Tag Archives: Shoegaze

ALBUM REVIEW: Bipolar Architecture – Metaphysicize

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Since the ending of their previous outfit Heretic Soul, German/Turkish outfit Bipolar Architecture have been on a bleak and introspective evolutionary path. From previous Death Metal roots, the band have seen their sound alter substantially into more expansive territory with the inception of their new band in a short space of time. Now following on from 2022’s brooding Depressionland (Self-Released), latest release Metaphysicize (Pelagic Records) sees them further refine this sound to compelling results.Continue reading →


EP REVIEW: Full of Hell and Nothing (split) – When No Birds Sing

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On paper, this makes perfect sense. A collaborative effort between Full of Hell and Nothing stand as two of the most creative outliers in their respective genres, and the mission statement of  When No Birds Sing (Closed Casket Activities) is to fuse the juxtaposition of their varied sonic palettes. Brace yourself, as Full of Hell is the overpowering force when the album opens. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Fearing – Destroyer

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Do you like to dress in black? Do you prefer a solitary pint of cider in the back of a smoky bar? (the smoky part might be hard to fashion in this day and age) Do you favour wearing a trenchcoat? Do you feel in a state of perpetual ennui? Maybe you are a Berliner! Or perhaps you’re a member of a Darkwave band… maybe both! 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Svalbard – The Weight Of The Mask

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I’ve been looking forward to wrapping my ears around Svalbard’s new material after catching snippets of what was to come when I caught them live supporting Russian Circles and Cult Of Luna over in Berlin earlier in 2023. And landing that European tour signified a fine start to a year which has also seen the Bristol based band sign for Nuclear Blast Records, with The Weight Of The Mask their first album for the prestigious new label and their first collection of new songs since the excellent When I Die, Will I Get Better? which was released on Church Road Records back in 2020. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Mad Honey – Satellite Aphrodite

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Satellite Aphrodite (Deathwish Inc.) is the debut album from Oklahoma’s Mad Honey, a four-piece who are variously described as dream-pop, shoegaze, indie and glitter rock (whatever that is).

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ALBUM REVIEW: Ora Cogan – Formless

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Singer-songwriter Ora Cogan, based in Vancouver Island, has been creating and releasing “cinematic compositions” since 2007. Her ninth album, Formless (Prism Tongue Records), presents a “bizarre sonic Venn diagram” of influences including gothic country, psychedelia, post-punk and more, according to the accompanying press release.

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ALBUM REVIEW: An Autumn For Crippled Children – Closure

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Despite the mystique around the band itself (with the identity of the members largely unknown), musically The Netherland’s An Autumn For Crippled Children have been consistent and mostly familiar. Across the span of ten full-length albums, their sound has hardly deviated at all but has shown signs of refinement in the past, with their brand of post-Rock and shoegaze-tinged Black Metal being both despairing and simultaneously almost comforting with the consistency.Continue reading →


Svalbard Shares a New Single and Video “Faking It” – New Album Incoming

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UK Blackend Death Metal band Svalbard are proud to announce their ardently anticipated new studio album, The Weight Of The Mask, due out on October 6th via Nuclear Blast Records. White-hot new single ‘Faking It’ has also been revealed, accompanied by a video. The track lays bare a poignant, candid account of dealing with depression and coming to the realization that you are “faking it” to just get by. Watch the video now and pre-order the album at the links below. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Black Duck – Black Duck

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Black Duck can best be described as a supergroup featuring as it does key members of the Chicago music scene such as guitarist/bassist Douglas McCombs (Tortoise, Eleventh Dream Day), guitarist Bill MacKay (Broken Things, Sounds of Now), and drummer Charles Rumback (Colorlist, Leaf Bird). I confess to only really being familiar with McCombs due to his involvement in those bands who I’ve listened to for a number of years and hence why my interest was peaked when selecting this album for review purposes. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Spotlights – Alchemy for the Dead

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Brooklyn, New York trio Spotlights (Sarah Quintero – bass/vocals, Mario Quintero – guitar/vocals/keyboards and programming, and Chris Enriquez on drums/percussion/vocals) have been releasing music since 2016 when they debuted with the Tidals album. Since then they have garnered fans such as Chino Moreno and have toured with the aforementioned’s band Deftones as well as Refused, Quicksand, and Mr. Bungle. 


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