Steven Wilson - The Overview (2025)

Steven Wilson is back. The modern prog rock master is tracing his steps back to, in my opinion, what he does best: long, meandering and layered compositions that reward multiple listens. 

The Overview is made up of two songs that total about 42 minutes and offer a perfect blend of Wilson's textures, harmonies, guitar lines and electronic sounds. This is an instant modern classic. I can't put it any other way.

Black Moth - Condemned to Hope (2014)

Originating from Leeds in the UK, Condemned to Hope is Black Moth's second album and what an amazing album it is right from the start to the very end without ever faltering one bit. It's been an incredibly long time since I've heard a rock album as accessible, raw, intense and addictive as this. 

Black Moth's music is hard to define. The band successfully mixes sludge metal and doom elements with alternative/indie rock. The bass and drums create a solid base that gives the band depth and intensity. The guitars roar with a straight rock edge and Harriet's vocals tie everything up with a raw and honest voice that instantly hooks you in. 

I bumped into this band by accident and now I simply cannot stop listening to this incredible album. Condemned to Hope is an absolute treasure of an album, one that feels raw, honest and above all incredibly inspired. 

Highlights: The whole bloody album!

Rating: Heavy Rotation

The Pineapple Thief - Magnolia (2014)

Magnolia is The Pineapple Thief's tenth album and the first one in a long career to move to a more concise straight rock (though still containing progressive elements).

The album presents a good mix of moody alternative rock with an occasional metal edge and gentle, soothing melodies that evoke great emotion and beauty. Nevertheless, the album is at its best in the more rock oriented tracks.

Overall, this is a bold step away from their more expansive progressive sound and into more straight rock territory. Magnolia is a great rock album with beautiful melodies.

Highlights: Simple as That, Alone at Sea, Coming Home, The One You Left to Die, Sense of Fear.

Rating: Good Vibrations

Opeth - Pale Communion (2014)

Opeth's Pale Communion is an outstanding album. This is progressive rock of the highest order with a perfect mix of progressive rock, 70s style and a little dose of folk. 

The album follows the style of Heritage and Damnation. It's clear right from the start that Mikael Akerfleldt has placed emphasis on melody and the album is filled with beautiful, poignant and memorable moments. 

Highlights: the last two songs of the album, Voice of Treason and Faith in Others.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

sleepmakeswaves - Love of Cartography (2014)

Originating from Sydney, Australia, Love of Cartography is sleepmakeswaves' third album. Their style could be broadly described as post rock with very strong guitars and attitude. 

The album opens with Perfect Detonator. The guitars roar creating a solid wall of noise but the song also contains very playful melodies. The contrast between the hard guitars and the post rock style melody is perfect. Right from the very start, this song makes a statement: This is post rock of the highest caliber with roaring guitars. The band manages to create an album that is uptempo, often sitting in the border between rock and metal but is still filled with beautiful melodies and cinematic moments. A hard combination to make but one that sleepmakeswaves manages to create seamlessly.

Other songs to highlight, are the more cinematic and sweeping Traced in Constellations, the progressive and epic How We Built the Ocean and the utterly powerful Your Time Will Come Again; a song in two parts that lures in with gentle intimacy to then explode in your face. 

The guitars are hard and in your face, the melodies are beautiful and the electronic arrangements work to great effect, enhancing the songs but not detracting from them. This is an excellent release for those who like post rock with attitude. Simply brilliant.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

You can buy the album from the sleepmakeswaves Bandcamp here

Anathema - Distant Satellites (2014)

Distant Satellites is Anathema's tenth studio album in a long career that has seen them evolve from doom metal to uplifting progressive rock with an ever present touch of melancholy. Whilst the previous two albums showed a considerable progression in their sound, Distant Satellites feels like a distillation of their sound since 2001's A Fine Day to Exit at the same time that it takes another bold step forward.

The band continues their journey into minimalism, something that's even more prevalent than in their previous two albums. The sound and arrangements have been stripped down and the structure of songs follows a driven crescendo more akin to post-rock music. The album opener is a prime example of this, The Lost Song Part I is a song that builds and builds in a clear progression until it completely explodes. It's very post-rock but it's also very much what Anathema has been doing for a while now. 

The album uses symphonic elements creating atmosphere and beautiful calm passages to great effect. Some of the guitar work harks back to A Fine Day to Exit, for example in Dusk (Dark is Descending), and some of the more ambient and electronic moments bring A Natural Disaster to mind, but Distant Satellites brings all these elements together with a more assertive, dressed down approach than ever and a more electronic sound that brings Radiohead to mind (something that was already present in parts of A Natural Disaster but it's more present than ever here).

