Various Artists – The Worlds Lousy With Ideas 7″
Five years ago, Almost Ready Records put out this compilation 7″ featuring three bands and that started a series that is up to its ninth volume (in a variety of formats). For the fifth anniversary of this record it has been reissued with new cover art. First up is Home Blitz. They are a noisy [...]
Claw Toe – 12″ EP
Experimental post-punk with a hint of indie rock and industrial effects make for an interesting and entertaining record despite its cheap packaging. Rating: Claw Toe – 12″ EP Criminal IQ Records Claw Toe is a band from the Chicago area that is led by Criminal IQ head honcho, Darius Hurley. Darius sings and plays guitar [...]
The Crowd – No Other 7″
The Crowd – No Other 7″ Hostage Records It’s a rare thing when a good punk band from the old days sticks around for a decade, let alone three of them. It is even more rare when a band can stick around that long and still put out great records. In the case of Southern [...]
Burning Sons – Reflective Confessions 7″
The only new Mystic Records recording artist returns with a new EP that is better, stronger, faster (on two of the three songs anyway). Three excellent hardcore/thrash tunes that will remind you of yesteryear. Rating: Burning Sons – Reflective Confessions 7″ Mystic Records Burning Sons is a hardcore band from WI whose claim to fame [...]
Channel 3 – Land of the Free 7″
Two new songs from these punk rock veterans that are as good as it gets. Powerful, catchy mid-tempo songs that will be stuck in your head for days. Great packaging and free bonus tracks in the download!Rating: Channel 3 – Land of the Free 7″ Hostage Records Channel 3 (CH3 for short) has been around [...]
Poison Idea – The Fatal Erection Years 1983 – 1986 LP
Poison Idea – The Fatal Erection Years 1983 – 1986 LP TKO Records/Southern Lord Poison Idea was a hardcore band from Portland Oregon that started in the early 1980s. They were probably single-handedly responsible for putting Portland on the punk rock map. They put out a couple of EP’s and a compilation on their own [...]
45 Grave – Pick Your Poison LP
A diverse album with its foundation true to the 45 Grave death rock style. Well worth the 27 year wait for a new album! Rating: 45 Grave – Pick Your Poison LP Frontier Records Back in the early 1980s 45 Grave was one of the first death rock bands and helped forge and entire sub [...]
Avengers – Self-titled deluxe reissue
A reissue more than two decades in the making of this seminal punk album. One of the best punk albums of all time and a true classic in a nicely packaged reissue that only loses points for not including the lyrics in the fancy booklet. Rating: Avengers – Self Titled deluxe reissue – 2CD Water [...]
Beware of Safety – Leaves/Scars
It was a long time coming but it was worth the two year wait for Leaves/Scars is even more diverse and layered than the band’s previous (and excellent) output. A must-own for post-rock fans! Rating: Beware of Safety – Leaves/Scars – LP The Mylene Sheath Beware of Safety was one of the first bands on [...]
Beneath Oblivion – From Man to Dust
Doom metal with more complex song structures and post-rock/post-metal influences that result in a very interesting and heavy album that gets better with each successive listen. Rating: Beneath Oblivion – From Man to Dust LP The Mylene Sheath For their first full-length album, Beneath Oblivion find themselves a home on a label that wouldn’t be [...]
Actors & Actresses – ARC LP
A collection of songs from the band’s first album remixed and reconstructed by label mates and friends resulting in what feels like new material. A perfect complement to their debut. Rating: Actors & Acresses – ARC LP The Mylene Sheath ARC (which stands for Arrows Remix Compilation) is a full-length LP that contains eight songs [...]
High Value Target 12″ EP
Two Chicago punk legends team up to deliver a very non-punk rock EP that would have been a huge hit on the Wax Trax label. Simultaneously retro and fresh at the same time and well worth picking up. Rating: High Value Target – 12″ EP High Value Target is a new supergroup duo that contains [...]
Burning Sons – Reduced to Equality 12″EP
The second release for the Burning Sons is every bit as good, if not better, than their debut and more than deserves the honor of being the first new Mystic Records 12″EP in more than two decades. Rating: Burning Sons – Reduced to Equality 12″EP Mystic Records Last year Milwaukee’s, Burning Sons, was given the [...]
Chris Connelly – Artificial Madness
Chris Connelly returns with his strongest album since his debut album with this post-punk masterpiece. Rating: Chris Connelly – Artificial Madness Relapse Records Chris Connelly has been a staple of the Chicago music scene since the late 1980′s when he moved here to do time with Ministry and Revolting Cocks after leaving the band he [...]
Skinny Puppy – Handover
After a four year wait, Skinny Puppy return with an album that has a little something to satisfy every variety of fan and not only breaks new ground, but revisits some familiar ground from years past. Rating: Skinny Puppy – Handover SPV/Synthetic Symphony It has been quite some time since the last Skinny Puppy album. [...]
Giants – 7″ EP
The 7″ format gets some love in the form of a stellar four-song EP by one of post-rock’s finest. A must for fans and a great point of entry for the curious. Rating: Giants – 7″ EP The Mylene Sheath Giants are among the many and the finest post-rock bands on The Mylene Sheath. Their [...]
Naked Raygun – 7″ Series Volume Three
Two new songs in the trademark Naked Raygun style proving once again the band still has it in the songwriting department. Rating: Naked Raygun – 7″ Series Volume Three 7″ Riot Fest Records As we are about to embark on the fall of another year Naked Raygun deliver the third installment of their 7″ series. [...]
Eksi Ekso – Brown Shark Red Lion LP
After changing the lineup and altering their sound the band returns with a complex mix of chamber music and indie rock. Complex, relaxing and most of all, interesting. Rating: Eksi Ekso – Brown Shark Red Lion LP The Mylene Sheath It has been almost three years since Eksi Ekso last released an album and in [...]
Lavinia – There is Light Between Us
A debut EP so strong that it only loses points for not being a full-length! Eerily soothing yet desolate and complex songs that are nothing short of fascinating. Rating: Lavinia – There is Light Between Us LP The Mylene Sheath Lavinia is a new band that features members (both past and present) of Eksi Ekso [...]
Voivod – Warriors of Ice
A very strong live album that also serves as a best-of Voivod with its track list that will please long-time fans as well as providing a good introduction for the unfamiliar. Rating: Voivod – Warriors of Ice Sonic Unyon Metal In the mid 1980s a little thrash metal band from Canada named Voivod made their [...]
Deals Gone Bad – Far From Home
A two song single that really shows off the strong musicianship of this mostly reggae/ska influenced band. Rating: Deals Gone Bad – Far From Home/These Arms of Mine 7″ Deals Gone Bad is a band from Chicago that has been around for a long time and has built up a pretty solid cult following in [...]
Giants/Beware of Safety split 7″
It was two years plus waiting for new material by these post-rock heavyweights and these two songs make it all worthwhile. Bonus points for the nice packaging. Rating: Giants/Beware of Safety – Split 7″ The Mylene Sheath Both Giants and Beware of Safety have put out some amazing records on The Mylene Sheath. The label [...]
Blood Red Baby Blue – The Colors of Chaos
A solid debut by female-led punk with a spattering of other influences. Bonus points for the nice packaging and bonus items.Rating: Blood Red Baby Blue – The Colors of Chaos LP No Profit Records Blood Red Baby Blue is a band from Alabama and I believe this is their first record. They are a four-piece [...]
