Various Artists
Godspeed... A Tribute to Pierre Kezdy
Independent (2023)
It’s probably been 30 years since I heard my first tribute album and I’m not sure my opinion has changed. There are usually 1-2 really good covers, some mediocrity, and an unfocused tone. They’re often underwhelming, but the exceptions to this rule keep you coming back to the format. Fortunately, Godspeed is one of those exceptions. This record is from … Read more
Various Artists
Horrorpunk's Not Dead Vol. 2
We Are Horror Records (2023)
A mere 6 months after We Are Horror Records released Horrorpunk's Not Dead! Vol.1, which for those that don't know was 27 tracks of horrorpunk gloriousness with a whole host of exclusives, we are treated to Vol.2 which boasts almost double the amount of tracks from Vol.1. Out of these 50 tracks, 22 songs are previously unreleased, never heard before, … Read more
Various Artists
Horrorpunk's Not Dead Volume 3
We Are Horror Records (2024)
We Are Horror Records are back, after a brief hiatus, and are better than ever. To celebrate this fact label founder, Dan Phillips, has truly outdone himself and put together the third bloody horror-fuelled instalment of the Horrorpunk's Not Dead compilations. These compilations are the finest collection of what's what and who's who from modern horrorpunk today. Volume 3 boasts … Read more
Various Artists
Horrorpunk's Not Dead: Vol. 1
We Are Horror Records (2022)
Horrorpunk's Not Dead: Vol.1 is the first of (hopefully) many compilations created by the team behind Horrorpunk's Not Dead radio podcast. Not only are they fast becoming Europes best horrorpunk radio show but they are proving to be a significant force when it comes to promotion within the community, being the busiest and most proactive promoters of horrorpunk in Europe … Read more
Various Artists
House Of Low Culture / Mamiffer - split
Utech (2010)
Did you ever just want to pop on a record to zone out to while you are either doing work or trying to rest from some stressful situation, or, did you ever want a mellow record to start the day with or serve as a soundtrack to your latest trip? More and more I am finding these types of records … Read more
Various Artists
I Need You Bad
Polyvinyl (2013)
Due to its liberal usage around ye olden music-critiquing biz, “garage rock” is one of those dicey descriptors that, should you choose to follow it, can lead you down a multitude of avenues. It can walk you knowingly into a crotch punching at the hands of the Candy Snatchers, leave you pleasantly surprised and smiling thanks to the likes of … Read more
Various Artists
Ink Bomb - No Breakfast Goodbye - split
Horn & Hoof Records/Dental Records/Concrete Head Entertainment (2021)
Two Dutch punk groups decided to join forces. 2020 saw their dreams of playing live go up in smoke. What to do instead? Write new music! Both bands bring three tracks to the table. Ink Bomb is the most experienced band of the two with an EP and full length under their belt. In my review of that full-length album … Read more
Various Artists
Keep Singing!
Exotic Fever (2007)
Keep Singing! is another benefit compilation brought to you from the great folks at Exotic Fever Records; in this case the proceeds are going to the amazing organization Compassion Over Killing. Every band that contributed songs did so to raise awareness for veganism, vegetarianism, and animal rights and Compassion Over Killing. And each band does give their own recipe to … Read more
Various Artists
Litovsk/Hinin - Split EP
Bad Health Records, Dans le Vide, Donnez Moi Du Feu, Going Postal Records, Hidden Bay, Medication Time, Senseless Acts Of Anger (2023)
Two French bands join forces on this EP. Both bands deliver us one new song and one cover. Both play post-punk, although both bands take a different approach to the genre. The first band is Litovsk. I am happy to see them return, as I had not heard from them in a while. They have a couple of excellent releases … Read more
Various Artists
Loma Prieta/Raein - Split
Deathwish Inc. (2013)
With the recent resurgence in the archetypal screamo sound popularized by Gravity Records in the late '90s, few bands remain as true-to-form as Loma Prieta. Grandiose post-rock guitar lines, the relentless abrasion of grind, and the unbridled display of emotion captured on hardcore and emo records can all be found on this succinct five song, seven minute split from Loma … Read more
Various Artists
Low Culture-Needles//Pins - split 7"
Dirtnap (2014)
I’ve probably said this before for those 3 people who read all of my reviews, but I feel that the 7” is one of the hardest items to review. Not because they’re short, but because it takes a truly special 7” to jump from an 8 to a 10. It’s a hard format to nail, but it’s fairly easy to … Read more
Various Artists
Mamiffer / Pyramids- Split
Hydra Head / Sige / Daymare (2012)
Allow me to skip any wind bagging introduction here and just say that this split between Mamiffer and Pyramids is one of those pairings that two like minded musical acts lay down some of the coolest work that either has produced that somehow feels like a logical extension of each others work where none of the tracks would sound out … Read more
Various Artists
Middle-Aged Queers / The Raging Nathans - DCxPC Live Volume 20
DCxPC Live, Wave Mage Records (2024)
Beginning with the layout of their album covers and continuing with the live recording theme, DCxPC Live releases are inspired by V.M.L. Records from the mid-1990s. Like that label, it’s about the energy and what it’s like to be in person at a show. While of course everybody wants a nice sounding record, the goal is more about mood than … Read more
Various Artists
Moloch / Ensorcelor - Split LP
Psychic Assault (2013)
This is a record resembling Clash Of The Titans. Both Canada's Ensorcelor and England's Moloch have been lurching in the darkest reaches of the metal underground for a few years. While some bands err to the side or fluid hooks in their riffs and others slink towards creating the most noise possible, somewhere in between lie these two.On one side … Read more
Various Artists
Moloch / Meth Drinker - Split LP
Feast of Tentacles (2013)
Moloch returns a second time for 2013 while Meth Drinker join them this time. Moloch remain relatively the same in that what they do is play a deep dark style of doom that embraces the blacker elements of the genre. New Zealand's Meth Drinker return the favor by playing something that can at one point resemble trudging doom and at … Read more
Various Artists
Moloch/Groak - split EP
Dry Cough (2019)
Sometimes, no matter how much you like a band, they just fall off your radar. Not because of you being uninterested. Sometimes it just happens. Moloch is such a band for me. After discovering them way back when I lost sight of what they were doing. Upon rediscovering them I tracked down what I could find of their discography only … Read more
Various Artists
Mooorree Than Just Another Comp
Lavasocks Records, Sell The Heart Records (2023)
Mooorree Than Just Another Comp is a 33-track double LP compilation from Sell The Heart Records and Lavasocks Records, covering the entire Operation Ivy catalog, with new takes from the likes of The Raging Nathans, The Chinkees, Eichlers, Flying Raccoon Suit, even We Are The Union w/ Eve 6. Very broadly speaking, the entire comp is pretty true to the … Read more
Various Artists
NEONAUTICS v.01
SkyQode (2014)
Running nearly 70 minutes in length, the Neonautics v.01 compilation from Russian label skyQode collects sixteen tracks (many of which in album-exclusive versions) from a variety of European synthpop artists who clearly know their stuff when it comes to making catchy, danceable electronic music. Full of bouncy rhythms, lots of flashy keyboard and synthesizer, and awkward but lovable “English as … Read more
