Moths - Moths EP

So for this review, I thought I'd pull something completely obscure out of my review pile. Moths hail from Houston, Texas and sent me an e-mail a little while ago, that simply contained links to their Bandcamp and Facebook page. Normally I would just ignore these types of e-mails, passing them off as spam but the fact that they had the wherewithal to place links in the e-mail, suggested they were being genuine so I thought the least I could do was check them out. They class themselves as an experimental/punk/hardcore band and so far they have this EP, as Live Demo and a split with Gillian Carter to their name. So, this is my review of their self-titled EP.

Tracklist:-

1. Jupitari
2. Gold Ghost
3. Transit
4. You've Reached Marshall
5. Asteral

6. Perseids

This sounds very jangly to begin with. Jupitari builds up with the sound of cymbals and then very nice drumming amid electronics. You feel like it's building up to a big crescendo, but it refuses to spill over and leaves you waiting in suspense. Gold Coast is where Moths properly kick in, with their own brand of screamo. The drums and riffs are fairly off-kilter and the dual screamers are pretty intense. It has a feel of At The Drive-In to it at times. Very mathy but less melodic.

The tracks are separated by various interludes of instrumental music. Transit features some great melodic guitar work, occasional screams and some samples at the end. They fly back into life with You've Reached Marshall, which is a lot more urgent than Gold Coast. Even though it's less than three minutes in length, a lot does seem to happen.

The riffs pulsate during Asteral and sound more like swathes of ambience than actual guitar. It all comes to rest with more droning electronics and flows straight into closing song Perseids. This is Moths most ambitious song at over ten minutes in length. When the electronics die down, the music is easy to drift off too. It's calming and shows a slightly different side to the band. It doesn't take too long for the impression to be blown to smithereens though, as they kick back into their spazzy screamo. 

I have to admit; I've not heard anything like Moths before. They seem to have gained a slight space-age appreciation within their sound and it certainly gives screamo a new edge. If Moths can get their press approach right, there's no reason why they can't get positive coverage and reviews, which in turn will help them pick up new fans. 

You can stream this EP below. Physical copies have sold out but if you like it, you can download from the Bandcamp page: -

Moths are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mothsnoise

Fell Voices - Regnum Saturni 2LP

There's always been two black metal bands that I've wanted to feature on This Noise Is Ours. One was Ash Borer and the other was Fell Voices. The reason behind this was not about ego and bragging rites (because I've got no time for ego's) but out of complete fandom. Over the last few years I've been listening to more and more black metal and I've always read about these two bands and I've admired the way they carry themselves and don't follow the press darlings of the scene, down the sideshow path. I got the chance a while ago to feature Ash Borer, which was a huge honour and now Fell Voices follow. This is their new three-track double LP which is due to be released on vinyl by US label Gilead Media and Antithetic Records.

Tracklist:-

1. Flesh From Bone
2. Emergence

3. Dawn

Fell Voices present themselves in a very similar way to that of the aforementioned Ash Borer. They don't fill Regnum Saturni with countless tracks with the same sound, instead they put forward three of varying lengths.  Opener Flesh From Bone starts with a pulsing/droning ambience, intertwined with spoken word samples. This intro rings out for just over two minutes, at which point you’re greeted with feedback and harsher almost white noise. Their black metal seems to be very minimal; the vocals nestle in the background underneath the guitars. The drums also sit back, apart from the occasional cymbal crash. It's very atmospheric actually, with subtle melody hiding amongst the continual almost marshal ambience. It finishes the way it started, with more of that pulsing ambience.

Fell Voices drummer/vocalist has in the past been a live member of Ash Borer, so there are some, although not intended, similarities between the two bands. That and the fact they both shared a very well received split record, which was when they came to my attention.

Emergence starts off in the same manner, except the ambiance is quieter this time. It's volume does increase slowly though, reaching an almost maddening volume and forcing you into a trance as it goes. One thing that gets me with Fell Voices is their ability to play such anti-music without it sounding horrendous. I'm not being disrespectful by calling it anti-music but it's going to take a special kind of person to listen to Regnum Saturni in full. Most people will either be too scared or too weak. For me, what makes them so captivating is that apparent lack of melody, which as you listen, disappears to reveal melody. The fact that the vocals are so distant adds a sense of humility and a feeling of down to earth-ness.

It can at times get truly hypnotic and just when you think you are about depart, the vocals kick in and jolt you from your daze. The anguished cries make Mike sound as though he's being tortured. God knows how he can scream like that and play drums! The closing bars of the song consist of just the droning noise and those screams. A haunting end indeed!

By the time Dawn roles into view, you're pretty much frozen to the spot. Even when more melody and guitar is used amongst the initial noise, it's meant to disarm and unnerve you. With such long, drawn out songs, you'd think the music would become stale but it doesn't, such is the captivating aura that surrounds the band. How a trio can make this much noise, I'll never know!

While there are subtle similarities between Fell Voice and noise acts like Sutekh Hexen and Gnaw Their Tongues, Fell Voices are so much more engaging. They sit in the black metal arena but put forward a compelling case for the scrapping of genre convention. I can't see Fell Voices remaining the preserve of those in the know for much longer. They're on a cosmic path that will take them to greater heights.

Now, too wet you're appetites before the album drops in June, you can listen to second tracks Emergence below:-

Go to the following stores for pre-orders:-

Gilead Media - http://www.gileadmedia.net/store/
Antithetic Records - http://www.antitheticrecords.com/shop/

Fell Voices official blog - http://fellvoices.blogspot.co.uk/
Fell Voices Facebook page (Fan page) - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fell-Voices

Monolithian - One/Zero 12"

There seems to have been a big proliferation of duo's in metal recently, especially in the UK doom/sludge/black metal scenes. Falmouth's Monolithian are one such band, though not entirely new, they are starting to make waves and get the earth rumbling around their feet. They're about two release a 12" record with the help of five mighty labels - Church of Fuck, Moshtache Records, Bitter North Record, Atomsmasher Records and Riotous Outburst Records. One/Zero collects their first two EP's. The A side features the four tracks from the sold out One EP (including a Bongzilla cover no less) and side B features the Zero EP.

