One Louder Magazine… RESURRECTED!

One Louder Magazine… RESURRECTED

Introduction
Album of the Week
Honorable Mentions
Missed The Cut
Addendum
On The List
Looking Forward To
Fine Print
About One Louder Magazine

Hey gang,

We’re here for another round of the weekly Album Of The Week blog, woo-hoo!

I owe y’all a lengthier intro, but, unfortunately, this is not the week for that. I’ve got things to say, but I’ve been super-busy – hey, it IS summer! – and way too beat after the commute to add anything more than just my $0.02 review.

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There were a lot of great albums released over this past week, yet it’s the fourth consecutive week with no AOTW 🤯

There were a couple of STRONG Honorable Mentions over the past month which may eventually crawl up to AOTW (see below), but I need to spin them a few more times first:

June 26th, 2026: Child – Rebirth
July 3rd, 2026: Deep Purple – SPLAT!

Are you a casual fan who stumbled across this site? If so, be sure to SUBSCRIBE, as these are delivered every Thursday at 9 PM PT. With a subscription, you’ll be sure to never miss an issue!

😁 BE THE REASON SOMEONE SMILES 😁

Be sure to let me know what you agree / disagree with, etc… always fun to hear your opinions, too. Happy listening… and see you next week!

Cheers,

Troy

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Album(s) of the Week** – July 10th to July 16th, 2026:

None.

Honorable Mentions (in order by “popularity”*):

16,262,890 – Rolling Stones – Foreign Tongues

Holy shit!! I don’t listen to The Stones a whole lot, but when I do, I totally get it, totally love it! They are (arguably) one of the best bands ever with an immense catalog of great, great tunes. It doesn’t sound like they missed a step. Heck, this could’ve been dropped in the ’70s and would’ve fit right in. Classic Stones. If you’re already a fan, this release is a winner… and if you’re not, then steer clear!

From Townsend Music: “Foreign Tongues, the incredibly vibrant 14-track new album from the Rolling Stones, follows less than three years after the band’s universally acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning Hackney Diamonds, which topped charts worldwide and achieved multi-platinum success.

The album features standout performances from Jagger, Richards and Wood, alongside their core collaborators including Darryl Jones, Matt Clifford and Steve Jordan. It also includes a special appearance from Charlie Watts, captured during one of his final recording sessions before his passing in 2021.

Additional contributions come from an impressive line-up of guest artists, including Steve Winwood, Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, and Chad Smith.”

2,279,035 – America – Halcyon Days

Oh man, America (the band) is fantastic! Starring original band members Dewey Bunnell (vocals, guitars, percussion) and Gerry Beckley (vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, harmonica), their brand of soft rock is classic. They put on a fantastic live show, as well.

From Rough Trade Records: “America formed in England in 1970 by Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek, and Gerry Beckley. Achieving significant popularity in the 1970s, the trio was famous for their close vocal harmonies and light acoustic folk rock sound. Halcyon Days is a collection of re-recordings of their greatest hits, including “A Horse With No Name,” “Sister Golden Hair,” and “Ventura Highway.” Also includes the bonus track “A Horse With No Name” (A Score A Score remix).”

1,624,429 – Suki Waterhouse – Loveland

This was a really enjoyable singer-songwriter album, and I look forward to hearing more from her! In addition to being a singer-songwriter, she is also a model and actress (having played keyboardist “Karen Sirko” in the TV Series, ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’, among a multitude of others). This may be quite the comparison, but she (and the music) kinda sounds like Hope Sandoval and Mazzy Star. Just a lil bit! Keep ’em coming, Suki!

From amazon: “Suki Waterhouse, the indie pop storyteller behind the critically acclaimed Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, is back with her third album, Loveland. Featuring 14 new songs and co-written with some of music’s brightest luminaries, including Amy Allen, Aaron Dessner, Joel Little, Dan Wilson, Jules Apollinaire, and Natalie Findlay. Loveland charts the tender distance between who we were and who we are becoming – a meditation on identity, motherhood, and the quiet pull toward something truer. It is Suki’s most intimate and fully realized work yet.”

1,470,524 – Jack White – Frozen Charlotte

Well color me fuckin’ surprised. Everyone and their mothers seem to love Jack White (and his former band, The White Stripes). Me, though? I just haven’t gotten into his work, whether it be solo, White Stripes, Raconteurs, etc. Part of me believes that he/they were overhyped; I mean, hey, The White Stripes were not that great, I promise. Even if the band wasn’t “hyped” at all, I just didn’t care for the tunes.

Anyway, starting with 2018’s ‘Boarding House Reach’ and the releases since then – ‘Fear of the Dawn’ and ‘Entering Heaven Alive’ (both in 2022) and ‘No Name’ (2024) – I’ve become more and more impressed with his releases. As usual, it’s his trademark bluesy garage rock with just a pinch of punk. I love his guitar tone! It was well-received, as well, and deservedly so!

