Pupil Slicer – Fleshwork (Review)

Pupil Slicer - FleshworkThis is the second album from UK mathcore band Pupil Slicer.

Following on from 2023’s well-received Blossom, Pupil Slicer have returned with the 36-minute Fleshwork. In this review I’ll make the case that this is peak Pupil Slicer so far. Fleshwork is a monster. If a mix of bands such as Converge, Deafheaven, Heriot, Rolo Tomassi, and Svalbard, sounds good, then this is one for you. Continue reading “Pupil Slicer – Fleshwork (Review)”

Mastiff – For All the Dead Dreams (Review)

Mastiff - For All the Dead DreamsThis is the latest EP from UK hardcore/sludge metallers Mastiff.

A new Mastiff release is always something to pay attention to. Since 2019’s Plague I’ve thoroughly enjoyed betting beaten around the head by their brutal heaviness. On 2021’s Leave Me the Ashes of the Earth and last year’s Deprecipice they only seemed to get heavier and nastier. Which brings us to For All the Dead Dreams, which delivers seventeen minutes of punishment for us to soak up. Continue reading “Mastiff – For All the Dead Dreams (Review)”

Greyhaven – Keep It Quiet (Review)

Greyhaven - Keep It QuietThis is the fourth album from Greyhaven, a hardcore band from the US.

I’ve been looking forward to this. 2022’s This Bright and Beautiful World placed second from the very top on my end of year list, and I loved catching them live at the start of the year. So, with this much expectation, is disappointment inevitable, or can the 41 minutes of music on Keep it Quiet rise to the challenge? Continue reading “Greyhaven – Keep It Quiet (Review)”

Still in Love – Recovery Language (Review)

Still in Love - Recovery LanguageThis is the debut album from UK hardcore band Still in Love.

Containing 23 minutes of metallic hardcore heaviness, Recovery Language is a wrecking ball of a record, although it hits a little different than you may be expecting. Continue reading “Still in Love – Recovery Language (Review)”

Boneflower – Reveries (Review)

Boneflower - ReveriesThis is the third album from Spanish post-hardcore band Boneflower.

Reveries contains 38 minutes of music; a mix of hardcore, screamo, post-rock, and shoegaze, delivering a post-hardcore record that’s definitely above average for the style. Boneflower have produced an album that manages to walk two different paths simultaneously, and somehow manages to make it work. No mean feat. Continue reading “Boneflower – Reveries (Review)”

Deadguy – Near-Death Travel Services (Review)

Deadguy - Near Death Travel ServicesThis is the second album from US hardcore band Deadguy.

It’s been 30 years since 1995’s classic Fixation on a Coworker, which is so much time that I can’t even think about it. Onto more positive things then, which is the 37-minute Near-Death travel Services. A new Deadguy album was not something I expected, but here we are, and I’m extremely happy with it let me tell you. Continue reading “Deadguy – Near-Death Travel Services (Review)”

Agabas – Hard Anger (Review)

Agabas - Hard AngerThis is the third album by Norwegian mathcore band Agabas.

How could you not see a band described in the promo blurb as a “brutal heavy deathjazz metal/mathcore quintet” and not want to check them out? Although, I note in the band pics there’s six people, so no idea what that’s about. Regardless, Hard Anger is a 36-minute melting pot of ideas and influences, so strap in tight and get ready for mayhem. Continue reading “Agabas – Hard Anger (Review)”

The Callous Daoboys – I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven (Review)

The Callous Daoboys - I Don’t Want to See You in HeavenThis is the third album from US hardcore band The Callous Daoboys.

Full of genre-splicing, creative sounds, and adventurous ideas, I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven is a 57-minute embarrassment of riches. It’s a diverse record, ripe with captivating riffs, reflective introspection, huge breakdowns, pop hooks, and much else. Continue reading “The Callous Daoboys – I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven (Review)”