Jethro Tull’s first record came out in 1968. That was a long time ago in both musical and regular years.
The band has been a steady force in rock, with Ian Anderson’s unique delivery and flute and the band’s rock meets prog meets folk stylings they have built up a huge global following, selling millions of their 23 studio albums, collecting a heavy metal grammy, and somehow being snubbed for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame every year. They should be in for Hymn 43 alone, but I digress.
Now, in 2025, with almost 60 years as a band we get album 24, Curious Ruminant, and I am not sure fans of the band could have asked for more out of a record this late in a band’s career.
First, the record sounds so very much like a Tull record, so there is no departure there. The band rocks a bit, like on the first two tracks, of which I especially enjoy how the organ is paired with the flute on the title track. I also enjoy the very folky, almost jig on Stygian Crown.
First, the record sounds so very much like a Tull record, so there is no departure there. The band rocks a bit, like on the first two tracks, of which I especially enjoy how the organ is paired with the flute on the title track. I also enjoy the very folky, almost jig on Stygian Crown.
There is a 17-minute track on Curious Ruminant, which is a lot, and the record closes with an acoustic spoken word track, but hey, it’s a Tull record, so deal with it. Overall, the record is produced well, Anderson sounds great, the band that is now Tull is very tight and professional, and there are some fun songs that fans, both casual and hardcore, will enjoy.
Curious Ruminant is a really good late period album for a band who has been around for 60 years. You know how some bands on their later albums sound like old dudes playing rock? You really do not get any of that here, as Jethro Tull gives their fans another release that they should really enjoy. 7/10
Curious Ruminant is a really good late period album for a band who has been around for 60 years. You know how some bands on their later albums sound like old dudes playing rock? You really do not get any of that here, as Jethro Tull gives their fans another release that they should really enjoy. 7/10
Kryptograf - Kryptonomicon (Apollon Records)
Kryptograf is a band that I have always enjoyed but never loved. Their stuff has always been on my monthly lists and everything they have put out I have in my collection and listen to every now and then.
Kryptograf is a band that I have always enjoyed but never loved. Their stuff has always been on my monthly lists and everything they have put out I have in my collection and listen to every now and then.
But I can’t say anything from the Bergen, Norway band has really stuck with me where I could say that this record by them is my favorite or that this record stands out amongst the tons of other records being released around the same time.
That is, until now, with album number three, Kryptonomicon. Kryptonomicon has all of the elements that I want the band to deliver, and more, across the seven tracks.
The production is perfect, the guitar work is next level, and the songs are fuller, more complex, and way more memorable than the really good stuff they have released previously.
Take the opener, Beyond The Horizon, for example. The proto/retro sound shines through, the guitar action is killer, and the urgency is ratcheted up, setting the stage very nicely for the rest of the record.
Take the opener, Beyond The Horizon, for example. The proto/retro sound shines through, the guitar action is killer, and the urgency is ratcheted up, setting the stage very nicely for the rest of the record.
The tempo change works great and adds that complexity to pair with some psych goodness, that takes Kryptonomicon to the next level.
I love how track one flows without pause into track two, The Blade, which has an almost NWOBHM feel to it, which comes off very cool. I get some Thin Lizzy vibes too.
The band reminds me a bit of Mount Atlas, minus the organ, or maybe Kingnomad, both of which are high complements, and this comes across strong on the title track, which emanates Pentagram/proto vibes as well.
Witchcraft is a good comparison too on this one, and wow is that solo killer. You And I is a straight up garage rocker that kind of sounds like The Hives. Yup, The Hives. Or maybe The Hives doing Queens Of The Stone Age, with some harmonica thrown in, all combining for my favorite track on the record.
You want Kryptograf to doom it up a bit? Well, then you get From Below, with the heavy, Iommi inspired riff to open and then some nice chunky riffs as the pace picks up. Kudos for the drum work on this one.
The one-two punch of this and You And I is the highlight of the record for sure. While not a throw away at all, Lost At Sea acts more as a bridge to the closer, The Gales, but does bring some cool layered vocals and another great solo to the experience before the transition to the closer.
The Gales is Kryptonomicon’s epic end, eight-plus minutes of psych tinged proto that just kicks so much ass from the 2:30 mark (love the subtle addition of keys), until we easy into port as the storm starts to clear.
Kryptograf has now delivered a record that, to me, will have much longer staying power and make much more of an impression then their previous two with Kryptonomicon. This is the sound of a band taking that next step forward, creating their best record and one that should connect to a wider audience. 8/10
Onioroshi - Shrine (Bitume Productions)
Three songs, none of which are under 16 minutes and that are labeled “shoegaze” in the promo bin? Sure, why not. Cervia, Italy’s Onioroshi are more than just that label, as the band brings some psych and prog to the table as well, creating gigantic soundscapes with all sorts of cool sounds but that are so so so so long that you can get lost or your mind can wander.
