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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Half Dead

Nasty, Brutish, and Short
Early Onset Records (2023)

I have two sisters (both younger) and growing up I found myself with their chores on my list, despite the initial fair divide decreed by our parents. I went to university (I know- my level of pretension and rambling introductions give that away) and was often submitted to the dreaded group project. You know how it goes. Group chat, a half-baked Google Slides presentation, several ‘sorry I got busy at work’ messages and one person who steps in and does everything. Unfortunately, that person was usually me. It’s alright- I was happy to martyr myself for a five minute presentation on Byzantine farming methods. I’m currently employed (to the shock and awe of several aunts and many of my teachers) and I find myself, more often than not, in the office far past working hours, helping colleagues with projects and reports. What I’m saying is, I have a certain tendency to end up with other people’s work. I’m not complaining; I’m just noting it. Am I a pushover or an overachiever? Depends on how flattering of an image I’m willing to paint on any particular day. Given all this, it’s a nice change of pace when someone else does my … Read more

Raspberry Bulbs

The World Is Empty, The Heart Is Full
Hospital (2023)

Raspberry Bulbs are an act that is seemingly allergic to bullshit. Since their inception, they have bounced between different scenes … 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 … Read more

Various Artists

Beex/L'Amour - Split
Zero Degree Records (2022)

Oh, hail Richmond, Virginia !. Occasionally regional bands became lauded on compilations for greedy grabbing sweaty secretive nerdy evil record … 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 … Read more

Old Tower

Draconic Synthesis
Hospital (2023)

The line between dark ambient and dungeon synth has always been blurry. Since Mortiis’ departure from Emperor and his stellar, … Read more

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One from the archives

Calabrese

Death Cult EP
Spookshow Records (2022)

In my review of the last Calabrese record, Flee The Light, I said I hoped it would not take them too long to release a new record. I asked them to not make me wait four years to be precise. It has been two and half years roughly and here they are again, with an EP this time. Thank you for not making me wait too long! The next question is: was it worth the wait? My short answer is: yes! We only get around twelve minutes of new music, but it is a return to form if you ask me. I was a bit let down with Flee The Light as I felt it missed the big anthemic choruses any good horrorpunk record needs in my opinion. I also … Read more

More album reviews

Sincere Engineer

Cheap Grills
Hopeless (2023)

You know those bands whose music you enjoy, but each record sort of sounds the same, just a little fresher? Well, Cheap Grills is the third LP from Sincere Engineer and it continues exactly as you’d expect from the Deanna Belos led band. The first five seconds of the album feature the lyric, “I’m a walking open wound,” in her … Read more

Video/DVD Review

Mike Schiff

The History of Metal and Horror
Independent (2022)

The History of Metal and Horror is an extensive dip into a world where two defining genres of audio and visual come together so perfectly it's difficult to imagine one without the other. Music and film have had a long and happy marriage and both play a big parts in each others existence . Rom Coms and pop music, action … Read more

Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros

Live at Acton Town Hall
BMG, Dark Horse Records (2023)

Most music fans were stunned when Joe Strummer passed away in 2002. I’d recently skipped out on a Mescaleros show, thinking I had plenty of time to see the legendary musician. I honestly wasn’t all that into his work with the Mescaleros at the time, but Streetcore is one of the records of that era that’s still in heavy rotation … Read more

Grischa Lichtenberger

Works for Last Work
Raster (2023)

Grischa Lichtenberger’s works are defined not only by their experimental foundation but also by relentless energy. Be it through glitch and EBM components, or jazz injections, there always is a volatile core. This is now changing with Works for Last Work. While the abstract mindset still defines Grischa as an artist, this time around it is applied over a minimal … Read more

The Stargazer's Assistant

Fire Worshipper
House of Mythology (2023)

Making their first appearance in 2007 with The Other Side of the Island, it felt like The Stargazer’s Assistant would just be a one-off. Luckily, David Smith, David Knight, and Michael J. York found something worth revisiting through the drone and ambient layers of their early release. Returning with their third record since 2016 in Fire Worshipper, The Stargazer’s Assistant … 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

Public Speaking

An Apple Lodged In My Back
Whited Sepulchre (2023)

It is always difficult to balance between creativity and immediacy. For Jason Anthony Harris, and his project Public Speaking, this is a much-welcomed challenge. Indeed, Harris’ new work An Apple Lodged In My Back does not shy away from its pop sensibilities. As “Swollen Feet” comes in, the soulful and intimate approach usually produced by mainstream artists comes through. It … Read more

Bankrupt

Illiberal Holiday
Independent (2023)

There can be many reasons to pick an album to review. Sometimes it is the description, sometimes it is a connection with another band and sometimes it is the artwork. Upon seeing this for the first time I thought: “This better be good, ‘cause artwork like this deserves something good!”. This thought got stronger and stronger after I discovered every … Read more

Les Lullies

Mauvaise Foi
Slovenly (2023)

I’m not going to pretend I know any French, but I can tell you that the rhythm of the language is perfect for Les Lullies. Mauvaise Foi (“Bad Faith,” according to google), begins with the title track, a barn burning guitar rocker with big licks and a repetitive chorus in 4/4 time. It’s immediately familiar in that garage rock way, … Read more

Be Your Own Pet

Mommy
Third Man (2023)

Retrospective genre creation by both grizzled music critics and TikTokers has had many victims, from the constituents of Twee to Yatch Rock; however, the rebranding of 2005 garage rock and punk to indie sleaze has to be one of the more egregious. Half aesthetic movement and half musical umbrella for any 2000s band with smudged eyeliner (that hadn’t already been … Read more

Redshift

Worst Timeline Possible
Boss Tuneage Records (2022)

Wax the boards, Everybody Lets Go Surfing, Surfing US-DECAY. On the crest of a sea of plastics, discarded textiles. Built to replace and ready to feed the ever-reaching loving chubby sweaty dirty fingernailed hands of many a landfill. Discard, Destroy and Forget and repurchase. Articles of Waste Forget Faith! Bondi spits shards of coloured sea glass upon canvas recreating, rebirthing, … Read more

Worriers

Trust Your Gut
Ernest Jenning (2023)

Worriers, fronted by Lauren Denitzio, is an ongoing evolution. It’s earnest, personal and explorative, and the newest album Trust Your Gut continues that journey as Denitzio puts everything out there for their audience. The music is consistently emotional and relatable while being clearly rooted in personal experience. The magic of the entire Worriers catalog is how Denitzio manages to be … Read more

Perennial

The Leaves Of Autumn Symmetry
Independent (2023)

Earlier this year I reviewed In The Midnight Hour, the second album of Perennial, and I liked it. In fact, I liked it enough to check out their debut album The Symmetry Of Autumn Leaves. A debut that was nice, but pales in comparison with their sophomore record. If you ask me it missed focus in the song-writing and lacked … Read more

Hot Mulligan

Why Would I Watch
Wax Bodega (2023)

There are many things the Midwest is known for, and Hot Mulligan is making damn sure emo music stays at the top of that list. Their new album, Why Would I Watch, can be categorized as Midwest emo, post-emo, pop-punk, or all the above—one thing that’s certain is it’s emotionally charged. If you’re skeptical of a band with a silly … Read more

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)