Wolves In The Throne Room • Aluk TodoloHeaven, London, 30-11-17 Photos by Angelique Le Marchand

Guido Segers caught up with Sen Fang from Chinese metal band Black Kirin, to find out more about what it’s like to be a metal band in China.

Emma Ruth Rundle, Jaye Jayle, FvneralsBush Hall, London, 16.12.2017 Photos by Magda Campagne Please do not use the photos without the photographer’s permission.

Oathbreaker, SyndromeScala, London, 16.12.2017 Photos by Simon Kallas Please do not use the photos without the photographer’s permission. 

For many years we’ve been getting a little bit of shit from the black metal scene saying, “You guys have wimpy vocals.” And we say, “OK, fuck off, listen to something else.” Then we go to the prog scene, and they’re like, “What’s up with the screaming? Sounds like the guy’s swallowing a toothbrush!” We’re like, “Are you actually aware that the word ‘progressive’ has to do with change, and moving forward?!”

Emotionally uplifting, expansive doom metal that breaks out of the genre. A must have.

Simply put, Igorrr is one of the most unique acts in metal (and about 87 other different genres) today, and a live experience that, while bruising and slightly mind-melting, I can’t recommend highly enough.

There is a surprise factor on this EP, Reflexson has decided not to take solely a well-trodden path but also bring in some ideas that are not usually associated with the IDM genre.

And So I Watch You From AfarKoko, London, 23.11.2017 Photos by Simon Kallas Please do not use the photos without the photographer’s permission.

They have one of the most consistently strong back catalogues in the scene today, and a show which backs that up and more.

Boy Azooga have this innate ability to strip everything back and play around with the bare bones of a song before generating an energy that is unparalleled . . . the chemistry and understanding they share when playing together is a joy to witness.

Ho99o9, Kate Mo$$, PuppyElectric Ballroom, London, 13.12.2017 Photos by Adrienn Pucher Please do not use the photos without the photographer’s permission.

City Life reminds me of the likes of Murder City Devils, Rocket From The Crypt, and Dead boys. If you like any of those bands, or some great punk rock-n-roll, be sure to check out City Life from Austin TX!

Just across the Russian border though, a small scene has been brewing in Karelia. A prominent band in these parts is СатанаКозёл, which translates as SatanaKozel (Satan’s Goat). Guido Segers caught up with drummer drummer Nickolai Kuskov to find out more.

Despite touring with incredible artists . . . and having had albums out on code666, Important and Candlelight Records, Vampillia continue to allude most ears, it seems. If this is you, finish this review and then get hunting some streams online. . . The band were simply staggeringly good.

Mikko von Hertzen talks about the band’s excellent new album, War Is Over, their changes of approach and harnessing creative differences to be the best band they can be.

An absolute treat. A stream-of-consciousness album, five tracks of mind-expanding, ambient darkwave electronica that merge into one soundtrack for the inner spaces of the mind.

The Melvins & Redd KrossElectric Brixton 31.10.17 Photos by Angelique Le Marchand

For Charlottas Burnin Trio, all we can ask is that we hear some more music very soon from them. These really are interesting times for psych.

From The Amity Affliction’s opening scream of “I bring the weather with me,” the tone is set for the rest of the show – I’m not sure if there was a chorus that didn’t get screamed back at them, often louder than they could manage.

“Again there are influences, people like Biafra, Rollins early on in Black Flag, Albini. A bit of Iggy. Nick Cave even, with The Birthday Party”.