A highly concept track, this octane fueled new release is from Italian metal outfit C∀RNELI∀N. Taking a high energy approach to pacing from the very jump, Enemy: Your Reflection is a hard and heavy hitter with an impressive attention to detail. Plucky bass guitar, roiling drum work and impeccably written lyricism, this is an underground act that definitely deserves your full attention, if not for their style and creative musical aptitude alone.
Bushfire, current line up Bill Brown (vocals); Miguel Pereira (guitar); Luis Jacobi (guitar) Nic Kurz (bass) and Sascha Holz (drums), are a band who have been knocking around this scene for a while now but strangely, despite sharing stages with some of the scenes biggest guns, have never quite achieved the levels of recognition their sludgy take on blues and southern metal so richly deserves. Hopefully that state of affairs will change with the release of latest album “Snakes Bite Tales” a heavy punching opus that sees the ban, jamming some of the best, in our opinion, grooves they have recorded since their inception
Opening track “Cult of Conformity” comes out of the traps full on and forceful then settles down into a mid-tempo chugging groove over which the songs lyrics are delivered in tones gruff throaty and powerful the vocalist coming over at times like a prime period Phil Anselmo (Pantera/Down) against a backdrop of ever-shifting riffage, unbelievably busy drumming and piercing lead guitar work. Next song ,”Force Of 1000 Suns“, is a thunderous opus with ear-catching guitar motifs and forceful raw edged vocals and is followed by “Dead Man’s Hand” a throbbing heavy metal bluesy rocker that sees the band coming over like a hardcore version of Creedence Clearwater Revival in places. Things get a little doomic and lightly psychedelic on the slightly more restrained “Self Inflicted Bite” but then go in a Clutch-like direction on the pulsating “Comfort In Silence“. “Under Willow Tree” starts its life down home and bluesy with slide guitars, liquid bass and shimmering percussion framing wearied vocal tones but then slowly increases in volume and intensity to take on a torch-like dynamic before signing off in a crescendo of strident rhythms and searing solos. You might need to fasten your seatbelts for the furious and hard driven “Watch You Drown” a pacey heavy rocker that gives no quarter musically or vocally. “Valley Of The Freak” is a perfect mixture of southern rock swagger and heavy metal bluster with vocals that sway between laid back crooning and full on roaring over a groove that is constantly shifting up and down its gears. Final song “InTERRORgate” incorporates slurred grungy guitar riffage with doomic rhythm patterns and tops it all off with vocal tones that range from hushed whispers to full on harshness while making stops at all the various dynamics in-between, a mighty finish to a damn mighty album.
Those who are familiar with Bushfire and their output will know that these guys put their hearts and souls into everything they do and that is why there is no such thing as a bad Bushfire release. “Snake Bite Tales” is no different, in fact it maybe their best release to date… well that is until the next one.
Been a while since Desert Psychlist dipped our toes into the Argentine underground scene so let’s make up for that right now by introducing you to Pilotos Del Tiempo, a power trio from Neuquen consisting of Santiago Veiga (drums); Rodolfo Velazquez (bass/vocals) and Martin Walter (guitar/vocals) who have just released their debut album “Ecos de un Ambiente Devastado“. If you like your distortion devastating, your fuzz heavy and your psych even heavier we think you are going to love these guys.
The durability of your speakers/headphones get tested right from the very off with swaggering opener “Detrás” not only do they have to contend with thunderous swinging drumming, growling heavily distorted bass and fuzzed to the max guitar riffage they also have to deal with vocal lead and dual harmonies pitched at the raw, loud and throaty end of clean. Those speakers do not get much respite with following instrumental “Queena” either, this tune comes at you lathered in distortion so filthy it will stain your ears, and don’t expect to hear some swirling lead work cutting through all the delicious nastiness because even the solos are coated in grimy dissonance. Next up.is “Say My Name” the albums only song with English lyrics, here we find the band offsetting their full on stoner metal attack with elements of heavy psych beneath slightly cleaner but no less gritty vocals, the swirling guitar solos do cut through a little more here but are still far from anything close to being pristine. “Labertino” follows and begins with a mix of whispering and throat singing accompanied by a low bass motif and some weird crackling effects before the song explodes into desert/stoner groove drenched in close to breaking up fuzz, vocals here are a little more melodic and a tad mellower but not what you would call exactly harmonious. Doom makes its presence felt on the slightly schizophrenic “Esclavitud de la Razón” but it is a quirky doom with a hard to explain off centred feel, a feel made even more off-centred thanks to its semi narrated vocal dynamics. The doom sticks around for the blackened and sludgy “Invertido” this song boasting crunching reverberating riffs and pounding steady percussion supporting thick guttural vocal tones, the song also features some cool Iommi-esque shredding in its last quarter. Final number “Vagabundo” brings back the speaker shredding fuzz and distortion and twins it with a vocal harmonies that are a strange mix of stoner rock rawness and clipped goth like cleanliness, even stranger is that those vocals work really well against the wall of noise that is surrounding them.
Gloriously loud and deliciously noisy Pilotos Del Tiempo’s “Ecos de un Ambiente Devastado” is not the sort of album you will want to listen to while sipping wine while sitting in front of an open fire, this is an album of heavy, extremely fuzzy and unbelievably distorted music perfect for those times when you feel like getting a little rowdy and off your tits on something alcoholic or pharmaceutical.
Another protest song perfectly fitting the global mood right now, and this one is in the form of a cover version of Michael Jackson’s They Don’t Really Care About Us by metalcore band Saliva. Produced by prolific team Judge & Jury, this reimagining of an iconic song from an even more iconic artist, Saliva’s version brings an electrifying new genre and spin to the original. Catchy and approachable but with all the right political points, you don’t wanna sleep on this.
