“Every step I take, I chance a hidden mine/I’ll either strike gold or I’ll blow my mind/Heaven is in your eyes I see/A revelation of what could be.” - L.A Witch
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| Horns up |
New Horizons
Marissa Nadler – New Radiations
It’s been a few years since we’ve received an LP from Ms. Nadler and it’s great to have her back. Her gothic-tinged folk music, as well as her interest in female vocals, are always welcome around these parts and songs like ‘You Called Her Camillia’ and ‘If It’s an Illusion’ are excellent additions to her songwriting canon. She has yet to make a bad record and long may that be the case.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Ddrome – Sillily
Dublin based drummer Jamie Davis is back with another record under the Ddrome moniker. While the last release was in more ambient territory, this one brings the noise and heightened tension back in. Undisputed highlight is the near 20-minute number ‘Spider Temple’ which begins as an atmospheric drone before adding jazz and dubstep elements.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
It’s been a few years since we’ve received an LP from Ms. Nadler and it’s great to have her back. Her gothic-tinged folk music, as well as her interest in female vocals, are always welcome around these parts and songs like ‘You Called Her Camillia’ and ‘If It’s an Illusion’ are excellent additions to her songwriting canon. She has yet to make a bad record and long may that be the case.
Golden Oldies
Hexis | Tando Ashanti
Make no mistake, this is an unrelenting album. Lying, somewhere in between hardcore and black metal (although certainly leaning more to the latter), it’s a vast swamp of filth and harsh terrain that needs to be appreciated in the right frame of mind by creating a world that suffocates the listener in a pit of blackness that engulfs the demon the record is named after.
Bad Brains | I Against I
There are few bands on this planet that have such an ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like Bad Brains: tales of homophobia, sexism and theft taint their place in hardcore punk history. In spite of all that, ‘I Against I’ remains a masterclass in refining their hardcore sound into something much more restrained, menacing and yet melodic.
Nomadic Rituals | Holy Giants
Sludge is such a beautiful word. To me, it’s the perfect description of the bastard children of punk and metal. Hence why it’s such a beautiful word. And Nomadic Rituals epitomise this on their debut album. ‘The Grey’ is a killer number that has the head banging. ‘The Ritual’ is a stunning mix of differing tempos, feedback, riffage and noises. A mind-blowing number.
Paranoid Visions | Escape From the Austerity Complex
Active on and off since 1981, Dublin’s Paranoid Visions have had a remarkable career: pissing off U2, battling 20th Century Fox in the courts and annoying members of Dáil Éireann. All while producing dark, anthemic punk rock. Bearing the roots of Crass, Subhumans, PiL and Killing Joke, the tone on this LP is one of anger but tempered with joy at living in the alternative sphere.
⏩ 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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