Recent reviews

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)

Razor of Occam

Homage to Martyrs
Metal Blade (2009)

Blackened thrash metal has been getting a lot more popular recently with bands like Skeletonwitch and Toxic Holocaust getting more recognition as of late. Like most sub-genres, there are bands who are worthy contributors to the scene and then there are those who are simply followers and the United Kingdom's Razor of Occam, are without a doubt, more than worthy contributors to this rising genre. The band has been around for eleven years and is composed of former members of the band Destroyer 666. Just what does Razor of Occam bring to the table though? How about a completely authentic black metal sound with some amazing guitar work. The band recently signing to Metal Blade will help them get their name out even further as their debut album, Homage yo Martyrs, brings yet another slab of creativity and refreshment to today's metal scene. Homage to Martyrs is a straight up assault of thrash riffs, ferocious blast beats and blistering guitar solos. The band's overall sound leans more towards the black metal side with the sinister shrieks and screams from vocalist/guitarist Matt and lightning fast double-bass and blast beats from drummer Peter Hunt along with the raw production. The guitar-work is … Read more

Fireworks

All I Have to Offer is My Own Confusion
Triple Crown (2009)

Ah, the full-length record that so many of us have been waiting for. After the disappointing lack of new material … Read more

Let Me Run

Meet Me at the Bottom
XOXO (2009)

Hailing from New Jersey, Let Me Run is the latest in a series of bands walking the line between the … Read more

Supermachiner

Rust
Deathwish Inc. (2009)

Following the vinyl issue of Rise of the Great Machine (their first full-length album), Supermachiner finally offers more music with … Read more

IAMX

The Alternative (Reissue)
Metropolis (2008)

Well, he still looks like a prick in the ruff but now he's wearing a big stripey kipper tie as … Read more

Torche

Healer/Across the Shields
Hydra Head (2009)

Following up their much acclaimed full-length, Meanderthal, Torche gives the Healer/Across the Shields twelve-inch EP and DVD to tide fans … Read more

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One from the archives

Son Lux

At War with Walls and Mazes
Anticon (2008)

200 Words Or Less

Son Lux is the working project of one man, Ryan Lott, a multi-talented musician and artist. At War with Walls and Mazes is his debut full-length and over the course of it he dabbles in various worlds of experimental music. At War with Walls and Mazes can be described in simplest forms as experimental as throughout the album, Lott pursues different sound avenues. Elements of pop, hip-hop, classical, and many others are twisted and contorted into a sound all its own. If you were to take Radiohead's Kid A and Beck's Sea Change, you'd be along the right lines. Some songs take more to the avant-garde leanings of the music world, while others are more traditional. Some are more upbeat; others more slow moving. "Betray" is a good example of … Read more

More album reviews

Maniqui Lazer

I Learn Everything on TV
Soundsister (2008)

I don't know much about music along the US-Mexico border, and the name Maniqui Lazer and the cartoonish sketches on the cover only intrigue me so much. Mostly, it gives the impression of a weird band with a lot of keyboards. Lo and behold, I got that part right. I just missed the crazy energy held within the cardboard package. … Read more

Two Tongues

Two Tongues
Vagrant (2009)

When the news of Max Bemis (Say Anything) and Chris Conley (Saves the Day) collaborating to create Two Tongues was announced, many were expecting stellar results from the duo. We all know how hard it is to live up to the hype, especially when your resume includes making some of the best pop-punk albums of the new millennium, which applies … Read more

Past Lives

Strange Symmetry
Suicide Squeeze (2008)

The hiatus and eventual breakup of The Blood Brothers in 2007 left many of their fans heartbroken. But honestly, with as many musical outlets as the members have had over the years - Head Wound City, Neon Blonde, Jaguar Love, etc - I didn't really expect them to last that much longer. After the demise of the group, members Jordan … Read more

Multiple Authors

Mastodon

Crack the Skye
Reprise (2009)

