Powerviolence – Wonderbox Metal

Nails/Rotten Sound/Invunche – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/10/26 (Live Review)

Tonight is a good night for sonic violence, and here are three bands very well-placed to dish it out. Within such a brutal niche as tonight’s show, Nails are big fish, (and that’s before you factor in the draw of the mighty Rotten Sound, as well as opener Invunche). Rebellion is therefore as busy as you’d expect it to be, and space is at a premium. If this show isn’t sold out, then it’s pretty damn close to it. Continue reading “Nails/Rotten Sound/Invunche – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/10/26 (Live Review)”

Fake Dust – Decrepitizing Din of the Cerebral Psyopticon (Review)

This is the debut album from US grindcore band Fake Dust.

Decrepitizing Din of the Cerebral Psyopticon assaults the listener with 20 minutes of withering material spread out across 19 tracks. Fake Dust are not messing around. This is a ferocious mix of grindcore and powerviolence that will knock your socks off. Continue reading “Fake Dust – Decrepitizing Din of the Cerebral Psyopticon (Review)”

Gadget – Coerced (Review)

This is the latest EP from Swedish grindcore band Gadget.

A decade since The Great Destroyer, Gadget finally return. With two new members on vocals and guitar/vocals respectively, Coerced is the world’s first taste of the new Gadget. Has it been worth the wait? Continue reading “Gadget – Coerced (Review)”

Defigurement – Endbryo (Review)

This is the debut album from US grindcore band Defigurement.

Defigurement are described as playing a technical/avant-garde/experimental form of grindcore. Couple this with the fact that the band contain current/ex-members of bands such as Bad Acid Trip, Changeling, Fear Factory, Invidiosus, Malignancy, Success Will Write Apocalypse Across the Sky, and Zillah, and this was one I wanted to check out. Continue reading “Defigurement – Endbryo (Review)”

Still in Love – Recovery Language (Review)

This is the debut album from UK hardcore band Still in Love.

Containing 23 minutes of metallic hardcore heaviness, Recovery Language is a wrecking ball of a record, although it hits a little different than you may be expecting. Continue reading “Still in Love – Recovery Language (Review)”

Nails – Every Bridge Burning (Review)

This is the third album from Nails, a grindcore band from the US.

There are a fair few albums being released in 2024 that are hotly anticipated, including some from bands that haven’t released anything for a while. For me, near the top of that list is Every Bridge Burning by Nails. 2016’s You Will Never Be One of Us was a grindcore/powerviolence/hardcore monster, so this new record has a lot to live up to. Continue reading “Nails – Every Bridge Burning (Review)”

Closet Witch – Chiaroscuro (Review)

Closet Witch are a grindcore band from the US and this is their second album.

Sometimes, you just need to GRIIIIIINNNND. But not just any kind of grind; no, sometimes you need to grind and burn with the sort of visceral, idiosyncratic grind that leaves scars. For times like that, you have a band like Closet Witch. Continue reading “Closet Witch – Chiaroscuro (Review)”

Gendo Ikari – Rokubungi (Review)

This is the debut album from Scottish grindcore band Gendo Ikari.

Featuring a member of Ashenspire, Gendo Ikari play scathing grindcore that should appeal to fans of bands such as Discordance Axis, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Antigama, and Pig Destroyer. It’s fast, it’s nasty, and in 25 minutes it will leave you a bloody puddle on the floor. Continue reading “Gendo Ikari – Rokubungi (Review)”

Endorphins Lost – Night People (Review)

Endorphins Lost are from the US and play grindcore. This is their third album.

I enjoyed Endorphins Lost’s 2018 split with Osk, and I enjoyed their 2019 album Seclusions. Their successful run continues, as now, I also enjoy Night People too. 14 tracks, 20 minutes; Night People is succinct and to the point, yet doesn’t lack in finesse or depth. Continue reading “Endorphins Lost – Night People (Review)”

Escuela Grind – Memory Theater (Review)

Escuela Grind are a grindcore band from the US and this is their second album.

I love me some grindcore, but what Escuela Grind give us is actually more interesting than just that. This is grindcore by way of huge metallic hardcore groove. Memory Theater takes the strengths of both worlds to produce a monstrous collection of tracks that cut a swathe through the opposition. Continue reading “Escuela Grind – Memory Theater (Review)”