It's a little one-dimensional in places, but there's no denying the strength of feeling raging underneath. [3 Nov 2012, p.53]

The lyrics, of course, are predominantly berserk. It wouldn't be a Rob Zombie album if he was to get all sensible on us, and it's fun picking through them. In fact, 'fun' is perhaps the best word for the record, which is a riot from start to finish.

This is the record that brands SWS as a very big deal indeed. [7 Mar 2015, p.52]

It's simply heavy metal: proud, fearless, loud. [19 Jul 2014, p.52]

While lyrically there's nothing explicitly offensive, there are enough risque lines here to raise a few eyebrows, and enough good songs to prick a few ears. [28 Aug 2010, p.54]

While there is nothing to rival the classic Step Down, it's hard to argue with the punch SOIA still pack. [4 Oct 2014, p.54]

Their 11th album, is a heaving smorgasbord of all those [quality meaty metal] sounds. [30 Jan 2016, p.52]

This is a brave, bold and ambitious album, and the finest of Lower Than Atlantis' career so far. [4 Feb 2017, p.50]

Danko Jones has plainly not lost his mojo. [11 Mar 2017, p.52]

Despite being recorded at various times between 1992 and 2015 the 11 tracks here gel together like any other Motorhead album. [2 Sep 2017, p.52]

Epic, bonkers album. [3 Feb 2018, p.51]

Through the Wall plays more like a scrappy, occasionally impressive side project. [27 Oct 2018, p.55]

There’s little to link the various tracks on this eclectic collection, nothing to make it a coherent whole, but it certainly underlines the band’s extraordinary ability to shape-shift. Mastodon have changed over the years, but Medium Rarities proves they have always operated in a dimension that isn’t entirely earthbound

Fewer songs here race and pulsate as before, but Chuck Ragan and co.'s gruff mix of grit and sweat remains in full effect. [May 2012, p.54]

The Spark is very much a record for 2017. [16 Sep 2017, p.50]

It's this complete departure from the norm, this clean break from Greg Puciato's day job, that's the key to Fever Daydream's success. [30 Jan 2016, p.50]

Here, he's finally harnessed the fury coursing through his foundation, channeling and unleashing it with streamlined precision. [28 Jan 2017, p.48]

It's been as long time, but Do To The Beast finds The Afghan Whigs doing what they do, ahem, beast. [19 Apr 2014, p.54]

A very accomplished, multifaceted, genre-dodging outing. [8 Feb 2014, p.52]

An album that once again sees Wizard creating a new landscape with only the slightest adjustment. Yeah, it's more rock'n'roll, but it's still ultra-stoned, it's still ultra-heavy, and Electric Wizard still hate[s] you. [25 Nov 2017, p.51]

Freewheeling spirit and casual non-sequiturs are all over Almost Free, with a cornucopia of ‘anything goes’ creativity on offer, comprising flashes of hip-hop, glam rock, fuzzed-out funk, punk and everything in between. Yet not once does it sound contrived or anything but an album very much of the here and now. ... An absolute joy to behold. It’s a trip to listen to, and an instant modern classic.

IX isn't quite as boisterous as 2012's outstanding and raucous Lost Songs, but ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead's subtle power still impresses. [8 Nov 2014, p.55]

There’s all manner of the energetic offerings you’re yearning for here. But there are the slower soul-bearers too, in the same vein as the classic I’m With You, such as Avalanche, which will appeal to fans of what Olivia Rodrigo is doing.

It's hard not to get swept along by the torrent of farce and sheer loose-footed skill on show. [30 Jul 2011, p.52]

While For Baltimore proves they can still write a grade A banger when they put their mind to it, too many songs are destined to have "must try harder" stamped on their report card. [13 Oct 2012, p.52]

Photo Of Photos retains a gloriously untethered and instinctive quality, but is brought into sharper focus by the occasional moment of clarity. [20 Oct 2012, p.54]

It's easy-going, it's listenable, but it also sounds a bit, well, tired. [13 Apr 2013, p.59]

It's not wholly original, but there's plenty here to keep the (Gnar)wolf from the door. [20 Sep 2014, p.54]