Recent reviews

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)

The Mars Volta

The Mars Volta
Clouds Hill (2022)

After 10 years of silence, the hiatus interruptus is no more and The Mars Volta have unleashed a new self-titled album upon the masses. Now, before we go any further, it should be understood that this album does not represent the Volta that was, but rather the Volta that is. This is not a bad thing. This is merely an augmentation of the already broad spectrum of sound created by previous albums like Frances the Mute and Octahedron. Brilliant albums to be sure, but not the sum total of what Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez were capable of. Some will find the quieter, more introspective nature of the album disconcerting, but its overall structure and narrative holds stronger than the schizophrenic, swirling maelstrom of past works. Some may note this softer direction was hinted at on the band’s last album Noctourniquet - particularly in tracks like "Empty Vessels Make The Loudest Sound" and "Aegis", so it really shouldn’t come as a total surprise to listeners but nonetheless an entire album full of smooth, subdued and dare I say sexy tunes is sure to raise a few eyebrows. In the interest of full disclosure, upon hearing the lead singles "Blacklight Shine" … Read more

Various Artists

Horrorpunk's Not Dead: Vol. 1
We Are Horror Records (2022)

Horrorpunk's Not Dead: Vol.1 is the first of (hopefully) many compilations created by the team behind Horrorpunk's Not Dead radio … Read more

Various Artists

The Things That Shaped Us Together
Haum Entertainment (2022)

By the time I'm writing this review, I would like to express my condolence for all the families and the … Read more

Fallujah

Empyrean
Nuclear Blast (2022)

The last time I listened to Fallujah was five or so years ago, around the time when they released Dreamless. … Read more

Death Cab For Cutie

Asphalt Meadows
Atlantic (2022)

Ten albums into their tenure and Death Cab for Cutie are still finding ways to reinvent themselves while maintaining their … Read more

Screeching Weasel

The Awful Disclosure of Screeching Weasel
Monona Music, Rum Bar Records, Striped Records (2022)

Before starting, I would like take a quote from the band's spotify profile” "Went to a Ramones show. Started a … Read more

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One from the archives

Grails

Doomsdayer's Holiday
Temporary Residence (2008)

Having only just been introduced to the wonder and at times awe inspiring music of the outfit known as Grails, I may be privy to not having my opinions of their records tainted yet by the "their first or early records were better" attitude. Thankfully so because their fifth album, Doomsdayer's Holiday, might just be the band's best record to date. Picking up where Take Refuge in Clean Living (Grails' full-length that was released earlier this year) left off, Doomsdayer's Holiday further expands on the eastern sounds of its predecessor while somehow pushing into darker territories the mood of the record. The barely human howling amidst the galloping of hooves and some truly wicked sounding percussion which opens Doomsdayer's Holiday (through its title-track) conveys some of the creepiest sounds one … Read more

More album reviews

Meat Wave

Malign Hex
Swami (2022)

I heard people raving about Meat Wave for a while before I finally saw the band a few years ago. But I still hadn’t really checked out their recorded material and I wasn’t sure how the band’s powerful set would translate to the at-home experience. Many bands with a raw concert experience struggle to set that same tone to tape. … Read more

Crack Cloud

Tough Baby
Meat Machine (2022)

Vancouver collective Crack Cloud burst onto the scene in 2018 with two independently released EPs- followed up by their first full length album, Pain Olympics, in 2020. The multimedia collective features an ever changing line up of musicians, filmmakers, designers and artists. Originally formed by Zach Choy (lead vocals, drums) and Mohammed Ali Sharar (keyboards) as an outlet for their … Read more

Various Artists

Tunes From The Underground Postcard Vinyl Series
GC Records (2022)

Sitting down at my well-worn Arts and Crafts Mission Style desk I ponder with a quill pen firmly grasped between my index finger and thumb properly. Occasionally I dip the tip of the pen into the black ink well and glance at the ceiling lost in transition until thoughts of bitter torrid times are washed away by welcoming waves of … Read more

The Bootstrap Boys

New Beginnings
Independent (2021)

