New Reviews 6/4/2011
Hekate- Die Welt der dunklen Garten-CD (Prophecy Productions)
So as the years go by the Apocalyptic Folk/ Martial Folk side of the music scene has very much thinned out and there are very few that really do it well . This is of the old guard Blood Axis, Der Blutharsch, Of the Wand and the Moon, Death in June etc and they do it so well with the heavy piano, strings , acoustic guitars, Kettle Drums man and female spoken and ethereally sung. These kind of albums are for the of loss and remembrance on the past wars and conflicts that were done when it was a gentlemens battle and strategy meant it all. There are hymns to the fallen. Hekate is a lush and wonderful Martial folk project with Celtic , Germanic, Oriental themes.. You can hear projects like Dead can dance and Ranja very heavily as well. This is just one of those albums if your a fan of the CMI. Tesco, Cyclic Law labels are a must to hear.
http://prophecyproductions.de/
Sol Invictus- The Cruellest Month-CD (Prophecy Productions)
Well you clearly would have to have been living under a rock or a cave for over a few decades to not know this band or project Tony Wakeford. They are to what Martial or Heathen Folk is to the way Slayer is to thrash metal. The innovative the molders to the flame. Mr Wakeford took a sound of Peace and anti war theme and made it epic, masterful , warlike and full of so much emotion that once you heard Sol Invictus you would be change for good or bad and really as an artist what else can you ask for. The vocals are just want you want spoke and artfully sung and chanted. The music goes from acoustic lulls to massive percussive, orchestral and almost metallic roars. This is not one simple ideal there are so many layers and waves of styles and creations going on here. I can just say I hope this is not Sol Invictus last album but if it is they could not have left on a higher note. This is NeoFolk period and proper.
http://prophecyproductions.de/
The Konsortium-S/T-CD (Agonia)
Well I'm as pleased as a pig in shit with this album there last release was impressive to say the least but this is all thing Post Black Metal I love think if you mix DHG, Arcturus and Dimmu Borgir into a Symphonic stew of bombastic notes and cords with a vocalist that can sing, scream, chant, cry, growl and just become down right hypnotic. The progressive elements of bands like Emperor and Borknagar are all here as well. Agonia you have an album that gave me the same chills I had when I 1st heard Archiac Course by Borknagar or Masquerade by Arcturus. This is a band that with the right word of mouth can become those of mystery and legend. I can give no higher praise to the Beauty , power and oddity that The Konsortium was, is and always shall be.
http://agoniarecords.com/
Entrenched-Preemptive Strike-CD (Self Released)
So we have a new hungry young band creating blistering Blackened Warmetal with a heavy element of Thrash for good measure and there from my home state on NJ. If you like bands like Panzerchrist, Bolt thrower, Carcass, Entombed, Dismember and Marduk then guess who you will be listening to often it will be Entrenched.. I can never give enough proud support and words to a DYI band as this is not an easy time for indie music and to do it solo and have the killer production and sound that this release has is no simply task. Entrenched is a mix of brutality and melody sometimes even in the same sound. Gotta say I love the thrashing guitar solo it really makes the album with the very Bolt thrower vocals.. This is the way metal is suppose to me never change...
Novembers Doom- Aphotic-CD (The End Records)
Novembers Doom is a band very near and dear to my heart as we were label mates for while and I call Paul and Larry Friends even though its been yrs since Ive seen them last. With there 8 album the have just floored me with something I was not ready for a doom/death album of the level of My Dying Bride's " Turn loose the swans" or Anathema's " Silent Enigma" Nov Doom has been moving to a more Prog Death sound over the years for me and though there love of Opeth and Dan Swano are very much in tact this is the Darkest and most doom filled ride I've have from them in 4 albums.. The guitars are low and massive with great acoustic and melodies. Paul's voices is spot on . The Drums and bass are the backbone they need to be if Aphotic is to succeed. This album is just down right a monster with one mission to make the listener remember why November Doom is one of the best bands on The End records a label that seems to have lost its metal heart over the last few years. Aphotic is a must listen metallic journey...
http://theendrecords.com/
The Living Fields- Running Out of Daylght-CD (Candlelight)
All I can really say is wow right now I was not ready for this not even for one moment. The Living Fields mixes Viking, Post Black Metal, Prog rock, Symphonic and Folk elements all into one project sure to impress even the most picky of fans. If Bathory, Subway to Sally, Emperor and Falkenbach all got together as one force and created an album you would come very close to this but I still think The Living Fields are more expansive as they have moments of Opeth, Winds and Old Dead tree going on here as well. This is one of those beyond Genre bands that are just a thing of total passion and wonder that must be heard to really understand. Now they sound like Thyrfing ... Wow just wow nothing more needs to be said..
http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/
Blackwolfgoat- Dronolith-CD (Maple Forum)
Post Rock meets Fuzzed out Droning Rock it almost sounds like a Kyuss records to me but not a stoner or as sabbath worshiped going on . Also there are no vocals going on so its more about getting your groove and rhythm on for 3/4 of an hour as the guitars, bass and drums take you on a journey not that unsimilar to Karma to burn or Russian Circles create. I know this is a short review but I don't were else to go and I told you what your getting and your going to like it or pass on that alone. This is a very nitch indie kind of release.
Riverside- Memories in my Head-MCD (The Lasers Edge)
So from what I'm reading this is a legendary Prog rock band from Poland and have played many prog fests thought USA, Europe and elsewhere. This 3 song 30 plus minute ep could not be more of a gem if they tried . Riverside has it all elements of Porupine Tree, Yes, ELP, Fleetwood Mac, Old Genesis and them a Harder rock side as well. The talents here are just limitless if you like your music layered and just as soulful and prog and breathe taking then look no further my friends. The vocal harmonies alone will just break you down unless your not human. The music just just beautiful there is no other word. At time Riverside remind me of Dan Swanos Moontower or the more Prog side of Amorphis. Both stellar projects in there own rights. The moog could not be used in a better fashion either. I look forward now to going back and checking out the decade before of musical gems they have created.
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