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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)

Enthroned

Obsidium
Agonia (2012)

Belgian black metal veterans Enthroned offer up a new platter of palpable devastation with Obsidium. With this album they show the versatility that has carried them throughout their career. Obsidium will be revered amongst black metal purists, but easily approachable by those unfamiliar with the genre. Metalheads of all sorts will be coming together to bask in the darkness of every riff. The opening track has that signature bleak opening fused with low chaotic riffing to create the perfect stage for the rest of the album to act upon. Enthroned doesn’t ease you into the album, they drag you under water in the first few seconds and holds you there for 40 minutes. Every second is a struggle. The storytelling aspect to each song is very unique and explained through the expanding vocal range of Nornagest and his backups. Early death elements spill through on the title track as well as the 4th track, “Deathmoor,” while some standouts like “The Final Architect” sound like the black metal equivalent of a ballad. It is epic sounding with a touch of urgency throughout the song. My favorite song was actually the concluding “Thy Blight Vacuum,” which shows a different writing aspect then … Read more

Say Anything

Anarchy, My Dear
Equal Vision (2012)

Say Anything are a band who does the opposite of what you think they're going to do. For example, when … Read more

Rêx Mündi

IHVH
Debemur Morti Productions (2011)

Handily joining the ranks of the best French bands whose abuse of the metal ümlaüt prevents their name from being … Read more

Unholy Majesty

Self Titled
A389 (2012)

Burgeoning from a small town called Margate in the United Kingdom, is Unholy Majesty, a metallic hardcore supergroup meant to … Read more

Fatal Birth

Self Titled
Twelve Gauge (2012)

Fatal Birth are a relatively new band. This being their first major release one could assume any number of things … Read more

Kronos Quartet

Music of Vladimir Martynov
Nonesuch (2012)

Now, I'm no stranger to long music, but it still astounds me that there are only three pieces on this … Read more

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One from the archives

Struck by Lightning

True Predation
Translation Loss (2012)

Struck By Lightning came out the gate hard and fast about 3 years ago with their first LP "Serpents". That record truly set them apart from the ex-members of... tag that they could've carried. Instead of playing the post metal of past projects they built a sound that was more indebted to Discharge than Isis. This worked well for them as their instrumental prowess was allowed to shine at times while remaining locked into a general arena. So with their second full length it is time to see if they can remain consistent.Right out of the gate the band starts blasting away grunting into the D-beat start of "Sickening Reality". This doesn't last as at some point they start mixing in melodeath riffing which somehow works for them and finally … Read more

More album reviews

The Measure [SA]

My Heart And The Real World
No Idea (2011)

From the getgo, the transitions on My Heart and the Real World could be smoother—but that’s no surprise on a collections record. The Measure [SA] put out an enormous body of work—at least for a band with only two official full-lengths during their run—and putting them onto a single slab of plastic or vinyl sometimes creates logistics problems with recording … Read more

Creatures

Vesuvius
Twelve Gauge (2012)

Creatures have made a name fo9r themselves over the past few years playing a style of metalcore that bears a resemblance to the Holy Terror style. So the basics here are heavy with a strong leaning towards metal riffing and an obvious inclination towards evil. The band seemed rather silent after releasing their Salvation EP last year. With a few … Read more

Good Old War

Come Back As Rain
Sargent House (2012)

The first time I heard Good Old War, I heard them live - probably the best way to listen to them, in my opinion. Their harmonies, melodies and musical arrangements are way more impressive that way. They were opening for Guster and after their performance of "My Own Sinking Ship," I was sold on them. (All I have to say … Read more

Thee High Priestess

MMXII Demo
Independent (2012)

The internet contains some weird ways to discover music, and this aspect is a double edged sword because now everyone and their brothers and or sisters try to make music in their bedroom or basement or garage and put it up on their interwebz for everyone else to sift through; finding new music can be a giant pain in the … Read more

Future of the Left

Polymers Are Forever EP
Xtra Mile (2011)

From what I gather, I’m supposed to love Andy Falkous and his body of work. For a man who talks so much shit, he sure has a lot of admirers. But, whatever…I’m reviewing Polymers Are Forever here, not writing as essay on ego worship. This EP is the latest from his post-Mclusky group, and something of a teaser for an … Read more

The Eye Of Time

Self Titled
Denovali (2012)

The first thing that hits you is how beautiful the album looks. You haven't even begun to listen to it and already you're fawning over the beautiful cover art. It only gets more enthralling as you open it up and revel in the stunning beauty of Thomas Hack's artwork. As you take your time flipping through the massive booklet of … Read more

Planet Asia

Black Belt Theater
Wandering Worx (2012)

Planet Asia has built a long history in underground hip hop. While certainly not the best known to most he has built his career from the ground up. Through failed major label deals and a lack of recognition he has made himself known through his hard work and consistency. Most rappers couldn't be bothered with the struggles he has gone … Read more

Chimp Spanner

All Roads Lead Here
Basick (2012)

I will say, right off the bat, the composition ability of Paul Ortiz, a.k.a. Chimp Spanner, is undeniably top-notch, as is his musicality. Sure, he can be a bit self-indulgent at times, but then again, as a solo artist, isn't that more or less the point? Regardless, it's clear that his latest album, All Roads Lead Here, is a visionary … Read more

Spoonboy

The Papas
Fuck You is a Seven Letter Word (2011)

Do you like songs about gender issues, white male privilege, masculinity, and society in general? If not, you may want to quit reading here. Spoonboy, led by David Combs, is dedicated and upfront about these causes. Much like his other band, The Max Levine Ensemble, the general tone is preachy (to the choir), with pop song structures, direct lyrics, and … Read more

Maker

Mirrors
6131 (2011)

Maker have been a band for a few years now crawling out of the Massachusetts hardcore scene. The band play a style of pop punk that relies on speed and bolstered by breakdowns and gang vocals. The band had signed to 6131 records about a year ago after a handful of EPs and Split records. So far nothing particularly different … Read more

Les Discrets

Ariettes Oubliées...
Prophecy Productions (2012)

France's Les Discrets have been active for nigh on nine years, yet are only on the cusp of their second full length release. Driving force Fursy Teyssier has had a hand in one of the greatest exports of the majestic French scene, Amesoeurs (unfortunately a band no longer in existence), and once upon a time toured with Alcest as their … Read more

Sleigh Bells

Reign Of Terror
Mom + Pop (2012)

Derek Edward Miller and Alexis Krauss start this record like it's a Van Halen concert. They're tricking you into thinking that maybe after the Skins commercials that had everyone humming "Kids," after the Williamsburg and Pitchfork royalty fame, and after all the music festivals they attended last year, they were going to take things in a different direction - maybe … Read more

Let Me In

The Bag
Penthar Music (2011)

When I was asked to write a review for the band Let Me In’s debut album, The Bag and they were categorized as an Italian pop/punk band I was a bit intrigued. One thing that jumps at the listener from the start of the record is that these guys know how to rock. Italy isn’t known for producing pop-punk bands … Read more

Pallbearer

Sorrow And Extinction
Profound Lore (2012)

Arkansas residents Pallbearer have been a band to watch out for ever since the release of a fantastic three track demo in 2010. Featuring two original compositions ("Devoid of Redemption" and "The Legend" having been re-recorded for this release) and a cover track, this demo served to have many take note of this doom-laden quartet and the hopes for a … Read more

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