Soul Meets Body is 3 halves of a whole idiot- fronted by Genevieve Moore and backed by her two best buds, Soul Meets Body plays thick bitch punk rock with sounds reflective of PUP, Taking Back Sunday, and Jeff Rosenstock. Hailing from Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia, Soul Meets Body’s songs tackle issues in the music industry, neurodivergence, and mental health. Their performances are very much influenced by hardcore, with high energy shows featuring lots of headbanging, air punching, and high kicks. Moshing is not only encouraged, but widely expected. The band puts a big emphasis on community and inclusivity and wants you to be a part of it.
The latest from East Coast punk outfit Soul Meets Body, this track combines post-punk urgency in its tempos and ties it in with a classic punk hallmark: political dissent. Described by the band as “a searing anthem for a generation on edge” and it can’t be more aptly described, to be perfectly honest. Raw and emotional, No Youth No Future is the protest song we all desperately need as the world continues to plummet into flames.
If you read even occasionally this blog, you should know how much I appreciate Celeste and their mastermind Ciro Perrino, a gifted composer and musician that never stops his artistic evolution. When it comes to Celeste, once a quintessential Italian prog band, since the late 2010s he’s trying to expand the musical boundaries of such a glorious act. Their 2025 album, titled “Anima Animus” continues this effort and offers a varied palette of sound solutions that range from jazz to melodic without even neglecting ethnic suggestions. That said, Maestro Perrino will maybe forgive me if I choose the most Celestial (in all senses) of the album’s songs, the closing Moon And Cloud Dancing, a delicate but never boring 12 minute instrumental (with some vocalizations) track.
This is the sixth Celeste album overall.
First things first, I love the main theme here, a melody that is only apparently simple, which enters the heart and brain of the listener. Then please listen to the perfect fusion of the instruments: mellotron, of course, and then winds, piano, acoustic guitars… everything is designed to immerse us in slow and unstoppable natural movements. Even if this is probably the most symphonic rock song from “Anima Animus”, you’ll find in it several hints to Perrino’s previous experiences, and that’s why this track always grows in me and never cease to surprise me.
A crew of Boston music veterans find themselves living and hanging out in Hollywood. The spark was Jonathan Anastas (DYS, Slapshot). He snagged bassist Jaime Sciarappa (SSD, Slapshot), drummer Al Pahanish (DYS, Powerman 5000), guitarist Johnny “Rock” Heatley (Half Cocked) and a special guest solo or three from Adam Porris (DYS, Far From Finished, Wax, The Calamatics), adding vocalist, bassist and keyboard player Mark “Muddy” Dutton (LA Guns, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Dwight Yokum).
Aside from the obvious Boston hardcore connection, the core group of friends also shared a deep love for that dirty L.A. Sunset Strip mythology and great American rock and roll. After a few sweaty jam sessions in the legendary rooms of S.I.R, the outcome was recorded. Anastas wrote the music, swapping his bass for an arsenal of vintage Gibson guitars. The guys holed up for a weekend in a dark Hollywood recording studio. Paul Mars Black (Founding member of both LA Guns and the Mau-Mau’s) engineered the session while Josh Fields mixed all the tracks. Mark “Muddy” Dutton produced, and even threw down some keyboards. The tracks were mastered by legend Howie Weinberg.
The story doesn’t get much deeper than that. A love letter to pre-Instagram, no-iPhone, sweaty high octane rock and roll nights on the Sunset Strip before an after-hours party at some Von Dutch and Juicy-wearing teen starlet’s place in the Hills.
Detailed and boasting a lot of authenticity, this is the latest from L.A. (by way of Boston) band DYSBANDED. Having brushed up on the band’s history a bit brings a fresh appreciation and understanding for what they’re trying to accomplish with their sound. A little bit grimy, a little bit sexy, and a lot laid back, Bitter is a ode to the rock of yesteryear and evokes all of the stylish imagery inherent in the era that is the subject of worship for this band. A fresh take on a classic genre and beautifully rebellious within the context of today’s music scene, don’t sleep on this gem.
Self-described as “desert death metallers”, this track is the latest from death metal outfit Cursed Bloodlines. Dynamic in both sound and structural composition, Corpser starts off slow with a sound bite of marching footfall before diving headfirst into the deep end with eviscerating vocal performances and rolling guitar instrumentals. From there, this track keeps the energy high and consistent, with melodic chord changes and persistent metronomic drum work. An instant hit for any death metal fan!
Progressive metal from Salem, Ohio, this dynamo track is the latest drop by midwest metal band Iravera. Built out of pure intensity and grime, the main attraction for Bowing Out is its raw approach to vocals, diverse instrumental range, and detailed composition throughout. Never a dull moment, this track boasts over 6K views on Youtube since its release just 2 weeks ago. This is not a release to sleep on!
Lostvoy emerged from the vibrant underground music scene of Toronto, Canada, with a raw-ish and emotionally charged sound that blends emo, punk, and hardcore elements. In our brief two-year journey, we have released eight compelling singles, each exploring themes of love, loss, and the struggles of everyday life.
Having already garnered over 7K views on Youtube in the brief 2 weeks since its release, this is the latest banger from Canadian metal outfit Lostvoy. Catchy but face-melting, GET OUT combines melodic hardcore, screamo, and metalcore into a complexly layered and emotionally delivered composition. Each layer builds on the last like a fever dream to create a dynamic example what the band’s lates EP, titled 4GUD, has to offer.
