Interview: Inner Decay

Image courtesy of artist

Inner Decay is one of my favorite local death metal bands at the moment and I was extremely excited to be able to talk to some of their members about their influences and plans for 2020. You can check out or short by sweet little conversation over at Chicago Crowd Surfer, here. They have some big plans for the spring including opening for Napalm Death in April. That is not going to be a show to miss. See you knuckleheads in the pit!

If you need a taste of what to expect in April, check out Inner Decay's video for their single "World Reduced to Ash."

Album Review: Blacker Face - Distinctive Juju

I did a quick write up of the new LP from Chicago locals Blacker Face. The album is called Distinctive Juju and you can check it out at Post-Trash here. The album is essential. My writing is not. If you do nothing else today at least check out their Bandcamp here, and consider purchasing a copy of the album here.

Album Review: Wolves Like Us - Bitter Bones

Finally got around to checking out Bitter Bones, the third album by Norwegian post-hardcore group Wolves Like Us. Formed in 2010, this fearsome Oslo four-sum take their cues from the gruff and hairy melodic hardcore of the mid-to-late ‘90s, folding together the skronky, compact bursts of Planes Mistaken for Stars, with the groovy whiskey-throated churn of Hot Water Music, to produce a muscular brand of hard-hitting punk that upper-cuts just above its own weight class. I’ve always had a soft spot for Scandinavian punk and Wolves Like Us once again delivers just what I’m after in a lean, mean-ass modern rock album. Bitter Bones start out promisingly with the cold burn of “Stay Cold” with its rolling avalanche of summit smashing guitar riffs and bright, vista revealing leads. If you want more churning guitar blister, look to the sludgy grooves and wind-whipped melodies of “I Can’t Love You Wild.” If you need something punchier, the roaring thunder of “Oil Money” will help get your blood pumping, as will the low growly, climbing grooves and blustery dust swept chorus harmonies of “Ash Wednesday.” Finally, things wrap up tightly with the rushing glare of the piss rinsed “Stand Up to Get Down.” This pack goes right for the kill! Don’t miss your chance to share in the spoils. 

Snag a copy over at Pelagic Records here. And if you tell them that I sent you... it will do absolutely nothing for you. I'm sorry I have no pull over there.

Album Review: Midnight - Rebirth by Blasphemy

Rebirth by Blasphemy is the album I need at the outset of 2020. Every day the world slips a little farther into hell, and if we can't' escape our fate, than at least, we have a killer party once it all implodes into the pit. Enter Ohio's Midnight, the benighted demon-kings of the American speed metal and dark hardcore scenes, the one band who knows how to make our final destination in this slow, grating decline sound absolutely f*cking rad. Rebirth by Blasphemy is Midnight's fourth album and a return to the band's roots following their more esoteric offering, 2017's Sweet Death and Ecstasy. Midnight's Venom-esque camp and morbid preoccupations, combined with the cool cleave of Brocas Helm guitar lines, and the post-apocalyptic raider ethos of Anti-Cimex and Sacrilege, has always found purchase within the darker reservoirs of my bile collecting heart, and this new album is no exception. Rebirth begins consummately with the forced entry and devilish banditry of "Fucking Speed and Darkness," followed by the rock ‘n roll night-terror of the title-track "Rebirth by Blasphemy." If you picked up on a hint of NWOBHM crunch on the latter, then your pallet is already expertly attuned to what this album will be serving up. Rebirth sees Midnight's now-iconic sound overhauled with direct callbacks to the arena swelling clarion cries of Motorhead, Judas Priest, and the like. Along with improved production quality and generally more streamlined songwriting, they've never sounded more forceful. You can feel the breath-stealing gusts of Sad Wings of Destiny era Judas Priest on "Escape the Grave" while "Rising Scum" has more of a British Steel edge to its tribute to all the willful, lustful creatures that writhe in the mud of the Earth. Further tantalizing knife nips can be felt on cuts like the dieseled up "Raw Attack," where the band's adoration for Motorhead burns bright and unashamed, and the forge hardened and flesh-searing death-trip "You Can Drag Me Through Fire." If this is the sound of what is waiting for us in the underworld, then put me on the guest list. 

