A Night In Texas - The Darkest Side Of Humanity: Review

 If you're new to symphonic/blackened deathcore, this album might be the one to start with. If you liked Digital Apocalypse,  this album will be that albums progression. Polished in the studio by Christian Donaldson, this album is fairly brutal and sonically jarring in a good way. Sam Cameron changes up some lyrical variety that aren't internet cringe cliches. With blastbeat speed runs, chugging open chords, and symphonic pops and breakdowns that enhance each track, this might be the best endeavor they've released. A Night In Texas check all of the boxes that deathcore fans want in my opinion. It's like magic to my ears, anyway. Like stated before it enhances the appeal I found on Digital Apocalypse, and takes a step further into a few genres with instrumentation and lyrical effect.  Thankfully the band doesn’t keep things at high speedthe entire album they break down to more mid-tempo grooves that hit as hard as they can. 

The Darkest Side Of Humanity is rounded up for the genre, and exceeds the niche of most of the bands in this category.They spent 15 years doing deathcore and I think this is a higher end step in the proper direction. Below is a video track of an example of that next step and notch they've now checked off. Lots of people on the internet detract from this band, as fans of the genre. To each their own and all, I don't understand it. Enjoy...

Buy

Khemmis S/T Review:

 

 If you like Doom Metal, you will like Khemmis. I would find it hard to believe that you'd like metal and not know who they are by now with Dio and AIC covers having been out for so long now. If you like Mercyful Fate or Sleep you probably like Khemmis. The blast beats, the doom riffs, the vocals, the lyrics... all worthy of putting their records in your collections. Their newest slab is a self titled sonic death ride to oblivion. Having been out since June Ithink it covers ground that we need covered, musically. Instrumentation is in a fever pitch in a number of sonic harmonies and tones. Blending vocals and music together in their signature style of bass heavy 80's influenced metal. They are one of a handful of bands that truly define these sub genres. Already on a second press, if you're going to get it, the getting is good. My favorite track so far is "Carrion King" with a back of "Bemeath The Scythe". They did a set on KEXP that is just rad, if you can't get out to see them. 

Buy

X Weapon X - Demo 2 Review

 

If you're looking for new hardcore or straight-edge to get in to, look no farther than Louisvilles own Weapon X... because they hate you. 

That being said, "Demo 2" is where it's at and over a year old now. A newer offering that proves to be just as quick paced and to the point as previous offerings (demo), definitely proving consistency and drive. I appreciate this band a lot more than other bands in the genre, because they seem to be a bit more tuned up than other bands from this era. I'm not attempting to push nostalgia, but, they do have a certain ambiance about them from the original era. 

It's not reinvention or throwback, but perhaps, a next step for both staright-edge and hardcore. The instrumentation and vocals definitely get more harmonious and tighter with each outing. Kicks and open E string chugging get that big sound we all know and appreciate in this genre, and the bullet toms and almost blast beat style rhythm bring a melding of what hardcore is becoming to the forefront. The lyrical content is spot on for what somebody would want in a straight-edge band. Good marks in my opinion. If you like bands like Harms Way, Truth of Pain, Contention, World of Pleasure, or Magnitude you might enjoy Weapon X. 

Buy

Ruckus - S/T review:

 

If you're a fan of the original story of punk rock, this look back and reinvention of that sound is probably for you. No holds barred, and no censorship in relation to today's political morality exists in this record. It may not be a reinvention of the wheel but it definitely is a perfection of it. This is a good dose of what society needs, lyrically. Instrumentation is on point, as well. From guitar pedals and cabs, to spot on rhythm,  this is what you should want in punk rock. It's only an EP (sad face) but if all goes well, this will be a reason these folks continue to make great music. They do set the stage, and I do follow looking for what they do tomorrow. You should too. Easy to listen on music share sites but they have a physical release out, that needs to sell out. Hope you dig their music as much as I do. 

Buy here

Luis R. Conriquez - Muchacho Alegre Review

 Luis R. Conriquez released "Cheerful Young Man" on July 10th and if you didnt know you liked Mexican music now you know. Hailing from Caborca and quitting his gas station job in 2018, his collaboration with La Adictiva and Peso Pluma got him a shot at the big game. This album cements that shot in my opinion. So many awesome sounds on this album. Guitars, trumpets, charchetas and mad features with Netón Vega, Peso Pluma, Óscar Maydon, Joel de la P, Tito Double P, Grupo Frontera, Fuerza Regida and Puerto Rican urban star Anuel AA. Jam packed with cultural richness and the sound he specializes in corridos bélicos which utilizes narcocorrido lyrical elements, earing him his nickname "El Rey de Corridos Bélicos". 

"Al Chile Pega" is the song I think should represent the album as a whole. The lyrics are very poignant and the wind instruments blend perfectly with the vocal echo effect and percussive stringed accompaniment. "Que Gacho” feat. Netón Vega is basically a whole new sound and departure from most of his music. Guitars blending with vocal harmony set to a story of heartbreak that ends the relationship and sees the person begin a new life with sex. Good stuff. 

