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Oede

One Man's Trash
Holy Terror (2012)

It may be safe to say that since the Holy Terror Record label has been revived they have managed to get on quite a roll. The records they have released have all managed to be a bit different while still carrying a certain aesthetic darkness. With label mates such as Sutekh Hexen and Cape of Bats gaining more and more … Read more

Broken Heroes

This Is Oi!
Skinflint (2012)

I am not the most qualified reviewer when it comes to modern-day Oi! music. Yes, I am familiar with the genre in general—I still spin The 4 Skins, The Business, The Oppressed, Blitz, or Sham 69 from time to time, and Cock Sparrer is the one band that has never been deleted from any of my iPods—but for the most … Read more

PS I Love You

Death Dreams
Paper Bag (2012)

PS I Love You, the heartthrob of the Kingston, Ontario’s indie rock scene, had more than just high expectations placed upon them after the unexpected success of 2010’s Meet Me At The Muster Station. With critical praise and a tour schedule that stretched the world wide, the guitar/drum duo of Paul Saulnier and Benjamin Nelson found themselves amongst the few … Read more

Gojira

L'Enfant Sauvage
Roadrunner (2012)

If there's any band that defies easy description, it has to be French progressive metal band Gojira. Featuring influences and techniques from a variety of complex metal genres, incredibly technically talented band members, and an environmental fixation only a few degrees short of an actual whale fetish, these guys are anything but your standard death metallers. Add on a quartet … Read more

Hot Graves

Knights In White Phosphorus
Northern Horde (2011)

It seems more and more as of late bands are taking the lead of the mighty Darkthrone. That is to mean that much like Darkthrone as of late bands are adding more obvious touches of crust punk to their black metal style. Hot Graves are not that new at this though. This 4 year old band have always made it … Read more

7 Horns 7 Eyes

Throes Of Absolution
Century Media (2012)

I love old school death metal as much as the next person, so I'm always on the lookout for some good, old fashioned, long haired death metal. So along comes 7 Horns 7 Eyes, purporting to be just that: good ol' death metal, but with a modern twist. You can trust that, a few hours after this discovery, I held … Read more

Kevin Hufnagel

Transparencies
Nightfloat (2011)

For those of you that don't recognize the name, Kevin Hufnagel is actually a fairly prolific musician, playing in technical and progressive metal bands like Dysrythmia and Gorguts. And, funnily enough, that's exactly what his 2011 solo album Transparencies is not. Instead, Hufnagel delves into ambient music, with great success.His ambient creations on this album have that powerful cathartic effect … Read more

Best Coast

The Only Place
Mexican Summer (2012)

Ever since Best Coast released their full length debut, Crazy For You, (Mexican Summer, 2010,) there are two things you know about Bethany Consentino and Bobb Bruno: 1) you never know who their drummer is at any given point and you probably never will and 2) their favorite music effect is reverberation (or “reverb”). Or should I say “was”? Because … Read more

Yukon Blonde

Tiger Talk
Dine Alone (2012)

Yukon Blonde, an indie/rock band from Kelowna, British Columbia, started off as Alphababy and made their comeback in 2009 with a new band name. Their newest album as Yukon Blonde is called Tiger Talk and can be recognized by their first single "Stairway," a song that is being played on most indie/rock radio stations.The album begins with "My Girl," an … Read more

Red Collar

Welcome Home
Tiny Engines (2012)

From the get-go, Welcome Home establishes Red Collar’s infectious brand of up-tempo rock and roll with tenacity and a working-class spirit. Known for their energetic live show that blurs the line between performer and audience, the Durham, North Carolina based band does well to translate that intensity onto a recorded format. Formed by the duo of Jason and Beth Kutchma, … Read more

Various Artists

Alaric / Atriarch - Split
20 Buck Spin (2012)

Splits, in general, are dicey: often two bands (or more) are vaguely similar, making for a decent record but one that usually acts as filler. These releases seem to contain cast-off songs from recent recordings that didn't fit the scope of the album.In this case we have two newer bands that are making waves by creating a sound somewhere between … Read more

DIIV

Oshin
Captured Tracks (2012)

Before reading any further, know that DIIV are anything but overwrought. The NYC band’s debut, Oshin, reflects the sort of open air, free-flowing rhythms and harmonics fluent in the thriving genre of dream pop. Naturally, the music isn’t about following along or thinking too hard about it. Everything here is predictable and minimalist. That’s what makes it so enjoyable.Oshin is … Read more

Royal Thunder

CVI
Relapse (2012)

Like many albums, I picked up Royal Thunder's CVI because I heard someone somewhere describe it as progressive metal. Like many of those albums, it turned out to have little to do with the genre. Unlike the majority of those albums, however, I wound up being impressed by this one anyway, and here's why:Royal Thunder may just be the last … Read more

Troubled Coast

I've Been Thinking About Leaving You
Pure Noise (2012)

I'll say, Troubled Coast are turning into one of the most steadfast bands I've heard. Their music has been on a consistent incline of musical quality since their debut EP in 2010, and 2012's I've Been Thinking About Leaving You in no way disappoints: it's without a doubt their most mature offering to date.I recall mentioning on my review of … Read more

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