Helmet – Wonderbox Metal

Cave In – Heavy Pendulum (Review)

Cave In are a US post-hardcore/rock band and this is their seventh album.

Following on from 2019’s Final Transmission, Heavy Pendulum is somewhat of a different beast to their last album. Whereas Final Transmission was short, (31 minutes), fragile, and emotive, reflective of the effects of tragedy and loss, Heavy Pendulum is long, (71 minutes), has greater range, (though still emotive), and more reflective of the band’s varied discography as a whole. Continue reading “Cave In – Heavy Pendulum (Review)”

Uniform – Shame (Review)

Uniform are and industrial rock/metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

After enjoying 2018’s The Long Walk and the following year’s collaboration with The Body, I was eager to find out what Shame brought to the table. Continue reading “Uniform – Shame (Review)”

-(16)- – Dream Squasher (Review)

-(16)- are a sludge metal band from the US and this is their eighth album.

Apart from 2017’s split with Fistula, I’m unfamiliar with -(16)- and their work, although I’ve been aware of their existence for decades. Due to their pedigree, and the fact that the press blurb recommends them for Continue reading “-(16)- – Dream Squasher (Review)”

Eye Flys – Tub of Lard (Review)

This is the debut album from US hardcore band Eye Flys.

Featuring a guitarist of Full of Hell, this is 25 minutes of stocky heaviness and charismatic hostility. Elements of hardcore, punk, sludge, and noise rock collide on Tub of Lard, leading to an enjoyable take on heavy music. Reference points for Continue reading “Eye Flys – Tub of Lard (Review)”

Escape Is Not Freedom – Surrounded by the Great Nothing (Review)

Escape Is Not Freedom are an alternative/sludge metal band, and this is their second album.

Escape Is Not Freedom are no strangers to this site, (here and here), and it’s great to hear some new material from them. Combining elements of metal, sludge, rock, and noise, Escape Is Not Freedom remind me of a cross between Fudge Tunnel, Helmet, Nirvana, Skyscraper, and others. Continue reading “Escape Is Not Freedom – Surrounded by the Great Nothing (Review)”

Ghastly Sound – Have a Nice Day (Review)

This is the debut album from US metallers Ghastly Sound.

Having really enjoyed both Ghastly Sound and The Bottom, I’ve been looking forward to Have a Nice Day. It has not disappointed, quite the opposite in fact. Continue reading “Ghastly Sound – Have a Nice Day (Review)”

Soul Attrition – Vashon Rain (Review)

Soul Attrition is a one man post-rock band from the US and this is his debut album.

The man behind this band also plays in the wonderfully alternative/sludgy Escape Is Not Freedom, so I knew I had to give this one a listen. Continue reading “Soul Attrition – Vashon Rain (Review)”

Escape Is Not Freedom/Dusk Village – Split (Review)

Escape Is Not Freedom and Dusk Village are both alternative/sludge metal bands, and they have teamed up with each other on this split.

Escape Is Not Freedom, (who we know from their 2015 album The Truants), start us off with two tracks, which last just under 10 minutes in total. Continue reading “Escape Is Not Freedom/Dusk Village – Split (Review)”

Ghastly Sound – The Bottom (Review)

Ghastly Sound are a metal/hardcore band from the US and this is their second EP.

Oh Ghastly Sound, with this latest EP you’re really spoiling us. Already this year we were treated to your extremely enjoyable self-titled debut EP, and now, hardly any time at all later, you’ve now gifted us with your latest creation – The Bottom. Continue reading “Ghastly Sound – The Bottom (Review)”

Ghastly Sound – Ghastly Sound (Review)

Ghastly Sound are a metal/hardcore band from the US and this is their debut EP.

As much as I luuurrrvvvveeee the distortion of a good guitar, I do always like it when I come across a band that eschews this in favour of the primal heaviness of just drums and bass. Continue reading “Ghastly Sound – Ghastly Sound (Review)”