Tag Archives: The Bangles

ALBUM REVIEW: Spike Fuck – Evidence

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As a child of the Eighties, when I chose Spike Fuck‘s Evidence (Scared Bones Records), the genre New Wave had me thinking Flock of Seagulls, A-Ha, Howard Jones, Blondie, The Bangles, and a hundred other synth-heavy bands with heavy radio airplay. What I forgot was that New Wave meant the New Wave of Punk Rock. The earliest bands included Lou Reed and The Cars, among others. Spike’s music hearkens back that far.  Straight-up near-acoustic vocals, guitars, and drums sorrowfully pour out personal tunes all over this debut album.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Amberian Dawn – Temptation’s Gates

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Replacing an established singer is always a challenge. Some go too far off track while others opt to play safe, occasionally even trying to mimic their predecessor. Thankfully, there are no such issues with Finnish symphonic metal act Amberian Dawn as Swedish/English vocalist Nicole Willerton stamps her authority on the band’s ninth album, Temptation’s Gates (Napalm Records), adding her own distinctive style but without falling into any hidden traps. It does help that previous singer Capri (aka Päivi Virkkunen) wasn’t the band’s first vocalist herself, but fourteen years is still a lengthy period of time to enjoy the adoration of loyal fans. Continue reading →


ALBUM REVIEW: High Priestess – Casting the Circle – Ripple Music

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When LA trio High Priestess‘s eponymous debut High Priestess (Ripple Music) landed in 2018, it took my breath away with its mesmeric, Doomy hypnosis and occasional brutality. Waxing lyrical about it then, I was already eager and anxious to see if they could follow it. I needn’t have worried: sophomore set Casting the Circle (Ripple Music) maintains the impossibly high standards of that first album while enhancing the entrancing elements of their sound. Continue reading →