Porcupine Tree
Fear of a Blank Planet
Atlantic (2007)
I've been hoodwinked. Hornswaggled, if you will. Lied to for years. About what, you ask? Well, I'll tell you, you nosey sons of bitches. Porcupine Tree. For years I've had people tell me "Dude, (yes, dude is their preferred nomenclature) you need to check out Porcupine Tree. I know you hate prog, but check these guys out". Prog. Pfffft. You … Read more
Portal
Ion
Profound Lore (2018)
There is no easy starting point with a record such as Ion. It’s an album that’s dense, almost to the point of being utterly impenetrable, with vocals from The Curator that swirl with crawling chaos and drums that march to an inhuman beat. Portal are not an easy band to digest and their music is a claustrophobic head-trip into the … Read more
Portal
Vexovoid
Profound Lore (2013)
The only thing that would make sense of how this album came to be is the following scenario: Portal managed to somehow open a gateway to the realms of the Great Old Ones and were granted supernatural powers by malicious beings, such as Azathoth, Nyarlathotep, Yog-Sothoth, Tsathoggua and obviously Cthulhu. And soon enough, Portal decided to put their newfound powers … Read more
Portico Quartet
Monument
Gondwana Records (2021)
For whatever the reasons at play, the UK has a bristling jazz scene that’s rife with all sorts of amazing bands. The nu-jazz corner seems to be specifically prolific and forward thinking, embracing the limitless medium of electronic sounds. Portico Quartet are no strangers to experimentation, basically looking in a new direction over the course of each album. I had … Read more
Portugal. The Man
Evil Friends
Atlantic (2013)
Portugal. The Man thrives in a music scene often reluctant of drastic change in a band's sound. Meanwhile, the Alaskan natives have spent the last seven years transcending and switching gears entirely with each new release, and pulling it off well. Having originally dabbled in experimental prog, Portugal went on to create a loud, bluesy rocker (2007's Church Mouth), an … Read more
Portugal. The Man
In The Mountain, In The Cloud
Atlantic (2011)
Few bands have the creative power, material, and time to put out an album annually since its inception. Portugal. The Man do just this, having released their sixth full length album since their 2006 debut, Waiter: “You Vultures!” For such little time between each release, lack of evolvement is of no concern. P.TM have gradually developed from early rockers with … Read more
Poseidon
Prologue
Ripple Music (2017)
Concept albums aren’t a new trick but for Poseidon and their epic, sludged-out doom, the concept forms more than one story and instead will be stretched across a multitude of records in order to give the narrative the space it certainly needs. Hailing from London and having been members of many bands over the years, Poseidon have created their own … Read more
Post Scriptvm
Eisstoß
Tesco Organisation (2024)
Post Scriptvum’s works are defined by their hypnagogic quality, and ability to construct a harsh dreamscape and lead the listener through. Take the start of their newest record, Eisstoß, as an example. “Frazil” unfolds slowly, the beeping sound mimicking a faraway radar trying to slowly cartograph the unknown space. This anchoring quality is vital in any noise and power electronics … Read more
Postage
LP1
Dirt Cult (2021)
Most of the time when a review says something sounds familiar it’s meant as an insult. Well, Postage is a new band but it sounds familiar…in all the right ways. It strikes those comfortable, familiar tones of singalong punk. It’s influenced by the classics. And while it has these elements we know and love, it’s also just fresh enough that … Read more
Postage
LP2
Dirt Cult (2022)
I’m going to brand Postage as anxiety punk. It’s fast, intense and it feels on the verge of collapse at any moment. The record itself is 10 songs and plays under 20 minutes -- I suspect it might fit on a 7”. It’s mostly melodic-style punk with an upbeat tempo and a mix of that anxious sound and melodic singalongs … Read more
Postvorta
Porrima
Sludgelord Records/22 Dicembre Records (2020)
With this album the Carmentae have found each other. If you haven’t studied Roman mythology this might mean nothing to you. If you have you will know Postvorta is the goddess of the past and her companion Porrima is the goddess of the future. So now you know. Is this knowledge of any use for you? No, but as a … Read more
Pound for Pound
For Our Fallen Brothers
Surprise Attack (2006)
Pound for Pound hail from Springfield, Illinois, not to be confused with the hometown of The Simpsons, as the true location of that fictional town has never been pinpointed. However, if Pound for Pound were to hail from that specific Springfield, I think the band would be best represented by the likes of Nelson, Kearney, Dolph, and Jimbo. Okay, I'm … Read more
Power
Bremerton Zoo
Twelve Gauge (2013)
Old school hardcore punk has really found its feet in the last few years. Bands like Creem, Raw Nerve and Violent Reaction have brought innovation to the scene by utilising lesser heard influences ranging from street punk to crust, whilst reducing the songs to their bare bones; short, pissed-off and raw. With its vibrant artwork and blistering intensity (11 tracks … Read more
Power
Death Haunts
Twelve Gauge (2011)
Having existed for roughly three years now, Bremerton, WA’s, Power have created somewhat of a rep for themselves in the Pacific Northwest. The aftermath of one particular incident resulted in half the band landing in jail—a demolished automobile left in their wake. And legend has it that Power set a dumpster on fire while Tacoma band, Sojourner, were filming a … Read more
Power Trip
Manifest Decimation
Southern Lord (2013)
Of all the sub-genres which seem to stay persistently strong over time, alongside youth crew, crossover thrash is one with some classic releases; Best Wishes (emphatically not Alpha Omega), Handle With Care, Born To Expire. These albums manage to successfully capture the complexity and experimentation of metal with the rawness and spirit of hardcore, forgoing the pomposity of the first … Read more
Powerwolves
You Won't Find Peace
Panic (2011)
Powerwolves had been running around the northeast for a little while now. While this is not important in itself, the band does take their sound from a lineage of past Boston area bands. The most recognizable would have to be The Hope Conspiracy, while this is readily noticeable it comes through only in the style of the vocals. The band … Read more
Prayer Group
Strawberry
Reptilian Records (2025)
Standing between genres can act as a vantage point. For Prayer Group, sitting at the intersection between noise rock and hardcore has armed them with the necessary arsenal to propel their anger and frustration forward. And so, through a series of EPs and singles, this work culminated in their 2022 debut full-length, Michael Dose, where The Jesus Lizard methodology collided … Read more
Prayers for Atheists
Prayers for Atheists
Strange Famous (2009)
I wasn't sure what to make of this upon getting it. I had seen it compared to hip-hop, Rage Against The Machine, Whole Wheat Bread, and spoken word. The thing is all of these comparisons fit, sometimes all at once really. This EP acts as a historical documentation of sorts. According to the liner notes this was written, lyrically, by … Read more
