La mort de la musique

I write about music sometimes. Evaluating new social media avenues due to the Twitter fiasco.

[lamortdelamusique]

DEAD PONY - EAT MY DUST! | BITE SIZE REVIEW

It's been a couple of years since Dead Pony released their first album under their current name - 2024's IGNORE THIS - but the group haven't been sitting idly by doing nothing with new EP Eat My Dust!

The energy throughout the EP is palpable from the moment the title track kicks in, with high tempo alternative metal punctuated with well crafted pop hooks in the choruses. The twangy guitar of "Boom!" and huge electronically driven choruses of the title track and "Freak Like Me" stand out, but there's no moments where the EP dips or loses momentum. The harsh vocals can sometimes feel a little bit out of placed and forced, but for those new to Dead Pony, Eat My Dust! is a solid introduction to the band's current musical direction.

Rating: 7.5/10

Listen here

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BITE SIZE REVIEW

LINDSAY SCHOOLCRAFT - HARROWING

Since her departure from Cradle of Filth in 2020, Lindsay Schoolcraft has been somewhat quiet on the musical front. However, 6 years after her last album Worlds Away, she's now back at it with Harrowing, collaborating with local musicians including former Ice Nine Kills guitarist Justin DeBlieck and ex-Vesperia drummer Dylan Gowan. While her last effort veered into dreampop territory, Harrowing firmly returns to the alternative metal realm of Martyr, borrowing from gothic and nu metal on the way (particularly early 00s throwback stomper "I Wait for You to Fall", complete with DJ scratches). The short runtime - with only 7 tracks on the digital edition - mean that the album sort of flies by but tracks like the aforementioned "I Wait for You to Fall" and "Vague" leave a solid impression, even if the second half of the album falls a little flat. It leaves you wanting a little more and hoping that any future albums scratch that alt metal itch a bit better.

Rating: 7/10

Listen and buy here.

[lamortdelamusique]

BITE SIZED REVIEW

A - PRANG

It's been over 20 years since Britrockers A last hit the airwaves with Teen Dance Ordinance, and a lot has changed since then. However, that hasn't stopped them from returning to the path they'd carved out for themselves and PRANG feels like a natural continuation of their sound, albeit with the members being older and a bit more cynical than before. The music itself is perfectly enjoyable, with standouts including "Hello Sunshine" and social media critique "Comment Leaver", although lyrically they can come off a little cringeworthy, particularly in songs like "Shit Summer" and bonus track "Make It Great", which attempts to parody the infamous "Make America Great Again" slogan of far-right America. The timing of the release suits it though, as A's particular brand of Britrock resonates particularly well blasting out on a long drive in the middle of summer. PRANG feels almost purpose built for a hot sunny day so dropping on the eve of a heatwave really works in its favour.

Rating: 6/10

Listen here.

[lamortdelamusique]

BITE SIZE REVIEW:

PRIMUS - A HANDFUL OF NUGGS

It's been almost a decade since Primus last released a full-length album and it's still going to be a little longer before we get a new one, but while they keep writing it, the Bay Area weirdos have given us a morsel of what to expect with new EP A Handful of Nuggs. While "Little Lord Fentanyl" follows the proggy weirdness of their more recent output, "The Ol' Grizz" is a throwback to classic 90s Primus with frenetic bass and a mean groove courtest of new drummer John Hoffman, who fits Primus like a glove. Aside from the two new tracks we're also treated to a live rendition of "Duchess (and the Proverbial Mind Spread)" and a cover of Dio classic "Holy Diver". Guest vocalist Puddles the Clown does a sterling job but aside from overpowering bass, it's not really that different to the original. But the main focus of this EP is the original tracks and they are a positive sign of what 2020s Primus are going to sound like.

Score: 7/10

Listen on Bandcamp.

[lamortdelamusique]

Trying a new idea to push myself to write more even if I don't have enough to say on a release to justify to myself writing a full post. If I can get myself to do this on a more regular basis I'll compile them all on the main site at the end of each month.

