Delve into my New Noise conversation with polymath Whitney Mower, who fronts Born Losers Records band They/Live and survived the disastrous fires that recently ravaged Los Angeles.
They/Live Leader on Growing Up Mormon, Teaming With Drab Majesty
Posted in Favorite Films, Features, Interviews with tags Drab Majesty, They/Live on 03/25/2025 by Kurt OrzeckPyramid Mass Reveal Influences Behind Their Sick New EP
Posted in Interviews, Lists with tags Colin Marston, Gravesend, Hella, Isis, Mastodon, Mortiferum, Plebeian Grandstand, Pyramid Mass, Robert Fripp, The Police on 03/25/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Earlier this month, Richmond, Virginia’s Pyramid Mass dipped a ladle into their cauldron of blackened sludge, progressive metal, thrash, black metal, hardcore, avant-garde—Jesus, need we go on?—and poured a heaping helping of their lethal stew into a bowl beautifully named Gargling Rot. The wretched EP, issued by Ossien Records, contains five songs that would make for great house music in Guantánamo Bay. In other words, it’s killer.
Mastered by the legendary James Plotkin of Khanate, Gargling Rot is the chaser to 2023’s Monolith, the debut by the band consisting of Matt Wild (drums/vocals), Nick Crider (guitar/vocals) and Joey Anderson (bass/vocals/synth). The EP commands strict attention from start to finish, even though no matter how hard you concentrate on what Pyramid Mass are doing, you won’t be able to make sense of it. What better way to guarantee repeat spins of a record.
Continue readingBask Reflect on Hurricane Helene: ‘We Were in Survival Mode’
Posted in Interviews with tags Bask on 03/24/2025 by Kurt Orzeck“The silver lining (with) Helene (was) that people—regardless of race, creed, gender, whatever—came together and helped each other out,” the North Carolina band tells New Noise.
xWeaponx’s ‘Everybody Breaks’ Single: Two Cent Review
Posted in Reviews with tags Bryan Garris, Knocked Loose, xWeaponx on 03/23/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Check out my take on “Everybody Breaks,” a new song by Knocked Loose bassist Bryan Garris’ straightedge side project xWeaponx, on Treble.
Young Widows’ ‘Power Sucker’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Young Widows on 03/22/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Louisville noise-rock trio Young Widows sound catchier than ever on their latest LP, Power Sucker. Read my brief review on Treble.
Spiritworld’s ‘Helldorado’: Two Cent Album Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Spiritworld on 03/22/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
“Reverend Horton Heat one moment, the next second Slayer.” Read my short-and-sweet review of Helldorado, the new album by Las Vegas outlaws Spiritworld, via Treble.
On Tyranny: Punk Legends UK Subs Denied Entry Into US Due to Alleged Trump Criticism
Posted in Essays, Features, News, On Tyranny with tags On Tyranny, trump, UK Subs on 03/21/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
A new chapter in Trump’s war on free speech has apparently begun, with members of punk legends UK Subs denied entry into the U.S. and detained after traveling to play a concert Stateside, according to The Guardian. The U.K. news outlet cites accounts purportedly posted on the band’s Facebook page. (The Bad Penny does not utilize or endorse social media.)
Continue readingVenamoris’ ‘To Cross or to Burn’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Dave Lombardo, Slayer, Venamoris on 03/21/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Venamoris–anchored by revered ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo and his wife–formed in 2021 and have released a handful of releases since then. But none hold a candle to their latest, gripping foray, To Cross or to Burn, which drops today on Ipecac. Read my full review on Treble.
Extreme Metal Label Staging Brutal Wrestling Event With Metal Band Mudshow
Posted in Interviews with tags Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, Mudshow, SPV on 03/21/2025 by Kurt OrzeckMudshow vocalist/bassist Mike Roach—who has his own wrestling promotion, Memphis Street Fight—checked in with New Noise to break the news to us about Sunday’s events. To say he sounded like a kid on Christmas Eve would be an understatement.
Taxpayers Collected a Priceless Pooch Amid Tragic Circumstances
Posted in Interviews with tags Taxpayers on 03/20/2025 by Kurt OrzeckRead the latest installment in my long-running Pet Sounds series for New Noise, in which the Taxpayers–whose new record drops tomorrow–recounts the sad story (and happy ending) of how they acquired their dog Tuesday and cat Dandelion.
The Bad Penny (beta) 