Varoshan - ...And Then The Rains Came

Labels: Elitbolaget

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 11 Jan 2022

Tracklist:

1. The Crow

2. The Wrath

3. The Tyrant

4. Tyger Heart (Interlude)

5. The Message (feat. Riina Rinkinen)

6. The Snake

Today marks the release of the debut album from European sludge/hardcore band Varoshan. With members residing in Finland, Germany and the United Kingdom, being able to release an album during the current restrictions is no mean feat. ...And Then The Rains Came is available both on tape and digitally via Finnish label Elitbolaget. I've read that Varoshan can be compared to the likes of Tombs, Converge and Black Sabbath, so this should be quite a ride.

…And Then The Rains Came is initially very different to what I was expecting, given the bands that Varoshan is compared to. I suppose it’s best to leave comparisons at the door sometimes. That might sound like a negative way to begin a review, but it’s not meant to be as Varoshan’s take on metal is very captivating on opener ‘The Crow’. Heavy, groovy and melodic with vocals that are both extreme and approachable. It’s certainly an intriguing listen straight out of the gate.

That groove I was talking about lies well and truly with the guitar work of Anders Bomberg, backed up by bassist Matias Lofman’s low-end on ‘The Wrath’. This is what I had conjured up in my mind when imagining what Varoshan would sound like (although I know that sort of thing is impossible). The very strong percussion of Anders Tornqvist adds a ton of volume to the song, while Mark Howes roars over the top. Heck, there’s even the odd bit of Incubus-like funk going on. I guess that’s where Varoshan’s alternative side shows through.

So far so good then. This album really hits the spot if you’re looking for something meaty and riff-laden. ‘The Tyrant’ is much more reliant on the band’s low-end, as well as atmospherics and spoken-word samples to add to Varoshan’s already intense layers of sound. When they change things up and throw in some nice psychedelic riffs later on, it all gets a bit too much (in terms of how enjoyable it is!). The second half of the album begins with the interlude ‘Tyger Heart’. It breaks things up slightly but at the same time leads you nicely on.

What follows that interlude is ‘The Message’, which features additional vocals from Riina Rinkinen. Varoshan’s sound here takes a slightly slower turn, at least for a time with the instrumentation definitely becoming more doom-like. The addition of Riina’s clean tones give the song a much greater occult feel, even when up next to Mark’s harsher vocals. This is a side that I like very much.

It’s left to ‘The Snake’, the album’s longest song, to wind it’s way to a final conclusion. It’s a mix of the doom of ‘The Message’ and the alternative elements from earlier on in the album. It’s a pretty calming way to close things out and shows the versatility of all members of Varoshan. All of the above mentioned sub-genres are gathered together to create a really solid metal album. One that has it’s own personality and poise. Great job!

You can stream the full album and purchase it both digitally or on tape (or both!) below:-

Varoshan - https://www.facebook.com/varoshandoom

Elitbolaget - https://www.facebook.com/Elitbolaget

Introducing: All I Live For (hard rock/alternative metal from Leeds)

Back when I started this blog, I focused heavily on bands from around Yorkshire. I started with local bands that existed in Harrogate and then moved further afield. As the blog has grown it's reach over the years, I've neglected this side of it so I thought I'd re-start it by talking about a brand new band, who're only six days away from releasing their debut album We Are The Angels.

All I Live For are a quartet from Leeds and to date they have released three singles that will appear on their forthcoming album. They have plenty of common influences, including the likes of Alter Bridge, Killswitch Engage and Muse. They've channelled those influences into music that's both heavy yet accessible, with very positive and thought provoking lyrics. They have also been lucky enough to enlist multi-grammy award winning mastering engineer Gavin Lurssen (who has mastered albums for some of rock/pop music's biggest names, including Metallica, Foo Fighters and DMX to name a few).

You can stream and purchase all three singles via Bandcamp below:-

Their music is also available on all major streaming site, with links available via their website here:-

https://allilivefor.com/.

Please spare a moment to check out All I Live For and help spread their music in preparation for the album release - https://www.facebook.com/AllILiveFor.

Crostpaths - Mutated EP

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 27 Nov 2020

Tracklist: 

1. Rampage

2. Hiding In Plain Sight

3. Defiant

I've realised that I don't cover much music prior to it's release. It happens after release date more often than not. This review is a little different though as it features the soon-to-be-released (27-Nov-2020) EP from Kent's Crostpaths. They call themselves a nu-metalcore band and while that may seem frightening, but let's reserve judgement until this EP ends. I'm also a little embarrassed to to say that Crostpaths fit into my 'don't trust a band without a Bandcamp page' drawer, but that's just me being picky. This UK quartet released their debut self-titled EP last year and as this year's pretty much been a write-off in live terms, let's show them some support as they bring new music into the world during the last month-or-so of this horrid year.

Here’s goes then. An electronic intro builds on opener ‘Rampage’ and gives way to heavy instrumentation and then rap-style shouting that brings to mind a cross between Hactivist, Hed PE and maybe Skindred. It’s well executed and the heavier sections certainly hit the spot, but the rapping is a bit much for me and there’s a tendency at times for the vocals to sound a bit too Americanised. I think I’m too old for this sub-genre now.

‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ is even more retro-sounding and if you like Mudvayne or American Head Charge, then parts of this will win you over for sure. Musically, the band are pretty tight though and they do pack a punch when they get going. EP closer ‘Defiant’ has the off-kilter riffs and djent influence flowing through it. It seems as though Crostpaths are still finding their sound and I have to say, it’s bold of them to go in this direction with it. The keytar towards the end is genius though!

