1968 - 1968 EP

Tracklist:-

1. Marauder

2. Green Sails

3. HMS Conan

It's not just Yorkshire that has a growing stoner/sludge/doom scene, as there's just as much rumbling coming from the other side of the Pennines in Lancashire and Cheshire. 1968 are the latest homegrown riff-lords to rise from the undergrowth and their self-titled EP was released in January, with the help of Black Bow Records and Conan's Chris Fielding. They're off on a two-date jaunt with PIST and BongCauldron next weekend, taking in London and Manchester. Anyway, I better get this review written before I fall asleep. 

1968 approach things from a Kyuss/hard-rock angle and their groovy riffs do nothing to change that during EP opener Marauder. Jimi Ray Lazarus (if that is his real name) has a great set of pipes on him, while the rest of the band; Sam Orr (guitar), Bear (bass) and Tom Drury (drums) provide a great backdrop of psychedelic hard-rock. They’re following in the trails of some of the UK’s latest crop of trad/heavy metal worshipping bands and they’ve found a great support stable in Black Bow Records. Green Sails is full of urgency and grit. The drumming at the start of HMS Conan wouldn’t be out of place on a snotty punk record, but like the band the song is named after (or the warship), it’s not one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it numbers. It’s got all of 1968’s swagger and verve yet a heaviness that reminds you that there’s still something dangerous nestling within their music. This is an EP for music lovers and fans of good old hip-shaking rock. 

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-

1968 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/1968Band
Black Bow Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Black-Bow-Records

Iron Witch - A Harrowed Dawn

Tracklist:-

1. Beauty And Rot

2. Salvation Through Nothing

3. Machinery Of Violence

4. Under The Pyre

5. Belly Full Of Rats

6. Solitude And Decay

Iron Witch has been featured a few times here in the past and they're one of reasons I do this. I first got into them via long-gone local label Thirty Days Of Night Records and their "Post Vegas Blues" 7". Since then I've had the pleasure of seeing them live on more than a few occasions, getting lost in their Eyehategod-worshipping riffs. They now return with a newish line-up and their first full-length records. From the evidence exhibited during their recent set at the Ritual Fest all-dayer in Leeds, they're not gonna be taking any prisoners. "A Harrowed Dawn" was recently released via Secret Law Records on cd, vinyl and digitally following the unceremonious leaking of the record earlier in the year. 

A Harrowed Dawn starts with the sound of brooding guitar before it gets swallowed up by Iron Witch’s heavy doom on Beauty And Rot. Bass-ridden feedback and crashing cymbals add mighty heft while the vocals are made up of deep gut-wrenching roars. I remember witnessing this live and it’s every bit as devastating on record. You can definitely here the Siege Mentality influence seeping through too, as both bands share members. The lack of a pause between the opener and Salvation Through Nothing is perfect and while the latter is quite minimalistic to begin with, it doesn’t stay that way for long. A sound steeped in the Mersey’s early morning mist and the late-night whisky haze greets you when they hit full flow. The atmosphere during Machinery Of Violence is alarmingly calming (I’m not sure what that says about me!). It’s metallic riffs and psych-laden melody really hits the spot. The groove later on is sure to get you involuntarily head-banging, even if you’re in your house and on your own! As A Harrowed Dawn goes on, it’s songs get longer and obviously slower. Under The Pyre certainly starts off that way yet more groove shakes things up. Again, I recall the live rendition of this (in my booze-addled state) being great fun and hurting my neck because I couldn’t help but get sucked into it’s vibe. I once saw a movie where two guys put a rat on a blokes stomach, then put a bucket on top of it only for it to burrow inside (because that’s apparently what they do when they’re scared). Belly Full Of Rats is the aural equivalent of that movie scene and may well be inspired by it. Needless to say it’s the heaviest song on the record, so you know what you’re getting into. LP closer Solitude And Decay (another one from their Ritual set) is both catchy and endearing for those who settle in for it’s near thirteen-minute playing time. It’s almost drone-like in places and is beautifully chaotic in others. As it goes on you’ll find yourself paying more attention to it and it’s trance-inducing nature. Iron Witch’s period of silence and indeed the changes that the band has endured seem to have done it the power of good. On record, everyone sounds together and the music itself is performed in such a way that it breathes new life into the band. A stunning first LP and hopefully there will be more to come.

