Loren

Remember Election Day 2024? Maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you've blocked it out. That's fair, but there was one pleasant surprise that day: a new EP from Wisconsin's Arms Aloft. It took a while to claw out of the darkness in November, then Year End 2024 coverage took over the Scene Point Blank editorial calendar but now we caught up with … Read more

There are a lot of misconceptions about the life of a musician. Most musicians have day jobs – and not just to pay the bills. Jobs provide new challenges, personal fulfillment and, yes, some rent or gas money. How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene … Read more

How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music (or how their music provides escape). In this edition, we caught up with Chuck Ragan, known as the gruffest voice of Hot … Read more

How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music (or how their music provides escape). In this edition, we chat with Kevin Purcell (guitar/vocals) of Retirement about running Portland bike shop … Read more

It's been a while since I put another playlist up. I actually had this 99% done a couple of months ago, but everything went haywire and the list went on hold. This edition of Search/Play/Repeat is a quick play, running about 30 minutes in total. Enjoy! Read more

Visual Learner, BlackDots, City Mouse, Couch Potato Massacre Cloudland Theater Minneapolis, MN May 7, 2025 I’m embarrassed that I haven’t covered any shows at Cloudland for SPB previously. It’s a relatively new addition to the Minneapolis scene and a welcome addition that feels as much like a community space as … Read more

Sometimes I get all introspective and ask myself why I do this. Not very often, but the answer is always because I like music. It's that simple. I like to discover new stuff and I like to share it. Every year, the staff at Scene Point Blank sink a ton … Read more

Vices, outlets, escapes... I'm not sure where things are at here in November of 2024. But as we battle our demons and look for meaning, or escape, music is a blessing. Here's a new playlist. Many of these artists have been covered at Scene Point Blank, mixed in with tracks … Read more

Following their 2023 demo, Baltimore hardcore band Ousted is back with their debut EP called How Do You Cope? The answer to that question lies within the 7 songs on this heavyhitting EP that adds metallic flourishes and gang vocals atop a hardcore base. It's punchy and potent, equally dark … Read more

Magnetic Eye Records is keeping their MER Redux Series going with a set of Nine Inch Nails covers. The label will soon release Best of Nine Inch Nails Redux, a 13-song tribute, plus The Downward Spiral Redux, a companion release taking on The Downward Spiral in cover form, from start … Read more

Black metal punks Deathwinds have announced their debut album, ...Towards Doom..., coming out on Oct. 3 on Sentient Ruin Laboratories. It will be available on vinyl on that date, though you can stream and preorder it now via the bandcamp below. It was previously released on cd/tape by Headsplit Records … Read more

Ohio sludge metal band Radian has three updates for fans: The band has a new bassist. The band will be on tour this fall. The band will release their third album this winter. Carly Allman has joined the band on bass, with her first live date scheduled for Fest in … Read more