22 Dec 2024
Articles By Kris Raven
Swerve City - EP Review: Over Oceans
14 Oct 2024 // review by Kris Raven
Kiwi rock alternative 4-piece Swerve City have just dropped their long awaited 6 track EP Over Oceans. A culmination of their musical journey since their beginnings, during the chaos of the early 2020's pandemic.
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Sidewinder - Album Review: Talons
15 Aug 2024 // review by Kris Raven
Wellington's Sidewinder are back and bringing the heavy with their sophomore album Talons, following up from 2022’s diverse and solid debut album Vines (see review here). In four years, Sidewinder have built a strong foundation and reputation within the Aotearoa music scene, with heavy national touring as well as supporting international artists.
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Take Hold - EP Review: Stay Down
10 Jun 2024 // review by Kris Raven
Aotearoa melodic hardcore alumni Take Hold, have returned with brand new music, dropping four of five tracks as a single format prior to the release of their self-produced, 5-track EP entitled Stay Down. This method has fast become the norm in the world of modern music releases and streaming.
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Just One Fix - EP Review: Submit or Death
30 Apr 2024 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland's premier thrash lords Just One Fix make a triumphant return with new EP Submit or Death. Having warmed their fanbases palate with two singles, the true to form and heavy hitting Your Own God Now and Gods and Devils.
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Curlys Jewels - Album Review: Curly Jewels
06 Dec 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Wellington's Curlys Jewels have recently dropped their full-length long player, Curlys Jewels. A staple in live music scene of Aotearoa, along with a fierce loyal Wellington fan base, Curlys have gone from strength to strength in the last few years, releasing a string of well received, radio bangers throughout the independent and mainstream waves, with every release in my view topping the last in terms of song writing, production and performance.
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Starving Millions - EP Review: VII
07 Nov 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Wellington's Starving Millions have recently released their new EP VII, their first new recorded music since 2018's VI. While I have heard and seen their name throughout Aotearoa's venues, posters and word of mouth, I have never properly listened to their music.
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Beastwars - Album Review: Tyranny of Distance
11 Oct 2023 // review by Kris Raven
One of Aotearoa's finest acts, Beastwars are set to release their 5th album Tyranny of Distance upon the world and damn, you better get excited. Their previous record, IV dropped in 2019 following on from a series of concept albums laid out by the band over the last decade.
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Lost Vessels - EP Review: Things I Never Said
19 Sep 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland 5-Piece Lost Vessels have recently released their debut EP Things I Never Said, comprised of five tracks that stand out amongst the crowd, a passionate offering of high energy, accessible, engaging punk fueled rock. All This Time, their first single release, is an absolute banger of a track to open this EP and introduce the world to Lost Vessels.
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Shepherds Reign - Album Review: Ala Mai
11 Aug 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Aotearoa's Shepherds Reign are set to deliver their long-awaited new album Ala Mai to the world and set their place on the global musical landscape of heavy music as a band set for greatness. Known for blending various metal subgenres and Polynesian sounds that creates their overall concept, Ala Mai delivers hard and heavy head banging riffs, complex guitar arrangements and powerful and striking vocals that encapsulate universal themes of life, love, family, loss, and culture.
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Fictional Response - Single Review: Moonstruck
05 Jul 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Fictional Response, the brain child of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Richie Bennett is back with a cracker of a new single, Moonstruck. Moonstruck is the first release for 2023, following a slew of genre bending singles released throughout 2021-2022 and packs a massive nostalgic punch for this listener.
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Ugly Boys Collective - EP Review: Death Petals
20 Jun 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland, NZ hybrid rock outfit Ugly Boys Collective have recently dropped their debut EP Death Petals, a diverse four track album full of 80's and 90's grunge inspired riffage and thrash guitar solos with unique vocals and production. Opening with Erased, a distorted opening bass riff with kick, lifts off into the song mains progression.
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Marmalade - Single Review: Bright
01 Jun 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Bright is the brand new, debut single from Auckland indie pop rock five piece Marmalade. Straight out the gate, it is a song filled with infectious vocal hooks, harmonies, lush guitar melodies' and solos backed by a solid rhythm section.