Distant Satellites works best as an album. It's the whole experience rather than a collection of songs. Songs like Anathema and The Lost Song Part III are best experienced and understood in the context of what has come before. Having said that some highlights include the album opener The Lost Song Part I, a classic Anathema song that starts quietly, grows in power and explodes into an incredible wall of sound; the atmospheric and gentle Ariel and the darker shade that The Lost Song Part III (you can listen to the track below). 

But the last two songs in the album deserve a special mention. The title track, Distant Satellites, is an eight minute bold song that is jam packed with atmosphere, electronica and symphonic elements. It feels like this driven and fascinating song breaks with the past and presents a new Anathema. A feeling that continues with the closing track Take Shelter. It opens with a very quiet atmosphere and Vincent's fragile and hauntingly beautiful vocals then grows into an upbeat second half with electronic drums, leaving the listener with a powerful uplifting sensation. Both songs sound like Anathema but offer a new sound, a new side to the band, perhaps a sign of things to come, and they're my favourite songs.

The band has changed dramatically from their early years. Anathema has evolved from dark into light but there's still a strong sense of power, doom and melancholy even in their most uplifting moments. Distant Satellites is their tenth album and it successfully distills everything Anathema has been working on since A Fine Day to Exit at the same time that it takes a bold step forward. 

Perhaps some people will not be receptive to what Distant Satellites has to offer wanting the band to go back to what they were doing 15 to 20 years ago but that's their loss. I can't stop listening to this album and Anathema present once again what will surely be one of the best albums of the year.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Please note, an interview to lead singer Vincent Cavanagh will be posted soon. This will be the very first interview for this blog, with many more to come - I hope! 

††† Crosses (2014)

This album by Crosses gathers all the songs from their previous two EPs plus five new ones, that would've made the third EP. Presented all together here they form an excellent debut full length album that despite it's nature (three EPs in one) sounds cohesive.

The album opener This is a Trick gives a very good indication of what this album is about. This is dark electro rock, with soothing soundscapes, a touch of retro electronic sounds and a little dose of rock. From then on, the album dances between more electronic beats, straight pop melodies and more driven rock moments.

Most people will come to listen to this album for Chino Moreno, from Deftones, and his vocals are the central driver of this album. His excellent vocal range and silky vocals are used to incredible effect but there's are also new shades to his voice here, at times sounding very positively uplifting and pop. 

The album presents a great collection of songs and it's hard to choose stand outs but I would like to highlight the chill out and beautiful Trophy, which is followed by delicious pop song The Epilogue and the rockier Telepathy.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Alter Bridge - Fortress (2013)

Fortress is darker and heavier than their previous efforts but still remains true to the Alter Bridge sound. The band has released good albums before and, although I'm sure some will not agree, this time they've nailed a perfect album. 

There isn't much to say about it. This is a perfect hard rock, heavy metal album. Powerful riffs, memorable choruses, excellent guitar solos and outstanding vocals that show a big and emotive range. The songs tap into the classic style of the genre whilst still sounding contemporary and new. In many ways it feels like the band knew they had nothing else to prove and couldn't care less about conforming to musical styles; alternative rock, hard rock, metal, whatever!

The only criticism (if that) is that the album is too consistently good and no songs stand out. In fact, Cry of Achilles is such an incredible song that nothing else tops it. The album doesn't get better but it doesn't get worse either. Every single song here is a killer. My highlights would include, Cry of Achilles, Addicted to Pain (see the video below), Calm the Fire, Cry a River and Fortress.

This is an album that I can't stop listening to and I know I'll come back to again and again; an absolute delight.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Placebo - Loud Like Love (2013)

Placebo's seventh album will probably not make new fans and may disappoint some old fans but the album is refreshingly good, updating the band's sound, heading into a new direction, whilst remaining true to Placebo. The band has matured, it has softened but there's plenty to like here.

Album opener Loud Like Love is classic Placebo and it's a brilliant and catchy song. Too Many Friends is a beautiful piece of pop-rock music. Other songs worth mentioning are A Million Little Pieces, Begin the End and album closing Bosco. But the best song in the album must be Hold on to Me. Stuck towards the middle of the album, it shows the more introspective and mellow sound of the band and it's a resounding success; beautiful and uplifting. 

