This 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)”
This 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 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 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 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)”
Another year, another Damnation Festival. As always, the organisers are to be commended for putting on one of the UK’s premier metal festivals. I’ve been coming here most years for almost two decades now, and I’ve never yet had a bad day.
There are three stages. Two smaller stages that clash with each other, and a main stage that clashes with nothing. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2024 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 02/11/24 (Live Review)”
Saltwound 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)”
This 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)”
This is the second album from Vomit Forth, a death metal band from the US.
Following on from 2022’s ugly and brutal Seething Malevolence, Terrified of God contains 27 minutes of ferocious material. Vomit Forth’s new record is a hideous slab of nasty death metal carnage. Continue reading “Vomit Forth – Terrified of God (Review)”
This is the third album from US blackened extreme metallers Immortal Bird.
It’s been a long time since 2019’s Thrive on Neglect and an even longer time since 2015’s Empress/Abscess, (a standout release of that year), so it’s a real treat to have Immortal Bird back with us. Continue reading “Immortal Bird – Sin Querencia (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 