Dead Vows
Bad Blood
Refoundation (2008)
Bad Blood is the debut effort from Swedish hardcore outfit Dead Vows. This release is my first exposure to the band, though I am familiar with one member's other group - Anchor. Dead Vows serve up eleven tracks that whip by in just about a half-hour's time. "We're All Judas" leads the album off with a fast-paced hardcore sound reminiscent … Read more
Deadbird
Twilight Ritual
At A Loss (2008)
Right off the bat, allow me to bring notice to the cover art for Deadbird's latest album, Twilight Ritual (following up 2005's The Head and the Heat) because it is rather stunning; John Baizley (guitarist/ vocalist of Baroness, and artist for such bands as Torche, Darkest Hour, Pig Destroyer as well as his own) continues his busy schedule of art … Read more
Deadkill
No, Never!
Good to Die Records (2014)
Following a buzz-worthy 7” and string of shows around Pacific Northwest alongside the likes of The Spits, White Lung,OFF!, and High on Fire, Seattle's Deadkill have released their 14-song debut album No, Never! The first thing that jumps out is how clean-sounding this is. The production is over-the-top slick, which is not surprising considering the album was recorded by Matt … Read more
Deadlock
Bizarro World
Lifeforce (2011)
Deadlock has been around the block awhile as a band. Gone through member shifts as well as shifts in sound and "artistic vision". The band caught alot of flack with their last album, putting more focus of melodic parts and techno breakdowns than the metalcore they were previously known for. Thus comes from gaining a female singer with a decent … Read more
Deadly Sins
Selling Our Weaknesses
Durty Mick (2008)
This Boston punk band is made up of members of Reach the Sky, Even in Blackouts, and Stephanie Dougherty - who apparently has lent her vocal abilities to some Dropkick Murphys songs. Deadly Sins play straight forward tuneful punk rock that is probably more popular in seedy bars than it is in basements and VFW halls as the album as … Read more
Deadverse Massive
Takeover
Deadverse (2011)
Deadverse Massive is a group of sorts headed by the duo of Dalek and Oktopus, who also make up the group Dalek. This compilation or group album acts as a reminder of some of their cohorts as well as a good introduction as to what they have been up to since their last album. Those familiar with the group know … Read more
Deafheaven
Infinite Granite
Sargent House (2021)
I never really thought in any measure that I’d be writing at any point in time a review of a Deafheaven record, yet here we are. Even now I remember the absolute furor that bundled virally around their 2013 release, Sunbather. I didn’t really understand then, nor do I understand now why was it so huge. Personally, I couldn’t then … Read more
Deafheaven
Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
Anti (2018)
When I first heard that Deafheaven had released a new record, I was skeptical. The thing is, I’m not entirely sure why because the band has more than proven themselves with their past records Sunbather and New Bermuda. Both records killed, but with a band that has already explored the ins and outs of metal, I questioned how they could … Read more
Deafheaven
Roads To Judah
Deathwish Inc. (2011)
When I initially read about San Francisco’s Deafheaven, I didn’t expect to be surprised by their recordings. Anytime I see the “black metal” label, even when citing a slight influence on a band, I instantly believe that the label is misused and have no interest in checking the band out. Unfortunately I am guilty of this with Deafheaven, and their … Read more
Deafheaven
Sunbather
Deathwish Inc. (2013)
If there was ever an album to challenge Altar of Plagues recent Teethed Injury and Glory for most divisive black metal record of the year, then Deafheaven’s sophomore effort Sunbather is surely the strongest challenger. The band split opinion in almost every circle – black metal fans, shoegaze fans, awful hipsters, critics – no one seems to know what to … Read more
Dean Ween Group
Rock 2
Schnitzel Records (2018)
I generally shy away from track-by-track reviews, because they get long, boring and kind of miss the point of an album as a whole anyway. That said, whenever I write about Ween and related projects, the disparity from song to song is a little more difficult. There are 11 songs on this 38-minute record and they range from classic rock … Read more
Dean Ween Group
The Deaner Record
ATO (2016)
I’ve never met Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo, the two-headed songwriting duo of Ween, but I have my own speculation about who contributes what based on their output in other projects. That guess is that Gener does the Pink Floyd styled space-prog-pop while Melchiondo, aka Dean Ween aka Deaner, brings on the grimy and oddball guitar rock.The Deaner Record only … Read more
Dear Boy
The Strawberry EP
Easy Hell (2019)
Los Angeles quartet Dear Boy are firm favourites in their hometown's indie scene, but their new EP suggests that they could go much further. Dear Boy is fronted by Ben Grey, formerly of indie darlings Scarlet Grey, with guitarist Austin Hayman, bassist Lucy Lawrence and drummer Keith Cooper completing the line-up. The band has been together since 2012 and they … Read more
Dear Landlord
Dream Homes
No Idea (2009)
Too much hype is something that can kill a band in the end of things because there's a good chance that said band never lives up to it and ends up being tagged a disappointment for the rest of their careers. Thankfully, this is not the case at all with Illinois quartet Dear Landlord's debut album, Dream Homes,, which has … Read more
Dear Tonight
We're Not Men
Red Leader (2007)
It's been three years since Brooklyn's Dear Tonight released their debut EP These are Wires. Since then the band has toured regularly, went to Europe with Boy Sets Fire, and honed their sound in order to release We're Not Men, the bands first full-length and only their second release as a band. While These are Wires was much grittier and … Read more
Dear Whoever
Sound the Trumpet
Broken Line (2006)
What does it mean to have over 407,000 plays on Purevolume, over 170,000 plays and over 10,000 friends on Myspace? After listening to Dear Whoever's EP, Sound the Trumpet, I have found the answer to these questions, among others. Such as, what happens when you mix teenage angst with Christian metal? And the ever popular, would you rather listen to … Read more
Dearly Departed
What Awaits Us
Black Tide (2007)
For a group that went on hiatus almost directly after the release of their debut full-length, Believing in Ghosts, it's unexpected that Dearly Departed would be back so soon with thirteen (twelve not counting "The Masquerade") new songs to gift onto the music landscape. After all, it has barely been three years. Keep in mind that What Awaits Us comes … Read more
Death Before Disco
Barricades
Lifeforce (2006)
I'll be the first to admit that I often judge a book by its cover the same way I judge a band by their name and cover art. Simply based on these indicators, Death Before Disco did not give me great first impressions. I mean, Death Before Disco; not only is it a terrible name for this bands sound but … Read more
