Debrecen, Hungary. CD Inverse Records 67 mins Experimental progressive rock www.ghosttoast.hu https://www.facebook.com/ghosttoastband Rating 90/100 Debrecen is the second-largest city in Hungary and was previously labelled  ‘the Calvinist Rome’ due to a religious...

This is a direct continuation of the work displayed by Samantha on the Fly Bird Fly EP which came out a few months ago, except this time around she has managed to secure the services of drummers Mars Slater Vitai and Olive Konai, who between them share the duties on...

This three-track EP is the latest release from Poneke-based quintet {Pass The Peas}, who describe their music as Wasabi spicy Rock n' Roll, whatever that means. To my ears it means they play mid-paced alternative pop rock with a strong concentration on the gravelly...

2021 was a wonderful musical adventure for me as I threw myself into the NZ music scene, and towards the end of the year I realised that with nearly 200 reviews of local music I really should work out my Top 10 singles, EP’s, albums and gigs (check out...

There is always that little hint of concern when reading a press release for a new EP and realise it contains a quote from yours truly for the single which was taken from it. How would they take it this time around if I panned this release? Luckily, I have always...

This is the debut single from Auckland-based quintet Fool’s Lagoon. Mark, Connor, Joe, Matt and Joshua have created a bright and summery indie pop jangler which is heavily guitar-based yet is somehow light and airy throughout. The rhythm section bounces along, the...

Jonathan Downes is a naturalist, cryptozoologist, author, editor, filmmaker, poet, novelist, activist, journalist, composer, and singer-songwriter, best known for being the Director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology. On top of all of that, I am so pleased to be able...

Over my years of friendship with Thierry Sportouche, I have become used to envelopes turning up from time to time with either books or CDs which he believes I may find interesting. The CDs always used to be ones he had been sent for Acid Dragon and he was wanting me...

There is nothing pleasant about this whatsoever, and nor is it designed to be. This is not music to listen to gently in the afternoon as pleasant background to calm the children, but rather is a dystopian metallic nightmare to be played on headphones incredibly loudly...

17 Tracks 70.32 Mins Bergen Label Rec90 (Not sure though if the same label for reissue?) https://myspace.com/sistersonny https://www.facebook.com/Sister-Sonny-130555516995401/ Rating 85/100 Following their formation in 1994 and according to ‘Discogs,’ Bergen-based...

Band From Bad Camberg, Germany Private Press 60 min CD https://choclatfrog.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.facebook.com/CHoclat-FRoG-100510692173896> Rating 90/100 Out of the ashes of the German band ‘The Stock’ and more specifically the ‘Ludwig’ percussive...

  Labels: Crispin Glover Records, Glassville Records Norway 39:57 https://www.facebook.com/soupsound https://soupsound.bandcamp.com/ A top score 10/10 album Generally, there is just so much fine progressive styled rock music being released these days that it is...

Svart Records 2019 Finland https://cleaningwomen.bandcamp.com/album/intersubjectivity Rating 85/100 Despite the fact that this loony bunch generate their music utilising a strange assemblage of slung together homemade instruments the overall effect is totally amazing....

Brian left Aotearoa some 40 years ago to find fame and fortune in Australia, and after a successful recording and touring career he has now returned home, setting up a studio and settling in an off-the-grid permaculture farm north of Auckland. His long-time sparring...

Class, sheer class. When I first heard this a face kept popping into my head as to who this reminded me of, but it took ages for the synapses to snap and finally it came into focus, Richard Marx. This is a song which is incredibly well written and arranged (and from a...

It has been a couple of years since the last release from South Auckland boy Brent West, but he is now back with his latest single. Run From The Fear is fairly lengthy for a single, at more than 5 minutes, and is packed full of emotion and angst. It is reminiscent in...