Weekly Round-up: 15th March 2014

Delayhead

Ok, so the band name isn't great, but I really like this. the problem is that I don't really know how to begin to describe the sound. It's not that it's particularly unusual or experimental, but more that I don't want to sell it short with a lazy comparison. For example, if I say "...And Justice.."-era Metallic meets Five Finger Death Punch with hints of Godsmack, Paradise Lost and even Poisonblack, there is a very real chance that I will be either over-selling it or putting people off. Either way, don't judge before you listen. This could be one of your new favourite bands. It is certainly one of mine.

Destrage

This Italian band has been around for a few years now - this is album 3, in fact - but remain pretty much unknown, which is a real shame as they are offering up something that is new and exciting, but at the same time drawing from some overwhelmingly obvious influences. These include, but are not limited to: Sikth, Dillinger Escape Plan, Ephel Duath, Faith No More and even Igorrr. As you would expect from that list, this is an eclectic collection of songs that cover almost the entire spectrum of heavy music (and byeond). Despite (or perhaps because of) these influences, the finished result is completely their own. An interesting and unique band, to say the very least. I'd recommend listening to the entire album to truly understand what they are doing, but as is customary, I have posted a (brilliant) video anyway...just to get you started. 

Battleaxe 

Sunderland's own NWOBHM heroes, Battleaxe were originally a going concern between 1979 and 1987 and are therefore the real deal, not merely a young band trying to sound vintage. Having reformed in 2010 the band have taken a similar route as peers Hell and Satan (theme?) inasmuch as they have continued right where they left off without appearing to have missed a beat. Vocalist Dave King falls somewhere between  Udo (accept) and Rob Halford (I'm not even going to explain). You have to remember when listening to this, that this was a band that was there back in the day and so musical similarities with other bands of the era are pretty much to be expected. Saying that, this album does occasional steer a little to close to plagiarism - opener "Heavy Metal Sanctuary" (yes, really) has a very Judas Priest vibe, "Hail To The King" opens with a riff that is startlingly similar to Maiden's "Two Minutes..." and "Give It More" sounds rather a lot like Accept. You will no doubt, hear a lot of other bands represented under the duration of this album, but to be honest, if it's originality and cutting edge music you want, then maybe a re-united NWOBHM band isn't the right place to look. Old school in every way, but the production which is crisp and modern. The only truly bad song here is the terribly named "Devil Calls". I have my limits ad far as lyrics go and unfortunately said song invokes almost every Heavy Metal cliche known to man. After all is said in done, what you have is a good old-school Heavy Metal album. Enjoy it for what it is.

Metsatöll

I've been a fan of this excellent Estonian band for the best part of a decade now and that the popularity gained by others in the Folk Metal scene has evaded them is both frustrating and a completely understandable. Allow me to explain. One one hand there are easy comparisons to be made to the likes of Korpiklaani, but it soon becomes apparent that this is a more raw, primitive beast that has more in common with the Slavic Pagan Metal bands. The use of an unusual array of traditional instruments and rhythms can be a little chaotic and overwhelming and vocalist Markus has a slightly punk edge to his gruff bellowing. Metsatöll have the energy and genuine passion, but lack the obvious catchy songs of some of their peers. If you are willing to give them your time, you will be rewarded. Not recommended for those after a "quick fix".

Issues

I usually reserve this blog as a place where I share the 'best' of the new music I've heard, but this is so terrible that I felt it deserved a dishonourable mention. With its smooth, R'N'B-esque clean vocals (think Justin Trousersnake), Korn guitar breakdowns, shouty hardcore vocals and horrible Chris Brown-stlye pop hooks, I don't think you've heard a worse band this year. This is modern music at its very worst. Fucking awful! I don't even think that this band are going to polarise opinions as I can't imaging anybody reading this blog actually liking this. This is a band that wants mainstream success and want to sell as many records as possible and it shows. Fans of While She Sleeps, TRC and maybe even Kanye West "might" find this little oddity of interest, but in my (humble) opinion, to call this album utter toss would be too kind. Click on the link below if you feel the need to, but then move on with your life.