Review: Herod – Sombre Dessein
“If we were to witness the end of days then this album would be a perfect soundtrack”
12th March 2019
“If we were to witness the end of days then this album would be a perfect soundtrack”
‘Deathwatch’ will likely be a lot of new fans introduction to The Royal… It’s just a shame that their step-up in songwriting seems to have come as a trade for heavier production.
“‘Anesthetic’ clumsily tries to mash Morton’s grizzly metal instrumentation with lazy, generic hard-rock tropes”
“‘Ill Minds Vol. 2’ sees Black Coast reveal their ambitious side, determined to continually outdo themselves.”
“Holding Absence are on the brink of becoming something special… a cathartic, and empowering collection of rock songs with cinematic results”
“The Raven Age are definitely decent on ’Conspiracy’, and as far as no-frills metal goes, they get the job done”
“‘Totality’ is a thoroughly intriguing body of work… Very promising and refreshing”
“a heartfelt and charming record, made with a spring in its step and sad twinkle in its eye”
“For anyone with a passing interested in emo-rock will find a lot to admire about Our Nameless Boy”
Our monthly ‘Under The Radar’ review roundup is back!
This month covers recent releases from Boundaries, Judiciary, Semaphore, Climate of Fear, Bridal Shower, Quantum pig and VFLambda.
You’ll be needing a neck massage after this… soothing vocals, erratic synths and colossal riffs that crack through the stratosphere.”
“The ‘Black Album’ turns out to be a massive disappointment with horrific results”
“While She Sleeps are letting their anthem-writing overtake any other expectations… sacrificing the need to be the most skilled/heavy musician to make great songs instead.”
“Technically polished, straightforward and insatiably catchy”
“Backyard Babies wallow in their weaknesses… this isn’t a medal-winner, it doesn’t even deserve the wooden spoon.”
“‘III’ is peak Masked Intruder… shallow, cheesy as hell and bags of fun”
Words by Ian Kenworthy
“a solid slice of accessible metal, perhaps not their most adventurous work, but with plenty to enjoy”
“a tantalising snapshot of a band with mountains of potential… one of the most exciting new post-hardcore bands around”
“Badflower have crafted an album that is bold and tender in equal measure”
“Don’t come to ‘Cheap Love’ expecting subtlety… To the Rats and Wolves do what they do with defiance”
“‘Hunter’s Moon’ feels it only appeals to existing fans almost exclusively.”
“‘Remains’ paints a vivid picture of the despair of those losing everything by combining driving riffs with vocals that spit with fury.”
“‘STARVE’ takes the foundations of Blood Youth’s sound and shakes it until it comes toppling down, and the pile of destruction that remains is the sheer brutality we hear now.”
“What ‘Distance Over Time’ lacks in excess it makes up for in focus and power”
“‘-‘ sees Jetty Bones come into their own. Kelc Galluzzo mixes and matches music genres to create something exciting and fresh”