A record hasn’t hit us like Friendship Commanders’ third full-length, MASS, in quite some time. Partly because sonically it owns and the other part due to the content which sees singer, songwriter, guitarist, and author Buick Audra crafting a concept album (And accompanying book) based on her time living on and off in our forever home of Massachusetts.
[Read more…]Friendship Commanders Travel Back To MASS, Produce Profound Prose Set To A Heavy Soundtrack
How could we say no to an album that just screams “MASSACHUSETTS!!!”?!? Not since Jonathan Richman’s ode to the Bay State has a record resonated so much with us. Sure, Friendship Commanders’ MASS probably won’t get any tracks played at Fenway Park over “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” anytime soon especially with the self-autobiographical seriousness of it all … but we can dream of hearing “Blue” in a stadium at some point, right?
[Read more…]Cave In Hone In On Space-Rawk Roots, Create A Cathartic Crusher With Majestic Heavy Pendulum
I try to stay away from other reviews when it comes to any album I already know that I’ll be reviewing myself here but after hearing the latest Cave In record all the way through for the first time I got a little overexcited to see if people felt the same way I did. That said, I’ve gotta hand it to Decibel Magazine’s Shawn Macomber who was so on point in describing Heavy Pendulum as “the best stadium-ready modern Metal record” because, in a nutshell and at its’ core, it’s exactly that. And obviously so much more.
[Read more…]Genghis Tron Expel Preconceived Notions, Forge New Path With The Electro-Tinged Euphoria Of Dream Weapon
It’s hard to wrap one’s head around Genghis Tron. Are they Metal? Are they Doom? Are they Electro? Are they “Cybergrind”? With Dream Weapon, their first full-length in 13 years, Genghis Tron is throwing every preconceived notion you may have had about the band out the window with a fresh line up and an even fresher sound.
[Read more…]Lemmy-Inspired Electric Messiah Sees High On Fire Invigorated, Ready To Crush Skulls On The Road
An album that’s built around a dream that High On Fire founder Matt Pike had about Lemmy? Sign. Us. Up. But seriously, kids, even without the legend worship, a new High On Fire record is always cause to celebrate. Especially as the band enter their twentieth year with an album that’s every bit as vital and hungry as when they first emerged onto the heavy music scene. [Read more…]
Jacob Bannon Goes Solo With Wear Your Wounds (Album Review)
Take “Grim Heart/Black Rose” off of Converge’s No Heroes, expand it even more and structure an entire album out of it and you’ll have a small inkling of what Wear Your Wounds brings to the table. That’s, of course, oversimplifying the latest project from Jacob Bannon because just like the aforementioned song, WYW is a whole other musical journey unto itself. [Read more…]
Untitled Metal Column: Volume 12 (High On Fire, Luminiferous)
Honestly, I don’t know why I’ve never fully immersed myself in the awesome that is High On Fire. I had a record once (2005’s Blessed Black Wings) but since I’ve only dabbled and been a casual fan. If you’re like me then prepare to slap yourself upside the head for missing out on High On Fire’s brilliance for so long especially after you sink your earholes into their seventh full-length, Luminiferous. [Read more…]
Torche Get Even More Massive For Relapse Records Debut
I could honestly write this entire review based on the massive title track which closes out Torche’s fourth full-length, the appropriately titled Restarter. The song itself wraps every single miniscule little bit of what makes this album great and amplifies it in spades. It’s heavy, it’s droning, it’s consistent, it’s a veritable beast! Much like the rest of Restarter. [Read more…]
What’s in a name? Beastmilk is here to rock your world!
Anything Deathwish Inc or GodCity/Kurt Ballou related immediately piques my interest. Unfortunately, the fact that this one slipped through the cracks and I found out about Beastmilk through a Pantera anniversary issue of Revolver is entirely on me.
Yep, the name is gonna throw you: What kind of music is this? Are they serious? I’m telling you, though, look past the name and go for the meat and potatoes which is, of course, the music!
These Finnish former death metallers have crafted an album that puts Matt Skiba and Alkaline Trio to shame. Add some epic guitar ferocity in there along with some early Danzig and a small helping of Bauhaus for a better view of the “beast” that is Beastmilk.
But man oh man, these songs! “The Wind Blows Through Their Skulls” is an anthem and a half…you know, the kind of song that you just feel deep in your bones and makes you scream along at the top of your lungs during the chorus? “Fear The Mind” is one of THE best rockers out there with ungodly guitar tones that just moves the song to other levels of excellence. “Genocidal Crush” is the post punk single to end all post punk singles with an infectious sing-a-long refrain while “Ghosts Out Of Focus” sets a different mood altogether, slowing down but never stopping the intensity.
The only fault this album has is that it eventually has to end.
Climax was released late last year so you might have missed it but the important thing is that you know about it now so you can go here and get yours.