Album Reviews


Review: IRON REAGAN & GATECREEPER Split LP [Track Stream]

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Relapse Records is set to release a devastating split LP of epically retro proportions featuring hardcore-punk crossover thrashers, Iron Reagan, and old school death metal beasts, Gatecreeper on March 2nd, 2018. Split LP’s like this, and similarly compilation albums, have always been exciting for fans of underground music. Not only are they a way to conveniently add immediate variety to a playlist, but at the same time, become exposed to multiple bands at once. It’s a win-win situation. Iron Reagan & Gatecreeper are here to deliver exactly what fans look forward to, with a potent eight tracks of ferocity; the likes of which will transport you into the adrenaline-filled violence of an eighties crossover thrash moshpit, and then straight away into the high-intensity evil of early nineties death metal. Continue reading →

Album Review: WEDGE – Killing Tongue

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Wedge

Killing Tongue

Heavy Psych Sounds

Release Date: February 9, 2018

 

Those who get their jollies on the classic rock path will find plenty to tickle their fancies in the grooves of Killing Tongue, the sophomore effort from Berlin power trio Wedge. The follow-up to their eponymous 2014 debut, Killing Tongue is a satisfyingly sticky chunk of retro-hesher goodness, steeped in a half-century’s worth of sonic bongwater. It’s loaded up on all the stoner essentials: churn-n’-burn riffing, swirly, trippy keys, a rhythm section that swings and cracks your sternum, and plenty of sharp, shiny hooks, all balled up and deep-fried in a batter of sweaty swagger and blacklight boogie. Guitarist/vocalist Kiryk Drewinski, bassist/keyboardist David Götz, and drummer Holger Grosser have crafted a record that proudly and unabashedly wears its influences on its sleeve, a monument carved from the precious classic rock mined in the late 60’s and early 70’s that feels exciting and fresh yet instantly familiar.

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Review: EXIT EMPIRE – ‘S/T’ [Album Stream + Official Video]

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Exit Empire is a three piece post hardcore band currently based in the Czech Republic founded in 2016 by two brothers Timmy Ruzicka on guitar and vocals, Premysl Ruzicka, Jr. on drums and their best friend Rafael Eimut on lead vocals. The band is planning to make the move to the U.S. particularly Los Angeles and tour both the U.S. and the world. Exit Empire  are a dyi band and have even kept the production of their videos within the band. They dropped their debut music video “Ignore Me” in May of 2017. The next music video “Shut Up” was released a few months later in July. These songs are taken from their self-titled debut album released in October 2017. Both audio and video is produced by the band at Exit Empire Studios, keeping every bit of creative control under their belt. In the bands mission statement they have said “We create music that moves people, both in heart and at a concert. Our goal is to achieve greatness no band from Czech Republic tried to before. Through sharing a complete dedication and passion within the band and with our fans, we believe it’s possible. Our songs tell personal stories through the sound of modern alternative metal. It’s full of heavy riffs and singable melodies, with electro background for epic atmosphere that feels bigger than life.” Exit Empire has some tour dates coming up one of which includes American rap rockers Crazytown and UK based band Death Remains if you are in the Czech Republic make sure to get out and see these guys live.

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Review – JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES ‘It’s Alive!’ [Track Stream]

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John 5 is a renowned guitarist who has graced many well-known musical acts with his unique playing skills including Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, and Rob Zombie.  As a solo artist with his own band, John 5 and the Creatures, who are set to release their live album, ‘It’s Alive!” today on 60 Cycle Hum Records, he takes center stage for the all-instrumental act.  In the vein of Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, and others who sit upon similar thrones, 5 takes on the role of guitar aficionado, or “shredder” with the confidence and (seemingly) the greatest of ease.

I’ve always hated when reviewers of music, or movies, or anything for that matter, use the word “fun” to describe the piece of art being discussed.  I always looked at it as a cop-out.  You couldn’t come up with any other descriptive words so you fell back on “fun.”  Well, here I am eating my own words as I am about to describe John 5 and the Creatures ‘It’s Alive!’ as exactly that – fun.  From track one to closing note, fun is precisely what can be expected. Continue reading →

Review: VEXES ‘Ancient Geometry’ [Track Stream]

