Riot Act

It’s the moooost won-der-ful tiiiiiiime, of the yeeeeear. Or rather, it would be, if Steve and Remfry weren’t tasked with re-listening to all their favourite music from the past year and attempting to put their favourite 20 albums into some arbitrary list of preference! Excessive sadfishing aside, 2021 has been an extraordinary year for new music and whittling it down to just 20 albums each has been a tougher task than ever (yes, we know we say that every year). We’re spreading the Riot Act Albums of the Year over 4 episodes this year, with this episode counting down from 20 - 16. On top of that, we take a look at our favourite EPs of the year. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

On this episode of Riot Act Reviews we are looking at the 6th studio album from alt-rock legends Failure, Wild Type Droid. Since reforming in 2015 Failure have been one of the exceptions to the rule that your post-reformation material can’t live up to your classics, putting out two albums of exceptional quality. This time around the band have hinted that they will be putting the space and sci-fi themes they have been working with since 1996’s legendary Fantastic Planet album to bed. So does Wild Type Droid close the book on this chapter of Failure’s career with a happy ending? Or are they going to crash this ship entirely?... you probably already know what we think, but have a listen anyway would you. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

On this week’s show, we explore the idea of image and how it has evolved to encompass not just an aesthetic look but carefully crafted lore and mythos that listeners can delve into and explore outside of a band’s music. Is image a vital component to becoming a hugely successful band in the 21st century? Is it a coincidence that bands with a striking aesthetic - Ghost, Sleep Token, Creeper, even Code Orange - have gained significant traction in a relatively short period of time? How and why is image relevant to an auditory medium? We also draft in Metal Hammer editor Merlin Alderslade to get his perspective and what significance a band's image might (or might not) have on editorial decisions made in the magazine. On top of that, we discuss the Adele shuffle kerfuffle, the grammys' lack of self-awareness and the new album from Cynic as well as live reviews of Rolo Tomassi, Mogwai and Sleep Token. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/p

It’s time for another review from Steve and Remfry on Riot Act Reviews, where we collect our thoughts regarding a significant or interesting recent album that our hosts have heard. On this episode we are diving deeper into the underground than we have previously done so on this portion of the show by looking at Breaking the Trauma Bond, the 4th studio album from London goth-black metal band Voices. Featuring members of cult UK extreme metal band Akercocke, Voices received a little bit of attention and critical love for 2014’s London album but it is here on their fourth record where Voices have really found their… er… voice. This is a sixteen track, 68 minute meld of Danzig, Killing Joke, Satyricon, Bauhaus and Type O Negative, and we wanted to bring it to your attention. https://youtu.be/akywKvHcx_g (An Audience of Mannequins (Official Lyric Video)) https://churchroadrecords.limitedrun.com/products/709987-voices-breaking-the-trauma-bond-pre-order (Like the sound of the record? Why not order a copy from our go

We have been champions of Idles pretty much since our inception here on Riot Act, giving high praise in particular to the way they've managed to inadvertently infiltrate the mainstream without compromising on their ideals, sound or vision. Despite that however, we will admit to being slightly hesitant towards 2020's Ultra Mono. Not a bad album by any stretch (and let's not forget, a record that saw them reach #1 on the UK albums charts) but in our estimation, it didn't bring all the much to the Idles party that we'd not previously heard on breakthrough album Joy as an Act of Resistance or their 2017 debut Brutalism. Fourth album Crawler then, has a fair bit riding on it; do the band continue to stomp forward with more boisterous noisy compositions, or do they try and polish themselves into a more mainstream proposition? Interestingly they might well of done neither of those things ... but, is it any good? https://youtu.be/t7aktt5cDqs (The Beachland Ballroom Video) https://youtu.be/Cw7jO

