From the far side of the world, Ahkmed are adding stoned chapters to the ever-growing book of post-rock; distance is deceptive, so stand close to the speakers.

Bristol’s Merrick sound a lot like another band on their debut disc Just Chromosome… but they’re good enough that it doesn’t matter that much.

From some Hertfordshire heroin-pit (their words, not mine) come UK metalcore bruisers Scar My Eyes; let’s hope they bring their producer with them on tour.

The kings of sludge best mind their crowns, because Brooklyn’s Hull are eyeing their thrones. Sole Lord is slo-mo post-metal done just the way it should be.

Shaun C Green redeems himself for getting to go to All Tomorrow’s Parties when the editor couldn’t make it by submitting a gonzo report from the frontlines of May 2009’s “The Fans Strike Back” event at Minehead, Somerset.

Anti-Flag are fighting the diminishing corner for political punk tunes on The People Or The Gun. Sure, they don’t have all the answers – but who does?

It’s difficult to go terribly wrong with the Greatest Hits of Black Sabbath… but you’d still be better off investing in the first four albums than this one.

Fresh out of Fife, Candythief set forth for some folk-pop-jazz adventures in their very own Technicolour Wilderness. Good listening, though not very exciting.

Brian Molko and company are back: Placebo’s new Battle for the Sun is older, wiser, and much less addled than its predecessors. But will that sell? Who knows.

Turn on, tune in, wig out: The Crocodiles resurrect the drug-drone fuzz of Spacemen 3 and friends in preparation for a long hot Summer of Hate.