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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)

Raymond Pettibon

A Pen of all Work
Phaidon (2017)

Chances are that if you are remotely into underground culture, you will have quite a few records, shirts or other things adorned with artwork by Raymond Pettibon.For nigh to thirty years, Raymond Pettibon has been creating art that not only comments but has become an integral part of American culture and its implications. With a view from a unique angle, Pettibon channels his observations through his signature style that seamlessly transitions between juxtaposition, longings, reflections and witty commentary employing both imagery and harnessing the (often discontextualised) power of the written word.A Pen of All Work is the most comprehensive anthology of Pettibon’s work to date and features more than six hundred drawings from the 1960s to the present. It illuminates the process behind Pettibon’s work and his raison d’être. An interesting point that the book makes is that Pettibon is of course one of the originators and trailblazers of the West Coast punk scene of the 1980s, yet his vision and artistry goes far beyond what he is commonly known for and much more significant on a grander scale.Drawings and writings are the alpha and omega of his oeuvre, the interplay of which he expertly uses to connect seemingly unrelated … Read more

Bell Witch

Mirror Reaper
Profound Lore (2017)

Beginning the dissection of a record is often the most difficult thing to do when it comes to writing a … Read more

Succumb

Succumb
Flenser (2017)

Established in 2014 as Cloak, this California-based extreme metal act produced an interesting hybrid take on black/death metal. Changing the … Read more

Spinifex Gum

Spinifex Gum
My Shore Productions (2017)

Spinifex resin is a gum coating of some species of Spinifex grasses. The resin was traditionally used in tool making … Read more

Myteri

Myteri
Alerta Antifascista (2017)

How do you keep up to date with new music? I have the luxury of being a reviewer. I’m informed … Read more

Worriers

Survival Pop
Side One Dummy (2017)

It seems like Worriers nailed down their sound on day one, when they rose from the ashes of The Measure … Read more

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One from the archives

Turbonegro

Party Animals
Burning Heart (2005)

If there's a band out there that knows how to create a solid record on top of having a damn good time, it's Turbonegro. In the past decade (and then some), this band has released more influential and ground-breaking records than any other Scandinavian band - besides perhaps, uh…every black metal band. Albums like Ass Cobra and Apocalypse Dudes are not only two of my favorite (dare I say punk?) rock albums of the mid-late 90's, but have also influenced most of the rock-n-roll music we hear today. Party Animals is no different than these previous efforts in capturing your attention with badass guitar licks, out of this world outfits, and that strong pinch of sexual humor that shapes the lyrics and attitudes of these apocalypse dudes. Party Animals is … Read more

More album reviews

Grit

Diamond EP
Distro-y Records (2017)

These past few weeks have been very busy weeks for me. My girlfriend moved in. Happy news for me and her of course. Moving her stuff, renovating my home, vivid discussions on what to keep and what to get rid off all took their time. Most of the work is done now and all the effort we put in it … Read more

Black Anvil

As Was
Relapse (2017)

Black Metal as a musical genre is not known for it's subtlety. The pendulum will usually swing between low-fi heavily distorted guitar and blast-beats or overwrought, overproduced operatic epics. But Black Anvil is a band of a different color. Hailing from NYC, they've managed to make a more accessible Black Metal sound without sacrificing any of the chief tenets that … Read more

Liam Gallagher

As You Were
Warner Bros. (2017)

Beady Eye was not a bad band. Au contraire. If you harbour a weak spot for Oasis, aim at an objective viewpoint and take a break from you loyalty to the Chief Noel, it proves to be difficult to not like their two albums, however, a lot of Oasis aficionados managed exactly that.As You Were is Liam Gallagher’s new album. … Read more

Monolord

Rust
Riding Easy (2017)

Sweden’s Monolord worship at the altar of the riff and on third effort Rust that riff comes downtuned, weighty and driven by bass. Vocals are hazy at best, which only adds to the ceremonial vibrations that Monolord deliver on a record that delves into darkness on its way to the end. Predecessor Vænir from 2015 was found to be lacking … Read more

