Album Review GENRE ARCHIVES
Blaqk Audio – Only Things We Love
I got sent this album and, frankly, it isn't my cup of tea. But the thing is, I go and see my dad's aunt a lot, and she puts way too much milk in the tea she makes me. That isn't my cup of tea either, but I swallow it and it hydrates me. That's exactly the feeling this record gives me. I must note, if you're thinking about listening because you like AFI...it isn't even slightly like AFI.
Modern Error – Lost In The Noise
Modern Error's debut album Lost In The Noise is a solid start to the band's catalogue, however the odd pacing of the album prevents it gaining any real momentum. With a sound that draws from the common synth driven style of modern metalcore, there is a draw to ballads and melody. Taking a strong influence from the recent Architects releases, and a hint of post Sempiternal metalcore. All the while the is no distinct reliance on another bands style. Within this record there are signs of potential and while it doesn’t stand out as an individual record it does suggest Modern Error to be a band to keep an eye on in coming years.
Masked Intruder – III
The new Masked Intruder album 'III' (titled as such as it's their third outing) is basically what you could expect from them. Hooks, sing alongs, some pop punk guitars and a few references to them secretly being criminals.
Jaret and Kelly – Sittin’ In A Tree
What do you get when Dollyrots and a Bowling for Soup join forces? You get an antidote to Jack White and Alison Mosshart, Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan with Jaret Reddick and Kelly Ogden showcasing their pop punk levels of royalty.
The Raven Age – Conspiracy
The Raven Age are a band who have had a lot of high praise laid upon them in recent years, including being hailed as one of next big hopes in British metal. They certainly have ambitious credentials, creating and releasing their new album Conspiracy almost entirely DIY and through their own label Corvid Records. Conspiracy also promises the continuation of an epic storyline centred around the ravens in the Tower of London. Is the hype surrounding The Raven Age something they can live up to?
Our Nameless Boy – Tomorrow I’ll Be Scared Again
Bristol’s Our Nameless Boy recently released their latest EP Tomorrow I'll Be Scared Again! Our star writer Mark had a listen and gave us his thoughts!
Threatmantics – Shadow On Your Heart
Threatmantics are a 4-piece Art-Rock band from Wales, with the release of their third album titled Shadow On Your Heart.
While She Sleeps – So What?
While She Sleeps have certainly had a bumper couple of years. Following the massive (and somewhat unexpected!) success of 2017’s entirely self and fan-funded “You Are We”, released on their own Sleeps Brothers Records, which netted them a best album win at the Heavy Music Awards and a top ten album in the UK charts, you’d think it might be pretty hard for Sheffield’s masters of metallic hardcore to keep the momentum going.
InVisions – Between You And Me
York metal band InVisions second album is a tough listen, and ultimately flat album where the only interest comes from the absurdly obscene lyrics, which only detract from the already poor quality. This is a record from a band whose attempt to stand out is using almost laughable lyrics rather than musical quality. While the musical side of the album is certainly not abysmal it is simply boring and basic. In truth it is a wonder that bands are continuing to make music of this style in 2019 especially when the past few years have seen the most creative bands typically be the most successful.
Black Coast – Ill Minds Vol II
Formed in Stoke on Trent in 2016 this melodic hardcore quintet, Black Coast have burst their way on the scene with Ill Minds Vol 1 in 2018 and we, at AltCorner have their follow up Ill Minds Vol 2 due for release 8th March 2019.
Mastiff – Plague | ALBUM REVIEW
”A miserable band from a miserable town”. That is how Mastiff summarise themselves on their social media. I've never been to Hull, but if Mastiff are the aural representation of the town, then I'm not sure I want to visit. This is a band who specialise in brutality, whether that be when they utilise extreme pace or, more often, the thudding grinding groove that propels their particular brand of sludgy grinding heaviness.
Starve To Survive – Have Me To Waste EP
Newcastle’s very own hardcore new comers Starve to Survive have come at us with new the Connor Sweeney produced EP Have Me to Waste. The quintet create five tracks of aggressive huge grooves of haunting atmosphere out on the 15th February.
Shadows Like Strangers- CALI
Nottingham rockers Shadows Like Strangers put out their debut album this year, an album that is in many ways the result of three years of sonic development. From their formation, early EPs and right up till recently, the band have been honing their sound and their lineup to put forward exactly the debut album they want representing them.
Mantra – Dreamland
West London 3-piece Mantra have been making a name for themselves, gaining support of Allusinlove which is coming close to an end and creating a fair sized fan base. But how about their new album Dreamland?
Astronoid – Self Titled
US dream-thrashers Astronoid release their self-titled second album at the start of this month! Our very own Will Pearce had a listen and gives his thoughts below.