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 often swing back and forth between blast-beat-filled, guitar-shredding wankery and quite spacious dark ambiance, and all the while, nothing about it seems forced, dragged out, or rushed. There's almost a ritualistic reverence to the music, with each track betraying an incredibly belaboured, thought-out purpose and design. Sure, a lot of the songs stretch out past the "reasonable length of time" mark, but nothing ever seems like it's there just for padding. This is especially true with the coda to "Raising My Temples", which goes on for incredible lengths without seeming tiresome.Oh sure, it features plenty of frantic, demonic guitar-churning and scratchy, monstrous lead vocals, as is par for the course. But that's not to say there aren't plenty of welcome surprises, too. "J'imagine (Be-Reshit)" features the most disturbingly-filtered vocal soliloquy I've ever heard, not to mention an especially unnerving ambient … Read more
Burgeoning from a small town called Margate in the United Kingdom, is Unholy Majesty, a metallic hardcore supergroup meant to … Read more
Fatal Birth are a relatively new band. This being their first major release one could assume any number of things … Read more
Now, I'm no stranger to long music, but it still astounds me that there are only three pieces on this … Read more
From the getgo, the transitions on My Heart and the Real World could be smoother—but that’s no surprise on a … Read more
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Some bands just don't know when to slow down. California-based dark ambient/electronic musician Crowhurst definitely falls into that category, as he and his small army of guest musicians are about to release his fourteenth (?!) studio album this year, the evocatively titled Aghoree.The album is named after the somewhat less-than-mainstream Hindu sect that can (regretfully) be accurately described using the terms necrophagy, urophagia, and corprophagy. Given that, you'd definitely expect that this album is going to be one of those cold and uninviting pieces; certainly, the manner in which it opens with derisive-sounding laughter and speech only seems to solidfy that impression. However, the pieces are actually surprisingly warm and comfortable for the genre, all while retaining the dark edginess that makes them so appealing in the first place.The album … Read more
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
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
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 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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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