Authors: Megan Kennedy
Local Review: Visions of Decay
Visions of Decay = old Norma Jean + Chariot vocals + sludge and groove … read more
National Music Reviews – May 2012
New and recent releases from Ane Brun, fIREHOSE, Gift of Gab, Mean Jeans, Saint Vitus, Sleepy Sun, Torche, Zammuto and many more are reviewed. … read more
Maximum Distortion: Utah’s Metal Valhalla Celebrates Seven Years on the...
Outsiders may be deceived, but Salt Lake City loves its fucking heavy metal. We also have some of the most dedicated torchbearers calling our scene home. Two of these pioneers have been broadcasting brutality every Wednesday night from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. for seven years on KRCL: Forgach and Cody D, the DJs behind Maximum Distortion. … read more
Local Reviews: Stories of Ambition
Stories of Ambition is ambitious, indeed. While the band has added members since the recording, everything on this album was written and performed (or in the case of the drums, written and programmed) by one man, Zach Hyte, formerly of Oh, Antarctica. … read more
Localized – Cornered By Zombies, Settle Down and Gunner
September’s Localized brings to the stage two of the hardest-working heavy acts in the valley today: Cornered by Zombies, a thrash metal two-piece that is erupting onto the scene, and Settle Down, the latest hard rock collaboration of veteran musicians you may already know and love. On Sept. 14, Urban Lounge (21+) hosts these two badass bands and openers Gunner, who will tear up the stage. For a mere five bones at the door, you can’t afford to miss it. … read more
Gaza: Bigger Fish to Fry
It’s been an intense six years for Gaza since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, I Don’t Care Where I Go When I Die. Their brutal music has lit fires under fans all over the world. They’ve lost a guitarist, but gained a fresh rebirth in their creativity, and their refusal to censor their message has earned them a finger-wagging from some of the industry’s biggest names. Just like their sound, however, Gaza are relentless, fierce, and unafraid to plow through the challenges presented. … read more
Local Review: Settle Down/Sure Sign of the Nail
This split single is a fantastic introduction to two of Salt Lake’s finest bands, and the songs they’ve chosen have a great emotional contrast. Sure Sign of the Nail opens with “Flora and Fauna,” a slow, ambient, tranquil trip with a thick bass line, overlaid with beautiful humming guitar and deep vocals that remind me of some primitive, Gregorian chant, rattling the deep parts of your chest with its dark beauty. … read more
Local Review: A Lily Gray
A Lily Gray has released a solid and highly enjoyable EP with The Fall. The album is ethereal and emotive, a bit more complex than most standard rock, but not quite stepping into any “progressive” territory, and has a strong foundation in the complementary sound of the music with singer David Lynn’s unique and far-reaching, clean vocals. … read more
Queens of the Geek Age: The Hello, Sweetie! Podcast
Geekdom has undergone some massive transitions over the last decade, moving from the Cheeto-scented shadows of pop culture into the limelight. Like any good cultural renaissance, geekdom is busting down gender barriers as well. Enter our story’s heroines: Cherri Vasquez, Kristal Starr, Rebecca Frost and Danielle Über Alles. The panel of the Hello, Sweetie! Podcast is four ladies committed to bringing geekery from a female perspective to the world. … read more
Review: Killswitch Engage – Disarm the Descent
Jesse Leach has returned, ladies and gents, back at the helm of his birth-band, and he’s brought an energy they haven’t had in a long goddamn time. … read more