Author Archives: Kevin McGuire

LIONFIGHT – An Investigation Into Perceived Heaviness

genres: pop + post-hardcore There’s something wonderful and fresh that often comes from a single talented musician making EXACTLY the music they want to make. No genre tropes for the sake of fitting in, no streamlining to make it more appealing to broad audiences, just art for its own sake or personal satisfaction. An InvestigationContinue reading “LIONFIGHT – An Investigation Into Perceived Heaviness”

Eidola – The Architect

genres: progressive post-hardcore + swancore Eidola is a fascinating band on multiple levels, yet they haven’t always been the most accessible band. Earlier albums leaned very heavily into the progressive end of post-hardcore, while the immediately previous album To Speak, To Listen often opted for a slightly softer sound that while easier to get inContinue reading “Eidola – The Architect”

Sani Bronco – One Stop Everything Repair Shop

genres: alternative/indie rock + emo + swancore I’m discovering this album a few months too late. Released in late April, this debut short release is a wonderful summer record that crafts a perfectly chill vibe alongside some sneakily adventurous musicianship. Sani Bronco is the brother of guitarist Sergio Medina (Eidola/Sianvar/Royal Coda/Stolas/Nova Charisma) and hints ofContinue reading “Sani Bronco – One Stop Everything Repair Shop”

Spiritbox – Eternal Blue

genres: metalcore + progressive metal Spiritbox have the rare distinction of coming into their debut album with massive popularity and critical acclaim. They don’t take this status for granted; they’re still very much making the music they want to make. Most bands wouldn’t take the level of risk that comes with having multiple entirely sungContinue reading “Spiritbox – Eternal Blue”

Aether Realm – Redneck Vikings from Hell

genres: melodic death metal + everything Melodic death metal is a tough genre to standout in. If we’re talking about saturation, there’s few genres that have been more thoroughly explored than this one. Even the gimmicky extensions have been saturated. Pirate metal? Everyone’s done that by now. Viking metal? Endless. Space wizards? Werewolf priests? YupContinue reading “Aether Realm – Redneck Vikings from Hell”

Meadows – In Those Days & Also After

genres: melodic hardcore Nothing clicked the first time I listened to the singles released ahead of this album. I didn’t HATE it, but melodic hardcore is a tough sell for me unless there’s some twist. And (especially in the early tracks) Meadows’ plays things pretty much up the middle, sounding a lot like Defeater withContinue reading “Meadows – In Those Days & Also After”

Guvna B – everywhere + nowhere

genres: grime + gospel Grime – a British style of rap with heavy influences from Jamaican/Caribbean and North African communities – is a thoroughly fascinating movement. It’s simultaneously combining underground/garage band entrepreneurial spirit with streetwise topics and a high level of musical layering in comparison to other contemporary subgenres like trap or various ‘Soundcloud’ genreContinue reading “Guvna B – everywhere + nowhere”

Holding Absence – The Greatest Mistake of My Life

genres: post-hardcore + alternative rock The mixture of sounds – soulful vocals with absolutely crushing guitar melodies – is not new. In fact, it’s one of the more well-trod genre variations within modern alternative rock. That’s to say there’s anything bad, or even derivative, here. In fact, Holding Absence have perhaps accomplished a rare feat.Continue reading “Holding Absence – The Greatest Mistake of My Life”

Thief – The 16 Deaths of My Master

genres: electronic + gothic rock What if Nine Inch Nails and Foster The People had a musical baby? It would probably sound a lot like Thief. I’ll break that down in a bit more detail in a minute, but hopefully that’s enough to present a glimpse of both how weird and polished this project is.Continue reading “Thief – The 16 Deaths of My Master”