From Third Man Records: “Frozen Charlotte – the 7th studio album from Jack White – shows the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer at his best; backed by an incredible band (Patrick Keeler on drums, Dominic Davis on bass, Bobby Emmett on keys) whose collective hand is scorching hot after coming off a tour of universally acclaimed performances. Instead of resting on a “job well done”, they went straight to work in the studio and laid down what became Frozen Charlotte.

Recorded in White’s Third Man Studio in Nashville, this album shows Jack carrying on the same raucous, raw, and frenetic energy from his lauded 2024 album, No Name. 13 tracks of distinct feel and tone, Frozen Charlotte is an intense rock and roll punch with never far behind blues underpinnings…all of which fits right at home with long time fans while leaving an inviting open door to newcomers alike.”

1,413,364 – Thin Lizzy – Thin Lizzy [55th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition – 1971] (3 CDs / Blu-ray)

I am a massive fan of Thin Lizzy!! Unfortunately, I am more familiar with their latter-era output, having never (?) listened to their self-titled debut. There was no time like the present to be blessed with a ~3-hour excursion through that release. After listening, I still prefer their latter-era output, but you can hear the beginnings of what’s to come on this release. RIP Phil Lynott :-(

Disc one contains the original album as-is, as well as the original album remixed in stereo by Richard Whittaker, and discs two and three contain singles, session outtakes, jam sessions, John Peel Sessions, instrumental versions, and alternate takes, among other things.

From amazon: “Irish rock band Thin Lizzy released their debut studio album on April 30, 1971. The album was followed by the New Day EP, produced and recorded by Nick Tauber at Decca Studios and released in August of that year.

It was the band’s first album with the original lineup of Phil Lynott (bass, vocals), Eric Bell (guitar), and Brian Downey (drums). This album was Thin Lizzy putting all they had into the music and taking risks. It’s passionate, high-energy, and distinctive.

Celebrating its 55th anniversary, this Super-Deluxe 3CD/Blu-ray Audio set includes the original album alongside a new stereo mix from Richard Whittaker. Also featured is the New Day EP in both original and new Richard Whittaker mix, 15 previously unreleased tracks, including the studio track, “Beggar’s Song,” plus a first-ever Dolby Atmos mix. The entire set is housed in a rigid 10×10 box and includes a 40-page hardcover book with memorabilia and extensive liner notes by Mojo’s Mark Blake.”

1,411,177 – King Crimson – 2014 NYC (Live At Best Buy Theatre, New York, 2014) (2 CDs)

In a word: WOW! It’s King Crimson. It fucking ruled! KC is considered one of the first prog-rock bands, having formed in London, England, in 1968. They are still going strong today, although this is a look back at a live show from 2014. KC is not for everyone, but if you dig prog-rock, then they’re an absolute must-check out at the very least. The set list and delivery are absolute fire on this live release!

From Rough Trade Records: “For King Crimson, New York has long been central to the band’s history from the Fillmore East in 1969 to the acclaimed 2014 return of its bold three-drummer line-up. 2014 NYC launches a new live series documenting the band’s 2014–2021 era, compiled from four nights of multi-track recordings captured in September 2014. Featuring revitalised performances of classics including “Starless,” the set captures a band still reinventing its sound with precision and power.”

1,187,599 – The Head and the Heart – Live At Neumos (2011)

The Head and the Heart is a fantastic indie folk band, been listening to them for over a decade! The band’s self-titled debut was released 15 years ago in 2001, and this live album captures that early magic. I was unfamiliar with that album, so it was good to hear. I’m diggin’ this band… good tunes, good vocals, good stuff! Bonus points for being a Seattle-based band… and releasing a live album from a classic Seattle-based venue!

From Sub Pop Records: “Seattle indie-folk icons The Head and the Heart commemorate the 15th anniversary of their landmark debut album with the release of a 2011 live show at their beloved hometown venue Neumos. This double album captures a vibrant live set right at the moment the band was breaking out.

Live at Neumos (2011) features all the songs from The Head and the Heart’s platinum-selling self-titled album, plus two previously unreleased songs: the original “Long Time Away,” and a cover of Jimmie Rodgers’ “T is for Texas (Blue Yodel #1).””

734,875 – The Specials – Live From The Cathedral (2 CDs)

Man, I was listening to ska/reggae band The Specials when I was in HS in the ’80s. It was so great to hear these tunes again after such a lengthy absence from them. Not to mention that I’m a sucker for a horn section. Great live album and a nice way to go out with a bang!

From Townsend Music: “Recorded live at their iconic run of shows in 2019 at Coventry Cathedral, ‘Live from the Cathedral’ will be the next and final release of music from The Specials.”

301,544 – God Is An Astronaut with Jo Quail – Live @ Hellfest

Fully dig this band! It’s epic all-instrumental ethereal, spacey, soundscape tunes… or post-rock, as some call it. That album artwork is something to behold, as well… stunning! If you dig Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, Mono, et al, you’ll dig this!

From their bandcamp page: “We’re very excited to share our live performance from Hellfest.

Featuring Jo Quail on cello, this is the closest we’ve come to fully capturing the depth, weight and atmosphere of our live sound on record. More than just a live recording, it feels like a true document of where the band is right now, a performance we’re hugely proud of.”

