Showing posts with label Astral Noize Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Astral Noize Records. Show all posts

Monday, 21 October 2019

Kurokuma/Under - Kurokunder Split 7"


Labels: Astral Noize Records
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 15 Nov 2019

Tracklist:

1. Kurokuma - The Tides Of Time
2. Under - Abyssal Gigantism

Here's something that's not even out yet! I'm covering something before it's release for the first time in ages, as a I combat the usual humdrum of real life. This little split 7" features Kurokuma and Under, who once led you to believe they had actual band beef. As it turns out they don't and here's the proof. It's going to be released by Astral Noize Records in November and features an Ecco The Dolphin cover (originally a 1992 Sega Genesis video game) from Kurokuma and an original song from Under. 

A band covering a 16-bit soundtrack is at odds with the whole 16-bit/modular synth scene that exists outside of this sphere, but that’s not the point. The point is that it’s Kurokuma and they’re ace. Their take on The Tides Of Time (from the video game Ecco The Dolphin) is a re-imagining that to some might be unthinkable but to others will make complete sense. Their bass-heavy doom lends itself perfectly to the cinematic soundtrack and is a breath of fresh air in creative terms. Who’d have though it eh!

Haling from the other side of the Pennines to Kurokuma, Under don’t let county boundaries get in the way of their noise-making and Abyssal Gigantism is certainly noisy. It encompasses elements from a whole heap of musical tangents, from the experimental off-kilter vibes of Mastodon and TDEP to the grunge-like vocals and atmospherics of Deftones and Tool. There’s loads going on and it shows a hint of Under’s progression towards a UK prog/sludge/noise mainstay.

This split is fun but it’s also creative. Music needs people to be creative or it’ll fade into mediocrity like many a current pop act (sorry, I’m biased). Kurokuma’s groove has always been a big part of their appeal for me, while Under’s unapologetic noise is born out of true UK grit. Throw your support behind both the bands and Astral Noize Records now and when this 7” is released.

Here's a little video teaser for you:-



You can pre-order this release both digitally and physically via Astral Noize Records here:-


Also, if you feel that way inclined, please consider joining and/or sharing my Patreon -

https://www.patreon.com/thisnoiseisours. This has been set up to help me go beyond the blog, with projects to include a tape/cd release series and also charitable donations that will account for 50% of all pledges. Thank you.
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Friday, 18 October 2019

Wallowing - Planet Loss


Labels: Sludgelord Records/Black Voodoo Records/Astral Noize Records
Formats: LP/Tape/Digital
Release Date: 13 Sep 2019

Tracklist:

1. I. Prologue
2. II. Earthless
3. III. Phosgene
4. IV. Hail Creation
5. V. Vessel
6. VI. Epilogue

I've spoken many times before about my admiration for the scene that's contained within Brighton. my main introduction to it was through Headless Guru Records back in 2012 and while I've lost touch with it slightly, it's great to see more bands coming though from the South coast city. Wallowing formed in 2018 and after a demo, released in the same year, they released their debut full-length last month with amazing artwork from Luke Oram (Atomck, Let It Die, Monolithian and more). It was released on vinyl by Sludgelord Records/Black Voodoo Records and on specially crafted cassette via Astral Noize Records.

It’s feels so nice to get to this point in the week and sinking into some new music makes it even more worth the wait. Wallowing provides that new music thanks to their debut album “Planet Loss”. Opening track I. Prologue is an instrumental intro of sorts with samples and wailing feedback that drags you into II. Earthless. Unlike the band of its namesake, this song is heavy, sludgy and cavernous in delivery with no upbeat grooves or melodies. It crawls along with retching guitar riffs, feedback and percussion/harsh vocals that sit within the mix adding to the claustrophobia that you’ll feel while listening.

III. Phosgene was the band’s first demo release back in 2018 and it shows a faster side to Wallowing, with grinding passages and breakdown-like riffs. Its urgency is more obvious and there’s a level of technicality that shows they’re not just here to play loud, brutish music. It’s a journey all of itself. Hell  appears during IV. Hail Creation, which weaves post-metal, black metal and doom into one intimidating collage of sound.

They go for the long anticipation-building intro on V. Vessel, which is actually fantastic as it grows in both volume and musical layers. It’s a song of multiple movements. Experimental, progressive and even sometimes slightly improvisational (maybe), Wallowing pulls off something that won’t just appeal to sludge/doom purists, but to those who also like rock at its noisy best. Ending with VI. Epilogue in the way that the album began, calmness is restored but the chaos and dissonance is much missed. Wallowing’s debut full-length is really strong. It sets the standard for what comes next from them but something tells me that they’ll have no problem reaching and even beating it. 

You can stream and purchase "Planet Loss" digitally from Wallowing below:-




Physical copies can be purchased from these links:-


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