The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

  Photo Credit: Rogue PR Words by Anselm Anderson Arizona's Progressive Rock band Little King have released a standalone single in support of their most recent tour across the States. The track has been released following last year's critically acclaimed "Lente Viviente". You can find a link to The Rockstar Review here "Opus Perficit" offers another side to the band's usual standard bluesy stuff. I think the last album opened the door to the band's penchant for experimenting with different ideas and styles. This is more progressive, with some nice acoustic instrumentals that lean more towards an expressive and emotional side for the band. The Rockstar Reviewer has covered the band for the last five years and has always been impressed by the band's musicianship and tendency to craft hook-laden tracks that capture the listener's attention from the start. The Texas-based trio formed over thirty years ago, but continue to push itself as a unit, a...

  Photo Credit: Nuclear Blast Records Words by Anselm Anderson NYC Hardcore Punk band Madball released their tenth studio effort today. " Not Your Kingdom " via Nuclear Blast Records. The quartet delivers fourteen high-tempo, aggressive tales of survival through conviction and pure punk energy. Formed in 1988,  the band originated as a side project for fellow New York Hardcore band Agnostic Front . They were formed by Fred Cricien , the younger half-brother of Agnostic Front vocalist Roger Miret . To date, Madball have released ten albums and four EPs, and they are often cited as an influence on the NYC Hardcore scene. I'm unfamiliar with the history of the band; this is the first release I've heard.  I am always intrigued to listen to something new, so I was excited to give this one a listen after reading about the band. Produced by Andrew Bayliss in Nashville, Tennessee, "Not Your Kingdom" doesn't feel like a political album. Instead, it presents itse...

Photo courtesy of Peter Rasmussen Today, Punk band The Something Ain't Rights release their debut EP Rotten In the Brain via Hovercraft Records . The quartet blends post-punk and garage rock with a touch of country to create the perfect ingredients for a nine-track social commentary on modern-day America. Formed in Astoria, Oregon , The Something Ain't Rights have a rich history in the music scene. The band comprises musicians from New York, Washington DC, New Orleans, Texas and Oregon. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Mike Vasquez , along with bassist Alpha Rasmussen , drummer Carrie Beveridge , and guitarist Dan McLure , they blend their passion for punk to create a cynical take on life in the States. They also perform as Beta Voids , a local punk band from Astoria. Vasquez is a professional engineer and the owner of Austin's Legendary Sweatbox Studios . He helped record and mix "Rotten in the Brain" at Cannon Deck Recording last winter. The album was inten...

Photo courtesy of San PR Words by Anselm Anderson North Eastern English five-piece The Larches are set to release their latest EP Nihilistic Majesties on July 24th. The band have worked to change their sound from an indie setup to a more  dissonant sludge metal sound . On this five-track release, the songs are drenched in thick, discordant riffs, snarling vocals, and a groove-oriented vibe, creating a chaotic, disillusioned sound. "Nihilistic Majesties" explores themes of collapse, isolation and endurance.  These are challenges any upcoming band aims to overcome in a tough music industry to break through. Formed in 2023, the band comes from Middlesbrough, England . I know it more for their industrial side, rather than anything else. However, The Larches aim to reflect their grievances in the only way they know how. The band consists of lead vocalist Noah Annandale , lead guitarist Sonny Evans , Rhythm guitarist Joel Hardwick , bassist Alfie Murphy and drummer George Moss ....

  Words written by Anselm Anderson Latst Week, Eclipe Records latest signings,  Gothic Rock act Outshine released their first studio album . Truthsayer , their fifth release overall, is  packed with haunting keys, dark vocals, and backbeats that perfectly capture the   dark, atmospheric metal  of the band. Outshine hail form  Gothenburg, Sweden , They have been round for over thirty years, touring  across the States and Europe. They’ve supported such acts like Paradise Lost  , performing to  over three hundred shows. Since joining Eclipse Records, the band consists of  founding vocalist Jimmy Boman , drummer Robert Petersson ,bassist Niklas Ingvarsson , and  guitarist and backing vocalist Par Arvidsson . "Truthsayer" was produced and recorded by Kenny Boufadene and Jimmy Boman at Studio Meltdown , Kungsbacka, Sweden, The duo capture the melancholy  of the band's nature through nine dark, eerie songs. Photo courtesy of ...

Art Coverwork courtesy of REIGN Phoenix Music Melodic death metal act Bloodhunter are set to release their fourth album, Sons of the Abandoned , this Friday via ROAR (A division of Reigning Phoenix Music. The music is fresh, brutal and melodic, set against the backdrop of crushing riffs and hellacious grooves that stick in the memory long after. I am new to the band, but have covered them recently because I hear comparisons with bands like Lamb of God and Arch Enemy . Formed in Galicia, Spain , in 2008, the band have been a rising force in Europe, developing their sound and appearing at Festivals, alongside notable names like Rainbow and Megadeth . Fronted by Female vocalist Diva Satanica , they have released the diverse and personal "Sons of the Abandoned". The ten-track release explores themes of toxicity, identity, and inner demons in a disillusioned world. My first thoughts on the album are how varied the music is. The long, melodic sections are full of emotion, w...

Photo courtesy of Eclipse Records Last week, Australian Symphonic metal band ANA returned with their debut LP "Motivated by Death" via Eclipse Records . The album follows the success of 2023's critically acclaimed first EP The Art of Letting Go , . The eight songs look at the human experience, combining strong pop sensibilities, heavy guitars, and haunting sounds. Formed in 2023, the band calls themselves a "Couture rock" group. Their members include lead vocalist Anna Khristenko, guitarist Josh Mak, bassist Cody Lamb, drummer Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio, and keyboardist Mark Shi. They present themselves as masked "Super humans" as part of a comic series they created, published through Cynation Comics. Their performances and songs are inspired by the comics, a style reminiscent of prog rock band   Coheed and Cambria . Now, let's focus on their album Motivated by Death . This album was produced by Mak and Khristenko, wi...