It's really hard to place Mastodon into one genre. Yes, they are mainly a metal band but what sub-genre? Sludge metal? Progressive metal? Groove metal? You'd be right and wrong with all three since the band has experimented with each of those different sounds on all of their albums, but they are so much more than that. Hell, there are … Read more

Multiple Authors

Mastodon

Crack the Skye
Reprise (2009)

Water. Earth. Russian monarchy? While Mastodon's previous albums Leviathan and Blood Mountain deal with two of the four elements, their newest, Crack the Skye, deals with another element albeit in a more abstract fashion - exploring the air or rather, the ether, through the eyes of a paraplegic boy who astral projects himself into the body of Grigori Rasputin, the … Read more

Red Stars Parade

Lutine Belle
Thirty Days Of Night (2008)

Bands that are difficult to pin down to a particular genre are great. They might have a distinctive sound and there might be comparisons that can be drawn, but you can lose yourself in the safe knowledge of something fresh and abstract. Then some idiot music critic comes along and ruins your day by inventing a name for it, so … Read more

Jump the Shark

Staring Death
Dead Truth (2008)

So the other day for lunch, I decided to try a new sandwich shop in the Skyway. I'd heard decent things about it, and when I walked past it on my way to other establishments for lunch, they definitely were busy, and people apparently liked it. So I ordered their house specialty sandwich. What I got was a perfectly passable … Read more

The Cure

4:13 Dream
Geffen (2008)

A new album by The Cure. This always makes me nervous. One of my favorite bands from old times (my favorite band full stop, according to my Last FM charts), The Cure are pretty damn high in my esteem. Having said that, I am more than aware of Robert Smith's ability to disappoint me. The last couple of decades of … Read more

Kids Like Us

The 80s are Dead (Reissue)
Eulogy (2008)

I might as well start this review off by saying I have never liked Kids Like Us. There is nothing about their music that enthralls me. Actually their moshy "skater jams" annoy the living piss out of me with their juvenile lyrics and token mosh parts. There has been countless stories of lame debauchery that this band has caused on … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Steel Nation / Crucified

Split
Double or Nothing (2009)

Two very promising bands take on each other with this split 7": Steel Nation hailing from Pittsburgh while Crucified call the Bay Area home. Both offer menacing metallic hardcore that is not to be passed over. Steel Nation delivers two brand new tracks, their first since parting ways with their vocalist and having the remaining members share the vocals. In … Read more

200 Words Or Less

These Arms are Snakes / Tropics

Split
We-Be (2008)

Here we have another limited edition split 7", this one that was issued in support of These Arms are Snakes and Tropics European tour together. You get one exclusive track from each artist. These Arms are Snakes offer up "Meet Your Major," which is very much in tune with the band's latest full-length offering, Tail Swallower and Dove. You get … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Mass vs. Cali
Heart In Hand (2008)

This 7" compilation partners two Massachusetts bands on one side and two California bands on the other side. Each band contributes one track each; with each band honing in on their own take of hardcore. The Effort leads off the Massachusetts side with "Steps Ahead." Musically they seem to fall between Modern Life is War and Shai Hulud. It's fast … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Until Your Heart Stops

We are not Coming Down
Heart In Hand (2009)

The Bay Area of California was one of the original breeding grounds for hardcore not to mention a hot bed as of late - so it really isn't a surprise to hear new and impressive bands emerging on a monthly basis. Until Your Heart Stops is a fairly new group that has something new to offer, yet is closely tied … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Caleb Lionheart

Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk
Farewell Party (2008)

New York outfit Caleb Lionheart's first proper offering Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk is a bit of an odd title. Thankfully, the band does not play the mosh-influenced hardcore version of pop-punk of A Day to Remember. Instead the band's fast-paced punk is much closer to Lifetime and Bouncing Souls. Musically, I enjoy what Caleb Lionheart has to offer quite … Read more

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