genres: post-metal + indie This is one of the rare albums I’ve been anticipating since even before it was announced. I’ve listened to Rolo Tomassi off and on since 2011’s Eternal Youth, but they really elevated to another level with 2018’s Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It. Previously, the band had played anContinue reading “Rolo Tomassi – Where Myth Becomes Memory”
Category Archives: Mini Reviews
Those Without – Bittersweet
genres: pop-punk + alternative I wasn’t really in a pop-punk mood for most of last year, which is a shame, because it’s probably one of the strongest years for the genre in quite some time. Although there’s quite a few worth checking out (in case I don’t get to writing them all up, some highlightsContinue reading “Those Without – Bittersweet”
Zyprexian – Confessions from Treatment Center One
genres: raw black metal + grindcore + industrial I probably wouldn’t have checked out this project without a bit of background. Allegedly recorded entirely on smuggled cellphones inside the California prison system, I was intrigued to check this release out on a level akin to performance art, if nothing else. Jokes abound about raw blackContinue reading “Zyprexian – Confessions from Treatment Center One”
Modern Error – Victim Of A Modern Age
genres: industrial + modern metal Few metal bands of any subgenre are carving a niche as interesting as Modern Error. For all the buzz Loathe have (deservedly) built for their ‘Deftones meets modern metalcore’, Modern Age have largely been overlooked for similar work referencing Nine Inch Nails as their 90s/00s inspiration of choice. This albumContinue reading “Modern Error – Victim Of A Modern Age”
Inherit the Stars – Two One Three
genres: post-hardcore + synthwave For a couple years, my biggest unfulfilled musical wish has been for a really good combination of synthwave and -core music. There’s certainly no lack of 80s influenced synths in metalcore right now (and Dreamwake are doing a technical take on it), but nothing that quite scratched the ‘chill vibes +Continue reading “Inherit the Stars – Two One Three”
Vorga – Striving Towards Oblivion
genres: melodic black metal It is quite rare for black metal to sound this…fun. Striving Towards Oblivion plays relatively straightforward (and extremely accessible for the genre) while still offering a delightful twist on one of the fastest expanding metal subgenres. Vorga’s blend of sci-fi influenced black metal layers a healthy amount of spacey atmosphere onContinue reading “Vorga – Striving Towards Oblivion”
Karen Peris – A Song is Way Above the Lawn
genres: chamber pop + indie folk This short, piano driven album is well outside what I’ve typically written about. It’s not exactly unusual for me to listen to something quiet and calm like this, but it is quite rare that a whole record in this genre can captivate my attention quite like this. Don’t mistakeContinue reading “Karen Peris – A Song is Way Above the Lawn”
Eyes Set To Kill – DAMNA
genres: post-hardcore + modern rock Eyes Set To Kill are one of the bigger ‘what if’ bands in the 2000/10s metalcore scene. They never quite had the breakout in popularity they should’ve, yet nearly everyone aware of the scene at the time knew who they were. They certainly had successful, well received songs and moments,Continue reading “Eyes Set To Kill – DAMNA”
Technopagan – Electromancy
genres: black metal + experimental electronic Disclaimer: this album is not really for me. Everything that makes traditional black metal hard for me to get into – rough production and vocals, repetitive music – is present here. BUT. It’s worth talking about for a couple reasons. First, those elements of black metal are intentionally deployed,Continue reading “Technopagan – Electromancy”
ourfathers. – Movements II
genres: indie rock + post-hardcore + experimental While the slow release of music around the holidays can sometimes be a bit of a drag, it gives a good opportunity to go back through the previous year’s releases and see what I missed – which is how I came across this one. I completely missed thisContinue reading “ourfathers. – Movements II”
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