Grab a copy of Rebirth by Blasphemy from Metal Blade. 

Interview: Djunah

Photo from the artist

Djunah is easily the best noise rock band to come out of Chicago since I don't even know when. I had the absolute honor to talk with Djunah's (pronounced JUNE-uh) lead singer, songwriter, guitarist, bassist, human swiss-army knife, Donna about her new album Ex Voto, the inspiration behind some of her songs and the band's visual style. This is honestly my favorite interview that I have done so far and I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. Check it out over at the CHIRP Radio Podcast.



Rock 'n Roll is self-care.

Album Review: Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

I some time to reflect this weekend and catch up on the jamming new LP from UK MC Stormzy. Stormzy, whose given name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., is currently at a bit of an impasse. The highly lauded MC's latest album Heavy is the Head rocketed to number #1 on the British album charts upon release last December, but the politically conscious artist also had to witness his candidate for Prime Minister, Jeremy Corbyn, who he had endorsed in numerous public rally, lose to that villain Boris Johnson. The election occurred a stone's throw away from his album release, and the juxtaposition is a lot to take in. It must be bittersweet to live at a time when your personal fortunes are rising while the political climate around you becomes more dire for the people and places you come from and care about. These are interesting times we live in. Interesting in the euphemistic sense that is. Cursed would probably be a better descriptor. I was keeping the people of England and the greater UK in my thoughts as I dug into this phenomenal new LP.


While commonly described as a grime rapper, Stromzy also embraces elements of gospel and late '90s R'nB on Heavy is the Head. The singles off of this album crushed the UK charts when they dropped and are well worth your time, especially the bright, fat-beat spiritual "Crown." If you need something dark and hazy to get you through the gloom of the day, throw on the grime bop of "Handsome," the whip-nip flow and muted shimmer of the dower "Vossi Bop," or nervous street-walking bounce of "Wiley Flow." In the mood for some R'nB? Hit play on the piano lead, '60s soul-infused "One Second" or the cool and collected confessional "Lessons." I'm likely going to be unpacking this album for several more weeks to come. I feel like I've barely scratched the surface of this leviathan. To less interesting times.

Grab yourself a hardcopy of Heavy is the Head to spin at home here. 

Show Recap: Ian's Party 2020 - Friday

Partied at Ian's the weekend before last and I have a few thoughts on some of the bands that stopped in to entertain the fine folks of Chicago. I only made it out for Friday of the three-day fest this year (place frowny face emoji here for emphasis). If'in you didn't know, Ian's Party is the mostly local jamboree that a group of Elgin, IL ex-pats put on the first weekend of each new year to celebrate the city's (and greater midwest's) diverse DIY scene. This year I checked out SuperKnova, Bev. Rage and the Drinks, Tow Houses, Kali Masi and many other super talented people. Chicago Crowd Surfer posted my notes from the fest on their website's refrigerator door. Link below.

Friday at Ian's party ft. SuperKnova, Drilling for Blasting, Kali Masi, Abertooth Lincoln, Tow Houses, and Bev Rage and the Drinks

I still call Dimo's in Wicker Park the "Ian's on Damen."

Album Review: Cloak - The Burning Dawn

Cloak doesn’t get a lot of love, which is really everyone else’s fault, not theirs. If this Atlanta foursome’s variance of trad-rock infused, Tribulation and In Solitude melding, chimeric charm doesn’t do it for you, then there may not be much hope for your feeble mind. You might as well take a couple of Dave Clark 5 LPs into a bunker and spin them on repeat until the bombs drop. The Burning Dawn is the Cloak’s second LP and sonic successor to 2017’s To Venomous Depths. Detractors might point out that Cloak’s sound isn’t the most original, but what the band lacks in this department, they make up for in sheer, ruthless execution. The Burning Dawn is as solid as a stone titan and has plenty of swaggering, seething angst to get you and the boys (and girls and everyone in-between) fist-pumping, stomping the ground like prehistoric beasts, and swilling cheap beer while you howl at the moon. The album starts strong with the fiery, speed-crust tear of “The Cleansing Fire,” and follows up with the bleak, twilight dirge of “A Voice in the Night,” and the deathly winter’s knell of “Tempter’s Call.” Still need more bleak brooding bangers to bob your locks to? Skip ahead to wintery and phantasmagoric instrumental “The Fire, the Faith, the Void,” a dark meditative harbinger of what I hope are even greater things to come on future releases.  

