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.
Read moreChangeling – 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.
Read moreKatatonia – 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 […]
Read moreMinistry – 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.
Read moreDawn 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?
Read moreSteven 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.
Read moreImperial Triumphant – Goldstar Review
EXTRA! EXTRA! Hot off the presses, New York Avant Legends Imperial Triumphant seen catering to the masses. Shorter songs. Shorter album. Numerous guest features. Gator gives it a gold star. Wait, what??
Read moreDissocia – To Lift the Veil Review
How a genre that is built on experimentation and outside the box songwriting ends up sounding all the same and using the same tricks just baffles me. But once in a while, an act shows up and makes me pay attention because of their knack for individual expression. Did Dissocia just look at the handbook and throw it out the window?
Read moreMarrowomb – Phiesnomie Review
Phisenomie is a collection of tracks that roughly deal in the same kind of sound as Vredehammer — blackened death metal focused on furious riffs that trade blows across the songs. Where Marrowomb manage to stand out is in some odd rhythms and use of dissonant chords that is a clear heritage from its creators time in Polyptych. As it stand, tough, our Gator may have a few bones to pick with its dedication to the mighty riff.
Read more