Howling Giant – Glass Future (Review)

Howling Giant - Glass FutureHowling Giant are a rock band from the US and this is their second album.

I like me a bit of what Howling Giant are peddling, and Glass Future‘s 41 minutes of tuneage hits the spot nicely. Continue reading “Howling Giant – Glass Future (Review)”

Appalooza – The Shining Son (Review)

Appalooza - The Shining SonAppalooza are a French heavy rock band and this is their third album.

The Shining Son contains 45 minutes of quality rock music. Taking in elements of the hard, stoner, and alternative rock/grunge styles, Appalooza’s charismatic music is easy to like. Continue reading “Appalooza – The Shining Son (Review)”

Årabrot – Of Darkness and Light (Review)

Årabrot - Of Darkness and LightÅrabrot are a Norwegian rock band and this is their tenth album.

2021’s Norwegian Gothic was a very special record, one that ended up on my end of year list just inside the top ten, due to how damn good it was. So, a little over two years later, how does Of Darkness and Light find Årabrot? Continue reading “Årabrot – Of Darkness and Light (Review)”

Lepra – Devil’s Blood in Her Tongue (Review)

Lepra - Devil's Blood in Her TongueLepra are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

In a fit of pure laziness on my part, I’m going to just reproduce a line from the promo blurb to set the scene for this release – “It is not your usual cup of black metal, this one has a unique blend of black punk/and roll, folk, goth rock, doom… All played with drums, bass, flute, endless keyboards, and duelling vocals.” Continue reading “Lepra – Devil’s Blood in Her Tongue (Review)”

Holding Absence – The Noble Art of Self Destruction (Review)

Holding Absence - The Noble Art of Self DestructionThis is the third album from UK modern rock band Holding Absence.

I’ve enjoyed watching the ascent of Holding Absence over the years. From 2019’s Holding Absence, to 2021’s stepping-up-a-level second album The Greatest Mistake of My Life, to the thoroughly scrumptious split with Alpha Wolf from last year, this is a band who keep developing and improving. Continue reading “Holding Absence – The Noble Art of Self Destruction (Review)”

Moon Coven – Sun King (Review)

Moon Coven - Sun KingThis is the third album from Swedish rock band Moon Coven.

Moon Coven play a mix of psychedelic rock and stoner doom that has a touch of the progressive about it too. Across 46 minutes Sun King blends these styles into a warm, personable album of good tunes and good vibes. Continue reading “Moon Coven – Sun King (Review)”

Oblivion Protocol – The Fall of the Shires (Review)

Oblivion Protocol - The Fall of the ShiresThis is the debut album from international progressive rock band Oblivion Protocol.

The Fall of the Shires is an interesting record in that it’s a sequel to Threshold’s 2017’s album Legends of the Shires, born from a desire by Oblivion Protocol founder/vocalist/keyboardist Richard West, (also keyboardist in Threshold), to continue that album’s themes and worldbuilding. Continue reading “Oblivion Protocol – The Fall of the Shires (Review)”

Din of Celestial Birds – The Night Is for Dreamers (Review)

Din of Celestial Birds - The Night Is for DreamersThis is the debut album from UK post-rock band Din of Celestial Birds.

The Night Is for Dreamers is a 45-minute instrumental post-rock album. While this would typically be something I’m not drawn to, I do like the style when done well, which is why Din of Celestial Birds make the cut. Continue reading “Din of Celestial Birds – The Night Is for Dreamers (Review)”

James and the Cold Gun – James and the Cold Gun (Review)

James and the Cold Gun - James and the Cold GunThis is the debut album from Welsh rock band James and the Cold Gun.

Containing an ex-member of Holding Absence, James and the Cold Gun are high energy and addictive. Their charismatic rock music has a strong presence and well-formed personality, and the music oozes confidence and dazzling style. Continue reading “James and the Cold Gun – James and the Cold Gun (Review)”