“We’re pretty much finished with (the) second album,” In Flames frontman Anders Fridén revealed to me about his electronic side project — If Anything, Supicious — in a recent interview. He also shared his thoughts on old pal Mikael Stanne and his side project, The Halo Effect. Read the exclusive news story on New Noise and look out for the full Fridén interview soon.
As has been widely reported but woefully under-discussed in the national conversation about the future of news in the U.S. and around the world, Paramount recently vaporized the online archives of MTV News, which it owns. The vault included thousands upon thousands of news stories, artist interviews and other historically critical pieces of reporting created by me and my former colleagues at the culturally iconic organization.
Paramount’s surprise and shocking move marked the latest in a seemingly unending series of body blows against journalists and exemplified efforts by corporate America to eliminate the trade of journalism, which is already withering on the vine, altogether. (Read the best take on the matter by founder and all-around great guy Michael Alex on Variety‘s website.)
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With the aid of Mike Haliechuk’s ever-improving production, hardcore-punk group Fucked Up’s punchy sound practically jumps out of the speakers on their ferociously live-sounding seventh record. Read my full album review courtesy of FLOOD.
Raw Blood Singing (Debemur Morti Productions) is the latest affair from two-person unit Insect Ark
— and the result is an eight-track menu of harrowing horror. Read my review of the record via New Noise.
The word “procrastination” doesn’t necessarily imply that a person is 100 percent idle. It just means they’re avoiding what they should be doing in favor of doing something they shouldn’t be doing. With that in mind, here’s a stupid, superfluous and solitary game that The Bad Penny calls “Procrastination: A Word Game for Music Nerds.” (Trademark pending.)
Flaming Lips
Flamin’ Groovies
Groovie Ghoulies
Groove Collective
Animal Collective
Animal (from the Muppets)
Dr. Teeth (from the Muppets)
Dr. Teeth (the band)
Dr. Dog
Cryptopsy vocalist Matt McGachy exclusively reveals that the end is in sight for one of the best technical death-metal bands of all time. The reason for the retirement is practical: Flo Mounier, one of metal’s most revered drummers, can’t hammer his percussion kit like a whirling dervish forever. Read my New Noise interview with McGachy for more on the unexpected development, as well as the band’s recent signing to Season of Mist.
Math-rock quartet And So I Watch You From Afar hit their groove on their seventh LP, with the perfect balance of loud-and-quiet dynamics resulting in a positively affirming—and downright fun—listen. Hop over to FLOOD‘s website to read my full review of Megafauna.
Legions of Doom—a project featuring members of The Skull, Trouble and others—are hammering away at a record molded from the ashes of The Skull’s third album. The LP, which Tee Pee Records will release, was left unfinished after the shocking passing of frontman Eric Wagner at Psycho Las Vegas, where he was slated to perform, in 2021. Read more about the record in my news report on New Noise’s website.
Times are tough for young bands these days, to put it mildly. Go to New Noise for some invaluable advice that KEN mode, Cloud Rat, Deaf Club and Undeath told me to tell you.
Following last year’s release of their debut album, L.A. band Draag continue to push forward their dreamy grungegaze romps on a six-song EP. Read my full review on FLOOD‘s website.
The Bad Penny (beta) 