Paul Raven - Reviews
USSA
Bleak but powerful post-apocalyptic debut album from U.S.S.A, the new band of former guitarist with the Jesus Lizard Duane Denison and Ministry bassist, Paul Barker
Dream Theater
Flamboyant and bombastic, but thoroughly enjoyable retrospective collection from New York-based group and guilty pleasure Dream Theater which will appeal to all fans of epic rock
Minus
Gritty-sounding, riff-centred rock on excellent fourth album from visionary Icelandic stoner band, Minus
Desoto Jones
Overproduced, but forceful and diverse debut album from emo rock act Desoto Jones
Brain Police
Timeless old-school stoner rock on fourth album from Brain Police, who are a Top Ten act in their native Iceland
Puny Human
Irreverent stoner rock with a strong emphasis on humour on third album from New York lunatics Puny Human
Laboratory Noise
Diverse new EP on debut offering from early 90's revivalists and shoegazing group Laboratory Noise
Dillinger Escape Plan
Stunning new album from inventive metal/hardcore act the Dillinger Escape Plan which finds them pushing in a surprising new pop direction
A Thousand Suns
Catchy and versatile rock from experimental and boldly alternative new Cardiff-based group A Thousand Suns
Zico Chain
Convincingly aggressive and fast-paced rock on second album from UK alternative rockers, the Zico Chain
Sexton Ming
Madcap new album from Medway punk poet and long term Billy Childish collaborator, Sexton Ming
Untitled Musical Project
Fine balance of surreal humour and punk/metal on debut album from Birmingham-based experimental trio Untitled Musical Project
Big Linda
Sleazy-sounding 60's-influenced garage rock on debut single from new band Big Linda
Kontakte
Powerful futuristic synth rock on new vinyl only single from British electronic duo Kontakte
Golden Section
Promising debut album from original-sounding electro-guitar outfit Golden Section who with a little more finesse and polish look set to be a force to be reckoned with
Envy
Thoughtful and passionate hardcore on latest EP from Japanese outfit Envy, who are signed to Mogwai's Rock Action Records
Jesu
Blissful and redemptive post rock with a touch of punk-metal and industrialism on new EP from Jesu, the latest project of ex-Napalm Death and Godflesh star Justin Broadrick
This Unique Museum
Uninspired ambient indie melancholia from This Unique Mueum, the project of singer-songwriter Ben Fitton
Dirge
Flawed, but striking and moody combination of post rock, industrial music and metal on fourth album from the atmospheric Dirge
Mos Generator
Unashamedly retro latest album from excellent stoner rock outfit Mos Generator who take as a blueprint the classic 70's heavy metal sounds of bands such as Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy