Sam Hunt helped reshape mainstream country music by blending traditional storytelling with pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences. Born on December 8, 1984, and raised in Cedartown, Georgia, he played college football before moving to Nashville to pursue songwriting. His conversational singing style and unusual rhythmic phrasing soon became central to his sound. Before he became a recording star, Hunt helped write major hits for other performers, including Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over,” Keith Urban’s “Cop Car,” and Billy Currington’s “We Are Tonight.” He recorded his own interpretations of those songs for the acoustic mixtape Between the Pines, originally shared in 2013.
Enter Shikari have shared a new live session, placing themselves in the debris of a scorched earth and dealing out some home truths along the way.
Filmed in an abandoned manor, slowly but surely being returned to the soil as the legions of vines and plants around it signal, the band dish out four songs from their current era. Three from their full-length ‘Lose Your Self’; ‘It’s OK’, ‘The Flick Of a Switch I’, and ‘LOSE YOUR SELF’, as well as new single ‘Higher Ground’.
The result is not just a showcase of the blinking hope and thoughtful earnestness that exists within the band’s current output, but also a further reminder of how far the band are always willing to go to represent their art in the right frame.
Vital, beautifully considered and seminal. Just the way they like it.
Vocalist Rou Reynolds had this to say about it:
“In typical Enter Shikari fashion, we didn’t want to just do a standard ‘live in the studio session’. So we broke into an abandoned manor in the middle of nowhere, and painstakingly placed digital screens over the windows in an attempt to present the tracks in different environments despite the limits of the space”.
Enter Shikari are set to hit the road very soon indeed, with support coming from Holding Absence and The Callous Daoboys.
Here are all the dates:
NOVEMBER
03 – HAMBURG Sporthalle 04 – MUNICH Zenith 05 – LEIPZIG Haus Auensee 06 – DUSSELDORF Mitsubishi Electric Hall 07 – BERLIN Columbiahalle 10 – BRUSSELS Forest National 11 – TILBURG 013 13 – NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena 14 – CARDIFF Utilita Arena 15 – HULL Connexin Live 18 – GLASGOW Hydro 19 – MANCHESTER Co-op Live 20 – LONDON Alexandra Palace 21 – LONDON Alexandra Palace
Drawing inspiration from iconic 1990s rock acts such as Nirvana and Silverchair, Elliott Ernst continues to carve out his own place in the modern rock landscape with a sound built on emotional honesty, grunge-driven energy, and memorable songwriting. Those qualities are front and centre on his latest single, “She Should Of Been.”
The song has been years in the making. Originally conceived when Ernst was just seventeen, the track went through multiple demo versions recorded in North Carolina before finally reaching its full potential. Earlier this year, Ernst collaborated with producer Stevie Knight (With Confidence, Sienna Skies) in Topanga Canyon, transforming the long-held idea into the expansive and powerful recording he had always envisioned.
Lyrically, “She Should Of Been” explores the complexities of looking back on a youthful relationship. Through memories, regrets, missed opportunities, and changing priorities, Ernst reflects on a person who once played a significant role in his life. The song examines how time alters our perceptions, while certain memories remain vivid, allowing us to glimpse traces of who someone used to be beneath the changes that life inevitably brings.
Ernst’s distinctive vocal delivery adds weight to the song’s introspective themes, posing deeper questions about identity, personal growth, and the consequences of our choices. At its heart, the track asks whether we are truly becoming the people we want to be, or whether we are gradually shaped by the expectations and influences of others.
Beyond its personal narrative, “She Should Of Been” carries a broader message about accountability and self-determination. It challenges listeners to reflect on the paths they have chosen and consider how much of their lives are guided by conscious decisions rather than circumstance. The result is a song that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Musically, the track is a love letter to classic grunge and alternative rock. Thick, razor-sharp guitar tones drive the song forward, while melodic vocal hooks provide a strong emotional centre. The combination of raw energy, powerful dynamics, and memorable choruses creates an authentic sound that captures the spirit of the genre while feeling fresh and contemporary.
What immediately stands out about “She Should Of Been” is its unmistakable grunge atmosphere. The guitars cut through the mix with sharp intensity, delivering the kind of edge that fans of the genre will instantly appreciate, while Ernst’s melodic vocal performance brings balance and accessibility to the heavier elements. It’s a track that successfully channels the spirit of 90s alternative rock without sounding derivative, resulting in a compelling and emotionally charged listening experience.
