Author: Rick

I’m a married father of 2 humans, a rescue cat and a royal python. Not nearly enough tattoos or piercings, enjoys reading, Marmite and lots of coffee.

Following their explosive 2022 album, Black Blood, Abduction have returned with arguably their most emotionally complex and personal recording to date—Existentialismus. While black metal can often pigeonhole itself, trying to claw back the raw spirit of its earliest iterations, there are bands at the forefront that skilfully balance nostalgia while evolving into something more complex … Continue reading Album Review: Abduction – Existentialismus

Widely revered nu metal titans Papa Roach return for a trio of dates to celebrate two and half decades of their debut album Infest. Kicking off proceedings was the DJ that has ed Papa Roach for this leg of UK dates. Radio 1's Alyx Holcombe had the crowd swaying and singing with the likes of Korn, … Continue reading Live Review: Papa Roach / Wage War / Alyx Holcombe – Motorpoint Arena Nottingham (8th February 2025)

Having burst onto the scene and quickly asserting sibling dominance by winning over audiences at Glastonbury, Reading, and , and opening for artists such as Tom Morello and Lord of the Lost, Nottingham's ALT BLK ERA show no signs of slowing down with their highly anticipated debut album, Rave Immortal. Wrapped around themes of diversity … Continue reading Album Review: ALT BLK ERA – Rave Immortal

Seether return with their renowned unapologetic aggressive sound and raw emotion in the form of *The Surface Seems So Far*. They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. From the opening riff of the track "Judas Mind," there is a nostalgic familiarity that becomes immediately apparent as it progresses into "Illusion." … Continue reading Album Review: Seether – The Surface Seems So Far

The blistering assault on our nervous system known as Nails seemingly vanished off the map, but now, after eight years, they have re-emerged with Every Bridge Burning. As excited as I am for new material, I had to do a double take—10 tracks? Fine. But then I saw the overall running time of the album … Continue reading Album Review: Nails – Every Bridge Burning

The Norwegian collective Leprous closes out the year with yet another glittering masterpiece in their eighth album, Melodies of Atonement. Opening with the bold electro heartbeat of "Silently Walking Alone," the album sets a great narrative that sweeps through the rest of the tracks. The melancholy is present in abundance through the delivery of vocalist … Continue reading Album Review: Leprous – Melodies of Atonement