Punk – Wonderbox Metal

Melvins with Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March (Review)

This is a collaborative album between two legendary acts, Melvins from the US and Napalm Death from the UK.

Originally released last year as a 6-track limited tour CD/vinyl, Savage Imperial Death March is now getting a full release, with two extra songs and new artwork. It’s a 40-minute journey into an uncrowded collaborative space that brings together the sludgy melodic skill of Melvins and the off-centre experimental side of Napalm Death. Continue reading “Melvins with Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March (Review)”

Mordeo – Mordeo (Review)

This is the debut album from US sludge metal band Mordeo.

Mordeo is a 41-minute slab of ugly crusty darkness. Fuelled by punk aggression and sludge hatred, this is music that wants to rend and destroy. Mordeo have unleashed a Continue reading “Mordeo – Mordeo (Review)”

Vitamin X – Ride the Apocalypse (Review)

This 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)”

Wolfbastard – Satanic Scum Punks (Review)

This is the fourth album from UK black/crust band Wolfbastard.

Wolfbastard have shown over and over again just how potent they are at violently spewing forth their particular strain of venom. Satanic Scum Punks doesn’t let the side down, unleashing 29 minutes of Continue reading “Wolfbastard – Satanic Scum Punks (Review)”

Qwälen – Veri Virtaa Edelleen (Review)

This 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)

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)

This 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)”

Irk – The Seeing House (Review)

Irk are a noise rock band from the UK and this is their second album.

I got to The Seeing House far later than I wanted to or should have. Despite earmarking it for review, it somehow slipped through my Carefully Crafted and Highly Professional reviewing process, only surfacing once more to shout in my face about a month and a half or so after I should have written about it. D’oh! Ah well, better late than ever, eh? Continue reading “Irk – The Seeing House (Review)”

Kostnatění – Přílišnost (Excess) (Review)

This is the second album from US solo extreme metal band Kostnatění.

2023’s Úpal was a notable record, standing out from the crowd with its atypical approach to black metal. Now comes Přílišnost, and it’s a refined beast of uncommon extremity we find ourselves faced with. Continue reading “Kostnatění – Přílišnost (Excess) (Review)”

Vespéral – La Mort de l’Âme (Review)

This is the second album by Canadian black metal band Vespéral.

La Mort de l’Âme contains 41 minutes of black metal, brought to us in part by members of Conifère. I wasn’t consciously aware of Vespéral before they were announced to play the mighty Fortress Festival next year, although I’ve definitely seen their logo and album art before, somewhere, somehow. Continue reading “Vespéral – La Mort de l’Âme (Review)”