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Raymond Sunshine - Single Review: Over and Over
08 May 2023 // review by Kris Raven
This will be the first time I’ve heard Raymond Sunshine, their new track Over and Over came out very recently and it’s a fun 3.5 min banger with relatable life lyrics, tasty musicianship, funky artwork and a well refined sound.
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Powder Chutes - Single Review: Moths to the Flame
05 May 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Wanaka’s Powder Chutes are hitting hard into 2023 with the release of their new single Moths to the Flame. Coming off the back of 2022 EP Sweet Noise Pollution as well as some impressive live shows, the power house four piece are back with a big track of anthemic rock.
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Achilles Complex - EP Review: Brand New World
13 Apr 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Achilles Complex has just released their debut EP Brand New World and for those familiar with the bands previous work and live shows, they have certainly delivered on a brand new world of music. Incorporating synth wave and its sub genres with their progressive rock/metal sound, along with an entire conceptual storyline, lyrically and musically, they deliver a complex work for our ears.
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Sea Mouse - Single Review: Gearbox
12 Apr 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Wellington's Sea Mouse are back with a ferocious new single Gearbox, taking things up several notches with an all-out rock and roll party banger, sure to get the adrenaline pumping on the mosh floor. Led by charismatic frontman and guitarist Seamus Johnson, this song is backed by the finely polished rhythm machine of bassist Scott Maynard and drummer Thomas Friggens.
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Dead Empire - Single Review: Buckley
30 Mar 2023 // review by Kris Raven
Mount Maunganui’s Dead Empire have been creating waves throughout the Aotearoa music scene recently, their name has been coming up on my radar via various shows throughout the North Island. The feedback I have heard from musicians and fans alike about their solid live performance and vibe with comparisons to the likes of bands like Tool have left me very intrigued.
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Silcrow - Single Review: Ethereal
01 Dec 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Ethereal is the 2nd single from Auckland rock four piece Silcrow (shedding the skin from previous name Close to the Bone). From the guitar solos to the modern rock feel, clean production and that chorus (dammmmm its catchy), this song had me instantly hooked.
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Crooked Royals - Album Review: Quarter Life Day Dream
19 Oct 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Kiwi progressive Metalcore 5-piece Crooked Royals are a ticking time bomb, the anticipation and hype for their debut album Quarter Life Day Dream is brewing, and their path to global domination has been building since their inception. They have come out of pit swinging and have hit 2022 hard, heavy and ready to take on the international stage.
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Infinity Ritual - Single Review: I'm Gone
25 May 2022 // review by Kris Raven
New Plymouth three piece Infinity Ritual are blasting out the gate, fresh off the boots of their debut first single I'm Gone from their self-titled upcoming EP. The song begins with a thunderous drum fill courtesy of drummer Mark Thomas, making way for a big groovy, distorted onslaught of guitar riffage.
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No Life - EP Review: Radical Thoughts
14 May 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Whilst fairly fresh to the NZ music scene (original formation in 2019), South Island quartet No Life are here to leave a pummeling imprint on 2022 and beyond with the release of their debut EP. Radical Thoughts delivers three massive tracks of progressive metalcore with embellishments of modern nu metal and industrial.
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Gravel Pit - EP Review: Wolves/Gravel Pit Split EP
10 Apr 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Open your ears, get your windmill arms ready and brace yourself for 5 tracks of hardcore punk from some of New Zealand’s finest. Bringing back the classic 7” vinyl split EP on side one are the relatively new Auckland 4 piece Wolves featuring members of the Bleeders, City of Souls and Evil Priest.
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End Boss - Album Review: They Seek My Head
07 Apr 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Wellington's End Boss featuring members of Beastwars and Ghidoragh and the incredible vocals of EJ Thorpe, have delivered one of the finest albums of 2022. A heavy music juggernaut, which combines huge lashings of doom, stoner and heavy metal with cinematic, post metal, ethereal vocals and elements that leave your ears comfortably bleeding and your mind blown musically and lyrically throughout.