Tracklist:-

1. Yog Sothoth
2.The Dry
3. Cruithne
4. 666 lbs (Bongzilla Cover)
5. Baptism
6. Under The Obelisk
7. Azothoth
8. The Anointed One

I've always been into the slower more bass-heavy strand of heavy music and Monolithian seem to satisfy that thirst pretty well. The absence of lead guitar may be hard for some people to get used to, but once you realise that the melody, no matter how low, is coming from the bass, all becomes clear. The low, growling black metal vocals add a menacing edge to opener Yog Sothoth. As well as performing slow, winding rituals, Monolithian can also thrash like nobody's business. Just check out The Dry. It's powerful drumming dictates the pace and it's a polar opposite to the doom tag that Monolithian carries with them. In between songs they use samples to break the silence.

There's only one word for the bass riff at the start of Cruithne - immense! It propels you into a new six and a half minute leviathan. The noise level just seems to keep rising too and when you think the song is coming to a conclusion, it kicks back into gear again with another mighty bass rumble. The final song on the A side is the Bongzilla cover, 666lbs. I don't really need to say anything here because well, it's just huge! The cool thing about it is that Monolithian really stamp their own mark on the song and don't worry about the fact that they don't emulate the lead guitar from the original version.

Side B starts with a kick in the balls by the name of Baptism. There's more fast drumming at the start of the song and some great underlying melody as well. It has a different feel to it from the rawness of the One EP on side A, but it's no less bruising. The bass tone in Under The Obelisk sounds lower somehow, I'm not sure why though. Maybe I just want it to be!  One thing's for sure though, listening to this at high volume certainly shakes your bowels. I have my speakers perched on top of a chest of draws, which I thought were quite steady. I'm not so sure now.

After the lengthy build up, the song hits its stride. It saunters through seven minutes of mesmerising bass riffs, grooving drums; deathly/blackened growls and Monolithian even manage to throw in some Bong-esque clean vocals. It's probably my standout track on the record. If you sit back and listen to the musical textures that Monolithian weaves, you'll be transported to another place entirely. Just listen to the unnerving noise created on Azothoth, along with the sample of children talking. It'll move you! 

One/Zero is bought to an end by one last rumbling hymn, in the form of The Anointed One. It's the sound of your world crumbling in around you. It's the last breath as you're committed to the earth. It's the musical form of you losing your mind slowly and torturously. To pigeonhole Monolithian would be missing the point (though it seems like I've tried to with this review). Their heaviness and their originality breathes new, deformed life into the heavy underworld which we populate.

The entire record is available for streaming below (via Church of Fuck's bandcamp page):-

Physical copies can still be pre-ordered and the vinyl will be dropping soon. Head to following places to pick up your copy -

Church of Fuck - http://churchoffuck.bigcartel.com/
Moshtache Records - http://moshtacherecords.bigcartel.com/
Bitter North Records - http://bitternorthrecords.tumblr.com/
Atomsmasher Records - https://www.facebook.com/AtomsmasherRecords
Riotous Outburst Records - http://riotousoutburst.bigcartel.com/products

Also, head over to Monolithian's Facebook for news and gig announcements - https://www.facebook.com/monolithian

This Noise Is Ours Bandcamp - Streaming Opportunity

I'd like to hear from bands/labels who might be interested in streaming songs or records on the This Noise Is Ours Bandcamp page. This will be solely to help bands get their music out to wider audiences. You can elect how long your music is streamed for and I would manage the uploading/removing of songs or records.

This is something I've been wanting to do for a while now but am only getting around to posting about it now. So, if you're in a band or with a label and you want to have your music streamed to wider audiences, let me know by e-mailing stayahead1@yahoo.co.uk.

Thanks.

Random Band of the Week - William English

Way back in 2011, I posted some short live "Band of the week" features, with the last one being on the 30/12/11. I recently decided too bring this series back, to help break up the review posts but also to spread the word about random bands that I've come across. Truth be told, there are hundreds, if not thousands of bands out there across the metal stratosphere that people just don't know about, so hopefully those that I do talk about will end up reaching some new ears.
I posted about starting this series on Facebook a couple of weeks ago and one band responded straight away. As first posts go, this one isn't so random, but what the hey!

Norfolk sludgers William English aren't new to This Noise Is Ours. I featured them back in July 2012, when  I reviewed their demo. You can read it here.

Anyway, it seems these guys are stepping it up. They've integrated more hardcore influences into their dirty sludge and have released two un-mastered tracks on the t'internet, which will appear on an album soon.

As well as recording new material, these guys have filmed a video for the track "Captain Tugboat", which features a band photo that will strike fear into any parent!



As well as all of this, they're going to be playing with the mighty Moloch, as well as Essex hardcore/grind act Chestburster and fellow Essex newcomers Jotnarr in Colchester on August 30th. You have been warned!

So, there you have it. The first "Random Band of the Week" post and hopefully there's enough here to wet your appetite and to make you want to further explore this bunch of rabid sludge nuts!

https://www.facebook.com/WilliamEnglishBand 

Bent, Burnt and Bloody - Broken Limbs Recordings

It's been a while since I last did a label feature, but recently I've been contacted by a few asking if I'd like to review some of their releases. So many in fact that I'd do a series of special features. I'm starting it with Broken Limbs Records, a label that a based in both New York City and the West of Ireland. BLR has been featured here before, when I reviewed the tape reissue of Unsacred's EP Three Sisters, which was released by Invektiv Records, though originally released on CD by this very label.

As with many of the labels I've come across in recent months, head honcho Peadar is a huge fan of analogue formats like vinyl and cassette and as well as running a cool, underground label also used to be an admin for a Facebook called Metal on Cassette and has since branched off on his own with a page called Summoning Spirits, which aims to share and chat about all manor of analogue releases from metal and beyond.

So anyway, back to the task in hand. I've selected a few releases from random, some that have been submitted to me and some that haven't, which I'm going to review to hpefully help spread the word about BLR and the bands they've worked with. These bands cross over many sub-genres, including black metal, folk metal, crust and ambient noise, so there should be something here for every extreme metal fan. So, sit back and enjoy!

