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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Plague Widow

Self Titled
BuriedInHell (2012)

Sacramento three-piece Plague Widow came to form late last year, and have through some kind of sorcery already unleashed an uncompromising and punishing EP. Fifteen minutes of pure intense grind with a tiny hint of death, Plague Widow EP is disgustingly ferocious and absolutely relentless. With an intro track that is longer than 95% of the songs on the EP, Plague Widow aren't here to stick to formulas and genre boundaries - this is a group pushing what's expected of the grind blueprint. "Intro" fades in and out of harsh toned feedback, building into this crushing crescendo designed to make your ears rupture. Launching into "Womb" with a huge energy, the drums of Danny Hynes truly suffer under his pummeling beat with insanely quick blasts falling from beneath earth-shattering guitar work courtesy of Hal Rotter. Vocals are deep and dirty, and on occasion Marc Dickson throws out a terrifying shriek ("Assimilated Subconcious") that cuts right to the bone. Sitting in the midst of this EP are two spoken word pieces - not something you're wont to come across with a band playing this style of grossly nasty grindcore madness, but then Plague Widow aren't your usual grindcore band. Using samples … Read more

House Of Low Culture

Poisoned Soil
Taiga (2012)

Following the demise of Isis (which was a sad day indeed around my household), there was still plenty of material … Read more

The Blank Fight

House Band Feud (Re-Issue)
Silver Sprocket (2012)

Aaron Cometbus, Rymodee of This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb, bikes, guitars…that seems a fitting intro for the reissue of … Read more

Nordic Nomadic

Worldwide Skyline
Tee Pee (2011)

Nordic Nomadic resides as generally a solo project. This project taken on by the lead singer of Ontario based psych … Read more

Enthroned

Obsidium
Agonia (2012)

Belgian black metal veterans Enthroned offer up a new platter of palpable devastation with Obsidium. With this album they show … Read more

Say Anything

Anarchy, My Dear
Equal Vision (2012)

Say Anything are a band who does the opposite of what you think they're going to do. For example, when … Read more

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One from the archives

Leonard Cohen

You Want It Darker
Columbia (2016)

David Bowie's passing was a huge blow for most of us. But luckily we had his final release, Blackstar to ease us through the loss.Now, with the passing of Leonard Cohen, we find ourselves assuaged with the same sadness and loss, but thankfully once again a legend was kind enough - while coming to grips with his own mortality, to leave us with his epitaph to give us our own catharsis.You Want It Darker is rife with musings, analogies and metaphors for the end of life - so much so, that in the hands of a lesser artist, it would seem hacky and contrived, but not so with Mr. Cohen. When he sings "I'm leaving the table, I'm out of the game", you know he means it.Everything we've ever come … Read more

More album reviews

Rêx Mündi

IHVH
Debemur Morti Productions (2011)

Handily joining the ranks of the best French bands whose abuse of the metal ümlaüt prevents their name from being typed without excessive use of the copy/paste function (I'm looking at you, Trörkrvisätänsrökrëh), Rêx Mündi, in all seriousness, deliver a surprisingly rewarding release with 2011's IHVH.What I like most about this album is its generosity with the song structures. They … Read more

Unholy Majesty

Self Titled
A389 (2012)

Burgeoning from a small town called Margate in the United Kingdom, is Unholy Majesty, a metallic hardcore supergroup meant to convey the bleak atmosphere of their city through music. With members of bands such as Sacred Ritual, Cold Snap, Age Of Kali, The Break In and Santa Karla it’s clear that this band has paid it’s dues and are looking … Read more

Fatal Birth

Self Titled
Twelve Gauge (2012)

Fatal Birth are a relatively new band. This being their first major release one could assume any number of things from the bands' artwork alone. Presented in a simple black and white sleeve With a dark picture of a hallways and a hanger lying on an otherwise empty floor the band gives off an idea of something sinister. The record … Read more

Kronos Quartet

Music of Vladimir Martynov
Nonesuch (2012)

Now, I'm no stranger to long music, but it still astounds me that there are only three pieces on this nearly 70-minute album. I suppose I should've expected nothing less from the prolific Kronos Quartet, who continue to astound with their virtuosity and stylistic diversity. I mean, these are the folks who have recorded pieces by composers like Terry Riley, … Read more

The Measure [SA]

My Heart And The Real World
No Idea (2011)

From the getgo, the transitions on My Heart and the Real World could be smoother—but that’s no surprise on a collections record. The Measure [SA] put out an enormous body of work—at least for a band with only two official full-lengths during their run—and putting them onto a single slab of plastic or vinyl sometimes creates logistics problems with recording … Read more

Creatures

Vesuvius
Twelve Gauge (2012)

Creatures have made a name fo9r themselves over the past few years playing a style of metalcore that bears a resemblance to the Holy Terror style. So the basics here are heavy with a strong leaning towards metal riffing and an obvious inclination towards evil. The band seemed rather silent after releasing their Salvation EP last year. With a few … Read more

Good Old War

Come Back As Rain
Sargent House (2012)

The first time I heard Good Old War, I heard them live - probably the best way to listen to them, in my opinion. Their harmonies, melodies and musical arrangements are way more impressive that way. They were opening for Guster and after their performance of "My Own Sinking Ship," I was sold on them. (All I have to say … Read more

Thee High Priestess

MMXII Demo
Independent (2012)

The internet contains some weird ways to discover music, and this aspect is a double edged sword because now everyone and their brothers and or sisters try to make music in their bedroom or basement or garage and put it up on their interwebz for everyone else to sift through; finding new music can be a giant pain in the … Read more

Future of the Left

Polymers Are Forever EP
Xtra Mile (2011)

From what I gather, I’m supposed to love Andy Falkous and his body of work. For a man who talks so much shit, he sure has a lot of admirers. But, whatever…I’m reviewing Polymers Are Forever here, not writing as essay on ego worship. This EP is the latest from his post-Mclusky group, and something of a teaser for an … Read more

The Eye Of Time

Self Titled
Denovali (2012)

The first thing that hits you is how beautiful the album looks. You haven't even begun to listen to it and already you're fawning over the beautiful cover art. It only gets more enthralling as you open it up and revel in the stunning beauty of Thomas Hack's artwork. As you take your time flipping through the massive booklet of … Read more

Planet Asia

Black Belt Theater
Wandering Worx (2012)

Planet Asia has built a long history in underground hip hop. While certainly not the best known to most he has built his career from the ground up. Through failed major label deals and a lack of recognition he has made himself known through his hard work and consistency. Most rappers couldn't be bothered with the struggles he has gone … Read more

Chimp Spanner

All Roads Lead Here
Basick (2012)

I will say, right off the bat, the composition ability of Paul Ortiz, a.k.a. Chimp Spanner, is undeniably top-notch, as is his musicality. Sure, he can be a bit self-indulgent at times, but then again, as a solo artist, isn't that more or less the point? Regardless, it's clear that his latest album, All Roads Lead Here, is a visionary … Read more

Spoonboy

The Papas
Fuck You is a Seven Letter Word (2011)

Do you like songs about gender issues, white male privilege, masculinity, and society in general? If not, you may want to quit reading here. Spoonboy, led by David Combs, is dedicated and upfront about these causes. Much like his other band, The Max Levine Ensemble, the general tone is preachy (to the choir), with pop song structures, direct lyrics, and … Read more

Maker

Mirrors
6131 (2011)

Maker have been a band for a few years now crawling out of the Massachusetts hardcore scene. The band play a style of pop punk that relies on speed and bolstered by breakdowns and gang vocals. The band had signed to 6131 records about a year ago after a handful of EPs and Split records. So far nothing particularly different … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

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