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Sidewinder - Album Review: Vines
05 Mar 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Wellington's Sidewinder have just dropped their debut album Vines and coinciding NZ tour. The five-piece formed in 2020, have already made a mark on the rock NZ scene, releasing three singles (featuring on the Vines), along with national and international radio play and playing extensively in their home town and beyond.
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Sit Down In Front - EP Review: Fuelling My Rage
20 Jan 2022 // review by Kris Raven
3-Piece Punk Rockers Sit Down in Front have been consistently cranking out music and gigging nationally since they began in 2017. With two full length albums, a slew of charting radio singles and music videos as well as an impressive gigging resume, they have been making their mark, leaving their statement and creating a solid body of straight up punk hits ever since.
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Wisteria Falls - Single Review: Temperamental
18 Jan 2022 // review by Kris Raven
Introducing you to Wisteria Falls, the latest project from Auckland musician and songwriter Will Walker. Will is no stranger to the Auckland & NZ music scene or the Australian rock scene for that matter.
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Seas of Conflict - Single Review: XII.IX
09 Sep 2021 // review by Kris Raven
Hamilton heavy hitters Seas of Conflict are back and mark their return with one of their most emotionally charged, progressively beautiful and heavily sombre tracks to date, entitled XII.IX.
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Arrays - Album Review: Light Years
25 Nov 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Arrays, the all in one independent vision of Auckland musician JP Carroll (ex-Armed in Advance, Swerve City) has grown from strength to strength, consistently putting out material over the last few years and imprinting the Arrays name as its own unique force in the NZ music community. While earlier material may have been a little reminiscent of previous outfits, the new album Light Years, which is all produced, written and played by Carroll himself has become its own defined musical machine, weaving influences of modern metal, post hardcore, grunge and alternative rock, among others.
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Curlys Jewels - Single Review: Blinders
13 Oct 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Wellington's Curlys Jewels have gone from strength to strength over the last few years, out lasting many a fallen Wellington scene rock bands and delivering their third Greg Haver (Ekko Park, The Feelers, OpShop) produced rock anthem Blinders. The core line up has remained solid since their first few EP’s and ever since dropping their 2019 single Absentee which saw them debut on mainstream radio and touring NZ, they have become a heavy hitting staple in the independent rock community.
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DRXNES - Single Review: The Machine
06 Oct 2020 // review by Kris Raven
There must be something in the water, brewing magic in Whanganui. Eclectic rock/metal 5-piece DRXNES have just dropped their new single The Machine and it is HUGE.
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Animalhead - Album Review: Blood, Sweat & Beers
24 Sep 2020 // review by Kris Raven
After five years of blood, sweat and beers, notorious West Auckland 3-piece Animalhead are dropping their debut album. For those who have followed the band over the last half decade, this album represents a culmination of all their hard work laid out over ten diverse, mega tunes, as well as their previously released epic singles including 2018 runaway hit Rabbit Hole.
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Pull Down The Sun - Album Review: Of Valleys and Mountains
11 Sep 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Whanganui's Pull Down The Sun are about to drop one of the best progressive metal albums of the year Of Valleys and Mountains. While not necessarily a ‘concept album’ the album as a whole, feels very cohesive, with every song having a point and place and the way the songs flow, taking the listener on an emotive journey that is both brutal and beautiful.
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Spook The Horses - Album Review: Empty Body
27 Aug 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Eclectic post metallers Spook the Horses have released their 4th full length album Empty Body. Formed in 2009, this Wellington based 6-piece have spent the last 11 years creating artistically diverse and genre bending music, whether it be 2017's beautifully haunting and a little more chill album People Used To Live Here or their recent single releases where they have delivered unrelenting, progressively heavy soundscapes, shaping their impending new album.
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Swerve City - Single/Video Review: Dangerous
08 Aug 2020 // review by Kris Raven
My first initial thoughts after hearing & viewing the debut single by alternative rock collective Swerve City was how lead vocalist JP Carroll (Arrays, ex-Armed in Advance) has further elevated his frontman persona and status in a relatively new (2019) band full of strong and diverse musicians. His vocal approach particularly in the chorus I found was a big take away from previous known material and he is singing a little out of his comfort zone which is very cool to hear (and see).
