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Showing posts from January, 2024

Top 15 Punk/Hardcore/Grind/Powerviolence Releases I Heard in 2023

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1) ROTTEN SOUND (FINLAND) - Apocalypse (Season of Mist) Addictive, very aggressive, and unusually well-written.  I can't stop listening to it.  Their best work so far that I've heard.  The buzz around this album is completely justified.  GET IT NOW!!! https://rottensound.bandcamp.com/album/apocalypse 2) SUPPRESSION & BASTARD NOISE (US) - Infernal Legions LP (Anthems of the Undesirable) They finally did something together (it's a collab...) and naturally, it's weird, incredible, and groundbreaking.  This is the next step in the evolution of powerviolence.  Straight up. https://theundesirable.bandcamp.com/album/suppression-with-bastard-noise-infernal-legions-undesirable-027 3) SHITGRINDER (AUSTRALIA) - s/t (Headsplit and RSR) Grindcore from Down Undah that you'll find yourself going back to ovah and ovah, oi!!! https://shitgrindershit.bandcamp.com/album/shitgrinder 4) PROLAPSE (US) - Chaos Noise Supremacy Demo (Self-Released) "DUDE.  Thanks for telli...

Top Eleven Indie Rock and Adjacent Albums I Heard in 2023, Ranked

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  1) Bailey Miller (US) - love is a dying 2xCS (Whited Sepulchre) Incredible debut full-length (she has previous releases) an incredible new singer-songwriter.  A multi-instrumentalist, she even plays the harp.  While she is a Christian, she lets her art speak for itself.  Mostly in the shoegaze and dream pop realm, but transcends that.  Best explanation I could give would be MAZZY STAR meets GROUPER, but that's just scratching the surface.  Highly recommended.  I listen to it all the time. https://baileymillermusic.bandcamp.com/album/love-is-a-dying 2) Backworld (US) - For the Life of the World (Self-Released) Catholic neo-folk with (mostly) excellent vocals from New York City.  It's incredible and even has an appearance from David Tibet of CURRENT 93.  His song is excellent, but the vocals on it sound like a strangled cat, as per usual.  Anyhow, the songs have a traditional Catholic liturgical feel to them, but much better than what yo...

10 Best Metal Releases From 2023 That I Heard, Ranked

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  1) NEGATIVE REACTION (US) - Zero Minus Infinity   The most progressive sludge album since the last one they put out.  It really covers a lot of ground.  Depending on what song you're listening to, there could be solos, dual solos, synth, multiple synth lines, or Native American Indian flute.  And at times, a subtle WINTER, SHEER TERROR, or CELTIC FROST influence.  Not to mention a very strong MONSTER MAGNET influence on at least one track.  They've been around for thirty years, pioneered the genre, and show no signs of stopping.  Dig into their discography.  You have no idea what you're missing.   https://negativereactionband.bandcamp.com/album/zero-minus-infinity-2   2) ACID MASS (US) - Agonizer (several labels - scroll down for the review...)   Thrash metal with BROKEN BONES and BATHORY influences.  Great songwriting, I listen to this weekly. https://acidmass666.bandcamp.com/album/agonizer-2   3) FAITHXTRACTO...

Best New Noise Releases I Heard in 2023 (In Alphabetical Order)

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  Aux Armes - Radikal (Old Captain) Anonymous leftist power electronics.  Some people have supposedly guessed who it is, but I have not.  Record label is from Ukraine.   https://oldcaptain.bandcamp.com/album/aux-armes-radikal   Boredom Knife (Finland) - Stalker (Crucial Blast)  Intense power electronics that warrants repeated listens. https://crucialblast.bandcamp.com/album/stalker   Clang Quartet (US) -  A Slow Death For The Peacemaker (No Rent)   Incredible and long-running Christian experimental noise project that for some reason, The Wire (UK) still hasn't given coverage to.  What are they afraid of?   https://norentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-slow-death-for-the-peacemaker-nrr163 Jordan Darby (US) - New Hymnals Vol. I (Hissing Objects)   Ex-Dry Rot, Uranium Orchard, The MIND, etc.  Impressive Christian experimental noise made with tape loops and processed vocals.   https://hissingobjects.bandcamp.com/album/ne...