Weekly Round-Up: Jan 26th 2014

Tengger Cavalry

The brilliant Tengger Cavalry are back with their second album in as many years. What makes this band special, above all else, is their employment of traditional Eastern instrumentation, rhythms and throat singing. This is Folk Metal like you've never heard before. We have heard the Celtic, Eastern European and Scandinavian Folk Metal bands in their droves, but now it's time for the East to rise (much as it is in the "real" world). This band really is excellent and armed with their exhilarating and energetic take on Folk Black Metal, they are well placed to make the leap to the upper echelons of the scene. They are influenced by Mongolian Folk Music, Buddhism and Chinese Folk Music and the end result is truly unique.

Truckfighters

Next up we have Sweden's own Truckfighters who come tearing out of the blocks on this, their fourth album, with the track "Mind Control". Clearly influenced by Kyuss, Fu Manchu and the likes, this is classic Stoner / Fuzz Rock, but with a modern twist. This type of 'retro' Rock is huge in Sweden and has been for some time, so of course there have been a great deal of chancers attempting to get famous by strapping on a guitar and releasing generic 70's influenced Hard Rock records. Thankfully, Truckfighters are something a little more special. They have the songs, they have the swagger and they clearly have the support of the media and their peers. When former Kyuss / current QOTSA mastermind Josh Homme refers to your band as "the best band that's ever existed", you know you are doing something right. If that wasn't enough for you, here are some other qoutes:

"Putting more rock energy into a single performance than a good proportion of bands do in a career's worth of shows" - Terrorizer Magazine.

"...the power and charm to make society grind to a halt" - Kerrang! Magazine.

"Truckfighters blast your ears with their unique take on modern rock" - Metal Hammer Magazine.

Simply put, you NEED to hear this band.

Primal Fear

If Power Metal is your thing, then you will find it hard to resist this, the 10th album from Germany's Primal Fear. The formula hasn't changed much, if at all, but that is what people want / expect from this style of music. They still, much like fellow Germans, Sinner (with whom they share at least one member), sound very much like a Judas Priest tribute act at times, but with the camp factor turned up to 11. This isn't cerebral music, but rather it is a fun, catchy collection of songs that will get you singing along and make you grin from ear to ear...and sometimes, that's all you need from music.

Throwdown

Hardcore / Groove Metal heroes, Throwdown return with a beast of an album. Absolutely full of huge stomping riffs and grooves to die for...and pleasingly, they haven't forgotten to write songs, as so many bands do. Yes, this is very much based in the Hardcore scene, both in mindset and musically, but the Metal influences clearly shine through.Thankfully, they have all but dropped the Pantera-tribute act that marred the previous couple of album(s) and have, instead, delivered a heavier, more in your face Hardcore Metal album - blending obvious influences such as Pantera, Terror, Hatebreed, Sepultura and DevilDriver to great effect. I've included a link to a new song below.

Throwdown - Avow

Caliban

I wasn't exactly overjoyed to see that Germany's Caliban are back with yet another album. Would it be the same derivative, tedious dirge that they have released time and time again or would they actually surprise me with some individuality and imagination this time? The album opens with a riff reminiscent of  Soulfly / Roots era Sepultura which is promising, but then in come the latter-day In Flames vocals, electronics and Deathcore riffing and very much over-used Hardcore-style "Gang vocals". I'm sorry to say that, as predicted, this album hasn't changed my opinion, in fact it has reinforced it. In all fairness to them, they have tried to experiment a little, but for the most part it falls flat. You might find it worth listening to for a couple of songs, but I can't see it holding your interest for any longer than that. There are a lot of other bands out there doing this Metalcore / Deathcore / Modern Metal thing and doing it better. Judge for yourself.

