Wardruna - Yggdrasil (Album Review)

Although much of the name Wardruna have gleaned for themselves comes from the participation of notorious former Gorgoroth/current God Seed vocalist Gaahl, it takes but one listen to ‘Yggdrasil’ to realise that there is something inherent in the music of this band that should lend it to appeal to fans of dark music of all stripes. There is nothing remotely “heavy” or “metal” about this release, of course. Wardruna are, in the simplest possible terms, a traditional Nordic folk project.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 25 March 2013

Scholars - Black And Blue (Single Review)

Exactly one year ago today I wrote my last Scholars review, and while I was mostly positive about 'Bad for Business', I had a few problems with it. Most importantly it didn’t quite seem imaginative enough, and had a really awkward “quiet” bit half way through. So, one year later what has changed?

Written by: James Ball | Date: Friday, 22 March 2013

Bon Jovi - What About Now (Album Review)

Whenever the Jovi boys drop a new album the same questions are asked; is it a return to their 80's sound? Is it guitar driven? Is it a proper rock record? Regardless of shifting over a hundred million units and selling out stadiums around the globe, most fans still crave the kind of record they haven't delivered since 1992's 'Keep The Faith'. Sure, they still capture that style occasionally, but their evolution into a more contemporary outfit has seen the pop infused rock & roll ditched in favour of an MOR sheen reminiscent of U2, Coldplay and Snow Patrol. Even dabbling in country territory on 2007's 'Lost Highway', much to the dismay of many older fans. On the strength of their twelfth studio album - 'What About Now' – such frustrations will only intensify.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Friday, 22 March 2013

Black Star Riders - Bound For Glory (Single Review)

New Black Star Riders’ single ‘Bound for Glory’ has all the elements you’d expect considering the band’s personnel.

Written by: Daniel Lynch | Date: Friday, 22 March 2013

Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience (Album Review)

It has been seven years since Justin Timberlake released his 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' album. 'The 20/20 Experience' is possibly one of the most anticipated albums of the past few years. Considering the time since 'FutureSex/LoveSounds', the follow-up, 'The 20/20 Experience', comes from a more mature Mr Timberlake. Was it worth waiting seven years for? Personally, I think it was.

Written by: Lara Rainsforth | Date: Thursday, 21 March 2013

Ensemble Pearl - Ensemble Pearl (Album Review)

Oh how easy it is to underestimate the possibilities of sound. Too often do we think of the sound world inhabited by music as one of constraints, of walls and boxes, but we are wrong and Ensemble Pearl are here to prove it. A supergroup of the truest kind, the quartet is made up of Stephen O’Malley (Sunn O))), KTL, etc), Atsuo (Boris), Michio Kurihara (Ghost, as in the Japanese psychedelic rockers not the Swedish MORsters) and Bill Herzog (Joel R. L. Phelps & the Downer Trio) but positive feelings for the other projects of these fine musicians aside, this is still a fascinating debut record.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 18 March 2013

Black Pus - All My Relations (Album Review)

Black Pus, the solo project of Brian Chippendale (the demented drummer in Lightning Bolt), supposedly emphasises the “pop elements” of its creators musical personality. I think it is pretty safe to say that this tells us far more about Chippendale himself than his second solo record, ‘All My Relations’.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 18 March 2013

The Black Angels - Indigo Meadow (Album Review)

The 4th studio album from US psychedelic rockers The Black Angels is released in the UK by Blue Horizon Ventures on April 1st, having been preceded by hard hitting single 'Don’t Play With Guns' in January.

Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Monday, 18 March 2013

Suede - Bloodsports (Album Review)

It’s been 11 years since the music world was last treated to a studio album from 1993 Mercury Prize winning indie band Suede, led by the enigmatic Brett Anderson – and considerably longer since the band were heralded by the music press as The Best New Band in Britain (1992).

Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Sunday, 17 March 2013

Clutch - Earth Rocker (Album Review)

It’s 2013. The music industry has changed beyond recognition. It has mutated into something not so steady as one would hope; a jungle of illegal downloads, illicit album leaks and Internet trolls. Every thirty year old man still living with his Mum has an opinion nowadays, being allowed free reign to spew their obnoxious bile across almost any web page imaginable. The public has collectively become a greater critic than the press. Slayer will never surpass the glories of their 1986 opus ‘Reign In Blood’ in the eyes of your average thrashoholic. Metallica will never be let off the hook for providing the backdrop to the ‘Lulu’ project; James Hetfield’s unintentionally comedic cries of “I AM THE TABLE!” are sure to follow him to the grave. Guns N’ Roses will never be... Actually, I think it’s best if I just stop there. The point I’m trying to make is this: Bands are criticised if they stray from the path, yet are flogged with equal animosity if they continue to churn out the same stuff over and over again.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Sunday, 17 March 2013

Intronaut - Habitual Levitations (Album Review)