Watch the full performance now on YouTube ARTE Concert.

http://www.arte.tv/de/videos/132692-035-A/god-is-an-astronaut/

Recorded live @ Hellfest 2026.

156,334 – If These Trees Could Talk – The Hidden Hand

Not a surprise that I’d fully dig this post-rock band / album. After all, the band was compared to the likes of Red Sparowes, Maybeshewill, Jakob, Caspian, pg.lost, Maserati, God Is An Astronaut, and more… all bands that I’m quite fond of. Really fantastic all-instrumental post-rock album… beautiful! Speaking of beautiful, how about that album artwork? Wow! This is the band’s first full-length release in a decade.

From Metal Blade Records: “In 2024, acclaimed instrumental post-rock band IF THESE TREES COULD TALK released a single, “Trail Of Whispering Giants,” the group’s first new music in eight years, and fans clamored for more. The wait is now over with The Hidden Hand, a full album of nine stellar, provocative songs set for release on July 10th through Metal Blade Records.

As drummer and band-co-founder Zack Kelly explains, “The IF THESE TREES COULD TALK experience feels like a slow, wordless conversation between the inner and outer world best consumed like the score to a cinematic picture or a space for meditation, healing, and clarity.

“This release means a lot to me not only spiritually but emotionally,” Kelly, who co-founded the band with drummer-brother Cody Kelly in 2005, continues. “There were a lot of ups and downs during the making of this album, and the journey took longer than anticipated, but the end goal is to make music that holds an emotional imprint, and I hope we have succeeded.”

The Hidden Hand offers the same range of dark and ambient landscapes as the band’s previous offerings but also brings a feeling of resolution. “As we all get older and our musical tastes evolve, it’s more of a challenge to keep the sound of the band in a specific lane and not venture too far away from where we originally started.”

IF THESE TREES COULD TALK focuses on capturing sonic power, utilizing the three guitars to cover different areas of the spectrum. Kelly elaborates, “It’s almost the same way an orchestra would be set up with the bass guitar covering cello, the rhythm guitars holding down the woodwind section, and the lead guitarist covering the strings section. No matter who comes up with a riff or where it starts, the end product must always have these three components present, especially when transitioning from clean to heavy tones.”

Longtime fans and newcomers alike will thrill to the album’s stunning first single, “Blurry Creatures.” Kelly notes, “The track embodies the raw nature of the IF THESE TREES COULD TALK sound by incorporating unrelenting riffs with epic highs and lows, ambient syncopated delays and a battle chant that stimulates the senses.””

94,157 – Jake Shimabukuro – Pop Experience EP

Jake is considered one of the (if not THE) de facto guys on the ukulele. A monster of a musician, so fluid, so easy and effortless… This is an all-instrumental, all-covers EP (except for the original composition, ‘Golden’) with pop songs as the primary focus, hence the album title.

The cover songs include ‘We Can’t Be Friends’ (Ariana Grande), ‘Die With A Smile’ (Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars), ‘What Was I Made For?’ (Billie Eilish), ‘Golden’ (original), ‘Angel’ (Sarah McLachlan), and ‘Vampire’ (Olivia Rodrigo). While I’m not as familiar with these tunes – as famous as they are – I still enjoyed his interpretation of them.

18,712 – Blueneck – Moonlighting

Blueneck is a British-based post-rock band that formed in 2000… yet this is my introduction to them, over a quarter of a century later! Better late than never, I suppose. Beautiful post-rock (w/vox) that has been compared to the likes of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, Sigur Rós, Cult of Luna, Mono, and more. They are on my radar now!

From Burning Shed: “10 years in the making, forged through chaos, illness and persistence, Moonlighting moves the listener from darkness to light. Blending haunting vocals, insistent electronics and guitars by turns crushing and crystalline, this is Blueneck’s most honest and emotive release to date.”

0 – Irata – Human

Nothing fancy, just four on the floor hard rock / alt-rock from this NC-based power trio. Reminds me a little of ASG meets Abrams. I’d never heard them previously, but they’re on my watch list now!

From Earsplit PR: “North Carolina power trio IRATA will release their long-awaited new full-length, Human, on July 10th via Small Stone Recordings.

Since their 2007 genesis at the hands of founding members Jon Case and Jason Ward, IRATA has mutated relentlessly. Through four previous records, the band has never sat idly in any specific style, while maintaining a signature mesmerizing and grinding pulse between bass and drums that permeates an enigmatic vision of heavy rock.

After releasing Tower in 2019 as a four-piece, IRATA is once again a trio and continues to push forward into new sonic territory. On Human, the band is building on the structures that have created some of its enduring favorites, namely, thundering bass riffs, hypnotic drums, and grandiose choruses. They do not sacrifice expression for refinement but manage to have it both ways.

Their progression is evident in the patience with which “Altar” leads off, a melodic confidence that overarches the eight included songs, and the atmospheres in pieces like “Slipped” and the expansive finale “Daystar,” but none of Human is so overblown as to give up its organically dynamic nature. And perhaps in an era marked by the advent of machine-made art, Human can be as much a statement of purpose as a declaration of self. In any case, with this collection of songs, IRATA’s focus on vocal melody and intricate riffing distinguishes them from a crowded underground sphere.

