Northern Ireland has some awesome bands in the extreme metal genre. Many thrilling mixtures of various genres all brought together with a distinct humanity and Celtic mysticism. Domhain are categorised as a post-atmospheric black metal band, a mouthful for sure but accurate as they create a potent concoction of blackgaze, post and atmospheric black metal that allows them to sail to musical shores that many black metal bands can't.
Consisting of players who all come from long tenured groups in their scene, they have been creating their own niche as a band for a few years now with an EP in 2023 that featured noted cellist and extreme metal collaborator of choice Jo Quail and a spilt EP with Ephemeral in 2024. What sets Domhain apart from so many of their peers is that sense of sorrow, odes to the natural world that ring true with Irish folk traditions including vocal harmonies and cello/strings.
It's music to lose yourself in and with their debut full length Domhain want you to do just that, let the music embrace you, Una Tarra Ci Hé opening the auspices with ghostly vocals and cello from drummer Anaïs Chareyre-Méjan before Talamh Lom breaks the stillness with tremolo picking from guitarists Nathan Irvine and Ashley Irwin, launching the album proper with blasts coming from Chareyre-Méjan as the bass of Andy Ennis guides the shifting rhythms.
It's a sprawling, intense style of black metal where cinematic soundscapes take the place of raging raw aggression, the opening of Footsteps II adding clean vocals and delicious harmonies from Andy and Anaïs, this one builds layers added every time the riff repeats, gothic overtones driven by guitars that balance melodic moments with distorted riffs, here the band are joined by John Wilson on piano and Raul Andueza on cello, to create a colossal mid-album epic.
You could make comparisons to the likes of Primordial and Darkest Era, as they certainly share musical and cultural identities, heck on the title track they even share members as Sarah Fielding provides ethereal vocals against the harshness of this doom-laden black metal track. The gargantuan sound of the record coming from Chris Fielding at Foel studios, culminating in the Opeth-like mastery of My Tomb Beneath The Tide, the multifaceted vocals really in effect to create fantastic harmonies in the introspective moments when the black metal flurries subside.
In Perfect Stillness is an incredibly polished, mature and emotionally powerful debut full length from Domhain, post, atmospheric, black, doom, call it whatever you want, it’s brilliant music from a band with a serious skillset. 9/10
Michael Monroe - Outerstellar (Silver Lining Music) [Rich Piva]
If the shit that went down in the 80s that destroyed Hanoi Rocks never happened they very well may have taken over the world. But it did, and here we are, with Michael Monroe pumping out another solid solo record of his fast-paced hard rock with touches of glam and punk that made Hanoi Rocks so special. The tracks on Outerstellar are enjoyable, but not all necessarily memorable.
The record sounds good, if maybe leaning towards a bit over produced, like a lot of the older rockers seem to be drawn to these days. His band is solid, with some guys he has played with for decades to the point you can hear how tight they are. The songs are good, but there are twelve tracks, which is a couple too many, but there are some keepers.
I have said it before and I will say it again, Ripple Music, the best label in heavy underground rock, is doing us all a solid by re-releasing/repressing amazing, out of print records for us all to enjoy.
Consisting of players who all come from long tenured groups in their scene, they have been creating their own niche as a band for a few years now with an EP in 2023 that featured noted cellist and extreme metal collaborator of choice Jo Quail and a spilt EP with Ephemeral in 2024. What sets Domhain apart from so many of their peers is that sense of sorrow, odes to the natural world that ring true with Irish folk traditions including vocal harmonies and cello/strings.
It's music to lose yourself in and with their debut full length Domhain want you to do just that, let the music embrace you, Una Tarra Ci Hé opening the auspices with ghostly vocals and cello from drummer Anaïs Chareyre-Méjan before Talamh Lom breaks the stillness with tremolo picking from guitarists Nathan Irvine and Ashley Irwin, launching the album proper with blasts coming from Chareyre-Méjan as the bass of Andy Ennis guides the shifting rhythms.
