Beck
Morning Phase
Capitol (2014)
Many musicians can write a sad song. But a sad song is just that. It’s one note - one emotion. Sad-verse-sad-chorus-sad-verse-end. Rare artists can take you on an emotional journey through the changing moods of an album. Even rarer artists can do so in the same song.It’s been six years since we last heard from the likes of Beck Hansen. … Read more
Becoming the Archetype
Dichotomy
Solid State (2008)
So after receiving the Becoming the Archetype full-length Dichotomy, I checked out the CD book before listening to it, remembering great tracks like "One Man Parade" off of Terminate Damnation, I immediately went to the last page of the album art to check the credits and see if there were any worth-while guests, only to find that Devin Townsend produced … Read more
Beex
The Early Years: 1979-1982
Beach Impediment (2021)
The beak is a feature predominantly found in birds but not limited to. A beak could also be located on a turtle or rarely in a band of early fundamental punk rock anthropomorphic specimens. A beak is a functional tool with varying degrees of use depending on the embodiment or representation called into question. Primarily the beak is used for … Read more
Behemoth
I Loved You at Your Darkest
Nuclear Blast (2018)
The fanfare that surrounded 2014s The Satanist was not an unwarranted reaction and for Behemoth it marked a significant turning point. Hailed as a modern classic almost immediately and allowing the Polish band to reach the upper echelons of the extreme metal scene with huge tours both in Europe and America, headlining festival appearances where they played the record in … Read more
Behexen
Nightside Emanations
Debemur Morti Productions (2012)
Oh Behexen....what the hell (pun intended) happened? It was all going so well. My Soul for His Glory was a definite career high....those classic Finnish riffs, the evil sound, demonic undertones and the sense of something quite frightening occurring. Skip forward four years and we have Nightside Emanations – a record so mediocre that even the cover art looks second … Read more
Bell Witch
Four Phantoms
Profound Lore (2015)
Getting it right when it comes to extreme doom/death is a very tricky business. It is quite a misconception that as long as a band is able to play really, really slow and have heavy riffs, they can be considered successful and good at what they do. Bell Witch know better. The duo from Seattle is relatively new to the … Read more
Bell Witch
Mirror Reaper
Profound Lore (2017)
Beginning the dissection of a record is often the most difficult thing to do when it comes to writing a review. Knowing how to start, to draw in your reader and keep them interested is tough; you know what you want to say, how the record makes you feel and you may even have an insight into the intentions of … Read more
Bell X1
Chop Chop
Belly Up (2013)
Before delving into the intricacies of Bell X1's latest release Chop Chop, it is important to note that they have written what is arguably one of the best songs to come out of the Irish indie music scene in recent years. "In Every Sunflower", from 2007's Music in Mouth, is the kind of song that if you're not on the … Read more
Belushi Speed Ball
What, Us Worry?
SonaBLAST! Records (2022)
"All the burgers, all the fries, Daniels got tater tots for his eyes!" - Belushi Speed Ball Formed in 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky Belushi Speed Ball unashamedly crashed the thrash metal crossover band wagon with their take on speed induced party metal. To date What, Us Worry? is their second full length album. Prepare For Trouble was their first coming … Read more
Ben Harper
Give Till It's Gone
Virgin (2011)
This is Ben Harper’s 10th studio album; his last contractual obligation for Virgin and it comes after his split with his wife actress Laura Dern. All of these events lead to a compilation of emotional songs that bring out a different Ben Harper than most of his other albums. Joining him on this one are his mates from the Relentless … Read more
Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller
ATO (2006)
The refreshing thing about Ben Kweller is that every album he comes out with has a different sound that doesn't alienate any of his fans. His mixture of classic rock and alternative rock keeps fans old and young listening. At first, Ben Kweller's third full-length, a self-titled effort, sounds feebler than his previous works. And it's true, Ben Kweller doesn't … Read more
Ben Kweller
On My Way
ATO (2005)
Why do we like this guy so much? He is a horrible songwriter, he has a mediocre voice, and the instrumentation on his albums is decent at best. After a few agonizing hours of thinking, while sitting uncomfortably cramped in the seat of plane, I came up with this conclusion: Ben Kweller reminds us of someone we know- he is … Read more
Ben Nichols
The Last Pale Light in the West
Rebel Group (2009)
The Last Pale Light in the West is the solo EP (or apparently what is being called a "mini-album" by the record label) by Lucero frontman Ben Nichols. The album is based on the novel "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy. For those of you who aren't familiar, that's the same man that wrote "No Country For Old Men." "Blood Meridian" … Read more
Ben Weasel and His Iron String Quartet
These Ones are Bitter
Mendota (2007)
Growing up, Ben Weasel was the total embodiment of punk rock to me. Sure, NOFX was the band that hooked me in, but Screeching Weasel made me fall in love with the genre. Plus the dude's been wearing leather jackets and chucks since the late eighties and probably hasn't held a job with a salary or benefit plan for one … Read more
Beneath the Ashes
Nailed To Your Ruins
State of Grace (2003)
First reactions as much as they shouldn't matter, really in fact do. For the most part, the first reaction with a band is hearing/reading their name, and from this name their sound can even sometimes be derived. Whereas post rock instrumental bands have names that contain at least four words, hardcore bands are usually only one. With a name like … Read more
Benefits
Nails
Invada (2023)
In December 2019, Benefits released their “Marlboro Hundreds” single. The UK act sourced all the fury and urgency of punk, wrapping it into a devastating noise facade and powerviolence demeanor. A prime example of weaponized music, and while through the years Benefits have morphed, their poignant messaging remains. Now, their debut record, Nails, sees them revisit some of their early … Read more
Benjamin Shaw
Goodbye, Cagoule World
Audio Antihero (2014)
The UK is a miserable place at times, more often than not in fact, and artists such as Benjamin Shaw fully embrace that misery and spin it out in stories of hopelessness, rejection and the knowledge that pretty much everything is complete shit. Luckily, Goodbye, Cagoule World isn't complete shit and instead takes all the rubbish that life throws out … Read more
Benjamin Shaw
Megadead
Audio Antihero Records (2018)
Goodbye, Cagoule World was a melancholy trip into the heart of someone who was trying to find their place in the world. On his previous record, Benjamin Shaw tread the path of experimentation, hoping to discover the place he belonged as well as that people aren’t really terrible deep down. On Megadead that experimentation really comes to the fore with … Read more
