Greg Cochran, Author at Cryptic Rock

The Decemberists – What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (Album Review)

Greg CochranGreg CochranFebruary 11, 2015

Grandiloquence has nearly always been the Decemberists’ mission statement. Formed in Portland, Oregon, in 2000 by frontman Colin Meloy, the Decemberists (comprised also of guitarist Chris Funk, keys player Jenny Conlee, bassist Nate Query, and drummer John Moen) wasted no time in breaking the mold ... Read More

Liv Kristine – Vervain (Album Review)

Greg CochranGreg CochranFebruary 9, 2015

The notion of beauty in Metal for the sake of contrast is a novelty that has fueled many subgenres, including Melodic Death Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, and Avant-Garde Metal. One textbook case of this dichotomy is in the utilization of an angelic soprano voice paired with ... Read More

Monster Magnet – Milking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrol (Album Review)

Greg CochranGreg CochranFebruary 2, 2015

Palm Desert, California’s Rock scene was one which exuded influence on everything that could thereafter be classified as “Stoner Rock.” In the mid ‘80s, bands like Yawning Man and Fu Manchu garnered popularity, but it was not until Kyuss released key records in the genre ... Read More

Marilyn Manson – The Pale Emperor (Album Review)

Greg CochranGreg CochranJanuary 22, 2015

Of the various eccentrics loitering in the public eye in the past twenty years, Marilyn Manson needs the least introduction. He has been called a visionary, a genius, as well as the mainstream American culture’s Antichrist. Beginning back in 1989, Manson assumed duties as lead ... Read More

Xerath – III (Album Review)

Greg CochranGreg CochranJanuary 13, 2015

Attempting to pin Xerath into a one-size-fits-all genre label is enough to drive anyone mad. Conceived in the UK in 2007 as an experiment to fuse film music and Extreme Metal by guitarist Andy Phillips, bassist Owain Williams, and drummer Michael Pitman, Xerath have consistently ... Read More

Electric Wizard – Time to Die (Album Review)

Greg CochranGreg CochranJanuary 12, 2015

Doom Metal bands are notorious for their worship of Black Sabbath. Their style, image, and shock value is still being imitated today. After twenty or so years tinkering with the initial Doom Metal prototype presented on Sabbath’s first five records (1970-1973), one band emerged from ... Read More

Greg Cochran

Greg CochranView all posts

The Decemberists – What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (Album Review)

Liv Kristine – Vervain (Album Review)

Monster Magnet – Milking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrol (Album Review)

Marilyn Manson – The Pale Emperor (Album Review)

Xerath – III (Album Review)

Electric Wizard – Time to Die (Album Review)

The Decemberists – What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (Album Review)

Liv Kristine – Vervain (Album Review)

Monster Magnet – Milking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrol (Album Review)

Marilyn Manson – The Pale Emperor (Album Review)

Xerath – III (Album Review)

Electric Wizard – Time to Die (Album Review)

This Week In Horror Movie History – Ravenous (1999)

This Week In Horror Movie History – Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

This Week In Horror Movie History – The Stepford Wives (1975)

Developing Artist Showcase – Blythe Bonnie

Developing Artist Showcase – Empty Streets

Developing Artist Showcase – Crystal Joilena

Interview – Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol

Interview – Shelley Fabares

Interview – Jessica Belkin

Marvin Gaye – In The Groove (Limited Edition Vinyl Review)

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (4K Ultra HD Review)

The Temptations – Sky’s The Limit (Limited Edition Vinyl Review)