ALBUM REVIEWS BY MARK JENKINS. STANDOVER, THE OWEN GUNS, CARVING VOID , METH LEPPARD AND STOLEN GUN.

 



ALBUM REVIEWS BY MARK JENKINS. STANDOVER, THE OWEN GUNS, CARVING VOID, METH LEPPARD AND STOLEN GUN.

THIS KILLER MIXED BAG OF REVIEWS FOCUSES ON ZERO BOLLOCKS AND STRAIGHT UP HONEST OPINIONS OF THE RELEASES THAT HIT OUR DESK.


STANDOVER-When A Clenched Fist Is No Longer An Option.


Talk about an album cover that suits the music to a tee. This is nasty and meaty metallic hardcore from NZ, and it is sensational. Standover’s debut full-length record is a masterclass in metallic hardcore brutality.

The album is built for chaos: thick, aggressive riffs, thunderous low-end, and relentless, pulse-pounding rhythms dominate every track. The guitars are sharp and textured, giving each song a brutal identity, while the lead work leaves a lasting impact without ever sacrificing intensity. The production, helmed by Vasely Sapunov and further refined by Francesco Petrelli, is crisp and modern but never polished to sterility—every note feels raw and immediate, capturing the band’s live-wire energy. And the vocals sound so caustic and pissed off.



Lead single Forever Contempt sets the tone with its uncompromising energy and violent aggression, a perfect introduction to the album’s uncompromising approach. Tracks like Gloom, Doomed, and Watch It Burn are loaded with riffs that could ignite any pit, while End You and Dead To Me showcase the band’s ability to balance heaviness with groove. Even the brief Interlude offers a moment to catch your breath before the onslaught resumes.


This album is thoroughly confrontational and unapologetic, rooted in the tradition of classic hardcore (think Ringworm, All Out War and Integrity) but elevated by metallic ferocity and modern production (in the style of Crowned Kings, Imprisoned and Mindsnare, etc). The lyrics and delivery are as uncompromising as the music, channelling frustration, anger, and defiance into every moment.

Highlights:
Every track is sensational and malicious as hell. I can only recommend you listen from start to end.

When A Clenched Fist Is No Longer An Option is one of the most punishing underground hardcore releases of 2025. Standover have crafted a record that’s not just heavy—it’s urgent, cathartic, and built for the chaos of the pit. For fans of metallic hardcore and those craving raw, unfiltered aggression, this album is essential listening.

Out June 9, 2025:


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THE OWEN GUNS-Songs About Fucking Idiots.


The Owen Guns return with Songs About Fucking Idiots, a record that doubles down on their reputation for no-frills, old-school punk and razor-sharp satire. Released May 22, 2025, the album is a blistering, unapologetic collection that skewers targets both personal and political with equal ferocity. Easily their most irate release, this is a stunning mix of punk and rock 'n'roll.



From the opening blast of Worst Wishes—a 79-second grenade of spite and sarcasm—the tone is set: this is punk rock stripped to its essentials, with nothing fancy or remotely technical. The band’s approach is refreshingly direct, with each track delivering a punchy dose of cynicism and humor. Whether they’re taking aim at social media narcissists (Instagram (Some Cunt on)), government failures (Robodebt), or everyday irritants( Cleanshirt), The Owen Guns maintain a relentless pace and piss-funny attitude.


The lyrics are as biting as ever, blending humor, anger, and pointed social commentary. Tracks like Bullshitter and Had Enough showcase the band’s knack for channeling frustration into catchy, raucous anthems. There’s a sense of catharsis in the band’s willingness to “take the piss out of everyone and everything,” holding nothing sacred and leaving no idiot unscathed.


Recorded at Jay Whalley’s Pet Food Factory Studio, the album captures the band’s live-wire energy and unfiltered sound. The performances are tight but never polished to sterility, preserving the rawness that defines DIY punk. Mastering is sensational as it was handled by Bob Weston, a true independent music wizard, oh and was Steve Albini's right hand man and also bassist in Shellac.


Songs About Fucking Idiots is a triumphant middle finger to complacency and conformity. The Owen Guns deliver a barrage of short, savage tracks that demand to be played loud and on repeat. For fans of classic punk who crave authenticity, wit, and a healthy dose of irreverence, this album is a must-listen.

Out now:

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CARVING VOID-Suffocate All Life.

