Mestarin Kynsi is a fanatastic album that fuses genres such as black metal and psychedelic rock together. The growled vocals and punchy instrumentals compliment each other perfectly. Ilmestys is a weak intro to the record for me, but I find the rest of the material here stellar. Mestarin Kynsi is definitely a unique experience and will undoubtedly be one of my favorite works of this year.

Favorite Tracks: Tyhjyyden sakramentti, Oikeamielisten sali, Kuulen ääniä maan alta, ... read more

This is a mostly exceptional EP asides from the title track’s remix by electronic artist, Kode9. This remix is unnecessary, but it is also dull and tedious. Still though, it’s not Burial’s fault and thankfully the rest of the tracklist is the usual spectacular dubstep from him, but the the remix does really weigh down this EP.

Favorite Tracks: Distant Lights, Pirate, Gutted

Least Favorite Track: Distant Lights (Kode9 Rmx)

After being unreleased and completed for 45 years, Homegrown is finally released and it is another fantastic record in Neil Young’s remarkable catalog. It’s quite evident that this album was recorded during the mid 1970s, as this project is superb like the others that were being released at the time by Neil. Neil’s always warming voice is great and the instrumentals are pretty and have a laidback aesthetic to them. Though it’s not Neil Young’s best effort or ... read more

Wow... just wow. I never thought that my favorite record of any year would be considered atmospheric black metal, but here we are. For those of you who don’t know, Paysage d’Hiver is a black metal band that is solely led by Tobias Möckl. Paysage d’Hiver has released projects ever since the late 1990’s and definitely has some well known releases under their belt. Coming into this album, I didn’t know what to expect. The ratings on Rate Your Music were and still ... read more

Though I’m not very familiar with singer songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, I plan to listen to some of her previous work as Punisher is a phenomenal and emotionally powerful indie folk record. Lyrically and musically, Punisher is a depressing record. The instrumentation is spacey and light and Phoebe’s vocals are soft, but passionate and meaningful. Kyoto has some basic indie rock instrumentation and Moon Song’s instrumental feels somewhat lifeless compared to other tracks here, but ... read more

True Opera is easily one of the most raw records I’ve heard all year. By fusing elements of industrial rock, post-punk, and even no wave, Moor Jewelry makes a brief, but certainly memorable and impactful listen.

Favorite Tracks: True Opera, Look Alive, Judgment, Eugenics, Working, Westmoreland County, Le Grand Macabre, Boris Godunov

Least Favorite Track: Shadow

New Score: 64

New Review:

I’ve definitely changed my mind here, however there are still plenty of great tracks. My main problem I’m having with this album is that MIKE isn’t a consistent vocalist. Some tracks he is downright boring vocally and others he is still low-key, but interesting. The production is always great, but MIKE isn’t nearly as consistent and great vocally as his largest influence, Earl Sweatshirt. Still, Weight of the World is definitely a commendable ... read more

Like many other records in Riff Raff’s discography, VANiLLA GORiLLA is enjoyable, but inconsistent. The bangers here are great, but a handful of tracks here have weak hooks and/or features. Still though, it’s hard not to appreciate fun tracks like Black Maybach and Big Dog Shit. Riff Raff is as quirky as ever on this project and the intense production compliments him and most of his features. VANiLLA GORiLLA is a decent effort from Riff Raff, though it is inconsistent.

Favorite ... read more

In my initial listen of this record, I found the material here to be quite beautiful, as the vibe this album gives off is quite relaxing and comforting. However, after the seventh track or so, this facade wore off quickly. I started to realize how underwhelming, boring, and tedious the material here is. I had just sat through seven tracks without realizing that the tracks here are really boring and I was getting caught up in the aesthetic of this record. Thankfully, this album isn’t ... read more

Chloe x Halle prove themself to be one of the most unique and fun rnb duos in years on Ungodly Hour. The production is glamorous and lively and the vocal performances are stunning. However, this album is not perfect. The track Catch Up feels like a blatant attempt a mainstream hit, with awkward and uninspired vocals from Swae Lee. There are also a few other underwhelming cuts such as Lonely and Wonder What She Thinks of Me. Regardless of these missteps, this is still a great record and it will ... read more

Where The Dark Side of the Moon sounds trippy, Wish You Were Here sounds futuristic. I’m amazed that this project came out in 1975, as I would believe that it came out a decade later or even a year ago. The tracks here are just absolutely grand and awe inducing. From the slow-building Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5), to the otherworldly aesthetic of Have a Cigar, Wish You Were Here is undoubtedly a masterpiece from Pink Floyd and one of the greatest albums of all time.

