Recent reviews

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)

Universe 217

Never
Catch The Soap Productions (2013)

I still remember the first time I saw Universe217 playing live in Athens, back in 2008. They were the supporting act for Scott Kelly of Neurosis and I found myself thinking that this band definitely is on the right path in terms of what they are doing with their music. Considering they had just released their debut self-titled album at the time I was really intrigued to hear more from them. So fast-forwarding through the years and after one EP, one split album with Lucky Funeral and their sophomore full-length Familiar Places, now their latest album, Never, has arrived.The band’s sound is quite unique, and the most accurate descriptions such as down tempo rock and experimental doom, are still unable to fully define Universe217’s music. The band is constantly experimenting sonically with their heavy, rich background, and on Never these guys really outdo themselves. From the very opening song of the album, “Mouth,” you get Tanya’s great voice overwhelming you with a short a-capella part. The heavy drums pin down your attention all the way through, while the effects that the band is implementing are sending you to sonic journeys far away from this earthly plane.“Enter” builds up tension in … Read more

Various Artists

Parasitic Skies/Losing Skin - Split
Headfirst records (2012)

Splits are a dilemma at times, as they inevitably will either inform you of a new band or have a … Read more

Various Artists

UNFUN/Despite Everything - Split EP
Hahaha Cool! Records (2012)

It's always cool when bands from opposite sides of the world do a split together. It worked great for Thursday … Read more

Aaron & The Sea

Cloak & Dagger EP
Independent (2013)

Aaron & the Sea have come a long way from writing dinosaur-themed ballads. The Minneapolis band formed in 2008 when … Read more

The Julie Ruin

Run Fast
Independent (2013)

The onesheet drops the term “subversive pop.” While the term may apply lyrically, musically The Julie Ruin is more ‘80s … Read more

Pelican

Forever Becoming
Southern Lord (2013)

It has been about four years since the release of What We All Come to Need, what was in my … Read more

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One from the archives

Wu-Tang Clan

8 Diagrams
Street Records Corporation (2007)

It almost seemed like this record would never come out. It's been six years since Iron Flag and 14 since 36 Chambers revolutionised hip hop, and in that intervening period, the genre has seen the rise of the shallower side of the performers, with quality production often sidelined in favour of bold statements and styles without the musical muscle to back them up. To further oppose the return of the New York pioneers, internal feuding cast doubt over the status of the record. Both Raekwon and Ghostface Killah expressed doubts about the quality of 8 Diagrams in the buildup to its release, citing producer RZA as too controlling and veering away from standard Wu material to guitar sampling and R&B. And then there's the matter of founding member O.D.B.'s death … Read more

More album reviews

Watain

The Wild Hunt
Century Media (2013)

Watain have been around for a long, long time but it’s only really recently that the band have broken out of the confines of the underground and became a black metal band that graces magazine front covers and headlines tours across the world. The Swedes have been a heady presence on the scene back home and with 2010s Lawless Darkness, … Read more

Watain

The Wild Hunt
Century Media (2013)

Watain has been on the cusp of something huge for the last couple years. With a handful of great records and a live show that could manage to get a mention from even the most jaded of writers. The band stowed away with an intent to write something that would be true to them but also capitalize on their successes. … Read more

Sutekh Hexen

Become
King Of Monsters (2013)

Throughout their relatively short tenure, Sutekh Hexen has produced several thought provoking releases that intrigue from both a sonic and an aesthetic perspective; and Become is no different than that description as well as it seemingly marks a turning point for the (at times) shadowy outfit as it is purportedly the first recording to not feature one of the founding … Read more

Ihsahn

Das Seelenbrechen
Candlelight (2013)

Ihsahn is one of the most immediately recognisable artists that Norway has produced and his work in legends Emperor and now as a solo act has seen him move from the early stages of black metal to a much more progressive sound. Ihsahn’s solo efforts have always been extremely interesting and with Das Seelenbrechen he has created a textured landscape … Read more

Aeronaut

Coronal Mass
Fabrica (2013)

Aeronaut’s Coronal Mass is one hell of recording, but just saying that does not a hint of justice to the overall quality of this release because I would be damned if I did not say that the packaging for this cassette tape is disgustingly awesome, and in truth, what ultimately makes the release is the music that takes up the … Read more

The Haxan Cloak

Excavation
Tri Angle (2013)

What dream like states can you imagine, and how exactly might you reach such a trance? Do you use illicit and not so illicit substances, or are you maybe touched a bit having brushed wings with delirium one too many times? Regardless of how you might enter a waking dream world, what do you enjoy to use as the soundtrack?Ever … Read more

Kitten Forever

Pressure
Guilt Ridden Pop (2013)

Pressure is a party. The three-piece band Kitten Forever trade off vocals constantly throughout, and even swap instruments while they’re at it. It starts off with a 43 second intro track of vocal switcheroos and handclaps before shifting into the muddy “Cry Baby” that sets the stage well for their alternating tones of distorted punk and happy-clap sing-song. While the … Read more

Iron Chic

Spooky Action
Bridge Nine (2013)

Iron Chic are back with their first new music since their split with Pacer. For some, a couple years isn't long, but waiting for new Iron Chic is like waiting for a ride at Disneyland. As soon as you finish the thrill of one, you're automatically anxious to get in line for another, and the wait is unbearable. No matter … Read more

Gypsy Eyes

The Escapist
Noise Met Sound (2013)

It’s hard to go to an EDM festival without seizuring from strobe lights, going deaf from pulsing beats, or popping too many Mollies. Electronica combusts acres of energy, leaving no breathing room. This genre of trebley arpeggios, never-ending grooves, and overwhelming bass deserves a relaxing vacation.Artists like Actress, Flying Lotus, and Jon Hopkins are soothing alternatives for EDM, infusing jazzy … Read more

A Wilhelm Scream

Partycrasher
No Idea Records (2013)

It’s been hard to believe that A Wilhelm Scream’s last full length, Career Suicide, was released in 2007. I’ve seen these guys live a handful of times since then, and they are anything but old news. No Idea definitely knew what they were doing by adding this headlining band to their roster. The amount of energy and spirit A Wilhelm … Read more

Nadja

Flipper
Oaken Palace (2013)

Do you find that at times you need to change your perspective on something or someone, and if so how exactly do you gain that fresh perspective? For my part, gaining a fresh perspective usually means walking away from something for a period of time and coming back with a regained enthusiasm and excitement to dive back into whatever it … Read more

Integrity

Suicide Black Snake
Magic Bullet / A389 Records (2013)

Take this raging slab of an album and play it on your stereo at loud volumes until your fragile eardrums explode causing you to bleed out of your ear canals because Integrity is back with another record of metal / hardcore anthems that delve the dark side the way that only Dwid and his cohorts can (with this record he … Read more

Autistic Youth

Nonage
Dirtnap (2013)

I nearly died one night in the kitchen of Mexican restaurant I was cooking at. When it came time to clean up the floors at the end of my closing shift, I erroneously (read: stupidly) mixed ammonia and bleach in a mop bucket full of steaming hot water. One breath of that potent mixture and I was seeing stars and … Read more

Hank Williams III

Brothers Of The 4x4
Hank III Records (2013)

There's few artists that have been bent over by their record label more than Hank Williams III. That label was Curb, and they fucked the poor man up down and sideways. That blood contract was finally over with the 2010 release of Rebel Within - an album with potential, but the end result was what felt like an understandably rushed … Read more

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