rock/metal albums
EP Review: Rumin – Horizontal/Vertical
Rumin (short for Rumination) has been long in the making with the band inception can be traced back to 2010 as an initial collaboration between Russ Stedman and Andy Ellis to south coat musicians. Stedman wanted to create a more funk based music after years in the metal genre. Horizontal/Vertical is the culmination of years …
Album Review: Lectric – Thrillseeker
Blistering rock ‘n’ roll bands are never in short supply; however, now and then, one band comes along that stands above the rest. Lectric embodies the classic rock approach but brings it bang up to date with a heavier, dynamic sound that demands to be played live. Or at least at full volume. With ‘Thrillseeker’, …
Album Review: Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar
With tracks about tipping point coin pusher machines, poor choices when camping and foot powered Singer sewing machines, Barbarian Hermit’s new album ‘Mean Sugar, has something for everyone. Just make sure you like it heavy. The title track ‘Mean Sugar’ is huge! and it’s the perfect way to start this album off. Sonically it’s sparse …
Album Review: Jaws The Shark – Wasteland
Jaws The Shark’s debut album ‘Wasteland’ spans ten tracks written entirely by Olly Bailey, the man behind Jaws The Shark, and was produced by previous collaborator George Perks at VADA Recording Studios. Not only were the 11 tracks written by Bailey, but they were also performed by him, with help from bassist Brendan O’Boyle and …
Album Review: Voidgazer – Dance Of The Undesirables
Founded in late 2015 by mastermind Manny Watts, death prog merchants Voidgazer have been a band that have honed their craft for a while. Their debut EP ‘Years Of Exile’ was released the following year, and the band jammed around the Midwest of America over the next three years, naturally evolving the music and band until the current line-up. The covid …
Album Review: Pallbearer – Mind Burns Alive
With a difficult birth, the album took five years in the making. The band started in 2020 but were delayed for obvious reasons. A second attempt in 2022 saw yet another roadblock with Campbell remarking, “After so much time, and two aborted attempts to record, it was beginning to feel like the album was cursed.” …
Album Review: Kerry King – From Hell I Rise
Years in the making and its finally here, the legend Kerry King is back, and he has unleashed his latest prodigy on us, and this is a beast of a record. ‘From Hell I Rise’ is the creation spawned from one of Thrash’s greatest sons, and it does not disappoint. The opening track, ‘Diablo,’ starts …
EP Review: Revenant – What A Time To Be Alive
Hailing from Basingstoke, England, Revenant features guitarist and vocalist, Sugarman Sam, guitarist Matthew Hudson, bassist Robin Nutley and drummer Carl D. After starting life with the esteemed blues band, The Voodoo Men, Sam moved on to form the Dead Jackals, where he settled into the role of guitar player as part of a twin harmony attack with Matthew …
Album Review: The Big Special – Postindustrial Hometown Blues
The Big Special consist of poet/frontman Joe Hicklin and previous session/function band drummer Callum Moloney, a former bandmate of Hicklin. Not content with writing acoustic-led, melodic, easy-going songs, Hicklin had words to say that didn’t suit that vibe and instead required a harsher backing to go with the harsh truth of his words. Songs about …
EP Review: Motions – The Paralysis EP
After wowing with their debut album (read our review here), Teesside’s metal titans Motions, have returned with their new EP entitled The Paralysis. A concept EP covering the “dark journey through the psyche of a person suffering with suicidal ideation after losing everything they love” With vocal cord-destroying screams, ‘Deathgrip’ kicks things off in true …