Favorite ... read more

Megadeth’s debut album is a great showing of thrash metal that has outstanding guitar work and vocal performances. Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! was an important debut project that would further popularize thrash metal and has been regarded as one of Megadeth’s best albums.

Favorite Tracks: Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!, The Skull Beneath the Skin, Rattlehead, Looking Down the Cross, Mechanix

Least Favorite Track: These Boots

The Dark Side of the Moon is widely regarded as one of the best albums of all time and it’s not difficult to see why. It’s an extremely trippy and otherworldly experience that is not comparable to any other album ever made. It also stands as easily Pink Floyd’s best work up until this point, as Meddle is the only release of theirs that is even remotely close to The Dark Side of the Moon. The only complaint I have here is with the track On The Run, as it is a mostly uneventful ... read more

Obscured by Clouds is Pink Floyd’s second soundtrack and though it may be better than their first soundtrack, More, it is still somewhat underwhelming and uninteresting. The material here is ethereal and relaxing psychedelic rock, which is perfectly fine, however some tracks feel more underwhelming than they do relaxing. Tracks like Stay and Absolutely Curtains are good examples of this. There are still some great tracks here, but considering The Dark Side of the Moon was released after ... read more

3 Songs is a solid follow-up to 13 Songs. Fugazi makes more post-hardcore bangers like on that album. This EP is enjoyable, however there is a track that is pointless, especially for an EP. Joe #1 is a solid instrumental track, but the post-hardcore instrumentals Fugazi works with need vocals. It also doesn’t really vary, so for 2-3 minutes of the same thing isn’t very interesting. It’s still a good instrumental, but it’s only purpose is to setup the next track and it ... read more

Though I’m against giving EPs or compilations perfect ratings, 13 Songs is about as perfect as any compilation could be. It’s an incredibly intense post-hardcore record that combines the band’s first two EPs into a compilation. This compilation varies in sound, while still sounding cohesive to where it could legitimately pass as a studio album. An outstanding compilation that is a great introduction to Fugazi.

Favorite Tracks: All

Least Favorite Track: N/A

I’ve been familiar with the progressive rock genre primarily through Pink Floyd, however there has never been a progressive rock record that has really stunned me until I listened to In The Court Of The Crimson King. This is honestly one of the best records that I have ever listened to. The intro, 21st Century Schizoid Man, starts with an intense introduction as Greg Lake’s vocals are loud and really distorted, yet they sound amazing and really compliment the punchy guitars here. ... read more

After one of the best records in their career so far, Pink Floyd returns with Meddle, easily their best effort up until this point and their most under-appreciated record overall. The band does what they did on their last album, Atom Heart Mother, except Meddle is more impactful and consistent. I felt with Atom Heart Mother, there was a psychedelic moment here or there that played too much into the psychedelic aesthetic without being hard-hitting, that still happens on this record, however it ... read more

Original Score: 92

Wow, I was wrong. Sure, there is some really solid material here, but I have come to the realization that much of the material here is underwhelming and boring. The instrumentation is pretty, Dylan is solid vocally, and his lyrics are great as well, but I feel it is often played too sleepily to where it’s not impactful, like with tracks Black Rider and Mother of Muses. If that’s not the problem, tracks like Goodbye Jimmy Reed and Crossing the Rubicon will sound ... read more

Xavlegbmaofffassssitimiwoamndutroabcwapwaeiippohfffx is a band that intrigued me because of their long name, so I checked out their first record and it turns out it is a solid deathcore album. Every track here is a perfect example of deathcore done right, except on Pneumo, where the instrumentation is as great as ever, but the vocals sound awful. Gore is a really good deathcore record that is dynamic and not repetitive.

Favorite Tracks: Bone Saw, Dicks Out for Harambe, Gore

Least Favorite ... read more