Genghis Tron - Signal Fire (Album Review)

 

Release Date: June 12th 2026. Record Label: Relapse Records. Formats: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl

Signal Fire - Tracklisting

1.I Am All 05:53

2.Signal Fire 01:53

3.Future Worship 04:34

4.Like Fotochrom 02:18

5.Tomorrow Mirage 07:08

6.Nothing Blooms in the Hollow 04:31

7.Without Form 02:11

8.Born Prey 04:37

9.A Love So Pure 04:29

10.New Gods 05:42

Members

 

Hamilton Jordan

Michael Sochynsky

Nick Yacyshyn

Tony Wolski

Kenny Szymanski

Review

Grind/Electronic/Mathcore Riffsters Genghis Tron return with their fourth album Signal Fire which blends the brutal sounds of their 2008 landmark album Board Up The House with the Post-Doom/Psych Metal sounds of their 2021 album Dream Weapon. This is the best of both worlds with Genghis Tron creating a brutal onslaught of grindcore beats with mathcore methodology matched against the Post-Doom, Shoegaze and Ambient Metal awareness they crafted on their last album. Everything has a sense of reason and purpose with Genghis Tron not afraid to inject some Doom-Pop awareness into the mix.

There is a sense of Video Game and Movie soundtracks based mechanics being the main sandbox that Genghis Tron builds their music upon. This allows the music to be quite uplifting and brutally violent at the same time with the band exploring harsh themes and realities whilst wrapping this lovingly in a mixture of Industrial Metal, Cybergrind and Psychedelic sounds that has served the band well over the last twenty years. There are echoes of Dead Mountain Mouth appearing on the most striking Post-Metal sounding elements on the record but Genghis Tron are always thinking outside of the box by always creating music they haven’t really played before. 

Every track contained here all have their own unique identity where you don’t know what to expect with Genghis Tron combining gloomy pop hooks and destructive Cybergrind melodies with the vocals ranging from brutal takedowns, harsh deliveries to shamanic speeches with a shoegaze factor appearing from time to time. This is perfect nihilistic pop music for the Extreme Metal community with the classic dominant Electronic Metal, Trippy Soundbytes, Ambient Beats, Doom Metal and Sludge Metal that allows Genghis Tron to be masters of their own musical craft.

The extra NEW WAVE dimension is another highlight that allows the band to branch out into other areas of music they’ve never played before which adds a sense of brutal realism to dictate the whole creative direction of the album. The forty three minutes runtime just flies by where the record feels outrageously longer but I mean that as a real compliment. I never wanted this album to end as this is jaw-dropping stuff from start to finish.

I’m sorry I haven’t done a song-by-song review but I’ve tried to do that but I’m always judging this album as one epic musical piece broken down by individual chapters but if I most pick some of my standout tracks then I would say these are my favourites: I Am All, Future Worship, Tomorrow Mirage, Burn Prey and New Gods. As these tracks feel like Genghis Tron reinventing themselves but also paying homage to the classic sounds of their own great musical legacy. 

The production values are exquisite which allows the violent grooves to fully standout and cause actual damage to the listener’s hearing at times. Signal Fire proves why Genghis Tron are one of the most inventive bands fully working in the scene today. They’re masters of their own craft and Signal Fire only solidifies that reputation which allows this record to be considered one of the most brilliantly entertaining, sonically violent and standout albums you’ll hear this year.

