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⭐ 9.5/10 (Originally written by niklasj08) One of my favourite albums of all time. I don't think this is a hot take (?) but this is easily Neck Deep 's best output in my opinion. An absolute triumph that blends the best aspects of the modern pop punk scene with inspirations from the golden age. Considered a concept album by the band, the tracks are loosely linked thematically, yet avoid letting themselves get bogged down by a detailed narrative. While the typical stereotypes of pop punk are very much present, the lyrics remain fun and hopeful, ensuring that the project does not get bogged down in self-pity or moodiness. Musically, ADAI has a great range between fast paced tracks with breakdowns that would be at home in a Tony Hawk game and more laid back and earnest numbers that really balance out the pacing. Ben Barlow, while a decent vocalist on previous albums, really hits his stride here, and this is definitely his strongest performance. The album sequencing is also almost...

⭐ 8.5/10 (Originally written by niklasj08) (Review is in regards to the 2018 Epitaph Records reissue) Regardless of what people think of Erik and Stephen Paulson or their more recent musical efforts, it is hard to deny that Greatest Hits is truly inspired. Fun guitar riffs, punchy drums (Sam Mathys got done so dirty), and catchy vocals all come together to make one of the greatest "emo" albums of the 2010s. While seemingly inspired heavily by bands like Title Fight and Joyce Manor, the group still manages to create their own identity (I also think I'm alone on this, but I get some serious old-school FOB vibes from a few of the tracks, would love to hear Patrick Stump's take on some of the vocals). While the lyrics can be pretty cliche, the earnest and somewhat raw delivery almost always sticks the landing perfectly. The album also doesn't overstay it's welcome, ensuring that the token complaining and self-pity that comes with the emo territory doesn't ...

⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by niklasj08) While my score may not show it, I absolutely adore this game. At first, Warband was one of the most frustrating gaming experiences ever. Combat felt incredibly janky, the PS4 port's UI was so unintuitive that it was borderline rage-inducing, and the gameplay seemed cruelly punishing. And yet... I couldn't stop playing it. The learning curve is steep, and in the early game you will get curb-stomped constantly, but once you begin to slowly get better at combat, develop battle strategies, and learn the rest of the ins-and-outs, Warband becomes one of the most gratifying gameplay loops possible, The game throws you into it's world and leaves you to figure it out, and you feel like a genius when you finally do. From charging at a rival army at the head of a mass of armored cavalry, to sniping a fleeing Lord from across the battle-map with a crossbow, to crushing an enemy city after a hard fought battle, there are countless times tha...

⭐ 7.5/10 (Originally written by niklasj08) Took me a while to really get into these guys. Initially I was not a fan of the lead singer’s voice, and they came off as an awkward comedy band (which they kind of are), but once I gave them a fair listen, I ended up really appreciating a lot of their stuff. They have a unique approach to their lyrics, and their brand of "funk-punk" is pretty fun to listen to, although there are a few tracks that I am still not a huge fan of. They manage to balance their goofiness with more heartfelt moments as well, keeping things fun while still tugging on a few heart strings. . Stand out tracks- Twin Size Mattress, Santa Monica, The Feud, Funny You Should Ask, Backflip, 

⭐ 10.0/10 (Originally written by niklasj08) Easily one of my top 3 games of all time, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt sums up everything I love about gaming. CD Projekt Red masterfully utilizes their platform to enhance the narrative and fully invest you in the characters. The expansive world feels alive with history and detail, and I found myself stopping to just admire everything countless times. Many of the missions are masterclasses in building an emotional connection with the player, and some of the decisions I made in-game will stick with me for a very long time. The gameplay is solid enough to keep you engaged, and eventually mastering it and beating foes on the higher difficulties can be really rewarding. Both of the DLC expansions build upon the world and don't feel like pointless cash grabs (I sat down to play Hearts of Stone one weekend and literally did not stop until I had beaten it, I could not put down the controller). I straight up got teary-eyed as the credits rolled on...