Read my lengthy New Noise interview with bassist/vocalist Max Malmer of Swedish doom-metal luminaries Cavern Deep in commemoration of their new LP, Part III – The Bodiless, released today. He touched base with me from a tiny town north of the Arctic Circle and a destination for those who venture to see the northern lights, where he was on a hiking expedition.
Hiking, Skiing and Doom Metal: A Conversation with Sweden’s Cavern Deep
Posted in Interviews with tags Cavern Deep on 05/09/2025 by Kurt OrzeckSleigh Bells Get Deep About Cats and Dogs on Riotous ‘Bunky Becky Birthday Boy’
Posted in Interviews with tags Sleigh Bells on 05/08/2025 by Kurt OrzeckNew Noise invited the duo of Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller to take part in a question and answer session about animals shortly after learning that their new album, Bunky Becky Birthday Boy, revolves heavily around at least one animal. More specifically, Sleigh Bells came up with the title track by combining the nicknames of Krauss’ belated dog, Riz (“Bunky Becky”), and her son, Wilder (“Birthday Boy”). Sure enough, Krauss and Miller hollered back almost immediately.
Neal Morgan Shares ‘Huge Love’ of Animals on New LP
Posted in Interviews with tags Neal Morgan on 05/08/2025 by Kurt OrzeckIt’s no mistake that PAW is the first true foray into pop for Neal Morgan, who is best-versed in drumming and has collaborated with tastemakers like Joanna Newsom, Bill Callahan, and Fleet Foxes. Read our recent conversation for New Noise in which he elucidates his unique experiences rescuing animals.
Exclusive Premiere: Cocaine Culture’s ‘Cocaine Culture’
Posted in Exclusives, Interviews with tags Cocaine Culture on 05/07/2025 by Kurt OrzeckThe expression “bold debut” gets thrown around an awful lot, but debut records don’t come much boldererer than Cocaine Culture’s self-titled LP. Due Friday on Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, the tempestuous record is all wrath and fury, leaving nothing standing in its wake. The Bad Penny has the unique privilege of bringing you the record in full today, in streaming form.
In celebration of the stream, we touched base with the band to discuss their filthy foray into full-length-dom.
Continue readingNatural Information Society and Bitchin Bajas’ ‘Totality’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Bitchin Bajas, National Information Society on 05/05/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, or so the saying goes. But what about when two parts come together and the result is barely a whisper? That’s the fascinating, enigma-wrapped-in-a-riddle of a record that is Totality, an album title that at various turns seems either profound or confounding.Read my Treble review.
‘As Bad as It Is Right Now, It Can Get Worse’: Austerity Program on ‘Bible Songs,’ Optimism and Surrender
Posted in Interviews with tags Aaron Turner, Hydra Head, The Austerity Program on 05/05/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Read my very rare Treble interview with the fast-talking Justin Foley, who is one-half of noise-rock duo The Austerity Program, and works full-time as a union organizer as well.
Regal Cheer, “Quite Good”‘: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Interviews, Reviews with tags Regal Cheer on 05/05/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
At under 20 minutes, the sophomore album from endearing Brighton duo Royal Cheer, Quite Good, is a jolt of punk-rock beauty, blissfully shambolic from start to finish.
Ty Segall’s ‘Possession’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Reviews with tags Ty Segall on 05/04/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
“A bible placed beside the butter by a farmer of misfortune in the winter” sounds like a line that Kurt Cobain might’ve scribbled in his journal. But Segall executes this composition in a far brighter and shinier manner than Nirvana ever would. Read my Treble review of Ty Segall’s “Posession.”
Rival Consoles’ ‘Known Shape’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Reviews with tags Rival Consoles on 05/04/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
To sit on this addictive track would be akin to not cashing in a winning lottery ticket. Read my review of Rival Consoles’ new song, “Known Shape,” on Treble.
Bleed’s ‘Bleed’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Bleed on 05/02/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
With cascading guitars and soaring vocals by Ryan Hughes, this maddeningly catchy, shimmering record harnesses the blissful naïveté of the early ‘90s and ushers it into the present, when such innocence is desperately needed. Read my review of Bleed’s self-titled debut on Treble.
The Bad Penny (beta) 