Orgone
The Goliath
Independent (2007)
Orgone is an interesting term that refers to the "life energy" of humans. It may exist; it may not. That's all up for debate. One thing that is certain is that Orgone, the metal band from Pittsburgh, plays some seriously intense tunes. This four-piece group of fellows fused together technical metal, grindcore, and even dashes of hardcore and drone metal … Read more
Oskoreien
Oskoreien
Independent (2011)
I first heard about Oskoreien after acquiring a fantastic compilation album by the name of Der Wanderer über Dem Nebelmeer. The title is taken from a famous painting, The Wanderer Above The Sea Of Fog, and it also happens to be a Wolves In The Throne Room track name. And if you know anything about Wolves In The Throne Room, … Read more
Our Resolve
Demo
Independent (2007)
If you glance over the list of hardcore bands coming out of Cleveland over the years, you'll find that most of them are very heavy, and very pissed off. It's a nice change of pace then, to hear Our Resolve coming from Cleveland with an incredibly melodic sound. It's almost the polar opposite of everything before them. Our Resolve's goal … Read more
Out to Sea
Mouth Like a Sailor
Independent (2008)
Hailing from outside of Dallas, this Texas hardcore outfit delivers six tracks of premium melodic hardcore with a slightly metallic edge. Musically their sound reminds me of Shai Hulud, but a little bit more melodic perhaps Kid Dynamite-esque at points. They've got it all, good sing-along parts, some fast-paced two-stepping parts, and of course good breakdowns. For a demo recording … Read more
Over Stars and Gutters
Consider This Your Curse
Independent (2009)
The whole Midwestern punk sound is something you either love or hate. I, personally love most of the main bands that have come from this genre but when it comes to newer bands, they have to do something to stand out among the others. It's a given fact that I'll enjoy the band but will I be telling my friends … Read more
Parhelia
First Light
Independent (2006)
The number of atmospheric rock bands has skyrocketed recently. Dublin, Ireland's Parhelia, a group of "post-rockers," play very welcoming and groove-oriented songs. This instrumental four-piece doesn't sound "groovy," but the rhythm section is extremely tight. Guitarists Greg Clarke and Diarmuid Shore create pleasant, melodic parts that keep me interested (even without crescendos!). "Ebb/Flow" contains cool delay effects combined with sudden … Read more
Parker
Never Let This Go
Independent (2023)
I like poppy punk: melodies, singalongs, all that predictable stuff. But I also like it rough around the edges, not the super clean production style of Ramonescore or whatever that garbage from the early 2000s that’s on the nostalgia train right now is. So I choose my words carefully because it seems pop-punk means different things to different people. And … Read more
Partial Traces
Can’t Come Down / Nights I Dream
Independent (2020)
This synth punk group hails from the headwaters of the Mississippi River. A mighty mass of water that connects Minnesota to Louisiana and sings all the way south. Water seemingly makes music as it flows and this super group (FFO: The Soviettes, Dear Landlord) is actively tapping into that source. Raw emotive vocals give me chills on the first spin. … Read more
Partial Traces
Lost In The Days / Shallows EP
Independent (2022)
Open chord guitar and warm synth start the single in a typical indie manner. The poetry that fills the space is earnest and serious, beaconing the listener to keep up. When the small drum machine picks up you feel a sense of relief. References to travel, reflections and an illusive love are all present again, but don’t feel too overused. … Read more
Path to Misery
Demo
Independent (2007)
Path to Misery is a musical-collective from Pittsburgh, PA. The group of individuals involved focuses their attention of raising awareness of government actions, social issues, and other forward-thinking ideas through music. Musically, they set things to a soundtrack of abrasive hardcore with dashes of metal, d-beat, and grind thrown in for good measure. Their latest demo is comprised of three … Read more
Perennial
In The Midnight Hour
Independent (2022)
Art-punk is usually a description that makes me move out of the way. Most of the art-punk I have heard so far just isn’t my cup of tea. Every rule has its exceptions, so here we are; I have listened to In The Midnight Hour dozens of times already. There is two things you need to know about this last … Read more
Perennial
The Leaves Of Autumn Symmetry
Independent (2023)
Earlier this year I reviewed In The Midnight Hour, the second album of Perennial, and I liked it. In fact, I liked it enough to check out their debut album The Symmetry Of Autumn Leaves. A debut that was nice, but pales in comparison with their sophomore record. If you ask me it missed focus in the song-writing and lacked … Read more
Perturbator
DANGEROUS DAYS
Independent (2014)
If Daft Punk were commissioned to score a cyberpunk horror film of the likes of Hardware, the resulting work may sound something like what Paris musician James “Perturbator” Kent has come up with on 2014’s Dangerous Days, the latest of his four albums. Utilizing vintage synthesizer sound straight out of the Miami Vice era, Perturbator lets loose with aggressive arpeggios … Read more
Pilkington
Pilkington
Independent (2020)
Pilkington's self-titled debut is at the same time their swansong. It serves as a testimony to the good time the band had together as a band. As they were recording this album back in 2018 the band members uprooted and spread out. This was basically the end of the band.Reading this information in the press sheet I was a bit … Read more
Pity Party
Concrete
Independent (2020)
Hello 1990s. Pity Party, from Oakland, play fuzzed out drudgy punk. While most press I read about calls the band pop-punk and even emo, I’d put them a less crisp category. DIY indie-punk, maybe? But with some harsher sounds that parlay a little more anger and anguish. Grunge doesn’t feel quite right, but close. I hate to drop the Riot … Read more
Plain
Different Not Strange
Independent (2008)
One could say Lugano, Switzerland’s Plain is a risk-taking collection of artists simply for the sheer bravery (or stupidity) of giving themselves that moniker. For those that wouldn’t care for their brand of music, professional critics and aural consumers alike, the door is wide open for the same kind of juvenile puns that your typical Garbage naysayer would dish out. … Read more
Playmaker
Playmaker
Independent (2007)
Throwing their gauntlet down with their multitudes of contemporaries comes Playmaker, a straight up, and authentic, Brit-rock band by way of the greater Toronto Area. While that might seem slightly paradoxical, Chris Barry, the front of the trio, is quick to let you know where his origins lie with his strongly accented vocals seeping infectiously through the speakers from the … Read more
Pomegranate Tiger
Entities
Independent (2013)
Canadian musicians Pomegranate Tiger are quite hard to pigeonhole. On the surface, they play an intensely confusing variety of proggy instrumetal that takes technicality to epic-length proportions, quite reminiscent of bands like Electro Quarterstaff or Canvas Solaris. But going a bit deeper, they also have a propensity for writing soaring, triumphal melodies that should sound familiar to fans of Scale … Read more