Grab a copy of on vinyl to spin in your den at home through Season of Mist here. 

CHICAGO CROWD SURFER'S INFLUENTIAL ALBUMS OF THE 2010S

I was able to contribute some blurbs to Chicago Crowd Surfer's Influential Albums of the decade list and you can read my important thoughts over on their website. It may sound trite, but I really liked how this list turned out, and not just because I wrote a substantial portion of it to it. Link below. 

Chicago Crowd Surfer's Influential Albums of the Decade

What albums did we miss? The best way to let myself and the rest of the CCS staff know is to whisper the name of your favorite album into a conch shell and then leave it on the shore deserted island. Trust that it will find it's way to us eventually...

Show Review: The Arrivals @ Reggies - December 28,2019

Photo by me

Local legends The Arrivals did their thing at Reggies as a bit of a post-holiday celebration and I have a full write up of the festivities up over at Chicago Crowd Surfer. This was a rough Holiday for me and I really needed some rowdy, class conscious punk rock to flush the pipes of some bad vibes this year. Luckily the Arrivals, Sass Dragons and Canadian Rifle all put on phenomenal performances. Link to the recap below.

The Arrivals w/ Sass Dragons, Canadian Rifle, and Nightcap @ Reggies

And everybody gets a little piece of the pie...

Chicago Crowd Surfer 2019: Year In Review - Part 2

Part two of Chicago Crowd Surfer's year in review is up! Get it while it's hot (or before it's February... these types of articles have a short shelf life). I'm more certain as to what I contributed to this half of the retrospective and I am much more comfortable telling you to check it out as a result. I was really happy with Fire-Toolz' new album so I included a write up of it and some glowing praise for Snow Burial's latest release as well. I wrote some other stuff too, but the bulk of the recap was handled by our editor-in-chief. The man is a machine when we wants to be. Link below.

Chicago Crowd Surfer Year in Review Part 2

Happy New Years you filthy animal.*

*That's how that Home Alone quote goes, right?  If I'm wrong just scream into a pillow rather than leave a comment.

Chicago Crowd Surfer 2019: Year In Review - Part 1

Part one of Chicago Crowd Surfer's year in review is up! It's not a top 10 list or a best of, as much as a collage of highlights from shows and albums covered over the past year that the magazine's contributors elected to give a special shout out. This first part covers roughly January to June of 2019. I wrote a ton over New Years and I'm not sure what of my recaps made it into this first part. Part two is forthcoming. Link below. Enjoy!

Chicago Crowd Surfer Year in Review Part 1

No one will tell me what "auld lang syne" means.

Top Ten Albums of 2019

CHIRP Radio has published my Top 10 Albums of the 2019 (as well as around 40 other honorable mentions). I like the excitement, exchange, and conversation that CHIRP's "Best of" list generates as an extension of a community radio station, so I'm running my year-end list on their blog. This was a pretty great year in music and if I had more time on my hands, this list would have been longer. I stand by my top 10 (and beyond) and encourage you to check them all out. Link below.

Best Albums of 2019

What were your top 10 albums of the year? What albums did I miss? Let me know.

Show Review: Lingua Ignota @ Thalia Hall 12/21/2019

Image courtesy of the artist

I was able to stop in on Lingua Ignota's set at Thalia Hall this past Saturday. Her album Caligula was one of the more arresting listening experiences in 2019 and her set on the ground level of this historic theater more than met my expectations. The Holidays aren't always a lot of fun for everyone. It was very cathartic to Caligula live this time of year. My review is over at Chicago Crowd Surfer. Link below.

