Saxon – Carpe Diem Review
I’m tempted to open this particular scribbling with some proclamation like, “Saxon probably shouldn’t be making albums this strong this late in their career.” But then again, who am I to say what a metal …
Blast Rites #2: Human Cull – To Weep For Unconquered Worlds Review
Way back, oh… like a month ago, when we here at the Last Rites Emporium Of Fine Musical Tastes were compiling our Most Anticipated Releases Of 2022 features, I was narrowing down my short list …
Schizophrenia – Recollections Of The Insane Review
Remember the good old days, when thrash metal was just crossing the bridge into death metal? Pepperidge Farm remembers. And so does Belgium’s Schizophrenia. Taking their name and some musical cues from early Sepultura, Schizophrenia’s …
Traffic Death – Judas Curse Of The Iron Sabbath Review
This one’s a month or so old now… or it’s not even out yet, depending on how you want to look at it. These damned supply chain issues today, amirite? What I mean by that …
Blast Rites #1: Nak’ay / Hate For Humanity – Split 12″ Review
Blast Rites: because grindcore rules. Author’s Note: Hey, look at that, will ya? I’m trying something new here, taking our established Fast Rites short-form review concept and applying it to my obsession with all things …
Backslider – Psychic Rot Review
At the place where Powerviolence Alley runs into Grindcore Blvd, just between Hardcore Street and Sludge Avenue, a block or three from Psychedelia Place, there’s a dingy basement rehearsal space filled with smoke and cockroaches …
Blockheads – Trip To The Void Review
Fast Rites: because sometimes brevity is fundamental. At the risk of repeating myself (as if this would be anywhere close to the first time for that), France’s Blockheads are far and away the best grindcore …
Best Of 2021: Andrew Edmunds: Last Night, I Crossed The Road, Walked Into A Bar, And Changed A Lightbulb. I Feel Like My Whole Life Is A Joke.
So, hey, you remember last year when everyone said “Next year will be better”? Well, I guess this year was better than last year — at least, comparatively. But it was still a rough year …