Oak Pantheon - From A Whisper

Oak Pantheon are a duo from Minneapolis, who released their debut album through BLR in September 2012. It was released as a limited CD which has long since sold out. They have been gaining new fans at a pretty fast rate since it's release last September and while quiet now, they are still well worth investing you time into.

Tracklist:-

1. Descend Into Winter
2. It
3. We Will Tear Down The Gods
4.  Aspen
5. The Ground Beneath You
6. Roots of Man
7. From A Whisper
8. An Altar of Limbs

Whenever I listen to duos, I'm always in awe of the noise they make. Oak Pantheon just adds to that notion. Descend Into Winter, which contains a great instrumental build up sounds really clear and concise. The mixture of cleanly sung post-metal vocals and the more blackened screams stop the music from being pigeonholed and the melody shows that there are hooks to be heard and that crescendo of an ending makes this one hell of an opener. The bells that punctuate the guitar at the start give it a haunting almost gothic feel. The soundscape created is icy cold, with the quiet whispered vocals making it even colder. The riffs that sit underneath the growls are hypnotic, as are the drums.

We Will Tear Down The Gods changes the mood with some really nice acoustic/folk inspired guitar. The singing conjures up mystical images in my head, before the more reigned-in growl is heard. It ends with the sound of a running stream and calm acoustic guitar, which builds in intensity before an almost symphonic section closes things. It's actually a surprisingly upbeat ending to the song. Listening to Aspen and I hear subtle thrash-metal textures during the riffs. The majority of the song though is resplendent in Oak Pantheon's signature soundscape. I'm one of those people who like the more ambient/grand side of black metal; listening to this is a treat. The more post-metal elements really make From A Whisper a truly listenable opus. Where Oak Pantheon does succeed is in their song-lengths. It never seems like they've ended a song for the sake of it. They let them reach their logical conclusion and keep the record flowing as one whole.

The halfway point comes and goes to reveal the acoustic beauty of The Ground Beneath You. It again underlines Oak Pantheon’s preference to let their instruments and their musical skill do the talking, instead of injecting some pointless gimmick into the album. It's an instrumental piece that you could truly get lost in. Roots of Man follows in the same vein and soars to a majestic end with some great lead work. Much like the rest of the album so far, it follows on in a way that shows that Oak Pantheon have put considerable thought into their song placing and structure. It's great when you listen to an album and the order makes it sound like a band is trying to tell a story through the music. The title track is the most majestic of them all, both in length and in instrumentation, which underlines how good Oak Pantheon are. Just listen to the lead work throughout the song to see what I mean! 

As a song, it actually passes quite quickly and flows with subtler acoustic guitar, into final hymn Altar of Limbs. It's got more of a metal edge to it this time, during the heavier sections, relying less on the quieter more introspective elements and more on black metal. There's more buzzsaw riffing and chaotic drumming here, but it seems to be reigned in and doesn't spoil the aesthetic of the album. It's this control, which singles From A Whisper out as a genuinely immersive record. If you're a lover of finer music, which is full of great musicianship and ideas then Oak Pantheon are a band you should be checking out. 

Listen to the whole album below:-


Oak Pantheon - https://www.facebook.com/OakPantheon.

Cara Neir/Ramlord - Split Tape

The next release I'm chosing to explore is the split tape from Texan blackened crust duo Cara Neir and their New Hampshire brethren Ramlord. This four track tape was released in June 2012.Here, Cara Neir contribute three tracks and Ramlord add one lengthy track.

Tracklist:-

1. Cara Neir - Family Dirge
2. Cara Neir - Cradled By Apathy
3. Cara Neir - Wilted Blue

4. Ramlord - Application of Clairvoyance (Part 1)

Cara Neir certainly do open up with a crusty, blackened stench. Their brand of black metal is raspier and certainly more hellish, probably more akin to Watain than some of their more ambient peers. That being said, they do inject ambient, introspective passages into split opener Family Dirge, thanks to some clean guitar. It's a great opener, as its short and sharp but provide a great insight into what's to come from their other two songs. Cradled By Apathy features furious guitar, as well as some startling feedback at times. The drums pound away in the background and sound really organic, thanks to the recording and production. They flit between slow and fast passages, with raging vocals steering the song forward. Again, there's some really good lead guitar work, providing melody. With the longer length of this song, Cara Neir pursue more texture and ideas, as well as letting the song flow more. It certainly gives the listener more to grasp onto. With Wilted Blue, they include some great off-kilter drumming in the intro. The bass provides some crunch, which is set against the melody of the guitar. For a duo they again sound louder than they should and the production does a good job of bringing out some of the subtleties in their music. The low growls also are pretty menacing, as it's the first time you really hear them, as opposed to higher screams, which are more prevalent.

Ramlord offer up one lengthy track of bass heavy, winding metal. Again it's on the crusty side, but is also sludgier. Their rumbling sound shakes your eardrums at high volume.  After the initial build up though things start to speed up, thanks to some epic drumming and razor-sharp riffs. When the vocals kick in they are low growls more akin to grind vocals. There are two vocalists, much like there were in Cara Neir. Ramlord though, to my ears anyway, sound heavier. Ramlord are pretty enthralling, but in a different way to Cara Neir. They do have black metal influences within the music, but due to the slower/dirtier pace of it, it takes you longer to spot it.  However, by paying that attention, you get a lot out of it. Some people though may find ten minutes too much to take, but I say to hell with them. The song balances out Cara Neir's side well and provides fans with the chance to check out a different band, which they might not have heard.

It's another cool split tape, which help BLR carry their ethos of releasing nice analogue records. It also throws light over another two great additions to the wider US black metal scene.

Again, you can stream this split via BLR's bandcamp page below:-

You can purchase a physical copy of the tape from the above bandcamp page too. 

