Review: Originally conceived in 2019 during a tour with industrial hardcore purveyors Uniform, Japanese psychedelic noise-rock juggernauts Boris would invite their co-conspirators on stage to reimagine the trio's classic "Akuma no Uta" as part of their encore, with the resulting chemistry inspiring both acts to begin crafting a fully collaborative album. Many years of exchanging ideas from one home studio base to another has finally bore fruit in the form of the hideous yet glorious Bright New Disease. Combining almost every nuance of each group's genre-less machinations, the project swells and extends in every sonic direction from harsh walls of screeching noise to retrofitted Japanese D-beat hardcore, with time in between for aquatic, shoegazing serenity and mechanized industrial venom.
Review: The Italian psychedelic-sludge trio, Ufomammut, have spent more than twenty years crafting and refining their unique, conceptual blend of all things cosmic and hefty.
On 'Fenice', their ninth full-length and first to feature drummer, Levre, they lean even further into the proggy, space-rock tamperings with layers of ethereal synths and heavily vocoded vocals, helping to elevate this latest concept album to transcendental heights.
Originally conceived as one extended piece before opting to divide the work into six separate movements, Ufomammut return with a towering, complex opus that desires repeat listens in exchange for constant, hallucinatory reward.
It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door (4:45)
Down, Set, Go (3:45)
I Don't Feel Very Receptive Today (3:38)
I'm Content With Losing (3:57)
Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape (4:17)
Review: Originally released in 2004 and now celebrating its 20th anniversary, They're Only Seeking Safety would serve as the fourth full-length and pivotal second chapter for Floridian Christian post-hardcore outfit Underoath, who underwent a massive lineup shift following the release of 2002's ironically titled The Changing Of Times, which would ultimately be their final project with original vocalist Dallas Taylor (before leaving to form Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster). Enlisting Spencer Chamberlain as their new frontman (a role he still holds today) and expanding the vocal presence of drummer Aaron Gillespie to offset Chamberlain's feral shrieks, the band would inadvertently stumble onto their newfound balancing act of gelling the differing forms of screamo, emo, hardcore punk and metalcore into one unique, encompassing and surprisingly accessible style. Certified Gold in the US since 2011, which within the realms of metal and hardcore is no easy feat, the LP now holds an elevated position of genre staple.
Review: Unsane's self-titled debut album was made instantly famous for its inclusion of a horrifically gory image on its front cover. It's a time-honoured method of achieving quick success, if the blueprint provided by Norwieigan church-burners Mayhem was anything to go by. Let's not let that distract us, though, because this isn't black metal. Rather than bathing in atmosphere, Unsane embraces noise, distorted vocals, classic rock progressions, doomy riffs, and fill-heavy rhythm tracks. Officially reissued in 2022 but flying off our shelves now, be sure to catch this utmost-quality remaster while you still can.
Review: Departing Roadrunner Records for the more fitting label home of Century Media, Portland, Oregon's Unto Others (FKA Idle Hands) have consistently been referred to in the music press as the likely torch bearers of the goth-metal revival, with many even heralding them as the 21st century successors to The Sisters Of Mercy or Type O Negative. While their macabre 2019 debut Mana and the more abrasive sophomore effort Strength both provided glimpses of this perceived greatness, it's with their highly anticipated third full-length Never, Neverland the band truly seize the mantle and rise to the weighted pressure. Tapping producer Tom Dalgety (The Cult, Ghost) has proved a stroke of genius, as his experience and melodious sonic penchants allow for glossy synthwave to pulse beneath gloomy, gothic, lovelorn death-rock bangers as accessible and instantaneous as they are menacing. Dust off your black shades and leather jacket, it's cool to be a sad, verbose goth with a deep voice again.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.