Review of Lingua Ignota @ Thalia Hall

Don't let people treat you like sh*t. Ever.

Interview: The Arrivals

Image from The Arrivals

Chicago pop-punk institution The Arrivals are giving us the gift of music and mirth this Holiday Season. Climbing to the stage at Reggies to kick out some jams and beat back the Holiday Blues their show with Sass Dragons and Canadian Rifle will be an ideal final chapter to 2019. I was able to score a chat with Dave Marriman, guitarist of the Arrivals, ahead of their set this weekend and the interview is now up over at Chicago Crowd Surfer. We talked about the band's legacy, secrets hidden in their cover art, and the class struggles that inform the political slant of their music. This is easily one of my favorite interviews to date. Link below.

Interview with Dave Marriman of the Arrivals

Seasons greetings and solidarity, forever.

Album Review: Lord Mantis - Universal Death Church

Chicago metal monsignor Lord Mantis has clawed their way out of hell to give us the gift of inner ear damage in the form of their latest album, Universal Death Church. I was really blown away by this album and you can read my thoughts over at Chicago Crowd Surfer.

Review of Lord Mantis' Universal Death Church

Horns up for Bill Bumgardner. 

Album Review: Fucking Violence - Ingratidão

When I started writing regular album review I never thought I'd have a chance to cover anything related to São Paulo's Worst, but here we are, 2019 and it's freaking happening! Thiago Seirra's new project, Fucking Violence is a thorough ass-kicking and you can check out my write up of Ingratidão over at InEffect Hardcore. Link below.

Review of Fucking Violence's Ingratidão

Fucking Violence is exactly what it says on the package. RIYL: beatdown hardcore, international hardcore, inner ear damage.

Album Review: Red Death - Sickness Divine

Red Death are back with a sick new album. I really thought crossover thrash had peaked but then I heard Sickness Divine. The band continues to refine their sound, release after release, and become more fierce and deadly with each iteration. My thoughts on Red Death's new LP are up over at Post Trash. Direct link below.

Review of Red Death's Sickness Divine

Be sure to rest your neck between spins.

Interview: Surfer Blood

Image provided by artist

My conversation with the down right adorable John Paul & Co. of Surfer Blood is now on the airwaves thanks to CHIRP Radio! I was able to catch up with the band at Riot Fest 2019 and they were nice enough to answer my questions about past and upcoming albums, as well as the inspirations behind some of their most beloved songs. Thanks for Sarah Brooks and Amanda Mayo for scheduling the interview, and a very big high five to Robert Patterson for the spit and polish production work. You make me sound great man! Direct link to the interview below.

Interview with Surfer Blood for the CHIRP Radio Podcast

CHIRP and Surfer Blood.... there is a Trashmen pun in there somewhere

Show Review: Forever Deaf Fest 2019

Matianak

The second year of the all local death and doom metal fest. Forever Deaf Fest was this past weekend at the Cobra Lounge and Beat Kitchen, and I was there for Chicago Crowd Surfer to snag some pics and soak up the brutal majesty of it all. I can honestly say that I have a new appreciation for scene mainstays Broken Hope and the Sword, as well as up and beastly upstarts Matianak, Snow Burial, and Huntsmen. Check out my coverage at the link below and enjoy some additional images that didn't make it into the article.

Show Recap of  Forever Deaf Fest 2019

Everything Must Die

Inner Decay

Gloryhole Guillotine

Matianak

Broken Hope

The Skull

Huntsmen

Huntsmen

Huntsmen

Now if you excuse me I need to talk to a specialist about a cochlear implant.

All photos by me. 