It’s time for your weekly dose of alternative music news and opinions from us here at Riot Act. Steve and Remfry discuss t-shirts and slippers (not sure why) before we talk about what could be the biggest week of new releases this year. Mainly courtesy of the new album from Adele, obvs.  We then get into a news story that maybe shouldn’t be that big, but seems to have taken on a life of its own over the last week, the performance from Brass Against at the Welcome To Rockville festival in Florida, which featured lead vocalist Sophia Urista… ummm… was caught short onstage and… errrr… relieved herself on a willing volunteer. We look at the event, the fall out, the outraged response and ask, really, is it that big a deal? We also asked our followers on Twitter what the most unusual thing they had ever seen during a gig was, which provoked some eye opening, and watering, anecdotes. All of which seem far more shocking than the events of the weekend, and include on stage curries, naked crowd surfing, prosthetic limb

We are delighted to bring you the Riot Act review of Bloodmoon: I, the first collaboration album between Boston hardcore legends Converge and California’s gothic auteur Chelsea Wolfe. Having first got together in 2016 for some wonderfully received shows at Roadburn festival and in London, where both Steve and Remfry witnessed the union first hand, it’s been quite a wait for original material from this particular pairing. And whilst, to some, the marriage of scabrous, noisey hardcore and dark gothic laments may not be an obvious fusion on paper, that is to ignore the many seismic sonic turns both artists have made in their career. But playing live together is one thing, can these two unique voices coalesce into one cohesive songwriting unit here? Listen to find out.  Blood Moon Video https://youtu.be/a-7uiDx45JM (https://youtu.be/a-7uiDx45JM) Coil Video https://youtu.be/591_kaZf1oM (https://youtu.be/591_kaZf1oM) This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartabl

Emma Ruth Rundle has become something of a favourite of ours over the years, with 2018’s On Dark Horses and her recent collaboration with Thou both getting enthusiastic thumbs up from Remfry and Steve on previous episodes. But her latest album, Engine of Hell, marks a stylistic change from all her previous work. Rather than the expansive, full-band, reverb-drenched sound she's become synonymous with, Engine of Hell is stripped back and almost unbearably emotionally exposed. Return Video https://youtu.be/ZFLoVW_J0lM (https://youtu.be/ZFLoVW_J0lM) Blooms of Oblivion Video https://youtu.be/Pn12FvaaRMI (https://youtu.be/Pn12FvaaRMI) Buy / Download / Stream: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXdma2VtdEo0X1VIelF2bHFZSjJtczI2WGdBUXxBQ3Jtc0ttWEFRTDBNLWJTZGRxZFdVSkhFT0E5cjdRQ0U2X1prM3ExQTZrM2F6RVJGSkItNFRRU054bVlKM3lXMmhVN1hoTlFOd0F3UTdMOWQyU2syZVBVR3FOWTdSTkFRamtueklNNjZhcmJxWjhfRGlxaFc5cw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fffm.to%2Ferr-eoh (https://ffm.to/err-eoh) This podcast

It’s a somewhat somber episode this week as Remfry and Steve try to piece together the events that led to nine people (eight at time of recording) losing their lives at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival in Houston, Texas. A criminal investigation is under way to try and ascertain what caused such an unnecessary loss of life as well as the hundreds of injuries sustained during the melee last Friday night. We try to make sense of a tragedy that ultimately, should never have happened and discuss the potential factors that led to it. Is Travis Scott himself to blame? The promoter Live Nation? Security? Poor infrastructure? The fans themselves? All of the above? We look at all the factors that potentially contributed to the highest number of accidental deaths at an official US concert venue since the Station nightclub fire in 2003. A lighter, somewhat more jovial second half of the show is a discussion of some of our favourite music media outlets, a chance for us to recommend other music enthusiasts and their po