The record moves as two sides of one image, opening with reflections of a final chapter, and closing with reflections of a new beginning through transformation; a story being told as it’s lived. What could be more human than that?

Of the record’s lead single, “Altar,” guitarist Owen Burd notes, “‘Altar’ explores one perspective of an unbalanced ending, represented musically through hypnotic passages of introspection cut with explosions of emotion.”

Human was recorded with longtime friends Hunter Allen and Adam Joyce of The Bronzed Chorus at Amplified Acres in Liberty, North Carolina, and mixed by J. Robbins at The Magpie Cage in Baltimore, Maryland.

Fans of Jane’s Addiction, The Smashing Pumpkins, Helmet, Shiner, SHUN, and the like, pay heed.”

Missed the Cut (in order by “popularity”*):

24,759,396 – Future – The Real Me

Nayvadius DeMun Cash (bka Future) is a massively popular rapper, and I’ve never been into his stuff as much as I’ve tried. There are newer acts that work pretty well for me, but for the most part, I lean towards the older-era rappers. Wild fact: Future has seven kids… with seven different women!

11,185,744 – Ne-Yo – Highway 79

Shaffer Chimere Smith (bka Ne-Yo) is a wildly popular R&B artist. I’ve never been a fan, but this release is unique in that he infused his trademark R&B vocals within the framework of a country album. So, more or less, it’s an R&B vocalist fronting a country band. Not my scene, but I applaud his efforts.

3,428,454 – Juicy J, Project Pat – Dem Goats

Jordan Michael Houston III (bka Juicy J) is one of the newer rappers I like. That said, this one was a bit of a letdown.

1,658,613 – Adam Lambert – ADAM

Wow, this was exceptionally bad. Lambert was one of the American Idol finalists (2009)… the “metal” guy. I recall hearing some of his other stuff and was surprised that it was pretty rockin’, but this was some horrible dance-pop meets Top-40 pop/rock. Absolutely terrible.

669,626 – The Plot In You – The Plot In You

I did not care for this metalcore album, but I did find the release rollout of it interesting, if nothing else. The band released a series of EPs over the past four years, each of the first three containing three songs (nine songs total). This completes the tetralogy with three additional songs for a 12-track full-length. In the end, though, it’s still a pass.

536,907 – DevilDriver – Strike And Kill

Man, I have tried and tried and tried, and I just can’t get into this band… As usual, just grinding groove metal with lame growly vocals. Musically, there is some interesting riffage going on here and there, but then it gets ruined vocally. Meh.

522,652 – Finn Wolfhard – Fire From The Hip

Finn Wolfhard is Mike Wheeler from the TV series ‘Stranger Things,’ and this is his sophomore solo album. Unfortunately, while this release is much better than the debut, his lo-fi bedroom rock album is not really my thing… but hats off to him for giving it a go!

451,805 – Kelela – new avatar

Yo, I dig me some good R&B from time to time – and she has an incredible voice! – but I just found the album to be rather boring… but hey, don’t listen to me. It received bangin’ reviews from a multitude of sources.

124,429 – Allison Russell – In The Hour of Chaos

This Canadian singer-songwriter lies firmly within the pop, folk, alt-country, and Americana community. She has a really great voice, but this is just an album I don’t see myself reaching for again.

31,655 – No Cure – It Is Going To Get Dark

A brutal mix of death metal and extreme hardcore from this Alabama-based band. This is their debut. I won’t listen to it again, nor will I follow ’em.

From amazon: “Alchemizing chaos into caustic and catchy heavy music, No Cure’s new album “It Is Going To Get Dark” is rooted in airtight extreme metal, D.I.Y. hardcore, and dyed-in-the-wool Alabama spirit.

Whereas their previous record embodied the Southeastern experience, the band’s new album observes a world in decline. But No Cure don’t simply stare into the abyss, they spit in its face, spewing potent and poetic sonic venom of their own.”

14,050 – Nine Pound Hammer – Too Outlaw For Outlaw Country EP

Nine Pound Hammer is a band that’s fun… for a listen, but not much more IMO. They mesh (outlaw) country, Southern Rock, punkabily/cowpunk, and more. The music/tunes are meh-ish, but the lyrics are downright hilarious. The winner (and why I’ll be following the band for future releases) is indeed… the lyrics.

9,629 – Twisted Teens – Florida Water Blues

NOLA-based punk-country duo. It’s actually not as horrible as it sounds – and is kinda fun in parts – but as a whole? Yeah, it’s a pass.

1,392 – Koyo Bloom – Distance

Wow, so this release was a mindfuck for me. I follow the band Koyo, a punk-pop band hailing from NY. It was noted that the band Koyo changed their name to Koyo Bloom. But as I listened, I was thinking, “…this sounds nothing like their previous release, WTH?!” Did some research, and there are (or at least there *were*) two bands named Koyo. This band (who updated their name to Koyo Bloom) is a British-based band that plays terribly boring psychedelic rock. Pass on Koyo Bloom (formerly known as Koyo), but keep an eye on Koyo ;-)

970 – Jane Getter Premonition – Transmogrify

Jane and her friends are incredible musicians, no question, but I found myself kinda bored with this release. Prog-rock that is perhaps a bit too jazzy for me… or jazz that isn’t proggy enough?

