For those who find Evanescence's Amy Lee too goth and Sarah Brightman not quite goth enough, we have Norway's Andrea Haugen a.k.a. Nebelhexë. Now, "Neb," as we'll call her, is, according to her bio, "a warrior with never-fading energy and she fights with passion for individual and spiritual freedom; animal rights, awareness for ecological food, recognition for ancient goddess worship and feminine mysteries... " I don't know about you folks, but if I had read that before hearing the music, it would have sent any and all objectivity dissipating into the ether. But as it happens, I heard the album beforehand and I can say with the utmost honesty and sincerity that any preconceived notions that bit 'o bio could give would be right on the money. Think it would sound like some hippie girl singing for change in an all-but-abandoned bus station? Bingo. What about those of you that are phantom smelling the pungent aromas of incense and patchouli while imagining the sounds of background music at a Wiccan book club meeting? Very astute, sir or madam. This is for those who like to explore their dark side by wearing black Birkenstocks. It's funny - this Neb chick has … Read more
Last February, I went to the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, MI to catch a set by Grizzly Bear, Brooklyn … Read more
Applying the finishing touches to a viola-and-recorder composition evocatively recreating the world of Sloppy Joe Riggs-Lattimer (a red-headed scientologist Jew … Read more
a) "Neglected Rejection" b) "Benign Reabsorption" c) "Predicated Malformations" d) "Embryological Teratomas" Okay, here's how it works - you guess … Read more
Choose a year to view reviews of albums released in that year.
754 reviews
42 reviews
25 reviews
300 reviews
5022 reviews
19 reviews
Following up a surprising teaser EP with a limited release earlier this year, Helms Alee drop their debut full-length on a mostly unsuspecting public; Night Terror is a great point to latch onto this three-piece and enjoy some noisy music that will leave heads spinning or throbbing or whatever head trip that it could impose. The ten tracks that Night Terror contains create tension and release in all the "right ways." And even though three of these songs are available on the aforementioned self-titled EP, the whole works very well and puts them into the hands of people who had difficulty tracking down the first record. Ben Verellen, Dana James, and Hozoji Margullis deliver one of the more intriguing debuts this year. From the initial fuzzed out bass and incessant … Read more
Cobalt is a two-piece black metal band hailing from the United States. They have a surprisingly full and "polished" sound that sets them apart from other black metal bands that I have been privy to hear. Eater of Birds is the band's (from what I have gathered) second full-length and showcases a marked improvement from their first full-length (War Metal … Read more
Following the release of their debut full-length, one of my favorites of 2005, These Days went on indefinite hiatus. Needless to say, I was bummed out by the announcement. But after little more than a year off, the band decided to give it another go, and with a revamped lineup got to work on playing shows and writing new songs. … Read more
I very nearly saw this band, in a barn, no less. From the time I saw the flier I was stoked on the show; black and white crass styled font, touring international hardcore bands, and almost certainly couscous or lentils. The show was unfortunately cancelled. I think I had to work anyway. I'm glad I picked up this CD, though. … Read more
Ambitions have always been one of those bands I've liked but never really got overly into. They always seemed far too cheesy in that super posi Bane way for me to never want to take them seriously. 2007 rolls around, Ambitions signs to Bridge Nine and releases a new 7". They are still cheesy as hell but I usually order … Read more
I Rise impressed me with their showing on the split with Soul Control with their ability to rewrite the best riffs from all the 90's hardcore greats and still come up with something that doesn't sounds like a rehash. Down furthers demonstrates I Rise's mastery of infusing 108's intensity with the melodic tinges of Quicksand. Lyrically they cover all the … Read more
If the rumor serves correct, this may be the swansong for Sinking Ships. I for one will be sad to see them go (if said rumor is true) as they always played a decent version of emotional melodic hardcore that the Northwest seemed to spit out weekly after the demise of Champion. Ten gives you three tracks of speedy harmonious … Read more
Snake Eyes is just another one of those side project bands that doesn't get a lot of love outside of their home stomping grounds of California due the fact they don't get to play out much and never tour. Snake Eyes features members of Betrayed, Terror, Donnybrook, and Internal Affairs. Only Internal Affairs comes anywhere close to the violent intensity … Read more
Wasted Time basically sounds like Time to Escape but with more gruff vocals and more influences that stem from early New York hardcore than Dischord. Once again, if it's done well, I like it. Wasted Time I like. Actually I like Wasted Time a bit more than Time to Escape since they just go for throat and are a smidge … Read more
Bands like Time to Escape are the reason I picked up a record player. It's not so I can score crucial pre-order/fest only vinyl. It's because hardcore bands like Time to Escape just sound that much more raw and frenetic on vinyl than they ever would on CD. Time to Escape is a fast snotty hardcore band from the nation's … Read more
Little Lebowski Urban Achievers are a slightly indie and extremely drunk pop-punk band that, when I actually leave the apartment, I've shared beers with more than few times. Three songs slow rock ditties fill up this slab of wax, everything is played simple and never overpowering. It's a bit melancholy with a biting sense of sarcasm. It's like saddling up … Read more
If you're unfamiliar with Rosetta, punch yourself. Seriously, I'll wait. Go ahead and punch yourself if you've never heard of Rosetta. Okay now By now, you're probably asking why you just punched yourself? Punch yourself again for thinking that! After you've finish listening to Wake/Lift, the band's sophomore release, you'll know exactly why. Following the release of their 2005 debut, … Read more
I love The Lotus Eaters. Not many people know the surprisingly laid back side project of Aaron Turner (Isis, Old Man Gloom, House of Low Culture), Stephen O'Malley (Sunn 0))), Khanate, and a myriad of others), and James Plotkin (Khanate, Phantomsmasher, Khlyst, etc); this may be due to the fact that the group does not release records at the clip … Read more
Contrary to popular belief, screamo isn't dead. Granted, it could very well be crippled and unable to be even a shadow of it's former self, but it isn't dead and will probably never die. Aside from a handful of bands in the States playing the genre well, including Cease Upon the Capitol, Kid Crash, Loma Prieta, and to some extent … Read more
Linkin Park, by and large, are looked upon as a joke. With few exceptions, they are loved solely by young fans who really don't know any better and are unable to find any other kind of "heavy" music at their local Wal-Mart in Smalltown, U.S.A. What does Linkin Park have to do with Norway's Manes, you ask? Well, they kind … Read more
Looking for the SPB logo? You can download it in a range of styles and colours here:
Click anywhere outside this dialog to close it, or press escape.