Author: Loyd Harp

Right off the bat, it’s loud and energetic.  This is melodic, yet noisy indie rock, reminiscent of the classic 90s Britpop with hints of 70s glam (think the rock riffs of Suede meet the swagger of The Divine Comedy).  But don’t be fooled, this isn’t simply nostalgic stuff, stuck in the past.  There is a real energy and drive to this music that captures one’s attention right off the bat. For those who don’t know, MrENC is Eric Collins’ nom-de-rock (formerly of Denison Marrs).  Lyrics deal with the need for love and compassion—both the giving and the receiving—through the chaos and noise of life. … Continued →

This 5-song EP contains 3 songs of melodic death metal (tracks 2-4) sandwiched in between 2 longer, unusual songs that genre-wise feature a hybrid of nu metal, doom metal and some classical instrumentation. Stylistically, the middle 3 tracks are similar to bands like Pantokrator, World to Ashes and similar melodeath bands (or In Flames and At the Gates from a mainstream perspective), but there is not a huge emphasis on the lead guitar. These are the strongest tracks with the most cohesive sound. The first and last tracks are more original, but ironically also weaker.… Continued →

Starflyer 59 are back. But, what does even mean when they never went away? Christian indie rock’s most prolific band have just released their 15th full-length album (not counting their 9 EPs, 4 live releases, 3 box sets/collections, numerous vinyl singles and LP variants or compilation appearances—I didn’t even mention the side projects: Pony Express, Bon Voyage, Dance House Children, The Brothers Martin, White Lighter, Neon Horse and Lo-Tom) making them probably the second most prolific band in all of indie rock (second only to Guided by Voices, who are at something like 100 releases).… Continued →

Grindcore. You either love it or think it’s not music and wonder why it ever existed. There’s not a lot of in-between. It’s possibly the most extreme form of music that exists (it’s either that or some form of harsh noise). Flactorophia hail from Ecuador, have been around for quite a while. In fact, Redemption of the Flesh was originally released in 2006. The band released this one album and a few split releases, before its sole member, Jose Barragan tragically died in a fire at a local gig, along with several other members of other bands.… Continued →

If you’re reading this review, chances are you’re aware of Nate Allen. Released a ton of folk-punk albums with wife Tessa as Destroy Nate Allen. DNA was energetic, fun, and although there was always a message, it was generally focused outward (“Jesus, Keep us Safe from the Cops” and “Boobie Bar” come to mind). Good Saint Nathaniel is Nate’s latest project, a solo outing, in which he turns inward to personal reflection and resolution. And the results are surprisingly good. Stylistically this is indie folk. Closest comparisons I can make are Damien Jurado’s darker stuff (there are no pop songs here), or even some of Mark Kozelek’s stuff (Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon), but with more uplifting content.… Continued →

Most readers will know Stephen best as the founder/frontman for alternative metal acts Tantrum of the Muse and Unteachers. Where Tantrum and Unteachers ‘taught’ us how to rock out, solo Sarro efforts want to make us uncomfortable. Spirit Shrill is his second solo album, continuing to explore experimental and noise fields. This album is one 55-minute-long track, although there are distinct movements within the piece. Samples abound, and whereas SMS’s last solo album critiqued our culture’s fascination with sex, Spirit Shrill is an unapologetic critique of the Charismatic movement.… Continued →

While this is being described by the label as “Norwegian death metal”, honestly that is a bit misleading.  To my ears, what we have here is a hybrid form of extreme metal.  For instance, you have some down-tuned nu metal rhythms, but they’re heavier than most.  The drum machine lends itself to an almost industrial-meets-groove-metal feel.  Think somewhere between Lucid and Malformed Earthborn, but lighter on the glitches and samples.  Genre-wise this is either really heavy nu-metal or generically “extreme metal.” The first song (if we don’t include the spoken opening track) has a really annoying “bree bree bree” section that I really hope is a poor attempt at humor, as it really seems to serve no other purpose. … Continued →

Black metal band Proven Existence have just issued the following press statement: The new black metal project Proven Existence has inked a deal with the up and coming label, The Bearded Dragon Productions. Proven Existence released their track, “No Light, No Compassion”, and immediately received feedback. The project’s founder, Nocturnal Servant, has been a prominent supporter in the underground unblack metal scene, citing himself as a fan of Symphony of Heaven, Children of Wrath, Frost Like Ashes, and many more. “I’ve been friends with the brainchild behind Proven Existence and really hoped he would do something, eventually.… Continued →

