THE LOUDER STUFF
FUCKED UP – Another Day
Hardcore experimentalists’ new album is a bit chaotic and not among their best. That being said, they’ve never released an album that’s not at least very good. (8)
HAIL DARKNESS – Death Divine
It’s been a while since we got a really good new occult rock band but Hail Darkness are finally here and they’re fantastic – their thing being adding a Jefferson Airplane twist to the Sabbathian riff-fest. Horns up! (8)
NILE – The Underworld Awaits Us All
A strong brutal technical death metal record, this is probably the 6th best Nile album, and probably the 6th best Morbid Angel album as well. (8)
POISON RUIN – Confere EP
They’ve been called a crust punk band, they still sound like The Wipers meets Motorhead to me. (8)
UNIFORM – American Standard
This is an industrial/noise album about eating disorders and even though there’s an artistic value to this, it makes for extremely uncomfortable listening. Godflesh and black metal fans might like it, and I do hear echoes of Cop Shoot Cop somewhere in there. (7)
ZEAL & ARDOR – Greif
It’s funny how all the people who screamed “THIS ISN’T METAL!!!” in 2016 and hated them for defying expectations grudgingly grew to accept them, but they’re back to screaming “THIS ISN’T METAL!!!” in 2024 for defying expectations. (9)
THE OTHER STUFF
BEACHWOOD SPARKS – Across The River Of Stars
Competent Byrds cosplay produced by L.A. country-rock veterans, produced by The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson. (7)
JADE JACKSON – Silent Wings
Country rocker’s last full-length made the List, this 5-track EP is slightly poppier but just as good. (8)
MILTON NASCIMENTO & ESPERANZA SPALDING – Milton & Esperanza
Jazz bassist coaxes Brazilian singer out of retirement for a beautiful collaboration album bringing together reimagined classics from the latter’s catalogue with new tracks from the likes of Paul Simon. (8)
FRANK TURNER – Undefeated Acoustic
The acoustic version of this year’s “Undefeated” album has its charms but is non-essential, just like its parent record. (7)
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