genres: hyperpop + rap + punk + art rock for fans of: Azealia Banks, 100 Gecs, Rina Sawayama, Charli XCX Truly one of the most elusive to classify albums I’ve heard recently, this 2017 debut full length by Australian artist Ecca Vandal pushes genre boundaries in fascinating and seemingly contradictory directions while also being perfectlyContinue reading “Ecca Vandal – Ecca Vandal”
Author Archives: Kevin McGuire
Black Crown Initiate – Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape
genres: death metal + progressive rock for fans of: Vildhjarta, King Crimson, Between The Buried And Me Black Crown Initiate play a style of metal that’s hard to nail down. Much more accessible than many of their more technical brethren, their style offers a blend of the immediacy of deathcore tempered by retro takes onContinue reading “Black Crown Initiate – Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape”
Ulcerate – Stare Into Death And Be Still
genres: death metal + art rock for fans of: Wake, Underoath, Obscura Hailed as one of the most influential bands in the development of “dissonant death metal”, one would expect the music of Ulcerate to be ugly and violent. Instead, Stare Into Death And Be Still is one of the most beautiful and serene entriesContinue reading “Ulcerate – Stare Into Death And Be Still”
American Arson – A Line in the Sand
genres: punk + post-hardcore + indie rock for fans of: Trophy Eyes, Thrice, Senses Fail Despite six years of activity and regular releases, A Line in the Sand represents American Arson’s first full-length album. Building upon the aggressive yet accessible rock that they honed over several EP releases, the band presents their most cohesive andContinue reading “American Arson – A Line in the Sand”
The Wise Man’s Fear – Valley of Kings
genres: post-hardcore + metalcore for fans of: blessthefall, We Came As Romans, Crown The Empire Self-styled as “fastasy-core”, The Wise Man’s Fear offer a playful return to the golden era of 2010s post-hardcore/metalcore that packs more than a few surprises. Valley of Kings is an album that knows exactly what it is – heavy verses,Continue reading “The Wise Man’s Fear – Valley of Kings”
Fliege – The Invisible Seam
genres: post punk + black metal + dungeon synth for fans of: Ulver, Ihsahn, Nine Inch Nails, As I Lay Dying Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal is one of the greatest and most iconic films of all time. Capturing its magic in musical form is a tall task, but Fliege have absolutely done so here.Continue reading “Fliege – The Invisible Seam”
Ulver – Flowers of Evil
genres: darkwave + 80s pop + electronica for fans of: New Order, Fine China, Joy Electric Building off 2017s The Assassination of Julius Caesar, Ulver return with more electronic ruminations on human depravity and spiritual warfare, refocusing their crosshairs from ancient Roman bravado to modernist corruption. Initially gaining recognition as an abrasive black metal band,Continue reading “Ulver – Flowers of Evil”
Wake – Confluence
genres: post-rock + black metal + death metal + grindcore for fans of: Ulcerate, Deafheaven, Sigor Ros When I think of post-rock, I think of grand instrumental soundscapes that build over many minutes. When I think of grindcore, I think of searingly short songs built around shrieking vocals and blistering guitars. So how do oneContinue reading “Wake – Confluence”
Conditions – Fluorescent Youth (10 Year Anniversary)
genres: alternative rock + post-hardcore for fans of: Boston Manor, Neck Deep, Bayside Conditions has written my favorite music. No debate. Unfortunately, they only released two true full lengths in 2010 and 2013, with an inconsistent trickle of new material since. This release, celebrating 10 years since the original Fluorescent Youth album, contains a slightlyContinue reading “Conditions – Fluorescent Youth (10 Year Anniversary)”
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