Bazooka
Self Titled
Slovenly (2013)
Bazooka hail from Greece and their tumultuous current situation has left its mark on the sound of this band. Lo-fi, double drumming, weirdo psych-outs – it all adds up to an assured debut that buzzes with early 90s garage vibes and 70s punk as well as a nice line in indie melody. “Ravening Trip” sounds like it could have come … Read more
Beastmilk
Climax
Magic Bullet / Svart (2013)
Having appeared on our Top 5 Modern Goth Records list for 2013, it seems only right that we talk a little bit as to how bloody good Climax is. Because it is good. Really bloody good. Beastmilk aren’t breaking the mould with their cold, goth-tinged rock and roll but they sure are making it feel fresh and intoxicating. The Finnish band, led by Kvohst of … Read more
Bell X1
Chop Chop
Belly Up (2013)
Before delving into the intricacies of Bell X1's latest release Chop Chop, it is important to note that they have written what is arguably one of the best songs to come out of the Irish indie music scene in recent years. "In Every Sunflower", from 2007's Music in Mouth, is the kind of song that if you're not on the brink of … Read more
Big Big Train
English Electric
English Electric (2013)
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a progressive rock band in possession of a good reputation must be in want of a double album. They're something of the gold standard of progressive music--proving that you have the chops to write over eighty minutes of music without it beginning to suck is such a truly monumental and respectable feat that … Read more
Big Black Delta
Big Black Delta
Master Of Bates (2013)
Jonathan Bates is quickly becoming a musician who can't be ignored. Working under the moniker Big Black Delta, Bates has created some incessantly (and confusingly) catchy releases whose quality demands attention. What's more, his latest release, 2013's eponymous Big Black Delta, is his best offering yet.The album is still confusing for a couple of reasons, not the least of which is … Read more
Big Eyes
Almost Famous
Grave Mistake (2013)
Seattle is made out to be such a dreary place. Big Eyes released a largely positive-sounding debut in Hard Life and the reviews basically talked about the band’s relocation from Brooklyn to Seattle. Now, with the release of sophomore full-length Almost Famous, the press sheet says things like “a bit of Seattle seeps in,” no doubt referring to some of the darker-tinged passages.The … Read more
Bl'ast!
Blood!
Southern Lord (2013)
Southern Californias' Bl'ast are certainly not new by any stretch but possibly forgotten by most to the annals of time. Hardcore is a scene that attempts to treasure the past while forgetting certain standard bearers and originators as suits the times. Southern Lord has managed to unearth a forgotten chapter of hardcore history with this record of forgotten and remastered … Read more
Black Sabbath
13
Vertigo (2013)
Black Sabbath is well, it. They are the genesis of it all. History is divided as B.C. and A.D., to differentiate what came before and what came after. The history of music can be divided similarly. There is music before Sabbath, and there is everything after.Casting all reverential metaphors aside, it pains me deeply to say that 13 Sabbath's first album … Read more
Blackrat
Whiskey and Blasphemy
Xnihilo Records (2013)
Whiskey and Blasphemy (Xnihilo Records), the 11-song debut album from Canadian trio Blackrat, is a grittily produced 28 minutes of totes gnarly extreme metal. Like holy metalheads Aura Noir and Sodom, Blackrat combines the Satanic themes and rawness of black metal with the speedy guitars of thrash metal, resulting in some good ol’ black/thrash crossover.The blast-beats, violent vocal screams, and hardcore guitars make Whiskey and Blasphemy insanely moshable. The … Read more
Bliksem
Face The Evil
Alone (2013)
In the 80’s and early 90’s, many underground metal bands gained popularity though tape trading. This method of distribution was fueled by numerous fans mailing copies of demo recordings to other like-minded metalheads. As a result, fans would often end up receiving a copy of a copy of the original demo. Needless to say, many fans most likely became familiar … Read more
Broadway Calls
Comfort/Distraction
No Sleep (2013)
Broadway Calls has been around the pop punk scene for quite a while, originally hailing from Rainier, Oregon and now based in L.A., they have been a fixture on the tour circuit since 2005 and when a band tours as hard and as frequently as these guys you can usually hear it in how well they play together and this record … Read more
Brown Brogues
Triflin'
Stolen Body Records (2013)
The phrase "hanging out" can mean different things for different people. Some may use it to describe a night-in or a low-key stop at the neighborhood bar. Others may use it to describe their weekend-long, mind-melting bender adventure. In this instance, the phrase "big time hanging out" may be used. Really, though, it's all about attitude and believing in the … Read more
Burnt Books
Self Titled
At A Loss (2013)
It’s no secret that women are highly unrepresented in heavy metal and its various sub-genres. Their absence is clearly a result of the “boys club” mentality that seems to have been a defining characteristic of heavy music since its inception. It would seem logical to equate aggressive music with masculinity, but to generalize that women are incapable of creating aggressive … Read more
Caïna
Litanies of Abjection
Independent (2013)
Litanies Of Abjection isn't your standard Caïna release. It isn't what you expect and it certainly isn't a black metal record. It's something new, different and it's also incredibly personal and as such a terrifying and oppressive listen. For those who have followed the musical career of Andrew Curtis-Brignell, the change and shift shouldn't really come as that much of a … Read more
Caitlin Rose
The Stand In
ATO (2013)
In the intervening years between her debut Own Side Now and this sophomore record, there has been very little sign of Caitlin Rose apart from a great cover of Alex Turner’s “Piledriver Waltz.” So as she returns, it is immediately apparent that this interval has been used for growing up: gone is the indie aesthetic in favour of cover art that echoes … Read more
California X
Self Titled
Don Giovanni (2013)
It seems the term “grunge” is getting thrown around again quite a bit these days when it comes to describing the current crop of buzzy-guitar-based bands. And while the actual definition of the word has always been somewhat confusing, in the 20-odd years it’s existed, it has also become a fairly accurate identifier. It would not be incorrect to use … Read more
Cara Neir
Portals to a Better, Dead World
Broken Limbs Recordings (2013)
Cara Neir have made a name for themselves by playing a suffocating blend of grind and black metal. while this may not seem like a particularly novel mix how the band does it and/or makes it work lends them enough credence to deserve a listen. From the discordant riffing of opener "Peridot" the band makes it's mark on the listener … Read more
Castevet
Obsian
Profound Lore (2013)
When I first came across Castevet’s debut album I was hooked with their sound. The hybrid post metal/black metal band was very innovative with their musical structures and their complex, outside of the box thinking when it came to their technical side were just some of the highlights of Mounds of Ash. Unfortunately back then; the other release of the band … Read more
