Music Reviews

'Aphelion' is yet another brilliant release by Norwegian prog masters Leprous. Its songs constantly build themselves up and evolve, while retaining their individual sound and identity, and manage to never sound exactly the same as one another. This is a testament of a band that, in spite of a pandemic, is still on top of its game, and doesn’t plan to stop any time soon.

Leeds newcomers Caskets have already made their mark in alternative music. Whilst still a relatively new band to the scene, the quartet have come out all guns blazing with a big blend of crisp, atmospheric, post-hardcore and mellow melodics, presenting their unique take on the genre with such intensity and immediacy.

There are not many acts in extreme music that can toe the same sort of line that Ingested have in their career. Since their inception, the band have been at the forefront of the extreme music scene, particular in the UK, and have never waivered in their mission to create the most brutal and unyielding music that they can. Now, ten years on from their sophomore album 'The Surreption', Ingested have chosen to revisit the classic and give it the attention and recrafting that it deserves, with all the tools and tricks that have become available in their time since its original release.

Billie Eilish is back with her sophomore effort 'Happier Than Ever'. 'WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?' broke countless records and has made her arguably the biggest name in music, so following that record is arguably one of the hardest tasks in music history, so how does the 19-year-old do?

Creeper have built up a huge cult following with their first two full-length records. Their blend of theatrical rock, alternative lyricism, and anthemic choruses have excited fans all over the country, so does 'American Noir' keep the band on their trajectory to stardom?

Since Capstan’s debut record lead writer Joe Mabry has been to hell and back, going through what we’ve all been going through the last year or so, as well as a divorce. So when putting pen to paper, has his emotional torment translated into something stunning as so many classic albums have?

Out of nowhere, Blood Red Shoes have dropped a brand-new EP that mesmerises as much as it intrigues. However, does 'Ø' prove the Brighton duo are still one of the most interesting bands in alternative rock music in 2021, or have the previous five records caught up with them?

At The Gates are a band that should require truly little introduction to the average metal fan. Whether you are a follower of their music or not, you are most probably aware of their gargantuan reach in modern heavy music. They are responsible for one of the finest death metal albums ever committed to record, in the form of 'Slaughter of The Soul', which is the release that cemented their position as heavyweights in the scene; but it is perhaps in their consistency that the band have confirmed their legacy. With that in mind it should come as no surprise that their highly anticipated seventh full-length studio effort, 'The Nightmare of Being', is another stellar addition to the band’s already faultless discography.

Resonance through the medium of music is a difficult thing to capture decades down the line in a band's career, but with every new record from punk-rock giants Rise Against, the profound impact of their unapologetic, socially conscious message, mixed with their melodic punk-rock sound only gets louder, stronger and more powerful than the previous. With album number nine, 'Nowhere Generation', Rise Against’s voice is turned up tenfold. 

Black Midi’s Mercury-nominated debut 'Schlagenheim' proved that they are one of the most unique bands the UK has produced in years. However, after the huge success of this record, will the boys from Brit school show any signs of second album syndrome in 'Cavalcade'?