Album Review: Child Bite - Blow Off the Omens

Detroit’s Child Bite have just released their fifth album, Blow Off the Omens on Housecore Records. It’s another brash dose of atonal guitar jabs, lurching percussion, and cryptic misanthropic themes. The record was produced by Steve Albini in Chicago. Usually this fact doesn’t impress me, and isn’t worth mentioning, but his recording style works well to accentuate Child Bite's idiosyncrasies. As a result, I think this is one of the better sounding releases he’s worked on in years. Lead singer Shawn Knight’s typical Jello Biafra recovering from throat surgery impress sounds suitably unhinged, while Jeremy Waun’s guitar work unnervingly slashes at the listener’s eardrum like a tiger’s paw made out of aluminum and acid; meanwhile Sean Clancy holds things down in the bass department, faithfully laying down sub-tonal backing for his bandmates, while quietly plotting his revenge upon the world. Despite forming in 2005, the band continue to have a pre-hardcore feel to them, invoking the weird, sorted psychotic rage of Fear, early Dead Kennedys, and The Flesh Eaters, with more than a hint of calculating, post-hardcore, jazz-punk animus ala NoMeansNo. Highlights worth mentioning include the desperate, churning peel of “Mock Ecstasy,” the explosive convulsions of “They All Look Away,” the bucking riffs and downward spiral of “Become An Animal,” the nettled, psycho-billy tinged wilt of “The Wrong Ones Breed,” and the fiery social meltdown of “Blow Off the Omens.” If you’re having a bad night, week, or year, then Blow Off the Omens should be in your rotation.

Grab a copy of Blow Off the Omens on vinyl here

Album Review: Marijannah - Istanah

Marijannah are a Singapore stoner metal band who wants to transport you to space, where they will roll you up and smoke you like fat pinch of ganja. Formed in 2016 as a collaboration between guitarist Rasyid Juraimi of gutter dwelling, grindcore filth mongers Wormrot, and guitarist Nicholas Wong, of the significantly less grimy, pop-punk band The Caulfield Cult (Wong plays drums in Marijannah, no word on whether this is his preferred instrument though). Their first album Till Marijannah impressed critics with its slow resin lined chords and dank wizzardy vibe. Istanah (which means palace) is a direct sequel to its predecessor, and not much has changed between the two. However, Marijannah don't need to progress much stylistically in order to stay engaging. Things kick off promisingly with the gargantuan grooves and crisscrossing meteor shower riffs of the foggy floating vampire castle “Bloodsucker.” The next track “1966” has a a grainy grindhouse theater texture and a big, nasty, thumping beat familiar to fans of Hire on Fire. For me though, the best cut on the album is the speedy and psychedelic “Spiderwalk With Me” with straining chords, rumbling double-time percussion, and space warping reverb.

Pick up a copy of Istanah from Cursed Tongue Records here

Album Review: Obsequiae - The Palms Of Sorrowed Kings

Looking to storm a keep or entertain a party of wood nymphs in the near future? Look no further than The Palms Of Sorrowed Kings, the third album from Minneapolis “castle” metal ensemble, Obsequiae. On this latest album, the band seems ready to ascend and take their rightful place on the thrown of folk metal. Sure, they sound like a renaissance fair gearing up to storm the county fair across the freeway and plunder all their funnel cake, but if anything is going to make your respect a crowd of LARPers, it’s sacking a place where White Snake is supposed to headline just after happy hour. Inspired? Sure. Nerdy? Oh hell yeah, in the most badass way possible. A little Dragonslayer and a little Fire and Ice with a dash of Solomon Cane (the comic books, not that god awful movie). You’d be tempted to frame it as medieval, especially with all of the classic instruments and balladry (see the instrumental opener “L'autrier m'en aloie” for a taste of that ye olde dark ages charm), but they venture into all manner of folklore throughout the western canon, and not just the stuff from the black plague years either. An example of this is “Ceres in Emerald Streams” which recounts the Greek goddess Ceres’ search for her kidnapped daughter Persephone after she had been dragged down to the underworld. To be more specific about Obsequiae's sound you’d have to acknowledge that at their core, this is a black metal band. A black metal band with heavy folk influences in the vein of Enslaved. However, not even those Norwegian trailblazers managed to integrate the modern elements of their sound with the classical to quite the degree that Obsequiae has here. It’s really hard to pin down just how epic this album can be in parts. You have to experience the lofty bright leads and ethereal harmonies of the title track “The Palms of Sorrowed Kings” and the tremolo anchored sure-footed tribute to the Celtic war-goddesses on “Morrígan” first hand to fully appreciate their grandeur. With so many grim and dark metal albums released each year, it’s stupendous to see an album in the black metal lane that aims to inspire more than just dread in the listener. 