Please excuse my slightly jaded view but having found my way to heavy music through the original wave of nu-metal, I realised there wasn’t much of it that was any good. This EP is a lot of fun and Crostpaths show a lot of promise, so if you can get passed the nu-metal influence then you’ll grow to really enjoy this. 

You can watch videos for both 'Rampage' and 'Defiant' via the band's Youtube channel below:-

https://www.youtube.com/channel/

Crostpaths - https://www.facebook.com/crostpaths/

Soul Attrition - Vashon Rain

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 13 Jul 2018

Tracklist:

1. Sinking

2. Thirteen

3. Remission

4. Fatal Flaw

5. Vashon Rain

6. Unexpected Affront

7. Euclid

This is the first time I've managed to write reviews on successive nights (I think) for a little while now and it feels good. This one feature an early listen to another record that's due out in July. Chicago's Soul Attrition is the solo-project of Escape Is Not Freedom bassist Josh Parlette, who kindly got in touch with me following my earlier review of the Escape Is Not Freedom/Dusk Village split from January. Soul Attrition is described as a post-metal/sludge/experimental band with Josh's influences ranging from Nirvana to Type O Negative and Thou to Godflesh (amongst others).

Solo-projects are usually the preserve of black metal (at least in my experience), so Soul Attrition is a welcome surprise. Album opener Sinking is gloomy and the Type O Negative influence is definitely there in the vocals. The music is heavier, but also melodic in a similar way to grunge. There’s also an industrial side to the instrumentation that pokes through when it’s at it’s fullest. So far so good then. Thirteen is equally as heavy thanks to the continuous driving riffs. They create a lot of atmosphere though and Josh’s singing is akin to the clean vocals of Chino Moreno. 

Remission sees Soul Attrition moving in a different direction, following the two previous songs and slowing things down a tad. The music isn’t layered with as much guitar noise initially and what guitar there is, sounds really calming. The vocals remind me a little of Brian Molko at times too. It’s not long before the music takes a heavier turn again, though you can be safe in the knowledge that it’s not going to go too extreme. It’s a glorious song that’s easy to get lost in, which is what I did during it’s second half. The audible shouted vocals that are present throughout the album are a nice touch and won’t frighten non-metal lovers away. They’re used well on Fatal Flaw when the volume increases in what I guess is the chorus (of sorts?). Soul Attrition also ends the song with a ridiculously good passage of post-black metal guitar work that kills it.

It’s difficult to underestimate the old-school influence on “Vashon Rain” and the title-track’s instrumental refrain adds an element of that. The album is also pretty expansive and it deserves the progressive tag it’s been given. The songs are lengthy at times but no too long that your attention wanes. Penultimate song Unexpected Affront is one that builds on the dynamic of anticipation followed by explosion. Everything sill leans heavily towards grunge/alternative soundscapes but they’re done brilliantly and don’t just sound like rehashed. Euclid closes it all out in suitably moody fashion, matching the atmosphere of the album opener while seemingly being more depressive (if that’s the right descriptor) thanks to it’s tempo.

You can stream Fatal Flaw prior to the album's release date here:-

Soul Attrition - https://www.facebook.com/soulattrition/

VNDTA - Pale Glow EP

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 13 Apr 2018

Tracklist:

1. Pale Glow

2. Excuses

3. Swine

4. Martyr

5. Rare Breed

6. Leeches

7. Virus

Bands that work hard at their craft and don't rush to release music usually turn out better than their peers. Hertfordshire, UK quartet VNDTA have been plying their trade since 2015 but are only now about to release their debut EP, "Pale Glow". They've spent the time honing their own alternative/progressive metal sound with influences ranging from No Doubt, to Slipknot and Thy Art Is Murder and have notched up live slots with the likes of Human Mycosis and King Leviathan (amongst others). 

VNDTA make a very controlled racket with loads of modern metal and melody on their EP’s title-track. What set’s them apart for me is the brutal vocal delivery of Megan Targett. She has a very impressive vocal range that includes soaring clean singing, but those roars are something else! The instrumentation is very much akin to the progressive music performed by the likes of Periphery and such, but they’re able to add deft touches of atmosphere on Excuses. The lyrics in the song add a bilious feel. The more you listen to “Pale Glow” the more VNDTA proves to be something very special. Swine includes more of the impressive clean singing I wrote about above and adds in some great off-kilter, alternative guitar work. The drums are ferocious too and help lead the transitions between tempos really well. 

The immediate impression of Martyr is one of full-scale thrashing madness and it lasts throughout the song, though it’s dialled down when the quartet launches another progressive attack. This is the most infectious song on the EP I think and it really strikes a chord. They carry all of that momentum into Rare Breed, which is where their song-writing really seems to step up a gear. It’s full of emotion and anger, as well as solid metal riffs and the kind of percussive drop that would make any festival crowd jump and mosh like their lives depended on it. By the time penultimate song Leeches comes around, VNDTA has full on nailed it and are exuding the confidence of a band much bigger. EP closer Virus has both real sing-along quality and attitude in equal measure. It draws a line under a debut release that’s a serious contender for EP of the year. What a fucking band!

You can stream the song Martyr via Youtube below:-

Keep an eye on the band's Facebook page for news on the EP release - https://www.facebook.com/VNDTA/