Cara Neir - https://www.facebook.com/caraneir 
Ramlord - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ramlord

Deafest - Through Wood And Fog EP

Onto another BLR tape release and this time it's the three track EP from Colorado black metal band Deafest. This was released in July 2011 and was limited to 50 copies. After a couple of line-up changes, Deafest decided to head down the instrumental route and their main influence is the countryside around them. You just have to look at the artwork above to realise the bleakness at which they take their ideas.

Tracklist:-

1. Fog Rolls Down The Slopes
2. Over The Ridge

3. Rock Spires Above The Trees

I've found myself listening to more instrumental black metal over the last year as well. It's been mainly ambient and has always been something I go back to when I've exhausted my ability to listen to extreme metal. Deafest however play extreme metal, just without vocals. They make a very different sound. It's very guitar driven, but instead of thrashing them to within an inch of their lives, they play more drawn out riffs and let subtle melody infiltrate their music. The drums in the background on Fog Rolls Down The Slopes sound huge as well, but then they have to when they're competing against the guitars. The great thing about instrumental music is that it allows you to use your imagination more. The music really lends itself to that imagination as well. You can imagine the cold clouds rolling in over mountains and the rain running off fields into swollen rivers.

Over The Ridge has that feeling of the frontier too it. The melody at the start sounds quite upbeat, even when it's amplified. That transition they make back into slower territory though brings the mood right back down. At times there is a more metallic edge to the song too. They carry their momentum through to last track Rock Spires Above The Trees. It's the longest song on the EP, but as a result is also the most inspiring and strangely, uplifting too. I love the melody and ambience of this release, as it breaks up the distorted low end very well. The quieter moments let you breathe and relax, in case it becomes too much for you.

It's a hell of journey this one, taking you through low valleys and lifting above soaring hills and it changes pace and mood effortlessly.

Listen to it below:-

You can also pick up copies of the tape from the above bandcamp page.

Deafest - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deafest

Hunter's Ground - No God But The Wild  

The final review I'm doing in this feature focuses on Hunter's Ground and their recent record, No God But The Wild. This was BLR's most recent release, coming in October 2012. This intial run of CD's that were pressed by BLR have long since sold out, but there is a full pressing on the way. Hunter's Ground are from the Appalachian region in the US, so expect cold, harsh black metal.

Tracklist:-

1. A Storm of Crows
2. Their Hands Were Stained with Her Dripping Blood
3.  And Fed Their Flesh to the Vultures
4. Speaking in the Tongues of Trees
5. No God But the Wild

6. The Fireless Winter 

As I can to the end of my first label feature, I feel that my eyes have been opened to the sheer breadth and variation that exists within black metal. All the bands I've reviewed sound different and Hunter's Ground are no exception. Their brand of black metal is probably the evilest I've heard recently. They have that trebly guitar sound that you tend to associate with black metal, the pounding drums and the raspy screams. A Storm of Crows is a great into to this trio.

The vocals are slightly lower on Their Hands Were Stained With Her Dripping Blood, which give the song that extra sinister bite. It's more mid paced than the opener and Hunter's Ground settle into a bit of a groove during the gaps between verses. As And Fed Their Flesh...rings out, there's no escaping this bands torturous sound. It's almost bilious yet still restrained. The production on this record makes sure that the music doesn't sound too polished, giving a more live feel, which is always good. I think polished production jobs can sometimes make albums sound quieter and sterile, but it not the case here.

Speaking In The Tongues of Trees is an instrumental piece, which features almost choral singing, sitting atop of droning guitar driven riffs. There's echo effects thrown in to the mix as well and it's a welcome excursion from HG's blackened nightmare. They inject a lot of good musical variation as well, like subtle "rock and roll" influences (though these are few and far between). They are certainly very adept black metal musicians. They do abandon some of their black metal sensibilities though during the second half of No God But The Wild. The title tracks features more singing as well as some post-metal soundscapes. These passages fit really well into the album, especially during longer songs.

As No God But The Wild rages to a close, you're left with one last brief moment of silence before The Fireless Winter hails the closing of the record. Another song that flits between mid-paced passages and fast black metal, where the guitars are once again king. It’s the song where those choral elements are at their most haunting.

No God But The Wild is another example of the non-pretentious black metal that's coming out of the US at the moment. Hunter's Ground is another band to keep an eye on too.

Again, you can listen to the whole record here:-

Keep an eye on HG's Facebook page for news on the new CD pressing - https://www.facebook.com/huntersgroundofficial?fref=ts

I do have some more releases from BLR to review, but they will come at a later date. I thought I would give you time to appreciate the bands featured here and to allow you time to investigate Broken Limbs Recordings for yourselves.

http://www.brokenlimbsrecordings.com
http://brokenlimbs.storenvy.com/
http://brokenlimbsrecordings.bandcamp.com/

Great Northern Screamo #1 - Dip Leg (Writer - Christer Lunnan-Reitan)

Since I started this blog, I've got to know so many like-minded people who are either in bands, run labels or just like music. Sometime, even people that fall into all categories. One such person is Christer Lunnan-Reitan. Christer runs a label called Listen To Aylin Records in Oslo, Norway (which I'll be featuring here in a few weeks) and has released music for bands like Suis La Lune, Her Breath on Glass and Calvacades.
As well as running a label, he also sang in a number of bands in Norway, including screamo band Adoor.

I asked Christer if he would contribute some reviews to my blog, after numerous conversations on Facebook about Japanese screamo as well as screamo in general. Christer is a huge fan of screamo/emo bands and as I wanted to know about more bands from the genre, I thought there'd be nothing better than inviting him to share some of his favourite bands and records. So, without wasting any time, here's the first review in a series I'm calling "Great Northern Screamo". It features Japanese hardcore/screamo band Dip Leg.

Dip Leg – The Sympathy Without Love CD (I’ve Come For Your Children, 2002)

I’ve only recently heard the music of Dip Leg, though this release should be one of the easier ones for Japanese hardcore-fans to get a hold of. Seeing as it’s the first international release for the band, you would think they would get more attention now that people still go nuts over ENVY and Heaven In Her Arms.