Within Temptation - Hydra review

Band: Within Temptation

Album title: Hydra

Label: Nuclear Blast

Genre : Symphonic Metal

Country: Netherlands
Release date: 31st Jan 2014

I feel it only fair that I say from the off that I don't really go for this whole female-fronted "Gothic" Metal schtick (early Lacuna Coil being an exception), but as I have found Within Temptation's recent cover songs ("Somebody You Used To Know" for example) interesting, I felt that I should give the new album a fair chance. Besides, it's been nearly a decade since this particular sub-genre has been even remotely relevant, so maybe they have moved forward, pushed themselves as a band and found their own niche?

Or maybe not. This could have been released 10 years ago and I'd have hated it then. I am genuinely struggling to see why this band is even classified as Metal. Now, I am very much of the belief that Metal is a wide-reaching, multi-faceted genre, but it does have certain defining characteristics - all of which are missing from this radio-friendly, commercial Pop/Rock album. From the clichéd pianos and strings to the "soaring", vocals and the cringe-worthy and horribly dated songs, I am finding it difficult to find anything of merit here. OK, so that isn't entirely fair. The cover art is nicely done and I will grudgingly admit that vocalist Sharon Den Adel does have a powerful voice with a superb range, but sadly neither of these are anywhere near enough to save this turgid waste of plastic, bandwidth or hard drive space (depending on your chosen medium). If you want to hear this style of music done properly, listen to the most recent Nightwish album "Imaginaerum".

Not even the wide variety of "guests" (Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner, Howard Jones and more) can save this, in fact they often make it (even) worse - Xzibit's appearance on "And We Run" being particularly horrible. It could be that the second half of this album is complete, unadulterated genius, but as I stopped listening half way through track 4, I will never know. And for that, I can be truly grateful. In this writers opinion, this is one to avoid, but I'm sure it will sell by the thousand so I suppose there really is no accounting for taste. Besides, opinions are subjective and this is merely mine.

Overall: 4/10 (being generous for the 3.5 songs I heard)

Tracklist:

Let Us Burn
Dangerous
And We Run
Paradise (What About Us?)
Edge Of The World
Silver Moonlight
Covered By Roses
Dog Days
Tell me Why
Whole World Is Watching

* there are a number of different versions available featuring a variety of bonus tracks.

Official website: http://www.within-temptation.com

A Thank You Is In Order

It appears that blogging is a little like joining a gym...you need to put time and effort into it to achieve results and to expect an instant return is näive.

I first started my little blog for fun, back in 2011 and at first I just received a handful of visitors a day. In the ensuing couple of years, I've lost interest twice due to frustration and lack of inspiration.

I restarted the blog in December of 2013 and since then the number of daily visitors (viewers) has grown and grown. I have also started contributing to external blog pages and a group on Google+.

All of this is thanks to you. Yes, YOU. It is thanks to all of you who have visited my blog page and/or liked, commented and shared my updates.

Music has been a constant and undying passion of mine since I discovered metal at the beginning of the 90's. Since then, my tastes have broadened and expanded, but the passion has remained. In fact, I listen to more music now than ever before and go to as many shows as possible - which often involves a long round-trip and great expenditure - so isn't as often as I'd like.

My initial aim with the blog was just to share the band's I love and my latest discoveries with like-minded people. I feel that I have achieved this and so much more. Going forward, my goal is to keep going with it, increase the reading figures if possible and to hopefully keep it fresh and interesting.

Thanks again, from the very bottom of my heart for the support.

Legion Of The Damned - Ravenous Plague review

Band: Legion Of The Damned

Album title: Ravenous Plague

Label: Napalm Records

Genre : Thrash 

Country: Netherlands
Release date: 3rd Jan 2014

Dutch thrashers Legion Of The Damned return with their latest offering, "Ravenous Plague" and it is quite the revelation. The band have definitely upped their game on this record. If you find yourself yearning for the halcyon days of Thrash and have yet to discover this band, this might just be the album you are looking for.

After the obligatory intro track, the first proper song on the album "Howling For Armageddon" comes tearing in at a breakneck speed and doesn't let up for the 4:15 duration. This pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the album. The musicianship is tight and the songs well constructed, if predictable and a little dated. On first listen the sound sits somewhere between Slayer and Arise-era Sepultura, but with its potent blend of Thrash riffs and hints of Black Metal atmospherics "Ravenous Plague" is a more interesting prospect than it might initially seem. The more you listen to this beast of a record, the more hidden depth you will discover. 