 

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

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Hibernaut / Face Pulp Split (Album Review)

Release Date: February 27th 2026. Record Label: What’s Left Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl/Tape

Hibernaut / Face Pulp - Tracklisting

Hibernaut - Mark of Shame 

Hibernaut - Intermundium

Hibernaut - Tongueless

Hibernaut - Bastardized Cultivation

Face Pulp - Ups and Downs and Crap

Face Pulp - Dicks, Pins, and Needles

Face Pulp - The One You Forgot 

Face Pulp - I'll Need Proof of Humanity

Face Pulp - Stereotypical Paths

Face Pulp Members

Steve - Vocals

MT - Guitar

Landyn - Bass

Randy - Drums

Hibernaut Members

Dave Jones - Guitar, Vocals

Zach Hatsis - Drums

Josh Dupree - Bass

Matt Miller - Lead Guitar

Review

This split album featuring Doom/Stoner/Sludge Metallers HIBERNAUT and Grindcore/Punk/Sludge Metallers FACE PULP is an interesting record with both bands coming from different musical backgrounds though they compliment each other very well. I consider myself a fan of Hibernaut but Face Pulp are an entirely new band for me as I’m not really into the whole Grindcore scene now.

Hibernaut offer the “SLUDGE METAL / STONER METAL” side of the record taking influence from the likes of SLEEP, HIGH ON FIRE, MASTODON and NEUROSIS. Their side of the album is spread across four tracks running around twenty three minutes of great music. The band play to their strengths with stripped back production values that gives a raw sludgy atmosphere developing from the opening track Mark Of Shame which does have an early “NEUROSIS” influence especially with the vocals and how the music is aggressively played.

This style of sound is the dominant style of music that Hibernaut superbly delivers throughout their entire set with mighty slabs of Prog Metal forming within the standout tracks of Interundium and Bastardized Civilization. The band have written some pretty hard-hitting lyrics for this record especially when compared to their previous albums. Hibernaut take creative cues from HIGH ON FIRE and MASTODON especially when the music changes into a heavier THRASH style with echoes of THUGGISH Stoner Metal grooves finally showing up. 

The band do experiment with their music by adding some cool sounding organs into the mix within Interunidum. The record changes into a Occult Doom Metal record for one of the best parts of Hibernaut’s set. Hibernaut once again prove what a great band they truly are with a highly unapologetic performance that leaves you wanting more. 

As I stated previously, I haven’t listened to Face Pulp before and this is my first experience with them but truth be told, these guys are FUCKING AWESOME. I loved their side of the record so much. Face Pulp provides five tracks and within true Grind/Death/Hardcore Punk fashion, their side only lasts thirteen minutes. 

Their style of Grind, Death. Sludge, and Hardcore Punk equals PURE FUCKING CARNAGE and VIOLENT BRUTALITY. There’s also some great rhythms and rocking melodies along the way especially on their tracks “Ups And Downs And Craps”, The One You Forgot and I’ll Need Proof Of Humanity.

Face Pulp live upto their “GRIND” and “DEATH METAL” influences in a huge way with big and brutal slamming riffs from the very start. Their music is the very definition of “MOSH PIT MUSIC”. As you can feel the intensity of their music being played at a very fast pace. It left me breathless at times. However, Face Pulp does slow the mood right down for a wicked Sludge Metal sound to fully emerge and take control in small doses.

Once Face Pulp’s set had finished, I needed a brief rest to collect my thoughts and question what I just listened to. I mean that as a huge complement. The production values are solid with Face Pulp having a raw aesthetic and violent energy that perfectly matches Hibernaut’s side of the split.

This is a great album featuring two amazing bands from different sides of the musical spectrum that should expand their fan base even more. And what’s most important for me is that I’ve become a fan of Face Pulp because of this outstanding album. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Hibernaut / Face Pulp Split Album is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl/Tape via What's Left Records via the links below:

Face Pulp BandCamp Page / Hibernaut BandCamp Page

Hibernaut Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Linktree

Face Pulp Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify

Wasted Death - Season Of Evil (Album Review)

Release Date: March 15th 2024. Record Label: APF Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Season Of Evil - Tracklisting