Dip Leg plays a much more ferocious brand of hardcore/scream/chaos than the above mentioned bands, blending more chaotic and spastic elements into ambient-parts, but never crossing over into the realm of post-rock or post-metal/ sludge a la ISIS, Year Of No Light (although I’d recommend Dip Leg for people into those bands as well). The lyrics are all in Japanese, but the CD has the English translation of the lyrics in its booklet.

The record starts off with Ideal and Fact, setting the tone for the entire records; after a second you can hear what the band is capable of, with driving bass lines, mesmerising guitars and guttural vocals over incredible driving drums. Chaotic and intense hardcore, blending into a hypnotically epic masterpiece. The record continues into Rod Lost Die Understand, a more typically screamo-sounding (and I use the word screamo and emo in the best possible sense, no My Chemical Romance-esque-bands intended) with lots of clean-ish guitars and driving drums, quirky rhythm changes and extremely passionate and sincere vocals.  Crossing over into shouted and sung vocals at times, the screamed vocals still dominate the sound as a whole. I decided to only talk about these two tracks as they show the different outskirts of Dip Leg’s sound, showing their span within their own hardcore-blend.

If I should compare Dip Leg to another band that’s similar, I have to say it sound like a combination of early Envy, Kaospilot and We Came Out Like Tigers; The clean guitars with the fascinating and beautiful melodies, wrapped together with an extreme intensity and sincerity as well as epic segments that leaves you rather breathless. But at the same time, Dip Leg have their own unique sound and style (as I find typical to the whole Japanese emo/ screamo/ chaos-scene, a scene I love), making it sound refreshing and simply amazing compared to the run-of-the-mill conveyor belt emo made at the Hype Factory. 

It’s hard to pinpoint the strongest tracks and moments on the record, as all of them excel in what they try to accomplish; drivingly brutal, but yet emotional songs without being sappy or cliché.  This is true passion and sincerity, the way hardcore is meant to be played. Even though Dip Leg stray away from typical clichés, I’m afraid I have to use one to fully explain this music; this is passion, not fashion.

Pick this up from the label (formerly called I’ve Come For Your Children, now called Meatcube), support a great band and a fantastic label.

Listen to the album here:-


Buy it: http://meatcube.storenvy.com/products/659800-dip-leg-the-sympathy-without-love-cd

Meatcube Website - http://meatcube.com
Meatcube Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeatCubeLabel

You can visit Christer's label - Listen To Aylin Records, here  http://www.listentoaylin.com and on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/listentoaylin.

We Are The Sons of Faow Verny - Grimreapers on Unicorns: Book1

Here's my last Orchidscent Records review. This release is also a little different to previous records I've reviewed. It features We Are The Sons of Faow Verny, who feature various members of bands who have all released records through Orchidscent and are more of an acoustic, folk act. This is their first CD and was put out as a collaborative release by Orchidscent, A l'ombre de cette vie and No Way Asso. The CD came in a very imaginative case, a two-sided and folded sleeve which had the artwork on the front and inside housed the lyrics and credits. It even came with a band logo sticker! Check out the picture below (courtesy of the bands own Facebook page)

Tracklist:-

1. The Oddreamers
2. I'm So Bad
3. The Better Days
4. After The Shore
5. Grace O'Malley's Ballad
6. The Grimreapers

7. The Sons of Faow Verny

The first thing that people will notice about Grimreapers on Unicorns: Book 1 is that the vocals are in English. The members playing in ...Sons of Faow Verny would ordinarily be heard in French speaking bands. This band is very different though. There's no electric guitar or screaming. Acoustic guitar, clean singing and a glokenspiel replace these instruments!

It's very folky and for the most part, it's instrumental. It has a lot in common with traditional French folk music, in the use of different instruments alongside the traditional guitars. The glockenspiel and other percussion add texture and interested to their music. The Oddreamers opens things up nicely with the aforementioned glockenspiel and a great melody. I'm So Bad features so ingenious drumming, which starts things off in restrained fashion. A tambourine keeps the beat for the rest of the song. The guitars here almost sound Hispanic and the vocal harmonies show that all the members are fully into what they're doing.

It's always interesting to hear music written by people who normally play in metal/hardcore bands that isn't heavy or in their comfort zone, as it shows you how accomplished they are as musicians and that they are for the most part, multi-dimensional. This is definitely the case with ...Sons of Faow Verny. After The Shore is interspersed with a sample with a lot of meaning, which hints at the thought put into the song. Grace O'Malley's Ballad, as the name suggests, has an Irish folk feel to it. It's really quite effective too. I could just imagine these guys playing in a traditional pub in Ireland, with everyone having a great time.

The keyboard makes itself heard more during The Grimreapers. As the title closes this CD, it's been a really pleasant surprise. If you are tired of listening to heavy music and want something creative and more restrained, you could do a lot worse than pick this up.

You can listen to the whole CD via ...Sons of Faow Verny's website at http://www.wearethesonsoffaowverny.com/

To buy a copy of the CD, head to one of the below labels:-

Orchidscent Records - http://orchidscentrecords.blogspot.co.uk/
A l'ombre de cette vie -  http://alombredecettevie.blogspot.co.uk/
No Way Asso - http://nowayasso.blogspot.co.uk/

We Are The Sons of Faow Verny are also on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-are-the-sons-of-Faow-Verny.

Moving Mountains - New Light EP

I thought I'd switch tack for a second and write about something a little different. This four track EP from US band Moving Mountains has been out for a little while now, yet I've not written about it. I really should have been all over these guys as they supported Coheed and Cambria a while back, who used to be one of my favourite bands and still are to a degree.

Anyway, New Light was officially released in April 2012 just prior to a tour they did with Pianos Become The Teeth. It features acoustic and re-worked songs from their 2007 debut album Pnuema and their 2011 record Waves. It was released by Triple Crown Records.

Tracklist:-

1. Alleviate
2. Ode We Will Bury Ourselves
3. Where Two Bodies Lie

4. 8105

I'll admit, I've not posted about enough melodic punk/emo/alternative rock stuff here. I have a craving for it now and again though as an escape from extreme metal. Moving Mountains are a perfect remedy though and this EP is great. It features re-workings of songs from their previous two albums. I'll mention here though that I've not heard very much of their previous music but on hearing opener Alleviate, I'm pretty happy to be hearing it now. Their sound here is kind of alternative, but that's such a fuzzy term in my eyes. There sound is more like laid back indiemo. The acoustic guitar/violin combo is very American but works really well as Ode We Will Bury Ourselves starts. A close references point for me would be Jimmy Eat World.

