February 2014
Review: Lie In Ruins – Towards Divine Death
Hail Satan, hail death, indeed. This album is the band’s second full-length since they were resurrected from the heyday of early ‘90s death metal to bring back what is a decidedly old-school sound to the genre. It’s longer on both song and album length than most death metal works, which seemed to give the whole thing a more cohesive feeling. … read more
Review: Lanterns on the Lake – Until the Colours Run
Combining slow, angsty melodies topped with breathy, echoed vocals, laced with political undertones allows LOTL to express that beauty can be found in even the most dire of situations. Self-proclaimed “pastoral pop” artists, LOTL create just what they claim to be: textbook pastorals mixed with instrumentation that assists the listener in becoming fully lost in the experience. … read more
Review: Jeremy Messersmith – Heart Murmurs
While most of the album explores the multi-faceted role that love plays in his life, he keeps the album light by humorously singing songs about one-night stands and “loving the fuck” out of someone like one would sing a lullaby to an infant. The only major qualm I have with the album is that, at times, it is incredibly clichéd, lyrically, and almost too easy to listen to. … read more
Review: Integrity – Systems Overload (A2/Orr Mix)
For as good as the original Systems Overload is, it’s firmly planted in 1995. The new mix is rawer and louder, and the instruments have more space. My only gripe is that everything is loud, making songs that should be more dynamic and punctuated lose potency as all dials are pegged at 11. … read more
Review: Jack Name – Light Show
This album is a toxic concoction of psychedelic, guitar-driven, experimental “adios motherfucker,” which needs to be experienced with full attention. The album tells a story that appears to be chaotic and complicated as it sifts through many genres. However, listening to the gems makes it bearable, like “Do The Shadow,” which is full of energy. … read more
Review: Have A Nice Life – The Unnatural World
I’ve never been in a deprivation chamber before, but The Unnatural World renders an audial consciousness for me similar to how I imagine that complete darkness—except for Have A Nice Life flash wet, silver lights of sound. … read more
Review: Helms Alee – Sleepwalking Sailors
Sleepwalking Sailors is fun, melodic and disjointed post-rock that gathers many influences without committing to any of them. There are constant shifts from moments that are heavier and metal-adjacent, to discordant, sludgy aggression, to traditionally comfortable melodic lines. … read more
Review: Harsh Toke – Light Up and Live
The fact that bassist Richie Belton and guitarist Justin “Figgy” Figueroa are at the forefront of professional skateboarding is a mere footnote when talking about these SoCal shredders. The music speaks for itself—and loudly it speaks. … read more
Review: Grand Magus – Triumph and Power
This trio of hard-rocking Swedes never disappoints with their unique brand of epic doom metal. JB Christoffersson’s soaring vocals sound like a younger Biff Byford, and he backs them up with earth-shaking guitarwork. … read more
Review: Hammock – Oblivion Hymns
I wouldn’t be surprised if “I Could Hear the Water at the Edge of All Things” was spawned by conversations with God or some spiritual essence. If you’re looking for a sacred experience, this is where you can find one, and these hymns are best listened to with reverence to feel uplifted. … read more
Local Review: Twilight Transmissions – Shadowland
Beyond the visual aesthetics, this album fares quite well. It’s a well-textured series of electronic soundscapes and beats that would not sound out of place accompanying a modern horror film, game, or a walk through a haunted hospital.
… read more
Local Review: The Pillar – Songs From The Hollow
Packed full of moody, bluesy, folksy rock n’ roll, The Pillar’s debut album, Songs From the Hollow, has its roots firmly planted in American music tradition. … read more
