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Counterparts

The Difference Between Hell and Home
Victory (2013)

The largest requirement of a piece of music, especially from a genre like hardcore, is the intention of creating something completely new: a blending of influences with one's own contributions to create something that's never been heard before. In turn, the biggest requirement of a band is progression: a maturation in both concept and sound and a willingness to experiment … Read more

Unmothered

Self Titled
Independent (2013)

Unmothered from Austin, Texas have released one of the most promising releases of 2012. The band, featuring members of acts such as Lions of Tsavo and The Hidden Hand, brings seven tracks of atmospheric sludge that you definitely need to have a listen to. By combining their sound with influences from stoner and southern rock influences along with their doom … Read more

Integrity

Systems Overload (A2/Orr Mix)
Organized Crime (2013)

Hail the almighty Integrity and their decision to remix and re-master their classic hardcore album Systems Overlord after teasing us with rumors (when do rumors not swirl around this outfit really) for what feels like decades of an “original mix” of the album that was not what Victory Records used for their ultimate release of the record; the only way … Read more

Pissed Jeans

Honeys
Sub Pop (2013)

I enjoyed King of Jeans. It wasn’t great and it didn’t break much ground, but it was a solid play that I still throw on from time to time. What I find peculiar with its follow-up, Honeys, is that I don’t find myself thinking back to the last record often. Instead I mostly think about how I should be listening … Read more

Civil War Rust

The Fun and the Lonely
Black Numbers (2013)

In case you’re missing the old Alkaline Trio, the East Bay’s Civil War Rust is calling your name. Not to say the band is strictly derivative of the Matt Skiba-fronted band, but they wear their influences on their sleeve and a number of the songs on The Fun and the Lonely not only recall Alk3’s punkier moments, even the vocal … Read more

Al Cisneros

Ark Procession
Drag City (2013)

 If the name Al Cisneros doesn't ring an immediate bell, his impressive résumé no doubt will. In addition to fronting the godliest (and highest) of all stoner metal bands Sleep, Cisneros has gained even more popularity fronting the offshoot stoner/drone rock band Om, as well as appearing in the recent doom metal supergroup Shrinebuilder. If none of that seems impressive … Read more

Om

Gethsemane Dubplate
Drag City (2013)

Everyone's favourite stoner rock band with a flair for the religious Om has been on a roll lately, releasing the incredible Advaitic Songs just last year. But they aren't stopping anytime soon--in addition to a planned single from frontman Al Cisneros to hit later this year, two of the band's tracks from their latest release have been handled by British … Read more

Om

Addis Dubplate
Drag City (2013)

Everyone's favourite stoner rock band with a flair for the religious Om has been on a roll lately, releasing the incredible Advaitic Songs just last year. But they aren't stopping anytime soon--in addition to a planned single from frontman Al Cisneros to hit later this year, two of the band's tracks from their latest release have been handled by British … Read more

Steve Hackett

Genesis Revisited II
Inside Out (2012)

This (entirely too long) review is part of my coverage of the 2013 Progressive Music Awards, on 3 September. I fully admit, before I even listened to this album, I actively disliked it. For one, musical sequels are rarely as good as the original (as I've mentioned before). For another, it's a covers album--and we at Scene Point Blank are … Read more

Pharmakon

Abandon
Sacred Bones (2013)

Phamarkon is a deep black pit inviting you to fall in. If you do, you will never want to climb out again. The girl behind the name Pharmakon is Margaret Chardiet, a not so typical 22-year-old from New York, active in the city’s underground diy scene, who embodies the sound of said darkness. According to an interview of hers (http://janepain.wordpress.com/2012/04/0 … Read more

Ken Mode

Entrench
Season of Mist (2013)

Ken Mode from Canada have been around for quite a while. The band was formed back in 1999, releasing their debut album, Mongrel, in 2003. Since then three more full-lengths followed (Reprisal, Mennonite and Venerable) until Ken Mode reached their absolute peak with the enthralling Entrench. Listening to the album what seems so surreal is that, even though this is … Read more

Apocynthion

Sidereus Nuncius
Pest Productions (2013)

Well, when it came time to pick the newest fad in metal music, I certainly wasn't expecting post-black metal* to become a genre. And yet, so many bands have been affected by Alcest's sublime, beautiful interpretation of black metal and post-rock that it's really not too surprising to see others taking the genre in a new direction. Cue the debut … Read more

Big Black Delta

Big Black Delta
Master Of Bates (2013)

Jonathan Bates is quickly becoming a musician who can't be ignored. Working under the moniker Big Black Delta, Bates has created some incessantly (and confusingly) catchy releases whose quality demands attention. What's more, his latest release, 2013's eponymous Big Black Delta, is his best offering yet.The album is still confusing for a couple of reasons, not the least of which … Read more

Laura Marling

Once I Was An Eagle
Virgin (2013)

The musical scene that was dubbed ‘nu-folk’ appeared quaint almost from its origins, perhaps due to the fact it will be forever associated with MOR stadium fillers Mumford and Sons or perhaps because the concept of folk as ‘new’ seems paradoxical in nature. Indeed, of the artists that have emerged from it and are still talked about, the tag no … Read more

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