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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

The Night Marchers

Allez Allez
Swami (2013)

Sophomore records tend to bring a unique level of apprehension: has the artist changed; can s/he maintain the momentum from the first release; etc. Night Marchers—led by John Reis (Rocket From the Crypt, Hot Snakes) and rounded out with another two Hot Snakes members, Gar Wood and Jason Sinclair and the not-to-be-overlooked Jason Sinclair (Delta 72, Mule)—do not face such questions. With the body of work and distinct yet defined sound of their past projects, I don’t think anybody is entering Allez Allez devoid of firm expectations. Expectations that the band easily meets in their follow-up to 2008’s debut See You in Magic. All the recent reunion talk might have fans thinking of Rocket from the Crypt, but Allez Allez really should make listeners look to the present. The Night Marchers have a simple formula: taking classic r’n’r, delivering immediately powerful hooks, and crafting them into earworm 3-minute songs. It’s rock’n’roll at its base form, devoid of genre-tagging, distortion, time signature switcheroos, and all the other things that define contemporary music. Perhaps as a mission statement, Reis declares early on that “The only things that speak to me are loud, dumb, and mean.” The songs are really built around the … Read more

Flying Colors

Self Titles
Mascot (2012)

It's no secret that I have a love/hate relationship with former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. After leaving what was … Read more

Tomahawk

Oddfellows
Ipecac (2013)

It's been over 5 years since the world has been graced with anything new from Tomahawk, the pseudo-supergroup featuring the … Read more

Tomahawk

Oddfellows
Ipecac (2013)

In the summer of 1992, my older brother drove me to Tower Records to buy the new album by a … Read more

Fall City Fall

Victus
Victory (2013)

Meet Fall City Fall, the patron saints of Calgary Metalcore. Five years in the making and putting out their Major … Read more

Ampere

Like Shadows
No Idea Records (2011)

Ampere is an emotional hardcore band out of Amherst, Massachusetts known for incredibly chaotic live shows done in short bursts, … Read more

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One from the archives

Xibalba

Años en Infierno
Southern Lord (2020)

Southern California's Xibalba is back with a new LP titled Años En Infierno. The title of their third studio album translates to "years in hell," and it is a loathsome pillar, raised in tribute to the pain of living in a world populated by misery and ruin. Somehow the band's sulfurous combination of doom and death metal and hardcore from across the Americas, has only become more oppressive since they first began sacrificing human eardrums to the metal gods 13 years ago. Xibalba's molten regurgitate of fire and brimstone erupts from the bowels of hell to bore a tunnel from either ear straight through the mantel of your gray matter to make a charbroiled soup in the bowl of your skull. As you await this epic fate, I have but … Read more

More album reviews

Various Artists

Mamiffer / Pyramids- Split
Hydra Head / Sige / Daymare (2012)

Allow me to skip any wind bagging introduction here and just say that this split between Mamiffer and Pyramids is one of those pairings that two like minded musical acts lay down some of the coolest work that either has produced that somehow feels like a logical extension of each others work where none of the tracks would sound out … Read more

JJ and The Real Jerks

The Wringer
Rankoutsider (2011)

Ok, so yeah, this is a relatively old release. The band has released a new EP since, but that’s not an excuse to ignore this one though. This is my first venture into JJ & The Real Jerks—better late than never—and I must say, it was a pleasant one. I would not have expected a garage rock band hidden behind … Read more

Justin Bieber

Believe (Deluxe version)
Island (2012)

Editor's Note: Sarah went mysteriously missing before she could complete her review of this album. However, her therapist provided Scene Point Blank with the complete transcripts of her discussions with him over this release, which we humbly present instead, with some minor edits to protect her privacy. We apologize for the inconvenience.Sarah: Listen, you have to help me. I have … Read more

Jubilee Gardens

Star Struck
Independent (2012)