923 – Blackstaff – Drowner EP

Blackstaff is a “blackened death/doom metal solo project” featuring musician/vocalist Dustin Cleary… and he’s local [Seattle!], no less! I didn’t care for the music or vocals… at all. I didn’t suffer for too long, though. It’s only three songs and has a run-time of 20:22. I may not have cared for the EP, but I love the story behind it (read ahead)!

From Earsplit PR: “BLACKSTAFF will unleash its earthshaking new EP, Drowner, on July 10th.

Born in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state in 2022, BLACKSTAFF is the passion project of multi-instrumentalist and dark fantasy nerd Dustin Cleary. Inspired by thirty years of reading and writing horror and fantasy books, a decade of practicing Germanic heathenry, and a lifetime of video and tabletop roleplaying games, each record is an exercise in storytelling, world building, the occasional homage to other worlds dear to the writer’s heart.

Incorporating elements of many flavors of extreme music, BLACKSTAFF shifts from lurching, Sabbathian riffs to blastbeat crescendos and moody electronic passages as the story being told requires. With a focus on thick, wall-of-sound instrumentation and extreme vocals ranging from shrill whistle-shrieks to guttural growls and everything in between, it may seem surprising that Cleary’s songwriting sensibilities owe more to the riff-heavy rock bands of old than traditional death or black metal, favoring a clever riff or satisfying climax over an atmosphere of oppression for its own sake.

Testing the boundaries of its own musical limits, increasingly incorporating “found sounds,” noise synth, and keyboard passages, with each new release BLACKSTAFF continually redefines its own artistic purpose, but the primary objective remains to take the listener on a journey to another world, and there to crush them into dust.

Elaborates Cleary, “The Drowner EP itself is a story inspired by a concept in folklore and expanded upon by my favorite nerd lore – Tolkien, Warhammer: Age Of Sigmar, and others – about the Will-o’-the-Wisps or ‘hag lights’ [atmospheric ghost light seen by travelers at night, especially over bogs, swamps, or marshes].

“In the story, these lights lead unwitting travelers deep into the swamp and into a certain pond where something waits for them. Some are pulled down and consumed or made undead; others are delivered to the swamp’s true master, to suffer and be harvested for parts. In track three [the EP’s lead single], ‘Flesh Golem,’ we see what ultimately becomes of these parts. This turn of events was inspired by a certain big news story, and this is my vision of the afterlife for one travel agent for the rich and famous who may have met a conveniently untimely demise before his day in court.

“My vision with this release,” he continues, “was to make something where each track flowed into the next effortlessly, and track numbers were just a place to jump in and revisit parts of the story. The flow of this record was greatly inspired by bands like Pink Floyd and Uriah Heep, while the style of music draws more from blackened doom and death records.”

Drowner was recorded at Dark Stick Studio, mixed by Todd Purnick/Beware Of Jesus, and mastered by Nettleingham Audio and Todd Purnick. The EP will be released digitally on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms, with a CD edition to follow at a later date.

Fans of Thou, Mizmor, Chained To The Bottom Of The Ocean, Mortiferum, and the like, pay heed.”

874 – Pylar – Delyrio

Uhhhh, WTF did I just listen to…? Like, seriously, it’s roughly 38-some odd minutes of experimental doom / drone metal with a HEAVY emphasis on “experimental”. I shall not listen to this again, and if I’m lucky, they won’t cross my path again, either. Terrible. <—and that’s what I said about their last release, 2023’s ‘Límyte’. So I guess I didn’t learn my lesson, ha!

636 – Arise From Worms – A Bleeding Tree Hanging Self Destruction

I went into this album with high hopes and low expectations. Unfortunately, the low expectations are what ended up working out on this release. The band lists their music as death metal meets jazz metal meets prog-metal. It sounded interesting on paper (read ahead), and the band is comprised of some true technical badasses, but at the end of the day, the tunes just don’t whet my whistle.

From Church Road Records: “Arise From Worms is the brainchild of guitarist Sonny Lombardozzi. Not just a musical project, but an outlet for him to push the envelope of extreme music, challenging the listener to leave behind preconceptions of genre limitations and to approach the music with an open mind. In his exploration of the musical outer limits, he is joined by fellow seasoned pros Steve Tucker (Morbid Angel) on vocals, Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy) on drums, and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Steve Vai, Malmsteen, Kiss) on keys. An all-star lineup that grabs the attention of any metal/progressive music enthusiast.

The project began whilst Sonny was on tour with Morbid Angel. Sonny explained the concept of the band to Steve Tucker, who was intrigued and fully committed to getting involved. Sonny wasted no time and began handwriting transcripts for what would become the earliest Arise From Worms material whilst on tour.

