Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain – 25 Years Later


For those of a certain age, the news that twenty-five years have passed since the death of Kurt Donald Cobain will scarcely be believable. But it is 25 years and yes, you do now feel old. You probably still feel sad and melancholy. Time has a terrible way of playing tricks with your memory but the passing of Nirvana’s frontman still resonates as if it were yesterday. The past remains, undoubtedly, a foreign country but I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. I was in laundrette in Bristol, England doing a weekend load of washing (this is what students did then). I was listening to the BBC on my five-year-old Sony radio walkman- remember those?- when the terrible, heart-stopping news came through on that grey, terrible slate grey April day.

Continue reading


La Muerte – La Muerte


Who would think that a thirtieth-anniversary gig would lead to a band reunion for a new generation of fans? It probably wasn’t the first thing on the minds of Belgian cult legends La Muerte, who have been revered and reviled in equal measure during their long history. The tricksy genre mash of their past continues into the present with new full-length La Muerte (Mottow Soundz), which should pique the curiosity of all manner of Metal fans.Continue reading


Emigrate – A Million Degrees


With fiery Germans Rammstein readying their seventh studio album for early 2019, guitarist Richard Kruspe has chosen the optimum time to release A Million Degrees (Universal/Spinefarm), his third “solo” record under the Emigrate banner.Continue reading


Fvzz Popvli – Magna Fvzz


Rome trio Fvzz Popvli indulge in the somewhat metallic trend of using the letter v as a u, but given their Latin heritage, it’s relatively acceptable. Their music is an enjoyable romp through heavy, hostile Psychedelic haze, and second album Magna Fvzz (Heavy Psych Sounds) offers up black comedy, snarling attitudes and sinister twists in equal measure.Continue reading


Smashing Pumpkins Announce Guests For 30th Anniversary Show Later This Week


On tour all summer, Smashing Pumpkins have been playing secret shows, hosting fan contests and more to celebrate their return. Now they have announced numerous special guests for their upcoming 30th Anniversary Performance at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on August 2, 2018. AFI frontman Davey Havok, Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook, Killers members Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer, Courtney Love, Mark McGrath, and Deftones frontman Chino Moreno will join the band throughout the momentous show.


Announced due to overwhelming demand for a second New York area date, the special 30th anniversary performance will feature a career-spanning setlist, covers, never before seen production, and more surprises. Indie rock band Metric will provide support. Tickets for the show are on sale now and are available at www.smashingpumpkins.com, LiveNation.com, and via the Live Nation App.


Black Space Riders – Amoretum Vol. 2


When you release a fourteen-song follow-up to an album you released barely six months previously you’re either 1) beyond prolific, or 2) blessed with too much time on your hands. When the music involved possesses the quirkiness and diversity of German quintet Black Space Riders, it becomes an even more staggering achievement.Continue reading


Death Will Tremble – Departures EP


For those still battling the Doom Metal withdrawal bouts, Death Will Tremble has heard your cries and have gifted you the self-released Departures EP. If 2016’s Mona left you with an itch you can’t seem to scratch, Departures is the remedy you seek. However, that payoff comes with a price: it’s just one new song. Sure, it’s a 14-minute song so I guess you’re getting the most bang for your buck, but boy did I want more.Continue reading


Voices – Frightened


One of the saddest parts about Akercocke going on hiatus all those years ago was the fact that after Words That Go Unspoken… and Antichrist (Earache) there was a tangible feeling that they were on course to release something truly ground-breaking. Whilst their recent release Renaissance in Extremis (Peaceville) was very welcome indeed, I couldn’t help but feel that the return to an earlier sound left that potential untapped. Continue reading


Grave Pleasures – Motherblood


One short drumfill. That’s all it takes to bring you back into the Death Rocking world of Mat McNerney (aka Khvost) before Motherblood (Century Media) launches into an uptempo angular, jangly Joy Division-inspired shuffle, and the smile spreads across the lips.Continue reading