1.T-Virus (Corpse On) 02:17

2.Wirehead 01:53

3.Brain All Rot 02:26

4.Dogs On Hind Legs 01:29

5.Selfish Enough To Suck Air 03:54

6.Stratofortress 03:11 

7.Nation Of Mouthbreathers 02:47

8.Keeping The Lid On 02:37

9.Wasted Death By Wasted Death 04:51

Members

Wayne Adams - guitars

Tom Brewins - drums

Charlie Davis - vocals and bass

Scott Black - shredding and dive bombs

Additional vocals on Wasted Death By Wasted Death by USA Nails, Sophia Petit and Irene Lydon

Review

Season Of Evil is the debut album from Grind/Doom/Thrash/Punk/Sludge Metallers Wasted Death who take inspiration from bands such as Motorhead, High On Fire, Sepultura, Converge and Extreme Noise Terror. The album takes its creative narrative from the 1970’s and 1980’s violent Zombie movies that lead into the landmark 1980’s UK Video Nasty craze which you can tell from the excellent album cover.

The album itself is a brutal onslaught of ideas with a Grindcore sound allowing Wasted Death to destroy everything and everyone in their wake with their blend of fast-paced destructive grooves which moves into other areas of Hard Rock, Hardcore Punk and Heavy Metal whilst keeping with a more extreme delivery throughout the albums brief and concise twenty five minutes running time.

Wasted Death are on a mission to play some of the sickest, fastest and violent HEAVY METAL sounds you’ll hear in quite some time. However, the band do play a subtle style of Speed Metal and Sludge Metal that can be quite riff-centric in places whilst playing styles of music that will please fans of bands such as High On Fire and Motorhead. 

The majority of the songs are quite short, running for around two to three minutes each with Wasted Death adding a seedy HORROR element throughout the album. The vocals are suitably nasty where they venture into harsh growls with a few moments of Hardcore Punk clean vocals along the way. 

Season Of Evil is quite catchy when Wasted Death play a slower and less chaotic style of music though still maintaining a violent creative energy to them when the mood calls for this. 

Standout tracks to check out are: Wirehead, Brain All Rot, Selfish Enough To Suck Air and Wasted Death By Wasted Death.

These tracks are the STUFF OF NIGHTMARES with how sick and twisted Wasted Death actually becomes. Though, the music is always technically impressive with totally FUCKED UP levels of VOLUME appearing on these parts of the album that will leave you a shivering and emotional wreck. And I loved every filthy second of the album.

Season Of Evil is one of the catchiest and superbly entertaining EXTREME METAL albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to in quite some time. Kudos to the always impressive APF Records for releasing this great album upon to the HEAVY METAL underground masses.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to APF Records for the promo.

Season Of Evil is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via APF Records.

Links

BandCamp

Yersin - The Scythe Is Remorseless (Album Review)

Release Date: 10th January 2024. Record Label: Trepanation Recordings. Formats: Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl

The Scythe Is Remorseful - Tracklisting

1.TRIUMPHANT 

2.MOUTHS LIKE OPEN GRAVES 

3.THE SCYTHE IS REMORSELESS 

4.LUST FOR CRUST

5.RED MIST

6.TO THE MASSES

7.DOOM

Review

The Scythe Is Remorseless is the second full album from Sludge/Grind/Crust/Doom/Death Metallers Yersin and it’s quite a brutally aware assault on the senses with Yersin playing a pummelling blend of Psychedelic sounds and bone-crunching Death grooves. The music is aggressive and violently pissed off from the start with Yersin playing a no-holds barred style of Grindcore/Sludge Metal fused with Death/Doom Metal imagery with that classic Blackened Crust flavour showing small elements of Hardcore Punk.

Yersin are from Sunderland located in the North East Of England which is quite close to my hometown of Newcastle Upon Tyne. I’ve known about Yersin for quite some time and I was a fan of their 2020 debut release but The Scythe Is Remorseless is on another level. As Yersin play fast and loose with the rules of Extreme Metal and start playing their blend of highly original Grindcore grooves with that powerfully potent Doom/Sludge Metal element being heard on the early stages of the album on tracks such as: Triumphant, Mouths Like Open Graves and The Scythe Is Remorseless.

