Killstreak - The Cursed Crown
60

Let me preface this review by saying I am not a deathcore guy so this album was not made for me. Hearing riffs made of parts of some of my favourite games soundtracks is really interesting and the way these are merged into the deathcore rather than just lazily copied into the music is something that keeps the music from becoming stale. This is especially relevant in my favourite song on the album "VII".
Unfortunately the interesting parts of the album are wrapped in a sheet of generic ... read more

Dayseeker - Creature In The Black Night
80

Creature In The Black Night is a great addition to Dayseeker's discography and feels like it merges the aspects of hurtwave into Dayseeker without jeopardizing what makes Dayseeker so unique and great in the process. While I really enjoyed my time with the album and will no doubt have the hits on repeat, not every song grabbed my attention the same way as songs like "Shapeshift" and "Nocturnal Remedy" did. A well paced and catchy album that will have be sure to please ... read more

Tame Impala - Deadbeat
40

While there are glimpses of parkers interesting and addictive musical genius here the majority is a boring and monotonous collection of odd trance songs and songs that just sound kind of like unfinished beats. I'm a fan of pretty much all of Tame Impalas previous album so this one was particularly disappointing to me. While this is definitely something fresh and different it really just doesn't click with me and I don't know if it will.

vianova - Hit It!
90

Respectfully, what the fuck! But in a good way.
This album is one of the most creative and exciting albums to release this year. At no point will you know what was about to hit you next and that in the genre of metalcore that is incredibly rare.

Greyhaven - Keep It Quiet
75

This is my first listen to an album from Greyhaven and I like what I hear! This is an album with some phenomenal vocal performances in both aggression and mellow tracks. Vocals aside though the instrumental wasn't anything that blown me away. It's not bad by any stretch but it just didn't hook me. While I enjoyed most of this album, at points I found it to be a little formulaic. While it isn't AOTY for me I can 100% see why to could be for others. It didn't hit the spot ... read more

Thrice - Horizons / West
100

An incredible display from a band that has consistently put out good music for 25 years! Dustin's voice is a real powerhouse as per usual but has so much range on display here that hearing him now as opposed to those first albums is like listening to another person. This album is hauntingly beautiful and has some catchy and engaging highs with melancholic and anthemic lows.
An easy 10 for me. From any other band this would be a magnum opus but for Thrice it's another notch on the ... read more

Villain Of The Story - Convergence: Two Minds In One
80

Villain of the story bring an explosive new album that harks back to metalcore of 15 years ago while still sounding modern and creative in the current landscape. A concise, fun and enjoyable 30 minutes that won't ask much of your time but will deliver a satisfying punch that will last the day. As my first Villain Of The Story album this has been a fantastic starting point that has me willing and ready to go back through the discography.

Balu Brigada - Portal
70

Portal is my first dive into Balu Brigada, and it delivers a unique blend of psychedelic indie pop-rock reminiscent of bands like Tame Impala and Djo. Each track brings its own distinct flavor, though at times those flavors linger a little too long and risk becoming stale.

Overall, it’s a great album—just not an incredible one. At moments, it feels like it leans too heavily on the safety of its influences rather than fully stepping out into its own identity.

Pendulum - Inertia
90

Pendulum remain one of the most creative and interesting bands around. Genre bending better than anyone else this album comes in as one of their best. They've managed to retain everything that made them great 15 years ago while remaining fresh and modern. A fantastic edition to an already great discography and one that has shown a promising future for the band.

SENNA - Stranger to Love
80

I really enjoyed most of this album but there were parts that felt like they just needed something extra to make them stand out. Overall though a really fun, funky and energetic album.

James Marriott - Don't Tell The Dog
70

This album may not be as immediately catchy as the last one, and in that sense, it does feel like a step down. However, it’s a definite step up in terms of creativity and emotional expression. The generic indie-pop stylings have been dialed back in favor of more thoughtful, heartfelt music. It feels like James has really invested time and effort into crafting the soundscape of each track, resulting in songs that feel more meaningful and impactful.

While I still think James is holding ... read more

The Callous Daoboys - I Don't Want to See You in Heaven
90

While the album wasn't wholly for me there is so much experimentation and creativity on display here that it's hard not to fall in love with it come the end. A highlight for the band and the year.

Our Last Night - Left Alone
70

As a fan of Our Last Night, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from this one. After their long stretch of cover-heavy releases, I was hoping for something original, creative, and heavy. While I did enjoy the album, there wasn’t much here that surprised me—which is a shame. Some tracks come off as fairly generic, though there are definite standouts. The title track, for example, is fantastic; it mixes things up and sets a higher bar than the rest of the album manages to ... read more

Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia
80

This album has me torn. On one hand, it's a beautifully crafted collection of songs that invites the listener to engage deeply with its themes, lyrics, and music. On the other hand, it's also some of the most palatable and radio-friendly material the band has released to date. That’s not to say the entire album leans that way, there’s definitely tracks that shine through with standout tracks like Emergence, Damocles, Gethsemane, and the massive Even in Arcadia.

While I do ... read more

Thornhill - BODIES
100

A late review but this album somehow blown my already high expectations out the water. Every song flows beautifully into the next with fantastic pacing throughout the album, starting heavy and ending with some slower songs that are the catchiest on the album.
Where do you go from here?

Memphis May Fire - Shapeshifter
40

This album can’t and shouldn’t be judged as a traditional full-length release. By the time it officially dropped, eight out of ten tracks had already been released as singles, completely stripping away any sense of cohesion or anticipation. At that point, why even bother listening to the full album? It feels less like a complete body of work and more like a deluxe singles compilation, which is a massive disappointment. This kind of rollout kills excitement and makes the final ... read more

Spiritbox - Tsunami Sea
70

From the moment you hit play on this album, you're met with two back-to-back bangers in Fata Morgana and Black Rainbow, followed by the catchy, groove-filled Perfect Soul and Keep Sweet. It was around this point that I fully realized the soundscape Spiritbox has crafted—a beautiful blend of heavy, crunchy guitars that create an eerie, unsettling, yet captivating atmosphere, all while crushing your skull with Courtney’s intense screams. This is then contrasted by softer, ... read more

Sam Fender - People Watching
100

Sam Fender has come out swinging with what is easily his best album to date and an incredible display of songwriting. Every song is full of emotion and tell a story in a way only Sam can do. Every track is addictive and interesting and the album never becomes stale or outstays it's welcome. A well paced, well polished and well sung album from start to finish. This album will not only be a standout for this year but a standout for this decade. Loved it!

My one complaint... Nostalgia's ... read more

Everyone You Know - Ain't Smiled in Ages
79

This album isn't my typical genre, but five years ago, I stumbled upon "The Drive" on YouTube and was instantly captivated. This duo's storytelling ability is what shines through, particularly in their slower, more introspective moments. "Think About His Mother" is a standout track, showcasing a heavier side to their music that I'd love to hear more of. While this album isn't something I'd usually listen to, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will continue ... read more

Linkin Park - From Zero
90

Linkin Park's surprise release, "The Emptiness Machine," after a 7-year hiatus, hinted at a return to their heavier roots. Their latest album, "From Zero," not only fulfills this promise but also exceeds expectations. It's a sonic journey through the band's diverse styles, yet it introduces a fresh, new, and surprisingly heavy dimension to their discography.

Emily Armstrong, the band's new lead vocalist, delivers a powerful performance, showcasing ... read more

Create an account to rate and review albums.
Recent Review Comments
No review comments
Advertisement

June Playlist