Year: 2013
Reviews: Swingin’ Utters
What can I say about the Swinging Utters? That they’re an amazing band that always manages to come up with ways to never sound hackneyed or worn-out. That Poorly Formed ranks amongst this fan’s favorite releases from the band’s nearly quarter-century career. … read more
Reviews: Judicator – Sleepy Plessow
Everything on this album seems to be just a step away from something really special. In a sense, it seems like it was only partially finished, hampered by flat production and a rote, repetitive take on typical power metal riffs. … read more
Reviews: Old Wounds/Trenchfoot – Self-Titled Split
I love this recent resurgence of hardcore bands doing splits—I get two great bands for the price of one. … read more
Reviews: Pantheon of Blood – Tetrasomia
Pantheon of Blood are a Finnish black metal band that’s a little bit down-tempo, comparatively, but also heavy on the bleak atmospheres they set out to create. … read more
Reviews: Phantom Glue – A War of Light Cones
Phantom Glue are drinking from the long tapped well of sludgy punk-infused stoner doom—perhaps this release would have sounded fresher were it to have come out in a timely manner, following its recording in 2011. … read more
Reviews: Porcelain Raft – Permanent Signal
On the surface, Porcelain Raft may not seem like much, but this one-man act manages to combine solemn ambiance with high-pitched vocals in a manner that is anything but generic. … read more
Reviews: Primitive Man – Scorn
You might as well pour yourself a bowl of black tar, whip out a spoon and dig in. Primitive Man dish out an unhealthy dose of black sludge with their debut record, getting a wider release treatment courtesy of Relapse. … read more
Reviews: Ranger – Knights of Darkness
Once that squealing twin lead intro gives way to the cranium-crunching chug on the title track, the landscape of Knights of Darkness comes into focus: NWOBHM fully re-imagined through the lens of teutonic thrash. … read more
Reviews: Run The Jewels – Self-Titled
El-P and Killer Mike are aiming for the heart of every hater and fuck-boy out there with their self-titled release, Run The Jewels. … read more
Reviews: Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside – Untamed Beast
One thing is clear on Untamed Beast: Sallie Ford is not afraid to be crazy, and will rock the fuck out. … read more