Neckbreakker – Within the Viscera (Review)

Neckbreakker - Within the VisceraThis is the debut album from Danish death metal band Neckbreakker.

Within the Viscera contains 46 minutes of music for fans of pit-friendly heaviness. Neckbreakker’s style is a death metal one that has a healthy dollop of groove metal and hardcore thrown in for good measure, all with the aim of getting people moving. It works too. Continue reading “Neckbreakker – Within the Viscera (Review)”

Ass to Mouth – Enemy of the Human Race (Review)

Ass to Mouth - Enemy of the Human RaceThis is the third album from Polish grindcore band Ass to Mouth.

It’s been ten years since Ass to Mouth’s last album Degenerate, but unexpectedly they have managed to drag themselves away from whatever foul activities they have been distracted by for the last decade to bring us the fierce and merciless Enemy of the Human Race. Continue reading “Ass to Mouth – Enemy of the Human Race (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)”

Mammoth Grinder – Undying Spectral Resonance (Review)

Mammoth Grinder - Undying Spectral ResonanceMammoth Grinder are a death metal band from the US and this is their latest EP.

It has been a long six years since 2018’s Cosmic Crypt, but Mammoth Grinder have once again dragged themselves out from their tombs and are ready to lay waste once more. Bringing with them 14 minutes of new music in the form of Undying Spectral Resonance, Mammoth Grinder’s reappearance is brief, but impactful. Continue reading “Mammoth Grinder – Undying Spectral Resonance (Review)”

Still – A Theft (Review)

Still - A TheftStill are a post-black metal band from the UK and this is their second album.

Still boast a fierce, ugly sound that’s equal parts black metal, sludge, and hardcore, resulting in a post-blackened 35-minute burst of punishment that’s damaging, yet moreish. The more Still scar and brutalise you, the more you want more. Continue reading “Still – A Theft (Review)”

Primal Code – Opaque Fixation (Review)

Primal Code - Opaque FixationPrimal Code are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Featuring a current/ex-member of Anatomy of Habit, Indian, Lord Mantis, and Wolves in the Throne Room, Primal Code play old-school death metal, and on Opaque Fixation they bring us 39 minutes of crushing riffery. Continue reading “Primal Code – Opaque Fixation (Review)”

Saltwound – The Temptation of Pain (Review)

Saltwound - The Temptation of PainSaltwound are a death/metalcore band from the US and this is their debut album.

The Temptation of Pain provides us with a brutal and intense hybrid form of deathcore and metalcore. Saltwound spend 29 minutes abusing and punishing with their destructive brand of heaviness. Continue reading “Saltwound – The Temptation of Pain (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)”