The opening track, Pyramid, is great and goes in all sorts of directions. I love the first 5:30 or so the most. The band goes all Yes on us at about the 6-minute mark, and it works. The clean and subtle vocals on the track pairs nicely with the all over the place sounds the band makes of the almost 19 minutes of the song.
Kryptograf has now delivered a record that, to me, will have much longer staying power and make much more of an impression then their previous two with Kryptonomicon. This is the sound of a band taking that next step forward, creating their best record and one that should connect to a wider audience. 8/10
Onioroshi - Shrine (Bitume Productions)
Three songs, none of which are under 16 minutes and that are labeled “shoegaze” in the promo bin? Sure, why not. Cervia, Italy’s Onioroshi are more than just that label, as the band brings some psych and prog to the table as well, creating gigantic soundscapes with all sorts of cool sounds but that are so so so so long that you can get lost or your mind can wander.
The opening track, Pyramid, is great and goes in all sorts of directions. I love the first 5:30 or so the most. The band goes all Yes on us at about the 6-minute mark, and it works. The clean and subtle vocals on the track pairs nicely with the all over the place sounds the band makes of the almost 19 minutes of the song.
The track gets kind of heavy half way through, but an outer space kind of heavy. It is so long, though. Apple Music is nice enough to cut the second track, Laborintus, into two parts, which certainly makes the listen a bit easier. I hear some Tool, at least musically, in this one. Shout out to the drummer for his work on the song.
Part two is driven by the bass and the psych-heavy shoegaze vibe permeates throughout this track and has the heaviest moments on Shrine. The 20-plus-minute closer, Egg, has a straight-ahead riff to start and sounds like it may be a “normal” song. All of those feelings are thrown out at around the three-minute mark. Egg is a lot, and goes in all sorts of directions, for a long time.
This record is a journey. A long and difficult journey in parts, but a good part of the listening experience of Shrine is worth it. Onioroshi are certainly skillful players who have unique ideas and create amazing soundscapes, but also a band who would rather jam than edit, which can create some periods of drag, but if you are in the mood and the headspace and are looking for something to challenge you and bend your mind, the new record from Onioroshi may be for you. 6/10
Ter Ziele - Embodiment Of Death (Tartarus Records)
If you are looking for a record to wallow in your misery to, you have found it with Ter Ziele’s Embodiment Of Death. Doomy black metal with vocals that explode your head and a pace that has snails blowing by you, this record has a place for some, but for a guy who is looking to stay out of the asylum it is a tough listen.
That being said, musically this record sounds great. Yeah, it is sloooooow, but production wise it is super clean and the musicians can really play. The black metal to death metal vocals are going to be tough for people who are not into the growl/scream stuff, but it certainly adds to the despair and atmosphere of the record.
This record is a journey. A long and difficult journey in parts, but a good part of the listening experience of Shrine is worth it. Onioroshi are certainly skillful players who have unique ideas and create amazing soundscapes, but also a band who would rather jam than edit, which can create some periods of drag, but if you are in the mood and the headspace and are looking for something to challenge you and bend your mind, the new record from Onioroshi may be for you. 6/10
Ter Ziele - Embodiment Of Death (Tartarus Records)
If you are looking for a record to wallow in your misery to, you have found it with Ter Ziele’s Embodiment Of Death. Doomy black metal with vocals that explode your head and a pace that has snails blowing by you, this record has a place for some, but for a guy who is looking to stay out of the asylum it is a tough listen.
That being said, musically this record sounds great. Yeah, it is sloooooow, but production wise it is super clean and the musicians can really play. The black metal to death metal vocals are going to be tough for people who are not into the growl/scream stuff, but it certainly adds to the despair and atmosphere of the record.
These are some epic blackened doom tracks, as the 12-minute Of Nonmenon Reality just seems to go on and on. This Mortal Coil ratchets up the vocals to the point where I struggle to keep it going for the six minutes of the track. The album is a lot, too much for this reviewer, call me what you will.
I am sure Embodiment Of Death will be enjoyable for people who dig the funeral doom or the blackened doom or music that feels like it is cutting your scalp off slowly. If that sounds appealing, the new Ter Ziele is for you. 5/10
I am sure Embodiment Of Death will be enjoyable for people who dig the funeral doom or the blackened doom or music that feels like it is cutting your scalp off slowly. If that sounds appealing, the new Ter Ziele is for you. 5/10
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