Pelican

Ataraxia/Taraxis EP by Pelican (Southern Lord Records) In just four short tracks instrumental rock band Pelican take us places previously unexplored.  The EP begins with Ataraxia, a drumless number based on a repetitive bell-like keyboard riff and acoustic guitar strummings floating on a bed of bass... more

Getting Loopy with Phil Hartnoll of Orbital

Brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll have been making music together and apart for the better part of 24 years now, only taking a break from each other for 5 or so years. In their time apart Paul Hartnoll released The Ideal Condition and Phil collaborated with Nick Smith as Long Range releasing Madness and... more

Sea Dweller

Signs of a Perfect Disaster by Sea Dweller (Upside Down Recordings) Sea Dweller is a Roman trio that perform intelligent, emotional music heavy on guitar effects with a gauzy, warm atmosphere. The band is made up of Cristiano Carosi on vocals and guitars, Paola Mattaroccia on bass and vocals and Paolo... more

Meshuggah

Koloss by Meshuggah (Nuclear Blast Records) Meshuggah return with another 50 minutes 0f heavy as hell corroded metal for your neck surgeon’s pleasure. Meshuggah are one of the most refined yet extreme bands out there.  On one level you can let all your troubles fall like sweat to the mosh pit... more

Orbital

Wonky by Orbital (ACP Recordings) Eight years on from their last studio album the brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll have returned with their strongest album since In Sides from 1996.  They’re playing analog synths from way back in the beginning of their career, Flood had his hands in the production... more

Royal Baths

Better Luck Next Life by Royal Baths (Kanine Records) Royal Baths are Jigmae Baer on vocals and Jeremy Cox on guitars and vocals.  Their sound is of two men in love with urban blues and psychedelia, playing until they slump into a pool of sweat in the corner of a dive bar, drink spilling over their... more

Age Sex Occupation

This Side of the Fence by Age Sex Occupation (Self-Released) Age Sex Occupation comes from the mind of Daniel Weiskopf, who before settling in Portland scored films and studies musical composition but wanted to ultimately make music that blurred styles and genres.  The music on This Side of the Fence certainly... more

Machine Head, The Avalon – Hollywood, CA, February 17, 2012

Machine Head at the Avalon, February 17, 2012 Fans got the most metal for their money at the Avalon this February Friday.  The show started at the very un-metal time of 6pm with opening bands Darkest Hour and Suicide Silence and Machine Head on at 8:20.  I made it in time for the headliners and the... more

Steve Hogarth and Richard Barbieri

Not The Weapon But the Hand by Steve Hogarth and Richard Barbieri (KScope Records) Marillion singer Steve Hogarth and Porcupine Tree and former Japan keyboardist Richard Barbieri make music that might appeal to fans of their present and former bands but sounds more like Dead Can Dance with guitars, fronted... more

Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters

Bikers Welcome Ladies Drink Free by Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters (13th Planet Records) Hearing the new album from Al Jourgensen (here going by Buck Satan) reminds me of the Blues Brothers movie when the band ends up at the backwoods hick club where they play both kids of music: country and western.... more

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