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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)

Hidden Hospitals

EP 02
Independent (2012)

Hidden Hospitals, based in Chicago, IL, have released their new EP titled simply EP02 and it is an amazing release full of emotion, hooks, and harmonies. Nashville’s J. Hall handled the producing duties on this one as well as their earlier first release EP01. Being familiar with the group, he knows how to bring the best out of their sound. The mix is fantastic with each layer defined and crisp. The current lineup consists of David Raymond (vocals/guitar) Steve Downs (guitar), Jared Karns (drums), and John Scott (bass/vocals). With David Raymond and Steve Downs from the indie band Damiera and Jared Karns from Kiss Kiss, the blending of the two bands’ styles that they were known for sounds unique while it represents a new musical path for them. It appears as though they are just getting comfortable. The EP opens with the tune “Featherweight,” where the beat continually builds and then suddenly moves up into high gear with an elegance in their delivery as the melodies soar around the guitar riffs. “The Absence of Emotion” is the follow-up and it, along with the “Picture Perfect,” displays the depth of songwriting talent. Nevermind the fact that the production quality of the … Read more

The Casket Lottery

The Door
No Sleep (2012)

There was definitely a time a few years back (or ten if you are keeping score) where I followed (along … Read more

Murder By Death

Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
Bloodshot (2012)

Murder by Death are back with their sixth studio album, and it's their moodiest album yet. It's a stark contrast … Read more

Sutcliffe Jugend

Blue Rabbit
Crucial Blast (2012)

Sutcliffe Jugend started as an offshoot of British power electronics specialists Whitehouse, using this project to reveal the outer reaches … Read more

Oiltanker

Shadow of Greed/Crusades
Southern Lord (2012)

A while back I caught Oiltanker in the midst of the second day of Midwest Hell Fest—a one-off weekend crust … Read more

Lymbyc Systym

Symbolyst
Western Vinyl (2012)

Lymbyc Systym's third studio-album was released September 18th via Western Vinyl. This effort comes three years after the band's Shutter … Read more

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One from the archives

The Splits

II
Dirtnap (2015)

I really like Dirtnap Records, but they can’t all be winners. The Splits start off II with a really positive vibe in “Rotten Me,” with a powerful and familiar rock ‘n’ rollin’ base behind music that’s emphatic and emotional. I really like the enunciation by singer Helena throughout this song.Unfortunately, the majority of the record doesn’t hold up to the variables that are so strong in that first one. As a whole, the record stumbles and feels dull, the songs bleeding together without anything to carry them. It’s not all bad by a longshot. “I Know” is good because it returns to that emotive tone reflected in the opener, with a few ups and downs in the tempo along the way. Later, “Melody” starts out with some nice L7-reminiscent screams, … Read more

More album reviews

Fist City

It's 1983 Grow Up!
Black Tent Press (2012)

Alberta-based four-piece Fist City continue to make a name for themselves with the genre-blending It’s 1983 Grow Up!, their second full-length record. The album marks the band’s first release since being signed to Black Tent Press and is reflective of their signature sound while presenting more cohesively as a whole than their previous effort (2010’s Hunting You). Producer Paul Lawton … Read more

Fire & Ice

Not Of This Earth
Reaper (2012)

Fire & Ice is a groove infused hardcore band out of Richmond, Virginia. Their newest release, Not of This Earth has been put out on Reaper Records. Opening for legendary acts and touring consistently with some of the best in the game, these guys are quickly going to the top of everyone’s lists as far as newer hardcore bands go. … Read more

Converge

All We Love We Leave Behind
Epitaph\Deathwish Inc (2012)

This is not a review but more a lament, and I am not sure exactly who or what this lament is meant because there is a definite sense of utter confusion while listening to the latest album, All We Love We Leave Behind, from the almighty Converge on my part; let us get this out of the way since I … Read more

Cadette

Flesh Without Hunting
Independent (2012)

If first impressions are what make or break an artist, Cadette is a whole bunch of angry. The Minneapolis, MN trio’s debut release Flesh Without Hunting rips through eight songs, drawing a heavy 1990s influence but maintaining their own identity, rooted in the present, throughout. The easiest point of reference comes with vocalist and primary songwriter Laura Larson’s previous band, … Read more

Every Silver Lining Has A Cloud

Self Titled
Projekt (2011)

This French band may have one of the longer band names in recent memory. Let us gloss over this even though through the ever accurate Wikipedia it may refer to a Julian Schnabel record. This band focuses on a slight version of the general post rock template. While most bands tend to forgo vocals and play the line by making … Read more

Enabler

All Hail The Void
Southern Lord (2012)

Enabler managed to make some big noise for themselves very quickly. after 2 eps and numerous splits the band got snatched up by the newly crust leaning Southern Lord. The question is after making such a big splash with these eps could the band manage to make nearly as big of a splash in the full length medium? The band … Read more

8MM

Between The Devil and Two Black Hearts
ChelseaGirl (2012)

8MM has been around for a while now and their sound is maturing with every release from their first EP 2004's Opener to the new album Between The Devil and Two Black Hearts they just keep getting better. Lead by multi-instrumentalist / producer Sean Beavan (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, No Doubt) the band was able to raise $40K via … Read more

La Coka Nostra

Masters of the Dark Arts
Fat Beats (2012)

Masters of the Dark Arts marks the return of La Coka Nostra, a rap supergroup who were last heard from in ’09 on their then long-awaited debut album A Brand You Can Trust. LCN had originally assembled sometime in ’05 as a much larger entity than they are today. With a large contingent of Caucasian members in tow, the original … Read more

Split Cranium

Self Titled
Hydra Head (2012)

So, here we have Split Cranium an interesting project band formed by some of the people behind the acclaimed Circle with the addition of Aaron Turner (of Old Man Gloom, House Of Low Culture, Mamiffer, Jodis and formerly of Isis amongst others); and this band is nothing like anything else that these gentlemen are all known for churning out in … Read more

Behexen

Nightside Emanations
Debemur Morti Productions (2012)

Oh Behexen....what the hell (pun intended) happened? It was all going so well. My Soul for His Glory was a definite career high....those classic Finnish riffs, the evil sound, demonic undertones and the sense of something quite frightening occurring. Skip forward four years and we have Nightside Emanations – a record so mediocre that even the cover art looks second … Read more

Ace High Cutthroats

Black Fire
Independent (2012)

With a name like Ace High Cutthroats, it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to determine what the band is about. On their debut Black Fire, the group delivers rollicking rock with big guitars and a lot of swagger—keeping their rock’n’roll lifestyle close at heart underneath their black leather jackets. The band includes members of Nightgaun and Prosthetics, and the … Read more

Stiletto Assassins

Self Titled
Independent (2011)

I don't really know where to begin with this EP. Its groovy rock sensibilities throw back to 70's glam rock, but without the theatrics and clever satire. I don't think I get it. Part of me thinks it's intentionally a joke, while the other half of me believes it's to be taken seriously. I'm inclined to lean towards the former … Read more

Heinali

Air
Fluttery (2012)

I really wish I had the chance to review more classical music. While I don't consider myself an expert on the genre, I always find that listening to classical gives me musical experiences I truly could not get anywhere else, and when you've been listening to metal all day long, you can find it to be a welcome reprieve. That's … Read more

Joe Jackson

The Duke
Razor & Tie (2012)

Joe Jackson’s love of Jazz is no secret; with his new album being a tribute to the Jazz king Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington simply titled The Duke. Joe has been on the scene now for over thirty years putting out hits like his early pop work “Is She Really Going Out With Him” and “Sunday Papers” from the album Look … Read more

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

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