Wow, hadn't heard this band and thank fuck I did.
Suffocate All Life, is a relentless statement of intent from the Dresden/Leipzig quartet, pushing the boundaries of death metal and metallic hardcore with sharpened political and existential focus. The music is as biting as the lyrical focus it covers.

The album is rooted in a potent blend of death metal’s bleak urgency and hardcore’s confrontational energy. Across nine tracks, Carving Void weaves together pounding rhythms, guttural vocals, and moments of black metal atmosphere. The production, handled by Lukas Haidinger, is brutally dynamic but balanced, letting the savage riffs and vocals shine through. I loved how it has solid modern prduction, but has that evil live sound the music deserves.



Suffocate All Life is as ideologically driven as it is musically forceful. The sharp sociopolitical lyrics tackle systemic violence, the rise of fascism, environmental destruction, and the psychological toll of living under oppressive systems. Tracks like Entrained by Hate and The Architects of Disgrace address rebellion and resistance, while Fragments Under the Black Sun delivers an unflinching condemnation of fascism. The title track, written during the 2022 Iran uprisings, channels the spirt of defiance and resilience, and Mindgrinder explores mental exhaustion and the grind of daily survival under exploitation.


Carving Void’s Suffocate All Life is a fiercely political and emotionally charged record that doesn’t pull punches. The band’s willingness to confront uncomfortable realities—be it fascism, environmental collapse, or mental health—sets them apart in the modern heavy music landscape. 

A essential, hard-nosed album for fans of groove-driven death metal and hardcore who crave both sonic brutality and substantive, resistance-driven lyrics. Carving Void have delivered a record that is as urgent as it is unrelenting.



METH LEPPARD-Gatekeepers.

Hell yes, sounds like the absolute soundtrack to all my justified shitcanning of pretenious and talentless bands.The always brilliant Meth Leppard have dropped their masterful second full-length, Gatekeepers,which is a furious, unfiltered blast of grindcore that cements the Adelaide duo’s place among the genre’s most savage acts with these furious ten tracks in under fifteen minutes.



From the opening title track, Meth Leppard wastes no time: there’s no buildup, no excess, just immediate immersion into a pit of distortion, blastbeats, and guttural vocals. The production is raw but intentional—it accurately captures the band’s live ferocity and helter-skelter energy. In a genre where brutal riffs can blur into noise, Meth Leppard stand out by putting memorable, riff-driven hooks front and center, balancing their unyielding speed with moments of groove and mountainous breakdowns.I adore power violence driven grindcore, as it is utterly bullshit free and all about crushing tone and insane pace.

Highlights:

Algorithm & Blues surprises with a swaggering midtempo section before returning to grind chaos.

Oligarchy Bukkake and Snake Oil Salesman showcase the band’s knack for weaving in thrash and hardcore elements, combined with some wild tempo changes.

Mind-Ctrl-Alt-Delete and Idiocracy demonstrate near-mechanical tightness, with the latter merging all of Meth Leppard’s strengths—blastbeats, groove, and feedback—into the album’s insane closing track.

While Meth Leppard’s song titles and lyrics are laced with humor and absurdity, the music itself is deadly serious. The band delivers scathing commentary on modern absurdity and societal collapse, all while maintaining a tongue-in-cheek attitude that keeps things from feeling preachy or self-important. 

Gatekeepers is merciless grindcore distilled to its purest, most explosive form—raw, riffy, and executed with absolute conviction. Meth Leppard are here to grind until nothing’s left—and Gatekeepers proves they do it better than most.

Out now:

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STOLEN GUN-Demo 2025.

Stolen Gun’s Demo 2025 arrives as a thrilling new chapter for heavy music, bringing together an all-star lineup from The Acacia Strain, No Cure, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and Pure Bliss. The project, spearheaded by Vincent Bennett is nasty, full of gritty hardcore that is completely influenced by power violence and grindcore.From the opening moments, Demo 2025 bursts with a raw, invigorating heaviness that’s sure to excite fans of death metal and hardcore alike. The chemistry between band members is palpable; each track feels meticulously crafted yet brimming with spontaneous energy. There’s a sense of musicians simply having fun and pushing each other to new heights, and that infectious spirit translates directly to the listener. 


The demo’s sound is unapologetically heavy and punishing, but it’s never one-dimensional. Riffs hit with precision, the rhythm section is thunderous, and Vincent’s vocals are as commanding as ever.

Every track , even the damn intro is brutal and remorseless in it's intent. For a band composed online and by distance, this is incredible and needs both live shows and a full album. Killer!!!.

Out now:




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