Sikth "Death Of A Dead Day" (2006)

A blast from the past! This record I experienced mostly though my friends. Having devoured The Trees Are Dead And Dried Out, I recall not being particularly impressed with this new venture. We saw Sikth at Download Festival and then they split up. Its left this record buried deep in the memories. Unearthing it again highlights its flaws, an underwhelming sophomore from a group who set the bar high for themselves.

 

Death Of A Dead Day yields its twelve cuts to the metallic kneel, choking their own peculiarities as creativity gets channeled into what feels like convention. Despite being loaded with spurious fret tapping melodies, complex harmonies and the occasional poly rhythm, Sikth under deliver on what made them stand apart. The enigmatic beast is present but the compositional approach leaves ideas underwhelming.

 

With all that said, this is a very enjoyable record, full of musical virtuoso and chaotic melodies you wont hear elsewhere. An entertaining listen where twists and turns come fast and frequent, a restless nature always embarking on the next musical idea. Led by the exchanges of their duo front act, its what you'd expect from Sikth.

 

Having given it a bunch of spins once again, I'd discovered Summer Rain and As The Earth Spins Round to be exception cuts, the latter ending the record with a fantastic outro riff uniting a pacey choppy rhythm guitar with epic melancholic lead melody. These peaks are comparable with their best output but the record plays a clear grade below that fantastic debut album. Approaching twenty years, Its been a nostalgic trip.

Rating: 7/10 

Qendresa "Midnight Request Line" (2020)

Dropping in with a sleek 00s R&B voice, London singer Qendresa distinguishes herself from the crowd with genius instrumental chemistry. Its seemingly obvious in retrospect but I'd yet to hear this combination before. Given that Vapourwave often pitches samples from the umbrella of Soul, Funk and Disco, this is an obvious fit.

 

Taking the foundation of R&B, these instruments play slowed and slurred. Melodies and tempos descend into a dreamy Ethereal realm, as the breezy Vapourwave aesthetic emerges from this approach. Armed with slow G-Funk era baselines, the likes of Ice Cube's You Know How We Do It comes to mind, the music croons.

 

At a short twenty minutes, the craft blooms on tracks Real Luv and Be Mine, whereas the rest of the record descends into a vibe over substance tangent. Midnight Request Line exposes this fantastic chemistry, yet struggles to explore its potential depths, leaving one with a solid apatite for more. However this vibe is undeniably on point.

 

Rating: 6/10

My Day With Deftones At Crystal Palace Park

 
What a wonderful day! A sun soaked revel in live music, cooled by a gentle breeze flowing across the Crystal Palace Park hill. The event made for a fantastic day out, one which initially started with anxieties of Deftones' presence at the show, having pulled out of a big Glastonbury slot the day before due to illness among the band.

Qendresa
Clearly both humbled and overwhelmed by the occasion, local London musician Qendresa charmed with giggles between songs, reveling in this opportunity to express and entertain as her cool tempered, mellowed out moods brought a colorful warmth to the crowd. Armed with a sleek, easy voice, she put on a great opening act.

HEALTH

One I've wanted to cross of the list, this Industrial trio put on a fair show competing with the sun. Clearly more fitting for a dark club setting, their barrages of mechanical rhythm and dystopian synth assult brought a frantic energy nailed down by the "fallen angel" voice of Jake Duzsik. His peculiar register, effeminate, vulnerable and deeply hurt, has a magnetism that pulled it all together for the live show.

High Vis

British Hardcore, tinged with 90s Oasis vibes, a touch of Post-Punk melody and Indie Rock overtones, these guys brought passion and energy in abundance. Front man Graham Sayle poured himself into the moment, an emotional front, dripping with a sense of urgency. Splurging his politics between songs, one could not deny the underlying empathy and social care his views stemmed from. Giving their set steam.

Weezer

Weezer were the clear highlight of my day. A recent set-list binge of a band I'd passed over in my youth has paid dividends. Their presence added an exquisite sense of personality and occasion colliding, as these recently familiarized songs ascended to the another level. The genius of Rivers Cuomo and his bands mates made itself know, as the stunning live aesthetic showcased their virtuoso. Even if much of their music is simplistic, it was executed flawlessly. The guitar solo's were a pleasure to behold.

