ALBUM REVIEWS

Leeds’ most emotionally devastating musical export, DIN OF CELESTIAL BIRDS, are back and ready to rip your stitched-up heart wide open. The instrumental post-rockers have put together a collection of music that soars and dives to mimic the to’s and fro’s of life’s journey - whether that be in more metaphorical sensibilities, or the more literal, as shown off by the record’s title - Takeoffs & Landings. With gargantuan gulfs between the delicate and crushing, the brooding and

When Republican presidential candidate and TV personality Donald Trump was elected as president of the USA in 2016, a lot of the world looked on in disbelief. When he was elected again in 2024, for many that disbelief turned into utter despair. Children is a direct and pointed product of the first hellish year of this second term of presidency - and a president that has overseen and engaged in war, genocide and a roster of violent anti-immigration policies. On their debut alb

REALLY GOOD TIME isn’t just a band name, it’s a promise from the Dublin-based trio. Half-jokingly proclaiming they started out as an excuse to “get drunk and play late shows”, it wasn’t long before they realised they’d struck musical gold and have seen their efforts rewarded with accolades from media, coveted spots at festivals, and fellow bands shouting their praises. Having established themselves firmly in the scene on both sides of the Irish sea, they’re ready to unleash t

With their fourth release, aptly named Four, the whirlwind that is CRUMBLING GHOST present a haunting series of narratives under the fuzz of heavy stoner rock. Over the course of their musical endeavours they had stayed true to the folk-esque sound, but have experimented with other subtle elements. It has been ten years now since the band had their third release, titled Five Songs, which is exactly that. In that time they have accrued a dedicated following and have made appea

There are three things about CEREMONY we can say for certain: they like to keep everyone guessing as they adapt their sound between releases; no matter the changes, they know how to play punk that makes you want to tear a room apart; and finally, after seven long years they’ve returned with blistering new album Tell Me Your Dream, a ten track labour of love and rage that’s full to the brim with solid beats, hulking riffs, and a twenty one year evolution of their political mor

There is a list of fundamental qualities that every truly innovative band must possess: consistency, creative independence, and a defining, unmistakable sound. Everything about DMA’S self-titled latest album embodies those characteristics. The Australian trio are renowned for the gritty, emotionally charged vocals of frontman Tommy O'Dell, the creative guitar work of Matt Mason, whose inventive riffs and melodies have become a key part of the band’s identity, and the song wri

No creature is more tied to the idea of metamorphosis than the butterfly: they take the time to develop themselves and grow, and emerge into the world as symbols of beauty. Aussie indie rockers SESAME GIRL have done the same with this record. This is the band's third EP release, but it’s here they really find themselves. Stripped down to organics, with instrumental additions of banjo and acoustic guitar, they trade out their usual fuzzy sound for sentiment and soul, putting e

If GREEN DAY and THE HIVES had a lovechild, that would be a bit weird. But it would likely sound like rock-and-roll anthem highfliers PUBLIC OPINION, originating from the Colorado hardcore scene before reshaping their sound and their passion for music into the type of alt-punk-rock that leaves your voice hoarse and your feet knackered, but feels entirely worth the pains. With 1 album, multiple EPs and a handful of singles under their belt already, PUBLIC OPINION are ready to

After nearly two decades of refusing to be put in a box, CITIZEN brings forth a new chapter with Halcyon Blues. Announced alongside the towering lead single Highs and Lows, the album drops on August 7th via Run For Cover Records. Reflecting its spirit, the promotion rollout has so far been an intimate reachout from the band to their audience with surprise shows and a newly announced world tour. Rather than presenting a dramatic stylistic pivot, Halcyon Blues feels like a coll

Over recent years, CINEMA STARE have built a reputation for writing heartfelt pop-punk anthems that are as infectious as they are emotional. Blending shimmering synth melodies, catchy early-2000s pop-punk hooks, heartfelt lyricism and occasional indie rock textures, the Connecticut outfit wear their influences proudly, drawing inspiration from bands such as PARAMORE while carving out an identity of their own. Their latest release, Stink E.P. is a six-track record produced, e

