“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.
Spiritworld’s ‘Helldorado’: Two Cent Album Review
Posted in Album Reviews, Reviews with tags Spiritworld on 03/22/2025 by Kurt OrzeckOn 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.
On Tyranny: Kuwaiti Metal Artist Abzy Calls Hate ‘A Black Hole’
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny with tags Abzy, Dusk, Meshari Sangora, On Tyranny on 03/20/2025 by Kurt OrzeckIn the latest installment of my new On Tyranny series for New Noise, I caught up with Abzy, a metal and rock musician from Kuwait, and chatted with him about what life was like for artists when Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq.
On Tyranny: Hungarian Black-Metallers Sear Bliss Lost ‘Freedom’ In Orbán’s Autocracy
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny with tags Donald Trump, On Tyranny, Sear Bliss, Viktor Orban on 03/19/2025 by Kurt OrzeckHungary’s longest-running band, Sear Bliss, recently spoke with me about what it’s like living in a country ruled by a despot who happens to be good friends with Donald Trump. Get a glimpse of the serious threats American artists are now facing at home, where the Trump regime is now disappearing dissenters, in the latest edition of New Noise‘s new series, “On Tyranny.”
Kevin Rumantis: ‘Sometimes Something That You Love Making Isn’t Going to Be That Fun to Listen To’
Posted in Interviews with tags Cows, Gina Skwoz, Kevin Rumantis, Melvins, Tomahawk, Trevor Dunn on 03/18/2025 by Kurt OrzeckRead a rare interview with Kevin Rumantis of Melvins and Cows lore in which he and partner Gina Skwoz discuss their Lords and Lady Kevin project with Trevor Dunn of Tomahawk (and Melvins too!). New Noise has the piece.
On Tyranny: Necrofier Frontman Wonders ‘Is It Going to Be Like ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’?’
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny with tags Christian Larson, Hell's Heroes, Necrofier on 03/17/2025 by Kurt OrzeckWhen we recently chatted with Christian Larson about his upcoming Hell’s Heroes festival and what his band Necrofier is up to, we also had to pick his brain about what the hell is going on in the United States of America.
Julia, Julia Has Cats, Cats, Cats
Posted in Interviews with tags Coathangers, Julia Julia, Julia Kugel on 03/17/2025 by Kurt OrzeckCheck out the latest installment in my ongoing series on musicians talking about their pets on New Noise, this time focusing on Coathangers leader Julia Kugel’s other project.
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