 

Deftones

One of a few bands deeply entangled into my youthful soul, hearing their arsenal of emphatic, timeless songs will always stir that freeing revelry of the moment. Despite having a fantastic time, one could not ignore a troubled performance. Still getting over the illness that stopped them from playing Glastonbury, timing mistakes, warping tempos and a general struggle to keep it together a times stained the show. Waiting for a riff to drop, only for the tempo to slow can pull one out of the magic. Fortunatly, they seemed to get it tighter as the show went on, ending with a banger, 7 Words.

Blood Incantation "Luminesecent Bridge" (2023)

  

Written in its name, this two track bridges Timewave Zero and Hidden History Of The Human Race, attempting to conciliate the colossal chasm between sounds. A bold ambition where some common ground gets merged, its two halves simply explore opposing aspects. Obliquity Of The Ecliptic sticks rigidly as the manic splattering of ghoulish Death Metal, transitioning through eerie atmospherics into a Progressive behemoth of sorts, eclipsed by a soaring guitar solo of epic reach. A powerful show of composition, pulling its best moment from the echos of  80s Metallica guitar lead.

The proceeding title track serves to tie its exploration of Dark Ambient with a caustic acoustic guitar phrase. The two meld under the eerie presence of what sounds like estranged bird calls. Building in tension, guitar lead and drums usher in a mystic atmosphere yearning for a grandiosity that never quite arrives. Instead trumpets mark its death as the peak fades into obscurity. It could of erupted into magnificence, yet seemed content on only a glimpse of its mystique. A bridge only partially explored, finding the obvious common connections and executing it with a touch of class.

Rating: 4/10

State Azure "80s Ambient Reinventions" (2024)

 

 

Further exploring the "inconsequential" landscape of Psybient and Cosmic Ambience music has led me back to State Azure, an artist with a distinct approach to acute minimalism, crafting ambient tunes that simply captivating one in its moment only. 80s Ambient Reinventions caught my attention for its inspirations. Five big hits from the decade past, re-spun by glossy keyboard synths to linger in a incidental space.

 

The record starts steady, gradually building. Brief echos of motifs and melodies guide the music, borrowed from the original songs. As the album progress track by track, so to does its connection to the original source, deepening that connection. Opening with Save A Prayer, inspired Berlin School arpeggios drone in a melodic trance, propelled by a lean and hard percussive force. So to does With Love Comes Quickly.

 

Running Up That Hill and In The Air Tonight play soother cuts, calming renditions. The latter extracts distinctions like the 80s epic lead guitars and classic gated tom sound, pivoting them into an atmosphere roll. The enigmatic chords of the song linger in the fold, completely reshaping the original. Its a wonderful creation. So too is another 80s classic, Tears For Fears' timeless hit, Everybody Wants To Rule The World.

 

This one feels closest to its origin, the melodies play distinct, with similar aesthetics, yet appear spaced out, slowly merging closer together as the song grows its layers. This measured build up creates tension, an anticipation for some sort of crescendo that never arrives. Its my favorite of the five! Feeling like an endearing echo of the songs spirit, observed across time and space itself. A wonderful little record!

 

Rating: 7/10 

Blood Incantation "Timewave Zero" (2022)

Curious to hear more of Blood Incantation's fresh and exciting take on the tired Death Metal genre, Timewave Zero shocked me with its radical shift to a sound I'm fond of, perhaps even obsessed with! Comprised of two songs, both split into four movements, It wasn't to long into Io's dramatic shadowy tensions, did I realize this was no gradual build up to an eruption extreme metallic aggression. This was in fact an Ambient piece of work, dialed to a gravitational degree between the dark, eerie side of the genre and my beloved Cosmic Ambience. I knew immediately I would enjoy this record.

 

Devoid of any vivid animations, both halves play adrift of dramatic event or suggestive theatrics. The music stay resolute in a gentle journeying through its tensions and suggestions. To my ears, both Io and Ea explore similar deviations from their original impressions. Subtle arpeggios drone with a touch of Berlin School, swells of brooding ambiguity emerge and sullen synth strings yearn within its lengthy progressions.