The music can be quite hard to adapt at first with the ferocious anger coming from Yersin which sees the band being influenced by heavy hitters such as Napalm Death, Fuck The Fact, THOU and Agoraphobic Nosebleed whilst offering some subtle flashes of delivering subtle and menacing moments of Doom/Sludge Metal riffs amongst the Death/Crust/Grind carnage that Yersin mostly create and play with demonic relish throughout the album.

The instrumental work is nothing short of breathtaking in places especially with massive amounts of thrash beats and grindcore blast beasts. Usually I struggle with Grindcore vocals the best of times but I have to say I fully understood lead vocalist Chris' outstanding vocals. Even when they moved into more extreme levels of harsh grunts and growls. The lyrics came perfectly clear to myself and I do struggle with vocals from the Extreme Metal world. 

Yersin plays some of the filthiest, heaviest and brutal EXTREME guitar sounds I’ve heard quite some time especially on tracks such as The Scythe Is Remorseless, Lust For Crust and Doom. The album is quite brisk running under twenty five minutes in length but that’s part of the course for an album such as this. Yersin doesn't waste a second in playing an album that will no doubt cater more to the masses of the Extreme Metal Underground scene than the normal Doom/Sludge Metal crowd I normally cater for.

However, it’s always good every now and then to leave your comfort zone and experience something that leaves you uncomfortable which is what The Scythe Is Remorseless. Yersin delve into the darkest depths of the Extreme Heavy Metal scene with elements of 1980’s Black Metal and 1990’s Grindcore allowing the record to transform into something unexpected and that’s an intelligent release that oozes violent charm and charisma throughout. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Yersin for the promo.

The Scythe Is Remorseless will be available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette/Vinyl via Trepanation Recordings from January 10th 2024.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Twitter

BETRAYERS - Weapons For Killing Cattle (EP Review)

Release Date: August 04th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Weapons For Killing Cattle: Tracklisting

Cut The Head Off The Snake

Knives In A Line

Bring Me In From The Sunlight

Darkside Of The Mountain

Angela Landsbury vs Nicholas Cage

Alters

Laura Gray

Members

Jon Williams-Meyer: Guitar

Jake Brewer: Bass

Greg Cummings: Drums

Lee Baggott: Vocals

Review:

Weapons For Killing Cattle is the debut EP from Doom/Sludge/Grind Metallers BETRAYERS and sees the band really focus upon the "GRIND" aspect to their music for an unsettling blend of music that is downright ugly and violent to hear. Luckily BETRAYERS bring a Doom/Sludge Metal aesthetic to their sound that I enjoyed the most. Though, I will admit the use of Grindcore is quite impressive on a technical level. As the band play some of the heaviest, filthiest and fastest grooves I've heard this year especially on the superb opening tracks Cut The Head Off The Snake and Knives In A Line.

As these two tracks are shorter and BETRAYERS focus mostly on playing short sharp shocks to the system where the riffs are concerned. The vocals are death based growls which I kind of understood after a few listens. There's some clever lyrics buried within the chaos that allows BETRAYERS to have a socially aware conscience in places.

From this moment on BETRAYERS play music that I was fully behind as the Doom/Sludge aspects come into play more and a thrilling Death Metal atmosphere works superbly well with the Grindcore themes of the EP. The vocals become a mixture of Clean vocals and pissed of Death Chants. The band even find the time to play slightly chaotic grooves that are considered more regular Doom/Sludge Metal fare which appears mostly on the tracks Bring Me In From The Sunlight and Darkside Of The Mountain. The sound of the EP from this moment on could be classed as more Progressive especially compared to the opening tracks of the EP.

I always feel challenged writing reviews for bands that take me out of my comfort zone and BETRAYERS did just that. I do admire Grindcore bands from a technical aspect but I haven't listened religiously to that style of music since my early to mid twenties. This was a refreshing change and I started to enjoy time more with BETRAYERS as they blend Doom/Sludge Metal sounds with the unpredictable nature of Grindcore that may perhaps limit some folks enjoyment of this EP for the more dedicated follower of EXTREME METAL.

