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Idle Hands

Mana
Eisenwald (2019)

The metal scene is one that moves in cycles, with sub-genres becoming the flavour of the month before the hot new thing moves in to take over the masses for a short time. Goth rock, however, always seems to stay the course. There’s something about the sounds, the feelings, the time period it evokes, and for those reasons the style … Read more

Petty Larcenists

Stolen Chords and Lifted Riffs
Rad Girlfriend Records (2019)

You’ve heard of no depression music? I’m coining a new term here: depression punk.Opening song “Loud and Ugly” might be a good description of vocalist Jesse Thorson’s approach in general. His songwriting has always been outspoken and focused on personal flaws, pointing to the uglier elements in life. I always referred to the Pretty Boy Thorson bands as essentially country … Read more

Cult of Luna

A Dawn to Fear
Metal Blade (2019)

There is something incredibly special about Cult of Luna - no other band can touch their ability to meld weight with melancholy or aggression with melody - and the Swedish band has created many such beautiful moments on their eighth full-length (seven as Cult of Luna and one collaboration) since their inception over two decades ago. A Dawn to Fear … Read more

Malvina

Hybrid Wars
Morning Wood Records (2019)

Hybrid warfare is a strategy that combines political -, conventional -, irregular - and cyber warfare. Thank you, Wikipedia, for this insight. Malvina uses the term to describe US imperialism. They denounce the rolling coup in their home country Brazil. In other words, this is highly political stuff.Next to politics the lyrics also deal with socio-political issues such as a … Read more

Crypt Sermon

The Ruins of Fading Light
Dark Descent Records (2019)

The evolution of a band is something that most of us can comprehend through their musical output and live appearances and where most bands evolve quite publicly, there are some that build on their creations behind the scenes and the fruits of their labour are only heard when new music is released. Crypt Sermon are one such band, who came … Read more

200 Words Or Less

CJ Ramone

The Holy Spell
Fat Wreck Chords (2019)

As of August 6th, it’s been 23 long, languid year’s since The Ramones played their final show. Since then, all the original members - Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy have been called home. Richie and Marky continue to carry the flag, but it’s CJ that’s been keeping the Ramones spirit alive and well through the past two decades. Whether … Read more

New Dialogue

Teach Me How to Feel EP
RED Music (2019)

New Dialogue's Facebook bio states that the Los Angeles-based quintet "speaks for the moment", and with their band name they "assume an important responsibility" -- bold claims from a band who only recently released their debut EP, but it shows that there is no shortage of confidence or ambition among the band members. Ela Kitapci and Taylor Morrow share vocals … Read more

Drunktank

Return Of The Infamous Four
Morning Wood Records (2019)

It has been nine years since their début album, The Infamous Four. That’s a long time. Long enough to call this a come-back, I would say. I assume the band thinks so too, calling this second album Return Of The Infamous Four. Even though it has been almost ten years the characters on the cover have not aged one bit. … Read more

Kira Jari

Spooky Freaky EP
Dirt Cult (2019)

Spooky Freaky is a good debut from an intriguing new-ish band from Texas. Even if the EP name makes me think of “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah” each time I read it.The band is similar in sound to a lot of bands I enjoy: Tiltwheel and Leatherface, for example — which is why it bugs me a little to say that one … Read more

Ink Bomb

Fiction
Independent (2019)

What I like about loads of European bands is that they sing in their native tongue. Sure, you’ll find bands everywhere that write at least part of their lyrics in English, but there are so many bands that write and sing in their mother tongue. I usually prefer that over English lyrics by non-native speakers. The quality of the lyrics … Read more

Aseethe

Throes
Thrill Jockey (2019)

Aseethe’s sludgy doom as kept them a part of the underground for over a decade and for the Iowa-based trio, that scene is one that allows them to burn brightly and produce music that is as thoughtful as it is crushingly heavy. The political climate of the last few years in America is one that has given many musicians the … Read more

Billy Liar

Some Legacy
Red Scare Industries (2019)

I don’t know much about Billy Liar, but Red Scare has rarely turned out a bad release so I picked Some Legacy out of the pile with some hope -- and it delivers. Liar is a Scottish musician who has been playing under the moniker since 2006. Sometimes he tours solo, sometimes with a band.On Some Legacy there are shades … Read more

Reunions

Winter Heart, Summer Skin
Independent (2019)

I must have slowed down over the years. At least I hope my recent interest in bands like Reunions or Nightmarathons reflects my now 40 years-old perspective more than it reflects of some kind of nostalgia bender. Because I’m truly enjoying these mid-tempo rising tide records, including this new self-released Winter Heart, Summer Skin that’s heavy on the hardcore-inspired emocore … Read more

Various Artists

Moloch/Groak - split EP
Dry Cough (2019)

Sometimes, no matter how much you like a band, they just fall off your radar. Not because of you being uninterested. Sometimes it just happens. Moloch is such a band for me. After discovering them way back when I lost sight of what they were doing. Upon rediscovering them I tracked down what I could find of their discography only … Read more

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