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
Scrunchies
Feral Coast
Dirtnap (2022)
I'm new to writing actual reviews of records. Don't get me wrong, I have opinions and I share them openly with everyone, even if they don't want to listen. Until this record, I really couldn't find much out there worth reviewing. The name of the band caught me. The fact that they have a record coming out on Dirtnap Records … Read more
Scum
Gospels for the Sick
Tuba (2005)
The moment Shannon Larkin walked out of Amen and into Godhead, or Godsmack, or whatever the fuck awful band with 'God' in their name it was that he walked into, Casey Chaos was turned into that much maligned Dani Filth-esque character. You know the type, right? The ones that float around the music press on a weekly basis, but whom … Read more
Scythia
...Of Exile
Independent (2011)
I admit, I sometimes forget folk metal actually exists. Sure, I toss around the term frequently when discussing Opeth, but rarely do I ever bring forth what the term actually means. I often forget the music of great bands such as Wuthering Heights or Skyclad. That's one reason listening to Canadian group Scythia's latest album ...Of Exile was so fascinating … Read more
Sd Laika
THAT'S HARAKIRI
Tri Angle Records (2014)
First showing up in 2012 and making waves in the underground music scene ever since, Sd Laika makes a brand of electronic music that seems to suggest what Richard D. James (i.e. Aphex Twin) might have been making had he turned up in the 2000s and 2010s as opposed to the 1990s. Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin which seems about as … Read more
Seabuckthorn
In Nightfall
Bookmaker (2011)
Seabuckthorn is the one-man solo acoustic project of UK guitarist Andy Cartwright. He's listed as similar to artists like Grails, John Fahey and James Blackshaw, but I hear him almost as an instrumental version of Splinterskin. Even though his debut album In Nightfall is only slightly over twenty minutes long, there is an unexpected amount of maturity to the material.Cartwright … Read more
Seabuckthorn
The Silence Woke Me
Bookmaker (2012)
I don't listen to folk music that often--not enough 7/8 if you ask me. But when I do make exceptions to that rule, it's usually for a very strong artist, and UK based artist Seabuckthorn (né Andy Cartwright), especially on his new release The Silence Woke Me, is one such musician.His style of music blends folk acoustic guitars with elements … Read more
Seagraves
Weight of the World
Witchhunter Records (2013)
It turns out that in the time I decided to write about this record (approx one million months ago*) and actually writing about this record, that Seagraves have chosen to call time on the band. Which is a massive shame because Weight of the World is really great and I feel terrible about being so tardy with this review. Sorry … Read more
Seagulls
The Rapture and Resurgens
Say-10 (2023)
While this is their second overall (if Bandcamp is up to date), The Rapture and Resurgens is my first time really sitting down with a Seagulls full-length. And my takeaways match with seeing them at FEST 21 recently. It’s heavy punk that’s big on singalongs, equally angry and melodic -- and usually both at the same time. I like the … Read more
Sebastian Plano
Impetus
Denovali (2013)
Sebastian Plano returns two years after his debut album, Arrythmical Part of Hearts. The case of the Argentinian composer is a truly intriguing one. Born into a musical family, Plano became after years of training a multi instrumentalist and a magnificent music composer. Now, with his second album, Impetus, he expands musically even further, where his true genius lies, within … Read more
Secondhand Serenade
Awake
Glassnote (2007)
It wasn't long ago that a bushy eyebrowed, full-sleeved tattoo sportin' Christian by the name of Chris Carrabba left his rock band, Further Seems Forever, to embark on nearly overnight emo superstardom under the guise of Dashboard Confessional. About that same time, I gave up on emo. I saw it become a marketing scheme to sell boring records to lackluster … Read more
Secret Chiefs 3
Book of Horizons
Mimicry (2004)
For many, Secret Chiefs 3 is considered to be "Mr. Bungle minus Mike Patton." While I feel this description does a grave injustice to the band, there are those out there blind to the genius that Secret Chiefs 3 has committed to tape. This is quite unfortunate for them, and coming from the Patton super-fan that I am, this remark … Read more
Secret Chiefs 3
Xaphan: Book of Angels Vol. 9
Tzadik (2008)
John Zorn is well on the way to becoming the most prolific artist in music history. Through recordings from Painkiller, Naked City, Masada, and untold other projects, the man is associated either through composing music for or performing on an average of over ten albums per year. For those unfamiliar, his Masada project was arguably his most well known and … Read more
Secrets Of The Moon
Sun
Lupus Lounge (2015)
There is a great deal of history that follows Secrets of the Moon. The German extreme metal band emerged from the ashes of the obscure, primal black metal outfit, Martyrium. A series of great albums would follow, with the band showcasing in an excellent manner their doom/black hybrid approach. However, through the years it seems as if a change was … Read more
See it Through
Breakthrough
Fierce Justice (2007)
I don't really know much of anything about Reno, Nevada other than it's like a smaller, less fun version of Las Vegas. The only other things that I have learned about Reno have come at the hands of Reno 911, even though the show isn't actually filmed there. And while I find that show to be quite entertaining, I doubt … Read more
Seed From The Geisha
Talk Peace to the Wolf
M&O Music (2011)
Don't be turned away by the album cover! I assure you, this review has absolutely minimal content involving werwolves. Probably. I'm actually writing this introduction prior to finishing the last fifth or so of the review, so it's entirely conceivable I could change my mind. Let's assume I don't so that I can talk about the excellent debut from the … Read more
Seemless
Seemless
Losing Face (2004)
It's been a while since I heard a new band that played some outright rock-n-roll. Enter Massachusetts natives Seemless and their self-titled debut. Seemless, is a supergroup comprised of former members of metalcore stalwarts Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Overcast and Medium. Ironically for fans of those previous efforts, they may be disappointed to find an album filled with a balanced … Read more
Seemless
What Have We Become
Equal Vision (2006)
Seemless is a hard rock band, straight up hard rock. Boasting ex-members of Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Overcast, this is kind of unexpected. What Have We Become is their second full-length. Their last one, a self-titled album, showed a bit of promise for what they could do in the future. Unfortunately, this Seemless record is mostly unremarkable. The sound … Read more
