Music Reviews

The world looks entirely different in 2021 to the way it did when Every Time I Die started out, more than two decades ago. With eight previous full-length albums under the belts and a wealth of experience, you could forgive Every Time I Die for getting comfortable and resting on their laurels. Hell, two of the main songwriters in the band have children now and the other guitar player is a full-time professional wrestler with one of the biggest companies in the world today. Yet with their ninth studio album 'Radical', the band seem as focused as ever and are ready to fire on all cylinders once again.

Don Broco are one of the best bands the UK has to offer. Off the back of the huge 'Technology', the boys from Bedford embarked on a huge tour including UK arenas - will 'Amazing Things' continue their ascendancy to stardom?

We have waited far too long for a new album from Vildhjarta, with their previous effort, the superb extended play 'Thousands of Evils', released more than eight years ago. It was important for the Swedes to come back with a bang and leave a lasting impact on their awaiting audience. Fortunately, they do not deal in low quality output and their new release, 'måsstaden under vatten', is a testament to that very fact.

Is Frank Carter the greatest rock star of this generation? From jumping into crowds from crazy heights to getting a giant spider tattooed on his head – he’s as punk as it gets. The band’s first three records were raw, heavy, in-your-face guitar music that took no prisoners, so how does their latest effort 'Sticky' hold up?

Summer has come to an end and it’s the time of year to watch a horror movie as we fast approach Halloween. What could be better? A horror album might just do the trick… or treat. Will Ice Nine Kills' new album, 'The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood', be the ultimate soundtrack to the Halloween season?

Metalcore is, for the most part, a creatively moribund genre. As with all scenes, it’s not without its trailblazers and its cult diamonds in the rough, but ultimately it’s a form of music that’s swapped intensity for formulas, and sincerity for tropes. Dying Wish are a metalcore band. But they’ve got no resemblance to the kinds of band that have just been mentioned. This is metalcore circa 2002: vital, visceral and venomous. A sound that’s pleasingly retro, without ever feeling dated. And it’s great.

Trivium are undoubtedly one of the greatest metal acts to come out of the 21st century. For the last 18 years they’ve been churning out great record after great record like it’s nobody’s business, and with such a quick turnaround for their last record, does 'In The Court Of The Dragon' further cement Trivium’s future place in the metal hall of fame?

There’s a lot to unpack around 'Visions of Another Hell'. It's Blood Youth's final record with long-time vocalist Kaya Tarsus who has now left the band, handing the torch to his successor, before the album is even released. Does this mean Blood Youth's latest effort is doomed to failure with one of its key components no longer part of it, or does it lend even more weight to a collection of tracks that are truly trapped like a moment in time?

Los Angeles alternative rock band Badflower are back, staring straight in the face of a sophomore album slump and categorically saying “no” with the utmost emotionally raw conviction.  The band's latest LP, 'This is How The World Ends', serves as the follow-up to 'Ok, I’m Sick' back in 2019, a debut album that dealt with challengingly dark subject matters in suitably comfortable, alt-rock attacking style. There is certainly a continuation of thought provoking themes on their latest record, as Badflower break down the barriers and banish the concept of taboo topics, with an urgent, blood pumping rush.

Back in 2020, they’ve wowed everyone with 'Holy Roller' and this year they’ll amaze everyone yet again. At long last, the debut album by Spiritbox is about to hit the shelves (and streaming services), and we can safely say that the wait has been well and worth it. 'Eternal Blue' is an utter masterpiece, worthy of every album of the year title that it will, undoubtedly, receive by the time 2021 leaves us.