 

Io feels like the "spacier" half, capturing a mystique devoid of intent yet both dangerous and mesmerizing, the strange allure of cosmic wonders visible only where no eyes wander. I find this sentiment mirrored in its fantastic cover art. A inhospitable landscape orbiting a giant red sun. Ea feels a touch more animated, as if observing similar places which have a history of failed life. Its touches of murmuring voices, Dungeon Synth and acoustic guitar give a sense of cultural echo to the astral sight seeing, Its fourth and final movement melting all this suggestion into a dense swell. This record fits perfectly into my growing collection of ambient works.

 

Rating: 7/10

My Day At Sunday Download Festival 2025

Its been six years since I last visited Donnington! What has the pandemic robbed me of? My hesitancy to return to live music feels like a lost opportunity, yet to experience such magic to begin with is a blessing. Magic is what my Sunday at Download gave back, a much needed reminder of the incredible times live performances muster. The day started with Kneckbreaker in the tent, Orbit Culture and Bleed From Within on the mainstage. I caught Municipal Waste and Malevolence too, however the follow were the real highlights of my day.

Amira Elfeky
One from the current wave of BMTH inspired Djent Pop Metal, Amira immediately caught my ear with her pristine voice. I found myself unsure of her authenticity, listening carefully to her breathy articulations between singing. It was no backing track. She just sounded like a studio recording live. Utterly impressive and with such easily enjoyable music, it made for a great show to follow up on.

Power Trip
My first mosh of the day. It had been a minute since I last heard there revival Thrash stomps! With pounding drums and choppy guitars chugging in perfect synchronicity, their grooves were infectious! Not to mention new vocalist Seth Gilmore did a fine job as their new frontman.

Meshuggah
God of metal, masters of my primordial rhythmic soul, It doesn't matter how many times I've seen them, it never feels like enough. This was my "loose yourself" moment, a feeling adored many times over the years. Go wild and bang your head and disappear. That will always happen with Meshuggah. Lethargica on the setlist was a niche touch and ending with Demiurge had me hyped up!

Spiritbox

Seeing them for the third time this year blunted the excitement a tad but that mid day sunshine can be brutal! Melting in the sun, I found myself watching other go wild and having a great time. I got my slice of that earlier in the year. The performance was excellent, It feels like they are on track to become one of metals premier names if they keep pumping out gold.

Lorna Shore

There is nothing quite like an impressive performance to win you over. I liked these guys, but seeing the musical virtuoso in the flesh was something else! The dazzling fluorescent sunburst guitar of Adam De Micco highlighting his incredible melodic through lines. It was also a delight to see them take my least favoured aspect of the music seriously. The breakdowns, exchanging cheeky grins at the sheer absurdity of these stunts was nice to see they don't take themselves seriously.

Novelists

Spotify had recently exposed me to this group. They have some charming songs. With a delayed start, I was delighted to catch them in the tent. Camille Contreras has a lively stage presence and hearing a few familiar tunes between others made for an entertaining set.

Fit For An Autopsy

New to my ears, this band absolutely slapped. You could tell from the crowd reaction they had something to offer. The rhythmic chops caught my ears, an amazing chemistry between guitar and drums that had be head banging like mad. To my unaccustomed ears, they sound like a Post-Deathcore crossover with Lamb Of God and splashes of Gojira. Really impressive, I will be getting into this one!

Korn

Fortunately, I'd seen Korn just last summer, otherwise my heart would of been torn. One of the few bands that always tug hard on the heartstrings, I caught some of my favorite songs in the first seven or so I stuck around for. I could have easily spent my night in the pit, loosing my mind again but alas there was one more act to see. They were phenomenal, a powerhouse ready to put on a show. It sounded great, I rocked out hard but had to move on.

Sikth

Legendary within my friendship circle, Sikth were a one of a kind local band who we saw at our very first Download Festival before they parted ways shortly after. I caught them sound checking at the beginning of the day. They sounded great. It felt only right to see them conclude the night in the tent, putting on a mightily energetic show to a meager crowd of less than a thousand peeps. I thoroughly enjoyed it. No regrets!

