Fleshworks arrives with an album cover reminiscent of NIN’s art-style, and singles that sound even more commercial than Pupil Slicer’s sophomore album, Blossom. As someone who spun The Fragile on repeat for the entirety of their teenage years, the question sitting at the top of Croque’s mind then is: can Davies and co handle the commercial sound as well as a heroin-fueled Trent Reznor?
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An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City Review
In the Gator’s semi-advanced age, a conciliary mindset directed him to pick up the promo for The Sleeping City. But pressing play on “Blackmurmur”, and sitting through seven minutes of intro before the song reaches its four minutes of actual meat had him moments away from reaching for the metaphorical knife again.
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Paradise Lost – Ascension Review
This one doesn’t just sound like Paradise Lost. It is Paradise Lost! Almost as long as the novel too… does our Gator get caught up in the Ascension as any fan boy would? Well…
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Sigh – I Saw the World’s End (Hangman’s Hymn MMXXV) Review
Did you know that Sigh’s releases continuously aim to spell out S-I-G-H with the first letter? Metalligator knows. And he also knows that even when Sigh calls on a letter from the past, they know how to make it feel like the next letter in the cycle.
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Changeling – Changeling Review
What better a return from summer than a 1000 word sermon from the Gator on Changeling’s fierce debut album?
Welcome back! Prog’s on the menu.
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Katatonia – Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State Review
Katatonia are no strangers to ups and downs. You could safely argue that it’s even what their music is about. But with one of the […]
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Ministry – The Squirrely Years Revisited Review
As a musician, sometimes you get high. Sometimes your name is Al. And sometimes you listen to one of your early albums—only to find yourself holding a new version of it with a cover featuring a squirrel with a raging boner.
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Dawn of Solace – Affliction Vortex Review
Our Gator went into Affliction Vortex already side-eyeing it, having basically written it off before even hitting play. And yet Saukkonen’s melodic wizardry pulled him right back in. Again. Is this musical Stockholm syndrome?
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Steven Wilson – The Overview Review
The Overview is a concept album about the overview effect, a strong response to visual stimuli that causes a cognitive shift in a person. With a runtime short of 42 minutes, and two long songs trying to bring influences like Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, and Vangelis into “a modern context”, The Overview looks promising on paper. Stare deeply into Wilson’s colored balls to find enlightenment in his proggy delights.
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Crypts of the Unknown: 2024 Vol. 1
