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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)

Nala Sinephro

Space 1.8
Warp (2021)

I’m a real sucker for any records that are themed somewhere in the vicinity of space/cosmos area of things. So, naturally, I just straight up check anything that seems at least decent in that zone. I had virtually no expectations when diving into Nala Sinephro’s Space 1.8, with the exception of thinking that I will meet a familiar sound. By the time I was around the dozenth listen or so, I didn’t even realize the entire day basically swept by. It’s rare that a record has such a meditative/hypnotic effect on me. At the same time, I was also dazzled by so many things that I found on the album. It took me quite some time to unearth all the subtleties of this aural journey. Less because it’s that complicated, because it just isn’t, but more because it’s so charming, so enthralling, that it practically whisks you to somewhere far, far away. While Space 1.8 is so utterly relaxing and soothing, it has plenty of nuance and action to go around, so one will fare very well with an active listen of it as well. I think that part of the magic of the record, besides its sensational ability to … Read more

Demonztrator

Sinister Forces Of Hatred
Ossuary Records (2021)

Sinister Forces Of Hatred is the second album from Helsinki-based thrash metal ensemble Demonztrator. Formed in 2016 as a covers … Read more

Frontierer

Oxidized
Independent (2021)

So, here’s the new Frontierer. I’ll cut it as is right out of the gate – it’s a disappointment. I’ve … Read more

Sungazer

Perihelion
676832 Records DK2 (2021)

There aren’t a lot of modern bands that genuinely feel like they’re pushing music forward. One such example comes in … Read more

Pat Metheny

Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)
BMG (2021)

I’m inclined to believe that anyone even just vaguely familiar with the fusion area of jazz has heard of Pat … Read more

Postage

LP1
Dirt Cult (2021)

Most of the time when a review says something sounds familiar it’s meant as an insult. Well, Postage is a … Read more

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One from the archives

Symphorce

Become Death
Metal Blade (2007)

This record really surprised me. When I got it, I was excited about the fact that they are a power metal band. I can't get enough of the stuff, so naturally I was stoked. I started checking out the CD insert and saw that they are from Germany. Germany has given birth to some of my favorite power metal bands. Both Blind Guardian and Galloglass are German bands and Massacre Records just released the latest installment from Sweden's Axenstar. I pretty much knew what to expect from Symphorce's Become Death. I was wrong. While this record definitely belongs in power metal territory, the first track, "Darkness Fills the Sky", blatantly carries a heavy thrash influence, not something found too often in power metal. This track is full of fast heavy … Read more

More album reviews

Book Review

Paul Brannigan

Eruption: The Eddie Van Halen Story
Faber Publishing (2021)

I for one have always found it puzzling how anyone into rock music could not harbour at least a weak spot of appreciation for the charm of the unicum that was Van Halen as from late seventies until the mid-80ies they almost single-handedly restored hard rock to where it belonged, courtesy of David Lee Roth’s charisma and the virtuosic talent … Read more

Turnstile

Glow On
Roadrunner (2021)

It has only been a couple of months since I use a music app (other than Bandcamp). At first I was mad with it, as it was suggesting music I should like which was either total crap or so much unlike my taste that I thought someone else might be using my account. Anyway, one day this app suggested I … Read more

LLNN

Unmaker
PELAGIC RECORDS (2021)

How I missed this is beyond me. I am a fan of The Psyke Project and I knew that LLNN was formed by a few guys from The Psyke Project. I can not explain how Unmaker is the first LLNN album I heard. Not only is it LLNN’s third album, also it has been out for the world to hear … Read more

Neon Christ

1984
Southern Lord (2021)

Power Power of Power of Neon Power of Christ Power of Neon Christ Compels You! I cast you out! Your mother darns socks in Hell! Your mother is here. Would you like to leave a message? I’ll see that she gets it! I adorn my Crucifix on my horsehair and lath wall and point the saviors head north but inevitably … Read more

Benthos

II
Eclipse Records (2021)

I was absolutely stricken a couple months ago when I discovered Benthos. I can and also can’t understand how I managed to miss out on this band and how basically no one is talking about them. One of my best friends showed them to me and I knew I just had to listen to II until I’d grow to hate … Read more

Lyra Pramuk

Delta
Bedroom Community Records (2021)

It’s not often I run into a musical project like Lyra Pramuk’s. She is the kind of artist that did away with most of what conventions are, at least when it comes down to styles and labels. It is obvious that she has no regard for cookie-cutter/run of the mill/dime a dozen kinds of approaches to music. With an incredibly … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Hawk

Tolerance’s Paradox
Independent (2020)

Remember early/mid 00s metalcore? It was a great time for the genre. Among the plethora of bands that made some of their best stuff back then, we’ve got This or The Apocalypse, although arguably they stretched towards the end of the decade. So, what does that have to do with HAWK? Well, it’s one and the same band, basically. After … Read more

Heart & Lung

Twistin' The Knife Away
Red Scare Industries (2021)

Heart & Lung released their debut in 2017, then Red Scare reissued it last year, putting it on my radar. The band is from Cleveland, OH, playing melodic pop-punk with gruff moments. While the debut was fairly call-and-response in song structure, Twistin’ The Knife Away mixes up the songwriting quite a bit throughout its 11 songs. And, as that title … Read more

Sodom

M-16 (20th anniversary edition)
BMG (2021)

German thrash metal giants Sodom have released a 20th anniversary remastered edition of their tenth studio album M-16 (2001), unleashed in three formats: a glossy CD mediabook, 2 LP 180gm orange vinyl and a deluxe boxset. The CD and LP releases contain two previously unreleased live tracks "Remember The Fallen" and "Blasphemer" from Wacken 2001 as well as some exclusive … Read more

The Right Here

Northern Town
Rum Bar Records (2021)

Northern Town is a fitting title for this album. It feels like winter: cold, lonely, and daunting. It’s the third record from The Right Here, based in Minneapolis, MN, one of the northernmost cities in the continental US. The band play alt-country with punk undertones. The songs are a little more expansive than your standard punk thang, with more lament, … Read more

Book Review

Joy Division

Juvenes
Hachette Publishing (2021)

Chances are that if you dig underground music, you will harbour an appreciation for Joy Division and New Order. If you close your eyes and envision Ian Curtis and co in their heyday, chances are what will appear is a depiction that has been channelled through the lens of Kevin Cummins, a photographer that like no other depicted the band … Read more

The Muslims

Fuck These Fucking Fascists
Epitaph (2021)

Fuck These Fucking Fascists is the fourth full-length by the Muslims, and their first on Epitaph. As the name suggests, it’s complex music steeped in subtle political theory. Just kidding. This is straight-up angry, screamy punk with overt politics. Which is often needed, especially in the current environment. Besides the title track, other song titles include “Crotch Pop A Cop,” … Read more

Pop Icons

Prelude
Independent (2020)

The slack jawed audio sample that begins this EP sets a tone like many other humorous pop punk groups, a promising sign. Southern Arizona’s Pop Icons instantly launch into a full throttle punk sound that reminds me of many things I’ve heard before. Catchy lyrics and sharp chords played on distorted guitars sounds very normal and competent. Two vocalists trade … Read more

Send More Paramedics

The Final Feast
Independent (2021)

When Send More Paramedics announced a brief reformation to play a handful of shows celebrating 20 years of reanimation no one expected them to chuck out a brand new 9-track album but they surprised us all by doing just so. The Final Feast is their first studio album release in 15 years, the last being The Awakening (2006). Listening to … 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)

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