Album Review GENRE ARCHIVES
Decay – Modern Conversation
Just signed with Birmingham independent record label, Fox records are Liverpool’s Decay. A Band of former members of a pop punk outfit decided to move to an more aggressive emo sound with Modern Conversation.
PhoxJaw – A Playground for Sad Adults
Bristol’s Phoxjaw are back with their second EP, A playground for Sad Adults. So, let’s get this part started, Phoxjaw are comprised of Danny Gartland, Josh Galop, Kieran Gallop and Alexander Share, the press likening their sound to Biffy Clyro and Deftones…..strong stuff.
Torchbearer- Against the Tide
Out of south Wales come Torchbearer. A hardcore punk quartet with a brand new EP on the way. Against the Tide is it’s name. Recorded across two studios, the EP is made up of five, furious tracks that are sure to draw some interest from fans of hardcore.
The St Pierre Snake Invasion – Caprice Enchantè
Let's not beat about the bush here, The St Pierre Snake Invasion have one of those band names you just don't take seriously, like Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!. The fact is, Chunk and most other bands who have made it anywhere despite having a ridiculous name can back themselves up with good music. With the new record from The St Pierre Snake Invasion, however, the question lies not in the name, but in the music.
Pleiades- All At Your Mercy
Manchester five piece, Pleiades offer up their new EP, All At Your Mercy. The band worked it's way from a soundscaping three piece to it's current form, churning out this release at the end of it all. The post metal this group makes is truly huge.
MTXS – Ache
The low-tuned mob in MTXS have released a ferocious album titled Ache which will prove to serve them well in the long run as the start to take the bull by the horns and set up camp with the juggernauts of the metal scene.
EAT DIRT. – Death Is Death
The Punk 5-piece from the big city of London EAT DIRT. thrash their way through 14 songs with the majority of the tracks being between 1-2 minutes long collectively completing the record in 26 minutes. 'Short and sweet' is a pretty accurate term to use here but we should forget about sweetness part of that statement, sure the songs are bangers, but sweet is not a word that works in this pacey-punk madness.
Weatherstate – Born A Cynic
It seems these days I write the word 'punk' in practically every piece I write, be that punk of the pop variety, of the hardcore variety, or of the not very good variety. 'Born A Cynic', Weatherstate's first full length, ticks the boxes of the first two.
The Ballet – Matchy Matchy
The Ballet, a queer NYC based indie-pop duo, present to the world their fourth full length, strangely titled 'Matchy Matchy'. This is definitely not something I'd choose to listen to, but here goes.
Harbinger – Compelled To Suffer
With their debut album, Harbinger showcase bags of potential. With a sludgy aura and thrashy riffs, there’s tonnes of influences throughout this record. It swings from metalcore to death metal. It’s a record that will perk the ears of many metal fans. Perhaps the only downside of this record is that it drags a bit. At 49 minutes long, there isn’t enough to keep you interested for that length of time. There is a lot throughout that shows potential but at the length it is it certainly needs to be more consistent.
Siamese – Super Human
Danish RnB-Core band Siamese have just released their 5th studio album Super Human (3rd as Siamese, previously know as Siamese Fighting Fish) and is possibly the album of 2019. Admittedly, this may come across bias as I have been hooked on them since my first encounter as a support band for Dead By April a couple of years ago... But cast that aside, you need to check out this album!
Black Surf – Make Friends
London feel-good indie trio Black Surf have served up 1 of 2 EP's for 2019 titled Make Friends is like a fuzzy feeling both internally and in their own instrumentals.
The Get Up Kids – Problems
Late 90s emo band The Get Up Kids, return with their first album in 8 years. Problems is a brilliant return to form that is up there with some of the best of the current emo revival. The hooks slipped in between gripping emo verses and bouncy riffs are inescapable. There’s certainly a pop punk side to this album. In the sense that it is laden with hooks and poppy choruses. The songs flow from seemingly upbeat to more melancholic. Ultimately this is a great album from veterans of the scene, that more than holds its own against their younger counterparts.
NOT ENOUGH – TO L-VE
Polish quintet NOT ENOUGH's debut EP sees them attempt to copy the commercially successful template laid down by the likes of Bring Me The Horizon and PVRIS. The synth driven rock music has elements of modern metalcore but sticks to clean vocals for the majority. The EP lacks any real punch and even the heavier bits just pass you by. Ultimately the template used to create this EP is overdone and ultimately boring. Its hard to find anything that stands out of note good or bad.
Texas Hippie Coalition – High In The Saddle
It's not really debatable at this point that Texas Hippie Coalition have a formula that, nine times out of ten, they stick to. They call it red dirt metal, and it's crunching, chugging, raw riffs, growling vocals and subject matter typically surrounding drinking, women, shooting, or being a cowboy. And somehow, six albums in, it still kinda works, here more so than before.