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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Greco Bastián, An Abstract Illusion, Greber, and Toehider

Greco Bastián – With a Little Hell from My Friends

What kind of mad scientist is this? The lad doesn’t even play an instrument, yet he writes (and publishes!) one of the best avant-prog releases of 2022? And that’s all with real instruments! Well, mostly… Greco conjured some of the brightest names in the genre to play on his album—I’m talking Koenjihyakkei, Ruins, Univers Zéro, Ryoko Ono, Pierre Vervloesem, Secret Chiefs 3, Patrick Shiroishi, Scherzoo, Jon Bafus, Samo Šalamon, and more! What an incredible feat of collaboration, coordination, networking, and determination! The result is a fascinating and mesmerizing album full… Read more

Sweet Heart, Open Ear: May 2022

Deaf Club – Bad Songs Forever


Justin Pearson can do no wrong. I’ve reached a few different conclusions after listening to this four-song EP a few times: There is a cool table, and then there is an even cooler table; the table where those who sit at the cool table wish they sat. This cooler table is where Deaf Club sits. Everything about this release is balanced. Nothing in the mix is louder than it needs to be. It sounds almost understated. I can’t think of another example of carefully understated grindcore off the top of my head. Deaf Club… Read more