Another thing that their sound reminds me of, as Where Two Bodies Lie plays, is Irish folk music. I don't know why! I really like this EP, it's just played really well and layered in such a way that it just works. The vocals are understated and calm, but that may be to do with their acoustic nature. When I listened to their plugged in sound, they sounded a bit like a cross between Alkaline Trio and radio-friendly American Punk rock. That's a good sound is my eyes too though. As 8105 rounds off the EP, it's opened my eyes to Moving Mountains and the skill they possess to be able to switch from their melodic post-hardcore style to a more stripped down, Americana type sound. A perfect bedfellow for summer nights and warm memories. Moving Mountains are a band that you should all check out if you haven't already, especially if you wish to be dragged away from endless mosh.

I couldn't find this EP streaming anywhere so you'll just have to visit one of the three links below:-

Triple Crown Records - http://www.triplecrownrecords.com/
Moving Mountains - https://www.facebook.com/MovingMountains or http://movmou.com

Sutter Cane - Sous La Pierre et L'asphodele

A while ago, I posted about some CD's I was sent by French label Orchidscent Records. Well. there was another two records in that pack so I thought I'd better post about them as well. This was the first one, but French post-hardcore bands Sutter Cane. This six-track record came packed it a printed black envelope, with the CD inside in a printed case as well as an old-newspaper style lyric insert. It was also sealed with wax, which featured the band's logo!

Sutter Cane formed in 2010 and so far have two albums, this one being their latest. They've also just played a support slot alongside The Ocean Collective, which is a pretty big deal.

Tracklist:-

1. (...)
2. Le Son Des Horloges Distillant Le Temps
3. Scelle Un Destin Dans Une Ulitme Resonance
4. Du Passe Et De L'eternel Present
5. Ravive Par Cet Amour Encore Brulant

6. Dont Les Eclats M'accompagnent Sur Les Chemins Sinueux De La Patience

This is my first introduction to Sutter Cane. The intro track is certainly broody, with low piano and the sound of rain in the background. The addition of haunting strings and spoken word French also builds atmosphere. Sutter Cane then immediately launch into Le Son Des Horloges Distillant Le Temps. Vocalist Michael attacks the songs completely in French. The bands play at a hell of a volume too. It's mid-paced but the drums are smashed and the guitars/bass feature more on the low side, apart from the occasional melodies. It's very much in the vein of melodic, European screamo with post-metal influences thrown in.

After the short blast of the previous song, Sutter Cane settle down and play lengthier pieces. Scelle Un Destin.... starts with regimental snare rhythms and calmly plucked guitar. Their post-hardcore/metal influences shine through in the extended instrumental build up, but you feel it's about explode at any moment. Explode it does, with low down-temp riffs and then the vocals kick in again and with it a sense of crestfallen emotion. This is very different to the other CD's I've reviewed from Orchidscent. It's more menacing and has a sinister edge to. Du Passe Et De L'eternel Present sees Sutter Cane playing with slightly more off-kilter songwriting. The instrumentation seems to be at the forefront of everything that Sutter Cane does.  The vocals seem to built around it and the band seem to be more than able to switch between phases and passages in songs, without any sign of trouble.

Another thing that sticks out for me on this record is that fact that each song flows into the next. There are no pointless gaps to ruin the momentum of the record. The production also gives it added beef. It leaves enough room for the band to breathe without making them sound too clean or sterile, but it is clear and the instruments, while down-tempo, are easily noticeable. Their progressive streak shines through the whole record as well, especially once you get to closing track Dont Les Eclats...; at nearly eleven minutes in length. It's actually a prime example of how Sutter Cane inject their songs with ideas and textures to stop it from becoming boring. They are able to keep the listener hooked throughout. They've got the length of the record itself right as well. At six songs, it's enough to give you a decent taste of the band and what they're about.

A really good first impression in my eyes. Sutter Cane are another great French band and one that deserves more attention.

You can listen to the whole record below:-

The CD was a collaborative release by three labels - Orchidscent Records, Braincrushing Records and A l'Ombre de cette Vie. Check out the below links to find out where you can pick this up from:-

Orchidscent Records - http://orchidscentrecords.blogspot.co.uk/
Braincrushing Records - http://www.braincrushingrecords.com/
A l'Ombre de cette Vie - http://alombredecettevie.blogspot.co.uk/

Sutter Cane can be found here https://www.facebook.com/SutterCaneBand

Redwood Hill - Descender

This is the debut record from Danish post-metal band Redwood Hill. It was released earlier this year by the awesome Bloated Veins. Marco from Redwood Hill was kind enough to send me a CD copy of the record to review and it came in a really cool gatefold case, with really nice artwork. Descender has been released on CD, vinyl and as a digital download. Redwood Hill have played with some of my favourite bands of recent times, Hexis and This Gift Is A Curse (amongst others), so I was pretty excited when I was given the chance to review this record.

Tracklist:-

1. Aten
2. Dybbuk
3. Tristesse
4. Poseidon
5. Croatoan

6. September

In this digital age, it's really hard to keep up with all of the bands that are vying for our ears. Nobody can possibly listen to them all. That's why it's great when a band reaches out to you and sends you a physical product. It stands out (that's not to say that digital products don't). I'm just speaking, as I do all the time, from a fans perspective.

I've been holding off reviewing Descender, but couldn’t hold my excitement any longer and had to stick it in my CD player. Being Danish, I knew they were gonna be good, as Denmark can do no wrong at the moment. Descender does not disappoint. Aten is a prime opening song, heavy, claustrophobic and with enough angular structure to straddle multiple genres. As well as the heaviness though, they do pepper Descender with passages of ambience that tend to help them transition between songs. This happens at the end of Aten and leads you into Dybbuk. The vocals at this point tend to lean towards black metal, but with the faint melody of the guitars, the sound manages to stay the right side of it. The clean vocals mid-way through Dybbuk coupled with the harmonies makes it a real pleasure to listen to. I love this band already and I'm only two tracks in!

