Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg

An instant classic from a band with true heart. 

Dead Kings - Dead Kings

This self-titled release clearly represents a group who puts a great deal of thought and effort into their music, and as a result will begin to reap the benefits of doing so in the forthcoming year.

After The Fall - [In] Exile

After the Fall needs to re-capture the youthful and raw dynamic they possessed in their formative years. [In] Exile is a decent release in many respects, but after five years, it is time to lift the game.

Nexus - The Paradise Complex

‘The Paradise Complex’ may still have a way to go before stacking up against international contemporaries however, if we are to look at the album in isolation, we see a band with potential and an overriding musical will. Having already supported bands such as Behemoth and Bloodduster, Perth’s Nexus seem well on their way.

Daylight - Sinking

Despite borrowing a lot of influence from 90’s emo/post hardcore the music does not sound dated or completely rehashed. It’s refreshing to hear a current band melding some of the best aspects of the movement and cohesively bringing it together.

Short Stack - Stack is the New Black

Definitely not worth listening to if you’d like to keep your ears.

Young Heretics - The Dreamers

This EP is unlike anything I have heard before, so much so that I had an incredibly hard time trying to find bands similar for the ‘Fans of:’ section of this review – and ended up just putting down The Hush Sound, as I couldn’t think of anything else.

But I digress.

The Dreamers EP manages to show exactly how much musical chemistry Kitty and Matthew share, and that is a fuckload of chemistry. It encompasses so many aspects of mystery, darkness, suspense and dreamy prose that manage to come together flawlessly withKitty and Matthews pure vocals in a way that’s almost haunting and full of magic at the same time.

It will leave you lost for words, and wanting more.

The Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate

Heavier than an elephant’s scrotum, Black Dahlia have proven once again why they will remain at the top of the pile for heavy music.

Born Of Osiris - A Higher Place

There is some great musicianship displayed on this album. Most of the songs are well crafted and when combined with the ultra crisp studio job of famed metal producer Zeuss, it’s not a bad listen. However, the attempts at doing something innovative and left of centre don’t always come off and it proves to be a bit hit and miss.

The Nation Blue - Rising Waters

If you don’t like this you’re probably an idiot.