an EXCLUSIVE interview with Fat Mike of NOFX! Capping off 2022 and a new album, and playing their farewell tour in 2023 with 40 cities, festivals, and their own Punk in Drublic beer and punk Festivals. Mike was candid as usual discussing sexuality, the music industry, comparing “Single Album” and “Double Album,” The Codefendants, Fat Wreck Chords, spilling the tea on his friendship with Blink 182, and more! Continue reading →
Following the departure of drummer and founding member Josh Morgan, and an eight years gap between albums, comes The Subways fifth offering Uncertain Joys (Alcopop! Records). A lot has happened during this time, the dreaded c word notwithstanding, frontman Billy Lunn took three years out to study English at Cambridge University. The personal and personnel changes refreshed the band, with the introduction of synthesisers and pop to their brand of indie rock resulting in a textured and more interesting sound.
‘Love Waiting On You’ is a jolly little number with effervescent flourishes of synth, a great marriage between crunching chords and an upbeat pop melody. The title track is a triumph, with a bouncy melody straight from the pages of eighties pop, eased along by the silky smooth backing vocals of bass and keyboard player Charlotte Cooper. It is not just a collage of synths though, as in ‘Lavender Amelie’ they are in the background and complemented by a lush acoustic melody and a soft, XTC style hook.
They are still moments of no frills rock n’ roll, but it is tempered by the lighter moments and stands out all the more for it. The loud love letter to music ‘Black Wax’ blows away the cobwebs, with its punchy, almost primal riff reminiscent of Muse’s big rocker ‘Psycho’. The brash ‘Fight’, about standing up for the oppressed, is a spikey little number with a punk-like simplicity. ‘The Devil and Me’ motors along thanks to its nimble bassline and the propulsive drum beat of new member Camille Phillips. This is followed by the measured pace, alternative sound and subdued melancholia of ‘Joli Coeur’ – showcasing the balance on show and the progress made since the simpler, meat and potatoes like indie of their self-titled album eight years ago.
With Uncertain Joys, The Subwayshave come on leaps and bounds, mixing bold synths and bouncy pop to their straightforward Indie Rock to great effect.
Punk In The Park Festival is expanding in 2023, adding a Ventura, California event for this spring. Punk In The Park Ventura will feature music on two stages along with 3 hours long – all-inclusive craft beer tasting on March 25th, at Ventura County Fairgrounds in Southern California. In addition, Punk In The Park Orange County will return in Silverado, CA in November 2023. Punk In The Park Ventura will feature headlining performances from iconic bands Pennywise and Suicidal Tendencies, along with Strung Out, Fear, Manic Hispanic, Dwarves, The Bronx, Drain, Deviates, Slaughterhouse, Raptors and more to be announced soon. Tickets on sale for Ventura now at the link below.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Having stuck around since the late 1980s, Anti-Flag has become old enough to address the same young, impressionable people they once were when they formed so long ago. Ever ambitious and straight to the point, the Pittsburgh-based punk rock foursome is as approachable as at any other time in their storied career with Lies They Tell Our Children (Spinefarm Records). Rife with on-brand “fuck the system” anthems and guest appearances by like-minded rabble-rousers, the songs pack such an easily consumable punch.
‘Tis the season for fun festivities and what better way to get in the spirit of things than to attend Battlecross‘ 7th Annual “Battle Christmas.” The much-beloved band hosts a cheery evening with other great groups making it a highlight of this time of year. Hundreds gathered on the west side of Detroit last Friday to join the party. Resting between two Detroit burbs, The Token Lounge is a comfortable-sized venue that has been enjoyed for over fifty years. Hosting a wide variety of acclaimed acts, this delightful destination is a local favorite to catch a show and was the perfect place to host Battlecross’ extravaganza. Not only was this their much-anticipated annual get-together, but it was also their last show before going on an indefinite hiatus. Continue reading →
Flash Forward’s fifth full-length album, Endings = Beginnings (Uncle M Music), is filled with rock-lover diversity. From heartfelt emotion, angsty guitar riffs, eighties-synths, to catchy singalong anthems, danceable beats, instrumental tracks, and heavy rock drums, Flash Forward does not shy away from genre blending.
