Wolfbrigade
Damned
Southern Lord (2012)
Sweden’s Wolfbrigade have been around in one guise or another (formerly Wolfpack) since 1995 – the changing lineup finally unleashing a new full length with Damned, their first in four long years. Seen as pioneers of the Swedish crust/d-beat scene, Wolfbrigade play an unrelenting form of metal tinged hardcore-esque punk that never seems to stop, leaving you quite breathless. Somehow … Read more
Wolverines / The Sibling Project
Split
Independent (2006)
Wolverines, you ponder. Wolverines remind you of X-Men - of retractable claws - of deep, absonant snarls. "But what about siblings?" you ask yourself. Siblings bring to mind petty arguments, worthless rivalries, and sharing menial house chores. You rack your mind for any comprehensible link between a carnivorous mammal of the North and your sister. "Ay, there's the connection!" you … Read more
Wolves & Thieves
Demo
Independent (2008)
Wolves & Thieves play melodic rock n' roll-inspired hardcore seeping with East Bay flavor. In the same way The Suicide File and Hour of the Wolf play music definitively rooted in hardcore punk, albeit with a heavy rock n' roll influence, Wolves & Thieves unquestionably sound like a hardcore punk band. They simply refuse to be fettered with the frustrating … Read more
Wolves & Thieves
Wolves & Thieves
Swagger City/Lorelei (2009)
I talk about the Bay Area hardcore scene a lot. Okay, maybe a little more than a lot. But it is a quality scene, so you can't blame me. Equally as deserving of recognition is the punk scene of the greater San Francisco Bay. There is a rich history that stems back to the 1970's with groups like Dead Kennedys, … Read more
Wolves At Bay
Only A Mirror
Animal Style (2012)
Although Wolves At Bay have recently released a sparkly-fresh record, this review will cover their 2011 full-length debut on Animal Style Records, Only a Mirror. The band seems to have changed names and lineups during the course of their evolution, but here presents as a four-piece post-hardcore outfit, proud to hail from a suburb of New Haven, CT. The paper … Read more
Wolves in the Throne Room
Black Cascade
Southern Lord (2009)
Taking black metal by storm, or maybe pushing black metal out of the basements and into the conscious of many whom have ignored the genre thus far, Wolves in the Throne Room give the listening world their third full-length album, Black Cascade, as further evidence of their genre label being too constrictive. Wolves in the Throne Room seem to subscribe … Read more
Wolves in the Throne Room
Diadem of 12 Stars
Vendlus (2006)
When I saw Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, I was in major awe. The scene in which The Ents - the walking trees - hurl rocks was the ruckus I had been searching for my entire life. Giant trees fucking shit up. As kick ass as the scene could've been, we were treated to what can be simplified … Read more
Wolves in the Throne Room
Malevolent Grain
Southern Lord (2009)
Each song of the Malevolent Grain EP, "A Looming Resonance" and "Hate Crystal," comprises one side of an exquisitely packaged 12". Both songs are top-notch examples of the more hypnotic and earthy side of black metal. "A Looming Resonance" builds from a somber clean melody to some kind of operatic, backwoods hymn to the forces of nature. "Hate Crystal," however, … Read more
Wolves in the Throne Room
Two Hunters
Southern Lord (2007)
The terms "stripped-down," "raw," and "black metal" are certainly no strangers to each other. Musically speaking, some of the best known bands and albums feature less-than-lackluster production and songwriting, a standard set by older bands such as Darkthrone and Burzum, even if unintentionally. Visually and characteristically though, most black metal bands are infamous for being over-the-top, what with all the … Read more
Wolvhammer
Clawing Into Black Sun
Profound Lore (2014)
Having already released two albums showing great promise, Wolvhammer nail it with their third try. No matter how brutal and awe inspiring Black Marketeers of World War III and The Obsidian Plains were, Clawing Into Black Sun stands in a league of its own. It might just be the case that the band took their time for this one, since … Read more
Wolvserpent
Aporia: Kala: Ananta
Relapse (2016)
When it comes to mystical vibes, few can challenge the music of Wolvserpent. The duo consisting of Blake Green and Brittany McConnell in the past six years has been putting out a series excellent works. From their debut, Blood Seed, their drone/doom vision started coming into view, a concept that felt finalized with the release of their latest album, Perigaea … Read more
Woman is the Earth
Torch of Our Final Night
Init (2016)
Woman is the Earth aren’t a new prospect, but latest record Torch of Our Final Night is a massive step forward for them in sound and scope and so, quite rightly, they are suddenly gaining traction in the underground. This Place That Contains My Spirit from 2012, and 2014s follow-up, Depths, are tremendous albums, but this new work is infinitely … Read more
Won't Stay Dead
3 Hits From Purgatory
We Are Horror Records (2023)
Won't Stay Dead are back with a few more tracks following on from their album Purgatory released in Oct 2022 https://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews ... purgatory/. This EP entitled 3 Hits From Purgatory contains two previously unreleased tracks from the Purgatory sessions. "New Descent" and "Nine Guys (No Weapons)" might not have made it onto the album, instead they were destined for bigger … Read more
Won't Stay Dead
Purgatory
Don't Panic Records & Distribution (2021)
Four piece horror themed punk band Won't Stay Dead from Chicago, Illinois formed in 2017. After independently releasing two five-track EP's The Devil Was With Us (2017) and Hellion (2020) they headed to Million Yen Studios to record their magnum opus... this thirteen track full length album Purgatory. Won't Stay Dead, to me, are pure 90s pop punk nostalgia. The … Read more
Woods
At Rear House
Shrimper (2007)
It may seem a bit unproductive to review an album that came out in the early stages of this year, but that's part of what makes Woods the band they are: silently create an album that is noteworthy, but flies below any conventional form of radar. Just as their debut How to Survive In + In the Woods was filled … Read more
Woods
How to Survive In/In the Woods
Release the Bats (2006)
How to Survive In/In the Woods isn't the easiest CD to review, because to put it bluntly, it's not the easiest CD to listen to. How to Survive In/In the Woods is thirteen tracks of experimental, lo-fi, noisy folk music distorted and amplified beyond comprehension. The result is both beautiful and frightening, calming and disturbing, and ultimately one of the … Read more
Worm Ouroboros
What Graceless Dawn
Profound Lore (2016)
Lorraine Rath and Jessica Way initiated a mystical journey with Worm Ouroboros, blurring the lines between doom metal, post-rock, neo-folk and dark ambiance, attempting to create music that is as powerful as it is otherworldly. Releasing their debut album in 2010, they were soon joined by drummer Aesop Dekker, whose first contribution came in the band's sophomore record, Come The … Read more
Worriers
Cruel Optimist
Don Giovanni (2013)
Worriers are yet another Brooklyn band to note, made up of former members of some higher profile DIY punk bands from the area. Most noteworthy in terms of sound is vocalist Lauren Denitzio, previously of The Measure [SA]. Obviously, her familiar voice and vocal style will bring a number of comparisons, including within this very review, and it should serve … Read more
