Nary a dull moment is to be found on the first foray into full-length-dom by London’s Sam Akpro, whose attempt to make sense of an overstimulated world is entrancing, rich and mysterious from start to finish. Read my full review courtesy of Treble.
Sam Akpro’s ‘Evenfall’: Two Cent Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Sam Akpro on 03/28/2025 by Kurt OrzeckIdaho’s Ingrown Toe the Hardcore Line on Second Album
Posted in Interviews with tags Ingrown on 03/28/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Frontman Ross Hansen reflects on the rage at the root of Ingrown’s sound, some of his personal ideologies at odds with greater hardcore culture, and how there’s no place like home. Read my feature on the band courtesy of Knotfest.com.
Fenyx Rose Talks About Raising Her Two Devastatingly Cute Dogs
Posted in Interviews with tags Fenyx Rose on 03/27/2025 by Kurt OrzeckFrom teen pop star to thoughtful, compelling singer/songwriter, Fenyx Rose has one hell of a story to tell, including how much her life changed for the better thanks to her two pooches.
Exclusive: Dream Phases Rouse Psych-Rock Lovers With Special New 7-Inch
Posted in Exclusives, Interviews with tags Brandon Graham, Dream Phases on 03/27/2025 by Kurt Orzeck
Today ain’t just another Thursday for fans of primo psychedelic rock. It’s extra-special because L.A.’s eminently gifted quintet Dream Phases are gifting fans of equally heady and interstellar music with a special new 7-inch. The Nomad Eel Records release enshrines two of the increasingly prominent and talented band’s best tracks, “Velvet Knife” and “Mrs. Songbyrd.”
Dream Phases is one of the most versatile, rousing and downright fun acts amid a litany of new and newish California bands currently infusing new life and popularity into psych-rock. (They’re also extremely affable and have an endearing sense of humor.) The band consists of Brandon Graham (vocals, guitar), Shane Graham (drums), Keveen Baudouin (guitar, vocals), Jeanna Fournier (bass, vocals) and Phil Cobb (synth, keys).
Continue readingTreefort Music Fest Preview: Dummy Discuss Their Smart Approach to Making Art
Posted in Interviews with tags Dummy, Treefort Music Fest on 03/26/2025 by Kurt OrzeckGet to know L.A.-based psych-pop luminaries Dummy ahead of their much anticipated set at Neurolux on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. as part of this year’s Treefort Music Fest, courtesy of New Noise.
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 OrzeckDelve 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.
Pyramid 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.
The Bad Penny (beta) 