During the last weeks of 2025, London based alt-metal crew Night Thieves released ‘Obsidian’, a rather grandiose sounding single that blended the gothic tones of Within Temptation with the emo-ish/technical edge of early Linkin Park, creating a perfect hybrid sound that really suited Jess Moyle’s vocal style.
Category Archives: Album & EP Reviews
THE SELECTMEN – POP! RIP… EP
Between forming in 2022 and releasing their debut in 2026, New Hamsphire’s The Selectmen had doubled the size of their line-up, but on the basis of the material that forms the ‘POP! RIP…’ EP, it was definitely the right move. On these five songs, none of the eight members are in any way surplus; the band’s extended membership really breathes life into a blend of ska and soul in a way that sounds invigorating, despite the influences being somewhat obvious. Not that great ska needs to break new ground, of course. It’s about rousing an audience, and that’s something The Selectmen do particularly well.
ROSE TATTOO – The Albums: 1981-1984
Don’t be fooled by the title: despite claiming to contain albums released between 1981-1984, this four disc set by Aussie legends Rose Tattoo actually kicks off with their self-titled album from 1978. With Lemon Records being a UK based company, the decision has been made to present that record as it was first experienced by UK audiences domestically, with its alternate title (‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaws’) and belated 1981 release date. [Further evidence of this clam shell box being pitched squarely at the British buyer can be found in the sleeve notes, when Rose Tattoo’s 1986 LP ‘Blood From A Stone’ is referenced as being an Angry Anderson solo album of the same name released in 1988.]
WITCH HOUND – Mountain Knows
Not to be confused with the Colorado based doom/stoner band of the same name, this Polish trio arrived on the metal scene in 2025, bringing huge sounding trad metal riffs. Their shamelessly old school heart should make them appeal instantly to lovers of a “classic” style, but it’s also quite pleasing that some of the band’s material shows off a love for an unexpectedly dirty edge.
PINK STILETTO – Do It For Me / Amour Finale
Credited with bringing back the “fun” and the “sexy” within a retro sound, Pink Stiletto’s 2024 EP ‘New Wava’ presented four mechanical sounding bangers that drew influence from a world of synth pop and new wave and occasionally added basslines that sounded more like they belonged on a synth-goth record. The managerie of sound created something so lovingly indebted to the past, it became instantly loveable, despite sharing a rather cold edge.