New Reviews 7/10/2011
Obsequiae-Suspended in the Brume of Eos-CD (Bindrune Recordings)
Classical Blackened Prog metal is what this comes to mind with as I listen to it. I was honored enough to get to hear a few early tracks from this band as Tanner of the band gave me this special glimps and all I can say is the final product is even better. Do you remember bands like Ophthalamia and Sabbat (UK) those two projects most come to mind when listening to that with some elements of Summoning and older Haggard . I will say this is like not much I've heard in some time . The medieval and pagan elements mix in almost completely to the Blackened metal sound that presents itself before us with heavy elements of prog rock and neofolk . There is a thrashing side of Obsequiae as well that reminds me very much of Slough feg as well. Again this is one of those very special releases on Bindrune and its needed to be heard in its complete and full glory to understand all that is going on within and without the stories, hymns and songs throughout. With just as strong an ambiance and metallic overtone this will be something that will cross many boundaries and genres of music.. It is time once more to place the armor on and ride into the impending battle for valor,kingdom and freedom.. We have a very noble release here.
www.bindrunerecordings.com
Falls of Rauros- The Light that dwells in rotten wood-CD (Bindrune Recordings)
Bindrune is a label that needs the ritualistic, folk and heathen element in there music almost as much as the Black or Doom elements. With Falls of Rauros I hear everything that Portland OR (Note I was told their from Portland ME Sorry for error) has become over the yrs. Its bringing the underground to the mainstream for those who want to hear it. With this release I can hear elements of Wolves in the throne room, Alcest, Fen and A Forest of Stars all rolled into one with an atmosphere second to none. You can actually feel the torment and love of a nature and old world that is being torn from the very soul of this band. There is a madness going on here that is more then just musical you can feel the hopeless and hopefullness (sometimes in the same song). I hate using the work Epic but that is just what a band like Falls of Rauros are. There are so many styles, ideals and movements going on here, This is not for the casual listener and that what makes it all the more special as with most Bindrune releases. There for us that love music , the old world and those values that were held in a time of honor and humanity. I hope this stays a bit more personal as it would be lost on many . Stellar release gentlemen....
www.bindrunerecordings.com
Trials- Witness to the downfall-CD (Self Release)
Wow this is a hammer to face in the raw power that this chicago based unit present to us . If you like bands like Machine head/ Pantera met with Kiss it goodbye or Deadguy and then the vocal acrobatics of a Mike Patton or Dan Swano with the way it goes from Death to Thrash to Melodic to full on Hardcore. For a self released album the production is second to none and they do have current Novembers Doom Drummer on the kit for for this album but wow over all the complexity and maturity level for an unsigned band its really amazing. At times they even go into that Amorphis eastern music and melody. Trials looks like they have lived through a batch of them already to get an album like this out of the gate all alone . It would be a crying shame for this band to not have at least a good distribution and promotion network to spread the word.. Clawhammer pr make them Metal superstars as all they need is to be heard...
Brainoil- Death of this dry season-LP/Digital ( 20 Buck Spin)
Excellent another Sludgy Crusty Doom album that fits right up my alley with love of bands like Cavity, Buzzoven, Eyehategod and a new slew of limited releases on Southern lord from Planks, Drainland etc. This is noisy, drone filled dirty low end southern styled doom with a healthy does of Punk and hardcore in there diet. Love the very crust grind vocals with punk metal guitars and the dirgy low end. This is in kind with Noothgrush and His Hero is gone as well. If it was 10-15 yrs agon Slam a ham, Prank or Pessimisser would have jumped at the chance to feed the world this brand of sonic molasses.. Another band to remind me of the ABC NO RIO/ CBGB days of my youth.. Let the amps go to 11 and feed back and rumble till my ears can no longer hear the pain and suffering on this wonderful album...
MinusHuman-Bloodthrone-CD (Season of Mist)
Oh Fella's someone likes there Death and Black metal with elements of Power and Thrash metal and this is the melding of 4 styles of metal into a stew of of Power , Fury and Elegance all in one project. The vocals are very much in the style that bands like Immortal and Hypocrisy have become so well for. The Black Death growls with clean harmonic vocals in chorus style behind them from time to. MinusHuman as a Ihshan meets Devin Townsend vibe going on both music and vocally at times for me. There is something I can't really put my finger on but its making the album so damn catchy and making me want to listen to it repeat time. Its not like you haven't heard this style before , MinusHuman just do it in a rather interesting way but almost adding a punk element to it all. MinusHuman are a band that if they can continue ill open ears and eyes with they way they present modern metal music.
http://season-of-mist.com/
Ghost Brigade- Until Fear No Longer Defines Us-CD (Season of Mist)
So this starts out as a very somber acoustic based journey and as we enter the 2nd track it goes to a Neurosis meets Mastodon Vibe. This has post hardcore written all over it with a very Katatonia Doom metal edge to top it all off. The melody is a strong as the bombastic and majesty quality that comes across this release. There is a very Gothenburg Swedish metallic feeling going on like Opeth and Dark Tranquility both present on their newer releases. The very clean vocals with the deep brutal ones just add so much more to the release as a whole. There is an emotional side to Ghost Brigade as well but it never becomes emo in that way. Its more a Gothic Doom sound that has been lost for many yrs that was so strongly around with Tristiana, Theatre of Tragedy and Anathema.. Season of Mist is a label perfect for this larger then life sound over all. Well worth checking out as it maybe better then there last...
http://season-of-mist.com/
Comments