Year of No Light
Nord
Crucial Blast (2007)
As our global society is brought closer and closer as a result of the Internet and other lightning fast communicative technologies, the influx and exposure of foreign bands and musicians continues to increase in frequency at an unprecedented rate; one label that has fully embraced this global mixing is Crucial Blast who bring the United States the domestic release of … Read more
Year of No Light
Tocsin
Debemur Morti Productions (2013)
Year Of No Light’s emotive instrumental approach is one that embraces the deeper, heavier side of post/sludge/atmospheric music and the cavernous melodies that they dredge up from the darkest pits of night are terrifying and weighty. The six strong French band boast two drummers amidst their ranks and on Tocsin here they utilise that strength to push the songs forward … Read more
Year Of The Goat
Angels' Necropolis
Ván (2012)
Year of the Goat haven’t had the best of starts in life – injury, great upheaval, internal friction and possibly more has meant that the Swedish quintet have had to push back the release of their debut Angels’ Necropolis further than they imagined. Praise Satan then, that the record finally sees the darkness of their retro sound birthed into the … Read more
Year of the Rabbit
Year of the Rabbit
Elektra (2003)
Before I even begin to go in depth about Year of the Rabbit's major-label debut I want to get one thing clear. I find it unfair to make comparisons and set standards to bands based upon their involvements in previous efforts. Yet, it happens all the time, most recently with The Fire Theft and their past as Sunny Day Real … Read more
Yes
Fly From Here
Frontiers (2011)
I wasn't even aware Yes was still together at this point, let alone technically the same band. I guess as long as Chris Squire is playing bass somewhere on the album, it instantly becomes a Yes project. The again, Steve Howe and Alan White are also in the studio for this album, so with 3/5ths of the optimal Yes lineup … Read more
Yesterday's Ring
Diamonds in the Ditch
Suburban Home (2009)
Some folks they tell me: "You just can't play country / You're a stupid young punk and you're from Montreal" / But I'll still make you cry with that song. - Yesterday's Ring - "Sad Songs" Good, heartfelt music wins in the end, not shtick. Yesterday's Ring doesn't succeed because they're punks playing country, rather it's because of the honest … Read more
Yob
Clearing the Path to Ascend
Neurot Recordings (2014)
YOB has been a constant force in the doom metal field. Since their first release, Elaborations of Carbon, they have not ever really disappointed me. Releasing records year after year, they took over the doom/sludge/stoner genre by storm, having excellent moments with Catharsis, The Illusion of Motion and The Unreal Never Lived. Even when they took a break, Mike Scheidt … Read more
Yog
Years of Nowhere
187 (2009)
Grind and technical metal are difficult types of music to pull off well as they are the kind of music that have rich histories of excellent examples of bands who do them well, and seeing as there are several very important touchstones which grind bands (particularly) seemingly must adhere to in order to fly the grind and technical metal banner … Read more
Yoko Ono & Plastic Ono Super Band
Let's Have a Dream- Live in Japan 1974
Idol Japan Records (2022)
" She led me up the dusty cobbled dirt path to a small ledge filled with tiny rock sculptures. We sat with our small flasks of water staring out over the abyss. Words were not spoken nor whispered, I could hear the soft breathing exhaled from her mouth as silence encompassed our tiny world. Without hesitation, she turned her head … Read more
You May Die in the Desert
Bears in the Yukon
The Mylene Sheath (2008)
You May Die in the Desert is a three-piece, self-described as an "uplifting jazzy trio [that] combines chaotic guitar riffs with atmospheric layover techniques." With Bears in the Yukon, the group wastes no time with introductions. Within the opening twenty seconds, the opener's melody is in full swing, showing you they are not the type of instrumental act that needs … Read more
You May Die in the Desert / Gifts from Enola
Harmonic Motion: Volume 1
Differential (2008)
Harmonic Motion: Volume 1 is the start of a Differential Records series aiming to bring together like-sounding instrumental groups. The record starts off with "The Sound of Titans," a twelve minute atmospheric piece with several ups and downs in sound levels. For the most part, the song is more of the soundscape structure with picking, hypnotic guitars but, in its … Read more
You Will Die
You Will Die
Hawthorne Street (2005)
One of the few perks of writing reviews is that you get stuffed mailed to you all the time. Sure you may not enjoy every single record that you receive, but every once in a while you'll get something new and invigorating. I was previously unaware of this band's existence before the three-piece instrumental outfit's debut album arrived in my … Read more
You, Me, & Everyone We Know
Things Are Really Weird Right Now
Topshelf (2011)
You, Me, & Everyone We Know came to my attention with the announcement of their break-up earlier this year. I didn't give them a listen until their post-humous EP, Things Are Really Weird Right Now. I was taken aback, as I wasn't expecting something as poppy as this from Topshelf Records. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though.The first song … Read more
Young And In The Way
Amen / I Am Not What I Am
A389 (2012)
Young And In The Way is a band from North Carolina with some influence from second wave black metal as well as the steadily growing holy terror movement. This double LP combines their 4th release, I Am Not What I Am with their 3rd release, Amen. While holding up as a satisfactory release for any fan of the genre, neither … Read more
Young Guv & the Scuzz
A Love Too Strong
Southpaw (2012)
Young Guv, aka Ben Cook, has been keeping himself busy. Besides his full-time gig with the mammoth hardcore band Fucked Up, he’s released 11 singles and 2 previous EPs as Young Guv. Along comes EP#2 in the form of Young Guv & The Scuzz’s A Love Too Strong. This time along, he’s entered a proper studio and gathered a backing … Read more
Young Livers
Of Misery & Toil
No Idea Records (2010)
With three years since their last full-length, Young Livers have returned in top form. Of Misery & Toil walks the thin line between packing a serious punch and being accessible. The gritty tones of interwoven dual guitars and wailing vocals are suitable for soothing any angst you might be feeling, while the impressive melodies might be just enough to convince … Read more
Young Livers / Army of Ponch
Live at The Atlantic: Volume 1
Sound Study (2009)
What strikes in a live show doesn't always show evenly on the studio reproduction. My first thoughts on Sound Study's Live at the Atlantic: Volume 1: Young Livers have great guitars, and Jack Bailey of Army of Ponch can really scream. On a regular studio release, I doubt either of these elements would grab me the same way. Having given … Read more
Young Statues
Self Titled
Run for Cover (2012)
Young Statues are a newly formed, Philadelphia indie rock band that arose from the coming together of long time friends. Their debut self-titled full-length is full of catchy riffs and appealing melodies and comes together to form a great overall “easy listening” feel. In short, your girlfriend will like this from the get-go and, if you give it a real … Read more