Overall, this is a solid effort from Placebo. Some songs offer more of the same and the feeling that you've heard this before but better creeps in. It must be said though that the album have no fillers. No song is a waste. I can't see myself fast forwarding any track, not now and not in the future.

Best of all though, the songs mentioned above are real standouts and point to a new direction; a band that is at its best when it gets introspective with a more mature, mellow, gentle and uplifting sound.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks (2013)

Trent Reznor decided to resurrect NIN and Hesitation Marks is the result. Some fans may not be pleased by the new direction but it stays true to the NIN sound and at the same time goes in a completely new direction for the band.

The sound is decidedly electronic more than it has ever been since... well, since NIN's first album Pretty Hate Machine. The anger and abrasive heavy guitars are mostly gone here. 

This is NIN at its most dressed down, lean and minimalist. Of course, there's still plenty of complexity in the songs and layers of sounds and beats, but in general this is a very lean and often pop oriented album. Having said that, all the NIN trademarks are still present and the atmosphere is still oppressive.

This is a bold new direction for NIN and Hesitation Marks is an incredibly beautiful album, whether it's the incredibly addictive Copy of A, the dark and heavy beats of Came Back Haunted, the upbeat and poppy sounding Satellite, the album offers plenty of textures and colours, with one great song after the other.

But as usual with NIN, Hesitation Marks is more than a collection of great songs, it's a coherent and cohesive album that is as fascinating as some of the best work Reznor has done across the years.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Tarja - Colours in the Dark (2013)

Tarja is back with a new album and a very strong album it is; but it won't please everyone. The songs move between straight forward symphonic metal, with progressive rock touches, a dash of electronica arrangements and pop sensibilities. Tarja's voice is warm, soothing, commanding and strong and she sounds great.

Depending on how you look at it, this is Tarja's fourth album (if you count her Christmas CD) or third (personally, I wouldn't count the Christmas album) and it feels like she's finally set herself free of people's expectations and is having fun exploring new sounds and textures. This is her more experimental album and it works.

Stand out songs include, the bombastic album opening Victim of Ritual, the straight forward and pop sounding 500 Letters, the crowd pleaser Never Enough and the stirring grand melodies of Deliverance. 

I should also mention Mystique Voyage a song that reminds me of Sarah Brightman and will probably go under the radar for most Tarja fans but I found really beautiful and the closing track Medusa which is probably too long and sweeping for metal fans but I found captivating.

Overall Tarja delivers a great fusion of symphonic bombast, progressive rock, pop sensibilities and a heavy metal sound. The songs are not as accessible as her previous two albums and there's a cloak of heavy darkness all throughout the album but this is a more mature sounding Tarja, with a more experimental sound and it works. 

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Nosound - Afterthoughts (2013)

Originating from Italy Giancarlo Erra (the heart of Nosound) has been busy creating outstanding music for the last decade but Afterthoughts, contrary to the name of the album is no afterthought at all; I'd say this is the best Nosound album yet. 

The band is often seen as progressive rock but Afterthoughts has no complex rhythm changes and structures, instead the music is deceivingly complex in its simplicity and the focus is on atmosphere. 

Every single track in the album is there for good reason. The album flows seamlessly from hauntingly beautiful landscape to landscape with melancholic force and occasional, simmering, contained anger. The guitars, drums, percussion, keyboards and cello create hypnotic layers that sound simple and complex, symphonic but organic and grounded, never pompous.

I dare say that this will surely have to be one of the best albums this year. An outstanding effort from start to end.

The band release Wherever You Are as the single (see the video below), but I couldn't contain myself and I've also put the first song in the album which is my particular favourite.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

I Hear Sirens - Between Consciousness and Sleep (2013)

Originating from the United States, I Hear Sirens is a four piece band that creates beautiful landscapes with perfectly crafted post rock songs.

The songs are mostly contemplative and relaxing, with a few sparse moments of tension here and there. Unlike the heavy reliance on keyboards that seems to have become the norm of late, I Hear Sirens has a more classic post rock sound relying on guitars.

The album has the feeling of a film score and the music transmits a lot of emotion. The songs are built like stories and the arrangements are spot on.

I Hear Sirens doesn't break any new ground in the genre, but the songs are so perfectly crafted and executed that this EP is incredibly addictive.

You can purchase their EP at their Bandcamp page for $5 here

Rating: Good Vibrations

Your Favorite Enemies - Between Illness and Migration (2013)

Originating from Canada, Your Favorite Enemies is an uncompromising indie rock band with a challenging sound that will not leave anyone indifferent. 

