New Music Round-Up: 20th April 2015

Leviathan - Scar Sighted

Fucking hell! Apologies for the language, but this was my genuine reaction to the first few minutes of Scar Sighted. This is a brutal Blackened Death Metal beast of an album. Of course, as you would expect from Leviathan, there is much more to this release than "just" Death Metal. The music is so densly layered as to make Tool sound like Blink 182 and later on in the album the ambient experimentation the band are known for starts to creep insidiously in. Even on the more straightforward Death Metal tracks, such as opener (not including the cliched intro) "The Smoke Of Their Torment", the mid-paced Death Metal is interwoven with some harrowing and disturbing atmospherics that will make your skin crawl and the overall tone of the album is so utterly and relentlessly bleak that it will make you feel worthless and wretched. Not for the weak of heart, but absolutely essential for fans of extreme music.

Sigh - Graveward

As usual, trying to describe Sigh is like trying to catch air with a sieve, as an amazing 26 years into their career, Sigh continue to defy simple categorisation. Of course, at their dark heart they are a Black Metal band, but very early on, Mirai's maverick Avant-Garde stylings separated the band from their contemporaries. This is probably as much due to geography as it is anything else. Much as Australia's wildlife took it's own evolutionary path, so too did Sigh. Where the majority of the bands in the Black Metal  scene of the early 90s were based in the cold, unforgiving north of Europe, Sigh developed in their own environment - the rainy isolation of Tokyo, Japan. For those who have been a little disappointed with the last couple of Sigh albums, Graveward should come as a welcome return to the greatness we all know they are capable of and for those new to the band, expect to be taken on a weird journey of musical experimentation and eccentricity - this is, after all the same band that once used experimental WWII sonic weaponry techniques on one of their albums. Yes, they weaponised their music against their own fans. make of that what you will.

Faith No More - Sol Invictus

So far 2015 had been totally dominated by bands that made their name (and in most cases released their best work) in the 90s. With mindblowingly brilliant releases from Marilyn Manson and Therapy? already rocking my world and with new albums from Coal Chamber, Pist.On and Pissing Razors (ok, strictly from the early 00s) on the horizon, the cynic in you would be forgiven for thinking that there is the distinct whiff of nostalgia in the air. While this may have an element of truth, this train of though isn't entirely accurate. The aforementioned bands have not only returned with great albums, but they have also managed to stay refreshingly relevant. Cue the returning Faith No More. After a (recorded) hiatus of 18 years and following 3 classic, faultless releases in a row, I was wary of this one. As much as I wanted this to be brilliant, I was worried that they band might play it safe and rehash what they had already done. Of course, with FNM there is always the chance that they would actually do anything but and would experiment too much and not sound like the FNM we knew and loved at all. As it happens, neither of these is the case. This is a wonderful album from a truly untouchable band. A band that just has an intangible knack for writing a great song. On Sol Invictus you will find the usual variety of songs you would expect from FNM - a band who are not only true masters of their craft, but who are also at the very top of their game. Mike Patton's voice is on a career best form and the band's musicianship is as on the money as always. Sol Invictus is everything I hoped it would be and is a more than worthy addition to the FNM back catalogue.  

Therapy? - Disquiet review

Band: Therapy?
Album: Disquiet
Label: Amazingrecordco.
Genre: Alt. Metal / Rock
Country: Northern Ireland
Release Date: 23rd March 2015

There has been quite a lot of hype surrounding the 14th album from veteran Alt. Metal band, Therapy? over the past few months and I want to start off by addressing this hype. No, "Disquiet" is NOT "Troublegum" part 2. How could it be and why would you want it to be? Troublegum was a product of its era and of the Alt-Rock / Grunge explosion of the early 90s. A lot has happened since then, both musically and in all of our lives. On saying that, I'm not sure if it was a deliberate move to facilitate said hype or if it just happened organically, but everything from the sleeve layout and the arty, slightly disturbing artwork to the low-fi production does go a long way towards giving "Disquiet" that vintage / classic Therapy? feel.

