New Music Round-Up: 22nd July 2014

Dog Fashion Disco

I don't even know where or how to start to describe DFD to somebody who is completely unfamiliar with them, but I am going to avoid the inevitable and frankly lazy Mr Bungle comparisons. Yes, Mike Patton has been a clear influence on Todd Smith's vocals and to a lesser degree, song writing, but there is so much to this talented band than that. DFD really are a unique and ever-changing beast whose style changes so much on each song (and often within one song) that is is almost impossible to pin them down or to categorise them in one particular genre. If pushed, maybe I would go with Experimental Alt-Rock, but that doesn't even begin to do them justice. With obvious influences ranging from the likes of Gwar to Stevie Wonder, and Fantomas to Leonard Cohen and with the band veering erratically between almost any musical style you care to mention, making an appearance somewhere, they blend these myriad styles into one unique and exhilarating package that is all Dog Fashion Disco. Sweet Nothings is the band's first release since 2006 and is business as (un)usual. Nothing short of brilliant.

Cantabile Wind

Despite sounding, initially, almost yawn-inducingly generic and bereft of personality, Cantabile Wind actually turn out to be quite a decent Melodic Death Metal band (think a rather potent blend of The Duskfall,  Be'lakor, At The Gates and Heaven Shall Burn) and what they lack in originality, they certainly make up for in energy. While the band does have a tendency to adhere strictly to the 'rules', rarely stepping outside the parameters of the genre, this is nonetheless a good, solid record, which belies its predictability by delivering a strong and consistent clutch of technical Melodic Death Metal anthems.

Overkill

Ah, Overkill. The ever reliable and faithful old Thrash warhorses. This single is business as usual for the New Jersey veterans and finds them on exactly the sort of killer form you might expect if you heard the previous album, 2012’s ‘The Electric Age’. With a lot of of bands who have been plying their trade for 30 years, you get the impression that they are just churning out records out of habit and not because they still care. It becomes a cycle. With Overkill, although they are not reinventing the wheel, there is a genuine sense of vitality and an almost youthful exuberance that many bands half their age would struggle to muster. Whenever I see the name Overkill, I know that I will not be disappointed. At a sprightly 55 years of age, Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth still delivers the goods and his band of merry Thrash bastards still love what they are doing (as anyone who has seen them live will attest) and you can really hear it.

The Dagger

Sweden's The Dagger can't be accused of being particularly original and they wear their hearts (and influences) clearly on their sleeves for all to see (hear?). On my initial listen I picked out a whole range of obvious influences including, but by no means limited to, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Dio, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Blue Oyster Cult, Magnum, Kiss and AC/DC. This, the band's debut, is a superbly crafted album that is more than a mere tribute - instead it pays respectful homage to their heroes and to all things Classic Rock (there is even a song involving a gypsy woman). You know you are listening to something a little special when the album appears to end abruptly leaving you wanting more and then, when you put it on again, you find yourself singing along to the songs as if you've known them all your life. I'm no huge fan of Classic Rock, but this is a real gem. 

King Of Asgard

First off I'd like to point out that, although the band's name and lyrical themes mean that they fit neatly into the Viking Metal category, this is not a Folk Metal album - at least not in the hey nonny nonny sense. I suppose you could say that it is Folk-influenced in the same way as bands such as Bathory, Thyrfing, Kampfar, Mithotyn and so on, inasmuch as the guitar melodies are decidedly catchy and, well, Folky. Personally, I would class Kings Of Asgard and their ilk as Pagan Metal as I actually loathe the term Viking Metal. If you consider yourself a fan of any of the aforementioned bands, KOA are well worth checking out.