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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)

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 to break out even further. The band displays a ferocity that so many bands today just can’t reach and the song writing skills put most of their contemporaries to shame. The band puts together an array of influences to bring about a vicious attack on the listener; imagine a blackened version of Outbreak with a touch of Slayer. The album bursts out of the gates with an introduction that would give Charles Manson himself the chills. Eerie layerings of heavy, low tuned drums and a driving guitar hit you immediately. A low-fi recording of a man talking creates an ambience of evil to split up the first song perfectly. A perfectly situated solo ends the song on a great note. A driving rhythm section that just keeps pummeling you at every turn continues on through the second and third song … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … 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 … Read more

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One from the archives

No Harm Done

Our Day of Days
Anchorless (2007)

It's hard to be original anymore when playing any form of rock music and even harder to stand out when you're trying to sound similar to already-existing acts. No Harm Done are a melodic hardcore band from Florida who play their style by the book and not much else, as the idol worship of Strike Anywhere is clearly heard in the music and even seen in the artwork for the album. This record has everything a melodic hardcore album should, plus a few things that are best left out: gritty vocals with little regard for melody, harmonic singing moments to offset the previously mentioned vocal style, background screaming, gang-vocal choruses, fast guitars dressed in distortion paired with drumming that easily keeps the pace and the ever-popular (and completely tiring) socially-conscious … Read more

More album reviews

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

Les Discrets

Ariettes Oubliées...
Prophecy Productions (2012)

France's Les Discrets have been active for nigh on nine years, yet are only on the cusp of their second full length release. Driving force Fursy Teyssier has had a hand in one of the greatest exports of the majestic French scene, Amesoeurs (unfortunately a band no longer in existence), and once upon a time toured with Alcest as their … Read more

Sleigh Bells

Reign Of Terror
Mom + Pop (2012)

Derek Edward Miller and Alexis Krauss start this record like it's a Van Halen concert. They're tricking you into thinking that maybe after the Skins commercials that had everyone humming "Kids," after the Williamsburg and Pitchfork royalty fame, and after all the music festivals they attended last year, they were going to take things in a different direction - maybe … Read more

Let Me In

The Bag
Penthar Music (2011)

When I was asked to write a review for the band Let Me In’s debut album, The Bag and they were categorized as an Italian pop/punk band I was a bit intrigued. One thing that jumps at the listener from the start of the record is that these guys know how to rock. Italy isn’t known for producing pop-punk bands … Read more

Pallbearer

Sorrow And Extinction
Profound Lore (2012)

Arkansas residents Pallbearer have been a band to watch out for ever since the release of a fantastic three track demo in 2010. Featuring two original compositions ("Devoid of Redemption" and "The Legend" having been re-recorded for this release) and a cover track, this demo served to have many take note of this doom-laden quartet and the hopes for a … Read more

Shell Shag

Fuck Society
Mauled by Tigers (2012)

What if you could have all the great hits of the early 90s on one record: Liz Phair, INXS, Archers of Loaf all on one easy-to-manage collection? Okay, so this cover set from Brooklyn’s Shell Shag also includes DIY punk like Underground Railroad to Candyland and AK77, as well as songs from The Descendents, The Wipers, Warsaw, and The Undertones. … Read more

Cursive

I Am Gemini
Saddle Creek (2012)

Oh, our beloved Cursive--shall we never hear another Ugly Organ from you? No, we shall not, so stop asking for one. For three albums now, Cursive have been bounded to their undeniable masterpiece, The Ugly Organ, and have been expected to reach that plateau with each subsequent release. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't one of those fans, … Read more

Jet Black

Escape Measures
Self Released (2011)

There has been a resurgence over the past few years of Shoegaze style rock. While many of the more known bands of this style tend to mix it with other genres at this point (Alcest mixing black metal or Ringo Deathstar with some electronic music). Needless to say most bands take what is useful to them from the genre and … Read more

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