Botanist

Collective: The Shape of He To Come
Avantgarde Music (2017)

Botanist belongs in this new generation of black metal bands, of acts attempting to reinvigorate the genre by expanding its scope. Post-rock influences and avantgarde notions find their way into Botanist's music, leading to a very successful series of releases, with 2014's VI: Flora standing out in particular. At the same time, stylistically the band departed from not only the … Read more

The Mons

Trust No One
Triple Eye Industries (2017)

Trust No One, The Mons’ second album isn’t subtle. But what do you expect of a band using that name? This is aggressive, 1980s-inspired hardcore with a penchant for fast songs and straight shooting ‘tude. The opening ripper “This Is Why” is a declaration statement with a minute-long intro before it rages for a whopping 17 seconds. To pull a … Read more

Foo Fighters

Concrete and Gold
RCA (2017)

One thing becomes abundantly clear about 28 seconds into "T-Shirt", the first track off Foo Fighters' ninth studio album Concrete and Gold - this will not be your typical Foo Fighters album.What's different about it? Well for starters, the way it was made. After recording 2011's Wasting Light in Grohl's house and garage, then writing and recording Sonic Highways in … Read more

Celeste

Infidele(s)
Denovali (2017)

French extreme/post metal outfit Celeste have been on a path of destruction since their inception back in 2005. Their introduction to the scene was made by the release of their debut EP, Pessimiste(s), a work that showcased their unique blend of sounds. Ranging from black metal and sludge, to post-hardcore, the music of Celeste kept coming with conviction and purpose … Read more

Grave Pleasures

Motherblood
Century Media (2017)

Grave Pleasures is the evolution and continuation of Beastmilk. Back in 2013, the project led by Mat “Kvohst” McNerney, released Climax, a record combining the post-punk nostalgia, the darkwave influence along with a pop-induced sensitivity. The record was filled with hits, stunning hooks and explosive tracks. Unfortunately Beastmilk could not continue in the same form, so lo and behold Grave … Read more

Grave Pleasures

Motherblood
Century Media (2017)

The Grave Pleasures story is one that began many moons ago in 2010; beginning life as Beastmilk and led by black metal legend Mat McNerney the band were soon on the radar of the black metal scene despite their sound sitting firmly in the post punk aspect of the musical world. Annihilation has no bounds and the outsider genre welcomed … Read more

BIG|BRAVE

Ardor
Southern Lord (2017)

I love music that expands as it moves as if it is pushing glaciers, building worlds, or splitting atoms. Music that is not meant for Sunday drives, lullabies, or backyard barbeques. Music that is meant to be listened too fully, as a whole, not in 2 minute pop biscuits, albeit I love that type of music as well. However, that … Read more

The Slow Death

Punishers
Rad Girlfriend Records (2017)

Punishers is the third LP from The Slow Death, fronted by ex-Pretty Boy Thorson & the Falling Angels mouthpiece Jesse Swan Thorson and backed by a rotating cast that includes Falling Angel Dave Strait, Dillinger Four’s Paddy Costello, The Ergs! Mike Yannich, and a slew of others depending on availability any given night. It’s also a natural extension of Pretty … Read more

Death From Above

Outrage! Is Now
Last Gang (2017)

So long, 1979. D.F.A. are back without the tag and without the chronological baggage that came along with their previous album, 2014's The Physical World. A ten year gap between that and their debut album was a hard thing to overcome, expectations wise. And Physical, while a very welcome return just felt slightly underwhelming, despite burners like "Right On, Frankenstein!" … Read more

Jarboe & Father Murphy

Jarboe & Father Murphy
Consouling Sounds (2017)

Jarboe has been known for her numerous and diverse collaborations. The former Swans member has gone to perform with an impressive array of musicians, ranging from post-metal legends Neurosis, industrial mastermind Justin Broadrick, to experimental cellist Helen Money, and has also appeared as a guest in the works of Puscifer, Lustmord, A Perfect Circle and Oxbow among many more. For … Read more

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