Epitaphe – III Review
[Artwork by Petri Ala-Maunus] There’s nothing quite like that sense that you get as a listener that you’ve fully connected with an artist through their music. There’s about a million ways it can happen, from …
Jordsjø – Pestkrønikene Review
[Cover Art by Kristian Valbo] I love the story behind the music. Not that it has to be some dramatic, sensational, or lurid tale. Rather, I just really appreciate how a little window into the …
Elder – Through Zero Review
[Album artwork by Adam Hill] It’s kind of amazing how Elder has maintained their identity over the course of nearly 20 years and seven albums (plus EPs, a collaboration, and live albums), because, when you …
Karcius – Black Soul Sickness Review
[Cover artwork by Michael Cloutier] Prog, of course, is known for technical musicianship and songwriting complexity above all else, a reputation well-earned by the early giants of the genre and happily maintained by their progeny …
Kaleidobolt – Karakuchi Review
Stoner rock is fun. Drinking beer is fun. So a stoner band titling their new album with an adjective for the taste of their favorite beer kind of just makes perfect sense. Karakuchi is kind …
Big Big Train – Woodcut Review
Artwork by Robin Mckenzie Do you like beautiful things? Your answer to that question is surely “yes, of course,” but also likely involves some concept of “beautiful” that might be up for discussion between individuals. …
HyperioN – Cybergenesis Review
[Cover art by Ryan T. Hancock] Boy, that New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal just keeps on rollin’, don’t it? Which is great since, in these times of shitty shittiness, it remains imperative to remember …
Best of 2025: Lone Watie – Hey There. Look At These Nice Rocks.
Like most people, I keep lots of things around the house that mean something to me and nothing to anyone else at all. I hold on to these things because they represent some meaningful time …