Poison the Well – Peace in Place (Review)

Poison the Well - Peace in PlacePoison the Well are a hardcore band from the US and this is their sixth album.

When such an iconic band releases a brand new record 17 years after their last one, it’s a time of expectation, hope, and excitement, but also concern, and even suspicion. Can Poison the Well come close to their previous quality levels? Will time have dulled their unique edge? Do we need another Poison the Well album? Continue reading “Poison the Well – Peace in Place (Review)”

Vitamin X – Ride the Apocalypse (Review)

Vitamin X - Ride the ApocalypseThis is the seventh album from Netherlands hardcore band Vitamin X.

I haven’t caught up with Vitamin X since 2012’s About to Crack, so a reunion with their energetic and charismatic blend of hardcore and thrash metal is long overdue. With Ride the Apocalypse we get 28 minutes of new material from the band, and it rips, rages, and tears its way through the running time across 17 high-octane tracks. Continue reading “Vitamin X – Ride the Apocalypse (Review)”

Qwälen – Veri Virtaa Edelleen (Review)

vThis is the third album from Finnish black metallers Qwälen.

Veri Virtaa Edelleen brings us 45 minutes of untamed ferocity. Qwälen channel their inner darkness via eight tracks of uncompromising black metal. It’s harsh and malevolent, fuelled by the burning coals of Continue reading “Qwälen – Veri Virtaa Edelleen (Review)”

The Callous Daoboys/Knives/Love Rarely – Rebellion, Manchester – 25/02/26 (Live Review)

The Callous Daoboys Knives Love Rarely - Rebellion, Manchester - 25.02.26

It’s a sold out show tonight, and Rebellion is busy. The Callous Daoboys are roasting hot right now, as they should be. It promises to be an intense, exciting evening for fans of atypical heavy/alternative music. Continue reading “The Callous Daoboys/Knives/Love Rarely – Rebellion, Manchester – 25/02/26 (Live Review)”

Ronker – Respect the Hustle, I Won’t Be Your Dog Forever (Review)

Ronker - Respect the Hustle, I Won’t Be Your Dog ForeverThis is the second album by Belgian post-hardcore band Ronker.

Respect the Hustle, I Won’t Be Your Dog Forever contains 40 minutes of atypical, multifaceted post-hardcore. Ronker’s music is not always easy to categorise, but it is easy to like. Very easy, in fact. Yep, Ronker have unleashed Continue reading “Ronker – Respect the Hustle, I Won’t Be Your Dog Forever (Review)”

Converge – Love Is Not Enough (Review)

Converge - Love Is Not EnoughConverge are a hardcore band from the US and this is their tenth album, (or eleventh if you count their collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe).

Love Is Not Enough is the hotly anticipated follow up to 2017’s The Dusk in Us and 2018’s Beautiful Ruin. It must be stated early on that Converge have not disappointed – Love Is Not Enough is excellent. Continue reading “Converge – Love Is Not Enough (Review)”

Udręka – Nieistnienie (Review)

Udręka - NieistnienieUdręka are a black metal band from Poland and this is their debut album.

Nieistnienie contains 39 minutes of ferocious modern black metal. Spliced with elements of hardcore and death metal to give it additional power and bulk, this is an imposing release that’s filled with grim sonic violence. Udręka have come out of nowhere and Continue reading “Udręka – Nieistnienie (Review)”

Uncultivates – This Will Become Clear Later, Like the French Revolution (Review)

Uncultivates - This Will Become Clear Later, Like the French RevolutionThis is the debut album from Irish hardcore band Uncultivates.

This Will Become Clear Later, Like the French Revolution brings us 29 minutes of hard rocking hardcore shenanigans. Featuring members of God Alone and Worn Out, (both of whom I sadly haven’t reviewed, but I would definitely recommend you check out), Uncultivates mix together Continue reading “Uncultivates – This Will Become Clear Later, Like the French Revolution (Review)”

Gros Enfant Mort – Le Sang des Pierres (Review)

Gros Enfant Mort - Le Sang des PierresThis is the second album from Gros Enfant Mort, a post-hardcore solo band from France.

Gros Enfant Mort are full band live, but in the studio the singer handles all instruments and vocals. Le Sang des Pierres is a 36 -minute album that scratches an itch that’s rarely reached these days. Continue reading “Gros Enfant Mort – Le Sang des Pierres (Review)”