Heavy metal from Mongolia? It wasn’t exactly common in the history of rock and metal. The band that put the country on the metal map was The HU. Their breakthrough came in 2018, and a year later, they played their first show outside Mongolia. I got to see them myself in 2020 at a sold-out… Continue Reading →
Even Odds; The exciting, high-energy Canadian rock & roll trio composed of Joel Poirier (guitar/lead vocals), Evan Burns (bass guitar/backup vocals), and Jerry Griffiths (drums/backup vocals). With a sound inspired by an expansive range of artists, Even Odds plays beyond their years in a contemporary fusion of rock, blues, funk, and more. Even Odds’ objective is simple: to deliver a satisfying, inspiring, and downright fun musical experience that audiences won’t soon forget.
Their latest track, “Boogeyman,” is a guitar-driven alternative rock collaboration with Calgary vocalist Cas Jade. It mixes a gritty rock edge with a dark, atmospheric vibe, using full-moon and monster imagery to explore miscommunication and the fear of being misunderstood.
Recorded at OCL Studios with engineer/mixer Josh Gwilliam and mastered by Philip Shaw Bova, the song strikes a perfect balance of grit and polish. The drumming in both the verses and chorus is irresistibly catchy, paired with killer bass lines, inspired guitar work, and top-notch production that highlights every instrument.
Featured on the playlist Rock Rotation, it’s well worth a listen—check it out on Spotify and follow the band if their sound hits the mark.
She broke out at 10, but the Swedish pop star has unlocked a new level with the success of her “Midnight Sun” album, popular remixes and TikTok virality.
Matthew McConaughey left California and settled in Austin. Joe Rogan moved his family and podcast operation there in 2020.
Meanwhile, thousands of ordinary Americans have been making similar decisions, exchanging expensive housing markets for Texas cities where their money can still buy a comfortable home.
Texas added 391,243 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, more than any other state. Its population reached 31.7 million, and the state continues to attract workers, families, entrepreneurs, and retirees.
Affordable housing is a major reason, although prices have risen considerably in some neighborhoods.
Texas Is Still Growing, But The Migration Boom Has Slowed
The latest U.S. Census Bureau population estimates show that Texas gained 391,243 residents between July 2024 and July 2025. Its population increased from 31.3 million to 31.7 million.
Texas recorded the largest numerical population increase in the country, ahead of Florida, which added 196,680 residents, and North Carolina, which gained 145,907.
However, Texas no longer leads the country in net migration from other states.
According to the Texas Tribune’s examination of Census data, the state gained 67,299 residents through net domestic migration during the year ending in 2025. North Carolina recorded a larger gain of 84,064.
Back in 2022, Texas gained more than 222,000 residents through net domestic migration. The substantial decline since then suggests that fewer households are willing or able to relocate than during the earlier boom.
High mortgage rates, moving expenses, and uncertainty about employment can all influence relocation decisions. Someone who secured a low mortgage rate several years ago may hesitate to sell their current home and take on a more expensive loan.
Texas nevertheless remains attractive to people arriving from expensive metropolitan areas, particularly those who can keep their existing income after relocating.
International migration and natural population growth also contribute to Texas’s rising population, beyond Americans moving from other states.
Jobs Are A Major Reason People Keep Choosing Texas
Texas has more than oil companies and cattle ranches. Its largest metropolitan areas have substantial employment opportunities in technology, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, logistics, and professional services.
The Texas Workforce Commission reported 14,468,000 nonfarm jobs in July 2026. The state had added 165,600 jobs over the previous twelve months, an annual increase of 1.2%.
Private education and healthcare services recorded the largest monthly employment gain in July, adding 5,900 positions. Professional and business services also contributed to employment growth.
Large employers attract workers directly, but they also create opportunities for smaller businesses. New offices and industrial facilities need construction workers, maintenance companies, accountants, restaurants, and transportation services.
Texas has no statewide occupational licensing requirement for many jobs, although certain professions require state-issued licenses
Austin Has Technology And Creative Industries
Austin has attracted companies involved in software, semiconductor manufacturing, and technology services. Apple has a major presence in the region, and Tesla operates its large vehicle manufacturing facility near the city.
The University of Texas at Austin also contributes to the local economy through research and education.
