Burial
Antidawn EP
Hyperdub (2022)
There is no question that Burial is one of the pivotal artists of the current era. The electronic musician from London has taken on a transformative journey through the landscape of post-dance music. Techno beats, garage sensibilities, early dubstep notions and far out ambient leanings are melted together through a unique kaleidoscopic vision. It is an evolution that has occurred … Read more
Calabrese
Death Cult EP
Spookshow Records (2022)
In my review of the last Calabrese record, Flee The Light, I said I hoped it would not take them too long to release a new record. I asked them to not make me wait four years to be precise. It has been two and half years roughly and here they are again, with an EP this time. Thank you for not making … Read more
Camp Trash
The Long Way, The Slow Way
Count Your Lucky Stars (2022)
Camp Trash is a band that impressed me from the first second I heard them on their first single ”Weird Carolina” before the Downtime EP was out. I can't deny that I got to discover the band through Keegan, the guitarist. (Keegan used to write on many Asian bands for Get Alternative and that includes my band, Ache, getting coverage on the … Read more
Captain Asshole
Successfully Not Giving Up
Say-10, SBÄM Records (2022)
I was coming off a Jawbreaker high when I first heard Captain Asshole at The Fest 18. I liked what I heard, but I also didn’t know if it was because of the music or simply the time and place. Fast forward through a couple years that most of us want to forget and the band has a new album … Read more
Celebration Summer
Patience In Presence
A-F (2022)
As the album begins, following a Twin Peaks sample, the guitars build in a familiar punk chord progression with some post-hardcore flair. At about the one-minute mark, you know the vocals are going to kick in, and you half expect a group “Hey!” That’s not quite how it goes, but the vocals are emphatic and punchy with a similar syncopation as it … Read more
Chained Bliss
Chained Bliss
Drunken Sailor (2022)
There are certain guitar tones that recall another era, and Chained Bliss are rooted in one of them. When I hear the angular riffs and repetitive structures on the band’s self-titled debut full-length, I’m immediately taken back in time to the glory days of Wire or Gang Of Four. But while Chained Bliss shares some similarities with the British post-punk pioneers, there is … Read more
Coffin Carousel
Order Of The Bat
Noise Inc Records (2022)
rder Of The Bat is the third full length album from one of Melbourne, Australias busiest horrorpunk/dark rock bands Coffin Carousel. Originally starting out as a side project for frontman Howard Von Noise in 2012 they became a fully fledged band in 2015 when they brought out their first EP Fiend (2013). Previous releases from the quartet include their debut album Between Death And … Read more
Come Closer
We Died With Print
Independent (2022)
Members of Come Closer have played in Dan Padilla, Pinback, Tiltwheel, and more. While that background is helpful for setting the tone, though, it’s not really essential. They are a new-ish group and We Died With Print is their second album. J. Wang is the ringleader of the band, which is rooted in DIY basement punk but expands their sound well beyond those three chords. … Read more
Crack Cloud
Tough Baby
Meat Machine (2022)
Vancouver collective Crack Cloud burst onto the scene in 2018 with two independently released EPs- followed up by their first full length album, Pain Olympics, in 2020. The multimedia collective features an ever changing line up of musicians, filmmakers, designers and artists. Originally formed by Zach Choy (lead vocals, drums) and Mohammed Ali Sharar (keyboards) as an outlet for their … Read more
Cremation Lily
Dreams Drenched In Static
Flenser (2022)
It has been quite a journey for Zen Zsigo and Cremation Lily, a path defined by constant flux. It was back in the early ‘10s, that the initial demos of the project appeared. Back then it was all about textural harshness, with Zsigo pushing the power electronics ethos. The initial chaos would subside, and from there on Cremation Lily explored a multitude of … Read more
Crisis Party
Welcome To The Party EP
Dirt Cult (2022)
Crisis Party is another band from Matty Grace, who SPB has covered in various capacity, playing with Cluttered, Auditory Postcards, Future Girls, and maybe more. There’s a common lo-fi, high-energy anxiety to their poppy-punk, but Crisis Party is a new band and that comes across instantly. Those other bands (which also deal with serious, heavy topics) feel generally positive in tone, or at … Read more
Crowning / Naedr
Rayau
Left Hand Label, Zegema Beach (2022)
If you are a frequent visitor of this site, perhaps you remember my glowing review of Naedrs debut album Past Is Prologue. That album made a huge impression on me and still gets heavy rotation. So you understand I was quite excited to see new material from this band. And it is a split release no less, so it presents an … Read more
Cult of Luna
The Long Road North
Metal Blade (2022)
It’s always a joy to learn Cult of Luna will be releasing something new and as the Swedes have proved time and time again, their passion for their craft is far from waning. Through atmospheric post-metal, the band create textures that range from heightened drama to serene vocal passages to incandescent rage on a journey towards the cold stars of … Read more
Dälek
Precipice
Ipecac (2022)
It is easy to take for granted the excellent state of experimental hip-hop today. With Death Grips freely applying noise and electronica with a punk ethos, and clipping. doubling down on industrialized beats and Afro-futuristic narratives, it is easy to forget that this landscape was not always so rich. Traveling back in time, to the end of the ‘90s, it was artists like Dälek … Read more
Dead Cross
II
Ipecac (2022)
Dead Cross consists of only four members. Vocalist Mike Patton, bassist Justin Pearson, guitarist Michael Crain and drummer Dave Lombardo. Between these four gentlemen, I could list the other bands they currently play in and meet my word count quota in less than five minutes. Suffice to say, these are not guys to rest on their laurels and the literal … Read more
Death Cab For Cutie
Asphalt Meadows
Atlantic (2022)
Ten albums into their tenure and Death Cab for Cutie are still finding ways to reinvent themselves while maintaining their identity and sound. Their 2018 release, Thank You For Today, was the first to feature members Zac Rae and Dave Depper after long-time member and co-writer, Chris Walla, left the group. This led to the songs on that album being predominantly completed … Read more
DFMK
Dame Peligro EP
Alternative Tentacles (2022)
This is how a 7” is supposed to work. Three quick songs and it leaves you wanting more. DFMK play punked up rock ‘n’ roll. Maybe think of Rocket From The Crypt but with denser, but somehow dancier, songs with a little more force behind them. It’s meant to be played loud as you thrash about and (if it’s your thing) break … Read more
Diamanda Galás
The Divine Punishment-Remastered
Intravenal Sound Operations (2022)
Divine Punishment was originally released in 1986.. Throughout her storied career, she has pushed boundaries, stayed true to her vision and accomplished an output of never replicated and truly original artistic beauty. Her vocal styling can be something of an acquired taste but once you understand and accept the unique styling you begin to understand how powerful her emotive wailing … Read more
