Category: news
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“A mix of surreal, supercilious satire and puerile lewdness.” Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and The Mothers’ Bongo Fury, revisited and expanded
A six-disc, 57-track edition of the legendary 1975 collaboration, featuring live recordings and outtakes -
Album Review: Poison The Well – Peace In Place
Album Review: Poison The Well – Peace In Place
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
It takes about forty five seconds of opening track “Wax Mask” to remind myself of the unbridled joy that comes when listening to Miami’s Poison The Well. It has taken me back to when I first heard “The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation” and how that record made me think “WTF is this?” and now armed with 10 new songs, they are firmly back in the spotlight.
This is their first release in fifteen years and with Jeff Moreira on vocals, Ryan Primack on guitars and Chris Hornbrook on drums, they form a cohesive unit and are back with an “emotionally heavy” and “pissed off” record that’s full of “raw emotions from experiences we’ve gone through”. There’s a relentless, aggressive nature to “Primal Bloom” which demonstrates they’ve lost none of their bite and increases the anticipation further.
When they released the single “Thoroughbreds” it put the music world on notice, with the calmer opening leading into a rapidly increasing drum sound, that creates an intensity alongside the pulsating guitar riff. The tempo switches beautifully, with the words “your voice kills mine” ringing in your ears. The evocative vocals and sinister sounding bass on “Everything Hurts” showcases the bands range, with a cleaner guitar sound that echoes through reverb and provides contrast and diversity.
“Weeping Tones” is probably my favourite track, as it gives your senses one hell of a bludgeoning whilst simultaneously being comforting by their mournful tones and tender vocals. As singer Moreira said, the song “is a reminder that a lot of situations will make you feel suffocated” and the riffs replicate that. “A Wake of Vultures” steps back from the full-frontal assault, albeit momentarily before exploding into life with aggression and brutality before the melancholy rhythm at the back end.
“Bad Bodies” comes along with a crazy drum pattern that really stands out as the guitars whizz around your ears. It embraces their more experimental side, from hostile metalcore to melodic post-hardcore whilst losing nothing from their past. There’s a dreamy bass line at the start of “Drifting Without End” which is an intriguing song as it sees them at their retrospective best with more melody and emotion, especially in the vocal.
“Melted” leads with a strummed guitar before they go off like a 4th July firework, but the change of tempo leads to a well-balanced and belligerent song. They end with “Plague Them The Most” which has the superb line “never again to bite my tongue in the name of mercy” as the tempo switches from confrontation to contentment. It wraps up an outstanding album and we should all welcome the return of Poison The Well.
The post Album Review: Poison The Well – Peace In Place appeared first on The Razor's Edge.
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Lime Garden – “Downtown Lover”
Lime Garden’s second record Maybe Not Tonight arrives next month. So far we’ve heard the title track, “23,” and “All Bad Parts,” all of which are extremely fun bangers. Now, the Brighton band is back with another infectious tune called “Downtown Lover.” “‘Downtown Lover’ came from three chords and my need to investigate my regular…
The post Lime Garden – “Downtown Lover” appeared first on Stereogum.
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“Raw, hungry, and already road-honed by years of gigging.” The Legendary Edition of Aerosmith’s debut album expands the original with live and session tracks
American rock giants’ debut album, with added Harmonica Jam Bass Jelly -
Slippers Announces New Album Slippers 08: Hear “Wants For Everyone”
Earlier today we posted about Some Velvet Sidewalk, the influential lo-fi band who are releasing their first album in 29 years on K/Perennial Records. Now we’re here to tell you about the LA indie act Slippers, who is announcing Slippers 08, her debut for that same label, which follows 2024’s So You Like Slippers? Today’s…
The post Slippers Announces New Album <em>Slippers 08</em>: Hear “Wants For Everyone” appeared first on Stereogum.
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IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION | Official Trailer
Universal Pictures International (UPI) have released the first the official trailer for the upcoming Iron Maiden feature documentary, IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION. Documenting one of the most iconic journeys in music history – the film will be released in Australian cinemas on May 7 2026. Tickets will go on sale March 19. Directed by Malcolm […] -
“One of America’s great bands just got alittle bit greater.”Tedeschi Trucks Band continue the search for transcendence on the sublime Future Soul
The best album yet from peak Derek and ‘punk’ Susan -
John McLaughlin: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
Over the years, jazz-fusion hero John McLaughlin has played everything from Telecasters to hollow-body guitars to Strats, and beyond. Lately, he’s forged a relationship with PRS, resulting in his signature curio, the PRS Private Stock John McLaughlin model. McLaughlin loves the guitar, calling it “lovely,” “beautiful,” and “gorgeous-sounding.” That’s fair, and surely, any guitar aficionado would agree. This relationship is probably why McLaughlin has now become entangled with what’s being called “The Yellow Guitar.” Have you heard about this? Maybe, err… probably not. The story dates back to 2024, when a video of longtime Fender devotee Eric Johnson playing what
The post John McLaughlin: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.
