Review / 200 Words Or Less
Medusa
En Raga Sul

Hawthorne Street (2009) Sean K.

Medusa – En Raga Sul cover artwork
Medusa – En Raga Sul — Hawthorne Street, 2009

If the band name and scary artwork didn't tip me off that this was going to be a brutal audio assault, I guess the Hitler sample at the start of the release should have been a clue. Punishing riffs, caterwauling vocals, and plodding drum beats typify the songs on this record. If that sounds like something you need to have, then go for it. "Bruiser" and "Flesh Fly" were the only songs here that held any minuscule measure of interest for me. It looks like the band members took their promo photo shoot in an actual crypt. I'd be fine if any of their releases stayed there.

2.0 / 10Sean K. • December 16, 2009

Medusa – En Raga Sul cover artwork
Medusa – En Raga Sul — Hawthorne Street, 2009

Related news

Stream Entire Medusa Album

Posted in MP3s on December 2, 2008

Hawthorne Street Signs Medusa

Posted in Labels on November 24, 2008

Recently-posted album reviews

Overcalc

Fruits of the Decision Tree
Sleeping Giant Glossolalia (2024)

Some instrumental records create atmosphere while others create movement. Fruits of the Decision Tree feels like it creates an entire environment. It’s unstable, mechanical, strangely beautiful, and constantly in motion. The solo project of Nick Skrobisz (Multicult, The Wayward), Overcalc exists somewhere between electronic experimentation, prog-level guitar precision, ambient drift, and full on sci-fi hallucination. Trying to pin it cleanly … Read more

Fangus

Emerald Dream
From The Urn Records (2026)

The needle drops, and there’s no introductory sweaty handshake. Fangus doesn’t care for niceties; they’re ready to get down to brass-knuckle business. With their debut full-length, Emerald Dream, the Montreal quintet has exhumed a sound that feels less like a tribute to the early '70s and more like a master tape found rotting in a damp basement behind a stack … Read more

Drakulas

Midnight City
Dirtnap, Wild Honey Records (2026)

I’m assuming Midnight City is the “fictionalized New York-esque metropolis” where the band/gang members of Drakulas survive(d in the mid to late 70's;). It’s also the third album by this Austin TX based, concept driven supergroup. Not really sure if I’m supposed to out these dudes but their secret identities include members of Riberboat Gamblers, Rise Against, High Tension Wires … Read more