Melvins are occasionally awful, but at least the contrary sods are never dull. [27 Apr 2013, p.53]

There's nothing here that Cradle of Filth haven't done much better elsewhere. [10 Nov 2012, p.55]

This is pure Slayer through and through. [12 Sep 2015, p.51]

Does this all meld together into the cohesive whole of a perfect album? Well, no, not really. But does The 2nd Law represent a band whose only limitations seem to be the high ceiling of their collective imagination? The answer here is an emphatic yes. [6 Oct 2012, p.52]

Winter Kills thrills with the same potency the band have wielded throughout their career. [24 Aug 2013, p.54]

If you never liked them, this album probably won't change your mind. But, for anyone already "down with the sickness" Asylum is quite possibly their best record to date. [21 Aug 2010, p.50]

This is a collection of good and sometimes very good songs from a band hacking their way towards their 40th birthday. [15 Jan 2011, p.51]

The punk influences are correct and present from the opening riffs of Black Stone, with Lauren Larson's gnarly vocals showing all the promise of a powerful frontwoman. [10 May 2014, p.54]

In an era when so many classic bands return to tout but without risking new material, it's a delight to have Soundgarden take that gamble and win. [17 Nov 2012, p.52]

Throughout, his sandpapered larynx lends a satisfying serrated edge here, only occasionally undermined by incongruous metalcore balladeering and the odd interchangeable riff here and there. [2 Jul 2011, p.52]

While the songs are eclectic, they're all united by a shared sense of intensity. [13 Jul 2013, p.52]

Year Of The Hare might need multiple listens, but if you can spare the time, you just might uncover it's secret. [20 Jun 2015, p.52]

As a collection of songs, it's their strongest in some time, and certainly proves that it's not too late to convert to the scriptures of Metal Church. [2 Apr 2016, p.52]

It doesn't eclipse any of its members' day-job bands, but Surveillance is worth scoping out. [26 Nov 2016, p.52]

Admittedly, they do occasionally disappear up their own collective backside, with too much noodling trying your patience, but their ambition and scope show no signs of diminishing. [10 Mar 2018, p.55]

NOFX’s take on Frank’s tracks turn them into turbo-charged So-Cal workouts without really having to do too much to them beyond playing them really fast. Frank’s contributions, meanwhile, see him doing a raucous version of Bob and Perfect Government in his own charming manner, while his take on reggae number Eat The Meek is smart and sharp.

Blood Incantation have definitely achieved what they set out to accomplish and it’s by no means executed poorly, it’s just lacking the instantaneous spark that their previous two releases encompassed.

Sløtface’s third album leaves the feeling of a musical outfit undergoing a bit of a rebirth, but one that’s brimming with promise. Don’t bet against Haley making this new incarnation of Sløtface even better as they continue to find their sound.

The concentrated excellence on offer should placate any disappointment about the meagre portions. [23 Jun 2018, p.55]

While the Exeter band stick with the same formula throughout, they do successfully shackle the principle of less is more--if you're tiring of tone of the songs, another will come charging in to replace it before you can hit skip. [30 Apr 2011, p.51]

The Day's War is a record worthy of reclaiming all those devalued adjectives that have seem co-opted bu other, less-deserving recipients. [23 Aug 2014, p.52]

It's hardly challenging, but Himalayan is nevertheless another goal for for Band of Skulls. [22 Mar 2014, p.54]

While it's true that their [Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman] reunion on Braver Than We Are could never change the world like Bat Out Of Hell and Bat Out Of Hell II, it is a bewilderingly brilliant album. [17 Sep 2016, p.53]

Despite the record's unabashed predictability, it's hard not to get caught up in their snub-nosed bluster. [6 Apr 2013, p.54]

On Motorheart The Darkness’s timekeeping is impeccable and with songs about shagging droids their virility proven beyond doubt. As for staying on the right side of that fine line, give the boys credit; two outta three ain’t bad.

Kind Heaven is a beautifully conceived, exquisitely constructed and fully realised work of towering ambition. ... The perfect album to soundtrack the summer. [15 Jun 2019, p.54]

Occasionally, Thin Mind lacks the energy to truly achieve lift off, but maturity has given Wolf Parade room to roam. [11 Jan 2020, p.57]

Across 11 tracks In•ter a•li•a never loses focus and never takes the easy options, offering fractured anthems for fractured times. [6 May 2017, p.50]