Kvelertak – ‘Endling’

It’s not all pentagrams and pessimism in the heavy music industry. Certainly Scandinavia does the dark art of metal like no one else, and the punk scene of the Nordic territories has had a significant impact on the rest of the world, with bands like Refused often cited as

We Are Sovereign – ‘Step Out Your Comfort Zone’

Oh, the 2000’s, it’s finally your time to shine again. Although the Y2K fashion style was a questionable foray into the wide world of low-rise denim and peep-toe pumps, the explosion of emo, nu metal and scene music will undoubtedly bring a nostalgic tear to many eyes. While the

CLT DRP – ‘NOTHING CLEVER, JUST FEELINGS’

If you’re hopelessly naïve or bad at hangman, there’s a chance you haven’t figured out how to say CLT DRP. Here’s a clue, their debut album is called ‘Without The Eyes’, and if you still haven’t worked it out, give it a listen. They think their name’s

Magnolia Park, The Bottom Line @ Boston Music Room, London

LIVE: Magnolia Park @ Boston Music Room, London

Outside, the late summer sun drifts into autumn here in the year 2023. But inside the Boston Music Room, it’s springtime circa 2006. It’s the evening of Magnolia Park’s festival warmup show, some three days before they would take to the stage at Reading and Leeds, and it’s very

Hawthorne Heights – ‘Lost Lights’

In the midst of the pandemic, Hawthorne Heights frontman and elder emo JT Woodruff needed some peace and quiet. He found a ‘crimson red cabin in rural Ohio’ and settled in for the night. Throwing another log into the fire, Woodruff stared deep into the flames and had an

Polaris – ‘Fatalism’

As the last notes of ‘All In Vain’ hit with thundering closure, you begin to see how Australian metalcore outfit Polaris have so quickly made themselves a staple of the scene both at home and abroad. However ‘Fatalism’, their third record, is not a celebration of success,

Rock Band From Hell – ‘Music For Late Night Activities’

Never has a band or album been more misleadingly named than Rock Band From Hell’s ‘Music For Late Night Activities’, aside for Led Zeppelin and their lack of songs about metal balloons. There’s nothing satanic or horrifying about the Finnish trio’s debut. On the other hand, it isn’t so

Arctangent Festival 2023 – Saturday

LIVE: ArcTanGent Festival 2023 – Saturday

Saturday starts with the muddy remnants of the previous day’s rain still lingering, but with the weather looking slightly brighter. Everyone is dirty, sleepy, and exhausted but taps into their final stores of energy for another stacked bill of the best bands heavy music has to offer. Words: Ash Bebbington