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Battlestations

In A Cold Embrace
Independent (2012)

Battlestations is one of those bands that is doing amazing things despite the fact that no one seems to have heard of them. I stumbled upon them completely by accident while looking for an entirely different band—and I still feel very fortunate for that mistake. Their eponymous debut was solid, but Battlestations have really begun to stretch themselves to the … Read more

Sigh

In Somniphobia
Spinefarm Records (2012)

I don't know what it is about Japanese metal bands, but they seem to be some of the craziest of the crazy—and the most talented. Avant-thrashers Sigh are no exception, and their latest release, 2012's delightfully titled In Somniphobia, has some of their best work yet.From the first few seconds, you know that this is classic Sigh at their best: … Read more

Satan's Wrath

Galloping Blasphemy
Metal Blade (2012)

As a disclaimer of sorts I tend to look at bands overplaying the "we're so evil, look at us" card as cheesy and heavy handed. Hence my lack of interest in this record originally between the name and the press release claiming the members need to spread the word of the evil master himself i couldn't help but look at … Read more

Cattle Decapitation

Monolith Of Inhumanity
Metal Blade (2012)

For the sake of this review i will make wild and sweeping generalizations regarding the death metal genre so be warned.There seem to be 2 pervasive schools of thought in modern metal. The first rides the coattails of the old school Death Metal genre. clutching onto the first 3 Entombed LPs and early Morbid Angel records. The other is deftly … Read more

Killing Joke

MMXII
Spinefarm Records (2012)

Think to yourself briefly and see if you can think of more than a handful of bands that have existed for nearly 30 years. Now think of how many of those bands have not only managed to stick to their own sound but also progress within their given sound consistently within that time. How many bands fit within those guidelines? … Read more

Om

Advaitic Songs
Drag City (2012)

Om is one of those offshoot bands that wound up better than it had any right to be. Borne from the ashes of stoner metal giant Sleep, Om managed to create a two-piece band whose hypnotic tunes were much more powerful than they would appear on the surface. What could a band really do with just a rhythm section? Yet, … Read more

Drivin' N Cryin'

Songs about Cars, Space and The Ramones
New! (2012)

In keeping true to their word, the fabulous Atlanta band Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ has released their second EP in a series of four. Songs about Cars, Space and The Ramones is now out and this one has the band showcasing their punk/pop side. The band consists of Kevn Kinney (guitar), Tim Nielsen (bass), Sadler Vaden (guitar), and Dave V. Johnson … Read more

Dave Hause

Pray For Tuscon
Bridge Nine (2012)

The second installment of Dave Hause's 7-inch series comes from Bridge Nine. Lots of interesting choices for Hause to choose songs to cover from. In the end, he settled on Strike Anywhere and The Trouble. We'll get to that in a bit. First, lets reflect on the renditions of his own, "Pray For Tucson" and "Years From Now." This new … Read more

HIM

XX: Two Decades of Love Metal
The End (2012)

Whatever you may think about HIM – joke band, has-beens, rip-off merchants and so on and so on – it’s hard to deny the very essence of their hard rocking joy. XX: Two Decades of Love Metal compiles nearly twenty (twenty!) years of the Fin’s self-branded love metal and it’s clear that their passion and whole-hearted belief in their woe-filled … Read more

Bison B.C.

Lovelessness
Metal Blade (2012)

Every band reaches their peak at some point. Some blow their wads right out of the gate and spend the rest of their careers desperately trying to recreate an inexplicable combination of luck, talent, and inspiration. Some clumsily struggle through multiple albums worth of missteps before finally finding their collective voice. Others allow you to tag along on their journey … Read more

Title Fight

Floral Green
Side One Dummy (2012)

Title Fight is an intriguing band. While 2009’s The Last Thing You Forget caused many to pigeonhole them as another band heavily indebted stylistically to an array of bands from the pop-punk/hardcore genres, their 2010 effort, Shed, saw a significant maturation in sound and songwriting capabilities. After two years of solid touring with notable bands like Touchè Amorè, Title Fight … Read more

Six Feet Under

Undead
Metal Blade (2012)

Six Feet Under are certainly not new to this. The band formed by some of death metal's biggest names (at least in the ‘90s), seems to persist. Formed as a vehicle for Chris Barnes after leaving Cannibal Corpse, and also included members of Obituary and made their mark with what could be a considered a classic debut. Since then, the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Integrity/Gehenna - Integh Split
Holy Terror (2012)

For two veteran bands the split may seem like an odd option as it is generally used to introduce new bands to another bands audience. Well, Integrity and Gehenna have never been bands to stick to the norm in any facet or their careers. So we have a shared stopgap of sorts while both bands seem to work towards full … Read more

Ty Segall

Twins
Drag City (2012)

Ty Segall is in constant motion. This year alone, he’s released a collection LP, a collaboration with White Fence, and now a solo record—all while maintaining a steady string of tour dates. While he’s been releasing records since 2008, Twins is the first I’ve sat down and given listen. Billed as a garage rocker, Segall’s music pulls from varied sources. … Read more

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