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 [...]
Macabre – Grim Scary Tales
Macabre celebrate 25 years as a band by releasing a fairly strong album that mixes the classic Macabre style in many songs while also experimenting in more melodic waters with others. The result is more hit than miss. Rating: Macabre – Grim Scary Tales Willowtip Records It’s amazing to think that 25 years ago, this [...]
Indian – Guiltless
Brutal and punishing doom so intense that it is intimidating. Rating: Indian – Guiltless Relapse Records When I saw Indian play last year, they were so incredibly loud and punishing that it was almost physically painful to experience them, that is how powerful they were. They were easily one of the most intense bands I’ve [...]
Hellmouth/Explode and Make Up split 7″
A solid split featuring one band of crunchy and melodic punk and another with a more aggressive and slightly metallic hardcore. Rating: Hellmouth/Explode and Make Up – Split 7″ Underground Communique Records Explode and Make Up is a hard-edged Chicago punk rock band who have been around for a little while now and have been [...]
Weedeater – Jason… the Dragon
The band that the term sludge was invented to describe return with an extremely heavy and thick record full of swampy, gritty guitars and bowel shattering bass. It doesn’t get any heavier or thicker than this! Rating: Weedeater – Jason… the Dragon Southern Lord Recordings It was beginning to look like Weedeater wasn’t going to [...]
Mexican Cheerleader – Genghis Puss
Super catchy, infectious, and punchy melodic punk rock that sounds familiar yet timeless. A solid LP full of great songs. Rating: Mexican Cheerleader – Genghis Puss LP Underground Communique Records I first heard of Mexican Cheerleader last fall when they played one of the Riot Fest shows. I was immediately impressed with them and I [...]
Various Artists – The New Hope LP
A reissue of an unknown early 1980s hardcore punk compilation of OH bands with a bonus LP of unreleased material from the same sessions. A wonderful time capsule of early hardcore. Rating: Varous Artists – The New Hope 2xLP Smog Veil Records Back in 1983, unbeknownst to me, a compilation LP of Northeast Ohio bands [...]
Gifts From Enola – Self-titled LP
Gifts From Enola branch out even further, get a little heavier, and hit a grand-slam with their third LP on The Mylene Sheath! Rating: Gifts From Enola – Self-titled LP The Mylene Sheath I can’t think of many bands who keep improving with each successive album. Most bands hit their peak early, often within their [...]
Angel Eyes – Midwestern
Post-apocalyptic post-rock with harsh vocals and long, dark, epic songs that are like mini movies. Rating: Angel Eyes – Midwestern LP The Mylene Sheath Angel Eyes are a band from Chicago that has been kicking around for about seven years now. This is their fifth release and their first for The Mylene Sheath. Angel Eyes [...]
Resistant Culture – All One Struggle
A solid grindcore album with strong production and really high-quality packaging. Rating: Resistant Culture – All One Struggle LP Seventh Generation Records/Patac Records Resistant Culture has been around for quite a few years in one form or another and this is their second full-length album from what I can tell, and their first on the [...]
Junius – Self-titled LP
Thick, dense and melodic indie rock with song structures that are simply stunning and hypnotic. There should be one of these on every turntable in the world! Rating: Junius – Self-titled 2LP The Mylene Sheath Last year when I received Junius’ The Martyrdom of a Catastrophist I was hugely impressed with it, was amazed that [...]
