Reviews

Nuoro’s debut offering shows promise with an eclectic electronic sound, but it falls short a bit due to lack of cohesion.

Having initially formed in 1992 as simply Outrage, the band released 2 independent releases by 1995 when they sadly broke up. Reuniting as the newly-christened Outrage AD in 2013, the band quickly began work on New Blood. On this debut the Canadian band apportion some classic thrash metal, with touches of crossover and groove metal. Continued →

Atlas is an artsy mix of post-rock and strong percussion grooves, paired with numerous sing-along moments.

Adjy’s wordy, four-track EP is a whirlwind of driving percussion and proof that you didn’t pay attention in English class.

Weathered is Facedown Records newest addition and is unarguably the most anticipated release in some time in the scene. While Facedown prides itself on an always esteemed roster of metal bands, the signing of Weathered might be a head scratcher, if the album wasn’t so good. Continued →

Not Beneath is an exciting new project featuring ex-members of Narcissus, Outcry, North Meadow Park, and Vessel. In 2018 those names might not mean very much but if you were into hardcore/metalcore in the late 90s or early 00s, you’ll recognize them for sure. Continued →

The world  is full of grit, seriousness, and dark themes within media. Whenever something “fun” comes around, it’s a nice change of pace.  The Protest’s debut album on Rockfest records, Legacy, provides a Christ-centered, lighthearted yet heavy hitting album that’s perfect for some summertime head-banging. Continued →

Archabald flirts with hardcore influences on their latest conceptual EP.

Kevin Schlereth’s newest EP is an intimate mix of Scripture-based acoustic songs.

DENS’ Facedown debut release proves that the label’s decision to expand beyond their metal foundation is truly paying off.

On their debut full length, Hostile Array tackles tough topics while providing an anthemic and rebellious soundtrack perfect to vent these injustices to.

Songs of Water sends listeners on a journey around the world on their latest EP.

“Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day of restoration.” These words echo true in our modern world and there has never been more of a time for revival than now. Check out this incredibly relevant and in your face spirit filled hardcore release from new So. Cal. band – Lifelong

Like a Chuck Norris roundhouse straight to the kisser, one might wonder, where the heck that ferocious beat down just came from. 2Minute Minor in similar fashion, lets loose a barrage of straight to your face, knock you on your butt hardcore punk tracks. Continued →

Captain the Sky’s deluxe re-release of “Lions & Foxes” blends the best of post-hardcore and math rock technicality with fun acoustic jams.

DIRE, a metal band from Quitam, GA, released an EP titled “Depths” this past November. “Depths” is the band’s first offering since being signed to Sancrosanct Records earlier that year and is an impressive label debut. “Depths”, however, is preceded by a full length the band released in 2016, titled, “Volume 1” and an earlier, self-titled ep in 2013. Continued →

Lael’s newest EP lacks artistic form and overindulges in pop clichés.

Off Road Minivan proves you can’t always judge a band by its name on their debut EP which mixes indie and post-hardcore elements.

When it was announced that Jen Ledger would be releasing her debut solo ep, it filled many with a sense of excitement, rivaled only by an insatiable curiosity as to what we could expect from it. Would it be hard rock, similar in nature to her band Skillet? Continued →

This Friday, April 13th, 2018, horror-punk band Grave Robber returns with their first album in 7 years, titled “Escaping the Grave”. How fitting is it for these guys to re-emerge after seven years of silence on a Friday the 13th? This release is an album that has been long awaited and anticipated by many, myself included. Continued →

Whale Bones’ ambitious debut EP is a refreshing, dynamic amalgamation of post-hardcore, indie, post-rock, alternative, and pop-punk that reaffirms the Indiana rock scene is still thriving.

First things first. Have you heard there’s a new Stavesacre album out? Yeah? I bet you’re wondering who played on it? This is the classic 5-member line-up:
Mark Salomon – vocals
Sam West – drums
Dirk Lemmenes- Bass
Ryan Dennee – guitar
Jeff Bellew – guitar

Besides the Against the Silence EP in 2009, this line-up hasn’t made a record together since Speakeasy. Continued →

Benjamin James’ “Change is Everything” is an explosive sleeper hit of 2017 that melds chamber pop and electronic elements into a dynamic listening experience.

Don’t listen to this album if you want to feel happy. Lyrically and musically, this is moody alternative rock taken to its logical conclusion. Decade brims with melancholy: “All the beauty I ever wanted is going to fade away” (“Fade; Decay”); “…helpless in will, my body just gave up” (“Do You Wanna Find Out?”); “There’s no one on the road that I can call a friend” (“Closer”). Continued →

“Ultraviolet” tackles big questions of faith head on with a wall of reverb, lyrical poeticism, and a fair share of experimentation.

Just because some people use a lot of words does not mean that they say a lot. This linguistic dilemma has been expressed in popular culture through numerous means, from Miss Othmar in the Peanuts cartoons, to the less specific (and pejorative) title of “chatterbox” and its synonyms. Continued →

Once in a while, I’ll come across a band that slipped beneath my radar and wonder why I hadn’t heard of them sooner, wishing that I had. In the Verse is a perfect example of that. Hailing from WI, the 5-piece band brings a lot to the table for avid hard rock fans. Continued →

LOYALS may fill the hole in your musical heart that longs for good pop music. No, we’re not talking about computer generated beats with autotune. We’re talking about real musicians that play memorable songs that are beyond catchy.

The first couple of songs offer a few glimpses of what LOYALS has to offer. Continued →

Punk rock and pizza are similar in more ways than one. While the two can complement each other quite well, music – like food – requires a recipe. Unfortunately, Young Poet’s Thrive in a Modern Era tastes more like a dubious experiment than a well-made pizza pie. Continued →

The Sprinkle brothers are back! If you don’t know who that is, then stop reading. Go and find Poor Old Lu, The World Inside, Aaron Sprinkle, Paloma, Fair . . . I could go on but I’m using up valuable reviewing space (and I didn’t even mention the production credits)! Continued →