Obsequiae's The Palms Of Sorrowed Kings is out now on 20 Buck Spin

Get your chain mail, we've got some castle crashing to do.

Album Review: Black Dahlia Murder - Nightbringers

Black Dahlia Murder really isn’t a band that needs an introduction. The Michigan based melodic death metal band is one of the most widely successful extreme metal bands in the United States, and their eighth LP Nightbringers peaked at 35 on Billboard’s top 200 making it the top-selling album in Metal Blade’s history upon release. Despite this, and my general love of death metal, I am just now discovering them. I'm starting with their latest release and going backwards (probably a bad idea, but it's something I decided to do and I'm nothing if not stubborn). The good news is even though I’m late to the game I can still read the score. Black Dahlia Murder are the reigning champs of this generation of melodic death. To clear any doubts, Nightbringers is a tornado of fire and fury, scorching expectations in its path with the band’s brutal combination of beastly melodic Swedish death metal and British grindcore delivered with transgressive punk attitude. The album begins promisingly with the eerie grooves and barreling charge of the appropriately named “Widowmaker” and progresses through the melodic death-grind furrow of “Matriarch,” culminating in the deathly hollow-eyed waltz of title track “Nightbringers.” Other highlights include the barbarous aural conflagration, of the medieval-meets-urban warfare “Kings of the Nightworld,” and the spry and nimble guitar work of the epic blackend death descent of “As Good as Dead.” I’m really feeling these guys and can’t wait to check out their later releases.

Grab a copy of Black Dahlia Murder's Nightbringers from Metal Blade Records.

Album Review: Sacred Reich - Awakening

It’s always annoying when people say that metal is apolitical. Almost like metal has nothing to say about the world, politics don't affect people's daily life in any meaningful way, or that you can just opt out of the decisions made for you by those in power. That’s one of the reasons why I appreciate Phoenix, AZ thrash icons Sacred Reich. They’re whole thing is being political. SR was is the product of lead singer and guitarist Phil Rind’s desire to start a socially conscious speed metal band back in 1985. However, by the time they released their first LP Ignorance in 1987, the group had transitioned to a full-on thrash band to keep pace with the more muscular sound of their contemporaries, namely Death Angel and Testament. Awakening is the band’s first album since 1996’s Heal. The band had previously been on hiatus, but reunited and started gigging again in 2007. Awakening is the band’s response to the contemporary state of affairs and sees them sounding pissed off, revved up, and ready to unleash mayhem in the name of change. The album opens with “Awakening” a straight banger with scorching leads and a concrete ripping biker-rock groove. Next up is “Salvation,” a dose of double-time doom and gloom with a cloud parting chorus. Later, “Killing Machine” puts a mean pit igniting groove to service in dismantling the logical of military adventurism, while “Death Valley” is a grungy, hard-liquor quenched, fist-pumping march through the desert heat. On Awakening, SR don’t sound like they’ve missed a beat since 1989. They sound every bit as determined and forceful today as they did during their ostensible heyday. It’s a great reminder of what a banging party an old school thrash album can sound like. I’m happy to recommend it to any headbanger looking to wax nostalgic about the second wave of American thrash or who is looking for some inspiration to make the Man choke on his tie as it's jammed down his throat (or both… or just the latter).

Grab a copy of Sacred Reich's Awakening. Out now on Metal Blade. 

Album Review: Knocked Loose - A Different Shade of Blue

I'm very excited to announce that my review of the phenomenal new record from Kentucky's Knocked Loose is up over at Post-Trash (link below). It's a beatifically harsh and powerfully refined album that pulls the best of late '90s punk into the forefront of today. I can't recommend it enough!

