New York Hardcore is one of the most stand-out hardcore scenes, and it has a who’s who list of hardcore bands. Combust is a fast-rising group in that scene that eats, sleeps, and breathes New York Hardcore, and their latest album, Belly of the Beast (Triple B Records), is another big step forward. Between the guest appearances and the memorable riffs, each track has its own story to tell and energy to expel.
It’s easy to get lost chasing the dragon of finding the heaviest band out there. Going down the Grindcore/Goregrind rabbit holes for this elusive high. The battery those sounds give the old eardrums brings a rush of endorphins, but they do always stand the test of time as being albums that earn repeated listens for years to come. Continue reading
Formed by two former members of Orochen (Jonas Mattsson and Rasmus Lindblom) plus Daniel Olsson of Hellsongs, Kazea have existed since 2023, and I. Ancestral (Suicide Records) is their debut album.Continue reading
Continuing their trend of incorporating album titles with color-inspired themes, Blackened Progressive Death Metal outfit Dawn Of Ouroboros follows 2023’s Velvet Incandescence with the equally magnificent effort, Bioluminescence (Prosthetic Records). Continue reading
Since originally forming decades ago, the name of Killswitch Engage has become synonymous with the metal-core genre as a whole. It is impossible to have a discussion of what makes the best albums and artists in the subgenre, without the veteran band being mentioned at least once. Throughout their careers, the band have strived on to create some of the most iconic melodies and songs that could have only come from this band, amongst the thousands that make up metalcore. Now on their ninth studio album, This Consequence (Metal Blade Records), the band are taking it again up another level, according to their frontman Jesse Leach. Can the band fulfill these lofty highs now so far into their career?
You either love Beatdown Death Metal and all its violence-even-though-it’s-carefully-controlled live atmosphere, or you think it’s a bunch of amped-up spinkickers with no respect for their surroundings.Continue reading
Sludge metal lifers, -16-, casually dropped their tenth full-length, Guides For The Misguided (Relapse Records) and it is crushing. Sludge Metal is at its best with bluesy guitar riffs that still feel massive, raspy vocals, and lyrics covering depression, drug addiction, and overall hatred. The L.A. four-piece violently checks off all of those checkboxes. They do so for over forty minutes with minimal to no filler.Continue reading
As soon as it became clear what Kelsy Karter And The Heroines were all about, I knew I was in for a joyride like no other, and I was ready as ever to be completely immersed in it.Continue reading
Getting a Harakiri For The Sky record release in the heart of winter will pull at your heartstrings. Scorched Earth (AOP Records) does just that for over an hour and doesn’t overstay its welcome. It is an audible voyage through pain, suffering, and loss that is both cathartic and beautiful. Every song has its own story and emotional journey that compliments the songs around it. Oh, and there’s also a sweet Radiohead cover at the end to ice the cake.Continue reading
When Stick To Your Guns are firing on all cylinders, it really is top-notch melodic-tinged Hardcore. And their latest full-length is a shining example.Continue reading