Hunt The Dinosaur "Nefarious" (2025)

 

Nefarious made quite the excitable splash upon impact. With my apatite shaped for the lighter sides of music, a throwback to playful extremities was on the cards. Despite having had my fun, repetition has exposed novelty as Hunt The Dinosaur's "over the top" fusion of Metalcore, Djent and rapid fire Rap screams runs its coarse. Sadly, this brief record fails to carve out a classic like Destructo from its octane insanity.

Across its six cuts we are bombarded by barbaric thumps of sound. Low end eight string guitar pound assaulting grooves between splashes of dissonant guitar noise. Snarling screams spit spiteful lyrics, occasionally hurtling into sprints of the distinct memorable shout raps. Lyrics play with foul themes and periodically reference classic Rap one liners and motifs. Ferocious drums rattle like a raging beast, foaming at the mouth, holding firm grooves, then sporadically hurtling into dizzying blast beats. Wedged between it all, alien dystopian synth occasional meld unusual textures, a subtle dressing often understated and easy to overlook among the ravaging madness.

My main takeaway is a lack of memorability. A lack of songwriting fails to land hooks and riffs in a way that sticks. Instead, Nefarious feels like a ceaseless barrage of ideas aimless assembled together, unable to forge a bigger picture beyond the sum of its parts. That, or perhaps I am growing tired of this Post-Deathcore race to the bottom.

Rating: 4/10

Hundredth "Fadded Splendor" (2025)

Shock and awe ensues, as sequenced drum machines and a burly haze of dreamy distortions descend upon the listener. Breaking for a bold singular baseline and tender vulnerable voicing, the sunny emotive sways of Curve had me wondering, which band is this? Last time I checked in with Hundredth, they were reveling in a Post-Rock breed of Shoegazing and Alternative Rock. The latter two genres could describe Fadded Splendor but on this endeavor the band shimmy to the other end of the spectrum. Exploring simple pop harmonies and structures they often skirting that defining wall of sound energy in favor of clear and catchy rhythmic lines.

 

 With Curve and All The Way, the band happily deploy electronic percussion fondly reminiscent of a post Jimmy Chamberlin Smashing Pumpkins'. Hovering up many 90s influences in its stride, much of that distinct Billy Corgan influence pervades in its sentimental side, as the gentler cuts play up evocative vocal croons against Etheral backdrops, ever playing with the beautiful melancholy. Other songs revel in an upbeat energetic charge, pulling dancable motifs from Indie Rock. Never tho do these ideas converge in one moment but serve as complimenting chapters of the journey.

 

Fadded Splendor is a fair stride forward, territory not to dissimilar from Rare's makings. A few songs stand tall among a variety of numbers to give fans of different flavors their pickings. It may be the weather but its emotive sentiment seems perfect for the hot weather, however I could equally picture them feeling cozy in the winter seasons. I love that suggestive power of music... ultimately its up to the listener!

 

 Rating: 7/10

Turnstile "Never Enough" (2025)

 

Dissecting sounds with an analytical scalpel, one can cut critiques upon a lack of overt musical progression. Deploying another bout of their softened hardcore power chord strum sections, recycled riffs and gently expanding the textural pallet their ever emerging keys offer, do Turnstile hit upon a moment of stagnation?

The answer is a firm no, familiarity its welcome weapon. Upon initial impact, the persuasive power of its uplifting dreamy sun soaked moods settle in. The analytics of its simplistic appeals are an after thought. Where Turnstile have excelled is reveling in the vibe, as if they have dug deep to unearth a charm that was resonating all along.

Masked by established conventions, each songs character emerges from its subtle sways of 80s nostalgia. Dream Pop and Shoegaze play on obvious veneers, with other flavors of the era woven in through additional instrumentation. Saxophones and Trumpets occasion between the dazzling shimmer of pedal driven guitar chords.

Never Enough is a familiar beast dialed down to linger on these influences and the vocal energy of Brenden Yates’ soaring soft-side. He frequently charms, his words oozing off a cruising, catchy deliveries that reinforce the feel good sentiment. Oddly, its bursts of raucous Hardcore energy serve to break up the calmer tangents.