On this episode we review Diorama, the second full length album from Danish blackgaze crew Møl. Back in 2018 their debut album Jord was one of Remfry’s favorite release of the year, Steve liked it too… probably not as much if we’re being honest though. But, due to our hosts' dual appreciation of the band there is certainly a high level of expectation for Diorama. Will the record live up to those expectations? Well, we’re not going to tell you that here! But, with artists as diverse as Darkthrone, Alcest, Iron Maiden… er… AC/DC, Oasis and Kings of Leon all getting a name check in this episode, you can at least expect some fairly surprising revelations. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Originally posted September 9th 2020 on https://www.patreon.com/riotactpodcast Remfry and Steve discuss a record that features members of Sepultura (Max Cavalera), The Dillinger Escape Plan (Greg Puciato), Mastodon (Troy Sanders) and The Mars Volta (Dave Elitch). The rule of super-groups dictates that surely, despite the calibre of musicians, this would be a crock of shit … but no! By finding the time to flaunt each individual member’s skills, whilst still maintaining the sense of a coherent and (perhaps most importantly) ‘proper’ band, Killer Be Killed is actually mag-bloody-nificent. Steve admits that his response to the record might have been too tepid upon release whilst Remfry manages to (shock-horror) get a reference in about post-rock … whilst talking about a heavy metal record. #branddedman This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Welcome to another edition of Riot Act Reviews, where Steve and Remfry look in depth at one of alternative music's recently released albums of considerable note.  On this show we look at the new album from American singer songwriter Lana Del Rey, Blue Banisters, the follow up to her Chemtrails Over The Countryclub effort from earlier in the year. We’ve had a fair few follow up “lockdown albums” coming hot on the heels of a big release to listen to over the past year, and usually the artists releasing such albums tend to lean in on the first record, choosing a similar sonic palette and not making too many stylistic deviations and instead tweaking here and there and making a continuation of what we’ve just heard. It’s fair to say that, although there is much here that is relatable to Chemtrails…, there is enough on Blue Banisters to suggest that Lana Del Rey has made a point of trying to approach her latest effort with something of a different mindset. But, is it enough to get the thumbs up from our hosts?

Welcome to another week of alternative music news, reviews and opinions courtesy of us here at Riot Act. Steve and Remfry start, pretty much immediately, by excitedly reviewing the recent Biffy Clyro gig at the Forum in London, before delving into this weeks releases, discussing the news that U2 have released a rubbish song (much to Steve’s disappointment but not shock), Porcupine Tree have reformed and that some Slipknot fans have set fire to a mosh pit… or something. We also pay tribute to legendary music writer Malcolm Dome, who we were very sad to learn passed away this week. RIP to the man who coined the term thrash metal and who has given both of us literally tens of thousands of words on some of our favourite music ever.  We then catch up on some recent releases that we feel are worth talking about from a truly mixed bag; Limp Bizkit, The War On Drugs, Don Broco, Jonsi, JPEGMAFIA, Marissa Nadler, Teethgrynder, Rivers of Nihil, Tom VR and Can’t Swim all have their latest albums discussed and dissected.

Welcome to a special Riot Act Reviews podcast, in this episode Steve and Remfry run the rule over one of the most anticipated metal albums to be released this year; Georgian prog metal superstars Mastodon’s 8th studio album Hushed and Grim. The follow up to their 2017 effort Emperor of Sand, which divided the opinion of both fan and critics, but an album that both of our hosts were big fans of, mainly thanks to it reintroducing some of the more expansive and difficult elements of their sound. If that record tipped its toe back into proggier waters then it is fair to say Hushed and Grim happily powerbombs straight into the deep end, it being the first double album of the band's career and thematically dealing with the loss of their longtime manager and friend Nick John in 2018. This is arguably the darkest, most challenging and yet simultaneously broadest record that Mastodon have concocted in their career thus far, and, as such, it has proven to be something of a slow burn for both of our hosts, but have

It’s been a busy week for both Steve and Remfry this week, both of our hosts have been beavering around looking for new music, and give you a comprehensive rundown of what’s out this week before discussing Sir Paul McCartney’s recent declaration that he will no longer be signing autographs for fans. The former Beatle instead will be happy to “Share stories” with anyone who comes across his path instead, it’s a lovely sentiment, but does Sir Paul really have the time to go through that whole “We were in India and Prudence Farrow wouldn’t come out of her room…” thing again and again?! He’s nearly 80 for Christ sake! We here at Riot Act do have time to share stories though, and, armed with a series of your questions from Twitter, we set about discussing an Indie Download (won’t happen), would we now review a Pet Shop Boys album (We would), would Dave Grohl have ended up writing songs for Nirvana (Probably, just not straight away) and what the problem with Tom Hardy and Ted Lasso is (Silly voice and unrealistic p

