Sinularia, Sonic Assault, Mad Fellaz, and Xiranda

Sinularia – Subwater Beats


What if you mixed wonky beats hip-hop, jazz, and AAL-style compositions and technique? Well, you get Sinularia. The unique character of the music that’s shown on Subwater Beats is utterly fascinating. The band consists of a drummer, a double bassist, and an electric guitarist. All of them seem very fond of effect pedals and post-production shenanigans. Regarding the composition, the songs move from one section to the next like tides ebb and flow, and it’s a real rhythmic challenge at times to decipher what’s going on. It’s real fun when bands make rhythm their main focus,… Read more

Lunatic Tone Orchestra, Forelunar, Brendan Byrnes, and Spinifex

Lunatic Tone Orchestra – Chronicle of Faith


Take symphonic metal and J-pop, what do you get? If you thought Babymetal, you’re not far off! While the emphasis is less on high-energy rock anthems or mellow ballads, Lunatic Tone Orchestra—狂奏楽団 (Kyō sōgaku-dan) in Japanese—is focused more on the prog aspect of the genre, calling themselves “progressive philosophy metal”, whatever that means. If you have a Coexist sticker on your car, you better start listening to this album right away!

Forelunar – Beloved and a Thousand Seraphim


Iran is undergoing some kind of turmoil these days. Look it up, it’s a revolution!… Read more

Ken Mode, Dongyang Gozupa, Labyrinth of Stars, and Down I Go

Ken Mode – Null (Art of Fact)


OK, we’ve got to talk about the new Ken Mode. The Canadian sludgecore act if well renowned, and for good reasons. If their sound seemed desperate and dreadful, be ready for these knobs to be cranked to 11 on Null. Distorted, discordant, uneasy, the atmosphere of the album is oppressive and that’s what you love about them. This is a masterful album from Ken Mode, be sure to check it out.

동양고주파 (Dong-yang-gozupa) – 결 (Gyeol / Kyul)


I’ve covered the Korean band Dong-yang-gozupa in the past, so I’ll be brief,… Read more

Eggs of Gomorrh, Crust, Miscreance, and Anal Stabwound

Eggs of Gomorrh – Wombspreader


Welcome to the world of blackened deathgrind, or black grind—literally how I make my coffee—with Swiss band Eggs of Gomorrh. I’ve been keeping a close eye on them for a short while now, and I think that’s thanks to their split with the offensive Weregoat. Well, here I am a new fan! With Wombspreader, Eggs crank the speed to the max and unleash a deluge of riffs, blast beats, and growls that’s terrifying enough to raze everything in its wake. It’s a real vile album you ought to play at this Halloween’s party.

Crust

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Kutu, Aeternam, Kolínga, and I, Parasite

Kutu – Guramayle


The Ceccaldi name is a promise of great music. On this album, both brothers collaborate with two Ethiopian singers from Addis Ababa to make a modern fusion of Ethiopian pop and jazz fusion. Everything is solidly backed up by drummer Cyril Atef, who’s previously played on other incredible albums, as with Bumcello. It’s an album made to groove, dance, and have a terribly fun time. The drums feel aptly Afrobeatish in essence most of the time, while the harmonization is walking the thin line between authentic and experimental. It’s a truly superb album!

Aeternam – Heir of

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