The Bootstrap Boys are a four piece outlaw country band from Grand Rapids, MI. I fucking hate country music with a passion that can't be put into words. I hate that somewhere around 2007, damn near every punk friend I had were listening to Johnny goddamn Cash and Waylon fuckhead Jennings. Jocks, preps, and rednecks were our sworn enemies and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Bobby Lees

Bellevue
Ipecac (2022)

Every once in a long while a band comes along that’s a true pleasure to discover. A sonic kick in the ass for these weary old bones. The Bobby Lees are just such a band. The release of the Hollywood Junkyard e.p. earlier this year pricked up a lot of ears and served up a mean prelude to the new … Read more

The Eradicator

Forever The Eradicator
Stonewalled (2022)

The life cycle is strange sometimes. Kids in the Hall is back, but The Eradicator is going away. One is an indirect result of the other, yet it seems they cannot coexist at the same time. And if that already confused the hell out of you, just wait until you dive into this band. The Eradicator is a project themed … Read more

Boogeyman

Boogeyman
Deadly Distribution, ELB-Power Records (2022)

"Presenting new sounds from the darkness"...welcome to the mind of Boogeyman! This Arizona three piece have a wonderful world of spooks, darkness, death and demons to show you with this eleven track self titled full length debut album. Predominantly horrorpunk in nature but incorporating many elements from other genres too. You will find that this is not your average bog … Read more

Saturday Night Karaoke

Dejection EP
Brassneck Records, Disaster Records, I Hate Smoke Records (2022)

Saturday Night Karaoke is a local band that has produced many joyful stuffs along their career. There has always been a great vibe to their gigs. The band just put out their newest EP called Dejection and this time the band does something different. Pandemic time hasn’t been a good thing for everyone and Saturday Night Karaoke captures how they … Read more

Beach Rats

Rat Beat
Epitaph (2022)

Should I review Beach Rats on its own merit, or should I pause to describe the concept? That’s always the question with these, but in this case a little background may go a long way. The band features several older punks, seeking to rekindle the old spark and play fast, loud ‘n’ snotty music like the days of yore. They … Read more

Anchoress

Stay Positive
Early Onset Records (2022)

With Anchoress the chaos has found somewhere to catch. Originally formed in 2010 their newest album sees the band reaching technical and creative heights. Melody and instrumental prowess reign supreme on their fourth studio album without losing the relatability and raw energy they’re known for. Released on Early Onset Records and produced by Jesse Gander (Japandroids, White Lung) Stay Positive … Read more

The Sons of Adam

Saturday’s Sons-The Complete Recordings 1964-1966
High Moon Records (2022)

If ever a band from the mid-’60s was underappreciated I would have to surmise that The Sons of Adam might top that list. The band comprised of Randy Holden of Blue Cheer and The Other Half, Jack Ttanna of Genesis, bassist Mike Port and drummer Michael Stuart Ware of Love! High Noon Records have compiled The Sons of Adam’s complete … Read more

Swarm

Menyerbak Asap
Husted Youth (2022)

It is nice to see some friends actually being productive on the pandemic age and finally come up with something new on the scene, like we all know that for some person having so much free time doesn't mean a good thing for her/his productivity. And this goes up for the boys of Swarm. Swarm is a newly formed skramz … Read more

Celebration Summer

Patience In Presence
A-F (2022)

As the album begins, following a Twin Peaks sample, the guitars build in a familiar punk chord progression with some post-hardcore flair. At about the one-minute mark, you know the vocals are going to kick in, and you half expect a group “Hey!” That’s not quite how it goes, but the vocals are emphatic and punchy with a similar syncopation … Read more

Siblings Of Samhain

Tales of Love, Death and the Macabre
Independent (2022)

UK horrorpunks Siblings Of Samhain offer us up album number three just in time for the spooky season! Tales of Love, Death and the Macabre is 12 tracks of dark, creepy yet incredibly catchy punk rock dedicated to a plethora of gore-tastic blood soaked horror themes. From the first track "Bury Me" you are immersed in the sing-a-long chorus and … 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)