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Banks Arcade - EP Review: Fever Dreams
10 Jun 2020 // review by Kris Raven
NZ/Aussie 5-piece Banks Arcade recently released their game changing second EP and follow up to their debut EP, 2018’s Endnote. A lot has changed for the band in three years, members have come and gone, a move across the ditch and an incredible evolution in their sound and focus.
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City of Souls - Album Review: Synaesthesia
30 Apr 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Alright people, it’s here, it’s finally here!5 years in the making.
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These Four Walls - Album Review: This Is Not A Future
15 Apr 2020 // review by Kris Raven
These Four Walls, a household name in NZ rock since the mid 2000's, the now Australian-based alt rock four piece are about to release their third album This Is Not A Future and the timing feels eerily perfect, an album name never seemed more real right now. Beginning with The Sound, the opening lyric "All my life I've lived this song" is a hauntingly introverted revelation that gives you an indication on where this album will take you.
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Devilskin - Album Review: Red
01 Apr 2020 // review by Kris Raven
On album number four, RED is both a warning and a statement and Devilskin are here to deliver it in their most diverse and creative outing yet. Four years have passed since the release of their 2016 award-winning second album Be Like The River and as they come off the back of heavy national and international touring; Devilskin, one of NZ’s most beloved Rock/Metal bands is about to release their highly anticipated album in amongst the chaos of 2020.
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Crooked Royals - Single Review: Copacetic
19 Mar 2020 // review by Kris Raven
Crooked Royals are back! With brand new single Copacetic about to be released, Auckland progressive metalcore five-piece Crooked Royals are continuing their meteoric rise and adding to an already brilliant 2020 of music (and its only March!
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City of Souls - Single Review: Shimmer
27 Feb 2020 // review by Kris Raven
The time is drawing ever closer to the impending, highly anticipated release of NZ Prog/Alt Rock Metal legends City of Souls debut album Synaesthesia. Off the back of several (SIX) epic single releases in the last five years, we received not one, but two brand new singles this week, the beautifully haunting White Ghost and the groove inducing heavy banger Shimmer, which is out today!
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Secrets Of The Sun - Single Review: Wretched Tracks
13 Feb 2020 // review by Kris Raven
It’s always a good thing to hear of new music coming from the nation's capital, having been the hub of such huge and varying artists. However, in recent years there seems to have been a steady increase in bands and artists calling it a day.
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Streakers - Single Review: Saturated
14 Oct 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Christchurch 3 Piece Alternative Rock and roll machine Streakers have recently dropped their new single Saturated. The song takes me back to the 90’s, with the sounds of big chunky guitar riffs, pounding Grohl-esque drums and unique vocal stylings.
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Lakius - Single Review: Kaos High
25 Sep 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland 3-piece metal outfit Lakius have recently dropped their second single Kaos High, which is currently available in all the usual places. Formed from the ashes of long standing Kiwi metal act Broken Season, they have delivered a raw, aggressive and pummeling slab of 90’s influenced heavy music in the form of Kaos High.
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Sex Beard - Single Review: Undress for Success
18 Sep 2019 // review by Kris Raven
One of Christchurch’s (possibly the only) most notorious sexiest bearded quartets Sex Beard have just released their follow up single to Hauraki Radio’s Anthem Wakachangi Baby entitled Undress for Success. A song that is perfect for busting out your hip swinging moves, drinking a beer, rocking out and singing loud.
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The First Child - Single Review: Vore
11 Sep 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland 5 piece REI (not to be confused with Rei the NZ Hip-Hop artist) have just released their debut single Vore. Crossing genre lines by blending mathcore and emo is no easy feat but this is an example of original fusion done well and sounding unique.
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Seas of Conflict - Single Review: Prometheus/Eventide
28 Aug 2019 // review by Kris Raven
For anyone familiar with Seas of Conflict’s live shows, you will know that throughout the last year Prometheus has been the song that has been leaving fans in awe, pummelled by its sheer brutality. It is one of their heaviest songs to date and a crowd favourite with many people eagerly waiting for the song to be recorded.