The records pacing is sublime. Tracks flow from one revel to another, continually refreshing its breezy tone that sails between those Hardcore sprints and shoegazy bursts of beachy surf rock guitar chords. These musical ideas never complicate and thus simple tunes, melodies and chemistries get to linger briefly at our pleasure.

Vibes is the word of this album. The power of simplicity its champion. Everything feels like a bottled moment in time. Turnstile in a stride, yet pausing to capture the magic. From first spin it won me over. Now on a binge, I feel Ive found the soundtrack to my summer. Heart felt expressions, cozy feel good vibes and bursts of manic energy.

Rating: 8/10

Amos Roddy "Minecraft: Chase The Skies (Original Game Soundtrack)" (2025)

 

Admittedly, I've waited until the drop name had been unveiled to write my thoughts. With that extended exposure, its become clear that Amos Roddy expands on the delightful work of Aaron Cherof, one of my favorite contributions. Dreamy wistful melodies, straddling the serine, conjure introspective moods. Illusive instruments, lurching on the heels of echo and reverberation, blossom into flourishing strides of soothing melody. Reflective of life's passing beauties, these moments swell and pass by, just like many moments that make a memory. Its evocative, nostalgic, a slow brew who's boil creeps up on you. Ghostly pianos, yearning strings, stealthy sunlight synths and brooding atmospheric pads, melding through exquisite composure.

 That's the magic of its five opening pieces. For the Nether, we get another bop! Tears bangs with its quirky melodies of impish fright! Pitch shifted Ghast sounds wedge haunting, spooky arrangements between the crunchy strident groove of its meaty kick drum and snappy snare sway. The concept makes itself known swiftly, repeating again after a mid track melody suggests the presence of a player on adventure. Its a fun and obvious hit, yet perhaps the simplest of offerings on display here.

Rating: 6/10 

Magdalena Bay "Mercurial World" (2021)

Dynamic duo Magdalena Bay are swiftly becoming a fascination. Stepping back in time from their ambitious, progressive Killing Time, this debut, Mercurial World, simply plays as a string of tuneful songs. Warm, dreamy and uplifting, cheerful yet quirky, these numbers dance with Electropop and Synthpop foundations, exploring jolts of Psychedelic creativity with blushes of Vapourwave aesthetic and Dreampop mood.

Some of its motifs blatantly pull from Disco, Dance, Indie Pop among other revived Pop music antics. If you've known a lot of music, many echo's crop up, reinvented to their tune. I felt this phenomena on Killing Time but title track Mercurial World's nod to Madonna on its closing lines confirms it. Among its many flashes of influence, Grimes seems another particular influence on Mica Tenenbaum's soft breathy presence.

Such obvious familiarities sometimes dampen the musical experience but fortunately Magdalena Bay have a beautiful, colorful energy emanating from the core. These sounds arrive through an exciting, lively energy, enriching their songs as layers of sound and creative production intermingle for an engulfing experience. Songs play catchy, deploying simple ear worms, yet can deviate from convention at any moment and explore fantastical oddities along the journey. A joyous debut, Mercurial World does indeed feel like a world of its own, set to pull you back over the coming years.

Rating: 8/10

Behemoth "The Shit Ov God" (2025)

 

Thirteen albums deep, masters of craft, juggernauts within their niche, Behemoth have little to prove. Although the bands efforts have received mixed reactions in recent years, they are always an unshakable presence in pursuit of fresh satanic sacrifices upon the alter of Blackened Death Metal. Yet this latest offering feels surprisingly steady, a routine spin of intelligently composed forays into demonic darkness.

The Shit Ov God entertains us with its competency, setting a grimace tone, exploring its shadowy avenues with a cunning to avoid anticipations. Devilish riffs and ravenous, restless drums brim with creativity, exciting within constraints, yet never straying from a ghastly temperament. The resulting record screams for break aways that never arrive. We dredge through swamps of weighty burden, never to be relieved.