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New Jersey post-metal band, Vexes is set to release their exciting full-length debut album, ‘Ancient Geometry’ on February 23, 2018.  The band originally formed in 2016, “from the ashes of A Life Once Lost, Vessl, Fury of Five, and Downstage,” according to their webpage.  Their sound is modern but proudly pays homage to their 90’s influences including Deftones, Cave In, Thrice, and Helmet.  For those of us who grew up in the era from where much of this music draws its inspiration, listening to this album will bring a warm sense of nostalgia as it transports you back into high school with your baggy jeans and Puma Suedes.  For newcomers, expect a moody and oftentimes melancholic hard rock/metal experience with powerfully melodic choruses and crooning vocals. Continue reading →

Review: The Rise of L.A. Thrash Metal (DVD)

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Throughout history, the San Francisco Bay Area has long been deemed as the epicenter for thrash metal, whereas Los Angeles has invariably been considered the stomping ground for glam and hair metal. True, San Francisco has birthed many exceptional thrash bands since the early ‘80s, but the fact remains – Los Angeles is the rightful birthplace of three of the “Big 4” thrash bands and is the breeding grounds for unconventional thrash/punk-metal bands. From legendary thrash icons Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth, to punk/metal renegades Suicidal Tendencies and combative thrash stalwarts Dark Angel and Hirax, they all generated from this pretentious, megalopolis hellhole we call Los Angeles. Continue reading →

Album Review: SPIDER ROCKETS – ‘Along Came a Spider’ [Song Stream]

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If you’ve been on the prowl for innovative rock artists during the last couple of decades or so, one group that may have crossed your path is New Jersey-based Spider Rockets. Celebrating the twentieth anniversary since their initial formation, the group are set to release their fifth studio album, ‘Along Comes a Spider’ which marks yet another evolution for the group as a songwriting unit. With new producer Dan Malsch (Framing Hanley, Tantric, Doro) involved in the thick of it, the group are keen yet again to introduce a different sound to their repertoire. The group’s first three studio recordings during the early 2000s were produced by Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans, The Dresden Dolls, John Zorn, Herbie Hancock, Helmet, Unsane, White Zombie) and later Eric Rachel (Atreyu, Black Dahlia Murder, Hatebreed, Patti Smith Group, Misfits etc) Continue reading →

Review: ATALA – ‘Labyrinth of Ashmedai’ [Official Videos]

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Photo by Matt Hall

After honing their chops in other touring bands, the members of ATALA came together in 2013 when frontman Kyle Stratton, who owns two tattoo shops in their hometown, met up with drummer Jeff Tedtaotao, the brother of one of his shop’s tattoo artists. After joining up with their first bassist, the band quickly linked up with producer Scott Reeder (Kyuss, The Obsessed), and released their self-titled first full-length in 2014. In 2016, the band followed up with the release of their well-received sophomore album, ‘Shaman’s Path of the Serpent’, this time with current producer Billy Anderson (Sleep, Melvins, Mastodon) at the helm. After the departure of their previous bassist, current bassist and fellow tattoo artist Dave Horn joined the ranks. Now signed to Salt of the Earth Records, ATALA seeks to reach new heights and expand their horizons with the 2018 release of ‘Labyrinth of Ashmedai’, their most charging and conceptualized offering yet. ATALA have truly found their path, and their groove, with ‘Labyrinth of Ashmedai’. We recently conducted an interview with the band as well which you can read here. Continue reading →

Review: BELL WITCH – ‘Mirror Reaper’ [Full Album Stream]

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Bell Witch is a Seattle based duo act that are one of the few bands to own such an unique style that words can barely describe it. Their latest album ‘Mirror Reaper’ has been out since October 20th 2017 by Profound Lore Records and I am still amazed by how incredicle this piece of art is. Earlier releases ‘Longing’, ‘Four Phantoms’ & ‘Bell Witch Demo 2011’ were out of this damned world but with ‘Mirror Reaper’ they have really accomplished something that I almost feel unworthy of. But without wasting anymore time let’s get right into it.

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Review: CANE HILL – ‘Too Far Gone’ [Album Stream]

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Cane Hill is finally back after roughly 2 years since the release of ‘Smile’ which has always been my number 1 nu-metal record but after listening to the just released album ‘Too far Gone’ I am not so sure anymore. It has been released today, 19th of January, via Rise Records and it is even more insane and chaotic as before. But we can’t forget about the stellar EP ‘Cane Hill’ which features some of their greatest hits such as ”Time Bomb”, ”Screwtape” and ”Oxblood”. So with that being said, let’s get right into the mix!

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