[lamortdelamusique]

BITE SIZE REVIEW:

PRIMUS - A HANDFUL OF NUGGS

It's been almost a decade since Primus last released a full-length album and it's still going to be a little longer before we get a new one, but while they keep writing it, the Bay Area weirdos have given us a morsel of what to expect with new EP A Handful of Nuggs. While "Little Lord Fentanyl" follows the proggy weirdness of their more recent output, "The Ol' Grizz" is a throwback to classic 90s Primus with frenetic bass and a mean groove courtesy of new drummer John Hoffman, who fits Primus like a glove. Aside from the two new tracks we're also treated to a live rendition of "Duchess (and the Proverbial Mind Spread)" and a cover of Dio classic "Holy Diver". Guest vocalist Puddles Pity Party does a sterling job but aside from overpowering bass, it's not really that different to the original. But the main focus of this EP is the original tracks and they are a positive sign of what 2020s Primus are going to sound like.

Score: 7/10

Listen on Bandcamp.

[lamortdelamusique]

Cardiacs Announce Final Album LSD, New Single "Woodeneye" Available Now - Rock Sins

Prog legends, Cardiacs return for one final outing to honour late founder Tim Smith with their long awaited album, LSD.

Also wrote for Rock Sins again last week.

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ALBUM REVIEW: yeule - Evangelic Girl is a Gun

The ever evolving enigma known as  yeule  continues to shapeshift as they edge closer and closer to a mainstream breakthrough. After the suc

Last thing I posted last week was a yeule review

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MILLION DEAD announce reissue of "A Song to Ruin"

Recently reunited post-hardcore quintet Million Dead  are continuing to capitalise on the popularity of their comeback by reissuing their lo

Also put an article together about Million Dead reissuing their albums.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Bloodywood - Nu Delhi

For all the talk in the West about how "rock is dead", the genre sure seems to be thriving in other parts of the world. Take Indian juggerna

Started writing again last week, started with Bloodywood's new album

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ALBUM REVIEW: Pete & Bas - Mugshot

Septuagenarian UK drill duo Pete & Bas have made waves since their formation in 2017, with a slew of singles and their Quick Little Mixtape

Can septuagenarian rappers Pete & Bas prove they're more than just a novelty on new album "Mugshot"? Here's my thoughts.

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SINSAENUM announce return with Tyrant Fest appearance

Death metal supergroup Sinsaenum have announced their return after 4 years of silence with an appearance at Tyrant Fest later this year.

Hey guys Sinsaenum are back!

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Shifty Shellshock 1974-2024

This morning, news broke that Crazy Town  frontman Shifty Shellshock  had been found dead in his home. He was 49 years old.

Thought I'd write something about Shifty Shellshock from Crazy Town passing away yesterday

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ALBUM REVIEW: earthtone9 - In Resonance Nexus

It can be very hard to predict what the future may bring. In 2022 earthtone9 announced a pause on all activity, with no plans to follow up 2

Listen to the new earthtone9 album you cowards

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ALBUM REVIEW: Lowlives - FREAKING OUT

Sometimes a change in style can be a good thing. After the untimely death of industrial metallers The Defiled , frontman Stitch D moved to

Album review I did this week.

FFO: My Ticket Home, Nirvana, Seether, Smashing Pumpkins

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Fightstar announce special concert at Wembley Arena with special guests Twin Atlantic and Loathe to celebrate 20 years together.

Another new Rock Sins article

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Slipknot Drummer Jay Weinberg Leaves The Band | Rock Sins

Slipknot part ways with drummer Jay Weinberg after 10 years and 3 albums with the band, read the full details here.

News article I wrote for Rock Sins earlier

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ALBUM REVIEW: Dethklok - Dethalbum IV

It’s been a long decade if you’re a fan of Metalocalypse . The [adult swim] animation’s feature length musical The Doomstar Requiem left us

Latest review on my own blog is Dethklok, who wrapped up the Metalocalypse story in August and released Dethalbum IV.