Modern Rituals are a sore thumb. They play rock music but it comes out in twisted shapes and odd angles, with scant regard for scenes, structures and formula. They write these wonky songs with acoustic guitars but if their debut album is anything to go by, they record them with rolling boulders. And they do it all while on a […]
Read moreVoyagers are not hip. Voyagers are not cool. Voyagers play rock music, about as unfiltered as you can get it. But, like Thrice or Sparta or Cave In before them, the Washington State outfit are doing it with brains, brawn and audible honesty. This is music to chop wood to.
Read moreIt shouldn’t be surprising at this point. But the riffs, the rhythms, and the way the air seems to fill with electricity when the music first starts tonight make one thing shockingly clear all over again- Deftones are one of the best bands on the planet. Back in London and playing an upmarket theatre by invitation of Robert Smith and […]
Read moreThis is weird. 65daysofstatic are playing one of the biggest shows of their storied career- bass rumbling, lights strobing, bodies contorting- but, thanks to Robert Smith of the Cure, they’re doing it in front of a theatre full of people who are all sitting down. It’s not a sign of any audience dissatisfaction. The Sheffield quartet are one of the […]
Read moreStomach are suitably named. From their fuzzy, rumbling riffs to lyrics like “I’m trying out all of your old hobbies, reaching for something to hold on to”, this is music that punches at your gut. Like Brand New turned all the way up to 11 or a Ken Andrews project determined to drill into the dirt rather than soar into […]
Read moreIt’s rare to describe post-metal or doom as immediate. But it takes mere seconds to know that Lesser Glow stand out from the crowd. Built on a familiar foundation of titanic riffs and hoarse screams, the Boston quintet also incorporate serpentine guitar lines, smoky clean vocals, hypnotic melodies, and dark ambience to produce a noise that’s as compelling as it […]
Read moreAt the beginning of the year, Moderate Rock predicted that Thrice would return. Now, two years after ‘To Be Everywhere Is to be Nowhere’ put an end to their hiatus, the California quartet look to be firing into life. Play new single ‘The Grey’ below or over at the recently redesigned thrice.net, it’s an upbeat, chunky number that’s giving me […]
Read moreBlanket have named their band all wrong. The sound of this, the Blackpool quartet’s debut, is not something small and cosy, it’s enormous and epic. It is slow-swelling waves of lush, cinematic post-rock, sweeping instrumental drama, and widescreen ambience. The best bits are excellent- ‘Our Tired Hearts’ successfully incorporates alt-rock riffing and choral vocal blips, ‘Words Collide’ adds acapella, digitally-altered […]
Read more“Who is LIMBS?” If you’re asking that question then you’re not alone. Hell, if their website address and social media handles are anything to go by, even the band themselves aren’t sure. With their ferocious debut album however, the Floridian five-piece have produced plenty of reasons to find out more. Opener ‘Fed’ sets a trap. It begins with a restrained […]
Read moreThis month’s Spotify playlist was brought to you by burnt-Earth hardcore, upbeat post-rock, ambient sounds (light, and oh so dark), Lando Calrissian, and… is that the guitarist from Limp Bizkit!? I hope you find something to love. LIMBS- ‘Father’s Son’ BAPTISTS- ‘Beacon of Faith’ GROUP OF MAN- ‘Can’t Hack the Straight Life’ ANTIGUO- ‘Black Glitter’ TAKE ONE CAR- ‘White Flag’ […]
Read more