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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)

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 victims of the police brutality in Kanjuruhan (Malang) soccer match. And this time we have a submission music coming from Haum Entertainment. Haum Entertainment is a Malang (Indonesia) based label that is known for releasing local notable emo/melodic hardcore musicians. Well I believe that this is more than just a coincidence to write this review and there should be certain reason why I'm writing this. I know it's superstitious! Melodic hardcore is a punk music subgenre that has gone through so much formulation on its musical style. And one of them is emotive melodic hardcore. The style itself has gone through so much growth through the ages. Also, this has become a fan favorite here in Indonesia. In recent years, bands like The Story So Far or Neckdeep haves put so much its influences on many Indonesian youngsters. And so does emo, though Indonesia’s scene starts itsed emerging movement in the 2000's. but so many progress are made into movement's diaspora. Many kKids here are listening to so much skramz or even ‘90's emocore today. The compilation "The Things That … 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

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. … 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 … Read more

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One from the archives

Hayaino Daisuki

Headbanger's Karaoke Club Dangerous Fire
Hydra Head (2008)

Ah, the long awaited return - at least among Discordance Axis fans - of Jon Chang the vocalist of the regrettably extinct grind outfit Discordance Axis. Hayaino Daisuki is one of two new groups (Gridlink being the other) for which Chang is providing vocals and words. And if these lyrics are anything like the sci-fi reference filled nerd out that Discordance Axis was, I will be a happy man. Hayaino Daisuki is aptly named -apparently meaning "I love speed" - as the group slams hyper speed bursts of songs at the listener without really giving room to breathe which is seemingly par for the course when it comes to grind records. However, this EP differs a great deal from Chang's previous outfit, as the songs are generally much longer in … Read more

More album reviews

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

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

An Abstract Illusion

Woe
Willowtip (2022)

At a chance recommendation of one of my best friends, I was introduced to An Abstract Illusion some three years or so ago. I was immediately hooked, as it would be obvious for someone with such an inclination for death metal. More particularly though, the melodic and progressive edge of their music was the actual selling point for me. Illuminate … Read more

DFMK

Dame Peligro EP
Alternative Tentacles (2022)

This is how a 7” is supposed to work. Three quick songs and it leaves you wanting more. DFMK play punked up rock ‘n’ roll. Maybe think of Rocket From The Crypt but with denser, but somehow dancier, songs with a little more force behind them. It’s meant to be played loud as you thrash about and (if it’s your … Read more

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