Redwood Hill's post-metal moments shine through during their more ambient passages. Their quieter more experimental sections are worth waiting for, as they shine light over their heavier parts and show their love for variation. Tristesse is a great example of this, as it's mostly instrumental and really simple in its delivery. The riffs though towards the middle of the song, when the band kicks into forward gear sound great. It's like they tried to play djent without listening to it and still made it sound better! I know it sounds a lot like I'm gushing over this, but this is my release. Some people drink loads and pass out, some people do drugs and some hit other people. I listen to and write about music I like, which in my view is a much better use of my time!

Sat staring out of my window as the sun as Poseidon plays is a treat. That same instrumental build up that graced Tristesse rings out, before crescendoing into another roaring, black metal infused hymn. The other thing with Redwood Hill is that they don't play beard-strokingly long songs. Okay, they're longer than the ADHD generation can cope with, but they are too the point and contain plenty of impact. The production also helps to get their message across. It's good but not too glossy, which is the way it should be with a band of this quality.

The guitars at the start of Croatoan sounds pretty upbeat, coming from a band that label themselves "Depressive Nordic Metal". That upbeat feeling soon gets banished though, as Marco's growls are introduced again. There's also more of a bass heavy feeling to the song, which heralds some doom/sludge influences within Redwood Hill's arsenal. All too quickly, you find yourself listening to the opening bars of last song September. It's a cold and chilling end to an awesome record, as if it's trying to herald in winter. It's also the fastest song on Descender in terms of speed and aggression and shows Redwood Hill in a more urgent light. It's got elements of hardcore and grind in it, but it doesn't lose that sense of black metal either. An epic end to an epic record! 

Both Redwood Hill and Bloated Veins have done a great job with this record. If you haven't checked them out yet, do it. If you have, go and buy the CD or the vinyl version.

You can stream the whole record below:-

As well as streaming it, if you like it make sure you buy it on either CD, vinyl or by digital download from the above bandcamp page. You definitely won't regret it!

Redwood Hill's website - http://www.rwhband.com
Redwood Hill's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodHill
Bloated Veins Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/Bloatedveins

Darkall Slaves - Abysses of Seclusion EP

So it looks like summer may finally be here, so I thought I'd post about a new death metal EP. This new three-tracker comes from French band Darkall Slaves. These guys are quite new to me, but feature ex and current members of Unsu, Amputated Repugnance and Visceral Carnage, so already sound epic! This is due for release on the 4th of June via Kaotoxin Records.

Darkall Slaves originally released their first (self-released) EP back in 2008 and are currently working on material for an up and coming full-length. They've played alongside some of death metal's leading lights including Gorgasm and God Dethroned.

Tracklist:-

1. Intro
2. Mindless Damnation
3. Abysses of Seclusion

Abysses Of Seclusion starts with a sampled-intro, which sets a menacing mood. After a short pause, they launch into Mindless Damnation. They play raging death which stays within the confines of the genre, but is executed well. The drums are crazy, with plenty of kick action. The guitars contain a decent amount of jazz-influenced structure amongst the buzzsaw-riffs. The vocals feature plenty of pig-squeal, but are quite low. The inclusion of pinch harmonics adds to their sound. It's enough to make you snap you neck, trying to keep up with the tempo!

The title track is no less intense. This style of death metal may be too much for some, especially those who prefer melodic death metal, but if you dig this then there's plenty to like. Darkall Slaves certainly posses the skill and musical chops to separate themselves from their peers. The experience of the musicians also pays dividends, as they provide exactly what the extreme death metal fan wants! The breakdowns during the second half of Abysses of Seclusion are pretty nuts, even though slightly obscured by the vox.

So a short review, but if this EP is anything to go by, their album is going to be pummelling from start to finish!

Get a taste for yourself here:-


There's links on the above page too, if you want to pre-order yourself a copy of the EP.

Darkall Slave - https://www.facebook.com/darkallslaves
Kaotoxin Records - https://www.facebook.com/kaotoxinrecords

New releases at From The Depths Entertainment!

Prolific US label From The Depths Entertainment have a slew of new releases out that they are showcasing. Check the bands/links below and check out some new music (mostly free too!):-

An Old Friend - The Quiet Drive EP (2013)
Genre: Alternative Rock
From: Long Island, NY
www.facebook.com/anoldfriendli

Download here - http://anoldfriend.bandcamp.com/


As King - As King EP (2013)
Genre: Metal
From: Chicago, IL
www.facebook.com/askingchi

Download here - http://asking.bandcamp.com/


Beneath The Machine - Creature (single) (2013)
Genre: Metal
From: Haverhill, MA
www.facebook.com/beneaththemachinema

Download here - http://beneaththemachine.bandcamp.com/
Download here - http://ge.tt/6Fb73ki


Destined For Damnation - Before Fate Finds Us EP (2013)
Genre: Melodic metalcore
From: Manchester, UK
www.facebook.com/destinedfordamnation

Download here - http://ge.tt/6Fb73ki
Download here - http://destinedfordamnation.bandcamp.com/


Endings And Origins - Distopia (single) (2013)
Genre: Metalcore
From: West Midlands, UK
www.facebook.com/endingsandorigins

Download here - http://ge.tt/6Fb73ki


Please Don't Eat My Friends - Labonte Drive (single) (2012)
Genre: Pop Punk
From: Providence, RI
www.facebook.com/PDEMF

Download here - http://ge.tt/6Fb73ki

All of this and more can be listened to and downloaded from here -  http://ge.tt/6Fb73ki

From The Depths Entertainment do some great work, showcasing and promoting modern metal talent from across the globe.

https://www.facebook.com/fromthedepthsentertainment

Razoreater/Iced Out - Split 7"

Church of Fuck is stepping it up I tell thee! After their flirtation with the vinyl format last year, in the form of the Let It Die 7" they have come out all guns blazing, abandoned their beloved tape format and are pushing ahead with a slew of new vinyl releases. This one sees the return of Razoreater and Iced Out, who released cassette demos through CoF last year. Both bands have been making fairly large (understatement) waves in our diverse hardcore scene and this split 7" almost seems like a coming of age for both bands. The 7" is due for release shortly on black and limited to 300.

