Honourable Mentions
Pyres – YUN and Cold Slither – Self-Titled
A pair of metal bands. I like to say there are two ends of the metal spectrum – hair metal and beard metal. Pyres’s full-length is definitely the beard variety. Thunderous chunky riffs, death growls and extended arrangements. I spent a lot of time listening to Mastodon and Baroness in my twenties and this record really takes me back.
All the way on the other end we have novelty band Cold Slither, complete with chugging guitars and explosive guitar solos. As a marketing stunt, Hasbro rounded up members of Gruesome, Exhumed and KMFDM to cosplay as a fictional band originally presented in the 1980’s G.I. Joe cartoon. Bringing the nefarious Austrialian-biker-gang-turned-glam-disaster to life, Cold Slither provides an extended version of their eponymous song from the cartoon (they only play a single verse and chorus) plus nine original songs based on the exploits of the motorcycle-riding-donut-eating-grape-soda-stealing Dreadnoks. The only thing really missing from the package are the screaming falsettos, but as far as gimmick records go, this is top notch.
#10 Peach Pact
Die-Hydrated
Self-Released
I wrote about Peach Pact’s debut a bit already. It’s an interesting brew of sonic influences, pulling together riot grrl messaging, punk rock energy and post-punk brooding. But there’s a dark aspect to it that sets it apart from other records in the genre. Maybe it’s the freezing cold from the North Bay weather. I’ll have to make a point to catch them live and grab a physical copy of the record (if they haven’t sold them all by now!)
Listen Here
#9 MOOCH
KIN
Black Throne Productions
I like to keep up with releases from Black Throne Productions (and also Fuzzed and Buzzed). They’re nice people and have great taste. I grabbed a copy of the latest from Montreal’s MOOCH via mail-order and listened to it expecting a sludgy doomy thing. I was incorrect. Sounding something like late-90’s progressive alternative rock, I was taken off-guard by “Hang Me Out (False Sun)” by how tuneful it is. There are some cool extended prog-pieces “Prominence” and “Lightning Rod” plus there’s “Sunburner” which is just a heavy ride. Definitely dig into KIN if you like bong music with a bit more action to it.
#8 Real Sickies
Under a Plastic Bag
Stomp Records
Real Sickies was one of those bands I had been hearing about for years before actually getting to see them at Waterloo’s Long Weekend Band Crawl. They put on a great live show and I took home a copy of their latest record Under a Plastic Bag so I could dive in. They hang out in a space somewhere between retro garage and 70’s first wave punk. They’re kind of reminiscent of Boids and Wine Lips. I think Stomp is trying to corner the market on that sound. Just a fun record.
#7 Christian Mistress
Children of the Earth
Cruz del Sur Music
Christian Mistress was one of my favourite bands from the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM) movement from about 15-20 years ago that brought back the best parts of late-70’s/early-80’s metal but using modern production. They dropped off the Earth about ten years ago and I’d given up hope for a return. After much teasing online, Children of the Earth was released in February and is a worthy successor. “City of Gold” cuts a good pace and features an exceptionally flashy guitar solo. Stand-out track “Lake of Memory” uses a galloping rhythm to complement vocalist Christine Davis’s smokey voice. If you think metal peaked with Judas Priest or Iron Maiden, grab this record.
#6 Witchrot
Soul Cellar
Fuzzed and Buzzed
I certainly enjoy a good doom metal record and this latest release from Witchrot pulls off the heavy/spooky vibe perfectly. Dense and atmospheric. Lea Alyssandra Reto howls like a banshee from beyond. “Possession Deepens” is a slow dive into a crushing sea of sound. “Throat Cutter” rocks a sinister riff. Soul Cellar is one of those records best enjoyed in the dark and played loud.
#5 Villain
Don’t Be A Hero
Self-Released
Finally a full-length from Villain! I was a big fan of singer/guitarist Caleb Beal’s previous band Midnight Malice and kept up with Villain throughout their various incarnations at shows around Toronto. A project that seemed to be in limbo since the pre-pandemic era, I took to bugging engineer John Dinsmore who recorded the album for updates. Imagine my surprise when it showed up on Bandcamp with very little warning. The record is a no-frills document of some very skilled players. There are a couple burners – the title track and “Too Late For Heaven”. “Venus Mound” manages to be sleazy and nerdy at the same time with loads of sexual/space-themed double entendres. “I need to feel your celestial body”. While admittedly top-heavy, Don’t Be A Hero is a sight for sore eyes and belongs in every metalhead’s collection.
#4 Lambrini Girls
Who Let The Dogs Out
City Slang
The debut LP from Brighton’s Lambrini Girls is a series of angry manifestos taking aim at a wide range of social issues (“Company Culture”, “Big Dick Energy”) While, punk rock without any kind of message is toothless, if the songs are trash you’re not going to listen more than once. Fortunately, there are some serious bops on here like bubblegum garage banger “No Homo” and swinging firestorm “Love”. Vocalist Phoebe Lunny has a way with words and an incendiary delivery. Message received.
#3 Finger Eleven
Last Night On Earth
Better Noise Music
I wasn’t expecting Finger Eleven to be up here either. It’s hard to describe a band with a pair of number one hits as underrated, but when those songs are the beautiful-but-braindead “One Thing” and the embarrassing Franz Ferdinand soundalike “Paralyzer,” it’s easy to see why people dismiss them. The diehards know that Finger Eleven have been musical chameleons and master songcrafters for their 30+ year run and Last Night on Earth is an interesting step into prog territory for them with a new cinematic approach. Opener “Adrenaline” intrigues with its galloping build, standout “Cold Concrete” mixes breakbeats and fuzzy guitars while the acoustic title track is the soaring epic we always deserved. I can’t get enough of this record. If you were ever a Finger Eleven fan, check this one out.
#2 Curbside
A Lifetime To Outgrow
Thousand Island Records
Handheld released their comeback record a few years ago, so it wasn’t a shocker that Curbside was right behind. Featuring their calling-card of extra dry/tight production, ultrafast tempos and a sense of urgency that would have you believe frontman Pat Dietrich is singing for his life, A Lifetime To Outgrow is one rager after another (plus acoustic closer “My Punk Rock Coda”) This record will please skatepunkers and emos alike.
#1 No Joy
Bugland
Hand Drawn Dracula
Now a solo project for Montreal’s Jasamine White-Gluz, No Joy has been a wildly experimental affair over the past few years. A collaboration EP with Sonic Boom/Pete Kember of Spacemen 3 saw a step into avant-garde electronic spaces. 2020’s Motherhood picked up on that energy and it continues with this year’s Bugland. A sonic collage of synths and fuzzed out guitars, opener “Garbage Dream House” washes wall-of-sound noise over club beats and features (a first) unprocessed vocals from White-Gluz. The title track pays homage to the sound Curve helped pioneer in the early 90’s. “Jelly Meadow Bright,” crystalline in sound, is contrasted by hyper-distorted vocals from Fire-Toolz. Bugland ambitiously brings together disparate soundscapes to form something both familiar and new.