Mogwai – “RAVE TAPES” Review

Mogwai – Rave Tapes
Genre: Post-rock / Instrumental

Label: Rock Action

Mogwai… Mogwai… Mogwai… Mogwai is the name of a band that is just as beautiful to listen to as it is to type the name. The Glaswegian collection are revered as one of the most important bands in post-rock worldwide and while the genre has reached an undeniably stagnant and stale stage, Mogwai still manage to cause a stir of excitement with each release: lately with their soundtrack for Les Revenants, their remix album “A Wrenched Virile Lore” and now this, “Rave Tapes”, the 2014 addition to their already healthy discography. 

Nine Inch Nails – “HESITATION MARKS” Review

Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks
Genre: Industrial rock

Label: Columbia Records

When Nine Inch Nails release a new album, it’s BIG news, and so again it feels like another one of those reviews where an introduction or brief history of Nine Inch Nails (and Trent Reznor) is pretty pointless considering the throne that Reznor has built for his experimental project since the late 80’s. But there is a little context that needs to be run over on the few years prior to this release… 

Catch-Up Reviews #1: Chance The Rapper, Daft Punk, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Kylesa…

So, this is going to be (yet another) segment for RichReviewz. Out of running late with time with work, gigs and other business it seems this is the best way to keep up with reviews I plan to do. In an ideal world, I would do full length reviews of each of these reviews, but now it would set me back even further as more and more are released now. So, I’d rather do something small than miss out at all, so here goes the first “Catch-Up Reviews”!

The Haxan Cloak – “EXCAVATION” Quick Review

The Haxan Cloak – Excavation
Genre: Electronic/Drone

Label: Tri Angle Records

The Haxan Cloak is the electronic/drone project of London-based Bobby Krlic, and if the album cover doesn’t already give it away, he produces some of the most dark, haunting and atmospheric electronic music to come out of the UK for a long while. “Excavation” is his second full-length album, the first being a self-titled released in 2011.

Wavves – “AFRAID OF HEIGHTS” Review

Wavves – Afraid Of Heights
Genre: Garage Rock/Noise Pop

Label: Mom + Pop Records

Nathan Williams, AKA Wavves, is musician who has faced his fair deal of controversy and criticism in his short but highly successful run so far. If you scour the internet, you’re bound to read or see the renowned performance at Primavera Sound ‘o9, but depending on the type of person you are, you’ll either see the humour in it or boil your blood. But one thing is for sure: Nathan Williams is a guy who writes fun music that melts the borders between pop, surf and garage rock – all with a noisy delivery.

Submission Round Ups #1

This will be a new segment where I review submissions sent in via mini-reviews. If you send stuff for me to review it, I will review it, and so this is the best way I can keep on top of the growing number of submissions. If you like/hate the idea, let me know!

Cult Of Luna – “VERTIKAL” Review

Check it out here on the Eyesore Merch blog!

Blockheads – “THIS WORLD IS DEAD” Quick Review

Blockheads – This World Is Dead
Genre: Grindcore

Label: Relapse Records

Blockheads is a grindcore band hailing from France that have been punishing ears since 1992, going through more than ‘a few’ line-up changes, yet never letting them hinder their climb up record labels and festivals. Right now, the band consists of Xavier (vocals), Fred (guitar, vocals), Erik (bass, vocals) and Nico (drums, vocals) and the guys are clearly influenced by the likes of Napalm Death, Extreme Noise Terror and Phobia.

The Bronx – “IV” Review

Just click here to head on over to have look at the review on the Eyesore Merch blog!

(Reviews you can expect very soon: Cult Of Luna, Blockheads, Kongh and Rotten Sound.)

Capricorns – “RUDER FORMS SURVIVE” Quick Throwback Review!

Capricorns – Ruder Forms Survive
Genre: Sludge/Instrumental/Post-metal

Label: Rise Above Records

This sadly now defunct quartet was made up by guitarists Nathan Bennett and Kevin Williams, drummer Chris Turner (also of stoner titans Orange Goblin) and bassist Dean Berry (of the greatly missed and legendary Iron Monkey), and it’s safe to say that any ideas that that last two members may conjure in your mind are probably right: Capricorns served a heavy riff-orientated sound; but delivered it with touches of progressive metal and post-rock influences.