THE LOUDER STUFF
AUTHOR & PUNISHER – Krüller
Industrial metal made with instruments he created himself, sort of like a DYI Godflesh. Includes a Portishead cover and guest appearances by Tool’s rhythm section which make it a bit more accessible (ha!) than his previous albums. (7)
GUNS N’ ROSES – Hard Skool EP
The two new tracks remind you they once were the most dangerous band in the world, in a good way. Axl’s voice on the two live recordings remind you they once were the most dangerous band in the world, in a bad way. (7)
KORN – Requiem
I never got into nu metal but the older I (we) get the more I like Korn, and this is actually a great album. Some fantastic, bouncy riffs and the catchiest choruses they’ve come up with in the 21st century. (8)
NAPALM DEATH – Resentment Is Always Seismic: A Final Throw Of Throes
I don’t know how they do it, but 35 years after their debut they remain as relevant and unpredictable as ever, and this EP proves (again) that Napalm Death are still the world’s best extreme metal band. (9)
SLASH FEAT. MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS – 4
Not bad but a few songs are just excuses for flashy solos and this is Slash, not Vinnie Vincent, so we expect more. He also blatantly rips himself off, one song here is essentially “Sweet Child O’ Mine” played backwards. (7)
ZEAL & ARDOR – Zeal & Ardor
Taking his black-metal-meets-gospel thing one step further and throwing more electronica and shoegaze elements into the mix this guy has crafted the most original piece of extreme art since, well, his previous album. This rules, seriously. (9)
THE OTHER STUFF
BIG THIEF – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Missed opportunity to release what could have been the best album of the year by a wide margin as more than half of the 20 songs on this folk-rock behemoth are tremendous, but even as a double album with the occasional weaker moment you’ll see this topping many year-end lists come December. (8)
BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD – Ants From Up There
Strong sophomore album from one of the UK’s hottest NWOBEPP (New Wave Of British Experimental Post Punk) bands will probably end up being their swan song after the frontman’s departure. (8)
ABIODUN OYEWOLE – Gratitude
Septuagenarian Last Poet on excellent solo album of spoken word over sweet soul beats. RIYL Gil Scott-Heron, who actually came after the Last Poets BTW. (8)
ERIN RAE – Lighten Up
Reminiscent of Rosali’s “No Medium” from last year in the way it blends its country heart with a Neil Young influence – the main difference between the two being that Rosali prefers Crazy Horse distortion Young, whereas Rae goes for “Harvest”-era SoCal folk-pop Young. (7)
FRANK TURNER – FTHC
It’s the most punk rock Turner album (the title stands for “Frank Turner Hardcore” after all), with songs like “The Gathering” and “The Resurrectionists” it’s also the best Hold Steady album since “Boys And Girls In America”, and overall it’s simply the best Turner album since 2013’s “Tape Deck Heart”, or better. I totally love this. (9)
URGE OVERKILL – Oui
Look. I’m a fan, “Saturation” is a Desert Island Disc, but this new album doesn’t really cut it, not even the gimmicky power pop cover of George Michael’s “Freedom”. (6)
EDDIE VEDDER – Earthling
Pearl Jam frontman invites several of his high-profile buddies (a couple of Chili Peppers, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Stevie Wonder etc.) and mostly steers clear of his day job’s trademark sound opting for polished, radio-friendly, well-written Dad Rock with occasional punk outbursts. A very pleasant surprise. (8)
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