Rigorous Institution – Cainsmarsh Review
Portland’s Rigorous Institution first hit my radar via the ever impressive efforts of Last Rites’ alum Craig Hayes and his dauntless study of all things crust, grind, punk, D-beat, et cetera In Crust We Trust, …
Serpentent – Mother Of Light Review
[Cover artwork by Anne K. O’Neill] —The sounds of a heaving ocean joined by the familiar creak of a gnarled ship // An ol’ sea dog barely lit by a weary lantern flame recounts a …
Beyond Mortal Dreams – Abomination Of The Flames Review
[Artwork by Seeming Watcher] I’m sure at some point the Roman empire enjoyed such a ludicrous level of prosperity that wealthy statesmen binned roasted peacock for not looking… graceful enough, and perhaps even flicked moderately …
Static Abyss – Labyrinth Of Veins Review
[Artwork by All Things Rotten] The Great American Music Hall is a famous venue in San Francisco that launched in the early 1900s as a fine dining establishment / bordello before turning to music in …
Fer De Lance – The Hyperborean Review
[Artwork by Adam Burke / Nightjar Illustration] Listening to the debut full-length from Chicago’s Fer de Lance is akin to witnessing the epic origin story for the US interpretation of Germany’s Atlantean Kodex, but with …
Bjørn Riis’ Everything To Everyone, And A Reminder Of The Unique Greatness Of Pink Floyd
When it comes to commonplace tropes in storytelling, the line between a blessing and a curse can get thorny pretty quick. If you’re a fan of the fantasy genre, for example, you are at risk …
Hällas – Isle Of Wisdom Review
[Artwork by Lena Richter & Maldo Illustration] It must be strange to be a weird band facing curious obstacles in this bizarre world. Even stranger if you jump from the gate as an eccentric band …
Iron Griffin’s Storm Of Magic: One More Case For True Metal
[Cover artwork by Oskari Räsänen] Iron Griffin’s Storm of Magic is one of the mightiest true metal albums you’ll encounter in 2022. [[KLAXON]] Just what the hell do you mean by “true” metal, you bastard. …