Between Illness and Migration presents a great collection of songs, heavy on distortion and noise, but with enough variety. Most of their songs are built on carefully crafted feedback and noise, but there's always a strong sense of melody with occasional acoustic guitars and piano coming to the fore. 

My particular highlights must be the towering Empire of Sorrows, the more straight forward and rocking Where Did We Lose Each Other (see the video below), the quieter and beautiful Little Sister and the excellent bonus track Old Noisy Friend. 

For anyone who likes indie rock, alternative rock and noise rock with a healthy balance of melody and walls of noise, this is a challenging and ultimately hugely rewarding album. 

I can only imagine what these guys will be like live but judging from their album and some videos online, they must be absolutely incredible.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Billy Bragg - Tooth and Nail (2013)

Tooth and Nail is classic Billy Bragg but with a couple of different shades. Firstly, the political tones are still here, it wouldn't be him without politics, but they are subtler and the lyrics tend to be more intimate. Secondly, he continues his progression towards a more American sound. I don't like country music and there's a tinge of it here, but thankfully it works.

I wouldn't say the single (see the video below) is one of the best songs, but then again they hardly ever are. The album is packed with great songs but my particular highlights are the following. 

January Song, the album opener, a beautifully succinct and personal song that sets the tone for the whole album. Handyman Blues, a great song with a beautiful guitar hook that will stay with you. Goodbye Goodbye, a beautiful, haunting and melancholic folk song that speaks from the heart. The Reckoning, a classic Billy Bragg political song with an upbeat, uplifting tone. And, finally, Tomorrow's Going to Be a Better Day closing the album.

Add to all this a Woody Guthrie cover of I Ain't Got No Home (following the trail of Mermaid Avenue albums with Wilco) and you have an album that is soothing and uplifting.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor (2013)

Rob Zombie is inspired these days. The new movie looks great and this album may just be his best solo effort yet. It's a very varied album that somehow manages to mix elements from all his eras; including White Zombie. 

The album is relentless, fun and it never lets you down. The worst part of it is that it feels short. That's my only criticism (and I guess that in a sense it's a positive). When the album finished it, I just had to start it again because it left me wanting more. I wanted to keep the party going.

It's early days, I need to listen to it more, but my gut feeling is that this is better than Hellbilly Deluxe (my favourite Rob Zombie album until now) and it can stand alongside White Zombie's La Sexorcisto and Astro Creep. 

An excellent album from start to end, an absolute blast.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Mesh - Automation Baby (2013)

Mesh is a seasoned synth-pop band and their latest release is arguably one of their best. The album starts strongly with Just Leave Us Alone, an incredibly catchy, infectious, dance tune and, from that point, it never lets you down.

Automation Baby delivers great song after great song. The band have managed to write a good number of very varied songs that flow between synth-pop, electro-rock and little touches of EBM. In fact, considering the CD packs 14 songs, with eight tracks more in the bonus CD, this is an incredibly generous offering. Mesh were clearly inspired in the making of this album.

The band really has gift in creating catchy hook and anthemic choruses that never feel obvious nor formulaic. An excellent album that has a huge number of potential singles.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Krystal System - Rage (2013)

Originating from France, Rage is Krystal System's third album and the first one I listen to. The music moves between electro-industrial and industrial-rock. 

Most of the songs have predominantly clean female vocals. The music is quite electronic but when guitars enter they are quite heavy and metal. Male vocals are use sparingly to great effect.

The album is consistent but still displays a wide range in the music and delivers great songs.  

Rating: Good Vibrations

The Drones - I See Seaweed (2013)

What an extraordinary and challenging album! I See Seaweed is epic, dirty, angry and beautiful. I suspect this could be one of those albums that you either hate or love. Personally, I love it.

The Drones throw a challenge to the listener with every song here. From gentle simmering songs full of underlying anger and distortion, to punk-rock with warped guitars. 

I See Seaweed is simply brilliant and it's time the rest of the world pays attention to this fiercely independent band.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Zeromancer - Bye, Bye Borderline (2013)

Zeromancer have been around for a while and to be honest, for one reason or another, they've gone under the radar for me until now. 

Bye Bye Borderline is a great electro, industrial rock album. Nothing too exciting or new, but the album is very easy to listen to, with a solid collection of songs that move between electro pop-rock and angry industrial rock.

Rating: Good Vibrations