I have to admit that, against my better judgement, I did let the hype affect my opinion when I first listened to the album. This, unfortunately meant that I initially found the album to be disappointing. Luckily, as I saw the positive scores flooding in all over the internet and in magazines, I found myself wondering just what it was that I was missing so I decided to go back to it and found that "Disquiet" is one of those subtle "growers" - you know the ones - that doesn't rely on a radio "hit" to lure you in  and a polished production to hide the lack of actual songs. And if there is one thing you can say about Therapy? and especially lead singer / songwriter, Andy Cairns it is that they are masters when it comes to penning a great song.

And that's where "Disquiet" comes in. Each an every song is wonderfully crafted and full of punchy, catchy hooks. I can see why people are harking back to the band's glory days, as when you compare "Disquiet" to it's predecessor, "A Brief Crack Of Light", which was a musically experimental and lyrically dark and troubling piece of work, it is, to use a well-worn expression, like comparing chalk and cheese. The lyrics are still dark and brooding and filled with the cynicism, introspection and borderline self-pity that you might expect from Therapy?, but the finished result is an upbeat and immediate collection of songs which make up arguably the best and most consistent album Therapy? have put their name to in many years and that is definitely cause for celebration.

From the opening one-two punch of "Still Hurts" and "Tides" to the very last second of album closer "Deathstimate", "Disquiet" is not only among the band's best albums to date, but it is also without doubt, the heaviest. There are some real monster riffs to be found here among the subtly infectious choruses - from the crunch of "Vulgar Display Of Powder" (also song title of the year) and "Left Behind" to the crushing Stoner / Sludge of the aforementioned "Deathstimate"'

Why keep looking backwards for great albums when there are bands like Therapy? releasing them now? The 90s (along with your youth) has gone and it isn't coming back. No amount of nostalgia is going to change that, so crank it up loud and live for the moment!

Total Playing Time: 42 minutes

Overall: 9/10

Tracklist:

Still Hurts
Tides
Good News Is No News
Fall Behind
Idiot Cousin
Helpless Still lost
Insecurity
Vulgar Display Of Powder
Words Fail Me
Torment Sorrow Misery Strife
Deathstimate

Official Website: therapyquestionmark.com

New Music Round-Up: 11th April 2015

Agnostic Front

Formed way back in 1980, Hardcore / Punk / Thrash / Crossover legends, Agnostic Front have consistently banged out fast and furious albums and unlike many of their contemporaries from 'back in the day', the band have staunchly refused to 'mature' or to grow old gracefully. Even with all that taken into consideration, "The American Dream Died" definitely ranks among the band's best albums in recent years - The catchy, punchy Hardcore anthems come thick and fast, all delivered with the passionate and unique vocal style of Roger Miret. Not only still relevant, but so far ahead of most of today's Hardcore bands that it's almost ridiculous.

Cancer Bats

What is there to say about Cancer Bats other than they continue to deliver their own distinct brand of no-nonsense Hardcore Punk. What you won't find here are polished, radio-friendly "Punk" anthems or obvious pit-fillers. No, these Canadians are the real deal. Nasty, in your face Art Punk (is there such a thing?). The songs ebb and flow in a deliciously messy feedback-fuelled whirlwind which, at times, brings to mind (fellow Ross Robinson produced punks) Amen. Brilliant, as always.

Trepalium

I have heard this band described as Herbie Hancock meets Pantera and while, to my ears, that isn't entirely accurate, it certainly prepares you for what you about to hear. Having previously experimented with Eastern melodies and Slavic folk, this French Progressive Metal band have certainly proved that they have the swagger and the confidence needed to pull off and audacious clash of musical styles like this and they do so with apparent ease. On their latest release, "Damballa's Voodoo Doll" they turn their attention to 1930's / 40's era Jazz, backed up with heavyweight groove-filled riffs. If you want something a little different, then Trepalium might just be the band for you.

Himinbjorg

People often (some might say, obviously) look to Scandinivia and the Nordic region for quality Viking / Pagan Metal, but if you are a true connoisseur of the scene then you'll know that France also has its fair share of Folk / Pagan Metal bands, among the cream of the crop being, Hininbjorg. Taking their name from Norse legend and with the subject matter focussing on Scandinavian mythology and Vikings, it would be very easy to dismiss Himinbjorg as, at best, cliched and at worst, wannabe Norwegians. To do so, however, would be selling them short and denying yourself the pleasure of one of the very best bands the sub-genre has to offer. If you're late to the party, I would highly recommend going way back to the band's debut "Where Ravens Fly" from 2000 and working forward before jumping straight in to the new album. Of course you don't have too, but if you do, you'll thank me later.

The Resistance

The Resistance are something of a Death Metal "Supergroup", featuring current and ex-members of bands such as In Flames, Nightrage, Dimension Zero and The Haunted. With a pedigree like this, you would be forgiven for expecting greatness. Well, you won't be diappointed. If you heard the band's first album (2013's "Scars"), then you know what this is going to sound like. If you are not familiar with The Resistance, start by clearing your mind of any ideas of similarities with In Flames and the more melodic "Gothenburg sound" as this fits definintely and distinctively into the thrashier Stockholm Death Metal camp with a style more reminiscent of bands such as Entombed and Dismember.

New Music Round-Up: April 3rd 2015

The Agonist

Losing the unique vocal talents of a powerhouse like Alissa White-Gluz (to Arch Enemy, no less) would have destroyed a lesser band. Luckily for us, and for them, The Agonist not only decided to continue, but also managed to find another vocalist with the pipes to fill the huge void left by Miss White-Gluz. Enter Vicky Psarakis. If this is a sign of things to come, then The Agonist have the potential to be bigger and better than ever.

36 Crazyfists

Alaska's own Post/Nu/Alt/Metalcore heroes, 36 Crazyfists are back after a prolonged 5 year absence and I am pleased to report that, while not as in-your-face aggressive as 2010's "Collisions and Castaways", new album "Time and Trauma" most definitely does not disappoint. Brock Lindow's distinct and unique vocal style is instantly recognisable and goes a long way towards elevating the band over their peers. Fans of bands as diverse as Godsmack, Killswitch Engage, Parkway Drive and even underrated early 2000s act,  Downer, will find much here to wrap their ears around. Welcome back, lads...you were missed.

Melechesh

Absolutely mind blowing! That was my first reaction to the new album from this amazing Dutch (by way of Israel) act. This isn't your average Metal band tacking a wanky bit of sitar akwardly over a Black Metal riff in a cynical attempt to sound vaguely interesting and "ethnic". Instead the Eastern instrumentation and melodies are deeply woven into the music like a wonderous sonic tapestry. It may well be played at breakneck speed, but persevere with this album and dig a little deeper and you will be rewarded by one of the most amazing musical experiences you will hear this year. This is the most ferocious that Melechesh have sounded in years, but also the most beautiful. A true paradox, "Enki" really is a work of extreme Metal art.

As Lions

Following the collapse of his previous act, partly due to line-up changes and partly due to idiots hounding him and judging him, not on his music, but because of who his dad is, Austin Dickinson shows the resolve that I'm sure Mr. Dickinson senior is very proud of. He got straight back to it, got a new band together and is back on the UK club circuit. Austin doesn't need to do this, he does this because he has passion for Metal. In his words "I take such a battering for being Bruce's kid, but I've always done this because I love it and I believe in the music". You should too. Metalcore appears to be a dirty word these days and while there are some truly terrible bands out there, there are also some good ones. As Lions are ready to be heard. Hear them roar! (sorry).

Byzantine

With a post-Thrash / Groove Metal (with hints of Prog) sound that should appeal to fans of heavyweights like Machine Head, it's a real mystery to me why Byzantine aren't bigger. I suppose it is mainly due to them being unsigned. Even in this era of the internet and easy exposure, it can be difficult for a band to get themselves out there and to reach a potential new audience without the backing of a label to promote them and to get them booked on big tours. What they are doing isn't really original (not many bands are), but it is delivered with style and aplomb! Forget the lazy comparisons (like mine above) and just enjoy this for what it is. A great Metal song from a band deserving of your time.

Sadly Missed: The 90 Minute Mixtape

Those who have been folllowing / reading this blog for a while will be aware that I do, on occassion, use it to get random thoughts and ideas off my chest (and out of my brain) as well as for reviewing and sharing new music. Well, dear friends, this is one of those posts. A random collection of thoughts, musings if you will.

Without meaning to sound like an old git - I remember my own reaction as a teenager when someone went on about vinyl being better than these new fangled CD thingumajigs - I feel sorry for the kids of today. Not only due to the fact that they will (probably) never experience the life-affirming, coming of age joy of trawling through the racks of a proper independent record shop and picking a handful of albums based on cover alone (this is a subject I have already covered), but because they won't be familiar with the concept of making or receving a 90minute cassette (the TDK D90, above, was my weapon of choice) filled to the very last second with music - let's face it, doing this properly was an art form. Choosing the songs, not only for quality, but by length to ensure that you could fit the maximum number of songs on each 45 minute side.

The running order was all important too. You wanted the recipient to enjoy the compilation, of course you did, but more than that, you wanted to impress them with your musical knowledge and diversity, while all the time not coming across as a pretentious twat - it was an imperceptibly fine line, which I probably crossed frequently. You couldn't just throw together an eclectic collection of music that  had no flow. No, these songs had to work together, the ending of one song almost seguing into the beginning of the next.

Now, I have been thinking (careful now) and ignoring the dubious legality of it all, I want to try to revive this lost art. Who's with me? All it would involve is making a compilation, in two 45 minute parts naturally, uploading it to Dropbox or suchlike and then posting the link here.

New Music Round-Up: 15th Feb 2015

Heidevolk

Dutch folkies, Heidevolk first came to my attention in 2007 with the "Wodan Heerst" EP and I was immediately impressed with their unique sound and especially with the chanted, baritone vocal delivery. With all of the lyrics in their native tongue and their catchier than herpes melodies, I had never heard anthing like them before (ok, so the violin is more than a little Skyclad influenced). They may have introduced some heavier, growling vocals, but the core sound has stayed distinctly Heidevolk and in the modern, over-saturated Folk Metal scene, Heidevolk still stand out as a band which sounds like no other and true originality in 2015 is a rare thing indeed.

Svartsot

This is the most exciting release of the year for me as it signals the long overdue return of the best Folk Metal band on the planet right now. When I first heard the band's debut album "Ravnene's Saga" back in 2007 (a good year for Folk Metal, apparently), I was totally blown away. I hadn't heard anything like this band before (or since). They combined the Folk melodies of (early) Thyrfing or Skyclad (my favourite band, incidentally) with the Death Metal crunch of Amon Amarth, but didn't sound like any of these bands. In fact, Svartsot are a completely unique prospect and I have waited four long years for this, the follow-up to 2011's admittedly patchy "Maledictus Eris". Bands like Svartsot don't get much attention from the music press and I suspect many of you won't be familiar with them, so if you like what you hear, please support the band. You can pre-order the album here: http://www.svartsot.dk/

Moonspell 

 
Portugal's biggest (possibly only) Gothic Metal export are back with their 11th full length "Extinct" and judging from the two tracks I've heard, while they seem to have taken yet another step towards a more mellow Gothic Rock sound, it might also be a career best. Even a cursory listen to "Extinct" and "The Last Of Us" brings to mind the mainstream-bothering likes of The Cult and Sisters Of Mercy as much as it does the dark melody of Paradise Lost and Type O Negative and this is definitely not a bad thing.