Seriously, what’s the crack with Intronaut? Their gargantuan prog sludge should have punters like me rolling in the aisles with joy, but I’m not. In fact listening to ‘Habitual Levitations’ makes me feel more like I’m going to drift off to sleep in the aisle than anything else.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 15 March 2013

In Vain - Ænigma (Album Review)

Norwegian progressive metallers In Vain haven’t offered a whole amount of originality during their career to date, it is fair to say, and the opening moments of ‘Ænigma’ make it clear that things are not about to radically change on this, their their third album. What has altered is the level of songwriting consistency that these sextets are able to bring to the table. Previous efforts, 2007’s ‘The Latter Rain’ and 2010’s ‘Mantra’ were eventually spoilt somewhat by the odd overlong or boring track being left over after a series of predominantly good songs.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Kate Nash - Girl Talk (Album Review)

Looking back a few years (sadly more than I would care for) and considering what 'girl talk' was, I remember excitable teenagers huddling around the lunch table, or laying around the living room with a movie on, talking boys, boobs and a never ending string of gossip. But, Kate Nash's third album doesn't focus specifically on that particular niche of girl talk, rather blending it amidst the current feminism wave, focussing mostly on female-empowerment.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Godsticks - The Envisage Conundrum (Album Review)

In many ways prog albums are the most difficult of all to review. By their very definition they are designed and written to be experimental which can make it particularly difficult to define a band's sound. Now on their second full album (along with a self-titled debut EP), South Wales 3-piece Godsticks are aiming to find that perfect balance between being accessible to all but remaining true to their roots.

Written by: David Ball | Date: Monday, 11 March 2013

Benoît Pioulard - Hymnal (Album Review)

Benoît Pioulard, real name Thomas Meluch, has always had a penchant for music that is anything but clear cut. His lo-fi, increasingly ambient, work borrows from the worlds of drone and shoegaze but is not clearly defined as being a part of either. In a sense its hazy, almost detached, tone lends it to a sound world beyond that we normally inhabit as listeners but the emotional weight added by the vocals mean that the aforementioned world beyond is one more belonging to the heart than the ears.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 11 March 2013

Conny Ochs - Black Happy (Album Review)

For all the earnestness and pretension often inherent within the genre, singer-songwriter based folk holds a timeless role in popular music. Personal tales of life, love and loss are never going to go out of fashion and one man who clearly knows that is Conny Ochs. His collaboration with Saint Vitus frontman Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich put the German’s name firmly on the map and, as such, 'Black Happy' is certain to receive a good deal more cursory listens from doom fanatics than one would expect from listening to it.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Monday, 11 March 2013

Hadouken! - Every Weekend (Album Review)

Grindie, grimecore, dance-punk and indietronica. Those are just some of the various (and somewhat ridiculous) genres that Hadouken! have been pigeon-holed into. While these give you a vague idea of what you’re about to listen to, the London five-piece are primarily a dance act but they often flirt with ideas in the vein of drum n’ bass and dubstep. From their wacky in-your-face debut release 'Music For An Accelerated Culture', Hadouken! experimented more on the electro side with 2010’s 'For The Masses' but 'Every Weekend' has to be their most secure record yet.

Written by: Katie Vowles | Date: Monday, 11 March 2013

Dan Bettridge - Hunter's Heart (EP Review)

Acoustic singer songwriter types are pretty much a dime a dozen these days, some sticking around and earning popular acclaim (see Ben Howard's recent surge to mainstream popularity) while most disappear back to obscurity before anyone's even noticed they've arrived.

Written by: David Ball | Date: Friday, 08 March 2013

Amplifier - Echo Street (Album Review)

The challenge for Amplifier, having wowed almost everyone who was ever likely to care with their mammoth 2011 opus ‘The Octopus’, when crafting the follow-up was very much one of managing expectations. A band that has just delivered a substantial (in every sense of the word) double album cannot be expected to just repeat the formula. Add in the departure of bassist Neil Mahony and the options available to the band appear to have been growing ever narrower. Thus the band has taken a very different path on this release. It was written and recorded in just sixty days, whereas ‘The Octopus’ took four years to put together. It should come as no surprise then that ‘Echo Street’ is a very different record.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Friday, 08 March 2013

Misfits - Dead Alive! (Album Review)

There are two kinds of people inhabiting this scummy little planet. There are those who are aware of the Misfits’ untouchable legacy. There are also the types of people who believe the Misfits to be a clothing brand, or a TV show about a group of libidinous youth offenders. If you fall into the former category, then feel free to read this review; hell, put the kettle on, you could even grab a cheeky biscuit or two while you’re at it. However, if you’re one of those poor, unfortunate souls who fall into the latter category, then you have to stop reading this review. Go listen to the ‘Walk Among Us’ and ‘Earth A.D/Wolfs Blood’ albums. Then come back and keep reading.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Wednesday, 06 March 2013