This is going to be a short review, because Clutch rules and so does their 2004 released sixth album, Blast Tyrant. Now re-released and remastered with new artwork, the original classic still sounds amazing and is in the top half of the band’s pretty much perfect discography.
I mean The Regulator? The Mob Goes Wild? One of my top five favourite Clutch songs, Cypress Grove? Subtle Hustle? This album is stacked with killer Clutch material that is played in their live sets today on the regular. The remastering is subtle as this still sounds like the 2004 version we all know and love. You do get an acoustic version of The Regulator too, which, of course, is awesome. There are a few versions of this repress out there, so I am going off the digital version I have and the vinyl on my turntable, but whatever, it’s Clutch.
It may not be my favourite Clutch record, or even my second favourite, maybe not even my third, but it is still a pretty much perfect album, now with some cool new artwork and a remastering that doesn’t mess with the perfection. 10/10
Hebephrenique - Decathexis (Gutter Prince Cabal/Brilliant Emperor Records) [Spike]
Alright, listen up. You think you've heard "dissonant" and "unhinged" before? Forget about it. Hebephrenique's Decathexis is the kind of record that makes other bands' attempts at "madness" sound like a children's lullaby. This thing is a full-on, frontal assault on your sanity, and frankly, I love it.
The moment Stasis kicks in, you're not listening to a song; you're trapped in a claustrophobic soundscape, a nightmare you can't wake up from. Then Visions Of Magdalene hits like a haymaker to the cranium, a chaotic torrent of spite-fuelled vocals and frantic, technical riffing that's so unpredictable it'll give you whiplash. The drums aren't just keeping time; they're an engine of percussive savagery, holding this whole unstable structure together by sheer force. The whole thing feels like a controlled demolition of your senses, meticulously planned chaos that's as impressive as it is unsettling.
I've heard this album described as a fusion of Gorguts, Anaal Nathrakh, and Mayhem, and honestly, that's not far off. It's got the twisted, angular complexity of the former, the sheer, theatrical violence of the latter, and a dystopian dread that clings to every note. Tracks like I, Adverse and Argumentum Ad Baculum are a masterclass in controlled chaos, weaving together moments of pure sonic assault with strangely melodic, hypnotic sections that just mess with your head. There's so much going on, so many layers to peel back, that you'll discover something new with every listen. It's a testament to the band's creativity and musicianship.
The title track, Decathexis, is a beast of its own, an eight-minute spiral of madness that moves from hypnotic repetition to outright sonic torture and back again. It's the kind of epic closer that leaves you drained but completely satisfied, a sprawling journey through the band's unhinged universe. They know exactly when to pull back and when to unleash hell, and they do it with a certainty of will that is terrifyingly effective.
This isn't an album for the faint of heart or for people who think metal should be "easy listening." This is for the connoisseurs of chaos, the ones who appreciate a band that knows exactly how to hurt your brain in the best possible way. Hebephrenique haven’t just dropped an album; they’ve unleashed a beautifully horrifying manifestation of mental collapse. It's a vital, important record that deserves your full attention and your respect.
A masterful descent into delirium. 9/10
Donella Drive - Axon (Self Released) [Rich Piva]
When you put ATDI in the description for a band, this reviewers hackles go up. As a huge At The Drive-In fan, I long for a band to be able to produce the frantic energy and unique sound that the El Paso, Texas band once did. So, here we are with San Antonio, Texas’ brotherly duo Donella Drive and their record, Axon, and I get it.
They play some very cool post-hardcore that also gets all funky on your ass with amazing instrumentation and some great lyrics. There is definitely some ATDI there, but it is an unfair comparison for any band. However, Donella Drive hangs in there and gives us a very enjoyable, hectic record that makes you want to stage dive , if these guys allow it, as well as shake your booty.
First off, the bass player, Andrew Salazar, is a virtuoso and his amp is turned way up. Dude can slap the bass with anyone. As for the songs, the first full length track even sounds like an ATDI title, Simian Transmission, and vocally, while a few octaves lower than Cedric, Aidan Edward Escalante’s delivery and vocal patters are similar as well, so yeah, I dig it. Omar and Jim’s work is definitely influenced in the track Mindless Embryonic, with positive results. The bass is the star on Terlingua as Salazar is an absolute madman. Stir The Echoes starts out like a doom metal track and then proceeds to explode, lead, of course, but some amazing bass work and some Omar-esque strumming.
Love the layered vocals too. This one is pure energy. Past Inside The Present starts out like one of the funkier Suicidal Tendencies tracks from back in the day with Salazar showing off again (keep bringing it!). Some may balk at the sax solo, but those folks need to just deal with it because it is a fun little instrumental track. Have I mentioned the bass playing yet? Think what you will about them now, but Flea on those early RHCP records was amazing, and the playing on Polychromatic Dream totally has those vibes. Information Superhighway is a bold way to end the record, and you will see why after you listen.
There is much more to Axon than At The Drive-In worship. These guys have the chops to do whatever they want, and they do, very well. Great songs, killer guitar tone, and just amazing bass work, this record is worth your time for sure. 8/10
KHNVM - Cosmocrator (Testimony Records) [Spike]
Look, you want to talk about brainy death metal? Forget your college philosophy class and your dusty books. KHNVM's Cosmocrator is a dissertation delivered with a sledgehammer, and it's a hell of a lot more interesting. This thing is the sound of existential dread being systematically and brutally dismantled, one riff at a time.
This isn't just about speed and fury; it's got a calculated, cerebral feel that hits different. The riffs are muscular and precise, built with a satisfying old-school crunch that never gets lost in the technicality. They don't just blast you; they build an atmosphere, a gloom that hangs in the air like a storm cloud before the lightning strikes. There are moments of progression and melody, little twisted pieces that show this band knows how to do more than just pummel you into submission. They draw you in, hypnotize you, and then they drop the hammer.
The vocals are pure, unadulterated evil, a beastly roar that sounds like it's coming from the bottom of a well. They don't just sit on top of the music; they're an instrument of punishment, perfectly complementing the grinding, mid-paced assault. Tracks like Venom Spawn and Fetid Eden prove that you don't need a thousand-notes-a-second to be devastating. They've got a swagger, a groove that’s as crushing as any chaotic blitz.
KHNVM has managed to create a record that is both musically excellent and philosophically rich. It's a dual-pronged attack: you can just bang your head to the sheer quality of the music, or you can dive into the abyss of its psychological and spiritual themes. Either way, you're getting your money's worth. This isn't just a record for death metal fans; it's a record for anyone who likes their music to be thought-provoking and punishing in equal measure. A total belter.
A punishing intellectual journey. 9/10
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