This week we’re tying up some loose ends by discussing Merciless, the latest album by Body Count. Led by the legendary Ice-T and high school friend Ernie C, Body Count is back with another intensely brutal thrash album. After winning a Grammy for 2020’s Carnivore, Merciless shows the band as heavy and charming as ever. Plus we got some guests on here, including Cannibal Corpse’s Corpsegrinder, Max Cavalera, and believe or not, David Gilmour. Check out our previous episodes on Carnivore and Body Count’s full discography (episode 9).
Read MoreEpisode 205: Metallica (Pt. 2)
This week we’re discussing every album by Metallica from 1991-1998. This is such a strange era for the band. They dominated the world of rock music with 1991’s The Black Album, then returned 5 years later with short hair, eyeliner, and southern hard rock songs. Most people dismiss these mid-90s albums, but how do they really hold up all these years later?
Read MoreMansuetude by Buñuel | Album Review + Interview
This week we’re discussing Mansuetude, the latest album by genre-hopping noise rock maniacs Buñuel. Vocalist Eugene S. Robinson is most known from the now defunct Oxbow, whose recent breakup devastated us. But Mansuetude is an entirely different, but no less amazing trip into chaos. Eugene, Xabier, and Franz from the band also blessed us with an interview, which you can find starting at 43:46.
Read MoreEpisode 204: The Sisters of Mercy
This week we’re discussing every album by The Sisters of Mercy. Led by mastermind Andrew Eldritch, this band is paramount in the creation of goth music as we know it. Although they came a few years after pioneers like Siouxsie and the Banshees or The Cure, The Sisters of Mercy’s style was so distinct and memorable that most of what we recognize as goth can be traced back to them. Even if goth isn’t your thing, there’s a lot to be had here.
Read MoreLoose Ends | Redd Kross's New Album
This week we’re tying up some loose ends by discussing the latest and self-titled album by Redd Kross. If you like Redd Kross, there’s a very good chance you’ll like this album. Jeff and Steve McDonald have never been shy about their love of the Beatles and 60s garage rock, so this album scratches that itch if you have it. Be sure to check out our full episode on Redd Kross’s discography, episode 164.
Read MoreEpisode 203: Geto Boys
This week we're discussing every album by the Geto Boys. If you thought 2 Live Crew was too family friendly, then Geto Boys have just the right amount of smut and over the top violence to satisfy you. Made up of Willie D, Scarface, and the 3'8" Bushwick Bill, Geto Boys helped pioneer gangsta rap, in addition to their own brand of violent and cartoonish misogyny. But these days, most would probably recognize them from their tracks featured in Mike Judge's Office Space. Time to grab a baseball bat and your least favorite copy machine.
Read MoreCool World by Chat Pile | Album Review
This week we're discussing Cool World, the latest album by noise rock band Chat Pile. Although simply labeling an album this brilliant, engaging, and endlessly original "noise rock" is doing it a disservice. Cool World is the follow up to 2022's God's Country and it expands upon it in every way. This is a juggernaut of an album and one of the best this year. We're joined this episode by Tom Osman, our history guy, interviewer, and host of Whatever Comes Next with Tom Osman.
Read MoreHiraeth by Respire | Album Review
This week we're discussing Hiraeth, the latest album by Canadian "post-everything" band Respire. If you've ever wished Godspeed You! Black Emperor had more black metal elements, then this is the band and album for you. Respire even adds touches of screamo here--a genre we typically have little interest in--to give this record quite an original style. There's some real good stuff here.
Read MoreEpisode 202: Flipper
This week we're discussing every album by Flipper. While known to many as a huge influence to bands like Nirvana and the Melvins, Flipper are a punk band unlike any other. They're as amazing as they are terrible, but completely unique and bizarrely innovative. After founding member and bassist/vocalist Will Shatter died in 1987, they've gone through various breakups and reunions, even as far as recruiting Nirvana's Krist Novoselic and the Jesus Lizard's David Yow. These days they tour with the legendary Mike Watt.
