Ten reviews you might have missed

Reviews from Monday 23 July 2018

LIVE: The Dwarves @ Rebellion, Manchester

“We are the greatest rock and roll band in the world,” proclaims Blag Dahlia, a man who never could be accused of a lack of self-confidence. The Dwarves are back on British soil and ready to beat on our undeserving eardrums. A sighting of Chicago’s finest

LIVE: UK Tech Fest 2018 – Sunday

Tech Fest began in 2011 with a mission to provide a place where “bands and fans are able to integrate, network and share the passion of music together”. Now in its eighth edition, it’s fair to say the mission has been accomplished, judging by the loyal community that comes

Friday 20 July 2018

Trash Boat – ‘Crown Shyness’

When Trash Boat crashed the punk party back in 2014, the five-piece from St Albans quickly became synonymous with the bigger names in the scene. Leaning towards punk rock, they injected the predominantly American pop punk scene of the time with the visceral energy of EP ‘Brainwork’, before releasing

LIVE: UK Tech Fest 2018 – Saturday

Thursday 19 July 2018

LIVE: UK Tech Fest 2018 – Friday

Wednesday 18 July 2018

Skeletonwitch – ‘Devouring Radiant Light’

When Skeletonwitch dropped their first major release ‘Beyond The Permafrost’ back in 2007, they stuck out from the then-burgeoning retro thrash crowd like a sore thumb. Where everyone else was content to play from the 80s crossover playbook, white high-tops and ripped jeans included, Skeletonwitch dared to

Wednesday 11 July 2018

Bury Tomorrow – Black Flame

Bury Tomorrow have been ever present on the UK metalcore scene since 2006, and throughout their career have always been on the cusp of something quite special. 2016’s “Earthbound” was an incredible piece of work, but it seemed like that they had always failed to gain traction and propel

Tuesday 10 July 2018

Real Friends – ‘Composure’

Pop punk regularly gets a bad rap from alternative music purists, mostly because it’s often aimed at a younger audience and therefore seen as a lesser medium. Every so often, though, a band releases a record of such undeniably high quality that the gatekeepers have no choice but to

Monday 09 July 2018

Century Thirteen – ‘Century Thirteen’

In making their self-titled LP Glaswegian punks Century Thirteen went against their previous conventional wisdom and enlisted the help of a producer. The decision to move away from self-recording was said to have been taken to provide an extra sense of freedom in both arrangements and performance.

LIVE: Modern Life Is War / Svalbard / Swain / Who Cares? @ Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Trust Modern Life Is War, one of the darkest, moodiest bands in hardcore, to arrive in the UK smack-bang in the middle of a seemingly endless heatwave. The beer garden at the front of the Brudenell is positively packed out with moshers in sunglasses enjoying an ice-cold beer. Unfortunately

Asylums – ‘Alien Human Emotions’

It’s generally acknowledged that music and society are closely intertwined. From Lou Reed and Warhol’s Factory to Dead Kennedy’s ‘Holiday In Cambodia’, they reflect the landscape around them. Given the somewhat tumultuous state the world is in, both politically and societally, perhaps this is what drove London four-piece Asylums

Friday 06 July 2018

The Devin Townsend Project – ‘Ocean Machine – Live At The Ancient Roman Theatre’

Since the completion of the initial four album DTP series in 2011, Devin Townsend fans have grown somewhat accustomed to being treated to ‘one off’ performances; the four ‘By a Thread’ shows were followed by ‘Retinal Circus’ a year later in 2012, with Ziltoid Live at the Royal Albert

LIVE: Thrice, Brutus @ The Electric Ballroom

Chances are your favourite band’s favourite band is Thrice. One of the most revered bands in the alternative scene, and near the top of the list of the most underrated bands in the world, Thrice made a stop in Camden Town on Download Weekend to treat their diehard fans to an unstoppable show. Opening proceedings are Brutus,

Wednesday 04 July 2018

MAYPINE – ‘Bend/Break’

Let’s get straight down to business – because that’s exactly what Brighton alt-rockers MAYPINE do on new EP ‘Bend/Break’. Prepare yourself in advance, because you won’t be given a second to breathe once you hit play on this one. First track and lead single ‘Give’ kicks straight in with thudding

Tuesday 03 July 2018

LIVE: Stone Sour, Nothing More @ Roundhouse

Corey Taylor has always been an enigma, keeping himself busy. Whether writing books, guest starring in TV and movies or being on stage with either of his two bands, he’s certainly someone who works very hard. Taking a break from his day job, Taylor has brought back Stone Sour

Monday 02 July 2018

The Gaslight Anthem – ‘The ’59 Sound Sessions’

Ten years after the initial release of their album, ‘The ’59 Sound’, The Gaslight Anthem are offering fans an insight into the process behind its creation. The new release, which consists of eight demos and one cover from that time, comes with an accompanying booklet filled with photos and

Wednesday 27 June 2018

Fangclub – ‘True Love’

When Fangclub took the alternative world by storm with their self-titled album last year, there was little doubt of their brimming potential. With the album peaking at fifth place in the Irish charts, a nomination for Choice Prize Album Of The Year in the bag and tonnes of support

Tuesday 26 June 2018

The Interrupters – ‘Fight The Good Fight’

Gone are the days of Courtney Love, Shirley Manson, Brody Dalle and Gwen Stafani holding the light up for women. Women now hold a much stronger position in punk than before, from big punk labels like Fat Wreck Chords putting a spotlight on Bad Cop/Bad Cop and The Bombpops,

Sunday 24 June 2018

Panic! at the Disco – ‘Pray For the Wicked’

It can’t have been easy to write a follow up to the Grammy nominated Death of a Bachelor, but Brendon Urie – now known for his determination to keep Panic! at the Disco alive – has persevered. While ‘Pray For the Wicked’ might not have the same pizzazz of

You Know The Drill – ‘Selfhood’

The Midlands. Home of heavy metal, chocolate, the world’s most confusing motorway junctions – and now, pop punk. Birmingham five-piece You Know The Drill are back with the follow up to their 2016 EP ‘Losing Streak’ – and with involvement from ROAM’s Alex Adam and guitarist Luke Astley stepping