Technology jobs are appealing to workers seeking salaries associated with major coastal markets. However, employment competition can be intense, and the cost of living in popular Austin neighborhoods has increased considerably.
Dallas And Houston Offer More Than One Career Path
Dallas has a large corporate sector, with employment opportunities in finance, telecommunications, transportation, and technology.
Houston remains closely associated with the energy industry, but its economy also includes major healthcare institutions, engineering firms, logistics businesses, and aerospace activities.
Someone moving to Texas for work should compare actual salary offers rather than assuming every job will pay more. A lower cost of housing is less useful if the move also means accepting a substantial pay cut.
For someone moving from California, New York, or another state with substantial income taxes, the potential savings can be significant.
A worker earning $150,000 annually may keep more of that income after moving to Texas, depending on the tax rules in the state they previously lived in and their personal circumstances.
Federal income taxes still apply, of course.
Property Taxes Can Reduce The Savings
Texas relies heavily on local property taxes to fund schools and other public services.
Unlike personal state income tax, property tax bills vary by location and the assessed value of the home.
Someone buying a large house in a developing suburb should examine the actual tax bill before making an offer. Certain properties may also fall within special taxing districts that add to the annual cost.
A household moving from California could save money on income taxes but still face considerable property taxes, homeowners insurance, and summer electricity bills.
Which Celebrities Have Made Texas Their Home?
Willie Nelson helped launch the annual Fourth of July Picnic in 1973, an event that became a major tradition in Texas country music.
Texas has produced generations of musicians, actors, and entertainers. Several famous personalities have also moved there after establishing careers elsewhere.
Matthew McConaughey Lives In Austin
Matthew McConaughey grew up in Texas and later built a successful acting career in Hollywood. He eventually returned to Austin with his family. In a 2024 interview reported by People, McConaughey discussed why living in Texas felt connected to his idea of home.
He and his wife, Camila Alves McConaughey, have spoken publicly about leaving California and choosing Austin as the place to raise their children. The Academy Award-winning actor also has close connections to the University of Texas at Austin and remains a recognizable presence in the city.
Joe Rogan Moved His Podcast To Austin
Joe Rogan relocated from California to Texas in 2020, bringing his popular podcast with him. Austin became the home of his podcast production, helping attract comedians, podcast guests, and other entertainment figures to the city.
His decision became one of the most widely discussed celebrity moves during the period when Texas was attracting particularly large numbers of newcomers.
George Strait Remains Connected To His Texas Roots
Country music legend George Strait has spent much of his life in Texas and has maintained property interests in the state. Although he sold his former San Antonio mansion in 2021, his connection to Texas has continued through ranching and other personal interests.
As Architectural Digest reported in 2026, Strait has a ranch near Laredo and continues to enjoy activities associated with rural Texas life. His music also helped shape the national image of Texas country culture, particularly through songs such as “Amarillo by Morning” and “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.”
Willie Nelson And The Texas Music Tradition
Willie Nelson is another musician whose name is inseparable from Texas. Born in Abbott, he became a central figure in outlaw country music and helped establish Austin as an important destination for musicians during the 1970s.
Nelson has maintained long-standing connections to the Austin area and his Texas ranch, although his professional life also takes him to other parts of the country. His influence is particularly visible in Austin, where country music shares stages and audiences with blues, rock, folk, and independent artists.
Austin, Dallas, Houston, And San Antonio Offer Very Different Lifestyles
San Antonio is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, recognized for its distinctive culinary traditions and cultural influences.
Moving to Austin means something quite different from settling in Houston or San Antonio. The cities have separate employment markets, entertainment scenes, and housing conditions.
Austin For Live Music And Technology
Austin has a long reputation for live music, with concerts taking place in clubs, bars, theaters, and larger venues throughout the city. South by Southwest and Austin City Limits Music Festival have helped attract national and international attention to the local entertainment scene.
Neighborhoods around South Congress and East Austin offer restaurants, independent businesses, and places to hear live performances. However, Austin is also one of the more expensive major Texas metropolitan areas. The rapid housing boom of earlier years has cooled, but popular central neighborhoods remain costly.
Austin’s music culture also depends on independent record stores, guitar shops, and studios, reflecting the wider importance of local music businesses in supporting artists and their communities.