Once off the road, plans for the band were fully cemented with Flo and Derek joining the fold. As a taste of things to come, they released their 2022 self-titled EP, which quickly sold out of its first vinyl pressing. This EP featured the track ‘Axes of the Void II’ with guest vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade (ex-Nile).

Having laid the foundations, the band is now ready to release their defining statement with their debut studio album ‘A Bleeding Tree Hanging Self Destruction’, set for release on July 10th via Church Road Records.

Fans of all the musicians involved will be satisfied by this release, but not due to knowing what to expect, but by hearing something completely new and groundbreaking. Sonny has made it his mission to tap deep into some of the world’s forgotten music and lesser-known theories, scales, and harmonies. For people with musical theory understanding, Sonny has incorporated the double harmonic major, F#Lydian #2 #6, and the Ionian Aug#2 into his compositions. Combining jazz fusion with classical music theory has given the band its own sound of unique harmonies and odd time signatures.

If you’re looking for music to take you to new places and to question your understanding of song structures, then look no further. ‘A Bleeding Tree Hanging Self Destruction’ is here to break your mind wide open and leave you to pick up the pieces. Set for release via Church Road Records on July 10th.”

571 – Ealdor Bealu – Graves of the Silent Plain

What a disappointment. Ripple Music is a label that typically hits triples and home runs (and occasionally grand slams). I’m not even sure this release is worthy of a single, much less a walk. It sounds like a garage rock band that is just starting out, and their focus is on psychedelic rock. They released three albums prior to this, but if this album is any indication, I haven’t missed much, if anything. Thumbs down to the music and vocals. Pass.

332 – Shadow Of Jupiter – Bones

Damn. Another miss from the fine folks over at Ripple Music. This band aims for that ’70s proto-metal meets doom metal. It’s “fine”, but it just ain’t “IT”. Solid album artwork and decent enough tunes, but it just doesn’t push me over the edge. What’s next?

17 – Spread The Disease – The Darkness. The Dread. The Suffering. 

Heavy AF death/black metal album… and their first full-length in nearly 30 years! Too blistering for this old guy’s taste. What’s next?

0 – Semantron – Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart

Semantron is the solo project of YOB drummer Dave French (among a multitude of other projects he’s a part of). I love the idea on paper (read ahead), but was underwhelmed by the tunes. Fun fact: A “Semantron” [Greek] is an ancient percussion instrument used primarily in Eastern, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic monasteries to summon monastics to prayer. Another fun fact: “Krummholz” [German] refers to a type of stunted, twisted vegetation found near the timberline on mountains or in harsh coastal areas. Derived from German (meaning “crooked wood”), it describes trees deformed by fierce winds, extreme cold, and ice into dense, low-growing mats.

From Earsplit PR: “Multi-instrumentalist Dave French – most widely known as the powerhouse drummer of Yob – arrives with his solo venture SEMANTRON, and the project’s entrancing debut LP, Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart.

Dave French has not only performed around the globe as a member of Yob, but he’s also played drums with Tad Doyle’s Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth, been a live collaborator with Steve Von Till and his Harvestman project, produced records for members of Soundgarden, and much more throughout his life in music. For several years, he’s been traveling with a classical guitar, writing songs in backstages and hotels, during ferry crossings, in remote landscapes, and quiet moments on the road. These pieces gradually evolved into SEMANTRON. The name of the project comes from an ancient monastic instrument: a plank of beech wood struck rhythmically with branches to call monks to meditation. The word itself is so old that its original pronunciation has long been lost to time. French chose the name because the music shares a similar purpose—slow, resonant, and meditative.

In the Winter of 2023, French rented an off-grid cabin at the foot of Mount Adams in Washington State, where he began recording the core guitar tracks for fifteen songs. Six of those pieces became SEMANTRON’s debut, Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart. The title draws on the alpine phenomenon of krummholz—trees near the limits of survival that become bent and twisted by relentless wind and harsh weather. For French, the image became a metaphor: a heart shaped by the forces of life yet still rooted and alive.

Performing every instrument on Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart, recording acoustic foundations in the mountain cabin before completing drums, bass, electric guitars, and vocals between his home studio and the rehearsal space of Yob, French blended acoustic and electric textures with field recordings gathered from the natural world: ravens and owls, alpine wind, rivers, stone percussion from mountain talus slopes, rhythms played on living trees, and even the slow dripping of meltwater from an Icelandic glacier. The record was mixed by Nathan Yaccino (Soundgarden, Norah Jones, A Storm Of Light), mastered by Tad Doyle (Tad, Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth), and completed with art/layout by Dave French.

The result is deeply immersive music that unfolds patiently, drawing the listener into a meditative landscape of sound. The result is immersive and deeply personal music—patient, atmospheric, and elemental—echoing the expansive spirit of Pink Floyd and the ritualistic beauty of Dead Can Dance.

But SEMANTRON is not a side project. Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart is the first chapter of a body of work Dave French has been quietly cultivating for nearly four decades. Fans of Steve Von Till/Harvestman, Dead Can Dance, Pink Floyd, Earth, Brian Eno, and Nest will want to embrace this project now, as much more is in store for the months and years ahead.

