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)”

Eyes – Spinner (Review)

Eyes - SpinnerEyes are a hardcore band from Denmark and this is their third album.

Throwing together noise rock and metal into a hardcore melting pot, Eyes have produced the 24-minute Spinner. Brought to us by members of the mighty LLNNSpinner is the sort of album that’s an immensely fun and satisfying listen. Continue reading “Eyes – Spinner (Review)”

Unfleshing – Violent Reason (Review)

Unfleshing - Violent ReasonUnfleshing are a blackened crust band from the US and this is their debut album.

Violent Reason is a 25-minute snarling monstrosity of black metal, hardcore, crust, and grindcore. Unfleshing’s debut record is a beast. Continue reading “Unfleshing – Violent Reason (Review)”

Hidden Mothers – Erosion / Avulsion (Review)

Hidden Mothers - Erosion AvulsionThis is the debut album from UK post-hardcore band Hidden Mothers.

Genre is a funny thing. Post-hardcore, screamo, blackgaze…all are applicable to Hidden Mothers, yet none of them fully encapsulate the 42 minutes of material on Erosion / Avulsion. I suppose something like atmospheric post-hardcore is probably the closest to it, but let’s not quibble over terms. Besides, all that really matters is the music and the impact it has. Continue reading “Hidden Mothers – Erosion / Avulsion (Review)”

Polar – Five Arrows (Review)

Polar - Five ArrowsThis is the sixth album by UK hardcore band Polar.

It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Polar. Ever since 2016’s No Cure No Saviour I’ve been a big fan of the band’s hardcore/post-hardcore stylings. This album was followed in 2019 by the heavier Nova, and then in 2023 by Everywhere, Everything, which developed Polar’s more textured post-hardcore side. Now, uncharacteristically fast, we have Five Arrows, which brings us 38 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Polar – Five Arrows (Review)”

Lifesick – Loved by None, Hated by All (Review)

Lifesick - Loved by None, Hated by AllThis is the fourth album by Danish metallic hardcore band LIfesick.

I enjoyed Lifesick when I saw them earlier this year supporting Cabal, so knew I wanted to check out the 34 minutes of Loved by None, Hated by All when it appeared. Continue reading “Lifesick – Loved by None, Hated by All (Review)”

Candy – It’s Inside You (Review)

Candy - It's Inside YouCandy are a hardcore band from the US and this is their third album.

It’s Inside You is the 31-minute follow up to 2022’s Heaven Is Here. On their new record Candy push a vision for hardcore that bursts beyond its typical genre trappings in key places. Continue reading “Candy – It’s Inside You (Review)”