New Reviews 3/25/2012
Ancient VVisdom-A Godlike Inferno-CD (Prosthetic Records)
So this is one of the more interesting releases I've heard in a while. It Mixes Folk, Post Rock and Metal into a blend I was not ready image if Led Zeppelin added Folk elements and then became a full on Metal act. This sounds like Tenhi, Ariel Run mixed with Anathema all at a Testament concert. The elements of Hardrock, Thrash mixed with the Post Rock and Proggy Acoustic are beyond familar and all very unique all at the same time. The strings work all so well that add an almost viking metal element to it were I wear they have a love for bands like Falkenbach .. Ancient VVisdom has almost taken the place were a band called Vast was yrs back. A Godlike Inferno is as haunting as inspiring. I don't know what to else to say as the clean power vocals, acoustic mixed with rocking guitars, simple percussion and strings are so good its like an addiction and now its your turn.
Primitive Weapons- The Shadow Gallery-CD (Prosthetic Records)
Primitive Weapons have all you want and more if your a fan of Post Metal/Hardcore. The 1st thin I heard from this band was Deadguy, Kiss it Goodbye, Prong, Voivod and Dillinger Escape plan all in a Doom Scifi Post Hardcore adventure that does not stop. This album is so heavy and low end its brilliant. The vocals are those you would hear in Early Neurosis, Deadguy and Those 90's bands on labels like Victory and Theologian Records. There is a strong heavy punk /thrash element going that bands like Killing Joke and Melvin's made so well know as well. The Shadow Gallery is one pissed off sonic journey that you will be less complete if you don't hear. So check it out.
Ides of Gemini- Constantinople-CD (Neurot Recordings)
Occult, B Movie Soundtrack, Black Doom, 70's Prog and down down right hypnotic is how I would present Ideas of Gemini. They mix bands like Dead can Dance, Sabbath Assembly, Star of Ash all to elements of bands like Wolvserpent, Neurosis and Swans with Jarboe. The image of the band gives me that 70's Italian horror you know what I mean and the prog element is there from the prog rock sound as well esp in the guitars and odd off time but magical drumming. The two female voices are what really make this all the more awesome. They vocals are classically done but in that very avant edge to them. The black metal element comes from the Post Black metal from late 90's the DHG , Virus and Peccatum vibe. I want to see this band live. If Amber Asylum was a Black Doom band they would be Ides of Gemini. Simply amazing this album is...
Nate Hall- A Great River-CD (Neurot Recordings)
So the main-man behind US Christmas has decided to step into the solo artist realm with a stripped down Blues, Soulful Southern Rock inspired release if you could put the best elements of J Mascus, Mark Lannegan , Tom Petty and Crazy Horse all into one band then you have A Great river. Nate also likes what Steven Von Till has done as a solo artist adding the Neo-folk element into the mix but never becoming full on folk at all. This is Post Southern Rock with a emotion and passion that very few will ever have or see. A Great River gives me chills in how its presented to the world . Its Stark and Bare and lets the Songwriting just shine and you can ask for nothing more on an album like this. I never do this but I'm giving this 5 Stars!!!! out of 5...
Avenger- Bohemian Dark Metal-CD ( Deathgasm Records)
This Czech Post Black /Doom band has been around for over 20 yrs and all can say is wow... They mix elements of Bethlehem, Marduk, Deathspell Omega, Watain and Emperor all into one hell of an epic metal release. I shocked Ive never heard this band before as they are truly amazing and this album has it all for a Extreme metal fan. There are moments I swear I'm listening to a New Immortal or Satyricon Album in the way they are arranging the the material. Deathgasm is a label that has always been hit or miss with me Avenger is a major hit with this review. The complexity and layers of sounds going on are what I've been waiting for again in extreme metal.
Pelican- Ataraxia / Taraxis- CDep (Southern Lord)
Pelican is back and if you don't know who they are then you've missed out on some of the best Post Rock/Drone Doom of the last 10 yrs my friends. These instrumental rockers are just a wall of heavy prog doom with delicate avant rock movements and a soundtrack to the pain that all of us are going through in the growing issues of the 21st century. Pelican all I can say is let the low end keep on keeping on and those guitars touch our mind body and soul. Live Pelican are even better so if you get a chance see them. This for fans of Isis, Russian Circles, Do Make say think etc. My one only issue is tht Pelican only gave us a 4 song ep. We need a full length ASAP...
http://southernlord.com/
Borknagar- Urd-CD (Century Media)
So the Post Black/ Viking/Doom metal supergroup are back home with Century Media and have made there best album since Archaic Course.. Its good to see Simen back with the band on bass and doing those epic clean vocals and it will work so well with Vintersorg who I feel has gotten a bad wrap with them. Urd is full of Massive Clean and Death/Black vocals, Amazing piano and string movements, Guitars an Bass lines that are second to none and the Prog Back end that has been there for yrs. Viking / Avant Metal like this you don't really get any more they are one of the definitive bands of this style with Arcturus , Thyrfing and to a lesser level Mithotyn. The flavor of the other bands the member have been or are in always mix in so you can hear Solefald, Dimmu Borgir and Vintersorg but its always Oystein vision, songwriting and arrangements that makes this Borknagar as no other band sounds like them unless they copied from them. How Borknagar can mix Doom. Viking, Folk, Prog and Black metal into a stew of this fantastic taste and vision for almost 20 yrs now is still an amazement to me and many others. I think you get the point get this album now its going to be one of the best releases of 2012 for sure.
http://centurymedia.com/
Djerv-S/T-CD (Indie Recordings)
Female fronted Black and Roll is what I hear with and Electro element and damn catchy at that. I can see why this band got the attention of Indie recordings. Djerv is like a sickness that all innocently rubs up against you has you buy it dinner and then its to late as your already infected by the Grim and Sensual Vocals, The Industrial rhythmic back beat and the guitars that just make you want to start a circle pit. If you could mix Lacuna Coil , The Gathering , The Young Gods and Black metal together you would have Djerv. They have the Motorhead element going on with the music as well. Djerv can be something major as they have that Made out of Babies/ Flyleaf element going on as well. Do not just pass by this release as you will really be missing out .
Comments