The inherent miserablism of the band means that despite all the gauzy dreaminess of the music the songs remain largely earthbound and stubbornly unlovable. By Chris Ball.

Shimmers and soars in the traditionally gloomy, fringe hiding face fashion, but with a liberal sprinkling of eastern flavours thrown in for distinctive measure. By Rich Buley.

Ægeria will see POSTVORTA further enhancing their status as a rising force in the world of post and black metal. By Rich Buley.

The music here engages with you emotionally, it makes you feel something – fear, anticipation, tension – it’s all here and feels very palpable even from the very first listen. Get it, crawl into it, and lose yourself in it for hours. By Stuart Benjamin

As the so-called psych rock bandwagon rolls inexorably on in 2015, it is entirely appropriate for one of the old guard, the visionaries, of psychedelic guitar music to step back into the limelight now and let everyone hear what ‘psych’ should really sound like. By Rich Buley.

An album of supremely executed, instrumental post rock, underpinned by an inherent understanding of ambient drones and sonic landscaping. By Rich Buley

It’s cinematic in scope but also knows when to explore the more darker recesses of the mind. Psychedelic in that sense, it owes much more to the likes of Kraftwerk and surprisingly, early Simple Minds. By Martyn Coppack

Too many artists who attempt this style of music radiate more heat than light, full of sound and fury but signifying nothing. That is what is so heartening about this album. Sure, these guys can play their socks off but there is heart and mind at work, elevating Language from the run-of-the-mill to the quite brilliant. – By Chris McGarel

Back From The Abyss is yet another terrific album from Orange Goblin. Each of the tracks puts out a clear invitation to bang you head, pump your fists in the air, slurp beer and make a general nuisance of yourself. – By Rob Thompson

There’s ample detuned guitars, solid, powerful drumming, brick walls of feedback and harsh, screamed vocals. Just as you want an Eyehategod release to be. – By Nick Dodds

Melodic, heavy and massively rewarding. EtHERSENS offer up a progressive gem. – By John Sturm

An enticing fist full of melodies, noise and potent aggression [[[[[[[[[[ or option 2: ]]]]]]]]]]] a ferocious slab of ruthless blackened metal that brilliantly fuses a storm of molten rage with itchy experimental melody. – By Dave Allan Guzda

A tremendous release from one of the best new old metal bands around. – By Rob Thompson

Quintessential and essential new album from prog titans. Lengthy, melodic and amazing. – By John Sturm

It’s the breathtaking feeling of an adrenaline rush combined with electro-organic soundscapes warning you of an approaching apocalypse. By Stephen Lee Clarke

Scarecrown have an excellent singer. They also play excellent music. So why does this confuse our reviewer so much? – By John Sturm.

This a wonderful blend of rock, funk, soul and space. Guildford’s Traffic Experiment show the big boys how it’s done. By John Sturm

Growing old disgracefully with Mudhoney…

When it comes to Icelandic music, the few exports that gain exposure on these shores tend to go down with something close to unabashed devotion – from Bjork (and The Sugarcubes) and Sigur Ros to the less well known Mum, 2012 sensations, Of Monsters & M …

‘… We sequenced the entire album before I tackled the lyrics, which was a new process for us.’ This is what Cursive’s frontman, Tim Kasher, told me in my interview with him a few weeks back. ‘New processes’ are all over the band’s forthcoming seventh …

I have to confess that I am a bit of a fanboy when it comes to Scottish musicians and bands. My fascination with all things Scottish began with Fish and Marillion (and Fish solo) in my teens, then bands like Teenage Fanclub in my early adult years, and …