The New Xenomorph: A Review of Xenosis’ Sowing the Seeds of Destruction

Xenosis has returned, and they’re even better. It’s easy to claim favoritism when lead guitarist Mark Lyon happens to be a personal friend, but Sowing the Seeds of Destruction is genuinely awesome – a focused, well-trained creature of extremity and maturity. I might even claim it as the strongest local metal release I’ve heard yet.… Continue reading The New Xenomorph: A Review of Xenosis’ Sowing the Seeds of Destruction

Single Review: “Battle Cry” by the Joykill Collective

"Alas, poor Yorick!"

Everyone wants to be anthemic these days, including UK alt rockers Joykill Collective. They’re against something in their new single “Battle Cry,” but I didn’t know quite what because I couldn’t understand the lyrics outside of the chorus.  Thus, I went to the music video for elucidation: At first, I wondered why a hot chick… Continue reading Single Review: “Battle Cry” by the Joykill Collective

Album Review: Ben Lorentzen’s America

Sparse and delicate, the new album by New Jersey songwriter Ben Lorentzen seeks to create “the defining record of a generation.”  While America might not be anthemic enough to achieve that goal, it does offer many facets to dig into.  Lorentzen is creative in his instrumentation; strings harmonica, piano, and I think even a banjo… Continue reading Album Review: Ben Lorentzen’s America

Album Review: Vile Display of Humanity (Self-Titled)

Seattle-by-way-of-Chicago punks Vile Display of Humanity released their self-titled debut album this May, unleashing a twenty-song tribute to the ideals of brotherhood and social justice.  The whole thing was recorded on lead guitarist Dave Foster’s laptop, and honestly the production quality is better than you’d imagine for “punk band’s DIY recording” — a little vocal-heavy… Continue reading Album Review: Vile Display of Humanity (Self-Titled)

Album Review: S.N.A.F.U.’s Present Day Plague

In authentic punk fashion, Detroit-based S.N.A.F.U. (Situation Normal All Fucked Up) offers nineteen songs in forty minutes on their upcoming album Present Day Plague.  And in testament to the blurred sub-genres that thrash/hardcore/hardcore-punk have become, their songs are punctuated with ripping guitar leads, upbeat riffing, and anthemic choruses that rail against The Man. Have a… Continue reading Album Review: S.N.A.F.U.’s Present Day Plague

I Remember The Way I Used to Live: A Review of Valkyrie’s Shadows

Harrisburg Virginia’s Valkyrie has just released their third full length album Shadows, and I took it on a walk with me on the first listen. It happened to be a beautiful summer day with tons of sun, which turned out to be the perfect weather for this kind of music. I’ve always equated certain records… Continue reading I Remember The Way I Used to Live: A Review of Valkyrie’s Shadows

Shark Attack! A Review of Heavy Breath’s Jumps the Shark

I hadn’t heard much of Hamden band Heavy Breath before I was given the task of reviewing their recent release Jumps the Shark, so I went into this as a virgin listener. To be honest, I was surprised about how much I enjoyed it. Heavy Breath could mean I was in for a boring thirty-something… Continue reading Shark Attack! A Review of Heavy Breath’s Jumps the Shark