Schnee

Germany's, Schnee opt for a sound that will be very familiar to fans of Finnish Atmopheric Black Metal / Nature Folk acts such as Nest, October Falls and Tenhi amd to a lesser extent, Norwegian Ambient Black Metal pioneers, Burzum. What this demo lacks in originality and recording quality, it more than makes up for with its haunting Black Metal atmospherics and achingly beautiful soundscapes. Definitely a(n amusing) name to watch out for, Schnee means snow in German in case you were wondering. Click the link to hear the demo.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMYA4K-ZKlk

 
Keep Of Kalessin

Where to start with the brilliant and painfully under-rated Keep Of Kalessin? Well the Norwegian veterans started out as a more traditional Black Metal band akin to (early) Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, et al, but over the years have, along with their more visionary peers, cultivated a much more Avant-Garde sound akin to Arcturus and Ulver. If you have yet to discover this gem of a band, I suggest you pick up a copy of new album, "Epistomology" right away.

New Music Round-Up: 8th Feb 2015

Cripper

Despite the horrible name (taken from an old working song title, apparently), German Modern Thrashers, Cripper are actually a bloody good band. Everyone knows that Germany has a long and rich Thrash Metal history and it's good to see bands like Cripper picking up the torch and running with it. OK, so purists will no doubt moan that it isn't "true" Thrash, but it also isn't 1985. Times change and music evolves. I think even the most jaded old school Thrasher will find something to get excited about on new album, "Hyëna".'

Dawnbringer

Dawnbringer have, over the span of  the last 20 years, perfected their unique style - which is an odd hyvrid  of Trad Metal, Doom, Black and Gothic Metal. The overall sound of Dawnbringer is hard to describe, but one obvious point of reference would be fellow Trad Metal oddballs (The Lord Wierd) Slough Feg. There is atmosphere aplenty on new album, "Night Of The Hammer" and along with some Maiden-esque leads and a decent vocal delivery from the ever-improving Chris Black. Overall, "Night..." is a rewarding and irresistable listening experience and one that gets better with repeat listens.

Diablo Blvd.

 
 Despite them having been around for a decade now, I haven't happened across Diablo Blvd. until now and I don't know what the older albums sound like, but "Follow The Deadlights" is even harder to sum up than Dawnbringer. The overall sound is undeniably "Southern Metal", but there are elements of Gothic Metal, Groove Metal, Grunge and even New Romantic to be found here. I have only heard the album once through so far, but I picked out parts that reminded me of a wide range of bands including 5FDP, Paradise Lost, Volbeat, Poisonblack, Wildhearts, Type O Negative, Danzig, Soil and Demon Hunter. Despite all of this there is something interesting and fresh about Diablo Blvd. and I am looking forward to hearing more from them in the future as well as searching out their back catalogue.

Enslaved

 
Incomparable Norwegian Prog Black Metal heroes, Enslaved are back...and judging on the basis of the single "Thurisaz Dreaming", the new album, "In Times", is almost guaranteed to be yet another Epic Masterpiece in the genre. All the hallmarks of the Enslaved sound are present and correct...The music is sprawling and experimental and the voals veer between otherwordly clean singing to harsh Black Metal rasps. This is the band's heaviest song in many a year, yet retains their recent ear for a Post Rock melody. Essential!

Nightwish

A lot has happened in the Nightwish camp in the 4 years since the release of the amazing "Imaginaerum" album (my album of the year for 2011, fact fans) and I have to admit to having mixed feelings about another new singer. Now, I don't doubt the vocal abilities of Ms. Jansen, but Anette Olzon made such an impact during her time with the band that she is going to be a very hard act to follow. Judging by the only song I have heard so far, "Elan", my fears seem to well founded. There are flashes of inspiration, but I can't shake the feeling that I have heard the song before...and better. It comes across as a Nightwish-lite meets Evanescance...such is the overwhelming sense of self-parody that I got from this song. In fairness, it may well be that the (admittedly leaked) version of the song that I have heard may not be the final version and that it may sound better within the context of the album. We will have to wait and see.