All posts by Dave Pirtle

Coffee. Black.

Fast Rites – Volume 7: The One (Mad)Man Binge and Purge

There were a number of albums that came across my desk as I pondered what I would follow up my review of Prong’s latest with. Some garnered more interest than others; some were destined to

R.I.P. Merle Haggard (1937 – 2016)

This is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to write, right up there with eulogizing Ronnie James Dio. Strangely, shortly before the news of each passing, I had just reaffirmed that they

Prong – X – No Absolutes Review

I feel like I’ve been here before, but I don’t think I’ve ever been here with Prong. In retrospect, that’s surprising. Oh, sorry – got a bit ahead of myself. I’ve talked about Prong quite

Varg – Das Ender Aller Lügen Review

Funny how the brain works. I had been put off this band for at least a while due to the name being immediately associated with legendary asshole Varg Vikernes; it had to be a side

Dave Pirtle’s Best of 2015 – I’m Getting Too Old For This Blitz

I want music to bring me down to my knees make me sob like an infant, make me angry rip me to shreds, glue me back up make my mind explode This verse, taken from

Draconian – SOVRAN Review

For reasons I won’t get into here, it’s been a long month. Trials and tribulations; personal and professional; trivial and major – you know the type. So it was with a bit of resignation that

Sabbath Assembly – Sabbath Assembly Review

So after taking it “easy” the past couple of times out, tackling new releases from familiar acts like Lamb of God and Fear Factory, I thought it would be good to step out of that

Fear Factory – Genexus Review

Fear Factory. Goddamn Fear Factory. Goddamn, Fear Factory. That’s the abridged, edited, and expurgated version of the thoughts that went through my mind while listening to Genexus. With a history that includes as many steps