“I was swimmin' in the Caribbean/Animals were hiding behind the rocks/Except the little fish/Bumped into me, I swear he was trying to talk to me, koi-koi/Where is my mind?” - Pixies
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| Horns up |
New Horizons
Inhuman Nature – Greater Than Death
Nearly six years on from their stunning self-titled record, England’s finest thrashers are back in fine style. ‘Dawn of Inhuman Man’ rips your face off with its teutonic riffage and the sheer force of the drums which knock you for six. This standard is maintained throughout, in particular with ‘Mad Man’s Cage’. Catch. Them. Live.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
The Ex – If Your Mirror Breaks
Dutch legends The Ex continue their idiosyncratic journey from anarcho-punks to art punks without ever compromising their principles. Although not a million miles away from 2018’s ’27 Passports’, this is no bad thing as ‘If Your Mirror Breaks’ is an immediate, angular and tuneful record with ‘Wheel’ being the standout number.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Adrian Younge – Something About April III
Renowned composer/producer Adrian Younge closes out his 60’s referenci trilogy with this magnificent record. Featuring an all-Brazilian choir of vocalists, songs like ‘A Musica Na Minha Fantasia’ and ‘Nos Somos as Estrelas’ blend Brazilian and Portuguese psychedelia and soul so beautifully, they are the aural equivalent of swimming in chocolate. Highly recommended.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Golden Oldies
Poison Idea - Darby Crash Rides Again: The
Early Years
Once described by Kevin Sharp as “scary big
men playing brutally beyond their ability”, this collection of demos, outtakes
and live tracks is a timely reminder of how this band epitomised punk rock. It
shows a band who have just picked up their instruments but the sheer power
makes this stand above most other bands of that era.
Saint Vitus - Lillie: F-65
Of course, they’re a veritable Doom
institution so it’s no surprise that ‘Lillie…’ makes for a fine listen, even
with a dodgy title. It contains real,
god-fearing Vitus in the best sense. Standout number ‘Blessed Night’ is classic
Vitus: kicking off with nearly twenty seconds of feedback, before Dave Chandler
comes in with a groovy up-tempo riff.
Rotten Sound - Species At War
Rotten Sound’s meshup of grind and death
always hits the due to the necessary beef in the sound department. This is
another fine addition to their catalogue and even hints at Nasum due to the
crust influence. Six tracks in 8 minutes boot you in the balls (in the best way
possible). Just listen to ‘The Solution’ for a grind buzz the likes of which
few can emulate.
Venom – Black Metal
This seminal 1982 release from the Tyneside
trio not only took thrash to a whole new level but also helped spearhead a new
genre from the title track alone. Retrospective listening finds an intoxicating
punk/metal fusion that still sounds as thrilling over 40 years on, particularly
the double whammy of ‘Buried Alive’ and ‘Raise the Dead’.
⏩ Christopher Owens was a reviewer for Metal Ireland and finds time to study the history and inherent contradictions of Ireland. He is currently the TPQ Friday columnist.
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