Jubilee Gardens new release titled Star Struck is one of those rare albums that come in like a breath of fresh air lyrically and musically. Jubilee and the band have proved over the years to be consistent in their musical growth and this one doesn't disappoint. The band is made up of Jubilee Connolly – vocals and guitars, Dan Hunt … Read more

Burnt Books

Self Titled
At A Loss (2013)

It’s no secret that women are highly unrepresented in heavy metal and its various sub-genres. Their absence is clearly a result of the “boys club” mentality that seems to have been a defining characteristic of heavy music since its inception. It would seem logical to equate aggressive music with masculinity, but to generalize that women are incapable of creating aggressive … Read more

Nine Covens

...On The Dawning Of Light
Candlelight (2013)

Nine Covens second release …On The Dawning of Light is a raging follow up to their debut that’s full of extremity and shades of melody alike. The furiously enigmatic group – no names, or indeed, faces – prefer to step back from the spotlight in order to let their music do the talking. Although, if you have a keen ear … Read more

Anchors

Lost At The Bottom Of The World
Creator-Destructor (2012)

Anchors are a five piece from Melbourne, Australia who play melodic hardcore in the vein of Strike Anywhere. While a few more comparisons might pop into mind throughout the record, really just that one is necessary to convey the point. Sure, they aren’t as politically-bent as Strike Anywhere, but the strain of melodic vocals layered over dual guitar, forward-pressing burners … Read more

9th Wonder & Buckshot

The Solution
Duck Down (2012)

The histories of both Buckshot and 9th Wonder in the rap game are long and storied. Buckshot’s tenure started in the early ‘90s as member of Black Moon, and as the leader of pivotal rap supergroup Boot Camp Clik. He’s continued to contribute to the greater good of the genre as a part-owner of the record label Duck Down. 9th … Read more

Mixtapes

Even On The Worst Nights
No Sleep (2012)

Even on the Worst Nights beams with positivity. Sure, a closer listen will reveal a lot of sarcasm in the sugar-pop sound, but the first impression is one of balloons and puppy dogs, not shaking one’s fists in anger or letting loose a crippling, agonizing scream. The Cincinnati, OH band is clean and crisp, with singalongs, brevity, and self-awareness as … Read more

Deathstench

Rites Of The Dead Moon
Independent (2012)

Deathstench has done much to make their name in the underground world of blackened noise. This EP contains a solitary 13 minute song. While for some the length may be a turn off, you may put aside your expectations right now. This solitary track is contained in packaging that makes it worth the price alone. On a 3" cd encased … Read more

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

Lost Songs
Superball (2012)

The past decade has been an artistic whirlwind for the Austin, TX …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. After hitting a peak with Source Tags and Codes in 2002, the band has since struggled with their identity and the heavy expectations from critics. Or at least that’s how it feels in the eye of the beholder. … Read more

Greg Prato

Too High To Die: Meet The Meat Puppets
lulu (2012)

Do you know who the Meat Puppets are, or have you ever wondered who the two long-haired guys that appeared on Nirvana’s Unplugged performance were? Like many people my age, I was introduced to the Meat Puppets by seeing the Kirkwood brothers perform their songs with Nirvana on MTV’s Unplugged way back in 1993 (Dear God has it really been … Read more

Young Statues

Self Titled
Run for Cover (2012)

Young Statues are a newly formed, Philadelphia indie rock band that arose from the coming together of long time friends. Their debut self-titled full-length is full of catchy riffs and appealing melodies and comes together to form a great overall “easy listening” feel. In short, your girlfriend will like this from the get-go and, if you give it a real … Read more

Norwegian Arms

Wolf Like A Stray Dog
Independent (2013)

I discovered Norwegian Arms the same way I discover most of the best music I listen to – with the pop of a facebook chat window opening accompanied by a youtube link. As the video for “Tired of Being Cold” loaded (I have satellite internet because I live in the woods. It’s very slow, comparatively.) My friend Cris explained that … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)