Album Review – Page 143

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From Tuesday 12 January 2016

Smokey Bastard – ‘Back to the Drawing Room’

One of the hardest tasks for a band looking for success is to carve their own niche without being branded as a ‘rip off’. Reading sextet Smokey Bastard have made a valiant effort in putting their own stamp on the folk punk genre. Their third album ‘Back to

Monday 11 January 2016

Losing Sleep – ‘Fear Of Missing Out’

Losing Sleep are keen purveyors of alternative music scenes of the past. There are subtle nods on their debut full-length to countless artists and styles of years gone by. Be it the unexpectedly emotional chorus on ‘Hesitate To Call’ or the self-titled blink-182 notions on ‘Never Told You’. ‘Fear

Saturday 09 January 2016

New Design – ‘Far From Home’

If you like big, anthemic, slow-burning emo then ‘Far From Home’ is going to make your day. The debut record from Brampton, Ontario based New Design is a mature, professional and realised effort from this young band. With Kenny Bridges (of Moneen (sorry, .moneen.) fame) at the desk, ‘Far From

Thursday 07 January 2016

Great Collapse – ‘Holy War’

It takes a lot of hard work and a constant finger on the pulse of the world to try your hand at a politically charged punk band and stay relevant. Great Collapse are something of a supergroup containing ex-members of Strike Anywhere, Rise Against, Death By Stereo, Set Your

Wednesday 30 December 2015

Essence – ‘Prime’

Upon the first few bars of my first listen one thing is abundantly clear: these Danish rockers from Copenhagen know how to make an album. Their latest effort being number 3 in their stable and their first with Spinefarm, their new record label. Formed in 2005: The melting pot of

Tuesday 29 December 2015

Youth Decay – ‘The Party’s Over’

What happens when you take current and former members of Comeback Kid, The Grave Life, Carpenter, Living With Lions, and Daggermouth, put them in a room and leave them to make a record? Chemistry isn’t our strong point, and Youth Decay is the answer. The hardcore/pop punk

Friday 18 December 2015

Baroness – ‘Purple’

It seems like only yesterday that Baroness were on the brink of collapse. After the near-fatal bus accident in 2012 that could have ended the band’s career, a shadow of doubt was cast over their future. However, nothing fuels creativity as much as tragedy, and the best thing

Monday 14 December 2015

Die Nerven – ‘Out’

There are times in life when you get thrown a curve ball, left in situations that leave you completely out of your comfort zone. Reviewing this album is one of those curveballs. As an almost Neanderthal being I usually trudge through any review with flourishes of the English language

Leftover Crack – ‘Constructs of the State’

11 years ago, I was a fresh faced, pissed off high school graduate who revelled in the bombastic sonic assault that was bands like Choking Victim and Leftover Crack. What more could an angry teenager ask for from a band? If the album art didn’t upset your parents, (my

Saturday 12 December 2015

Pentimento – I, No Longer

Buffalo, New York’s Pentimento are the quieter, more subdued side of punk rock. With throwbacks in their music to the emo scene of the ‘90s, their second full-length, ‘I, No Longer’ is 12 tracks of beautifully crafted, honest punk goodness. From the opening chords of ‘Small