With the album’s first single, French reveals, “‘At The Feet Of Friendship’ is at once an homage to the spirit of friendship and an offering laid at the feet of that spirit, and I now place it at your feet. Blended with the ‘conventional’ instrumentation of guitar, bass, synth, voice and drums are sounds I recorded in nature: trees knocking together in the wind, stones settling in a high mountain rockslide, ice breaking underfoot, the voice of a raven chopped into percussive sounds, and more.”

French has booked several SEMANTRON performances in support of the album’s release, including a record release show in Seattle on July 10th where he’ll be backed by a full band. He’ll also perform solo SEMANTRON sets while supporting Steve Von Till playing Spokane, Pioneertown, and Cottonwood in August. Further live updates will be posted shortly.

SEMANTRON Live:
7/10/2026 The Rabbit Box – Seattle, WA
8/19/2026 The Big Dipper – Spokane, WA
8/23/2026 Pappy & Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA
8/26/2026 Queen B – Cottonwood, AZ

Some musicians learn their craft through imitation. Dave French began with visions.

As a child, he experienced synesthesia, perceiving musical sound as shifting shapes and movement in his mind. When he first sat behind a drum kit at twelve years old, formal instruction lasted only two lessons. Learning other people’s music felt like it would interfere with translating those inner forms into sound, so he chose a different path—one built around exploration rather than imitation. At eighteen, he picked up the guitar and began writing songs before learning traditional chords, focusing on composition rather than studying existing music. For years, he kept that creative world separate from his public musical life, playing in bands exclusively as a drummer while quietly developing his own language as a songwriter.

Around that same time, he acquired a cassette four-track recorder, beginning a recording journey that now spans more than three decades. Soon after, he formed his first band, performing his own songs. A move to France, first Paris, then a small village in the south, became a turning point. In the musical isolation of rural France, he began to shape a sound that finally felt personal enough to share.

After returning to Seattle, French took over a recording studio and began producing records professionally, including recording and producing the first solo album by Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden. During the same period, he maintained his own band featuring Shepherd on guitar while also joining Tad Doyle’s band Brothers of the Sonic Cloth as drummer.

French’s career soon expanded into the live music world. He ran sound at music venues around Seattle and later toured as a sound engineer for artists including Sleep, Om, and Boris. He also spent years working as a stage technician for artists such as Soundgarden, Neurosis, and others.

In 2020, the pandemic brought that chapter to an end, but another chapter was already unfolding. French joined the live ensembles of Steve Von Till—both his solo project and Harvestman—performing synth, Moog bass, percussion, guitar, bass, and backing vocals. Soon after, he was invited to become the new drummer for Yob, replacing the longtime drummer of twenty years.

Yet throughout the years of touring, another body of work had quietly been taking shape. That now arrives as SEMANTRON.”

Addendum (in order by “popularity”*) – Albums that were released earlier in the year (or previous years) that I missed, but are worth mentioning, anyhow:

1,299,189 – Ella Langley – Dandelion – [April 10th, 2026]

My God, she has an amazing voice, one that could melt butter on a frigid day. Unfortunately, it’s a country album, and I’m not a fan of most country artists. It’s a pass… except for her voice. It was very well received by fans and critics alike.

From amazon: “Ella Langley, who has redefined the next wave of country music with her magnetic, unmistakable voice and fearless songwriting, has announced her highly anticipated sophomore album Dandelion, out April 10 on SAWGOD/Columbia Records.

Co-produced by Ella, Miranda Lambert, and Ben West, this 18-track album, which features her #5 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Choosin’ Texas,” is one about growth and carries a deeper symbolism of hope, healing, and resilience.

In Ella’s own words: “I’ve thought about this record every single day for the last year and a half, and I’m so excited to finally say: ‘Welcome to Dandelion.’””

410,407 – The Cat Empire with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra – Live At Sydney Opera House (2 CDs) – [May 22nd, 2026]

I believe my review of 2025’s ‘Bird In Paradise’ put it succinctly: “The Cat Empire – Bird In Paradise – I was ready to write this off before I even listened to it… and I’m glad I didn’t! It’s a fun, upbeat mix of funk, ska, reggae, jazz, Latin, and even straight-up rock. Plus, there’s a horn section that just kills! They’ve been around since 1999, but they’re new to me. Better late than never!”

This live album makes me believe that they’re super-fun live, too! Killer shit!

From Rolling Stone Australia: “The Cat Empire rework ‘Bulls’ with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for its 10-year anniversary and upcoming Sydney Opera House live album.

There’s usually a good reason for a song to be re-released, and The Cat Empire’s reimagining of “Bulls” is no exception. The band has teamed up with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to reinvent the iconic track, not only for its 10th anniversary, but as part of a bigger project to celebrate one of the band’s most memorable live performances to date.

“Bulls – Live at Sydney Opera House” — released on March 16 — captures The Cat Empire’s highly celebrated 2024 concert collaboration with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, while also amping fans up for their encore concerts later this year.

“This version really reinvents what it was,” lead vocalist Felix Riebl said of the new “Bulls” track in a Spotify promo video. “And it’s a testament to one of my favourite shows that I’ve ever done with the band.”

