Hitting The Sweet Spot

Sanctuary's second – and, regrettably, final – album is an oft-overlooked masterpiece, blurring the lines between technical, Bay Area-style thrash, traditional heavy metal, and European power metal. Part of what separates Into the Mirror Black from the rest of the late-'80s/early-'90s pack is its relentless adherence to memorable songcraft; relatively restrained musicianship; Warrel Dane's aggressive-yet-melodic, helium-lung vocal chops; and a thoroughly dark, stark production boasting an intriguingly cavernous, hallowed and hollowed, gothy guitar sound that leaves plenty of room for the riffs and rhythm section to breathe (with bass guitar – bass! – prevalent in the mix, something that eludes even the best '80s thrash albums; just ask Jason Newsted). …

The Night The Zombies Came is Pixies’ tenth album, if you count their classic 1987 4AD mini LP Come On Pilgrim, and first new music since 2022’s acclaimed Doggerel LP. 13 new songs that find Pixies looking ahead to the most cinematic record of their career.

The Velvet Underground was one of music's most influential rock groups. Often referred to as the dark side of the psychedelic era, The Velvet Underground was rock's first great underground band. Its members consist of singer/guitarist Lou Reed, multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist/bassist Sterling Morrison and percussionist Maureen Tucker. Their daring and politically-charged lyrics help shade music forever.

Ruby Rushton return to 22a with a four track album teaser combining a fusion of sounds from across the jazz spectrum in their own distinctive style. The band have forged an instantly recognisable sound since their debut release ‘Two For Joy’ back in 2015, hitting the sweet spot by simultaneously sounding classic and forward-thinking.

By 1970 when Don Gibson signed to Hickory Records, he was already a weathered music industry veteran, successful songwriter and performer. Despite enormous success on the charts, he sent 22 songs into the Top Ten between 1956 and 1974, by the end of the ’60s Don’s album sales were dwindling. Gibson signed to Hickory at the invitation of Wesley Rose who had first signed Don to a publishing deal at Acuff-Rose in 1955. With Rose in the producer chair, Gibson was ready for a second act. His first album for the label was an all covers affair, no Gibson original compositions.