So as we approach the end of August, I think it's safe to say that the first 8 months of 2020 have been great for doom (if nothing else). And not just your bog-standard doom metal either, the subgenre has seen a variety of great releases. Just check out new records by Lesser Glow, Elephant … Continue reading Hymn – Breach Us Review
Genre tags can be a real crapshoot when writing reviews. For example, simply calling a record stoner rock may do a disservice to any band who isn't just a Kyuss or Sabbath clone. Throwing the prog label around may be an instant "no" for some readers. Subgenres like death metal and black metal have branched … Continue reading Drainbow – The Tower of Flints Review
While a good portion of my reviews lean toward the fuzzy and riff-laden corner of the rock/metal spectrum, I don't think I've actually covered a straight-up hard rock album yet. Well not until now anyways. Hailing from Reno, Nevada, Kanawha barrelled their way past the armed guards of Burnt Coffee HQ to present us with … Continue reading Kanawha – The Sky Was The First To Fall Review
While I've spent much of this time stuck at home listening to great new music, I've also spent some time watching complete trash TV. A recent favorite of mine is the ridiculously stupid yet ridiculously entertaining Ancient Aliens. I sort of knew what I was getting into when pressing play, but I didn't know my … Continue reading Xibalba – Años en Infierno Review
A few weeks ago Ancient Hand posed this question on Instagram: "Have any of you had THAT album hit you this year? Y'know that album you hear and know it's going to be a favorite right away?" Up until now, my answer to that would be "no." Don't get me wrong, 2020 has been a … Continue reading Lesser Glow – Nullity Review
At this point, it's no longer a hot take to say that nerd culture has gotten out of hand. I imagine in thousands of years when the Earth starts to resemble Mars, the only remaining trace of human life will be an open grave of deep-cut Funko Pops. That being said, I am a huge … Continue reading Temnein – Tales: Of Humanity and Greed Review
Hey do you guys remember that Kanye album last year? You know, the shitty one that a bunch of old people strained really hard to enjoy? Well what if it was a powerviolence album that was 4 minutes shorter, had better politics, and - most importantly - was actually good? That album would be Satan … Continue reading ACxDC – Satan Is King Review
With the despairing state of the world at the moment, you would think this metalhead would convert to poptimism to maintain some sense of sanity. And to give poptimists their due credit, 2020 has been a pretty great year for pop music so far. But alas, I find myself delving further into the worlds of … Continue reading Foretoken – Ruin Review
Elder are among the pantheon of stoner/doom bands such as Khemmis, Pallbearer, YOB, and Spirit Adrift who've achieved critical acclaim and risen above and beyond the ranks of their subgenre ilk. Where Elder separate themselves further, however, is the loosening of their stoner/doom ties on their latest album Omens. Elder have always been the proggiest … Continue reading Elder – Omens Review
When you think "black metal," Australia may not be the first place that comes to mind. But like that Snorlax album I reviewed earlier this year, the land Down Under has its fair share of blackened greatness. The latest installment comes from Graveir, a five-piece from Melbourne, with their new album King of the Silent … Continue reading Graveir – King of the Silent World Review
