15.Nov.2011 “Flare” by Boris
I want to believe. I want to believe that Boris’ third album of 2011 isn’t two albums too many. Pitchfork gave “Spoon,” the first track released from New Album (Yes, that’s what the Japanese hard rockers are calling this new album), their best new music tag. But, I’d be hard pressed to believe anyone will [...]
28.Oct.2011 The Rockometer: Celestial Lineage by Wolves in the Throne Room
Wolves in the Throne Room Celestial Lineage Southern Lord Similar in scope to Sunn O)))’s masterpiece, Monoliths and Dimensions, and even recalling the grandeur of instrumental rock greats like Mogwai or Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Celestial Lineage, the latest release by Wolves in the Throne Room, does more than redefine black metal for the American [...]
28.Sep.2011 The Rockometer: The Hunter by Mastodon
Mastodon The Hunter Reprise Attention headbangers and metal enthusiasts: Before you get all chaffed because Mastodon went ahead and threw a handful of radio-friendly unit shifters on their latest album, The Hunter, ask yourself this question: In streamlining their progressive metal sound from head-spinning epics about Moby Dick, the Russian Empire, and who knows what [...]
15.Jun.2011 Top Jam: “Speak in Tongues” by Megachurch
Poor Harold Camping. Twice he tried to warn us sinners about our day of reckoning and twice the day of the Apocalypse came and went and we still stood. What went wrong? The day of Jesus’ coming has to be in the Bible somewhere. To find out where Camping went awry I ran some numbers [...]
13.Jun.2011 Live Review: Earth @ The Grog Shop, Cleveland Heights, OH
This is Earth? Where’s the gear? Where’s the giant six stack of amps? Where’s the pedal array? Where’s the turbulent, gut-shaking rumble? Even as the second phase of guitarist Dylan Carson’s recording career as Earth has focused on slow, deceptively intricate, and contemplative melodies, it was hard to shake to the expectation that the man [...]
15.May.2011 The Rockometer: Ascension by Jesu
Jesu Ascension Calo Verde As a general rule, I wouldn’t recommend the creative path Justin K. Broadrick has chosen with his projects Jesu and Pale Sketcher, steering his heavier music to one (Jesu) and the more electronic based music to the other (Pale Sketcher). Why not have one project that encompasses elements of both, with [...]
The Rockometer: Aesthethica by Liturgy
Liturgy Aesthethica Thrill Jockey Liturgy aren’t a black metal act, but they do play one on stage and in the studio. The Brooklyn-based band don’t walk, talk, or dress the part, and consequently, draw much ire from black metal faithful who prefer their machine gun riffs and guttural growls only when they come replete with [...]
15.Apr.2011 “A Little Death” by Fucked Up
With the second single from the forthcoming David Comes to Life, it’s starting to become apparent that Fucked Up weren’t joking about this being their rock opera. No, lead singer Damian Abraham hasn’t switched out his howl for a more elegant delivery. Rather, the grandness of “A Little Death” comes from its structure and instrumentation. [...]
