There were 3 bands in 2022 that put metal in its various genres back in my heart – Haunted by Silhouettes, Lorna Shore, and American Anymen. When American Anymen announced their album Rain Falling Up would be released, I was more than thrilled to know 2023 would continue to be filled with their razor sharp and insightful music. Some might lament that Rain Falling Up … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Rain Falling Up by American Anymen
Out now, Sacred & Profane finds Oryad adding opera and jazz to their prog metal sound. Oryad is fronted by Moira Murphy and her powerful operatic voice. Joining her is drummer Matt Gotlin-Sheehan and classically trained jazz musicians Luca and Adam. Of the album, Oryad says, In our society we have anesthetized so much of the human experience and partitioned off parts of ourselves, claiming … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Sacred & Profane by Oryad
I am a music lover. Have been since a child. I am also a writer. Have been since I could hold a pencil in my hand and fortunately I can combine these two passions into one for Amplify the Noise. Sometimes when listening to an album, EP, or song the words flow as if turning on a tap and sometimes the words are non existent … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Not Without My Ghosts by The Amity Affliction
Released at the beginning of May, the 5th studio album, Roden House Blues by The Hip Priests was rehearsed, recorded, and mixed between the numerous UK lockdowns in Roden House which birthed the name of the album. While the word “blues” in music often makes one think of the Delta blues and acts like Bo Carter, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, and master of the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Roden House Blues by The Hip Priests
The trio that forms Statues, Johan Sellman on vocals and guitar, Magnus Egerbladh Öberg on drums, and Henrik Wiklund on bass and vocals joined their collective forces in 2018 and have released Adult Lobotomy (2018) and Holocene (2020). With their 3rd studio album, Black Arcs Rising, now out, the Swedish rock trio says this about their latest piece, The title warns of worse times. Black … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Black Arcs Rising by Statues
Hailing from Oregon, Dirk Sullivan and Andrew Paul Woodworth, are better known as the duo Alma Mater. Released several weeks ago, The Beginning of Everything, finds the folk rock duo tackling themes of parenthood, loss, empathy and more. No strangers to the music scene, both men carved their musical journeys in Los Angeles and Portland with each signing to major labels Interscope and Sony for … Continue reading DEBUT ALBUM REVIEW: The Beginning of Everything by Alma Mater
One of the most highly anticipated albums on my 2023 list has been Damn Love by Kip Moore. Well, the wait is now over, Kip has unleashed his 5th studio album, Damm Love, upon the world. The album itself follows the release of the singles, “Damn Love” and “Kinda Bar”. Both songs showcase the diversity of Kip’s vocal talents. Whether he’s wrought with emotions or … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Damn Love by Kip Moore
When I first heard “Entropy” by Redshift, I thought: Pure madness. Glorious madness. Those two statesmens still stand true or I should say are even truer with their album Laws of Entropy, out now. The band says this of the inspiration behind the album, Being a young man with the world at your feet, thinking you can live the life you want and then realising … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Laws of Entropy by Redshift
Kicking off What a Weird Hill to Die On (out on April 28th) is a cover of Charlie Daniels Band’s classic “Long Haired Country Boy” and boy is it a mood. Grungy, low, dirty, and damn solid. I really like that the Old Dirty Buzzard has turned up the bass and dropped the guitars and just made this song heavy. Old Dirty Buzzard is Kurt … Continue reading DEBUT ALBUM REVIEW: What a Weird Hill to Die On by Old Dirty Buzzard
There’s a period within the late 90’s and early 2000’s where alternative rock had a distinct sound that was poppy. Pop radio wouldn’t touch the tunes with a 10 foot pole because they were still too “alternative” or too “rock” but alternative radio blossomed with the feel good tracks. Bands like Marvelous 3 (who seems to be returning if you’re watching Butcher Walker’s socials), Vertical … Continue reading DEBUT ALBUM REVIEW: Superglue by Joan
So the story goes… After Prince Angus heroically died in one of the greatest battles in the history of man and goblinkind, all hope in Scotland and the whole galaxy seemed lost. In the Realm of Martyrs, everything faded away for Angus like a blurry dream from the distant past. But when he is suddenly reminded that his home is being threatened, the prince sets … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Angus McSix and the Sword of Power by Angus McSix
Does Metallica’s 72 Seasons need another review? Probably not. Am I writing one anyway? You bet your sweet bippy I am. 72 Season is Metallica’s 12th studio album and in my humble opinion one of the best pieces of work yet. Frontman, James Hetfield has said this about the album, The first 18 years of our lives that form our true or false selves. The … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: 72 Seasons by Metallica
Amplify the Noise 