It's a sprawling, intense style of black metal where cinematic soundscapes take the place of raging raw aggression, the opening of Footsteps II adding clean vocals and delicious harmonies from Andy and Anaïs, this one builds layers added every time the riff repeats, gothic overtones driven by guitars that balance melodic moments with distorted riffs, here the band are joined by John Wilson on piano and Raul Andueza on cello, to create a colossal mid-album epic.
You could make comparisons to the likes of Primordial and Darkest Era, as they certainly share musical and cultural identities, heck on the title track they even share members as Sarah Fielding provides ethereal vocals against the harshness of this doom-laden black metal track. The gargantuan sound of the record coming from Chris Fielding at Foel studios, culminating in the Opeth-like mastery of My Tomb Beneath The Tide, the multifaceted vocals really in effect to create fantastic harmonies in the introspective moments when the black metal flurries subside.
In Perfect Stillness is an incredibly polished, mature and emotionally powerful debut full length from Domhain, post, atmospheric, black, doom, call it whatever you want, it’s brilliant music from a band with a serious skillset. 9/10
Michael Monroe - Outerstellar (Silver Lining Music) [Rich Piva]
If the shit that went down in the 80s that destroyed Hanoi Rocks never happened they very well may have taken over the world. But it did, and here we are, with Michael Monroe pumping out another solid solo record of his fast-paced hard rock with touches of glam and punk that made Hanoi Rocks so special. The tracks on Outerstellar are enjoyable, but not all necessarily memorable.
The record sounds good, if maybe leaning towards a bit over produced, like a lot of the older rockers seem to be drawn to these days. His band is solid, with some guys he has played with for decades to the point you can hear how tight they are. The songs are good, but there are twelve tracks, which is a couple too many, but there are some keepers.
My favourite is the ripper Precious, with Monroe doing his snottiest rock star thing that he does so well. This has Hanoi all over it, with the big chorus and glam but punk vibe. Dig the harmonica too. Black Cadillac is a fun song with some nice guitar work and Monroe’s voice sounding great. Others I dig include the up tempo opener, Rockin’ Horse, and the what could have been ballad Glitter & Dust.
If you dig Monroe’s solo work you will dig this. I would not start here, but Outerstellar is a solid effort. When he leans into his roots, he really still has it. But, please, after listening to this, go listen to anything by Hanoi Rocks you can get your hands on. 7/10
Rollerball - Submarine: Beneath The Desert Floor- Chapter 9 (Ripple Music) [Rich Piva]
If you dig Monroe’s solo work you will dig this. I would not start here, but Outerstellar is a solid effort. When he leans into his roots, he really still has it. But, please, after listening to this, go listen to anything by Hanoi Rocks you can get your hands on. 7/10
Rollerball - Submarine: Beneath The Desert Floor- Chapter 9 (Ripple Music) [Rich Piva]
I have said it before and I will say it again, Ripple Music, the best label in heavy underground rock, is doing us all a solid by re-releasing/repressing amazing, out of print records for us all to enjoy.
One of the catalogues that Todd has picked up is from Australian stoner rockers Rollerball, an underappreciated band except by those who know. Let’s hope more and more people join that club, given Ripple gave us all the gift of their 1999 classic Lost In Space as Chapter 5 of the amazing Beneath The Desert Floor series. Now, with Chapter 9, more Rollerball goodness in the form of their 2009 album, Submarine.
Submarine is the band’s last album, and you can hear a maturity of the group from their debut EP Lost In Space that I mentioned above. Also, it’s amazing. The song Seasoar is so great. It is the perfect interception of classic rock and stoner rock, at times sounding like a stoner Doobies or Allmans. Just killer stuff.
Submarine is the band’s last album, and you can hear a maturity of the group from their debut EP Lost In Space that I mentioned above. Also, it’s amazing. The song Seasoar is so great. It is the perfect interception of classic rock and stoner rock, at times sounding like a stoner Doobies or Allmans. Just killer stuff.