Whereas it is unlikely to challenge you as a listener and is lacking in real originality, it makes up for this with speed and sheer ferocity. "Ravenous..." is yet another decent, if not great, release from LOTD and where it probably won't change your world and it is unlikely to make anybody's end if year list, it is an enjoyable, if vintage sounding, Thrash record. From the opening moment to the very last second, this is a whirlwind ride of high-speed riffs and howling, technically proficient solos. It doesn't let up for a moment and with a total playing time of just 45:01 it never has time to overstay its welcome.

Overall: 7/10

Tracklist:

The Apocalyptic Surge

Howling For Armageddon

Black Baron

Mountain Wolves Under A Crescent Moon

Ravenous Abominations

Doom Priest

Summon All Hate

Morbid Death

Bury Me In A Nameless Grave

Armalite Assassin

Strike Of The Apocalypse

Official Website: http://legionofthedamned.net

Musical Musings is now on Google+: 

google.com/+MkhanisbentBlogspot666

Weekly Round-Up: Jan 18th 2014

Chrome Division

Shagrath (he of Dimmu Borgir 'fame') and his bunch of merry bastards return with another collection of motorcylce riding, hard rocking and hard drinking, classic-rock anthems. The first few seconds of the first real song "Endless Nights", with it's blatant, cheeky nod to Bon Jovi, pretty much sets the tone - this is all about the vintage, with its potent blend of 70's Hard Rock, 80's Metal and 90's Grunge. If you want intelligent lyrics, cutting edge music or technical expertise, look elsewhere - this is a group of guys having fun in a good, old-fashioned rock band. It'll put a big grin on your face as it takes you back to the hazy days of your youth (providing you are 30+).

Mustasch

With frontman, Ralf having become a Swedish media darling over the last couple of years  - as a TV personality, fashion guru and even an entrant in the Swedish Eurovision heats - have Mustasch still got their edge or is this a toned-down, cynical attempt at commercial success? Well, the answer is that it is certainly different from the older Mustasch sound, coming across a bit like Abba meets Thin Lizzy via Judas Priest at times (see/listen below). Fortunately, that is NOT a bad thing. This is a fun romp through an instant and catchy set of Pop Metal songs that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head - even just for a while.

Iskald


Straight from the old-school and from the 'ice cold' (it's the translation of the band name) heart of Norway, this offers nothing in the way of surprises, but it certainly does deliver a dose of rhythmic, frosty Black Metal which should appeal to fans of the genre. I find it rather reminiscent of mid-era Dimmu Borgir, if that helps!?

Nilfgaard

The debut album from this Polish Melodic Death Metal band is nothing you haven't heard before, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for with some good, if not particularly memorable songs. They have a long way to go musically and the vocalist is a bit ropey, but given time and experience, this could well be a band to watch within the genre. Fans of the likes of "Heaven Shall Burn", "Dark Age" and "Before The Dawn" should give this a try. Where it may never become a favourite, there are worse ways to while away an hour.

Skull Fist

Ah, Skull Fist, you ridiculous bunch of 80's Metal throwbacks, you. This is ludicrous in just about every single way, although I suspect that they take this very seriously indeed. This is a passionate, heartfelt and genuine homage to 1985. From the ridiculous soloing to the high-pitched vocals, this is very much as acquired taste, but if you like White Wizzard, Enforcer, et al, then this is probably one for you. I have to admit that I find this to be an enjoyable album, albeit one to file under "guilty pleasures".

Skindred - Kill The Power review

Band: Skindred

Album title: Kill The Power

Label: DoubleCross Records

Genre : ....