You can grab cd/LP copies from Secret Law Records here - https://secret-law-records.myshopify.com or from Iron Witch directly (along with other merch) at shows. It's also streaming digitally at all of the usual outlets. You can see the full list via their Facebook page below:-

Iron Witch Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ironwitch1977

Secret Law Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/secretlawrecords

Delayed Departure - Consequences

Tracklist:-

1. Opus

2. Ocean (feat. Russ Merry)

3. Let's Catch Fire

4. Captive

5. Synopsis

6. Choices

Bridging the gap between indie/alternative rock and heavier music has always been something that UK bands are very good at, just look at recent breakthrough act Mallory Knox and more recently Faces of Eve (who are still very much carving their niche). Farnborough's Delayed Departure is the next name aiming to do just that. "Consequences" is their latest EP, coming just over eighteen months after debut "Crafted". They've certainly got the right attitude with their own merch and a live profile that's building with every gig. This EP was released in January and I'm still catching up.

Consequences starts with Opus, which tugs on all the right strings (no pun intended). It’s full of melodic guitar, clean singing that’s backed up by gang-like chants, It’s quite a rousing entrance for the band and use that momentum well on Ocean. Catchy songs are the bedrock of modern alternative rock and Delayed Departure seem to know what they’re doing in that department. There’s a big nod towards You Me At Six during Let’s Catch Fire and they manage to keep up the intensity with driving instrumentation that borrows from elements of post-hardcore. They temper things a little during Captive, with it’s slower pace and balladry. It does threaten to overspill at times, but Delayed Departure refrains. After the calming nature of the previous song, Synopsis grabs you by the throat. It’s their heaviest and most raucous song on Consequences and it features clever hooks and intelligent song-writing. They let things come to a close in noisy fashion with Choices. Delayed Departure seems to be closing in on their sound and their live experience has helped them to craft an EP that will surely push them to greater heights and new listeners. They can only get stronger.

You can stream and download Consequences below:-

Delayed Departure Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDelayedDeparture/

Teething/Feastem - Split 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Teething - Dear Marta

2. Teething - You Live A Life You Don't Like

3. Teething - Shittiest Generation

4. Feastem - New Ethics

5. Feastem - Parasite Zero

6. Feastem - Stitches

It's grinding 7" fury time! Okay so I'm struggling a little this morning after with the dreaded "bangover". In an attempt to wake myself up and feel alive enough to play football later on, I'm sticking this beaut on. Released earlier this year by EveryDayHate in collaboration with Tu Pa Tu Tu Pa Records and L'inphantile Collective (as well as on tape via Grindfather Productions), this split brings together Spain's Teething and Finland's Feastem for a quickfire round of punk-fuelled aural violence. 

There’s no point in running and hiding when you press play in this beast, as it’ll find you and batter you wherever you are. Teething open up with Dear Marta that lurches and writhes to the sound of down-tuned guitars, manic drumming and angry hardcore-driven vocals. You Live A Life You Don’t Like is a sub-one minute hit of pure intensity that’s over before you know it. Shittiest Generation really does gather the pain that we feel in the modern world, moulding it into metallic, grinding hardcore. Feastem are a lot rawer as New Ethics kicks off. The music they perform is no less chaotic though. Raging walls of guitar-led noise battle it out with furious percussive blasts and piercing screams. They hit full flow during Parasite Zero, which features some really menacing riffs and a hint of metal too. They close out the split in exquisite fashion on Stitches (exquisite by grindcore standards anyway!) The wall of noise seems to ratchet of the volume and anger levels to maximum. The result of this split is painful neck ache and a worldview that will never be the same again. My only gripe is that it’s too short.