For those who don’t know, Desiring Dead Flesh are a 3-piece hardcore punk band from Michigan, entirely made up of family members Bryan (vocals, father), Adam (drums, son), and Ravyn (guitar, daughter). Yep, just drums, guitar and vox—no bass or anything else. This is raw, fast punk rock. While it would be tempting to think this is simplistic, that would be missing the mark. The rhythms are much more complex, angular, and asymmetrical to be simple. Raw, yes, but not simplistic. What’s interesting is how difficult it is to find a point of comparison.… Continued →

Mexican melodic death metal band Lament have been churning out metal for the masses since the 1990s. They have recently announced the issuing of a new album, The Ancient Battle of the Saints, to be released sometime this year. They are also featuring a lyric video from the album’s lead single, Apostle of Hypocrisy. So far, it sounds like a foray into straight-forward old school death metal, having played with some more melodic and slower styles across their existence.… Continued →

90s quirky alternative band Mellowdramatic Wallflowers have recently made all their releases available for free download here. The Oklahoma-based band remained independent throughout their existence, but released four full-length albums during their time. The band reluctantly changed their name to Admiral Twin (inspired by a historic Tulsa movie theater) to avoid confusion when the similarly-named mainstream rock band The Wallflowers gained in popularity. The Mellowdramatic Wallflowers might appeal to fans of They Might Be Giants, The Ass Ponys, Hokus Pick and other quirky bands.… Continued →

Ascending King is a one-man extreme metal project from Texas. Stylistically it’s a straight-up 50/50 mix of raw black metal and funeral doom. What’s strange about that mix is just how incredibly well it works here. Slower tempos overall and crushing heaviness reminiscent of sludge without the leftfield tendencies of that subgenre, but with occasional mid-paced blastbeats? Mid-paced blastbeats you say? That’s an oxymoron! You’re right, it certainly is, but there’s no other way to describe certain sections of the aptly-named Funeral of the Species. Really attentive listeners, and readers-of-liner-notes may recognize the name Ruah (Hebrew for ‘spirit’ or ‘wind’) as a temporary member of Elgibbor, filling in on guitar and BGVs on spot dates for the Polish legends.… Continued →

Canadian metallurgic alchemists The Beckoning have posted a new song on for streaming. Mixing progressive, gothic and extreme metal sounds to pleasing results, the track clocks in at a lengthy 10:36! Let’s hope this is a sign of a new album soon. The track can be found on their Bandcamp page.… Continued →

This is a fun record, that’s really easy to listen to. It’s not really ground-breaking, just straight-forward indie rock with really warm guitar tones. While there’s not a lot of distinction between the guitar and bass, for some reason that’s not a bad thing, it just adds to the simplicity. Most readers probably already realize Lo Tom is basically an indie rock supergroup, featuring: David Bazan (Pedro the Lion, Headphones, solo), TW Walsh (Pedro the Lion, The Soft Drugs, solo), Trey Many (Velour 100, His Name is Alive, Liquorice, TW Walsh), and Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, Bon Voyage, Dance House Children, White Lighter).… Continued →

Thrash band Ritual Servant are in the process of recording a new album, according to their promo agency Bearded Dragon Productions. The band has released a lyric video for the song “Seven Trumpets,” which can be found on their Facebook page.… Continued →

From The Choir’s own website: “With support by many of you, we’ve been able to release 5 projects in the past 2 years. Thank you! We’ve put together a free download compilation that includes 1 song from each of our newest projects by The Choir, Derri Daugherty (solo) and Steve Hindalong (solo). If you haven’t checked these albums out, now is your chance to sample a free song from each project. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD. “Nearly every week we hear from fans that rediscovered our new music after losing track of us from way back in the day.… Continued →

Having initially formed in 1992 as simply Outrage, the band released 2 independent releases by 1995 when they sadly broke up. Reuniting as the newly-christened Outrage AD in 2013, the band quickly began work on New Blood. On this debut the Canadian band apportion some classic thrash metal, with touches of crossover and groove metal. The 8-song full-length brings to mind mid-paced thrashers Thresher as well as Overkill, Bloody Cross, Detritus and Ultimatum. Their mostly-shouted vocals (hence the nod to Scott Waters of Ultimatum) occasionally employ a bit of death growls as well.… Continued →

