rock/metal albums
Album Review: Swans – The Glowing Man
SWANS have one of the most intriguing discographies in music and with front man Michael Gira recently announcing that The Glowing Man would be the last for this incarnation of the band, it makes it a pivotal part of the history. So after the seminal To Be Kind, does The Glowing Man act as a …
Album Review: Gojira – Magma
When the single ‘Stranded’ dropped earlier this year, fans of death metal visionaries Gojira were left somewhat surprised by the new sound. As it turns out, this song was perfectly indicative of the direction the band were taking with their latest record, Magma. Whilst still holding a firm grip on their death metal roots, the …
Album Review: Leapling – Suspended Animation
When an album opens with several bars of naked kick-snare you know you’re dealing with a supremely confident artist. ‘I Decide When It Begins’ isn’t a song title that sounds like it is lacking in authority, and while it’s deciding, the intro continues to rise tauntingly, introducing crunchy fret-noise on the beat like a funk-loving …
Album Review: Letlive.- If I’m The Devil…
There is one thing that needs to be straightened out about Letlive.: there is nobody like them. Their live show, their persona, their music- everything is created and brought to life in a way that could never be duplicated, or even closely so by any other band. If I’m The Devil… has been a long …
Album Review: Beartooth – Aggressive
Columbus natives Beartooth are back in 2016 with a brand new album, Aggressive. The follow up to Disgusting released in 2014, Aggressive is a less angry but still as powerful Beartooth. Opener and title track, Aggressive is huge. The melodic chorus twinned with the lively guitars and gang vocals increases the overall dynamic of the …
Not Forgotten: Spirit – The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit are a band I knew by reputation rather than any familiarity with their music, at least until I picked up a copy of The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus late last year. While at the moment they are best known for being the band that Led Zeppelin are currently accused of plagiarising (despite the …
Album Review: Babymetal – Metal Resistance
After the undeniable success of their debut self-titled record it was interesting to see just how Babymetal could validate their impressive rise to fame. The elephant in the room when discussing a band like Babymetal is always whether they are simply a gimmick aiming for short time success or an actual long term prospect in …
Album Review: Palace of Worms – The Ladder
Combining the sounds from multiple black metal scenes comes Palace of Worms, a solo project which allows the bands mastermind, Balan, to express himself both musically and emotionally. His latest album, entitled The Ladder, is a record seeping with raw emotion as he details both the light and dark sides of humanity. Despite only being …
Album Review: Explosions in the Sky – The Wilderness
Listening to Explosions in the Sky for me has always been like that lump in your throat moment in a great film. The tragic losses, the triumphant successes, and the moment when you realize everything is going to be all right despite all the downs you’ve gone through to get there. They soundtrack both figuratively …
Album Review: White Denim – Stiff
I’m not sure when it first occurred to me, but I’ve now spent many years coming to terms with the fact that I have a problem with rock and roll. Or at least rock and roll in the context of the phrase ‘That’s so rock and roll!’. You see, when used in that context, it …