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
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
I love this recent resurgence of hardcore bands doing splits—I get two great bands for the price of one. … read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
One thing is clear on Untamed Beast: Sallie Ford is not afraid to be crazy, and will rock the fuck out. … read more
In celebration of LGBT Pride Month, Bristol’s Sleeping States and Florida’s Holopaw—both of which feature openly gay frontmen—collaborated to create this 12’’ split, which is actually two EPs rolled into one. Side A consists of Sleeping States’ Old vs. New, which is a collection of their older songs that have been revamped for a modern context. … read more
The haunting female vocals, combined with the ominous, heavy mix of acoustic and electric beats, create a funky and one-of-a-kind listening experience that will please fans of just about any genre. … read more
