Saor is the folk/black metal one-man band of Scottish musician Andy Marshall. It seems to be quite the labor of love considering the quantity and quality of his work since 2013. Forgotten Paths is the fourth full-length documentation of his Scottish heritage, featuring long suites of poetry and extremity with an emphasis on nature and… Continue reading Journal of Sorrows: A Review of Saor’s Forgotten Paths
Author: Christopher Baldwin
Proof of Ownership – A Review of Gramma Vedetta’s Proof of Concept
Engaging and successful music comes in two forms for me. A few artists have the drive to try new things and experiment with new sounds. The new Xiu Xiu album I just reviewed is something I’ve never heard before. It was delightful to listen to because it was a surprising and unconventional adventure. Then there’s… Continue reading Proof of Ownership – A Review of Gramma Vedetta’s Proof of Concept
Explicit Content: A Review of Xiu Xiu’s Girl with Basket of Fruit
It’s a rare thing to come across something completely unfamiliar in modern music. Some would claim that the golden age of musical exploration is behind us — the 60s through the 90s. Every kind of music possible has already been found and done, and now groups are doomed to constantly recycle old styles. Some critics… Continue reading Explicit Content: A Review of Xiu Xiu’s Girl with Basket of Fruit
Not Of This Earth: A Review of Altarage’s The Approaching Roar
I don’t think I’ve ever reviewed a band based out of Spain. I always enjoy covering music from a part of the world that I’m not familiar with. I have preconceived notions of what a Swedish metal album will sound like, or an Icelandic electronic album, or Japanese noise rock. All I knew going into… Continue reading Not Of This Earth: A Review of Altarage’s The Approaching Roar
B-Movie at a Muddy Drive-In Theater: A Review of Wardehn’s Now Cometh The Foul
Now Cometh The Foul is one hell of an energetic stoner/sludge metal offering from Wisconsin’s Wardehns. It’s an engaging and fun listen, loaded with what I would call a fine yet gritty production value. It’s a dirty sound with a smooth texture. One thing that grabbed me immediately is the band’s talent as sculptors of the… Continue reading B-Movie at a Muddy Drive-In Theater: A Review of Wardehn’s Now Cometh The Foul
New Reality: A Review of Soilwork’s Verkligheten
I can’t think of a better way to start off a hopefully busy 2019 of album reviews. I’ve lost track of Soilwork’s output since the Natural Born Chaos days of yore. Verkligheten makes me think that I’ve been missing out. Last time I left Soilwork, they were in the process of reformatting their music to… Continue reading New Reality: A Review of Soilwork’s Verkligheten
Atet Arises: A Review of Basilysk’s Emergence
I was pleased with what I heard from the forthcoming sophomore effort from Philadelphia death metal band Basilysk. I’m often left cold regarding a lot of recent death metal releases. There’s usually a lot of recall and a prideful tradition that lacks innovation. The only time I’m put in my place is if the band… Continue reading Atet Arises: A Review of Basilysk’s Emergence