Describing a band, group, or musical project as transcendental is a dangerously brash decision Without getting into the actual philosophical background of what transcendental means, labeling oneself as such could come off as high self praise. Liturgy is a one man (driven by one Hunter Hunt-Hendrix) black metal project from New York in the States which describes itself as pure transcendental black metal. Given that the idea of a one man black metal project is something which is done by others in the black scene (see Xasthur), Liturgy seemingly forgoes a great deal of the black, bleak, and or dark imagery which pervades much (though not all) of the contemporary black metal scene. And yet, after jawing rhapsodic about things that are not the music, the question still remains: what does Liturgy actually sound like on Immortal Life? The six recordings on Immortal Life range from what sound like riff reference demos (some guitarists will record a riff or lick that pops in their mind on a mini cassette or mini digital recorder a la Keith Richards and the story behind his writing the Rolling Stones song "Satisfaction") on tracks three and one to more arranged demos of songs that … Read more
We have Taylor Swift and then we have Hank III. The former is the public face of country music today. … Read more
Josh Homme wants it to be clear: Eagles of Death Metal is not a side project. Though he rakes in … Read more
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Burgeoning from a small town called Margate in the United Kingdom, is Unholy Majesty, a metallic hardcore supergroup meant to convey the bleak atmosphere of their city through music. With members of bands such as Sacred Ritual, Cold Snap, Age Of Kali, The Break In and Santa Karla it’s clear that this band has paid it’s dues and are looking to break out even further. The band displays a ferocity that so many bands today just can’t reach and the song writing skills put most of their contemporaries to shame. The band puts together an array of influences to bring about a vicious attack on the listener; imagine a blackened version of Outbreak with a touch of Slayer. The album bursts out of the gates with an introduction that would … Read more
Git Some is a band which has been around a bit and actually predates the participation of two of its members (Chuck French and Neil Keener) in the much vaunted group, Planes Mistaken for Stars (even though many will consider this a new band featuring ex-members of said well known group for which they would be wrong). Git Some is … Read more
Every so often you just want a metal album that is that, a metal album. Well here we have just that with the latest full-length from Intronaut. Prehistoricisms is a heavy metal album that is not a concept album, but an album based upon the theme of evolution. I can dig that, especially when the music is - at its … Read more
Gnaw Their Tongues is almost completely indescribable, it is a project that simply needs to be heard to be believe. Forget understanding it as the primitive emotional outbursts that pepper the sounds on their records as these compositions seem to aim at leaving listeners aghast at the emanations of sound. An Epiphanic Vomiting of Blood is the latest recording from … Read more
It's rather interesting that I've found the work of Bright Eyes to be wholly underwhelming since the release of Fevers and Mirrors back in 2000. Sure, there are been standout tracks throughout the years, but as a whole, not one entire album has quite captured the sincerity, the emotion, and the songwriting skills that Conor Oberst displayed on that album. … Read more
A seven year old band from Boston, comprised of three members, released their third full-length this year. After writing five songs two years ago for a split with friends Ampere, Sinaloa present Oceans of Islands, their first effort distributed by Level Plane Records. Their previous albums and splits were released on Ebullition, Clean Plate, and Waking Records, labels that boast … Read more
...and with volume two in the "Happiness is the Road" series, Marillion has the ship back on course. Kicking open the door with "Thunder Fly," The Hard Shoulder will have you feeling bad that you ever doubted the band in the first place. Way back in the early days Marillion struggled to separate themselves from comparisons to Gabriel-era Genesis, which … Read more
In their twenty-six-year or so history, Marillion have never released a shitty album. Think of other bands that have been around; can they make the same claim? I think not. Sure, there's been albums that are less memorable, but actually bad? Not a one. Writer's block has never been an issue with a couple of exceptions, the releases are usually … Read more
I love it when hardcore bands up their game. I understand it's hardcore and bands have made decade-long careers on releasing the same album year after year. Or usually they run out of material and gracefully bail out after an EP and one full-length. However with Prying Eyes Cruel Hand decided to out-do themselves with releasing one of the better … Read more
When Red Sparowes released At the Soundless Dawn, I began to better appreciate instrumental music. The sound that the band has made for themselves incorporates pedal steel guitar, wandering movements, and entrancing song developments. After recording the band's second full-length Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun guitarist Josh Graham, also of Neurosis, left the band to work on … Read more
The Bronx are a loud rock-n-roll band. Their first album was bruising and hectic, but their second album toned it down a tad with more melody and relaxing tempos. More than one coked-up kid probably complained of the change, slight as it was, and cried sellout. "Where'd all the punk go?" Well kid, now that The Bronx are free from … Read more
Many recent listeners may not remember (nor heard in the first place) the first couple of releases by Florida's Hope and Suicide (1999's Razorblade Smile and 2003's split with Emmanuel 7) let alone know that members of this band were integral members of the almighty Bloodlet (vocalist Scott Angelacos was also the vocalist of Bloodlet while bassist Tom Crowther was … Read more
Sometimes you just want to tear something down, rip it to shreds. To have that attitude when reviewing an album is fucked up, no question. The promo for the new Mötley Crüe album was claimed for such a reason. Preconceived notions are just that - preconceptions. Sometimes they're accurate, sometimes not. Thinking that an album from schlock-meisters Mötley Crüe will … Read more
Harrowed and Wealdstone marks the final recordings from German bruisers Perth Express. It's quite a shame that the band decided to call it a day as they had just released their discography in the U.S. last year and followed that up with tours in the States as well as abroad. These nine songs see a continued assault on the ears … Read more
Unchained is a five-piece of youngsters from the Bay Area of California. This release is a four-song demo EP titled Dark Days. On these four tracks the band offers up a nice blend of hardcore, fast-paced punk, and even a dash of 80's thrash ala D.R.I.. "I'm Walking Home" had me thinking of Lights Out. "Fuck Off Die Slow" is … Read more
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