Dallas For Corporate Careers And Entertainment
Dallas appeals to people interested in a large employment market, major sporting events, restaurants, shopping, and urban entertainment.
The wider Dallas-Fort Worth region includes communities with very different housing markets, from expensive established neighborhoods to more affordable suburbs farther from the main business districts. Traffic is an important consideration. A cheaper house located far from work can result in a lengthy daily commute.
Houston For Jobs, Food, And More Affordable Housing
Houston has an enormous metropolitan area with neighborhoods that vary considerably in price and character. The city is famous for its international restaurant scene, with food influenced by its large and diverse population.
Houston also offers major museums, professional sports, concerts, and access to the Gulf Coast. Homebuyers should pay particular attention to flood exposure. Heavy rainfall and tropical storms have caused substantial damage in the region, and flood risk can vary considerably between nearby properties.
San Antonio For History And A More Relaxed Pace
San Antonio is known for the River Walk, the Alamo, and its strong Mexican and Texan cultural influences. The city also has a substantial military presence and employment opportunities in healthcare, tourism, and related industries.
Housing tends to be less expensive than in the Austin metropolitan area, making San Antonio attractive to buyers who want a large city without paying Austin prices. Summer temperatures can be intense, and residents should account for the cost of cooling their homes.
Fort Worth Is Becoming An Attractive Alternative To Dallas
Fort Worth offers access to the larger Dallas-Fort Worth economy but has a character of its own. The Stockyards National Historic District celebrates the city’s cattle industry, while the Cultural District contains major museums such as the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Visitors and residents can also enjoy restaurants, concerts, professional sports across the wider metropolitan area, and the nearby attractions of Arlington. Fort Worth reached a population of more than one million residents in 2025, making it one of the ten largest cities in the United States.
According to Zillow, the typical home value is $292,949 in 2026, down 1.6% from the previous year. The median sale price in August 2026 was $326,000, while the median listing price in September was $338,167.
Homes took a median of 32 days to go pending, and 56.4% of sales in August closed below the asking price. Buyers may therefore have more negotiating room than during the period when homes in some Texas markets were attracting multiple offers shortly after being listed.
Still, Fort Worth contains neighborhoods with substantially higher property values. The price of a house depends on its size, condition, age, and proximity to employment centers.
Anyone preparing to buy or sell should also account for ordinary household repairs, including air conditioning maintenance, plumbing inspections, water heater repair in Fort Worth, and similar work that may need attention before a property changes hands.
Texas Home Prices Are No Longer Rising Everywhere
Texas homebuyers should budget for title insurance, which protects against certain ownership disputes and title defects that may arise after closing.
Texas housing prices have cooled since the intense buying activity of the pandemic period.
According to Zillow’s statewide housing figures, the typical Texas home value was $296,424 in September 2026, down 1.4% from a year earlier.
The statewide median sale price in August was $339,967.
Several major metropolitan areas have also recorded annual price declines, although prices remain well above pre-pandemic levels in many neighborhoods.
Typical Home Values In Major Texas Metropolitan Areas
Austin remains the most expensive of the four metropolitan areas listed, but it has also experienced the largest annual decline.
For buyers, falling prices may create opportunities to negotiate. However, mortgage interest rates influence monthly affordability just as much as the purchase price.
Someone buying a cheaper house with a much higher mortgage rate than they previously had could still face a larger monthly payment.
What It Really Costs To Buy A Home In Texas
Consider a family purchasing a $350,000 house with a 20% down payment.
The down payment would be $70,000, leaving a mortgage of $280,000.
At an illustrative 6.5% interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage, monthly principal and interest would be about $1,770.
Property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, and maintenance would increase the monthly cost.
In some newly developed communities, buyers may also encounter homeowners association fees or special district taxes.
Home Maintenance Can Be More Expensive Than Newcomers Expect
Texas heat puts substantial demands on air conditioning systems. A house that needs major HVAC repairs can become expensive to maintain, especially during the summer.
Homeowners also need to watch for roof damage following hailstorms, plumbing problems, foundation movement, and drainage issues.
Before buying, ask the seller about the age and condition of major household systems. A professional inspection can identify visible problems, although it does not guarantee that every future repair will be discovered.
For sellers, dealing with known repair problems before listing can reduce the risk of difficult negotiations after a buyer’s inspection.
The Weather Is Warm, But Texas Summers Are Demanding
People moving from northern states may appreciate the relatively mild winters across much of Texas.
