Opening track ‘Scapegoat’ is a heart fully on sleeve response to the rise of the far right and its claim to genuinely care about the welfare of women. For its deep dive into the personal, it becomes a sharp social commentary delivered through an intelligently formed lyrical narrative Continue reading
Author: N. P. Ryan
Sock It to Me
AGGROCULTURE: scrumpydrinking thrashcore gimps – West Country bumpkin powerviolence at its gert lush best!
After this year’s exhilarating-as-ever Dean Lane Hardcore Day, I headed to the Chelsea Inn for the after show. It was there, while sat in the beer garden basking in the punk-Christmas-ness of it all, that someone Continue reading
Nice Weather S.A.D. Times
Written in essence on the 14th July
It’s better when
The sun is out
Not just warm
But deep dry heat
Holding the air
World feels lighter
Every Continue reading
Mistress: Prepare for Doom Domination!
Skimming through the names on a promotional compilation, Mistress stopped me in my tracks; a lot can be taken from a band name, and something so precise, not to mention ‘dominating’, makes quite a statement about how the band sees itself.
Clicking play, I knew there was far more chance of tired male cliché than anything bordering on Continue reading
Hawkwind, Bristol Beacon, 13th June 2026
An absolutely incredible show as usual from Hawkwind, only this one was Continue reading
Reflections on the Thames as seen from London Bridge
The following is a reworking of a poem and post that originally appeared in 2018: Continue reading
Ameretat: punk fire straight from the hardcore of Earth
Ameretat’s self titled debut album, released 2025, opens with ‘Ghazal-e-ātish / Posht-e-pardeh’ (‘Ode to the Fire / Behind the Veil’).
The track starts with a medium paced but purposeful drum beat before a slice of feedback introduces Continue reading
T.A.T (There’s Always Time) Debut Album YOU SUCK !!! Reviewed
When reviewing There’s Always Time’s EP ‘Breathe’ in 2024, I described the sound as dark, moody, Bauhaus-esque in tone and stalking like a cold shadow carrying a jagged-edged knife with vocals that reach Polystyrene-levels of pitch and passion. All of those components remain thoroughly present on debut album YOU SUCK !!!. Only now Continue reading
The Hammer of Dreams
He’d always dreamed
Of teaching grandchildren
Invaluable life skills
Like never Continue reading