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Vicious Dreams

Turn Off My Brain
Brassneck Records, Dirt Cult, GC Records, Swamp Cabbage Records (2024)

Poppy punk from Florida, Vicious Dreams is a dual vocal trio who recently released Turn Off My Brain. This record follows the tried and true garage to rock to punk evolution of 4/4 songs with catchy choruses. What makes the group stand out is the way the two vocalists split duties and songwriting. It’s very clear when the songwriter changes, … Read more

Stoke Signals

Make Dying Fun
Independent (2024)

Stoke Signals are an emo-punk hybrid. The band bears most of the marks of the midtempo, singalong gruff-vocal punk I enjoy. But with some song structure and lyrical patterns of the far more popular emo-rock style that took off some 20 years ago. And: live by emo, die by emo. It’s a genre that puts the lyrics front and center … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Assistert Sjølmord

Assistert Sjølmord
Static Shock Records (2024)

They say love is a universal language. But this eponymous EP by Norway’s Assistert Sjølmord is downright angry, so maybe they got that one wrong. I don’t know what they are singing about on here at all, though I can discern a few words from the song titles. But this 7” is a 7-song rager. The drums set the tone, … Read more

The Mocks

Do You Want Me Too?
Wap Shoo Wap Records (2024)

Retro music as retro as this is not something I listen to a lot. Nick Waterhouse is the closest comparison I can make that I actually listen to. So why on earth am I reviewing this album, you might wonder? Well, I discovered their label last year. Wap Shoo Wap is a Dutch label specialized in old school punk and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Lucta

Eterna Lotta
Static Shock Records (2024)

Lucta come from Milan, IT and play heavy, fast hardcore that sounds straight out of 1984. It’s aggressive, while also feeling unpredictable and a little bit unstable, like it could break into pure chaos at any moment. There are some metallic flourishes, kicking off with a minute-plus heavy atmospheric instrumental lead in the intro track, “Sacrificio,” but then it shifts … Read more

Geneviève Beaulieu

Augury
Union Finale Records (2024)

There is no doubt that Menace Ruine is a pioneering force in the extreme music space. The Quebec-based duo of Geneviève Beaulieu and S. de la Moth honed their avant-garde sound by encapsulating components of drone, neo-folk, and tinges of black metal. This unique mix resulted in some of the seminal works of the ‘10s, particularly Alight In Ashes and … Read more

Scrunchies

Colossal
Learning Curve Records (2024)

I’ve covered a lot of bands in the Scrunchies family tree in the past, so Colossal is pretty much what I expected. Yet, at the same time, it’s a slight turnaround in style for the band, who released Feral Coast in 2022, which was a punkier sound. Their third LP, on new label Learning Curve, Colossal takes a hard ‘90s … Read more

MakeWar

A Paradoxical Theory of Change
Fat Wreck Chords (2024)

This is the third album from MakeWar and they have their sound pinned down. I mean that, in the best way possible, A Paradoxical Theory Of Change is exactly what you want from the band. I also note it because, as it’s my third time review them, I’m trying not to repeat myself. This album introduces a new drummer, Alejandro … Read more

Shehehe

Namedroppers
Say-10 (2024)

  Shehehe, from Athens, GA, deliver a powerful sound that’s part rip-roarin’ rock ‘n’ roll, and equal part Ramones. It’s as classic as it gets in a way, while still feeling like a unique band that’s doing their own thing. Throw in a dose of DIY grit, and you’ve got their general sound. It’s punk rock from the heart, where you … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Bootlicker

1000 Yd. Stare
Neon Taste Records, Static Shock Records (2024)

This full-length record might fit on a 7”. It’s short and fast, but still definitely a full record with 10 fully-formed tracks of stomping punk rock just over 15 minutes overall. I’ve written about the band before and this record continues their trajectory. I remember a little more barking and aggression last time, but that isn’t to say this record … Read more

Various Artists

DCxPC Live Volume 22
DCxPC Live (2024)

Volume 22 of DCxPC Live, a live album vinyl record label for punk, hardcore, ska and metal bands, features Sticky Steve, Borrowed Sparks, Jacob Danielsen-Moore and Dougie Flesh and the Slashers. This iteration leans heavy into folk punk and psychobilly sensibilities. Think Laura Jane Grace if she was obsessed with Spirit Halloween and B-horror movies. The vinyl itself didn’t seem … Read more

Swami & The Bed Of Nails

All Of This Awaits You
BMG, Swami (2024)

Some artists slow down as they get older. Who knows if that’s because of day jobs or family or something about the new creative process. It’s all case by case and speculation, and that’s not why I’m here talking about John Reis’s latest project anyway, other than to give a lengthy intro to Swami & The Bed Of Nails, which … Read more

Ulvtharm

7 Uthras
Cyclic Law (2024)

A pioneer of the extreme ambient scene, Jouni Ollila's work with Mz.412 has been instrumental in tying the dark ambient scene with a black metal perspective. In effect, Ollila has influenced an array of artists from the brutal, dungeon chaos of Abruptum to the horrifying, noise dreams of Gnaw Their Tongues. While Ollila continues to produce dark visions through Mz.412, … Read more

Mannequin Pussy

I Got Heaven
Epitaph (2024)

One of the rare instances of a band getting more raucous with time (and success), Mannequin Pussy’s third studio album I Got Heaven sets the mood with heavy drums and cutting vocals. While the sound doesn’t swing in as hard, or as messy, as previous albums, the band hits their stride with lyrics equal parts scalding and snotty. Album opener … Read more

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