Skating Polly
Hickey King
El Camino Media (2023)
There’s always a fear, of course, that the anticipation is better. That the five year long wait was actually the best part. Dutifully analyzing Instagram posts and new set lists. Listening to every podcast appearance and solo project. There’s a fear, of course, that it won’t be worth it. They’ll stray too far from their roots. They won’t evolve at … Read more
Spanish Love Songs
No Joy
Pure Noise (2023)
I saw Spanish Love Songs before I ever dove into their catalog. And it was immediately clear they’re the type of band where fans really connect, singing along to every word, not just the choruses. In truth, the band doesn’t really use choruses much, but that’s not really the point here. Their sound is rooted in melodic and emotional midtempo … Read more
Spells
Loose Change, Vol. 2
Big Neck Records, Keep It a Secret Records, Motorcycle Potluck Records, Shield Recordings, Snappy Little Numbers (2023)
If you haven’t seen SPELLS live you’re missing out. It’s a high energy, one-of-a-kind experience -- probably even if you don’t dig the music. Fortunately, I’m into their hook-driven sound that I’ll loosely call pop-structured punk. It gets in your head quickly, but it exactly ain’t crisp and pretty. Sure, the lyrics are often a little light-hearted, but with deeper … Read more
Spiritual Cramp
Spiritual Cramp
Blue Grape Music (2023)
Some bands are visual, yeah? You need to see them live, in person, to truly experience them. You need to see the costumes, the theatrics, the flashing lights and, yes, the sweat running down their faces. Spiritual Cramp are like this, but, uh, not? Not the costumes, not the theatrics, not the flashing lights (I’ll stay mum about the sweat). … Read more
Sprain
The Lamb As Effigy
Flenser (2023)
One of the many exciting acts introduced through The Flenser, Sprain delivered an impressive work with their debut record, As Lost Through Collision. Introduced during the dark times between lockdowns in 2020, the album is a tour de force through noise rock and post-hardcore. With an off-kilter element and an allure for both the chaotic and depressing nature of no … Read more
Steamachine
City of Death
Records Workshop (2023)
City Of Death is the third album from Polish noise makers Steamachine. Having dabbled in a few metal styles over their career, City Of Death has a heavy carnival influence to it which I have to say I really like. It's interesting just how much more sinister things sound when you pump eerie, jingly circus sounds amongst very dark, heavy, … Read more
The 69 Eyes
Death Of Darkness
Atomic Fire Records (2023)
Death Of Darkness is the thirteenth album from the Helsinki vampires The 69 Eyes. The Finnish five piece have been knocking out their smooth style of gothic, glam rock since the early 90s and have managed to deliver stunning unique and catchy albums every single time. This up coming eagerly awaited album Death Of Darkness is no exception. Featuring 10 … Read more
The Bar Stool Preachers
Above the Static
Pure Noise (2023)
I first discovered The Bar Stool Preachers back in 2018 when they released their amazing record, Grazie Governo. The comfort and familiarity in the songs and singer TJ McFaull's voice truly released some endorphines in my soul. After some research, I figured it out. That's the son of the singer of Cock Sparrer! There are definitely some elements of Cock … Read more
The Brokedowns
Maximum Khaki
Red Scare Industries (2023)
As musicians grow older, they have less time to play live, to tour, and to write. It’s been five years since Sick Of Space. The world may have changed, but The Brokedowns have not. Maximum Khaki may nod to their middle-age in the title, and songs like “I’m Sore,” reinforce that, but at heart The Brokedowns are still some goofy … Read more
The Creepy Crawlers
Attack!
We Are Horror Records (2023)
Ohio based trio The Creepy Crawlers formed in October 2022. The brainchild of vocalist/guitarist Rev. Chad Wells (The Jackalopes/Cricketbows) and features band mates Scarika Watson and P.J Wells, also from psychedelic rock band Cricketbows. The Creepy Crawlers blend shock-rock and horror-rock, incorporating songs inspired by true crime, the occult and 80s horror movies. This five track EP was lovingly created … Read more
The Crimson Ghosts
Forevermore
Ring Of Fire Records (2023)
Recently I admitted I am a fan of more conservative horrorpunk. It might come as no surprise that I am enthralled with bands like Misfits, Calabrese, The Other and The Crimson Ghosts. So here we are, five years after their previous album Yet Not Human I can share my impressions of their sixth album Forevermore. For the uninitiated, The Crimson … Read more
The Deathtones
The American Invasion
We Are Horror Records (2023)
After a quick detox over the festive season The Deathtones have reanimated and dug themselves back up from the grave after a very busy 2022 where they recorded and released no fewer than 8 singles and 4 EPs. The Deathtones formed in late 2021 releasing their first song "All Hallows Eve" that Oct, the rest as they say is history, … Read more
The End
Why Do You Mourn
Trost (2023)
The End is assembled by stellar musicians of the Swedish and Norwegian avant-garde jazz scene, amongst them the likes of Mats Gustafsson and Sofia Jernberg. Their moment of origin with Svårmod Och Vemod Är Värdesinnen, found this collective relishing their all too familiar chaos. Crazed saxophone solos and frenetic rhythmic changes collapsed any notion of structure. At the center of … Read more
The Immortal Samsara Travellers
Hanging Gardens In Glacial Apocha
Utech (2023)
Drone music is a deceptively difficult genre to get right. Sure, anyone can play very slow and heavy, letting the feedback carry them into obscurity. But in truth, it is all about what happens in the space in between, and the feeling that the artists can transmit. The Immortal Samsara Travellers are more than capable of delivering exactly that with … Read more
The Manikins
Swedish Woods
Lövely (2023)
The Manikins previous album, 2019s Bad Times, was my encounter with The Manikins. We started off a bit weird, as I read their name as The Mankinis for a while. I expect different music from a band with a name like that. I did like that album after I ditched my assumptions and stopped messing up the band name. It … Read more
The Oxys
Generation Irrelevant
Dead Beat Records (2023)
Arms outstretched in the desperate hope of fulfilling dreams that had dissipated, longing for when life was simpler devoid of political persuasion, social media meanderings and opinionated pigs snorting in their own shit hiding behind the keyboard shooting out grammatical inaccuracies chock full of hateful smiling emojis. Festering open sores, drool pouring from the cocked head unbalanced and teetering onto … Read more
The Penske File
Half Glow
Stomp Records (2023)
Take equal parts The Gaslight Anthem, Menzingers and blue-collar arena rock like Tom Petty or Springsteen, with a dash of The Clash, Dave Hause, and American Steel, and you’ll have some idea of what to expect with The Penske File’s latest, Half Glow. The results are often mixed for me when punk bands lean toward classic rock and introspection. I’m … Read more
The Shits
You’re A Mess
Rocket Recordings (2023)
With their origin dating to the late ‘10s, I was quite amazed to find in Discogs that this is only the fifth instance of a band named The Shits. However, I am not taking into account the many out there who feel the need to adorn the famous noun with an adjective. The Sniveling Shits, The Tough Shits, the list … Read more