Fifth track Anegla Landsbury vs Nicolas Cage is pure brilliance and absolute demented carnage at the same time. Opening with a line for the John Woo classic action movie FACE/OFF. The sound is bombastically grindcore with ugly vocals to match. Perhaps my favourite track on the EP.

The final two tracks of Alters and Laura Gray, returns to the Doomed Out world of the middle section of the EP with BETRAYERS playing their own take on the "LOW & SLOW" style on the early stages of Altars before returning to their natural Grindcore habitat. Laura Gray follows the same destructive path with BETRAYERS leaving no stone unturned with their sense of BRUTALITY leaving me a shivering wreck.

The production values are very LO-FI and DIY based but it's perhaps the best production techniques BETRAYERS could have used for this type of release. Weapons For Killing Cattle pulls no punches and it's a violent musical adventure from the UK underground scene.

Listen if you're feeling brave enough.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to BETRAYERS for the promo.

Weapons For Killing Cattle will be available to buy on Digital Download from August 04th 2023.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Mastiff - Leave Me The Ashes Of The Earth (Album Review)

Release Date: September 10th 2021. Record Label: eOne Music. Format: CD/DD/Cassette/Vinyl

Leave Me The Ashes Of The Earth - Tracklisting

1.The Hiss 04:08

2.Fail 01:15

3.Repulse 03:59

4.Midnight Creeper 01:49

5.Beige Sabbath 02:06

6.Futile 04:05

7.Endless 02:43

8.Scalped And Salted 03:48

9.Lung Rust 06:59

Members

Vocals - Jim Hodge

Guitar - James Andrew Lee

Guitar - Phil Johnson

Bass - Dan Dolby

Drums - Michael Shepherd

Review

UK Hardcore/Sludge Metal mob Mastiff return with their blistering and brutal new album Leave Me The Ashes Of The Earth which sees the band continue to evolve with their Pitch Black and almost Black Metal sound. After a well-received appearance on 2020’s Controversial Video Game Cyberpunk 2077 Soundtrack, the guys are now signed to American Label eOne Music after spending 4 years with APF Records. I was worried the guys may have toned down for their new label but it seems the guys have gone further and more extreme with this album.

This album is a brutal and bruising encounter where Mastiff challenges their own expectations on what it is to be heavy in today’s modern world. The end result is a short and concise record that moves to the more extreme sides of Hardcore and Sludge Metal with the bands earlier doomier elements now given an almost Black Metal makeover. Fast-paced slamming beats and brutal drumming only add to the effect with the pissed off growls from lead vocalist Jim Hodge.

With a running time of 30 minutes, this record does have a slight Napalm Death feel with the shorter tracks bringing a heavy amount of aggression and progressively bleak sounds. Though Mastiff still bring their own trademark style of Hardcore and Sludge Metal to an oppressively bleak message contained on the album. There are still a lot of cool “head-banging” moments for fans of Sludge Metal. Just be prepared for a “grindcore” feel and energy to this album.

The record still has a huge “likeability” factor and maybe I shouldn’t say that about this record as Mastiff may want a different experience and sound for people to listen to. However, there is an addictive quality to this record and the production is excellent with even more surprising that the album was recorded in 5 days. It doesn’t feel rushed at all with Mastiff bringing their “A” game to this album.

The majority of the songs run between 2 mins and 4 mins in length but there is still a lot of variety to Mastiff overall sound with the band impressing the most on: The Hiss, Fail, Beige Sabbath, Scalped And Salted and the stunning final song Lung Rust.

Leave Me The Ashes Of The Earth is a no holds barred experience into the more extreme side of Doom/Sludge Metal and Mastiff offer no apologies for this record and why should they?