Read MoreGlossolalia by Dale Crover | Review + Interview
This week we're discussing Glossolalia, the latest solo album by Melvins drummer Dale Crover. Not only that, but he was kind enough to do an interview with us talking all about it, as well as tons of other great insights. While known primarily as a drummer, Crover is actually quite the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He's also joined by some notable guests on Glossolalia, including Kim Thayil, Ty Segal, and even a brief appearance by Tom Waits. Dig it.
Read MoreRack by The Jesus Lizard | Album Review
This week we're discussing Rack, the latest album by The Jesus Lizard and their first in 26 years. None of us saw this album coming and the return of one of the greatest noise rock bands of all-time is a welcome one. Rack shows David Yow, Duane Denison, David Wm. Sims, and Mac McNeilly returning to their roots, as well as venturing into fairly uncharted musical territory. We were not disappointed and it deserves a listen by any fans of the band. Don't forget to check out our full episode on The Jesus Lizard if you haven't already (episode 142).
Read MoreEpisode 201: Dazzling Killmen
This week we're discussing every album by Dazzling Killmen. While they were peers of bands like Scratch Acid and the Jesus Lizard, and worked with Steve Albini numerous times, the Killmen were impossible to compare. Equal parts noise rock, punk, and math rock, their music is ferocious, complex, and unmeasurably tight. If you're into noisy aggressive music at all, you simply must hear them. They are legends who don't get nearly enough credit.
Read MoreEpisode 200: Metallica (Pt. 1)
This week we're discussing every album by Metallica from 1983 to 1988. That's right, all the thrash albums. This era highlights not only some of their most ferocious and technical material (and let's face it, BEST albums), but also their time with legendary bassist Cliff Burton before his tragic death. Everyone and their mom has heard these albums, but now it's time to hear them again.
Read MoreUmbilical by Thou | Album Review
This week we're discussing Umbilical, the latest album by sludge/doom metal band Thou. We sure you hope you like punishing, brutal, and unrelenting metal, because Umbilical is one of the gnarliest records released this year. Not counting collab albums, this is the band's first full-length since 2018's Magnus. Crank it and brace yourselves.
Read MoreEpisode 199: Acid Bath
This week we're discussing every album by Acid Bath. While their existence was short lived, Acid Bath's style of sludge metal and stoner rock was a clear inspiration to bands like Pantera. If you're looking for brutal sludge with hard rock hooks, these dudes deliver.
Read MoreLost Themes IV by John Carpenter | Album Review
This week we're discussing Lost Themes IV: Noir, the latest album by legendary movie director John Carpenter. Collaborating with his son, Cody Carpenter and his godson, Daniel Davies, this is Carpenter's fourth album and it's a ton of fun. Like previous Lost Themes albums, there are a ton of synths, 80s rock guitars, and driving electronic rhythms. Is it reinventing the wheel? Definitely not. But it's well done and scratches a specific itch.
Read MoreEpisode 198: Faith No More
This week we're discussing every album by Faith No More. As one of the pioneers of alt metal, Faith No More combined heavy hip hop-spired rhythms with chunky metal guitarwork to create a wholly unique style. But since Mike Patton joined the band in the late 80s, FNM has evolved into one of the most interesting and diverse rock bands of all time. These guys are legendary, simple as that. Not to mention some of Patton's onstage antics teeter into criminal activity territory.
Read MoreRemembering Steve Albini
This week we're taking some time to honor the great Steve Albini. Having already done full episodes on Big Black, Rapeman, and most recently Shellac, this time we're talking about everything Albini has worked on that's affected us over the years. Mike speaks with Alex, their history guy, Tom, as well as his brother Robert about everything Steve Albini and his incredible legacy.
Read MoreEpisode 197: Shellac
This week we're discussing every album by Shellac. After covering Big Black and Rapeman in past episodes, it was only a matter of time before we eventually got to Shellac. However, due to the unexpected and tragic loss of Steve Albini this year, this episode is bittersweet. They were a fantastic band that we're happy to dissect in detail here.
Read MoreCometh the Storm by High on Fire | Album Review
This week we're discussing Cometh the Storm, the latest album by the great High on Fire. Led by guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike (Sleep) and joined for the first time by drummer Coady Willis (Murder City Devils, Big Business, Mevlins), Cometh the Storm is High on Fire doing what they do best. Is it similar to their other albums? Yes. Does it rule? Also yes.
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