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The Dead Cvlt

The Cataclyst
PRSPCT Records (2019)

Rotterdam, Netherlands-based supergroup The Dead Cult has release their debut EP The Cataclyst on PRSPCT records. This looks to be one of very few if not the only album on this label which has such strong punk and metal influences. While they are a supergroup, they do not represent just one scene. They are a hybrid of punk, metal, drum … Read more

Orphanage Named Earth

Saudade
Sanctus Propaganda/Phobia Records (2019)

Last year around this time I was reviewing the debut album of Orphanage Named Earth. It was an album I enjoyed but had some remarks on as well. My two main remarks on the album were that the vocals tended to be a bit monotonous and secondly that the songwriting became a little formulaic. Not in a way it hindered … Read more

Howardian

The Silly Shit You Say
Lets Pretend (2019)

While the title of Howardian’s fourth LP, The Silly Shit You Say, imparts a whimsical, spontaneous first impression, the record itself feels complete. This isn’t some spur-of-the-moment side project from Ian Vanek (Japanther), it’s the real deal.Overall I’d say the influence of this record is 1980s new wave mixed with new millennium DIY punk and a dose of lo-fi. Keyboards … Read more

Cherry Glazerr

Stuffed & Ready
Secretly Canadian (2019)

Stuffed & Ready is the third album released by LA band Cherry Glazerr. It’s surprising this is their third album and it’s taken me this long to notice them, but regardless, my timing feels perfect. With an album name like Stuffed & Ready, it’s hard to ignore the boldness of the band. Lead vocalist Clementine Creevy has a dream-like quality … Read more

The Pirate Ship Quintet

Emitter
Denovali (2019)

The Pirate Ship Quintet begun investigating the deep waters of post-rock during the genre’s peak in the ‘00s. Founded in 2007 the band prefers a sparse release output, which provides them the necessary time to properly prepare and mould each album they put out. Minimalist notions, longform narratives, moving soundscapes and a hint of neoclassical and jazz elements comprised the … Read more

Pelican

Nighttime Stories
Southern Lord (2019)

The passage of time signals many changes; life, death, birth – the cycle continues unabatingly, waiting for the next movement and giving no room for change. For Pelican, the six years since their last record, Forever Becoming, has seen many instances of life, death and birth and the passing of former Tusk member (a project also featuring members of Pelican) … Read more

Batshit Crazy

Batshit Crazy
Basement Records (2019)

I didn’t even realize how much I’ve stigmatized horrorcore until Batshit Crazy showed up in my mailbox and made me question my way of thinking. The band embraces the term so I will for the context of this review. To me, the cover art, font and subgenre name make me think of Misfits-meets-rockabilly or, shudder, psychobilly.But Batshit Crazy sets a … Read more

Dead Bars

Regulars
A-F (2019)

Dead Bars are one of those bands that’s somehow both fun and super depressing. The lyricism is what you’ll normally read about with this band – and for good reason – but it’s all around fun-yet-meaningful punk that fits different moods and brings out different emotions depending on when you listen to it.The band released a few 7”s before 2017’s … Read more

Mork

Det Svarte Juv
Peaceville (2019)

Mork encapsulate the sound of True Norwegian Black Metal from the opening strains of “Mørkeleggelse” to the closing punches of “Det Svarte Juv” and this one-person band from the homeland of cold, harsh black metal is paying homage with their music yet dragging it screaming into the modern era of blackened music. The raw elements are swirling chaos, raw vocals, … Read more

Pandemix

In Condemnation
Dirt Cult (2019)

Pandemix are new to me, and they’re difficult to sum up in just a few words. That’s a complement. It’s punk by genre, but a few subgenre adjectives aren’t going to capture the band. In Condemnation isn’t exactly complex (we’re talking punk rock here), but it’s diverse in subtle ways that keep the energy level high and fresh as it … Read more

Cliff and Ivy

American Saints
Independent (2018)

Every now and then I come home from the supermarket and think to myself, while unpacking: I should not have gone there while being hungry. It is empirically proven that sending me out to get some food while being hungry is not a tried and tested, best in class inventory management solution. I think this should be recognisable for you … Read more

Spirit Adrift

Divided By Darkness
20 Buck Spin (2019)

Spirit Adrift may have only been a band for five years or so, yet their output has been consistent (Divided by Darkness is their third full length since 2016) and it’s been excellent with it. Founded by Nate Garrett as a solo project before bringing in musicians to perform live and in turn contribute to recordings, Spirit Adrift is the … Read more

Big Eyes

Streets Of The Lost
Greenway Records (2019)

In the past I’ve described Big Eyes as half-punk, half-classic rock in a Cheap Trick vein. It’s concise and punchy like punk, but the energy relies on more traditional rock hooks. It’s great, but a part of me fears for the band’s growth because most other band’s I’ve enjoyed that get compared to classic rock eventually end up writing self-indulgent … Read more

ASHRR

Oscillator
First Second (2019)

Encompassing all of the most salient aspects of 80s synth pop, with clear nods to Talking Heads and New Order, LA trio ASHRR's debut album is a nostalgic but not particularly convincing first step for the band. The synth rock collective is made up of experienced musicians, with singer Steven Davis, producer Ethan Allen (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Sheryl Crow) … Read more

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