I of the Storm: A Review of Fuath’s I

It’s officially black metal season. We have just experienced our coldest weekend of the winter here in Connecticut, so I’m bringing in the Arctic blast with music that best compliments its extremes. I is the debut album from Scottish musician Andy Marshall’s new musical project, Fuath. Unlike any of his previous ventures, this project doesn’t… Continue reading I of the Storm: A Review of Fuath’s I

SINGLE REVIEW – “65 CORVETTE” by This Criminal Soul

By Jonathan Hammer Gritty, raw, pure energy – This Criminal Soul’s latest single “65 Corvette” gives you all you could want out of a rock n’ roll band. From the first 4 seconds of the song – a “yeah!” and high hat count off – through the final 5:22 counter, I immediately got the feeling… Continue reading SINGLE REVIEW – “65 CORVETTE” by This Criminal Soul

ILLEGAL THOUGHTS – An Interview with Christoph Whitbeck and Gretchen Werda of This Criminal Soul

By Jonathan Hammer Has your life been lacking something lately? Have you woken up in the morning and just wished that there was more grit, more edge – more soul? This Criminal Soul, a god damn rock n’ roll band combining the sounds of Motörhead, The Violent Femmes, and any other aggressive rock you can… Continue reading ILLEGAL THOUGHTS – An Interview with Christoph Whitbeck and Gretchen Werda of This Criminal Soul

Who Is The Brain Room?

About six months ago, Jimmy Junk Bird and the Stiffs played an all-day fest at The Outer Space, where we met a groovy band called Quantum Funk.  We got to talking with QF’s drummer Todd Ellison, which eventually lead to booking a show with his other band, The Brain Room — and that show is… Continue reading Who Is The Brain Room?

Interpreting the Stars: A Review of Ulver’s ATGCLVLSSCAP

Ulver: the mighty shape shifters. Black metallers turned electronic artists turned classical composers have once again reinvented themselves into…a jam band? Yes. They’re back and have once again left genre classifiers scratching their heads. They’re the musical collective that won’t stand still and I love them for it. And they haven’t let me down this… Continue reading Interpreting the Stars: A Review of Ulver’s ATGCLVLSSCAP

4 and ½ Stars: A Review of Steven Wilson’s 4 ½

Anyone who is an avid listener of Steven Wilson’s output knows that he has a knack for changing things up. That’s why his recent moves have been frustrating. The last two albums he’s been involved with, despite their excellent craftsmanship, have been pretty predictable. He’s been writing 70s progressive rock; a genre influence that he… Continue reading 4 and ½ Stars: A Review of Steven Wilson’s 4 ½

REIGN OF KAOS: An Interview with Kaos Reign

Bill (left) and Chris hanging out before a show -- photo by Angela Rose Vartuli.

By Jonathan Hammer Thrash, groove, and aggression – Norwalk, CT’s Kaos Reign is a powerhouse for catchy riffs and pounding drums that fly the flag of the old, great name of “metal” high and with pride. Comprised of Bill Klopfer on guitar and vocals (Penitentary, Murder Castle) and Chris Anderson (Murder Castle, Arcane Malevolence), the… Continue reading REIGN OF KAOS: An Interview with Kaos Reign