Lacking peaks and valleys on its path, these songs becomes a fierce monotone drone of sinister silhouettes, menacing at a distance, yet lacking that flash of color to bring it all to life. Guitar solo eruptions and breaks for plucked string melodies among other arrangements signal that attention but none of them break out of this sticky nefarious gloom. A solid concise listen but lacks a spark for greatness to define its purpose.

Rating: 6/10

Sleep Token "Even In Arcadia" (2025)

 

 Lingering on the cutting emotive sensations of Vessel, this newest chapter, Even In Arcadia, plays like poetry in motion, a dwell of personal exorcisms originating from a lyrical inception. This impression could simply speak to the frontman's charming R&B leaning vocal inflections. As their key song-writer, this synergy unites voice and instrumental with a deeper, intentional chemistry than most. Its a now familiar formula but on this occasion, Sleep Token nail the album experience from front to back.

Shy of an hour, it breezes by effortlessly. Look To Windward opens, immersing us in artistic heavies as the throws of Djent yield to a grand gravitas carrying its tensions into soaring melody. Emergence and Dangerous lend their swells of momentum to metallic atmospheres as do other songs like the gorgeous Caramel. Concluding with blast beats and shrill howls, its ever curious how they seamlessly bridge such a chasm from their catchy 00s Garage beats with Pop vocals to untethered extremes.

 I'd often considered Sleep Token a stealth vehicle for Pop sensibilities into a genre usually adverse to such musical pleasures. Only its title track passes without a swell of metallic energy, a curiosity given how all my impressions stem from Vessel's delightful voice and the emotive melodies that accompany him. Its a wonderful orchestration of sombre piano that dissolves in tightening airy ambiences as the songs resolves itself in a common swelling. The violin on exit is a fine touch of craft.

 The thematic dance played between beauty, pain and introspection wrapped in sunny melancholy defines this record. Its reflection from words to sound a delight. On reflection, I appreciate its swells of intensity so much more. Their natural progression had me overlooking the dynamic shifts on a casual listen. That can't be said of closer Infinite Baths. Its groovy revelry in filth, a shock and horror to remember, seeing the experience out as if its all been sucked into a black hole. What a cracking album by a band reaching new heights. Along with the Saturday headline slot at Download Festival, this a moment that could ascend their profile even further.

Rating: 8/10

Magdalena Bay "Killing Time" (2024)

Imaginal Disk serves as my introduction to this talented multi-instrumentalist duo Magdalena Bay. Clocking in with a mightily entertaining fifty-three minutes, this album plays like a dreamy journey through the soothing serine, as conceptual narratives punctuate its seamless flow. Pronounced by gorgeous instrumentation, layered yet consistently apt, warmth emanates throughout as the pair explore upbeat vibes, meaningful and dialed in, compared to traditional popular "happy music". Moments of soft tuneful melancholy do arise, finding resolution as breezy winds whist any sorrowful introspective reflection back to the arms of this curious serenity.

 

Housed by the expansive nature of Progressive music, they aesthetically sit at the crossroads of Synthpop and Rock, with a Shoe-gaze Dream Pop nature, often leaning into melodic influences from Dance, Disco and Funk. Songwriting is king as these identities yield to the dreamy directions their music meanders in. Many aesthetic tangents arise as regular structures give way to swells and subtle crescendos. This ebb and flow keeps the record interesting, swinging through creative strides, offering a playful exploration of expressive ideas packaged in vibrant instrumentation.

 

My initial hurdle with Killing Time was Mica Tenenbaum's singing! Lacking oomph and power, her breathy, shy voice felt tame, limping by on subdued expressions. This impression was emphasized by her wordy interludes, the spoken temperament highlighting a narrow range. With the music calling for grandiosity, I anticipated a powerful, soaring voice that never came. Despite that, repetition has grown on me. She may not have big and bold presence but actually leans into her casual range, finding a soft charming chemistry with lively music which could easily overpower. Her grace and softness becomes a strength playing into the dreamy mood.

 

Stacked with its bangers early on, the record does mellow out as the initial Dance and 90s Alternative Pop energies subside, allowing songs to ruminate on ideas not quite as flashy but equally gratifying. Its an exciting, lively record, rich in musicality neatly packaged, making a bold impression on this listener who will have to dive deeper!

 

Rating: 8/10