Review: Pioneering Japanese psychedelic rock Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. (AMT) were formed in 1995. Their relentless output has spawned various offshoots over the years, such as Acid Mothers Temple & the Cosmic Inferno and Acid Mothers Temple SWR, synthesising and alien cosmo-grammar in sound, one that perhaps only the most acid-casualtied tongues can interpret or speak. Now present through Rolling Heads comes their latest album for 2025: Holy Black Mountain Side comprises three psychedelic pieces, reticulating a series of recording sessions held down between 2021 and 2023, at one point reinterpreting a traditional folk song, and throughout enlisting guest bass from Taigen Kawabe of Bo Ningen. Each record comes wrapped in unique artwork by lead improvisor Kashiwagi Ten, adding an extra layer of veiled mystery to each: no two records are visually alike.
Basking In The White Of The Midnight Sun: a) Warning Comin' On/b) Basking In The White Of The Midnight Sun/c) Brother Ego/d) Basking In The White Of The Midnight Sun (reprise) (11:27)
Review: Part of the wider Megami Tensei video game franchise, Persona 4 is a 2008 role playing title that hit Japan, and made a huge impact, in 2008. Set in a fictional version of the Land of the Rising Sun's countryside, players adopt the character of a high school student who moves to the small town of Inaba from the city to experience rural living for 12 months. Mysterious murders ensue, and it's up to you - or whoever's got the PS2 controller - to work out what's happening. It's typically deep dive stuff for a country that has always had a very unique relationship with video games. Atlus, the developer, already had a reputation for making beloved scores for its titles, and this one is no exception, although broke the mould compared with preceding instalments in the saga. Way more upbeat, it's a mixture of bubblegum dance pop, chip music, high intensity synth rock, urban-hued J-pop, and 'toon jazz.
Review: The Persona 5 Megamix Vinyl Soundtrack distils the essence of the game's legendary audio into one electrifying album. It's a curated selection that pulls from hours of jazzy, stylish and emotionally charged music that defines the whole mood and aesthetic of the game. From iconic bangers like 'Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There' and 'Last Surprise' to atmospheric gems like 'Beneath the Mask' and 'Rivers in the Desert,' these tracks brim with hooky musical character and also plenty of narrative weight. With remixed album art by Drew Wise, this is a sleek, essential tribute to one of gaming's most unforgettable soundtracks.
They Took Control Of You (CD 1: Atomic Rooster - Released In 1980)
She's My Woman
He Did It Again
Where's The Show?
In The Shadows
Do You Know Who's Looking For You
Don't Lose Your Mind
Watch Out!
I Can't Stand It
Lost In Space
Throw Your Life Away (bonus tracks - B Side Of single 1980)
Browken Windows (Recorded In 1980)
Do You Know Who's Looking For You (demo 1980)
Don't Lose Your Mind (demo 1980)
He Did It Again (demo 1980)
Lost In Soace (demo 1980)
End Of The Day (demo 1981)
Hold It Through The Night (demo 1981)
No Change By Me (demo 1981)
Play It Again (demo 1981)
Moonrise (Last Recording 1981)
They Took Control Of You (CD 2: live At The Marquee club 1980)
Death Walks Behind You
Watch Out!
Tomorrow Night
Seven Streets
Gershatser
I Can't Take No More
In The Shadows
Devil's Answer
Do You Know Who's Looking For You?
Review: After a five-year split, Atomic Rooster returned with renewed force on their sixth studio album, Atomic Rooster, pushing into heavier territory sligning au naturel with the emerging new wave of British heavy metal. Released in 1980, the album marked a sharp turn from their earlier, more progressive leanings, favouring a nude, aggressor rock sound. Guitarist and vocalist John Du Cann reworked two tracks, 'She's My Woman' and 'Where's the Show?', from his unreleased 1977 solo work The World's Not Big Enough, breathing into them second life within the Rooster framework. Though the 2005 CD reissue stirred interest with rare demos and extensive sleevenotes, it remains an "unofficial" release due to copyright issues with EMI. 'Do You Know Who's Looking for You?' later found new life via a Finnish-language cover by rock band YUP.
May I/Rheinhardt & Geraldine/Colores Para Dolores (9:36)
Lunatics Lament/Pisser Dans Un Violon (12:57)
The Oyster & The Flying Fish/Underwater/Clarence In Wonderland (12:25)
Red Green & You Blue/Shooting At The Moon
(5:47)
Review: Hailing from Herne Bay in the south east of England, Kevin Ayers emerged as a pioneering figure in the nearby Canterbury scene. His second solo release with the Whole World is a testament to the experimental spirit of early 70s UK music, mixing progressive rock with psychedelia and avant-garde influences, blending whimsical ballads and intricate soundscapes. Tracks like 'May I?' and 'Rheinhardt & Geraldine' show off his knack for fusing carefree melodies with more experimental structures, while 'Underwater' and 'Clarence in Wonderland' explore the era's boundary-pushing approach to sound. Featuring contributions from Mike Oldfield and Robert Wyatt, the record's genre-defying nature helped cement Ayers as a key figure in progressive rock. Though originally released in 1970, this album remains an influential work, still resonating with contemporary artists drawn to its mix of playfulness and musical innovation.
Review: Calibro 35 recalibrate with Exploration, a fresh dive into cinematic jazz-funk marking their first full-length LP on the independent since 2023's Nouvelle Aventures, continuing the path set by last year's 'Jazzploitation' EP. Yarning vintage soundtrack stylings with contemporary groove, the Milan group balance reverent covers - like Roy Ayers' 'Coffy' and Bob James' 'Nautilus' with bold, golden originals. Lead tune 'Reptile Strut', not to mention 'The Twang' and 'Pied De Poule', twine round taut rhythms, lush horn lines, and evocative cinematic textures. The band tips its hat to touchstones like Herbie Hancock, Lalo Schifrin, and Italian great Piero Umiliani, whose 'Discomania' appears on the accompanying limited clear blue 7" single, backed with 'Jazz Carnival'.