However, summer temperatures can make outdoor activities uncomfortable, particularly during prolonged heat waves.
Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio can all experience very hot weather, with humidity adding to the discomfort in some regions.
Air conditioning is essential for comfortable indoor living during much of the warmer season.
Texas also experiences severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and flooding. Coastal areas face additional risks from hurricanes and tropical storms.
Weather conditions vary significantly across such a large state. West Texas has a drier climate, while Houston and the Gulf Coast experience higher humidity and greater exposure to tropical weather systems.
Prospective homeowners should examine local climate risks and obtain insurance quotations before committing to a property.
Urban heat islands can make heavily paved neighborhoods several degrees warmer than nearby areas with more trees and vegetation.
Is Moving To Texas Still Worth It In 2026?
Texas continues to offer employment opportunities, relatively affordable housing in many areas, and access to major cities with established cultural identities.
The absence of a personal state income tax can be particularly attractive to higher earners moving from states with substantial income tax rates.
Austin may suit someone who enjoys live music and works in technology. Houston offers a larger and more varied employment market, while San Antonio and Fort Worth can appeal to buyers who want comparatively lower housing prices.
Carnation – Symphony In Flesh (Self Released) [Will Bond]
Symphony In Flesh is the fourth studio album from Belgian death metallers Carnation. Nine blood soaked tracks overflowing with thundering double kicks, power saw riffs and bone breaking guttural vocals.
Blackmouth opens ferociously, with razor sharp riffs and a lot of groove in the verses. Flesh-Eating Frenzy follows with screaming feedback bursting into full mosh out death metal. The guitar tone is filthy, the vocals are strong and intelligible, but no less brutal for it.
Symphony In Flesh, brings the pace down into a rotting death waltz, the tempo change signifying the variety on offer from this album. The production is clear, with a heavy low end, double kicks thundering in that space. With the guitar occupying the high mid area it leaves space for the pummelling vocals to cut through. The guitar solos feel well thought out, instead of just shredding for the sake of shredding. The record has an analogue feel, taking me back to rustling through cassettes, looking for the brutal gems hidden within.
Labyrinth Of Silence begins with a clean guitar, offering a short palette cleanser, followed by a fantastic high register riff as the track gathers pace and power. Towards Death then throws a bucket of gore in your face, with a frenzied fast intro moving into a head banging groove, and even leaning towards blackened death.
The deeper I went into the album, the more I was blown away by the quality of the song writing. No section outstays it’s welcome, and each part hits you just when you need it to. Not that it’s predictable music by any stretch, it’s just incredibly well written death metal.
Legacy Of The Forefathers is a magnum opus of a track at over ten minutes, with hailstorms of blast beats, chugging verses and wide open chorus parts. Evoking a horror soundtrack aesthetic at times, it evolves and keeps surprising the listener.
Symphony In Flesh is a glorious gore splattered joyride. It moves seamlessly from pummelling blasts, to neck breaking grooves and soaring euphoric horror. Fire up the chainsaw and get stuck in. 9/10
Throes – The Colorless Light Of Emptiness (Church Road Records) [Mateusz Stefanow]
Coming in like a sledgehammer in slow motion, Western Violence crushes us under it’s heavy drums, fuzzy riffs and growls, leaving us too soon, for Revenge Death is awaiting it’s turn in the spotlight.
Revenge Death could be taken off a death-doom album without anyone batting an eye, it has a heavy, oppressive atmosphere, similar to the greats of sludge metal like Grief, Sludge or Buzz*Oven, and the drumming being slower during sections without vocals, then speeding up when the vocals kick in is an awesome touch.
Joy is the third track, and once again the Grief parallels are clear. The song has static effects, a pounding chunkiness to the sound that makes you feel like you’re drowning in liquid concrete and the faster segments add frenzy and desperation without weakening the sludge metal crawl. Eat Glass is quick and pummelling, a track that takes no prisoners and shows that Throes are a band who know what makes up the heart and soul of sludge and retain that while garnishing it with their own unique spin.
Coming in with punk-esque fury is ApePersonAnimalHuman, a track full of violence, rage, groovy riffs and thundering drums and a thick bassline that adds a feeling of oppression. Spiritual Debt is nearly completely melodic, showcasing the technical skills of the guitarists and drummer, just pure gravelly sludgey goodness for 2 minutes and 31 seconds.