Knocked Loose - A Different Shade of Blue

Post-Trash is one of my favorite indie music blogs and I'm pleased like a dog with it's jaws around a t-bone stake to continue to have my work published there. Be sure to check out what else they have cooking after reading my review.

Interview: Nick Fury of Forever Deaf Fest 2019

Did a quick and painless interview with the lead organizer of Forever Deaf Fest, Nick Fury. FDF relatively new metal fest in Chicago, headed into its second year in 2019. My conversation with Mr. Fury is up over at Chicago Crowd Surfer (link below). I'm pretty stoked for this festival and you should be too! All midwest! All brutal! All dang weekend! Links to where you can buy tickets in the underground. See you in the pit!

Interview with Nick Fury of Forever Deaf Fest 

Spoiler alert, he doesn't tell why he received the nickname "Fury." You'll have to find him at the bar and buy him a drink in order to unlock that particular trade secret. 

Stay tuned for my forthcoming review of FDF '19! 

Album Review: disappear. - momentum.

Welcome to December bozos! How better to deal with this chilling turn in the season then some brutal and bleak metalcore from semi-locals disappear. and their incredible debut LP momentum. It's a kick in the head and a welcome one at that. You can read my review over at In Effect Hardcore now (link below). If coffee just isn't doing it for you today, this high octane beat just might do the trick.

disappear. by momentum. over at In Effect Hardcore

Show Review: Exhumed and Gatecreeper at the Empty Bottle November 20, 2019

My review of the death metal masterclass that went down over at the The Empty Bottle before Thanksgiving is now up over at Chicago Crowd Surfer (link below). Missed Exhumed and Gatecreeper tearing the world part one riff at a time, or do you want to relive the brutality with the help of my mangled prose? Either way CCS has you covered. Link in the underground.

Exhumed and Gatecreeper @ The Empty Bottle - November 20, 2019

Thanks to Alexi D. Front of Scorched Tundra for organizing another fantastic show. When I say he's a wizard, I mean it!

Interview: Ganser

Image provided by Ganser

Hey! Your ears deserves a treat, right? Well today is a luck day for your hungry little ear-holes. Ganser graciously sat down with me during this year's Riot Fest to talk about their upcoming EP, the conceptual overlap between their music and music videos, and how we can change the narrative around aural art (link below). Thanks to Sarah Brooks and Amanda Roscoe Mayo for setting up the interview, Robert Patterson for making me sound semi-professional no mater how closely I talk into the recorder, and Ganser for being great sports.

Ganser interview brought to you by the CHIRP Radio Podcast

Need more Ganser? My pal Kyle wrote a review of their new EP You Must Be New Here over at Chicago Crowd Surfer. Check it out here.

Interview: Mat Kerekes

Photo provided by Mat Kerekes

If you couldn't tell from the temperature outside, Chicago's festival season is far behind us. That doesn't mean that we still can't bask in its after glow though! This year at Riot Fest I had the pleasure of speaking with Mat Kerekes of Citizen as he prepared to tour in support of his new album, Ruby. We talked about his influences, '90s nostalgia, and ways to unwind when not on tour. Check out the full interview by clicking the link below. Thanks to CHIRP Radio for running the interview, Sarah Brooks for scheduling our convo, and Robert Patterson for doing a boss job with the production.

CHIRP Radio Podcast Interview with Mat Kerekes 

Mat is a very chill dude. An inspiration to all those who aspire to chillness. 

Interview: Elk Walking

Photo provided by band

I am head over heals to announce the world premier of the new Elk Walking singe "Over the Hills" breaking at the one and only Chicago Crowd Surfer. Listen along to the spooky new single and read my interview with their captivating and thoughtful frontwoman, Savanna Dickhurt as we discuss her inspirations and insights. Link below.

Single premier and interview with Elk Walking's Savanna Dickhurt

It's a bummer that we couldn't get another Elk Walking show before the end of the year, but fear not, they'll be back in 2020. Also, Savanna had been cooking up some new tunes with Burr Oak, meaning that we've got plenty of folky goodness to indulge us in the interim. 

