Street Sects
End Position
Flenser (2016)
Austin, Texas duo achieve an unholy alliance of industrial music and punk rock in their debut album, End Position. In paper it feels that something like that would not work, and a failed attempt to produce something coherent would only end in hysterical laughter. Thankfully, this is far from the case here, and Leo Ashline and Shaun Ringsmuth unleash one … Read more
Street Sects
The Kicking Mule
Flenser (2018)
This deviant punk/industrial hybrid sprout onto the scene in 2014 with their EP Gentrification I: The Morning After the Night We Raped Death, introducing their aggressive, noisy and extravagant sound. However, it was their debut record End Position that saw them produce a succinct and complete offering presenting their full vision. Street Sects arrived with an intense and furious perspective, … Read more
Streetlight Manifesto
Keasbey Nights
Victory (2006)
In 1998, Catch 22's first, and defining album, Keasbey Nights was released by Victory Records. The release was a departure for the label, as they were known at the time for releasing mainly hardcore records. Earth Crisis, Integrity, Snapcase; these were bands Victory was known for releasing landmark records from. Catch 22 shifted the momentum of the label, as a … Read more
Striborg
Nefaria
Southern Lord (2007)
When all else is said and done, I like my metal like I like my coffee: black, bottomless, and smelling like the inside of a cave. It doesn't need to be fancy. No cream, no sugar no artificial flavors to make it more palatable. Sparse arrangements with sparser production that sounds like it was recorded amongst the smoldering remnants of … Read more
Strike Anywhere
Exit English
Jade Tree (2003)
Beginning with a short riff-based intro, this record then kicks itself straight into life, inspiring this reviewer to do the same. Exit English, the band's second full-length, shows Strike Anywhere at their fastest, heaviest, and most melodic. The band's political edge on this record is as apparant as ever. Vocalist Thomas: "the songwriting on Exit English has more to do, … Read more
Struck by Lightning
Serpents
Translation Loss (2009)
I've said it before: Translation Loss has an amazing knack for finding bands that are head and heels over most of the metal world. This time they saved a bunch of trouble. After a fall out between members of another band on the label one of the members left and formed this beast. Though this is a heavy band there … Read more
Struck by Lightning
True Predation
Translation Loss (2012)
Struck By Lightning came out the gate hard and fast about 3 years ago with their first LP "Serpents". That record truly set them apart from the ex-members of... tag that they could've carried. Instead of playing the post metal of past projects they built a sound that was more indebted to Discharge than Isis. This worked well for them … Read more
Struckdown
Revolution
Indianola (2006)
I hate one-sheets. In case you are not as media savvy as everyone else, a one-sheet is a sheet of paper that labels send out with their promo releases to record stores, magazines, and other places that sell or review music. Usually on these one-sheets there is something about how great the band is or what great bands they have … Read more
Strung Out
Agents of the Underground
Fat Wreck Chords (2009)
Strung Out's Blackhawks Over Los Angeles was a record that had a lot of ups and downs. The album showcased the band's improving musicianship and songwriting but the production really brought the record down. Singer Jason Cruz's voice felt processed in too many areas and it restricted the power that his vocals usually have. I also felt that the band … Read more
Strung Out
Blackhawks Over Los Angeles
Fat Wreck Chords (2007)
If you're like me, you grew up buying compilations from punk rock labels. It was like opening up a treasure box and finding jewels of new music to marvel at. As Fat Wreck Chords was putting out comps such as Survival of the Fattest and Physical Fatness, Strung Out always stood out to me as doing something unique, having a … Read more
Strung Out
Transmission.Alpha.Delta.
Fat Wreck Chords (2015)
There are some albums that you hear for the first time and fall in love instantly. There are others that require repeated listens in order to grasp the depth and complexity of the material. These albums get progressively more enjoyable as you listen to them. With every spin another pleasant nuance exposes itself. Strung Out’s latest album Transmission.Alpha.Delta falls into … Read more
Stuttr
Stuck in the Muck
Early Onset Records (2022)
It seems like a knock, doesn’t it, when you say that a rhythm section carries a band. It seems like you’re knocking the vocalist and guitar player. Like you’re dismissing them. Like you’re dismissing their contributions. So, I have to be careful here, when I say the rhythm section is carrying this band. This band is, of course, Stuttr and … Read more
Subrosa
More Constant Than the Gods
Profound Lore (2013)
Subrosa have managed to get lumped into the doom genre. While that genre tag isn't completely inaccurate it certainly fails to tell the full story of the band. The band certainly has doom elements at times heavy guitars and lengthy song structures may stick out the band refuses to stick to convention and allowing for a style that is more … Read more
Subscribe
Bookmarks
EMI (2011)
Despite having the most un-Googleable artist/album name combination in existence, the Hungarian band Subscribe have beautifully combined influences of hardcore, heavy metal, progressive rock and what-else-have-you in their latest release, Bookmarks.Oh, sure, it starts out innocently enough with the orchestral track "Griping Portentous", featuring the most nightmarish combination of brass and sound effects possible. Of course, that's still pretty standard … 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 name of the band in 2017, after their debut demo as Cloak, and bringing on board drummer Harry Cantwell, known from his work with Slough Feg and Bosse-de-Nage, the quartet left behind its black metal affinity in order to focus … Read more
Sufjan Stevens
Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State
Sounds Familyre (2003)
Although this can be said for every state in the Union, Michigan seems to produce two types of people. Extroverts who are either pushing their backwards views on you or calling you names: Michael Moore, Ted Nugent, Eminem, the average Detroit citizen. Introverts are completely different. They move up north, avoid Detroit at all costs, and live their lives, content … Read more
Sufjan Stevens
Illinois
Asthmatic Kitty (2005)
What is the sign of a "great" record? What defines a classic? Is it a cult following? Musical virtuosity? Ambition and drive? Three chords and the truth? All these questions will be answered within this review. Maybe. If you're still unaware of the young and illustrious Sufjan Stevens, you're either a My Chemical Romance fan who's still not discovered "the … Read more
Sugar Eater
American Idle
Eyephat (2005)
Remember when "pop-punk" wasn't a dirty word or condescending insult to a band's integrity? Remember when it meant simple, memorable songs combining infectious hooks with raw energy? Remember when it referred to bands like the Ramones, the Buzzcocks, the Descendents, and Husker Du? Remember when it had nothing to do with MTV, Hot Topic, or the mall? Well, even if … Read more