Over the trio of Pain, Beg and Basura we see the variety of styles that sludge metal can take, from the quicker paced pain, to the uber-slow and crushing Beg and the mixed, fuzz-led Basura these three songs bookend the album by showing that experimentation brings you exciting new albums like this one to listen to.
Overall this album was fantastic, showcasing depth and range in one of my personal favourite subgenres. 8/10 UnTeachers – Under Bright Sadness (Rottweiler Records) [Jordan Griffiths]
Once again, I am back, with another album from a band that I have not heard of before!
The first track of this 11-track stretch was extremely repetitive, utilising the same guitar riff for the entire 6:52 that the track runs for, with the first clearly understandable lyrics coming in at the 3:06 mark. While I definitely appreciate the atmosphere and tension in this drawn-out composition, I found myself, overall struggling to keep engaged with a track that seemed to go nowhere for much of its runtime.
Psalmnambulist, picks things up instrumentally, with much more variation than the first track, however, despite the change in tempo and sound, I still found myself struggling with the overall repetitive nature of the album as a whole. Don’t get me wrong, there are progressions in the songs, however I found myself ever wanting for more from the compositions, specifically in their ability to build and maintain momentum.
However, onto the good things! The vocals themselves, really set the overall tone and vibe for the album, often feeling strained, expressive and vulnerable at times, adding a quite emotional undertone throughout the entire album, while not my cup of tea, I can really appreciate the intent and process behind this artistic direction.
Under Bright Sadness feels like an experimental prog metal project, instead of the more conventionally structured and compositionally intricate progressive metal that I am accustomed to, and enjoy. This album seems to largely avoid any sort of immediate hook or memorable choruses. But I feel that this is the intention of the album itself. Opting for a more expansive, unconventional approach to the prog mental genre.
Overall, while I can really appreciate the balls it takes to really put yourself out there, and experiment with music in the way that Unteachers have done here, I really do feel that I am not the intended audience for this album, as such, while I can respect the artistic direction and ambition behind UnderBright Sadness, I don’t see myself returning beyond this review. 6/10
Well, as we try to find new and wholly inappropriate adjectives, todays stab is ‘Cavernous’. Probably the not-quite-right way to describe Sundowner’s sound, but I like it so I’m running with it. This is their third full length release, touted by them as an album of ‘poisoned blues and sludge-soaked hostility’ which just about writes the review for me. What it also shows is that Australia’s metal scene is doing some of the lord’s work when it comes to extreme music and its great to see it making its way over here.
The Deep is their opening shot and well its glorious. A great set of proper riffs, pounding drums and harsh vocals delivered with a swing. If I say that the guitar has a tone on this that you could chew on, that should give you an indication of how thick this sounds. They blast through and the bit I love is that its straight into Golden Skinned Gods with no pause, barely a touch of feedback and then bang, we are off.
A trick they repeat into Grave Wax which pulls in from eastern influences but doesn’t miss with their riff choices. Absolutely killer in how they have put these together, because I suppose if you held these up against some technical metal (I don’t know why you would do that) yes there is an argument for it being ‘relatively simple’ but there is a load more expression and life here, its not cold or sterile.
If you take the start of Bleach Sniffer, there is moment where its feeding back then they kick it in the guts and let the bass and Pagey’s vocals take the lead. If this is the blues, this is for people who are truly suffering with their lot. When they kick it up a notch, it doesn’t lose any of its impact for the tempo shift and live this will cause carnage, that marrying of the sludge with hardcore gives it that violent edge, and the step back into that slower pace, whilst expected doesn’t mean it loses any momentum.
That is one of the key things you pick up from this album, is that it is in a state constant movement, always pushing forward and there isn’t a moment where that is arrested in any way. Another strength is their approach. I mentioned simplicity earlier; they make it so that each track doesn’t overcomplicate anything. Patterns are built so the riff takes centre stage, and with a tone like they have here, why not?
The sub 2 minute Complete And Utter Ruin is a great example of this and its difficult to pick out a highlight when you have 10 tracks that are consistently abrasive and heavy from start to finish. Ultimately, if you lean towards super thick guitars, memorable riffs then this should be right up your street. If you are into fleet-fingered virtuosity and guitar solos that approach the speed of sound without saying anything then avoid. 7/10