Tracklist:-

1. DrownYourDaughters - Razoreater
2. StrangleYourSons - Razoreater
3. Sleepless - Iced Out
4. Dead Men - Iced Out

It all starts with the ferocious, feedback-ridden noise of Razoreater and DrownYourDaughters. They spew forth pure, noise filled hardcore with sludge influences and absolutely belting vocals. There's no time for rest between songs as out of nowhere DrownYourDaughters finished and StrangleYourSons starts. This song basically continues Razoreater’s sonic torment. The low-end that they possess is bowel rupturing but it still puts a shit-eating grin on your face!

Iced out start their side with Sleepless. They pretty much attack it with the same gusto as Razoreater did with theirs, but there's a slightly more controlled feel to it. That's not to say chaotic is bad, its just Razoreater’s songs were so intense! Sleepless features some killer riffs and a huge drum sound, mainly propelled by crashing cymbals. Dead Men is this splits last chance to punch you clean in between the eyes and it delivers! Iced Out paint a bleak picture as they careen through their second song and leave you marooned, not knowing what just hit you. 

Basically, this split 7" is essential if you like heavy! From the chaotic noise ridden sounds of Razoreater to the sludgier, dirtier passages of Iced Out, you'd be a massive idiot if you missed it.

If you don't believe me, you can stream the whole god damn thing here:-


You can pre-order this record at http://churchoffuck.bigcartel.com/.

Razoreater - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Razoreater
Iced Out - https://www.facebook.com/Icedouthardcore
Church of Fuck - https://www.facebook.com/churchoffck

Mists of Poveglia - Ambient Winter Tape

Among the myriad of black metal bands currently guarding our island nation, there exists an ambient world. A world of haunting noises and calming soundscapes that threaten to lead you to an underground world that could either guide you to madness of solitude. Mists of Poveglia is one such entity that sits within that ambient kingdom. The Ambient Winter tape was released in late December 2012 via Glorious North Productions. It was meant as a precursor to a release that will be coming out later this year. The tape was a collaborative release with fellow black metal/ambient label Winter Forest Industries.

The tape itself comes in a pro case with a fully printed, thick card six-panel insert, featuring liner notes and credits. The tape is entirely plain black apart from hand placed Mists of Poveglia sticker on one side.

Tracklist:-

1. Riding Under Threatening Sky
2. Whispers In Cold Kisses
3. Final Colours of The Evening
4. Vinterlands I Walk Alone Forever
5. Tracking Back Across The Range
6. Bitter Days of White & Beauty
7- 18. 20 Minutes of Ice Drift Loops

19. The Bridge (Bonus track)

The music contained on Ambient Winter is almost beyond description. Not because it's nonsensical, but because it’s almost futile to try and describe music such as this.

Opener, Riding Under The Threatening Sky is made up of looping, droning piano and faint voices. Whispers in Cold Kisses has more of an all-encompassing sound to it. The ambience sounds like one continuous note or group of notes, as opposed to the looping opener. There are subtle whispers placed within the track, which give it a haunting atmosphere. There are tracks on this tape, like Final Colours of The Evening that are very minimal to the point that you barely know they're playing. That minimalism disappears as the horns herald in Vinterlands I Walk Alone Forever. This is more of a majestic song, one that would stir emotions in even the hardiest of souls.

The tape stays focused because the song lengths are not overly long, so the effect of the music is magnified in a positive way. Tracking Back Across the Range is a perfect example of this. The ambient keys and horns last for almost five minutes, but those five minutes allow the song to breathe. The last song on side A of the tape is Bitter Days of White & Beauty. This closes the side with a rousing horn filled ensemble, which sees the volume level rise slightly. It's more purposeful and after the quieter moments in earlier songs, it reminds you of ambient music’s alignment to black metal.

Side B consists of around twenty minutes of icy noise loops, before ending with the bonus track The Bridge. The Bridge follows on from where Side A finished. This time though it's the strings that add the stirring effect to the music. The distant piano pulses in that background, almost like an echo in a distant valley. Even though this review seems short, it was intentional. There is no need to use too many words when describing this release; it's better to let the music guide your thoughts and opinions. 

Overall, this tape is a great bedfellow for any of your stark, cold black metal and something that you will crave to listen too, to help you escape from the crazy world in which you live.

You can listen to the whole tape (minus the icy loops) via the Glorious North Productions Bandcamp page below:-

The tape itself can be purchased physically by clicking on the link no the above Bandcamp page.

Mists of Poveglia - https://www.facebook.com/MistsOfPoveglia
Glorious North Productions - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glorious-North-Productions
Winter Forest Industries - https://www.facebook.com/WinterForestIndustries

Mörse video goodness!

Here's two videos from French screamo/hardcore bands Mörse:-

Pour qui préside l'effroi -



Bisou & Bagarre Tour 2013 (Tour video)

Also make sure you check out their tumble page at http://morsereigns.tumblr.com/.

Fear of DIY

Ages ago, I got an e-mail from a dude called Sam Walker, who is part of a collective called Fear of DIY.
Fear of DIY are non profit and film live shows, which are then posted on Vimeo.

They've got some wicked shows online now, including live sets from Speedboat Salesmen Joie De Vivre and Football, Etc. I've posted these three videos below for you to check out:-

Speedboat Salesmen


Speedboat Salesmen - Live at "About Time" - July 7th from Fear of DIY on Vimeo.

Joie De Vivre

Joie De Vivre - Live at "About Time" - July 7th from Fear of DIY on Vimeo.

Football, Etc


Football Etc - Live at About Time - July 7th from Fear of DIY on Vimeo.

So, yeah. You can check out more videos here http://vimeo.com/FearofDIY

You can also catch the guys on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fear-of-DIY