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)

Sleeping Pilot

Panic Sex
Sonic Deadline (2006)

I've never had panic sex, and I don't really want to. It's not really a term that can have many happy endings. There are really only three things I can associate with panic sex: an unwanted pregnancy, an STD, or a dead hooker. Not what I want the outcome of any sexual encounter to be. But now a more positive term can be added to the list: Sleeping Pilot. While maybe not the most creative sex you will have, it certainly isn't the worst, and it will be quite sufficient whenever you're just looking to get your fix. The first time you see Sleeping Pilot is at a Canadian bar during a weekend vacation to the country. When you walk into the bar, you see that Sleeping Pilot is quite the popular band in Canada. Surrounded by admirers and sporting their recently won Ottawa Express Reader's Poll award, you are intrigued by what they have to offer. You cautiously approach, seeing the shirt the band is wearing features strange artwork and the words Panic Sex printed on the front. Your caution turns to curiosity as you inch closer, the crowd seemingly parting to let you sit down and buy Sleeping … Read more

The Esoteric

Subverter
Prosthetic (2006)

Call it a sickness. Call it sheer stupidity. I have to admit that I have a soft spot I my … Read more

No Turning Back

Holding On
Bridge Nine (2006)

I don't know exactly when it happened - it was probably in the 90's- but you don't need to be … Read more

Pulling Teeth

Vicious Skin
Chainsaw Safety (2006)

Baltimore based Pulling Teeth released an extremely impressive demo and all expectations of what a proper release would be are … Read more

Dustin Kensrue

Please Come Home
Equal Vision (2007)

All right doggies, saddle up. It's time to slip off those slip-on vans and lace up a pair of shit … Read more

Geisha

Mondo Dell'Orrore
Crucial Blast (2006)

Noise is a funny term. Not "ha ha" funny, but highly prone to linguistic slippage: its connotations cover everything from … Read more

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One from the archives

Drivin' N Cryin'

Songs From The Laundromat
New! (2012)

Drivin’ N Cryin’ formed in Atlanta back in 1985 have announced their plans to release four EPs over the next year. The first in the series showcases their Southern Rock style, each of the following EPs will focus on a different genre of the Drivin' N Cryin' sound. The EP Songs From The Laundromat opens with the gritty rocker “Dirty” featuring a straight ahead guitar assault with solos derived from the southern rock bands these guys were born and bred on, new guitarist Sadler Vaden brings an amazing set of chops to this band and this song in particular. “Ain't Waitin' On Tomorrow” is another one that has country roots that are kicked up a notch with a Dusty Hill bass line starting it all and the guitars building throughout … Read more

More album reviews

Kylesa

Time Will Fuse its Worth
Prosthetic (2006)

Kylesa is a conundrum. They straddle so many genres and styles of music that it is almost fruitless to attempt to classify them. However, I believe that this fact is part of their appeal where in other bands' cases, it would be a detriment. Regardless, their new album, Time Will Fuse its Worth, marks the addition of two new drummers … Read more

Red Orchestra Radio

The Electric Sleep
Feeling Faint (2006)

I know you shouldn't judge people by the company they keep, but I propose that there should be certain exemptions from this rule. For example, the people who hang around with the school bully. They might not be the ones locking you in the bathroom come break time, stealing your lunch, or flying your ridiculously large underpants from the school … Read more

The Milkman's Union

Oh Boy
Young Scientist (2006)

Young talent can be dangerous thing to praise. On one hand, you have a young musician whose musical prowess is undeniable and you want to expose that talent in the hopes that others can experience it. On the other hand, you have to be careful at how much praise you give. After all, the musician is obliviously young and at … Read more

Amon Amarth

With Oden on Our Side
Metal Blade (2006)

According to the Vikings, the world will end in an apocalyptic battle known as Ragnarök, in which the dead will rise to attack the living and even the gods themselves will be torn asunder. If - or when - Loki and the forces of chaos descend on the world in a maelstrom of blood and thunder, I'd like to think … Read more

Defiant Voice

I'd Rather Sleep in the Dirt
Lorelei (2006)

Both fellow Scene Point Blank scribes Michael and Zed said that I would be fully into this five piece hardcore ensemble from Sacramento, California. I even recall Michael saying something about Defiant Voice being full-on 90's styled hardcore. How could I possibly not want to review a band that produces some tunes from my favorite decade of hardcore? Moreover, how … Read more

An Albatross

Blessphemy (Of the Peace Beast Feastgiver and the Bear Warp Kumite)
Ace Fu (2006)

Before I start this review, please identify yourself with one of the following definitions and complete the following sentence: I am a/an __ reader. A. You've listened to We are the Lazer Viking and you're interested in An Albatross's most recent album. B. You've heard of An Albatross (maybe even heard a track or two online/your friend's car). C. You … Read more

Playing Enemy

Accessory
Hawthorne Street (2006)

Playing Enemy is a three-piece band made up of ex-members of Kiss it Goodbye and Rorschach. I do not bring that up as a selling point, but rather to give an inkling as to the school of thought from which the music is derived. Accessory is a two-song EP that may serve as the band's swan song seeing as they … Read more

Guillemots

Through the Windowpane
Polydor (2006)

Guillemots (sometimes written gUiLLeMoTs) are an English avant-garde pop and indie rock band formed in November 2004 by Fyfe Dangerfield. I lifted that from Wikipedia, by the way. Got to give credit where credit is due. But that's what you've got here on the Guillemtos' debut and Mercury-nominated album Through the Windowpane. Clue number one: "avant-garde pop." Clue number two: … Read more

Asunder

Works Will Come Undone
Profound Lore (2006)

To many, 2006 will be remembered as the year Britney Spears' vagina was opened to the world. To others, it will be remembered for the synthesis of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie into one super compassionate human being. And to those into doom metal, 2006 will be remembered for Profound Lore's release of Asunder's Works Will Come Undone. What Spears' … Read more

Windmills by the Ocean

Windmills by the Ocean
Robotic Empire (2006)

Windmills by the Ocean is a collection of songs that have been dusted off after they sat on the shelf for... well, for far too long. Five friends came together in August of 2003 and laid down five tracks of ethereal, drone, post-rock/metal goodness. While the members went on with their main projects, and new ones too, these songs sat … Read more

Celebrity Murders

Time to Kill Space
Chainsaw Safety (2006)

There are a few music "fans" that may be in denial, but I think most schooled individuals can attest that there is a tremendous dearth of great hardcore bands out there. There are a few more bands that could be classified as "good" and then a seemingly infinite number of shitty ones. Celebrity Murders is a great band and Time … Read more

Electric Horsemen

Electric Horsemen
Churchtown Deathbed (2006)

Somewhere - where I have no idea - the idea that traditional stoner-rock could get a huge kick in the ass by adding some of the successful elements of "hardcore" popped into some tattooed (probably grizzly) peoples' heads. I imagine the plethora of people who own the Hydra Head catalog also have a few Eyehategod and Sleep records, and vice … Read more

Heresi

Psalm II: Infusco Ignis
Hydra Head (2006)

In my experience, there is no such thing as a bad one-man black metal project. Every single one I have heard has impressed me in some way or another, and Heresi is no exception to this rule. Although Heresi shares the misanthropic attitudes of other black metal soloists like Xasthur and Leviathan, the sound is significantly more technical and thrashy. … Read more

Urgehal

Goatcraft Torment
Southern Lord (2006)

God bless Southern Lord Records. For many years the label has been the last bastion for all things sludgey and doomish. But as some of the latest releases to come out of their gate prove, they're going back to the Black with a monster roster that sets a beautifully dark tone for the future of the label. Urgehal is one … Read more

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