Tool
10,000 Days
Volcano (2006)
Surrealistic imagery, lyrical lunacy, and musical fanaticism will always be the staples of Tool. Floating vocals amongst flares of guitars and some of the best drumming this side of Keith Moon's infamous demise. Tool albums all have the inescapable fact that they are Tool albums; they don't sound the same, but that they all sound like Tool. That Tool's brand … Read more
Tool
Fear Inoculum
RCA (2019)
hype - Informal.nounexaggerated publicity; hoopla.an ingenious or questionable claim, method, etc., used in advertising, promotion, or publicity to intensify the effect.Let’s be real. 13 years is a long goddamn time between albums. Particularly for a band that didn’t even break up. There’s just no way on earth ANY band could hope to return to whatever glory cradled them in their … Read more
Torche
Harmonicraft
Volcom (2012)
Torche is back with their third official LP (Songs For Singles is officially an EP as far as the band is concerned) and Harmonicraft might be the most uplifting album to come from a metal background (at least I would consider a band with a pedigree featuring members of the almighty Floor, Cavity, etc. to be at least metal influenced) … Read more
Torche
Healer/Across the Shields
Hydra Head (2009)
Following up their much acclaimed full-length, Meanderthal, Torche gives the Healer/Across the Shields twelve-inch EP and DVD to tide fans over until their next record. The record contains two tracks on that full-length as well as two additional songs (their last with recently departed guitarist Juan Montoya) which are new and a DVD with the videos for the two album … Read more
Torche
In Return
Robotic Empire (2007)
Without a doubt, this just might be one of the more beautifully packaged records to come out in recent memory; Torche's latest record, In Return has been released as a ten inch vinyl record that includes the CD (a great idea that Shellac also hit on with their latest, which more record labels and bands need to start doing), and … Read more
Torche
Meanderthal
Hydra Head (2008)
By now, most people that care enough to know that Torche's point of origination begins with the fall of Steve Brooks' former band, Floor. Torche has certainly done enough differently to explicitly set itself apart from the former group, but it seems as though now they are coming full circle with the second Torche LP, Meanderthal. Following the excellent In … Read more
Torche
Torche
Robotic Empire (2005)
Whenever I am having a discussion of music with friends, which happens more often then I'd like to admit, for music is my sole sense of being, the topic of why there aren't more "sludge-metal bands incorporating vocals into their songs always seems to come up. I've always had an answer - I won't divulge it here for fear of … Read more
Tortoise
It's All Around You
Thrill Jockey (2004)
Tortoise are one of those bands that never seem to live up to my expectations. Of course I think they're amazing musicians and everything, but I'm always expecting a little bit more. I think a lot of other people do as well. Sadly, I think this is a result of the genius that was Millions Now Living Will Never Die. … Read more
Toska Fall
It Falls Apart
White Russian Records (2021)
Toska Fall is a new Dutch band and It Falls Apart is their second EP. The band was started in 2017 for a shared love of '90s punk rock. Over these three lads added different influences to their mix. Think some melodic hardcore and some metal. I can appreciate it when bands mix more influences together into something quite their … Read more
Total Control
Typical System
Iron Lung (2014)
Sometimes you get stuck on a review. Sure, I meant to delve outside my comfort zone a bit in grabbing this record, but I’ve been a little stuck on the details. The plus side, of course, is that means I’ve given it dozens of spins.Typical System is the second release from Melbourne’s Total Control. The band features some recognizable names … Read more
Total Fucking Destruction
Peace, Love and Total Fucking Destruction
Enucleation (2009)
Grindcore is one of those genres where these days you are just as likely to come across an abject piece of music as you are something good. This could be said of all genres but you got to be skilled to provide something original with music where speed is the primary ingredient. The classics brought something new and did it … Read more
Totally Slow
Casual Drag
Refresh Records (2021)
I don’t hear skatepunk-influenced bands that catch my attention very often. What was once new and vibrant has grown stale and derivative. Yet, Totally Slow (from North Carolina) have a very clear West Coast ‘90s influence that thrives throughout Casual Drag, their third record. While I hear a lot of familiarity, it still feels urgent and emotional. And while I’m … Read more
Totally Slow
The Darkness Intercepts
Refresh Records (2024)
I find Totally Slow a hard band to categorize. Their brand of melodic, hard punk is familiar and comforting -- rooted in ‘80s hardcore, ‘90s skatepunk, and post-something guitar-driven rock. The press release namedrops Dag Nasty and Hot Snakes, among others, which I think are good starting points. But while it’s familiar, it’s absolutely not a carbon copy. Like their … Read more
Totally Unicorn
Dream Life
Farmer & The Owl Records (2016)
Complex, highly technical, unusual time signatures.Staccato and syncopated polyrhythmic guitar melodies.Mathcore.Yawn.Does not sound fun to you?Alright - enter nudity, booze fueled shenanigans and fascinating borderline performance art live incarnations.Enter Totally Unicorn from Wollongong, NSW South Wales, Australia.Dream Life is their first impressive full length, which was released in 2016 and surprised quite a few of their followers: Not that it … Read more
Touche Amore
Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me
Deathwish Inc. (2011)
Touche Amore have made a name for themselves in the hardcore scene with the release of their past record To The Beat Of A Dead Horse and a slough of 7inches and splits. While some Internet drama has led to a backlash against the band, this new full length Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me can be held as … Read more
Tournament
Swordswallower
Trip Machine Laboratories (2008)
With silkscreen cover art and a handwritten inventory number on Swordswallower, the Brooklyn-based Tournament (ex-Paragraph) have released an impressive debut. The press sheet is informative and avoids sounding too infomercial, and the personal approach (except for the handwritten "promo" on the inner sleeve) make this an appealing package from Trip Machine Laboratories. Their bio shows they come from a diverse … Read more
Toys That Kill
Fambly 42
Recess (2012)
It may have been six years since Toys That Kill put out a full-length, but Fambly 42 sounds like it could have been released immediately after Shanked. The melodies are seamless and the precision between band members sounds like they haven’t missed a beat—maybe that’s because the band plays sporadic shows and the pieces of their line-up comprise a number … Read more
Toys That Kill
Sentimental Ward
Recess (2016)
It’s nice when your favorite bands surprise you. It took six years for Fambly 42), so I wasn’t ready for Sentimental Ward yet (though apparently it’s already been another four years). Fambly 42 acted like no time had passed and the same holds true here, on Toys That Kill’s fifth full-length release. The four-piece continues playing off kilter pop punk … Read more
