✦✦✧✧ The band once known as the launching pad of Larry LaLonde, and whom no one has heard from since my college days, are back with some new Bay Area thrashy death metal. And yet, everything from the guitar tone to the still of riffage to the production by Hypocrisy’s Peter Tägtgren all combine to craft a package that is expertly and lovingly vintage. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ Look: I’m giving this album two stars in part because it’s amazing that this duo is still making music (if you know of any other studios at nursing homes, let me know!), but otherwise I could do without it. This is allegedly an album that explores different genres, but it all still sounds to me like vintage Norwegian black metal. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ This is a fun record to listen to. That said, whether you’re already a fan of FGA or are only hearing of their brand of orchestral tech death now for the first time, this album’s unvaried production and all-too-familiar riffage suggest that you should listen to the band’s previous album “King” instead. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ Shake them buns! See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ I’m still not sure if this is metal. I will say however that I thoroughly enjoy pretending that this album has like 5 bass guitars on every track. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ If you’ve ever listened to this band over the past 37 years, this album will not come as any great surprise. I wouldn’t even call it re-thrash, but that’s part of the band and album’s strength. The riffage and shredding are top-notch, although the songwriting only approaches greatness here and there. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ A perfectly adequate and fun hardcore+ album, halfway between Converge and Slayer. It pairs well with an impromptu demolition derby, or anywhere that physical damage reigns supreme. Weird, however, that virtually every track feels a minute too long. But maybe that’s just because it all caves my chest in. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ At its best, the music here is a perfect fusion of folk and metal, not merely folk-inspired metal or vice versa. Of course, an hourlong 16-track album all but guarantees that some songs don’t hit that ideal. Still, if you have to listen to folk metal, I recommend you listen to this one above most others. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ Circle pitttttt! And yet, the latest album from Denver grindcore purveyors COTV is more of a grower than a shower, especially when compared with the band’s catalog. It’s an enjoyable ride, and I especially like the moments of sludgy innovation and a noticeable deference to mood. See the rest here
✦✦✧✧ (See yesterday’s firstie on the companion album “War.”)
If you really liked “War” but wished it was less metal and more hard rock, this album is for you. Otherwise, this album is most certainly not for you. See the rest here
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