The violins on Your Lullaby are so great, bringing such an American Southern Rock vibe to all the other Rollerball goodness. This album is an end to end banger, like all the Rollerball stuff, but Run Aground into Tame Existence is probably my favourite part of the record, because it rips, should be a prototype for bands who want to play killer, memorable, stoner rock, and does QOTSA better than QOTSA. Amazing stuff.
I once again bow to the master of heavy rock, Todd Severin, for bringing us this lost classic on wax for the first time in a long time. Check out Submarine, all things Rollerball, and the other eight chapters of the amazing Beneath The Desert Floor series. 9/10
Avalanche - Armed to the Teeth (MGM) [Matt Bladen]
If you were one of the many that will be heading to Aussie rockers Airbourne on their up coming UK dates, then if you want a bit more rock n rolling, get in early to catch fellow Aussies Avalanche.
Formed by husband and wife duo Steven Campbell on vocals/bass, and Veronica ‘V’ Campbell on lead guitar. Joining Steven in the rocking rhythm section of these powerful pub rockers, are Bon Lowe on drums and rhythm guitarist Blake Poulton, So what do they sound like? Well AC/DC on Armed To The Teeth and Down For The Count, Rose Tattoo on Going For Broke and tourmates Airbourne too. I’d also throw out some names in the UK rock revivals of the 2000-2010’s with Tokyo Dragons, Black Spiders and others on The Hand That Feeds and On The Bags Again.
It’s shameless, it’s saucy and skilled, taking a lot of talent to sound this easy. With the full force drive of Campbell, Poulton and Lowe carrying tracks such as Ride Or Die, Steven can also deliver that sneering vocals while his wife channels Angus with leads and solos that will get you salivating. Armed To The Teeth is their debut record and it gives them a 12 song arena ready resume, a belly full of beer and blues, sweat drenched riff slinging and solos ready for your air guitar.
Recorded 90% live, with all the fire of a band ready to do battle with Airbourne every night, their amps are turned up to eleven, Avalanche are Armed To The Teeth on their debut album. Play at full volume for maximum effect. 8/10
I once again bow to the master of heavy rock, Todd Severin, for bringing us this lost classic on wax for the first time in a long time. Check out Submarine, all things Rollerball, and the other eight chapters of the amazing Beneath The Desert Floor series. 9/10
Avalanche - Armed to the Teeth (MGM) [Matt Bladen]
If you were one of the many that will be heading to Aussie rockers Airbourne on their up coming UK dates, then if you want a bit more rock n rolling, get in early to catch fellow Aussies Avalanche.
Formed by husband and wife duo Steven Campbell on vocals/bass, and Veronica ‘V’ Campbell on lead guitar. Joining Steven in the rocking rhythm section of these powerful pub rockers, are Bon Lowe on drums and rhythm guitarist Blake Poulton, So what do they sound like? Well AC/DC on Armed To The Teeth and Down For The Count, Rose Tattoo on Going For Broke and tourmates Airbourne too. I’d also throw out some names in the UK rock revivals of the 2000-2010’s with Tokyo Dragons, Black Spiders and others on The Hand That Feeds and On The Bags Again.
It’s shameless, it’s saucy and skilled, taking a lot of talent to sound this easy. With the full force drive of Campbell, Poulton and Lowe carrying tracks such as Ride Or Die, Steven can also deliver that sneering vocals while his wife channels Angus with leads and solos that will get you salivating. Armed To The Teeth is their debut record and it gives them a 12 song arena ready resume, a belly full of beer and blues, sweat drenched riff slinging and solos ready for your air guitar.
Recorded 90% live, with all the fire of a band ready to do battle with Airbourne every night, their amps are turned up to eleven, Avalanche are Armed To The Teeth on their debut album. Play at full volume for maximum effect. 8/10
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