Recent reviews

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

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

Clouds

We are Above You
Hydra Head (2008)

After debuting with last year's Legendary Demo, Boston-based rockers Clouds return with their sophomore full-length. Fronted by former Cave In guitar maestro Adam McGrath, the band has delivered another fine offering here, though they have refined their fuzzed-out punk sound with an even wider sampling of influences. We are Above You begins with "Empires in Basements." The song is a riff heavy venture that recalls the thick sludge-metal sound evocative of early Sabbath. We're talking about some bong-ripping riffs. Factor in McGrath's throaty delivery, not unlike The Melvins' Buzz Osbourne, and you've got an excellent start to the record. "Feed the Horse" follows and picks up the pace with a more rock/punk vibe reminiscent of The Stooges. From here Clouds continues to mix together fast-paced punk - chomping riffs and speedy drumming - with the swagger of rock 'n roll. Cuts like "Heisenberg Says" and "Year Zero" are great examples of this. However, on occasion Clouds venture away from this sound. "Slow Day" is another riff-heavy stoner metal cut as it melds equal parts Neurosis and early Soundgarden. Meanwhile, "Horrification" and "Playing Dark" are rip-roaring hardcore cuts - no doubt penned by guitarist Jim Carroll, who once slung the ax … Read more

The Banner

Frailty
Ferret (2008)

The Banner is the last great hope for Ferret Music since Dead Hearts broke up recently. I mean would you … Read more

Metallica

Death Magnetic
Elektra (2008)

The Metallica debate has been one of the most hotly contested that music has ever seen. Pro or Anti. Sellouts … Read more

COG

Course Over Ground
Moonlee (2007)

I don't get the chance to review Croatian bands very often. And I definitely don't get many chances to review … Read more

Die Young

Through the Valleys in Between
Still Life (2008)

I can't exactly recall my first exposure to Die Young, but I do know the band's 90's inspired hardcore punk … Read more

Real McKenzies

Off the Leash
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

What the world needs is more Dropkick Murphys, or perhaps something just different enough to spawn a new sub-subgenre. Unlike … Read more

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One from the archives

Stylex

Auto Focus
Action Driver (2003)

Stylex is going through an identity crisis. After their EP False Start, I was ready for more of the same, great, new-wave dynamite explosion recorded on the compact disc medium. The first song, "Out of Focus," holds a lot in common with that EP. It's loud, chaotic, and moves along at a brisk pace. Unfortunately the rest of the CD doesn't hold up. "Wiggle While You Work It" is the second track and one of the best on the disc. Featuring video-game type synths and dual vocals that yell at you, this song is just a shining moment in the career of Stylex altogether. The bridge into the chorus with one person screaming and then the next is excellent. The chorus is catchy as hell with lyrics claiming "I'm not … Read more

More album reviews

The Fantômas Melvins Big Band

Live in London 2006 DVD
Ipecac (2008)

The Melvins and Fantômas. Two great tastes that taste great together. This is the first visual release of this clash of the titans. Sure, they released a live album back in 2002 of one of their first live shows, but as cool as it was, like so many live releases, you really have to be there to truly see what … Read more

Sourvein

Ghetto Angel
This Dark Reign (2008)

It must be difficult for bands in the sludge metal game stand out from one another. Everyone's got the same huge amps. Everyone's got the same monster guitar tone. Everyone's on the same drugs, the burnouts from which have left everyone too fatigued to play anything faster than mid-tempo. Everyone has that oddly-conceived but still widely popular shrieking that makes … Read more

Envy / Jesu

Split
Hydra Head / Daymare (2008)

Slipping under one's nose is not something an Envy or Jesu release tends to do, but somehow, this split between the two is not receiving the same amount of press as Envy's other split with Thursday. Thursday might be a "bigger" band, but considering the amount of press that Jesu usually gets on a release and the admiration that Envy … Read more

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

Have Another Ball
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

We've all been to parties where there's always one guy. One drunk asshole to pooch the proceedings. Either he's slobbering all over you, back slaps and all regaling everyone with tales of how much he loves you, or giving you the drunken skunk-eye from across the room quietly seething and simmering in his jack n' coke with hatred for you … Read more

Don't Trip

The Root of All Evil
Independent (2008)

Don't Trip is a hardcore band that hails from the Bay Area of California. Northern California has been a hotbed for hardcore bands in recent years, so it's a hard game to jump into. After a self-released demo last year, Don't Trip comes back with the ten-track Root of All Evil. Expanding on the style they performed on the demo, … Read more

Amenra

Mass IIII
Hypertension (2008)

With no previous exposure to Amenra, the band which I am involved prepares to play a show with them knowing only that they are from Belgium. In the weeks leading up to said event, the support of fellow Belgian outfit Rise and Fall impacts me personally and intrigue begins to set in my mind. Well, let me just say that … Read more

Saul Williams

The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust
Fader (2008)

It's been over sixteen years since the death of Robert Lee Maupin, otherwise known as Iceberg Slim. An African-American author and poet responsible for works such as Pimp: The Story of My Life and Mama Black Widow: A Story of the South's Black Underworld, hHis works, while revolutionary at the time, have since been co-opted over the years to become … Read more

Grave Maker

Bury Me at Sea
Think Fast! (2008)

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Grave Maker quickly made a name for themselves thanks to a promising demo and a commitment to the road. With the band signing to Think Fast! the band gained the exposure they needed to make the jump to the next level. Bury Me at Sea is the band's debut full-length. The album packs a mean … Read more

Crevecoeur

II
Denovali (2008)

Crevecoeur are a French three-piece outfit which play a style of music that brings to mind the expansiveness of soundtracks. These nine songs comprise the group's second album since their formation as a duo in 2003 and first for Denovali Records. Considering that I have no previous exposure to the band, an admission to being roped in by their comparison … Read more

The Sump Pumps

Revenge of The Sump Pumps
8Bit (2008)

With a name like The Sump Pumps, these guys are not exactly making it easier for you to check out more information on them online, unless you're interested in basement pump systems and the weird origins of this quirky quartet's name. Revenge of The Sump Pumps is nevertheless a good title for an album, especially when it's kick started with … Read more

Narrows

Narrows
Deathwish Inc. (2008)

The first mentions of Narrows are enough to give someone chills, particularly if that individual is a fan of any of the groups from which this outfit sprang. Thinking on the possibilities from the membership roster (former members of Botch, Unbroken, Some Girls, etc as well as a current member of These Arms Are Snakes) alone brings much speculation as … Read more

Astapi

Corruption Concealed Under Deceptive Slogans
Jump Start (2008)

The Republican National Convention is busy throwing its Republican hootenanny only few scant miles from my apartment. If I was more politically minded I should be down with the other protesters waving signs and shouting slogans against/for what we want changed in the White House in the next four years. Or maybe I should grab my handkerchief, tie it across … Read more

No Turning Back

Stronger
Reflections (2008)

For over a decade No Turning Back has been churning out release after release - CD, vinyl, and cassette - of punishing New York flavored hardcore. And while you would think the band's location were the mean streets of NYC, these boys actually call the beauty of The Netherlands home. Don't worry! You're not the first to be fooled. Stronger … Read more

You May Die in the Desert

Bears in the Yukon
The Mylene Sheath (2008)

You May Die in the Desert is a three-piece, self-described as an "uplifting jazzy trio [that] combines chaotic guitar riffs with atmospheric layover techniques." With Bears in the Yukon, the group wastes no time with introductions. Within the opening twenty seconds, the opener's melody is in full swing, showing you they are not the type of instrumental act that needs … 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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