Back catalogue: Metal

Review: While many would chalk California's Papa Roach up to being another flash-in-the-pan late 90s/early 00s nu-metal outfit who had a few major singles and nothing more, dig a little deeper and their consistency and longevity makes them quite the exception to the rule when compared to their once peers in other forgotten groups such as Spineshank. Gearing up for what will be their 12th full-length studio album to be released later in 2025, serving as follow up to 2022's Ego Trip, the band have opted to reissue their much adored ninth LP Crooked Teeth. Originally released in 2017, the record has been praised for its sonic balancing between the more radio-rock oriented sound of their latter-day output and the dusting off of their rap-metal "old school" style prevalent on cuts such as the lead single title-track that swings from grooving hard rock to full on digitally produced rap bars, while a further signalling to their past selves in the modern era comes from the guest feature by hip-hop/pop-punk/pop star Machine Gun Kelly on 'Sunrise Trailer Park'.

Review: Having recently struck internet-age meme-gold thanks to iconic frontman (and sole original member) Bobby Liebling's iconic, seemingly "drugged out" gaze whilst performing live on stage, there really could be no more ample time for doom metal pioneers Pentagram to be releasing a new album. Returning a full decade on from 2015's Curious Volume, the band's ninth full-length Lightning In A Bottle offers up yet another entirely new revitalised lineup featuring guitarist/producer Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere), drummer Henry Vasquez (Legions of Doom, Saint Vitus, Blood of the Sun) and bassist Scooter Haslip (Mos Generator, Saltine), while the decades of performing, touring and admitted drug addiction have done little to dilute Liebling's looming presence and powerful vocal cadence. Unmistakeably still Pentagram, complete with heaving grooves and occult charisma, the material doesn't simply rethread past glories, but makes a vital case for the band's inarguable place in the doom metal cosmos, with Liebling balancing his aura with sobering introspection of his own years of opioid abuse on standout cuts such as 'Dull Pain' or the haunting 'Lady Heroin', where he ponders - "Lady Heroin, have I seen the last of you?" We hope so, Bobby, but we hope to see plenty more of you eyeballing fans in the front row whilst getting your macabre groove on.

Review: Originally released in 1990 and celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Frizzle Fry was the debut full-length from avantgarde funk metal absurdist trio Primus. Known to normies as the band who penned and performed the South Park theme song, those more in the know should be aware of the bold staying power and creative fearlessness this album exuded, whilst signifying that the heavier realms of alternative rock and metal didn't need to be all leather clad angst. Arriving at a similar time to the self-titled debut from Mr. Bungle, the early 90s began with earnest outsider attempts to push the envelope before grunge would come along and be completely devoured by the mainstream machine. Funded with money from the sales of their initial 1989 live album Suck On This, by the time of recording, original guitarist Todd Huth had departed the group, being replaced by mainstay Larry LaLonde playing many parts written by his predecessor. Boasting the band's breakout single, minor radio hit and longtime fan favourite 'John The Fisherman', this reissue duplicates the 2002 remaster and includes the addition of their double whammy cover of The Residents' 'Hello Skinny/Constantinople'.