Is it finally time to ditch the “Windmill Scene” moniker? Because what makes a band or artist sound “windmill-y” is a little unclear at this point. Sure, in the late 2010s you could easily point to groups like FAT WHITE FAMILY, SHAME and the wave of seven-inch singles released on Speedy Wunderground as having something of a similar sound. But since then, there’s been much more variation in genre within the walls of the Brixton Windmill, with electronic acts like PVA and FAT D

Manchester's MALAMUTANT arrive with a party cannon firmly in hand, bringing together former members of underground favourites FOOTPRINTS IN THE CUSTARD and GODHAND to create something that refuses to take itself too seriously. The result is an album packed with infectious grooves, humour and hardcore energy; it packs just enough chaos to keep you grinning from start to finish. From the outset, it's clear that MALAMUTANT have no interest in writing typical hardcore songs. Inst

Sweden has gifted many wonderful artists to heavy music over the years including MESHUGGAH, VILDHJARTA, THROWN and other renowned acts. ALLT had been a rising star from this scene, taking some of the technical and progressive stylings of VILDHJARTA and applying it to a more palatable metalcore sound. However, with their sophomore album Ataraxia, they have elected to move away from these elements that once provided great intrigue, now in favour of a much safer and sanitised al

For the past 7 years, German based post-hardcore band FUTURE PALACE have consistently unleashed devastating, emotionally fuelled projects that have now connected with millions around the world, and they are yet to slow down with their upcoming LP Resurgence. The trio, consisting of vocal powerhouse Maria Lessing, guitarist Manuel Kohlert and drummer Johannes Früchtenicht, formed the idea of a band in 2018, wasting no time bringing this idea to life with their first single May

Coming from the roots of London with a passion for finding his own way through the music industry HONGZA has finally released his deluxe version of his EP Coming of Age. The original EP was released in 2024 with five tracks but the deluxe version has an additional three versions of songs the fans already know and love. This deluxe version includes two new versions of his single Lovesick, with a new alternative version as well as an acoustic version you can hear the song comp

Darkwave act BLEACHED CROSS have found their way out of the murky underbelly of Chicago, and are ready to bring their brand of mournful, industrial sonic sadness to the masses with new LP Wrath. Originating as a file-sharing collaboration between Chicago and San Diego, the band became a fully fledged live act in 2020 and has not stopped to look back since. Now they’re on the cusp of releasing the heaviest work so far in their career, blending post punk, noise rock, industrial

Having a warrior chant as an opener to their new album, HUN, it could only be done by the folk metal masters that are THE HU. Their goal is to grow and reach audiences all over the world, to share their world with their audiences. THE HU’s sound is so iconic that it has pioneered its own genre. The concoction of heavy rock riffs and traditional Mongolian instruments alongside throat singing is captivating, and it sounds incredible. First brought under the spotlight in 2019 b

Until now, Cork-based DAZGAK! had concentrated their post-hardcore, skate-punk into furious instrumentals to convey the trio’s tumultuous feelings into wordless sound - that all changed with their re-emergence as a four-piece, boldly showing off the elevated ferocity of their vocals-infused sound on new EP Stimpy. A play on Irish slang “that’s gak” (“that sucks”), DAZGAK! live and breathe this rebellious punk spirit, their chaotic energy and hard-hitting melodies balancing o

With Dreamstate of Fear, MIMI BARKS delivers what feels like her most self-assured release to date. While the Berlin artist has spent years carving out her own lane with her self-described doom trap sound, this seven-track EP places far greater emphasis on the emotional and psychological ideas behind the music than simply pushing genre boundaries for the sake of it. At its core, Dreamstate of Fear explores heaven and hell as psychological states, examining cycles of fear, sel

It’s been eight long years of silence since the last full length MADBALL release, and finally, the wait is over. The kings of New York Hardcore return with Not Your Kingdom, an album that feels like a much-needed shot of adrenaline straight to the veins. Few bands have carried the spirit and sense of community of the NYHC scene quite like MADBALL, and this record serves as another reminder of why they remain one of the genre’s most respected and enduring names. Powered by pas