I have been struggling to write this review for some months now, not because I can’t think of anything positive to say, but simply because I have found it difficult to review the final acts of Laughing Stock’s Zero without…
View More Laughing Stock – Zero, Acts 3 & 4Author: Nick Hudson
Pencarrow – Live at San Fran
Pencarrow’s likeable debut sounded almost like some young fans of bands such as Opeth and Dream Theater were inspired to create a band to make their own music in that style. And I have a feeling that’s not far off…
View More Pencarrow – Live at San FranShadow Universe – Subtle Realms, Subtle Worlds
Some albums stand out so much, I find it hard to review them. Slovenian duo Shadow Universe released their latest album Subtle Realms, Subtle Worlds in March, but I’d been playing it for some time prior, while slowly attempting to…
View More Shadow Universe – Subtle Realms, Subtle WorldsVarious Artists – Addicted Tunes
At a time when some are promoting the boycotting of all Russian media, it’s important to remember that many Russians stand in solidarity with Ukraine, and against Putin’s war. The Russian [addicted label] has long worked with many Ukrainian bands…
View More Various Artists – Addicted TunesBoris – W
Henry Rollins said of 2020’s NO that it “is more than the new album by Boris. It is their reaction and comment on the current state of the world as they see it. It would be all but impossible to…
View More Boris – Wa-tota-so – Lights Out
In early 2019 I came across the debut of a-tota-so (released in the latter half of the previous year). It was a very enjoyable slice of math rock, but didn’t really stick in the mind. The music was undoubtedly well…
View More a-tota-so – Lights OutNichelOdeon / InSonar & Relatives – INCIDENTI-Lo Schianto
Last year I belatedly came across a magnificent album by the Deadburger Factory collective of Italian artists, which blew my mind. This year, I’ve belatedly come across a magnificent album by the NichelOdeon/InSonar & Relatives collective of Italian artists, which…
View More NichelOdeon / InSonar & Relatives – INCIDENTI-Lo SchiantoWhite Ward – Love Exchange Failure
Last year we were teased by Ukrainian band White Ward that a new album was planned for release this year, promised to be more complex and technical, taking the dark and urban jazz elements of Love Exchange Failure and adding…
View More White Ward – Love Exchange FailureRoz Vitalis – 20 Years: Alive and Well
As is probably obvious from the title, 20 Years: Alive and Well celebrates the 20th anniversary of Roz Vitalis, which began as a studio project with electronic elements but has grown into an ever-changing chamber ensemble of talented musicians under…
View More Roz Vitalis – 20 Years: Alive and WellNordic Giants / Årabrot
Arts Centre, Colchester Tuesday, 22nd February 2022 I had been looking forward to this gig for quite some time, yet my excitement was tempered slightly by waking up on the day to first read that Russian “peacekeepers” had finally made…
View More Nordic Giants / Årabrot