Palm Reader – ‘Sing Out, Survivor’ [Review]
Fluffy bunnies. Cute kittens. Puppies. Peaceful, lazy days spent lounging in the sun.
None of the above will come to mind while listening to Sing Out, Survivor. However, if you’re into dark and brutal hardcore, this might Read more…

The first thing that needs to be said is this: Takedown Festival 2015 was really well-run. Organising an event that takes in over 40 bands across five stages, runs to schedule, and delivers a smooth, hassle-free and fun experience for punters is a serious ask – but the Takedown crew rose to the challenge and did an awesome job. Even the security were nice guys. Or maybe paid actors.
Late one night during a week-long road trip, a former female friend and I stopped at a petrol station and bought a copy of a men’s magazine, from which she recited the following “Real Life Confessions” tale in the style of a BBC newsreader:
Xenophobia is experiencing a real renaissance in the UK right now. Anti-EU attitudes seem to be a real talking point around these parts – and frankly, I think they’re fucking stupid. European people are badass – and if you need proof of that fact in musical form, this album should do the trick.
Tuesday was a good day until I got to this show and realised it had started earlier than predicted, and I’d missed not only openers Sutek, but also one of my favourite new bands of math-metal maniacs, Let’s Talk Daggers. Sad face indeed. Still, Swim Good soothed my cravings for complex tunes with a loose but still awesome set. These guys can do no wrong, even when beset by technical issues. They really are that goddamn good. Happy face: restored for the rest of the night.
Although Biffy Clyro are a common reference point for the UK’s current surging wave of rock bands, Axis Of completely avoid succumbing to the siren call of the pastiche. Instead, while The Mid Brae Inn does borrow from Biffy’s taste in anthemic, pounding post-hardcore, it really feels more like
Prog-hardcore mixed with Korn-esque riffage? Sounds pretty damn epic to me! North Seasons are really pulling away from the post-hardcore herd with this track, chucking in
Ironic as it is, I have a real soft spot for grim and raw post-hardcore. With Cold Walls/Cloudy Eyes, Hindsights have hit said spot super-effectively. Crank up the volume, and you’ll be richly rewarded with