This week’s Riot Act is brought to you by the letter B! Steve and Remfry take a look at the news this week, that has been dominated by some rather unsavory attitudes coming from the Bloodstock Festival camp, as well as looking at The Rolling Stones decision to retire one of their biggest ever songs, Brown Sugar, from their live set.  After the serious stuff is dealt with we move on to looking at the long forgotten art of the B-Side. What happened to them? What makes a good one? Who are the best at writing them? What exactly and specifically denotes something as being a B-Side? And, most importantly of all, in this digital streaming age, does the humble B-Side even exist anymore? We’ve picked 6 from the vaults to discuss that run the gamut of quality, as well as getting your thoughts on all of the above. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Welcome to a special Riot Act Reviews podcast, an opportunity for Steve and Remfry to take a look at some of the more notable recent releases in the world of alternative music.  We cast a critical eye over the 9th studio album from Scottish alternative rock megastars Biffy Clyro; The Myth of the Happily Ever After. Coming just a year after their previous album, A Celebration of Endings, Biffy are back, and it’s not too surprising to see them. After all, this is a band who have often made a point of releasing a companion piece alongside their recent records, but on this occasion A Celebration of Endings “sister” album might be the first of its kind to stand up proudly on its own. Certainly it is being marketed that way, and, rather than the unconstructed and half baked group of experimental ideas that many bands are left with at the end of their album sessions, The Myth of the Happily Ever After does feel much more coherent and thought out than a mere b-side record. But how does it stand up to scrutiny alongsi

Originally posted September 2nd 2020 on https://www.patreon.com/riotactpodcast It's our 40th Rioteer's Review and we're covering something a little outside of the usual Riot Act remit as suggested by James Smurthwaite. Steve and Remfry discuss IGOR, the 5th album from controversial rapper, musician, songwriter and producer Tyler, The Creator.  Released on 17th May 2019, IGOR is a concept album that combines elements of R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk and Soul and interweaves a loose narrative about a love triangle between the titular character and his male love interest. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Welcome to a special Riot Act Reviews podcast, an opportunity for Steve and Remfry to take a look at some of the more notable recent releases in the world of alternative music. This week we cast a critical eye over Future Past by Duran Duran, the 15th studio album from the legendary New Romantic band. It couldn’t have been two more drastic ends of the spectrum that our hosts were coming from with this record, Steve as a self confessed Duran Duran superfan who has heard every album of their entire career, and Remfry picking Future Past as his first experience listening to a full length studio effort by the band.  There is always going to be a huge weight of context behind any band that have been around as long as Duran Duran, and Future Past is no exception, not only is it their first album since 2015’s Nile Rodgers and Mark Ronson produced effort Paper Gods, it also marks 40 years since their self-titled debut was released. Future Past features numerous contributions, with Blur guitarist Graham Coxon and lege

It’s another week of alternative music chat here on Riot Act, but before that, different drinks for different… needs… as Remfry chugs down a big glass of some fizzy, technicoloured orange monstrosity which will rot his kidney away, while Steve politely sips on a cool glass of water.  It’s pretty much the only thing that our hosts do disagree on this week, as they chat about ex-Slayer guitarist Kerry King admitting that he believes his band quit too early, even though they haven’t really put out a decent record for nearly two decades. Quite how Steve would break that to Kerry… well… he probably wouldn’t, the big wuss. In reviews we look at the latest albums from Buffalo, New York hardcore veterans Every Time I Die, UK classic rock diehards The Darkness, Canadian modern, hip-hop affiliated jazz trio Badbadnotgood and underground Belgian shoegaze quartet Slow Crush. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy