A Tyranny of Vastness: Eight Bells’ Melynda Jackson and Haley Westeiner on Their New Album, Their New Drummer, and More

Eight Bells plays a hypnotic form of experimental/progressive loud rock that references everything from metal to kraut rock. The band, which features Melynda Jackson (guitar/vocals) and Haley Westeiner (bass/vocals) and new drummer Rae Amitay (Immortal Bird), is about to drop their excellent new album Landless, on February 12 through Battleground Records.  They are also embarking… Continue reading A Tyranny of Vastness: Eight Bells’ Melynda Jackson and Haley Westeiner on Their New Album, Their New Drummer, and More

OVERTAKEN BY THE CURRENTS: An Interview with Currents Guitarist Chris Wiseman

By Jonathan Hammer When I was only a wee sophomore in high school back in 2010 – 2011, I remember playing some of my first metal shows at The Space and a now-long-gone café called The Blue Z, and wishing I was a rock star. Back then, there were a few Connecticut local metal band… Continue reading OVERTAKEN BY THE CURRENTS: An Interview with Currents Guitarist Chris Wiseman

Single Review: “Withered” by Currents

By Jonathan Hammer It takes less than 5 seconds of listening for PTSD-inspired memories of every aggressive metal pit I’ve ever been in to summon into my thoughts; Currents‘ new song “Withered” has riffs hit hard, and its production hits even harder. The track, as of this review, has nearly 42,000 listens on YouTube, and is… Continue reading Single Review: “Withered” by Currents

New Star Fixed In Space: A Review of David Bowie’s Blackstar

David Bowie left us with a parting gift. It’s a gift that almost brings me to tears. Not only because it’s his last piece of art to the world, but also because of its sheer creative genius. Even at a sickly 69 years old, the man never compromised his vision nor settled his restless nature… Continue reading New Star Fixed In Space: A Review of David Bowie’s Blackstar

Angela Burns Isn’t Here to Make You Feel Better

Influenced by grunge and pop-punk, 21-year-old Texas native Angela Burns has put together an eight-track “mixtape,” So You Can Feel Better, that sounds like the beginning of something promising.  “I’m calling it a mixtape,” Burns said on Facebook, “because production-wise, it was such a learning experience. This is my first effort, and I’m proud of it!” Incorporating… Continue reading Angela Burns Isn’t Here to Make You Feel Better

Single Review: “Haunt Me” by Construct Paradise

By Jonathan Hammer Construct Paradise released their latest single, “Haunt Me,” on Christmas day – and there’s a reason why the weather got hotter for a while there. Since its release, “Haunt Me” has gained some notable attention, and in my opinion, rightfully so. On my first listen, the production was an immediate attention-grabber; the… Continue reading Single Review: “Haunt Me” by Construct Paradise

EP Review: Bad Reed (Self-Titled)

Bad Reed -- photo by Erin Girard.

Canadian rockers Bad Reed released their three-song EP in June of last year and it’s beginning to make its way down to the States.  “Slackjaw Romance” is the standout track.  The delicate intro gives way to an irreverent ballad about unhappy love.  Its refrain, “All I want is a pack of cigarettes / And a… Continue reading EP Review: Bad Reed (Self-Titled)