Outer Space/Inner Space – A Split Review of Waste of Space Orchestra’s Syntheosis and Sunn O)))’s Life Metal

I decided to group these two releases together in one review, despite their obvious differences in sound and scope. They feature a similar penchant for extreme experimentation and an unorthodox approach, showcasing the power of both fusion and minimalism in the avantgarde. We start with Waste of Space Orchestra – a new project formed by… Continue reading Outer Space/Inner Space – A Split Review of Waste of Space Orchestra’s Syntheosis and Sunn O)))’s Life Metal

Staring into the Abyss: A Review of Bolgia’s Altars

Noise and ambience are central ingredients in music, and always have been. Various amounts of dissonance found in even classical, orchestral pieces owes its foundations to noise as a musical concept. One can argue that music really is just organized sound – and what is noise exactly? It’s a sound of unpleasant or disturbing nature.… Continue reading Staring into the Abyss: A Review of Bolgia’s Altars

Panoramic – A Review of Devin Townsend’s Empath

It’s been almost two years since Devin Townsend released what was to be his last album under the Devin Townsend Project moniker, Transcendence. Although I enjoyed that album a great deal, Mr. Townsend had gotten himself stuck in a formula that he seemed incapable of escaping from. It was most likely due to pressures from… Continue reading Panoramic – A Review of Devin Townsend’s Empath

Confidence in the Dark Arts: A Review of Kaleikr’s Heart of Lead

Social media is bad about 90% of the time. I’m not sure if that’s close to a real statistic, but it’s the way I feel — though there’s that personal 10% of positive connection that results in healthy new perspectives and discoveries. I was perusing Instagram one day to see that someone I followed had… Continue reading Confidence in the Dark Arts: A Review of Kaleikr’s Heart of Lead

Knife Fight Kegger – A Review of Children of Bodom’s Hexed

Much like Soilwork, I’d lost touch with Children of Bodom over the last decade or so. Are You Dead Yet? had left me underwhelmed, possibly due to the album’s overbearing production and slouching weight. The band seemed like they were experimenting with slower tempos and beefier riffage, pressured perhaps by the metalcore craze that gripped… Continue reading Knife Fight Kegger – A Review of Children of Bodom’s Hexed

Baldwin, You’d Like This: A Review Of Archaic Decapitator’s The Apothecary

I remember Jessie, our esteemed editor and leader, telling me how much she enjoyed Archaic Decapitator’s live performance when she first saw them a few years ago. It wasn’t exactly her subgenre of choice, so the fact they managed to strike a chord is impressive. She asked if I could review the band’s recent EP… Continue reading Baldwin, You’d Like This: A Review Of Archaic Decapitator’s The Apothecary

Better Over Time: A Review of Dream Theater’s Distance Over Time

I remember that night back in 1994 clearly. “Take The Time” was playing on my father’s stereo at home. It was during the song’s lengthy instrumental workout that I made this innocent observation: “Boy, these guys write long songs.” My father’s response? “Well, they love to play.” It was an endearing thing to hear as… Continue reading Better Over Time: A Review of Dream Theater’s Distance Over Time