Kyle Harcott

Featured, Reviews, Reviews - Audio, Reviews - Vinyl February 10, 2011

Motörhead – Overkill

Overkill is the album that spawned all your favorite bands. Overkill is the album that gave way to the ‘Trick Question, Lemmy IS god!’ punch line. Overkill is the album that earned Motörhead their rightful, center-throne seat as one-third of the Holy Triumvirate of Rock’n’Roll. It goes without saying, but Overkill should be mandatory listening for any child who displays even the slightest notion of interest in rock and roll, perhaps even at as early a stage as the womb. Only calling Overkill ‘essential’ is half-hearted and weak, because Overkill is the be-all, end-all of Motörhead.

Featured, Headline, Reviews January 24, 2011

The Atomic Bomb Audition – Roots Into the See

“With a tortured vocal skirting the edge of post-black-metal (by way of Today is the Day), and thick, cloying guitars that crack like ice-breaking anchors, the song is a slow-motion drag under ice-cold waters. It is the sound of hypothermia’s stab ice-picking your brain moments before you calmly accept the inevitability of the drown.”

Kyle Harcott discusses an early contender for 2011’s best of lists, The Atomic Bomb Audition’s “Roots Into the See”

Headline, Reviews, Reviews - Live January 14, 2011

Wolves in the Throne Room / Ahna / Gyibaaw / Sick @ Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver BC, January 6, 2011

“Nathan Weaver began by briefly thanking the crowd for coming and admonishing them to please refrain from flash photography, and also from moshing – something the majority in attendance seemed to appreciate. This band and all their trappings are an experience in the live setting, and the mood the stage sets seems as important and intricate as the music – taking your eyes off of them to smash into each other seems to miss the point – or maybe they just think moshing is stupid.”

Kyle Harcott caught the recent performance from Wolves in the Throne Room at their Vancouver, BC stop.

Featured, Reviews, Reviews - Audio December 24, 2010

Jesu – Christmas EP

Ever the innovator, Justin Broadrick can now add ‘Christmas album’ to his respectable canon, as he leaves us slavering for the next Jesu full-length. I’d say it’s a safe bet you won’t stumble across another Christmas-themed album as original or inspiring this year – and not one god-damned sleigh bell to be heard!

Headline, Reviews, Reviews - Live December 20, 2010

Killing Joke / Cowards @ Venue, Vancouver BC, December 14, 2010

“Everyone roared for “Wardance” too, but Coleman’s conspiratorial microchipping/overpopulation banter between songs seemed lost on the Vancouver crowd just there to hear the old tunes – in fact, the majority present seemed interested in ONLY hearing the old songs. When the band launched into the title track (and other songs from the brilliant new record), the response was lukewarm – nowhere near as raucous as the early-‘80s tracks garnered. This isn’t a surprise in itself, but then again, Killing Joke is hardly a nostalgia novelty act.”

Kyle Harcott reviews the December 14th performance by KILLING JOKE at Vancouver’s Venue. Concert photography by Ted Wilson.

Articles, Features, Headline December 13, 2010

Kylesa: The Hellbound Interview

“I just remember being at the practice space, early on and writing some songs, and realizing how different they were sounding. And being a little unsure as to how it was going, and where it was gonna end up. Especially since Static Tensions had just come out, people were still checking that record out. So it was like ‘Well, this is definitely NOT Static Tensions Part II’, but [these new ideas] could go one of two ways…”

Kyle Harcott in conversation with Laura Pleasants and Phillip Cope of Kylesa.

Headline, Reviews, Reviews - Live December 10, 2010

Kylesa / Baptists / Haggatha @ Media Club, Vancouver BC, December 2 2010

“The crowd, still frothing from Baptists’ frantic set, boiled over for Kylesa from the get-go when they opened with “Hollow Severer”. The band was in fine form throughout their set, which was mostly balanced between Static Tensions and Spiral Shadow.”

Kyle Harcott recaps the December 2nd performance by KYLESA, HAGGATHA and BAPTISTS at Vancouver’s Media Club. Live photos by Ted Wilson

Featured, Reviews, Reviews - Vinyl December 7, 2010

Anion – Carrion King 7″

Vancouver’s Anion have dropped a punishing slab of hardcore in the way of their Carrion King seven-inch. Four songs striking a balance between stabby hardcore and slow-drain sludge, Carrion King is the perfect primer to the band and their vitriolic brand of sludgecore.