Monolog & Subheim
Conviction
Denovali (2017)
This is the first collaboration between Monolog, master of Drum n Bass and IDM music, and Subheim, explorer of abstract electronica and admirer of ambiance. The two artists have a steady presence in the experimental scene, with Monolog starting off in the early '00s while Subheim appeared in the scene during the last few years of that decade.What is captivating … 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
Monte Penumbra
As Blades in the Firmament
End All Life (2021)
Monte Penumbra’s obscure origin dates back to 2013. The project of one W.uR suddenly appeared in the underground black metal scene with a debut full-length in Heirloom of Sullen Fall. Released at the time through Deamon Worship Productions, a label with an excellent pedigree of extreme metal having released music from the likes of Devouring Star and Wormlust, Heirloom of … Read more
Monument to Thieves
Anyone but You
No Sleep (2009)
Monument to Thieves is the title of the second full-length from His Hero is Gone. After listening to this 7" I found faint influence from the d-beat legends on these two songs. But as hard as the members of Monument to Thieves try, they are unable to completely distance themselves from their metalcore pasts in Eighteen Vision, As Hope Dies, … Read more
Moon Duo
Occult Architecture Vol I & II
Sacred Bones (2017)
Based in San Fransisco, Moon Duo is the brainchild of Erik “Ripley” Johnson, known from his work in Wooden Shjips, and Sanae Yamada. Centering around a psychedelic perspective, the band has released a series of works, influenced by garage aesthetics and krautrock, projecting their own trippy themes within an existing framework.Occult Architecture is Moon Duo's latest full-length releases. Split into … Read more
Moon Duo
Stars are the Light
Sacred Bones (2019)
This year, Moon Duo released their seventh album, Stars are the Light, on Sarced Bones. Many of their signature spacey psychedelic elements are here: droning saturated guitars, looping synths, dual hypnotic vocals. But Moon Duo have another motive this time around -- getting our bodies moving.As they depart from machine-driven krautrock rhythms, they often slow down the tempo and bring … Read more
Moonlit Sailor
We Come From Exploding Stars
Deep Elm (2014)
A post-rock review is always a challenge. If you think it’s tough to capture the attention of an audience and carry them on your journey, musically, for 45 minutes without lyrics or choruses then try writing about that action. The successes and failures of the genre come in the ebb and flow, the storytelling, atmosphere, and ability to pull away … Read more
Moonraker
The Forest
Bearded Punk Records, Bypolar Records, No Time Records, Tiny Dragon Music (2022)
I expected to like this based on hearing a few Moonraker songs in recent years. But this is definitely my surprise record or “new [to me]” find of the year so far. If you’ve read my other reviews, you know I generally think intro tracks are worthless. But, in this case, I take it back. “Incendium” is the best intro … Read more
More Kicks
Punch Drunk
Dirtnap (2022)
I was thrown the first time I listened to this. I came in blind, expecting “the Dirtnap sound.” But what matters isn’t the brand, it’s if the music is good, so it’s a silly bias to begin with. It also took me a few listens before I realized that the files I was sent weren’t tagged right, so I was … Read more
Mork
Det Svarte Juv
Peaceville (2019)
Mork encapsulate the sound of True Norwegian Black Metal from the opening strains of “Mørkeleggelse” to the closing punches of “Det Svarte Juv” and this one-person band from the homeland of cold, harsh black metal is paying homage with their music yet dragging it screaming into the modern era of blackened music. The raw elements are swirling chaos, raw vocals, … Read more
Morne
Shadows
Profound Lore (2013)
Since their split with Warprayer and their debut album Untold Wait there were no illusions that the band from Boston was onto something truly great. Now, two years after the release of their sophomore full-length, Asylum, Morne strike back with their latest sonic compilation with the band’s only purpose being to drag us into the depths of sorrow and misery … Read more
Morning Again
As Tradition Dies Slowly
Revelation (1998)
Without a doubt, As Tradition Dies Slowly is easily the most metal record that Revelation ever put out (at least so far); and the idea of them even touching this album and even Morning Again as a whole with a ten foot pole really just blew me away back in the day (when this came out), and, at the time, … Read more
Morrissey
England Is Mine
Cleopatra (2017)
Mark Gill's England Is Mine introduces Morrissey while he's on the cusp of adulthood, an enigma of cocksure arrogance presented in the body of a slightly hunched over, uncomfortable young man. A number of key characters in the Mancunian singer's formative years, including the often overlooked Anji Hardy (Katherine Pearce), who died of leukaemia in 1977 and was a strong … Read more
Morrissey
Ringleader of the Tormentors
Sanctuary (2006)
Age gives you a great sense of proportion. You can be very hard on yourself when you're younger but now I just think...well everybody's absolutely mad and I'm doing quite well. Age shouldn't affect you. It's just like the size of your shoes - they don't determine how you live your life! You're either marvelous or you're boring, regardless of … Read more
Morrissey
Years of Refusal
Lost Highway (2009)
How does one introduce Morrissey? By no means am I intending to put the seasoned vocalist on a pedestal of godlike caliber it's just that, well, pretty much everything that can be said about the man has already been said, or in this case, written. Rather than waste time with some whimsical anecdote, I'll instead jump right into his latest … Read more
Moth
Endlessly in Motion
Independent (2013)
The short-form progressive album seems to be a dying art. Bands who venture into the genre are few and far between; more infrequent still are those who can do it well. There's just something about progressive music that compels bands to push themselves longer and longer, and while that's not unwelcome, there's something to be said for fitting all of … Read more
Mother Night
Lifestyle / Deathstyle
Off the Books (2007)
Hailing from New Jersey (which as The Nerve Agents put it is the "Heart of Hardcore"), Mother Night drops a wicked set of jams on Lifestyle / Deathstyle for us to listen to their abundance of energy and enthusiasm. An honest band that exudes New Jersey in all its harshness, these guys come from a very typical Jersey background of … Read more
Mother of Mercy
III
Six Feet Under (2009)
How did I sleep on this band? I remember hearing about Mother of Mercy when their No Eden 7" was released, but I never took the time to follow up. Hailing from the greater Philadelphia area, this band took me by surprise with their debut full-length III. Mother of Mercy comes from the ashes of the now-defunct Let Down, who … Read more
