Silcrow - Single Review: Ethereal
01 Dec 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Ethereal is the 2nd single from Auckland rock four piece Silcrow (shedding the skin from previous name Close to the Bone). From the guitar solos to the modern rock feel, clean production and that chorus (dammmmm its catchy), this song had me instantly hooked.
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Infinity Ritual - Single Review: I'm Gone
25 May 2022 // review by Kris Raven
New Plymouth three piece Infinity Ritual are blasting out the gate, fresh off the boots of their debut first single I'm Gone from their self-titled upcoming EP. The song begins with a thunderous drum fill courtesy of drummer Mark Thomas, making way for a big groovy, distorted onslaught of guitar riffage.
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Gravel Pit - EP Review: Wolves/Gravel Pit Split EP
10 Apr 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Open your ears, get your windmill arms ready and brace yourself for 5 tracks of hardcore punk from some of New Zealand’s finest. Bringing back the classic 7” vinyl split EP on side one are the relatively new Auckland 4 piece Wolves featuring members of the Bleeders, City of Souls and Evil Priest.
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Sidewinder - Album Review: Vines
05 Mar 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Wellington's Sidewinder have just dropped their debut album Vines and coinciding NZ tour. The five-piece formed in 2020, have already made a mark on the rock NZ scene, releasing three singles (featuring on the Vines), along with national and international radio play and playing extensively in their home town and beyond.
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Wisteria Falls - Single Review: Temperamental
18 Jan 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Introducing you to Wisteria Falls, the latest project from Auckland musician and songwriter Will Walker. Will is no stranger to the Auckland & NZ music scene or the Australian rock scene for that matter.
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Arrays - Album Review: Light Years
25 Nov 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Arrays, the all in one independent vision of Auckland musician JP Carroll (ex-Armed in Advance, Swerve City) has grown from strength to strength, consistently putting out material over the last few years and imprinting the Arrays name as its own unique force in the NZ music community. While earlier material may have been a little reminiscent of previous outfits, the new album Light Years, which is all produced, written and played by Carroll himself has become its own defined musical machine, weaving influences of modern metal, post hardcore, grunge and alternative rock, among others.
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DRXNES - Single Review: The Machine
06 Oct 2020 // review by Kris Raven
There must be something in the water, brewing magic in Whanganui. Eclectic rock/metal 5-piece DRXNES have just dropped their new single The Machine and it is HUGE.
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Pull Down The Sun - Album Review: Of Valleys and Mountains
11 Sep 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Whanganui's Pull Down The Sun are about to drop one of the best progressive metal albums of the year Of Valleys and Mountains. While not necessarily a ‘concept album’ the album as a whole, feels very cohesive, with every song having a point and place and the way the songs flow, taking the listener on an emotive journey that is both brutal and beautiful.
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Swerve City - Single/Video Review: Dangerous
08 Aug 2020 // review by Kris Raven
My first initial thoughts after hearing & viewing the debut single by alternative rock collective Swerve City was how lead vocalist JP Carroll (Arrays, ex-Armed in Advance) has further elevated his frontman persona and status in a relatively new (2019) band full of strong and diverse musicians. His vocal approach particularly in the chorus I found was a big take away from previous known material and he is singing a little out of his comfort zone which is very cool to hear (and see).
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City of Souls - Album Review: Synaesthesia
30 Apr 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Alright people, it’s here, it’s finally here!5 years in the making.
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Devilskin - Album Review: Red
01 Apr 2020 // review by Kris Raven
On album number four, RED is both a warning and a statement and Devilskin are here to deliver it in their most diverse and creative outing yet. Four years have passed since the release of their 2016 award-winning second album Be Like The River and as they come off the back of heavy national and international touring; Devilskin, one of NZ’s most beloved Rock/Metal bands is about to release their highly anticipated album in amongst the chaos of 2020.
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City of Souls - Single Review: Shimmer
27 Feb 2020 // review by Kris Raven
The time is drawing ever closer to the impending, highly anticipated release of NZ Prog/Alt Rock Metal legends City of Souls debut album Synaesthesia. Off the back of several (SIX) epic single releases in the last five years, we received not one, but two brand new singles this week, the beautifully haunting White Ghost and the groove inducing heavy banger Shimmer, which is out today!
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Streakers - Single Review: Saturated
14 Oct 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Christchurch 3 Piece Alternative Rock and roll machine Streakers have recently dropped their new single Saturated. The song takes me back to the 90’s, with the sounds of big chunky guitar riffs, pounding Grohl-esque drums and unique vocal stylings.
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Sex Beard - Single Review: Undress for Success
18 Sep 2019 // review by Kris Raven
One of Christchurch’s (possibly the only) most notorious sexiest bearded quartets Sex Beard have just released their follow up single to Hauraki Radio’s Anthem Wakachangi Baby entitled Undress for Success. A song that is perfect for busting out your hip swinging moves, drinking a beer, rocking out and singing loud.
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Seas of Conflict - Single Review: Prometheus/Eventide
28 Aug 2019 // review by Kris Raven
For anyone familiar with Seas of Conflict’s live shows, you will know that throughout the last year Prometheus has been the song that has been leaving fans in awe, pummelled by its sheer brutality. It is one of their heaviest songs to date and a crowd favourite with many people eagerly waiting for the song to be recorded.
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Pale Flag - EP Review: Emergence
25 Jul 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland’s Pale Flag are about to release their debut EP Emergence, which is aptly named considering their already stacked gigging CV. Having released their brutal first single In This Moment, their growing fan base can expect to hear 6 brand new heavy af bangers.
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Animalhead - Single Review: Stone Face Killer
22 May 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland’s favourite lads Animalhead on the lash are back with their massive third single Stone Face Killer. The ferocious trio are known for their chunky and funky riffs, massive groove, dabs of rap and blues, soaking it in rock and roll and turning out the party bangers for a throw down.
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Pale Lady - Single Review: Fear the Fun
18 Apr 2019 // review by Kris Raven
From the first listen of Pale Lady’s latest single Fear The Fun it instantly reminded me of Medieval times, with the harpsichord keys playing a little jig which is the intro theme to the whole song, it's fun and I did not fear it. Then the epicness begins, how can anyone not like duel guitars wailing and soloing melodically together carrying the anthemic tune into the battle.
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Cherry Blind - Single Review: Black Sheep
26 Feb 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Cherry Blind (formally known as Minimal Silence) have recently dropped 1 minute and 25 seconds of adrenaline soaked punk-rock-grunge-noise in the form of brand new single Black Sheep. A name change can always go a few ways but with a new single following afterwards, people can be rest assured they are coming out of the 2019 gates swinging and ready to launch.
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Seas of Conflict - Single Review: Monachopsis
04 Feb 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Monachopsis"the subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place….”Surrounded but always alone is the statement and message that carries throughout Monachopsis.
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Written By Wolves - EP Review: Prologue
14 Nov 2018 // review by Kris Raven
Firstly, let’s start by saying, Finally! Written by Wolves have dropped their debut extended play Prologue and I imagine for the band and fans this has been a long time coming.
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