Not Beneath is an exciting new project featuring ex-members of Narcissus, Outcry, North Meadow Park, and Vessel. In 2018 those names might not mean very much but if you were into hardcore/metalcore in the late 90s or early 00s, you’ll recognize them for sure. Memento Mori ventures into new territory though, pushing for a death metal vibe with progressive leanings at times, and occasionally some touches of –core. Having said all that, it’s a very rewarding listen. It caught my ear upon first listen, and almost immediately I wanted to listen again—lots of layers of sound, melodic and harmonic textures, and heavy as crap!… Continued →

First things first. Have you heard there’s a new Stavesacre album out? Yeah? I bet you’re wondering who played on it? This is the classic 5-member line-up: Mark Salomon – vocals Sam West – drums Dirk Lemmenes- Bass Ryan Dennee – guitar Jeff Bellew – guitar Besides the Against the Silence EP in 2009, this line-up hasn’t made a record together since Speakeasy. Of course, what most readers will be wondering is, “can they still bring it?” Does this album hit as hard as Speakeasy did?… Continued →

The Sprinkle brothers are back! If you don’t know who that is, then stop reading. Go and find Poor Old Lu, The World Inside, Aaron Sprinkle, Paloma, Fair . . . I could go on but I’m using up valuable reviewing space (and I didn’t even mention the production credits)! Considering who is involved in this project, you might think you already know what it’s going to sound like. And sure, you might be in the right ballpark—alternative/indie rock with a capital Rock. But you haven’t heard this.… Continued →

If you guessed by the band name that you were about to hear some grindcore, you’d be right.  However, what you might not expect from this Brazilian band is the type of grindcore they play (yes, there are multiple subgenres, but let’s not get into that)!  While the trademark elements are there—incredibly fast riffs, blastbeats, extremely short songs—the longest song is just one minute, 12 seconds and it’s the only song over a minute.  In fact, the whole album of 16 songs clocks in at just over 6 minutes!—yet… Continued →

Katharos is yet another project from Fire (Elgibbor, Fire Throne, Nuclear Blaze) on vocals and guitars, this time with help from drummer Taberah.  There is also some collaboration from former Frost Like Ashes members Sebat and Azahel for live dates. This recording is a single and ‘b-side’ and what we have here is no-frills, raw black metal.  No ‘atmospheric’ or ‘symphonic’ keyboards.  No overdubs or anything of the like.  This could easily pass as a release from the mid-90s Norwegian BM scene.  Appropriately lo-fi with hissed/snarled vocals and trebly guitars, this is great if you like first or second wave black metal.… Continued →

Canadian progressive death metallers The Beckoning have been making noise since 2010.  This release combines two earlier demos—Desolate (2014) and War (2012) into one remastered full-length.  Truly progressive, this 4-song clocks in at over 29 minutes, making it either a very long EP, or a full-length with only 4 songs, depending on one’s perspective. While the formula has been done before—screamed/growled vocals + clean/operatic vocals + heavy riffing + melodic leads—it works well here.  Founder/drummer/vocalist Roy Turple pulls off the screamed and clean sung vocals, and when he chooses the latter approach, resembles Jimmy Brown or Eric Clayton. … Continued →

The press release labelled this as “Indie Folk Rock.”  And while that is mildly accurate, it certainly doesn’t tell you all you need to know.  Full disclosure: I’m a bit of 90s slacker kind of guy.  So indie rock to me means loud guitars, dissonant riffs, punk attitude and band photos that make it look like the members are made up of blind golfers.  Back then, Nirvana had come in and changed all the rules.  Alternative rock had overtaken the airwaves and become mainstream.  Indie rock was an even deeper underground version of alternative. … Continued →

While this band hails from Louisville, I would have sworn they were from eastern Europe somewhere.  That’s a good thing.  Reverentia is yet another quality post-metal release I’ve come across recently.  But whereas the mysterious band God revel in djent rhythms and instrumental anthems to connect the listener to God, TIMŌRĀTUS takes a different approach altogether.  Each album is written and recorded in a different style.  I’ve sampled some of the other albums and there’s black metal, thrash, doom and experimental hybrids. The music on Reverentia was takes on form of post-metal is impregnated with black metal atmospherics, layers of shoegaze wall-of-sound sonics and doom metal riffs, creating a drone metal beast! … Continued →

This mysterious band has been making music since 2016.  Their website states, “GOD will challenge you to consider your life, death through the power of music.”  While I am in contact with the band members, repeated requests for information regarding the member(s) have been unsuccessful—even to the point of denying my request to know which country the band is from. This is the second album from the band, and there are two more planned—each one with a conceptual theme.  God I focused on the nature of God, while God II as the subtitle suggests, is all about the person and work of Jesus Christ. … Continued →