Album Review: Gatecreeper - Deserted

With the festival of spirits almost upon us, I figured it was as good a time as any to share my review of Deserted the new album from phenomenal Arizonian death metallers Gatecreeper. Gatecreeper have a highly engaging and surprisingly fresh take on the OG Swedish death metal sound, with heavy punk influences, and thoroughly adapted for the arid landscape which they call home. Deserted is a real treat for fans of all things gruesome and grisly this All Hallows Eve. Thanks to Dan Goldin of Post-Trash for publishing my thoughts on the album. Link to article below.

Review of Gatecreeper's Deserted at Post-Trash

Deadly dry mouth.

Album Review: Cloud Rat - Pollinator

I'm extremely proud to share my review of the latest from punk/grind heathens Cloud Rat. Their latest effort Pollinator is a stripped back album compared to their previous studio releases, and yet their sound remains disarmingly fierce. I don't know if there is much more to say about this one other than I am completely blown away. It's completely awesome and is easily going to make my top 10 list of the year. Thanks to Chicago Crowd Surfer for publishing my obtuse reactions once again. Kyle and Laura, you're the best as always. Link below.

Review of Cloud Rat's Pollinator at Chicago Crowd Surfer

There is something in the air.

Interview: Generationals

Provided by the artist

I had a conversation with the guys from Generationals before their recent show at Lincoln Hall for a CHIRP. They talked to me about their new album Reader as Detective and go in depth with my on the origins of their sound.

Listen to my conversation with Generationals on the CHIRP Radio Podcast

The full interview lasted about an hour and had some serious hot takes on everything from the meaninglessness of "indie cred" and their real feelings on some prominent music critics. I didn't do the production on this one so the most interesting parts of our conversation (imho) didn't make the final cut. Maybe I'll release the full interview some day. IDK. We'll see what happens.

Album Review: Snow Burial - Ostrava

Local winter warriors Snow Burial just dropped their second album via Prosthetic Records and you can read all about it over at Chicago Crowd Surfer. I found it to be a dark and complex album, a maze of twilight lit twists and turns, combining elements of death metal, post-metal, black metal and post-hardcore into a churlish but contemplative encounter that I will likely find myself returning to often as we slip into parky subdue of fall. Link below.

Review of Snow Burial's Ostrava at Chicago Crowd Surfer

Keep warm out there.

Album Review: Chelsea Wolfe - Birth of Violence

Discover your inner power with Chelsea Wolfe's moody and fatalistic ode to the American west, Birth of Violence. My review is up over at Chicago Crowd Surfer. Thanks to Kyle and Laura for publishing my thoughts on this phenomenal album. Link below.

Review of Chelsea Wolfe's Birth of Violence at Chicago Crowd Surfer

There is no place like home. And no home like the open road.

Show Review: Riot Fest 2019

So I went to Riot Fest this past weekend, and... oh boy, do I have some thoughts and feels about it. You can read my recap at the link below. Thanks to Chicago Crowd Surfer for publishing brain farts on this incredibly historic seasonal event. 

Click here for Riot Fest 2019 recap 

It was the best of times... It was the worst of times... 

Photo by me. 

Album Review: Halshug - Drøm

Because I love terrible inscrutable things and not because I hate everything else (promise), I reviewed the new LP Drøm from Danish dark hardcore crew Halshug for Dan over at the always informative and intriguing Post-Trash. Click through the link below for my review.

Review of Halshug's Drøm only on Post-Trash

Dream a little dream for me...

Show Review: Scorched Tundra XI

Wondering why there was a blaze in the sky above the Empty Bottle this past weekend? Now is your chance to read about what you missed (or relive the burn if you were there). Scorched Tundra XI blew the doors off the Bottle and I have a full write-up for you over at Chicago Crowd Surfer. Link below.

Recap of Scorched Tundra XI ready to burn a whole through your browser window over at CCS

'Cause you're as hot as ice... wait, how does that song go again?