So many fantastic tracks and features here, there's never a dull moment. I've included the lyric video of my favorite track, maybe eventually you can find a place to buy it. If it pops up I may drop it down here somewhere. Adios. 

Pixel Grip - Percepticide: The Death Of Reality Review

 

If you've never heard any EDM in your life, maybe get out of the basement, and start here. What you hear in this album is not typical EDM, but a subgenere colloquially referred to as "queer-core" most notably derived from that of DIY punk rock music. This particular iteration of awesome is characterized by a moog, a set of drums, and a vocalist. When "Heavy Handed" came out in '19 there was no indication of the raw power that was to come by '25 in this outing. Taboo lyrical content and party anthem rhythm enough to get paraplegics on the dance floor, "Percepticide" is just what the music scene needed the last couple of years. So much sexual content a sailor might blush in "stamina" as you can watch above, to the heartbreak of "split" and the tracks "noise" & "gonna be faster" almost accomplishing dream pop. This album is eclectic and holds a sound for almost everyone. Some people may find what Pixel Grip does a little over the top and offensive, and to those folks I'd recommend a nice sit down in a quiet room where they aren't affected by anything from this era of civilization.  Good luck trying to buy this. I think there's one copy on discogs for about 200 bucks. Maybe a second pressing is coming soon. Until then there's the KEPX show and previous albums on their website for sale. 

Lambrini Girls - Who Let The Dogs Out: review

 

If you've never heard the riot grrrl music this is a good modern place to start. Fans of Le Tigre, Huggy Bear, Bikini Kill, and The Runaways are probably already familiar with this 2025 release. Carrying the torch for riot grrrl sound into the next stage of music, Lambrini Girls are definitely up to the task. A few sub-genres exist in this album, of which include post-punk. Phoebe Lunny and Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez definitely hit a home run with this LP, and the proceedings singles. Bad Apple opens the record with a very punk filled sound and message that leads all the way through the album. Big Dick Energy being another Riot sound, formulated in the original fashion of the subgenre. No Homo lends to a social connectivity lacking in most modern countries, it seems. Nothing Tastes As Good As It Feels and You're Not From Around Here both have a noise rock tint to them with very punk lyricism. One can definitely hear the social commentary in this record and thankfully the message is not lost to boring instrumentation. Not to point out things people may not want pointed out, but, it is easy to tell both current members are neurodivergent. If you sample this sound, it may be rewarding to go backwards in their catalog until the next release. 

Morning Motivational Devotional:

         Eclectic people exist but in dwindling numbers...

Oliver Tree - Love You Madly Hate You Badly

 

The first half of this record is a conversation with a not so distant ex lover, but the second half seems to be a plea for ones sanity and self resilience. Lyrically I think Oliver Tree was finding sure footing for his own voice in this effort. The musical styling seemed to be more involved and thought out, as his vocal melody seemed to play and weave in and out of the instrumental EDM a little more. Definitely a male vocal pop stand out. "Superhero" is a stand out track on this outing, as well as "Joyride". Following his entire existing catalog I'd suggest this as his most complete thought, mostly dealing with what seems like a failed relationship. As an underrated artist on Atlantic/R&S he started his own imprint "Alien Boy" which I guess is now defunct due to his unfortunate demise in a helicopter accident in Recreio dos Bandeirantes. This album did garner lots of attention because of his performances at key festivals and an ep of a Radiohead cover. One of their best singles in my opinion. If you have time you should check that out also.

Be aware this alum is for mature audiences and does reflect mentally ill thoughts and phrases with an emotional background in toxic relationships. It is a great album, though. I hope one day we will get a physical copy, until then you can buy digital and listen the same way.

Draculas - Midnight City:

 

This band and album could be the best thing to come out of texas since the original Power Trip lineup (ignore the new stuff). A dance craze for all of the kids, and lyrics to hook adults, this album is definitely a contender for "album of the year". Easily more melodic than anything else out now, the band showcases a lyrical prowess unseen out in texas. A bit protopunk, a bit garage, a bit new wave come together to birth their greatest effort yet. Three deep (albums or fingers, who knows) and they have their signature sound in my opinion. Dirtnap ought to be glad they came back, because this record is a killer. By track 3 "Head In The Clouds" you won't know which end is up. "Guys Like Me, Girls Like You" to the slower closer "Wheelhouse" is just a blur of sonic synthesizer savory sex silt. This album really does go down easy, no chaser. There's some Riverboat Gamblers, some Rise Against, and some major art growing in Savage Lord Mic, Sam Francisco, and Pink Rick... All of which come together for an out of this world proper banger. Do yourself a favor and buy the digital at dirtnap or pay EU prices from Wildhoney. Maybe you can find it in the wild. Ten years in the making, don't let it pass you by...

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Vinyl