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Outside In - Single Review: Blue Dragon
01 Aug 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland 5-piece Outside In have just released their third single Blue Dragon from their upcoming debut album. The progressive rock quintet has been busy this year after taking a lengthy sabbatical, reintroducing NZ audiences to their intellectually crafted brand of alternative prog rock.
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Pale Flag - EP Review: Emergence
25 Jul 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland’s Pale Flag are about to release their debut EP Emergence, which is aptly named considering their already stacked gigging CV. Having released their brutal first single In This Moment, their growing fan base can expect to hear 6 brand new heavy af bangers.
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Take Hold - EP Review: Disrepair
27 Jun 2019 // review by Kris Raven
I have seen Take Hold’s name pop in up various social media circles, posters and events but had not had a chance to check them out. Their debut five song EP Disrepair had me instantly hooked from the first listen, reminding me of past and present melodic hardcore bands from the 00's to the 10's and more recently.
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Animalhead - Single Review: Stone Face Killer
22 May 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Auckland’s favourite lads Animalhead on the lash are back with their massive third single Stone Face Killer. The ferocious trio are known for their chunky and funky riffs, massive groove, dabs of rap and blues, soaking it in rock and roll and turning out the party bangers for a throw down.
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Claemus - Singles Review: 'Rule of Two' and 'Progenitor'
16 May 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Hutt Valley's finest, Claemus, have just dropped the first two singles from their forthcoming EP. If the singles and previous works are anything to go by then our ears are in for some of the finest progressive rock/metal this year.
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Pale Lady - Single Review: Fear the Fun
18 Apr 2019 // review by Kris Raven
From the first listen of Pale Lady’s latest single Fear The Fun it instantly reminded me of Medieval times, with the harpsichord keys playing a little jig which is the intro theme to the whole song, it's fun and I did not fear it. Then the epicness begins, how can anyone not like duel guitars wailing and soloing melodically together carrying the anthemic tune into the battle.
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Crooked Royals - EP Review: Rumination
29 Mar 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Let's just start off by saying, Ruminations is 5-songs by Crooked Royals, who have leveled up in a big way. It sounds like a band who have found their sound with well-constructed songs that are cohesive, interesting, original and just HUGE.
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Cherry Blind - Single Review: Black Sheep
26 Feb 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Cherry Blind (formally known as Minimal Silence) have recently dropped 1 minute and 25 seconds of adrenaline soaked punk-rock-grunge-noise in the form of brand new single Black Sheep. A name change can always go a few ways but with a new single following afterwards, people can be rest assured they are coming out of the 2019 gates swinging and ready to launch.
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DRXNES - EP Review: Rattlesnake
21 Feb 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Whanganui 5-piece DRXNES released their latest EP Rattlesnake in January, beginning the year with three incredibly impressive and diverse tracks that take influence from multiple rock and metal sub genres but imprint the DRXNES stamp of solid song craftmanship, complexity and originality. The title track Rattlesnake opens with a hiss and then a roar of an opening riff that is set for the mosh to open up.
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Seas of Conflict - Single Review: Monachopsis
04 Feb 2019 // review by Kris Raven
Monachopsis"the subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place….”Surrounded but always alone is the statement and message that carries throughout Monachopsis.
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Mudbelly - Single/Video Review: On Fire
06 Dec 2018 // review by Kris Raven
The whole 'rock is dead thing' is becoming a little painful to hear these days. Sure, we get it, mainstream rock is dead to some, but like the rest of the world, NZ has some incredible rock music!
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Written By Wolves - EP Review: Prologue
14 Nov 2018 // review by Kris Raven
Firstly, let’s start by saying, Finally! Written by Wolves have dropped their debut extended play Prologue and I imagine for the band and fans this has been a long time coming.
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Blair Jollands - Album Review: 7 Blood
08 Aug 2018 // review by Kris Raven
I had never heard of Blair Jollands before, and I am always open for artists I have not yet discovered that can blow my mind. When I first heard the first single 7 Blood I was not disappointed.
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