Music Reviews

The saying goes “all good things comes to those who wait”, and that particular expression has never seemed more appropriate than when it comes to Black Crown Initiate. There have been plenty of issues that have befallen the band over their brief history, including number of line-up changes where they are still searching for a permanent drummer even now - but with the leap to a new permanent home with Century Media Records, the band look hungrier and better backed than ever. Now with Black Crown Initiate in their strongest position to date and the extreme metal world eagerly watching and waiting, the big question is… has the wait been worth it?

Sweden's AVATAR abandon their royal garb and leave 'Avatar Country' behind, pushing forward with their stellar (and comedy-devoid) new album, 'Hunter Gatherer'.

'Time to Pay' is the second EP from Turkey Vulture, the gritty, bluesy duo from Connecticut who bring together punk, metal, Americana and… sea shanties? This is a bizarre and engaging musical project which you’ll certainly want to be keeping an eye on. 

The new Broadside album, 'Into the Raging Sea', promises to be a collection of songs which will keep you strapped in for a while, but it unfortunately falls short, thanks to said (underwhelming) tracks, which sound either upbeat, or slow and introspective - nothing in between.

'Project Regeneration Vol. 1' is an album plagued by some less-than-memorable songs, which sadly outnumber the good ones. Though it initially promised to bear Wayne Static’s final performances, the listeners only get half of them, with the rest to be released in the future as Volume 2, a move which only winds up hurting the quality of what will likely be Static-X’s swansong.

Wind your clocks back to 2013. HAIM had just exploded onto the indie-pop scene with the phenomenal debut, 'Days are Gone' - an album which paved the way for an onslaught of incredible female talent which came in their wake. The album held up throughout the years, making it onto many best-of lists at the end of the decade. 2017’s follow-up, the breakup album 'Something to Tell You', missed a little of the confidence and knowing spark which their debut had, perhaps in favour of some more emotion and sprawling energy. Now back with their hotly-anticipated (and COVID-delayed) third full-length release, how will 'Women in Music Part III' hold up?

Classically-trained esoteric vocalist and pianist Maud the Moth is back with 'Orphne', her follow-up to 2015’s 'The Inner Wastelands'. At once exquisite, terrifying, introspective, haunting - this album deserves your time and attention. Listen to by candlelight, on the next full moon.

Owen is the solo project of Mike Kinsella, a man whose name is etched into emo history as part of American Football, Cap ‘n’ Jazz, Owls and Joan of Arc. His solo work offers an introspective invitation to his inner most thoughts and with 'The Avalanche', we may have his most open collection to date.

Sitting down with the newest Phoebe Bridgers album was always going to be an intimidating task. One of the most exciting new names on the folk/indie rock scene, Bridgers received a lot of attention for her debut, 'Stranger in the Alps', not least earning her a guest spot on the new Hayley Williams album. But can she keep the momentum going with follow-up, 'Punisher'?

In one of the most significant moves of their career, Lamb of God have returned with their eighth studio album after a gap of five years. It’s self-titled, it’s the first one with new drummer Art Cruz, and it’s released during a time of immense global upheaval. So, how does it hold up?