Slam is as simplistic as it gets —barbaric, primitive, and not entirely unproblematic. And we here at Goat Review proudly celebrate these arts with our annual Slamuary tradition. But, we also ask the difficult questions, like should we also be celebrating in July?
Read moreJulie Christmas – Ridiculous and Full of Blood Review
The raw intensity and emotional depth of Julie Christmas and her sound
with Battle of Mice opened our Inksterium’s ears to a new spectrum of sonic possibilities. And now, fourteen years after her solo debut, Julie Christmas is once again taking our reviewer through a labyrinth of dark and complex textures and feelings. Don’t let that smile fool you though… or maybe let it and grin bloody with Julie Christmas.
Hemorrhoid – Raw Materials of Decay Review
With an album cover consisting of somewhat medically accurate gore and a band pic taken on a venue toilet, we know that Hemorrhoid have no aspirations to do anything high brow or distinguished: Hemorrhoid play goregrind. Goregrind can be tough to review, as often, the genre is not made with the intent to deliver quality. Our Goat knows his brutal, underground scenes, so what sort of extreme pain have Hemorrhoid inflicted?
Read moreUlcerate – Cutting the Throat of God Review
Stylistic shifts present issues for bands and can be great when they work. Unfortunately, some bands miss the mark entirely. Ulcerate is one such band who had a drastic style change. But you know what they say, if you’ve tempted the Gods with change, all you gotta do is cut their throats.
Read moreMythologik – Blood in the Sky Review
Texan duo Mythologik proclaim that Blood in the Sky features a mix of melodic blackened death metal musical tendencies with aggressive/soaring vocals like 80s thrash metal. And you know what, these Texans have some of those 80s thrash metal tendencies in the music too. We reckon, anyway. Grab the thrash bull by the horns!
Read moreMalignancy – Discontinued Review
Mid comes in different shades and within mid, different permutations of a basic 5/10 can be found. Some albums have great ideas, but squander their potential elsewhere. Others are extremely by the numbers, containing no surprises and only catering to hardcore fans of their chosen style. Nevertheless, the world can’t discontinue the mid. In mid we trust!
Read moreMatrass – Cathedrals Review
Believe me when I say that I approached Matrass initially with trepidation as the promo text declared that oft tricky “modern” goal. But Matrass then also declared that with this full-length debut, Cathedrals, they aimed to shed groove from their sound and lean heavier into post waters. So which direction are they bedding down after all?
Read moreÁrstíðir Lífsins – Aldrlok Review
Aldrlok, by epic pagan black metal band Árstíðir Lífsins, is a true gem, and I have not been gripped by anything this hard in a long time. After last year’s substantial 44 minute “EP” Hermalausaz (intended as a precursor) the band are serving us the real monolith they’ve been crafting since 2021 – Aldrlok. With both releases being recorded, mixed, and mastered at around the same time it was only natural that we would see Aldrlok sooner or later, and it could not have come at a better time.
Read moreHyperdontia – Harvest of Malevolence Review
There’s a bear on the loose in Goat Review HQ, and we tried to tease him out by tossing Hyperdontia’s newest record out toward the woods. It worked, but he came back with a review. Guess it didn’t sink its teeth in…
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