Split Review: Black Tusk’s Pillars of Ash and Savagist’s Invisible Birth of Death

What unites Pillars of Ash and Invisible Birth of Death?  One is straight-ahead, the other a more varied metal palette.  One band is little-known on a small label, the other Relapse road warriors.  But both bands are from Georgia, they’ve shared the stage, and coincidentally their promos appeared in my email inbox around the same… Continue reading Split Review: Black Tusk’s Pillars of Ash and Savagist’s Invisible Birth of Death

I of the Storm: A Review of Fuath’s I

It’s officially black metal season. We have just experienced our coldest weekend of the winter here in Connecticut, so I’m bringing in the Arctic blast with music that best compliments its extremes. I is the debut album from Scottish musician Andy Marshall’s new musical project, Fuath. Unlike any of his previous ventures, this project doesn’t… Continue reading I of the Storm: A Review of Fuath’s I

SINGLE REVIEW – “65 CORVETTE” by This Criminal Soul

By Jonathan Hammer Gritty, raw, pure energy – This Criminal Soul’s latest single “65 Corvette” gives you all you could want out of a rock n’ roll band. From the first 4 seconds of the song – a “yeah!” and high hat count off – through the final 5:22 counter, I immediately got the feeling… Continue reading SINGLE REVIEW – “65 CORVETTE” by This Criminal Soul

Interpreting the Stars: A Review of Ulver’s ATGCLVLSSCAP

Ulver: the mighty shape shifters. Black metallers turned electronic artists turned classical composers have once again reinvented themselves into…a jam band? Yes. They’re back and have once again left genre classifiers scratching their heads. They’re the musical collective that won’t stand still and I love them for it. And they haven’t let me down this… Continue reading Interpreting the Stars: A Review of Ulver’s ATGCLVLSSCAP

4 and ½ Stars: A Review of Steven Wilson’s 4 ½

Anyone who is an avid listener of Steven Wilson’s output knows that he has a knack for changing things up. That’s why his recent moves have been frustrating. The last two albums he’s been involved with, despite their excellent craftsmanship, have been pretty predictable. He’s been writing 70s progressive rock; a genre influence that he… Continue reading 4 and ½ Stars: A Review of Steven Wilson’s 4 ½

Album Review: Tengger Cavalry’s Blood Sacrifice Shaman

Deserved or not, folk metal has a less-than-serious reputation — a genre that calls to mind horns of mead and drunk guys do-si-do-ing in the Ensiferum pit.  But Tengger Cavalry, based in Mongolian folk music, eschews the ironic joviality of some of its European cousins.  Featuring throat singing and traditional string instruments along with drums,… Continue reading Album Review: Tengger Cavalry’s Blood Sacrifice Shaman

Track Premier: “Pyramid Scheme/Friday the 13th (Pt. 2)” by Intercourse

One of our favorite local noisemakers, Intercourse, have become an interstate band as guitarist Kev King has moved to California.  But luckily for their Connecticut fans, they are still releasing recordings.  One of the great things about this band is that you can understand every single fucked up thing that vocalist Ricky Ahmed says, leaving… Continue reading Track Premier: “Pyramid Scheme/Friday the 13th (Pt. 2)” by Intercourse