Contrary to popular belief, Pop Punk and Emo are far from dead and buried. There are tons of true-school cool pocket scenes all over with great bands and fans supporting the hell out of them. One of best bands that have come from the underground recently to earn props is Grumpster from Oakland. Always a legendary place for Punk (thank you East Bay scene, 924 Gilman Street), but has had more than a few killer bands of late too. Continue reading
Tag Archives: hooks
EP REVIEW: SNAYX – Better Days
UK Punk has had a bit of a resurgence in the past few years, with acts like Bob Vylan and Kid Kapichi bringing the likes of grime into the sound. The result has been massive for the scene on an even larger scale with Idles having sold out numerous dates instantly.
It is a good time to be a proud fan of the UK Punk scene. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Infected Rain – Time
Breaking away from the pack of Modern Metal bands, Infected Rain is fulfilling their promise as one of the the best underground buzz bands of the new millennium. Their new album Time (Napalm Records) goes super hard, but more importantly, showcases their maturity as writers, riff dealers, and how to make every song stand on its own. It’s rare to get to see a label trust a band to follow their muse and really grow and change from album to album. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Lil Lotus – Nosebleeder
These days, an album with fourteen tracks has become more of an anomaly than the status quo (barring Grindcore, of course, the universal exception to basically every rule ever).
ALBUM REVIEW: Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II
In October 2020 the world lost a true musical legend when iconic guitar icon Eddie Van Halen passed away, signalling the end of one of the all-time classic American Hard Rock bands. In the aftermath his son Wolfgang Van Halen, himself a touring bass player for his father’s band since the tender age of 15, released his first solo album as Mammoth WVH. The record was in many ways a heartfelt tribute to his father as highlighted on the songs ‘Distance’ and ‘Mr Ed,’ and had been in the works since Wolfgang had started recording in Eddie’s legendary 5150 studio way back in 2015.
ALBUM REVIEW: Action-Adventure – Imposter Syndrome
The crux of imposter syndrome is that the afflicted is tormented – haunted – by real or imagined negative feelings towards their legitimacy and ability. Be it a position of power at work or a highly regarded social standing, the notion can creep in and riddle any perceived accomplishment with doubt, uncertainty and unworthiness.
ALBUM REVIEW: Architects – the classic symptoms of a broken spirit
Architects have been a busy band indeed these last couple of years, and it was initially somewhat of a surprise when they announced the release of their tenth studio album so soon after 2021’s game-changing career-shift in style on For Those That Wish To Exist, and the records accompanying Abbey Road Live recording that was released earlier this year.
But with For Those That Wish To Exist providing the Brighton based band their first UK number one release, and a diminished touring cycle providing the increased opportunity for writing new material and hitting the studio, it actually makes sense that Architects are looking to capitalise and continue their momentum on the upward trajectory into the arena rock band they are becoming.
ALBUM REVIEW: Mr. Phylzzz – Cancel Culture Club
With a band name so obscure it’s like they don’t want to be found, a mocking album title and featuring a musical parody of Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Mr. Phylzzz (pronounced “Mr Flies”) demonstrate on their latest album Cancel Culture Club (Amphetamine Reptile Records), that they aren’t taking anything too seriously.
ALBUM REVIEW: Simple Plan – Harder Than It Looks
The very nature of Simple Plan’s hotly anticipated sixth record, Harder Than It Looks (Self-Released) is actually doubly prophetic. The French-Canadian fourpiece have kept it rather simple indeed since they hit it big with ‘I’d Do Anything’ way back in 2002. Not known as a hugely poetic or introspective lyrical band, the pop punkers instead let the music do the talking in all its springy, bobby greatness. That’s not to say the means by which to achieve this is easy, hence the album title.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Audrey Horne – Devil’s Bell
In the new “post-covid” era I have been hearing some awesome cuts coming from all kinds of artists. It makes me wonder how many took advantage of the downtime to hone skills and really dig into some songwriting.