Druids – Shadow Work (Review)

Druids - Shadow WorkThis is the fourth album from progressive/stoner metal band Druids.

After very much enjoying 2016’s Cycles of Mobeum, 2017’s Spirit Compass, and 2019’s Monument, I knew I wanted to check out Shadow Work as soon as it saw the light of day. Continue reading “Druids – Shadow Work (Review)”

Cave In – Heavy Pendulum (Review)

Cave In - Heavy PendulumCave 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)”

Blue Heron – Ephemeral (Review)

Blue Heron - EphemeralBlue Heron are a heavy rock band from the US and this is their debut album.

I quite enjoyed Blue Heron’s brief two-track debut EP that they released last year, so when Ephemeral appeared I thought I’d take the time to see how they were coming along. In fact, Black Blood of the Earth from that release makes a reappearance on Ephemeral. Continue reading “Blue Heron – Ephemeral (Review)”

Sense Offender/Nil – Split (Review)

Sense Offender Nil - SplitThis is a split between UK hardcore bands Sense Offender and Nil.

Sense Offender start us off, with 8 minutes of material. The band play a form of jagged chaotic hardcore that is belligerent and lethal. Continue reading “Sense Offender/Nil – Split (Review)”

Red Fang – Arrows (Review)

Red Fang - ArrowsThis is the fourth album from Red Fang, a sludge rock band from the US.

Red Fang play scuzzy, murky sludge rock, and do so with swampy skill. Across 43 minutes the band kick out the jams with commendable ability, but also provide more depth than your average purveyor of this style does. Continue reading “Red Fang – Arrows (Review)”

Hyborian – Volume II (Review)

Hyborian - Volume IIHyborian are a stoner metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Hyborian’s first album Vol. 1 was infectious and moreish, and made a strong impression. Volume II continues with Hyborian’s hyper-palatable style, providing 40 minutes of anthemic tunes that are near-impossible to dislike. Continue reading “Hyborian – Volume II (Review)”

Druids – Monument (Review)

Druids - MonumentThis is the latest album from US stoner metal band Druids.

After enjoying 2016’s Cycles of Mobeum and 2017’s Spirit Compass, I’m glad to be able to catch up with Druids once more. Continue reading “Druids – Monument (Review)”

Brond – Graveyard Campfire (Review)

BrondBrond are a Bulgarian rock band and this is their debut album.

Brond’s music mixes riff-focused modern rock and post-hardcore/rock, with progressive, stoner, and noise/math rock tendencies. Wow. Now there’s a description. Delivering eight tracks across almost 44 minutes of music, Graveyard Campfire is a well-realised and enjoyable release, despite my mangling together of various subgenres in an attempt to loosely categorise it. Continue reading “Brond – Graveyard Campfire (Review)”

Hyborian – Hyborian Vol. 1 (Review)

HyborianHyborian are a stoner metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Although quite short at only 32 minutes in length, this is an album that’s undeniably enjoyable. Continue reading “Hyborian – Hyborian Vol. 1 (Review)”