The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

  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 ....