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ECHOVERSE – Fall Towards The Sky (Album Review)
The relatively small niche category of Christian prog rock gained a significant addition these past couple of years with EchoVerse, a mighty quartet that is set to release their second album in late April. Lest the phrase “Christian” not be your jam, fear not, the lyrics deal with universal themes and are not heavy-handed by any stretch. Rather, the uplifting approach of each song’s subject sails smoothly over the engaged musicianship beneath. This is, after all, a prog band and therefore musical interplay is at the core of the band’s form.
Band leader Doug Bowers covers a huge swath of the group’s instruments, including keys, bass, additional guitars, and backing vocals, in addition to mixing and production duties. However, many of the initial musical ideas and riffs come from lead guitarist Rob Perez, and the songs take their shape through Bowers‘ and Perez’s collaboration. Vocalist Kyle Graves then adds his vocal melodies and lyrics, which establish the soul of the band, both in lyrical content and emotional delivery. Fortunately, all of these pieces are held together by the impressive drumming of Kyle Fagala whose performance conveys a steady confidence and strength throughout the album.
Although most of the material hovers between the six and ten minute mark, a bevy of catchy riffs and chord progressions reveal that this is a rock band at heart, featuring concise arrangements even if occasionally more sections are layered together than a four-minute single would typically feature.
Leading track “Radical Rebirth” is a perfect encapsulation of the band’s approach. While the opening guitar stabs are a bit reminiscent of Van Halen’s approach on “Panama”, the song then roars forth with its own identity as hook after hook is cast over the listener’s ears. Graves’ lead vocals are assured, carrying a biting attitude combined with uplifting lyrical direction that makes for a thrilling combo in this lead single. Beyond the main melodic line, clever vocal layering, backing vocals, and tasteful effects bring the voice’s power right up to that of the guitar. Toward the end of the track, Graves takes the final verse’s vocal line up a notch right after a killer Fagala fill, ending the piece on a high note.
The hooks keep on coming, especially on “10 Plagues,” which lays down a chorus that won’t let go. The cowbell always wins. But Fagala has much more up his sleeve, delivering a powerful punch in track after track, and “Plagues” is no exception. Bowers does a great job in mixing the drum kit to maximize Fagala’s skill without overpowering the song. In addition, the added lines of Charlton Heston from “The Ten Commandments” are an effective use of source material to add extra drama.
“The Serpent & The Schism” follows with a rapid fire of riffage from Perez amidst moody keyboards. This may be the most prog track on the album, reaching nearly 10 minutes long, and featuring strong melodic vocals, grandiose keyboard noodling, effective bass lines, and a killer guitar solo. We even get a “Kyrie Eleison” section which fits right in perfectly, thematically and musically. A more mellow tone is taken on “Gold Bars,” but the lyrics quickly grab attention with their tale of always wanting more, leading to greed and the inevitable double entendre behind the title. A powerful song.
This brings us to the epic finale of the title track, “Fall Towards The Sky,” which is the high point for Graves’ vocal delivery. Tasteful harmony vocal choices really make the song shine, both in the more dreamy and harder-hitting sections. Fagala powers through the lengthy piece, with Perez and Bowers dropping in for impactful guitar and keyboard solos, respectively. Little touches like piano hits add to the urgency of the song, which culminates in a ripping fashion. A mellow addendum then closes out the album, the lilting bonus track “Here Today, Then A Mist,” which is easily as strong as anything else herein, and sends us on our way in 6/8 time. Carpe diem.
Overall, “Fall Towards The Sky” is an accomplished sophomore release that outshines their debut and sets the band’s sights towards even greater scale for the future. This is a talented quartet who have no shortage of melodic ideas and the chops to pull them off. Bowers also knows how to make the band sound their best with his production skills, resulting in an excellent sonic experience from start to end.
The album should be warmly welcomed in Christian circles for its thematic messages and equally enjoyed by listeners outside of that faith, as the uplifting content is delivered in a very relatable and accessible approach. Don’t miss these guys as they’re on their way up towards the sky.
Release Date: March 27th, 2026
Record Label: Independent
Genre: Progressive RockMusicians:
- Kyle Graves / Lead Vocals
- Doug Bowers / Keyboards, Bass, Guitars, Vocals
- Rob Perez / Rhythm & Lead Guitars
- Kyle Fagala / Drums
Fall Towards The Sky Tracklist:
- Radical Rebirth (5:38)
- Philosophy Abounds (6:08)
- 10 Plagues (6:49)
- The Serpent & The Schism (9:33)
- Gold Bars (8:00)
- Fall Towards The Sky (9:55)
- Here Today, Then A Mist (Bonus Track) (6:09)
Order the album here.
The post ECHOVERSE – Fall Towards The Sky (Album Review) appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.
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Rosalía’s Lux Tour Merch Includes A Novel Hoodie
Earlier this week, Rosalía kicked off her massive tour to celebrate last year’s massive Lux. She gave live debuts to most of the album, and it turns out she went all-out with merch too, particularly with a white hoodie whose hood has a nun’s habit to resemble Rosalía’s on the album cover. Now that is a marketing move.
The post Rosalía’s Lux Tour Merch Includes A Novel Hoodie appeared first on Stereogum.