A Tempestuous Noise Of Thunder & Lightning Heard (3:05)
Om Mani Padme Hum (part 1) (4:14)
Yane No Mori (5:18)
Tialocan (5:27)
Om Mani Padme Hum (part 2) (3:37)
I Should Build The Man A Statue (5:02)
Forgot The Cry Of Gulls (3:12)
Om Mani Padme Hum (part 3) (2:48)
(The Song Of Life) (2:48)
It Can't Rain All The Time (5:19)
Review: The soundtrack for Risk of Rain 2's Seekers of the Storm, is here making its vinyl debut, and it's an edition fans won't want to miss. Composed by Chris Christodoulou, with a special contribution from Stavros Markonis, this release brings some atmospheric and powerful music to life on a stunning looking record. The vinyl itself is a visual treat, featuring a striking blue, white, dark green, sky blue, and black marbled design. This soundtrack is housed in a beautifully crafted gatefold sleeve with artwork by Daniele Giardini. Christodoulou's compositions delve into new, unexplored territories with a blend of intense and emotive pieces. The use of a seven-string guitar adds a new layer of depth to the music, delivering some of the most elaborate and heavy tracks ever written for the series. Markonis' contribution introduces a fresh sound, seamlessly integrating into the Risk of Rain universe while also bringing something unique to the table. The recent uptick in soundtracks released on vinyl have really shown that fans love connecting with the music of many movies and TV shows. Even if you may not know the series, this is one the best in recent weeks for you to enjoy.
Review: German progressive rockers Everon have returned after 16 years, led as ever by guitarist and vocalist Oliver Philipps. Known for their intricate melodies and deft fusion of classic prog rock with a modern sensibility, the band's latest offering showcases their signature sound that made them stand out in the late 90s and early 2000s. Despite the years apart, the group's musical chemistry remains intact, with their technical prowess and Philipps' emotive voice providing a solid foundation. However, this reunion comes with a heavy heart as recording process was marred by the sudden death of drummer and co-founder Christian Moos. The poignant 'Until We Meet Again' serves as a tribute with lyrics reflecting the sorrow of losing a close bandmate. Tracks like 'Travels' and 'Broken Angels' continue to embody Everon's knack for melodic rock with progressive flourishes, while 'Pinocchio's Nose' and 'Guilty As Charged' show their ability to mix heavier, more complex arrangements with accessibility. The band's blend of the epic and personal, coupled with their finely tuned musicianship, makes this a compelling return after such a long hiatus.
Black Market/Running The Dara Down (part 2) (10:02)
Sightseeing (7:45)
Cocktail/Walk Tall/Agharta (10:34)
Dream Clock (6:28)
Abstraction (3:08)
Can It Be Done (4:26)
Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz (5:19)
Fast City (6:39)
Domino Theory (7:45)
Face On The Barroom Floor (3:59)
Review: Luniwaz LIVE is the sound of Scott Kinsey paying tribute to Joe Zawinul and Weather Report, not by basic imitation, but through fearless reinvention. The album was recorded live in Prague and brings Zawinul's spirit to life with raw energy and deep improvisation alongside Kinsey's seasoned rhythm section. As part of that, Hadrien Feraud and Gergo Borlai join forces with rising saxophonist Patrick Bartley Jr to blend jazz mastery with modern flair alongside guest appearances from Pedro Martins, Meredith Salimbeni and Bobby Thomas Jr, who further elevate the sound. Far from an exercise in nostalgia, this is a great reimagining of a jazz legacy.
Review: Studio album number 11 from legendary French outfit Magma, now reissued on 180g vinyl, marking a vital return to new composition after nearly three decades. Written by founder Christian Vander in the early 2000s and performed live for years before recording, the material fuses operatic vocals, rigid minimalism, and the band's signature invented language, Kobaian. 'Ekmah' and 'Teha' move like liturgical invocations, while the choral repetitions of 'Les Hommes Sont Venus' sound as if channelled from another realm entirely. Vander's drumming is restrained but authoritative, a quiet force guiding the momentum beneath 'Zahrr' and the ecstatic climax of 'Felicite Thosz'. There's a sense of ritualised propulsion throughout, as Magma treat rhythm not as groove but as mantra. It remains singular music: hermetic, alien, and undeniably spiritual - a rare return from a band that have always existed somewhere outside of time and genre.
Review: Originally released in 1990 and celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Frizzle Fry was the debut full-length from avantgarde funk metal absurdist trio Primus. Known to normies as the band who penned and performed the South Park theme song, those more in the know should be aware of the bold staying power and creative fearlessness this album exuded, whilst signifying that the heavier realms of alternative rock and metal didn't need to be all leather clad angst. Arriving at a similar time to the self-titled debut from Mr. Bungle, the early 90s began with earnest outsider attempts to push the envelope before grunge would come along and be completely devoured by the mainstream machine. Funded with money from the sales of their initial 1989 live album Suck On This, by the time of recording, original guitarist Todd Huth had departed the group, being replaced by mainstay Larry LaLonde playing many parts written by his predecessor. Boasting the band's breakout single, minor radio hit and longtime fan favourite 'John The Fisherman', this reissue duplicates the 2002 remaster and includes the addition of their double whammy cover of The Residents' 'Hello Skinny/Constantinople'.
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