Botch

Pupil Slicer – Blossom Review

By Dear Hollow on June 19, 2023 in Reviews, Mathcore, Metalcore, Nu Metal, Punk, 43 comments

“Pupil Slicer really shook things up in 2021. While undeniably a slab of Converge-meets-Dillinger core with a nice dose of Botch, the trio’s debut Mirrors was a tour-de-force of grindy intensity, a neat balance between heart and callousness, and a marvel of songwriting. Songs like “Husk,” “Collective Unconscious,” and “Wounds Upon My Skin” still get regular plays in the Hollow household, with mad mastermind Kate Davies’ frantic vocals, insane axework, and boundary-pushing ideas taking center stage.” Eye on the prize.

The Bearer – Chained to a Tree Review

By Dear Hollow on July 13, 2022 in Reviews, Hardcore, Mathcore, 10 comments

“The Bearer reflects the turmoil in its hometown of Austin, Texas, lyrics protesting the affluent takeover of their city. The trio losing its practice spaces to Tesla showrooms and offices fuels its humanistic message, a reminder to value the people before they are trampled in the onslaught of capitalistic progress. Dabbling in mathcore, beatdown, and technical elements, Chained to a Tree is aflame with hardcore punk counterculture pulsing through its veins.” Bear markets.

Heavy Meta – Mana Regmata Review

By Dear Hollow on February 15, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Mathcore, Noise Rock, Post-Hardcore, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, 29 comments

“Don’t get your hopes up, ye of heavy metal’s golden years. Heavy Meta is nearly everything you hate about today’s extreme music. Mathcore, black metal, noise rock, and prog all have a hand in this monstrosity, and if there is an inkling of distaste for any of these styles, Mana Regmata might need to come with a side of aspirin. Featuring a tongue-in-cheek moniker that you could proudly proclaim at any party, it’s a group that only jokingly defines itself as “blackened progressive cowboy nintendocore.”” Meta health.

Heiress – Distant Fires Review

By Carcharodon on December 3, 2021 in Reviews, Post-Hardcore, Sludge, 32 comments

“”Heiress, wonder where they came up with that name,” snickered a member of staff called … um … Pronos, as I alerted all the writers who care Cherd to incoming melodic sludge. Now look, I get what Pronos was getting at but there was a time when Baroness were not a meme nor a byword for some of the worst production in metal alt rock. When split A Grey Sigh in a Flower Husk dropped in 2007, followed later the same year by Red Album, Baroness were offering something genuinely different and interesting, and there is a reason they have come to be such A Big Deal. Of course, they have now become a parody of themselves but that doesn’t mean other, less well-known acts need go down the same path.” Let them eat sludge.

Pupil Slicer – Mirrors Review

By Dear Hollow on March 12, 2021 in Reviews, Ambient, Death Metal, Grind, Mathcore, Noise Rock, Post-Metal, 33 comments

“Pupil Slicer, although undeniably a trio, is vocalist/guitarist Davies’ brainchild through and through, seen in the guitar-and-vocals focus. Mirrors, following up an EP and a series of splits since their 2015 formation, combines its assets into a mathcore Frankenstein’s monster: twisted guitar work and frantic shrieks, Josh Andrews’ blasting drum tracks of an abandoned post-black project, and a healthy dose of Luke Fabian’s formidable bass and gutturals.” Eye on the prize.

Disparager – Existential Dread Review

By Treble Yell on May 19, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Metalcore, Reviews, Self-released, Metalcore, 11 comments

“Wisdom is a recluse, shunning most who seek it and often ignored when it crawls from out from its shade. Few of us possess it and those that claim so are the least likely to present proof of its mantel. I’m neither a sage nor an oracle like the priestesses of Delphi: the words of the divine do not flow past my lips, at least as far as I’m aware. If I was the Pythia, however, and my wisdom was sought by a band then you can be sure that I would stress in no uncertain terms to never name yourself or your music in such a way to invite jibes and self-satisfied one-liners from critics looking for an easy zinger.” Mistakes were made.

Daze of June – Heart of Silver Review

By Treble Yell on March 30, 2018 in 2018, Danish Metal, Metalcore, Prime Collective, Reviews, Metalcore, 61 comments

“Thank you for registering your interest for the Daze of June – Heart of Silver Situational Response Kit. Here at Anodyne Metalcore Industries™ we pride ourselves on delivering products that are designed for any delicate occasion in need of a solution. Below you will find a number of scenarios that outline the efficacy of our product. With its polished delivery and muted dynamics, Daze of June – Heart of Silver can be counted on when a calming, neutered experience is called for, no matter how fragile the circumstances. Be assured that this Danish-made item is professionally engineered and focus-tested to give you exactly what you expect with no surprises or unwanted excitement.” Fake Placid.

Æsthetica – Sonorous Æon Review

By Treble Yell on December 21, 2017 in 2017, Doom Metal, Fysisk Format, Norwegian Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge Metal, 15 comments

“I have been unkind to doom as of late, doing my best to spurn its demands for attention by avoiding the majority of releases possessed of its lugubrious character. What set this off was the confession in my review of Blackburn Souls by Lord Vigo at the beginning of the year that my patience for doom has worn thin. I no longer have the stomach to hear a single chord reused ad nauseam like a prisoner trying to stretch out a meal made from a caught rat. I’m tired, impatient, and tetchy — moods that ill-suits the emotional commitment required by doom.” Prodigal Sun O))).

Comity – A Long, Eternal Fall Review

By Akerblogger on June 1, 2017 in 2017, French Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Throatruiner Records, Sludge, 19 comments

“Comity have been concocting their complex mixture of chaotic metalcore (the Botch, Converge, and Coalesce sort), sludge, noise, and all things experimental and dissonant since 1996. Of course, a band so complex and difficult to comprehend can only come from one place: France.” Why does France want to hurt us so much?

Barishi – Blood From the Lion’s Mouth Review

By Akerblogger on September 11, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Progressive Metal, 35 comments

“Metal is undeniably a multifaceted wonder. It has many moods and it incorporates many styles from a wide range of genres and mediums. But how much is too much? Is it too late in the evolution of this dark and dangerous genre for us to return to the simple days of booze, drugs, and rock ’n roll?” Yes, yes it is.