✦✦✧✧ Sometimes, the KSE formula yields pure gold. This, by comparison, is a bronze album. Not too much to hate on here, but not a lot to yearn for either. This of course will do nothing to dissuade anyone from seeing this as another sign of the decline of this metalcore stalwart, but fortunately that’s not going to stop Adam Dutkiewicz et al from persevering. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ I absolutely didn’t want to like this at all… but it’s fun! Dirty-ass riffs, dirty-ass vocals, massive dirty-ass bass… even the production makes a point of being filthy. If you’re not an uptight purist, have even a little respect for a punk sensibility, and don’t mind getting some mud on your clothes, this album may be just the treat you need right now. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ Hey, this new Linkin Park is pretty rockin’! See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ To be honest, this one’s kinda boring. (Just contrast this to the new Elder album, and you’ll see how much Russian Circles could have done with instrumental shoegaze.) See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ This doom album is a very mixed bag for me. On the one hand, if you’re looking for a recording of a band who are delivering jawdropping riffs, or you want to shake your fist triumphantly at the sky, this album is not for you in the slightest. On the other hand, I’m hardpressed to name another album this year that is as successfully moody, evocative, or noisome. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ The last time TAIM put out an album, I said, “Typically, one doesn’t listen to TAIM for subtlety, or innovation, or expansion of the genre. One listens when in need of a good beating.” So why o why did they put a heightened emphasis on vocals, unclear yet fast riffing, prominent fake snare hits, and a generally squishy sonic character? See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ I wouldn’t even call this rethrash: this is instead newly-minted vintage Bay Area thrash. (Oakland represent!) With a little more self-restraint/editing and crisper production, this album could be a modern classic. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ At its best, this album reminds me of vintage Sub Pop; at its worst, this is just more hipster-sludge. Of special note is the production, which offers a dynamic range of a shouting match. At least the songs are all mercifully brief. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ Do you like well-produced power metal that deals with warfare? Then you already know about Sabaton, and this album gives you more of what you’ve come to expect. For the rest of us: this is sortakinda epic symphonic Eurometal with awkward vocals but tasty guitars. The most entertaining part of this album (about World War I) is just how literal the lyrics are; for proof, you need go no further than such songs as “In Flanders Fields,” “82nd All The Way,” and of course “The Red Baron.” See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ Sludgy black noise post-metal word salad ouch my fucking ears! This makes The Armed sound tame, Torrential Downpour sound predictable. And that’s the main problem here: the album is such a punishing listen, I’m having a hard time feeling any kind of relationship to the music. See the rest here
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