Country: Wales
Release date: 27th Jan 2014

First off, this isn't the belter I was expecting. No, in fact it is way beyond my wildest expectations. I genuinely thought that Skindred had reached their creative zenith with previous release "Union Black" and it is a true delight to be proved wrong. Skindred deliver the goods here with all of the swagger of a band completely confident in their ability to write great songs and safe in the knowledge that they are not bound by such trivialities as genres. If "Union Black" was the band's breakthrough album, then this should be the one that propels them to the very top of festival line-ups in the UK and across Europe. Whether it does or not, remains to be seen.

Skindred are, without a doubt, one of the most interesting, fresh, exciting and innovative bands that Britain has to offer today. The songs are almost offensively catchy and set up camp in your brain instantly and refuse to leave. They prove, yet again, that they are absolute masters of their craft. This is easily the band's most accomplished album to date and the effortless genre-hopping takes yet more one step forward, making each and every song feel the musical equivalent of acute schizophrenia (I imagine). If you've ever played the game DJ Hero, then you might have an idea of what to expect as you would be forgiven for thinking that you're listening to a 'mash-up' compilation rather than an album recorded by just one band. With styles ranging from Metal, Reggae and early 90's Techno to Ragga, Northern soul, old-school Hip-Hop and even that most modern of trends, dubstep, it is abundantly clear that Skindred have no interest in limiting themselves as artists.

All of the aforementioned genres are blended seamlessly and with apparent ease to create the masterpiece that is the finished product. Electronic beats and scratching sit comfortably alongside 8-bit computer bleeps and the smooth Reggae vocals sound completely at ease with crushing Metal riffs. That they can pull all of this off while managing to never sound contrived or forced, is absolutely astonishing and is one of the things that makes this band unique. As if this all of this wasn't enough on its own (what more do you want?), the lyrics walk a line between politics, social commentary and personal empowerment. I defy you to listen to the entire album without it putting a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Such is the power of music - and music just doesn't come with much more energy, positivity and passion than this.

Overall: 9/10

Tracklist:

Kill The Power
Ruling Force
Playing With The Devil
Worlds On Fire
Ninja
The Kids Are Right Now
We Live
Open Eyed
Dollars And Dimes
Saturday
Proceed With Caution
More Fire

Official Website: http://www.skindred.net

Arceye - At First Light review

Band: Arceye

Album title: At First Light

Label: Hostile Media

Genre: Groove / Thrash / Melodic Death Metal

Country: UK

Release date: 5^th Aug 2013

The second full-length release from UK Melodic Death Thrashers, Arceye, sets the tone from the very first bars of opener and title track "At First Light" - easing you in with a melodic instrumental passage which then leads to some powerhouse drums, a neck-breaking riff and a stunning guitar solo, reminiscent of the mighty Judas Priest. This really is a masterclass in modern metal and the musicianship on display here is, quite frankly, staggering - from the instrumental "Sirius" complete with acoustic guitars and beautiful strings to the Pantera-esque groove of "The Storm" and the early-90's Sepultura style Thrash attack of "I Silently Wait", there isn't a weak moment to be found.

Musically, an initial, obvious point of comparison would be Lamb of God, but there is a lot more diversity on offer here as the album encompasses a wide spectrum of styles - from occasional Black Metal atmospherics and Thrash riffing to crushing Death Metal, Trad Metal melodies and Groove Metal, er, grooves. The sharp, clear mix, courtesy of Scott Atkins (Cradle Of Filth, Amon Amarth and more) only helps to further emphasise the band's strengths. In short, as a metal fan, you need to hear this album. It is a near-perfect example of what the genre has to offer in 2013. With its effortless balance of heaviness and melody, this album deserves a place in your record collection and I suggest you make a space in your "A" section for it right now.

Why this band aren't better known is a bit if a mystery to me, although I suspect that the lack of attention paid to the band by the UK media and the sheer number of great bands from all over the world vying for the attention of a finite number of fans, certainly both pay their part.

To paraphrase the Spice Girls "...'Light' up your life!" Ahem.

Overall: 8.5/10

Tracklist:

At First Light
The Storm

The Longest Drive
I Silently Wait

Sirius

Brother Disarmed
Prey Forgiveness

Damage Done
The Thirst
Dusk

Official Website: www.arceye.co.uk