EP REVIEW: Swervedriver – The World’s Fair  


Swervedriver were formed in 1989 and lumped into the Shoegaze genre, alongside Lush, Chapterhouse, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and fellow Oxfordians Ride. The band’s catalogue is extensive and consists of six full-length albums and eight EP’s of which The World’s Fair is the latest; the latter following up from last year’s outtakes/ demos collection Doremi Faso Latido (aka CD3 of the band’s reissued-classic-99th-Dream). The band’s somewhat sizeable catalogue is impressive even taking into account the fact that they had disbanded for a period of eight years, 1999 – 2007 with frontman Adam Franklin going on to forge an equally productive solo career under his own name as well as part of the bands Toshack Highway, Magnetic Morning and the Sophia collective. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Ocre – So Often Lifeblood Comes From Ashes


Duo’s appear to have a winning formula, as is exemplified by Petbrick, Big Business, Organized Konfusion, and Tears For Fears which the promotional notes for this release recognizes, describing Ocre as combining power and elegance. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Dunn With Lords And Lady Kevin – Last Days at Hot Slit


Since 1987 Kevin Rutmanis has been involved in the production of a steady stream of records with bands such as Minneapolis Noise-Rock legends Cows, Sludge Grunge titans Melvins, supergroup Tomahawk, Hepa/Titus, and now Lord and Lady Kevin

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ALBUM REVIEW: Common Wounds – All Night Blood


Formed in 2018 under the Dead History moniker, Phoenix, Arizona’s Common Wounds’ respective members are drawn from the likes of Run With the Hunted, Landmine Marathon, Suicide Nation, Seas Will Rise, and War Tongue while All Night Blood their first full-length release follows on from last year’s S/T debut EP. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: The Jesus Lizard – Rack


Twenty-five years since their dissolution and Noise-Rockers The Jesus Lizard are back, with the classic line-up of Mac McNeilly – Drums, David Wm Sims – Bass, Duane Denison – Guitar, and David Yow – Vocals now fully restored. A quick history lesson for the uninitiated, the band formed in Austin, Texas in 1987 from the ashes of Scratch Acid, before relocating to Chicago in 1989. From there they would go onto put out a string of groundbreaking releases including a split single with some band called Nirvana, who you may have heard of. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Dale Crover – Glossolalia


Celebrated Drummer Dale Crover has been performing with the Melvins since 1984 when he replaced founding member Mike Dillard, since then he’s had stints with Nirvana and collaborated in projects such as Shrinebuilder, Men of Porn and Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends. Furthermore, he performs with Redd Kross, and has embarked on a solo career, first with the Hard-Rock flavoured Altamont and then the eclectic, experimental compositions under his own name. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Fourth Dominion – Diana’s Day


Fourth Dominion hails from Rochester, New York already steeped in a rich musical heritage, cue No-Wave legend Lydia Lunch, Swing era Jazz musician Cab Calloway, Garage-Rock revivalists The Chesterfield Kings, and of particular interest to Ghost Cult regulars, Grind gods Brutal Truth. Fourth Dominion therefore appear to be in esteemed company. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Trail of Lies – Only The Strong


Syracuse, New York will be familiar to fans of Straight-Edge Hardcore thanks to Earth Crisis and Trail of Lies can thus be seen as a continuation of this lineage.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Fu Manchu – The Return of Tomorrow


Fu Manchu formed in 1985 as Hardcore-Punk outfit Virulence whose sole release  1988’s If This Isn’t A Dream… has been reissued by Southern Lord. After this came a name and musical style change reminiscent of Corrosion of Conformity who undertook a similar evolution themselves. Continue reading