While it’s a trip down memory lane, the new release takes on a completely new form that reflects the band’s mix of different global influences — think the OG Afro-Cuban fun, but with the power and impact of a bold new orchestral arrangement. This combination is also true for their encore Sydney Symphony Orchestra shows returning to the Sydney Opera House this August, with the new arrangements of the classics written specifically for this collaboration.

Following on from their early days on club circuits and festival lineups, The Cat Empire’s work with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra feels spot-on for the creatively and culturally diverse outfit, reinterpreting their catalogue — mixing Afro-Cuban, Seychellois Creole, Brazilian, and flamenco influences — to go even further musically with a full orchestra. While The Cat Empire’s tunes can be beautifully unpredictable, one thing’s for sure: every performance they deliver is a whole load of fun, and the encore Sydney Opera House shows will be no exception.

For anyone who’s been in the audience of a Sydney Opera House concert, or, more specifically, a Sydney Symphony Orchestra performance inside the magnificent Concert Hall venue, the unique kind of magic these collaborations bring can’t easily be explained. If you missed out on the 2024 shows, it’s also a great opportunity to see The Cat Empire as you’ve never seen them before.

Led by Riebl’s instantly recognisable vocals, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for the eclectic band, with a heavy roster of live shows, almost 23 years since The Cat Empire released their debut album back in 2003. The Cat Empire kicked things off with the Red Hot Summer Tour alongside other Australian greats like Missy Higgins and Paul Kelly, and will close out the year with a South American tour.

In between, of course, are their 2026 Sydney Symphony Orchestra concerts, heading to the Sydney Opera House this August 27, 28, and 29, and featuring world-class flamenco artists Arte Kanela alongside a large choir.

If you can’t make the concerts, you can listen to the 2024 concerts that started it all. The entire 18-song Live at the Sydney Opera House album drops on May 22, 2026 — including “Bulls – Live at Sydney Opera House”, The Cat Empire’s most-streamed song “Two Shoes”, and favourites like “Still Young” and “Lost Song”.”

2,459 – CJ Wildheart – DEViL – [June 26th, 2026]

Ten punk songs clocking in at a hair over 33 mins. Not a single dud on this release, fuck yeah!

From Devilspit Records: “So here we are again with me launching a brand new solo album DEViL.

I believe it’s solo album no8, yes 8, amazing that I’ve managed to make it to this point. Again, I’m working with my long-term studio drummer Jason Bowld and my friend and producer Dave Draper. I’m a creature of habit and believe if it isn’t broken, leave well alone.

I’ll be honest, I really struggled with this one, not so much writing it, but trying to find the drive. Each year it gets harder to survive as an independent artist, and I always put in 100 percent into everything I do and this time round I came so close to just stopping. I am so thankful I didn’t, as I poured my frustrations into this album and my passion, I believe shines through.

I hope you embrace these songs and I thank you for supporting my solo endeavours. Without you, I am nothing.”

Stay Free CJ

On the List (in order by “popularity”*) – Albums that I didn’t get to (yet) for one reason or another. Will (hopefully) get to them at a later date:

Only listing ones that made me take notice, not everything…

None!

Looking forward to (in order by “popularity”*) – These albums will be released this week and should be in next week’s AOTW blog:

9,469,901 – Gracie Abrams – Daughter From Hell

2,196,851 – Motionless In White – Decades

1,903,230 – Kasabian – ACT III

1,053,449 – Tesla – Homage

576,688 – Loathe – A Stranger to You

247,334 – Haken – in a fever dream EP

219,626 – Protest The Hero – Within

198,503 – The Menzingers – Everything I Ever Saw

149,908 – Yard Act – You’re Gonna Need A Little Music

102,755 – Quicksand – Bring On the Psychics

…and several others. Some that I am looking forward to and others not so much.

———————————————————————————————

Small print that’s normal size print:

*These albums are listed in order by “popularity”. Wait, what? How? By no means is it a measured calculation. They’re listed in order by number of ‘followers’ on Spotify. While it is listed by Spotify ‘followers’, the order would (most likely) be similar if looking at the number of ‘likes and/or followers’ on each band’s social media pages. Speaking of “popularity”, there is a bolded red number. This number (more or less) represents the number of Spotify ‘followers’ at the time of review.

**Album of the Week. No promises, but I will do my best to NOT include Greatest Hits, Best Of, Live releases, re-releases, etc. Even if these “new” releases include a ton of bonus goodies, multiple unreleased tracks, demo versions, etc, I’ll still (try to) hold off.

All albums are listened to IN FULL unless stated otherwise.

Some artists are quite controversial. My goal is to review the album on its own merits, not based on the history, beliefs (political or otherwise), police records, and/or anything else that could be considered “unsavory” of the artist(s).

(Almost) all albums are hyperlinked. I link in order by Bandcamp first, YouTube next, then Spotify last. This is so you can check out (AND PURCHASE) the album, if interested. I do and hope you do, as well!

Do you have any friends or family who might be interested in this weekly blog? If so, send ’em this way!

Until next week…

Cheers,

Troy