This is is a stunning record with Mastiff reinventing themselves to be one of the heaviest Hardcore/Doom/Sludge Metal bands of recent years. Long may that continue.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Lisa at Hold Tight PR for the promo.

Leave Me The Ashes Of The Earth is available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette/Vinyl now via eOne Music.

Facebook | BandCamp | Mastiff

Interview with Richard Johnson from Agoraphobic Nosebleed

Today I'm talking to Richard Johnson from Grindcore Collective - Agoraphobic Nosebleed – who have just released their stunning new EP – ARC. This is the first of four EP's that Agoraphobic Nosebleed will be releasing over the upcoming months or so.

Ark is the band's first proper release in seven years and it's already starting to gain some acclaim with fans and critics alike. I was given the chance to catch up with Richard to see what the future holds for this legendary band.

Hi Richard. How are things with you today, Thanks for doing this interview.

No complaints over here.

I suppose we have to talk about your incredible new release – ARC. Your first proper record in 7 years. You glad it's finally out there and in your own words what can people expect.

I suppose we do. This is the first of the four solo records we’re going to put out. I’m just happy it’s out and that our fans on the whole like it so much. They’ve been waiting a long time for these solo records to start appearing.

I think it's one of your best records to date. Really struck a chord with fans and critics alike. Have you noticed that yourselves as a band how much people are enjoying this.

Yeah, we’ve been seeing the reviews and the comments from our fans. There’s a few that don’t like it and wished we’d put out a proper record instead of a doom EP.

Was ARC an easy or hard record to make. Did you face any difficult challenges making the record.

It took a very long time. And Kat labored over the lyrics and her vocal delivery.

Kat is on fire this records. I don't think I've ever heard her that angry and focused in years. Same goes for the rest of the band. What influenced you all when making this record.

It was just Kat and Scott. That’s how these solo records are going to go. Kat wrote some very personal lyrics for the record, and also doom metal is her jam.

It seems that ARC has gone for a more doomier and sludgier kind of feel compared to your past records. It still offers old-school fans their moments of brutal grind. Did you want to try something different for ARC.

Each of the solo records is going to be different. It doesn’t represent a change in sound for the band.

Agoraphobic Nosebleed are perhaps now considered one of the legendary bands within the Grindcore scene. Do you see yourselves of ambassadors of that scene.

No. There’s plenty of OG grindcore bands that were full-on that we’ve taken influence from.

We have to talk about the artwork that the band use for their releases. As they're part of your identity as a band. Thought-provoking album covers. And ARC is no different. How important is the album artwork and imagery to you as a band.

It’s important. I don’t think it’s as important as the lyrics or the music, but the covers help to frame what’s going on with the record for sure.

You played your full proper live set at 2015 Maryland Deathfest. WOW. How was that experience for the band. Did it make you all decide to perform more gigs in the future or just to perform on very select occasions.

All the shows are very select. We wanted to wait and see how the show went before we agreed to play any other shows. We loved it. MDF was a total blast.

You've got a few gigs coming up later this year. Will you be performing any more gigs or is that it for the moment.

We’ve got three announced now I think, and there will be more, yeah.

What is your verdict on the current Grindcore scene. Are there any bands that standout for you. Or do you focus on your own thing.

It’s hard to keep track because there’s so many bands out there. I will say that some grindcore bands aren’t doing anything interesting or unique, but on the other hand some of them have real passion and creativity.

Which bands/artists influenced you to become a musician. Was it a particular band or album that made you decide you wanted to become a musician.

I guess early on it was Kiss, when I was young. Later on the metal and grind bands I listened to also made me want to play guitar.

Well Richard, before you go. Do you have anything to say to your fans.

Yeah, just to thank them for waiting for us to put out an EP for all this time, and for us to start playing shows. It’s been a long road.

Words by Steve Howe and Richard Johnson

Thanks to Justin Ringle for arranging this interview and to Richard for taking the time to talk to me.

ARC is available on CD/DD/Vinyl  now.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp