Here in the UK, two underground festivals stand far above the rest. Every July, 2000 Trees hosts a wealth of alternative bands whose music collectively tends towards the more commercial end of the non-mainstream spectrum, while a month or so later, ArcTanGent ushers about 5,000 people into its grounds for three days of niche acts – especially those fond of Read more…
In 2018, humility has increasingly become a core value embraced and emphasised by guitar-based bands. Cool, calm, and collected confidence reigns supreme over arrogance and obnoxiousness, while mature self-assurance gets prioritised over forceful attempts to prove one’s worth. The Dirty Nil refuse to conform to that particular trend – and while nonconformity is obviously one of rock and roll’s most fundamental values, and they’re far from the first set of rockers to Read more…
Mike Vennart has a reputation for turning musical messes and chaos into moving, engrossing, living and breathing songs. With To Cure A Blizzard Upon A Plastic Sea, he’s at it once again. This album can be chalked up as another success, awarded the latest approving check mark on a list of long-playing releases that date back to his work with Oceansize and Read more…
Discovering a band with tons of potential is always a rewarding experience – and EMPIRE (sometimes stylised as EMP!RE) are one such outfit. Over the past six years, these guys have been busy making a name for themselves in the British rock underground and, of course, putting in the work that led to this album’s creation. Glue is the sound of a band who remain a work in progress, albeit one that seems sure to grow into Read more…
Although I wrote an entire book about why good bands break up, I didn’t see these circumstances coming. From the sound of it, neither did anyone else. Only two weeks ago, Arcane Roots debuted their first ever experimental electronic set at ArcTanGent, false starts followed by a promising showcase during which Indigo stood head and shoulders above its peers.
“Just say the word, and I’ll go, if that’s what you’re saying…”
Nobody at ArcTanGent was prepared to Read more…
The Arusha Accord named themselves after a set of failed peace agreements, and their own history has been defined by dramatic struggles and attempts at conflict resolution. After an extended absence and 2017 comeback, both vocalist Alex Green and guitarist Tom Hollings departed into the sunset while the remaining members fought to Read more…
Music has always had the ability to transport listeners into parallel realities. Within such dimensions we can escape from worldly concerns, explore fictional realms, and relax as the musicians behind it all weave stories through chords, beats, melodies, riffs, and lyrics. For Boston Manor, however, escapism, prog-style fantasies, and tranquil chill sessions are definitely Read more…
After spending many years immersed in music, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’ve heard it all. Then, along comes an Afro-psych-doom band interpreting an assortment of mythical spirits, employing a dairy farm’s worth of cowbell while deep-pocketed riffs batter your ears into submission and Read more…
On last year’s Red, Green Or Inbetween, WSTR officially emerged as punchy pop-punk masters. It was, to say the least, a solid effort driven by great bass and effective songcraft. For Identity Crisis, WSTR have taken the next logical step for any self-respecting pop-punk outfit, cranking the dial marked “Maturity” and Read more…
Although Dance On The Blacktop deals with self-directed negativity, misanthropy, and our species’ cosmic insignificance – and its title is prison slang for rec-time beatings and assassinations – this is not an album you should listen to while operating heavy machinery. Nothing have their signature brand of gritty, heavily distorted shoegazing so extensively refined that they can even Read more…