You can stream the full split below:-

You can pick up digital or physical copies from the below links:-

Teething Bandcamp - https://teething.bandcamp.com/music
Feastem Bandcamp - https://feastem.bandcamp.com/merch
EveryDayHate - http://www.everydayhate.com/category/edh-releases
Tu Pa Tu Tu Pa Records - http://tupatutupa.com/categoria-producto/formatos/7/
L'inphantile Collective - http://www.neonarcis.com/vydano
Grindfather Productions - http://www.grindfatherprod.com/p/7-vinyl-records.html

Teething Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/teethingband
Feastem Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Feastem/
EveryDayHate Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/everydayhate
Tu Pa Tu Tu Pa Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tupatutupa
L'inphantile Collective Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/neonarcis/
Grindfather Productions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GRINDFATHER-PRODUCTIONS

Also, please take the time to answer my short survey regarding the blog - http://www.thisnoiseisours.com/help-shape-future-of-this-noise-is-ours.html. Thanks.

Help Shape The Future of This Noise Is Ours

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Mont-Dore - Fractures

Tracklist:-

1. Before We Go

2. Don't Go Wasting Your Devotion

3. Let's Not Slam Doors Anymore

4. Of Course You Are

5. The Longest Silence Ever Heard

6. Show Me Where Is Hurts

7. What You Gave Me Is Not A Gift

Belgium is one of my favourite countries. Obviously the beer is good but also the people are friendly, more laid back than some of their European cousins and the country has a habit of producing some decent bands as well. Mont-Dore are a new band to me and it's thanks to Black Basset Records that I get the chance to hear them. They've been a band since 2012 and have been crafting their own take on post-hardcore/screamo ever since. They released their debut EP "Escalades" in August 2013 and then "Fractures" in April of this year. They've recently returned from a triumphant weekend playing Fluff Fest and Faetzig Camp, where they were able to spread their message of friendship and tolerance. You can't get better ambassadors for Belgium than that!

Fractures begins with the most beautiful melodic guitar build-up on opener Before We Go. Mont-Dore allows their post-hardcore to take hold later on in the song with the help of drums and clean/screamed chant-like vocals. Their screamo influence hits full stride during Don’t Go Wasting Your Devotion, which highlights a raw and sometime frail side to the band. That rawness shows that they’re a band that plays from their heart. The blasts later on in the song almost hit emoviolence levels. There’s no pausing between songs as Let’s Not Slam Doors Anymore tugs at your emotions. It’s a cathartic experience listening to Fractures but it’s one that’s cleansing too. The guitar that fills Of Course You Are makes for a majestic listen. It seems to dominate the song but with the vocals sitting mid-mix it takes on a whole different feel. At time angular, angry and belligerent. Instrumental interlude The Longest Silence Ever Heard reminds me of an old folk ditty (the sort that villages might play around a communal camp fire), except this one gets louder before leading into Show Me Where It Hurts, which immediately hits top gear. Everything about it is meant to assault your senses and get your attention before Mont-Dore settles down and puts a comforting arm around you. As the song fades into closer What You Gave Me Is Not A Gift, I wonder if this is how We Came Out Like Tigers might have sounded like if they hadn’t discovered black metal and carried onwards on their screamo path. That’s just my silly opinion though as Mont-Dore are definitely a band of their own making and are worthy of praise and wider attention. Fractures is a cracking record. Elegantly listenable and painfully thought-provoking. Good work indeed.

You can stream Fractures below:-

There's also digital, tape and cd versions available above as well as other merch.

You can get limited vinyl copies from Black Basset Records here - https://blackbassetrecords.bandcamp.com/merch and direct from Mont-Dore here too - https://montdore.bandcamp.com/merch

Mont-Dore Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/montdoremusic
Black Basset Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BlackBassetRecords

Legion of Andromeda - Iron Scorn

Tracklist:-

1. Transuranic Ejaculation

2. Cosmo Hammer

3. Overlord Of Thunder

4. Scourge Of Pestilence

5. Sociopathic Infestation

6. Aim At A Starless Sky

7. Fist Hammurabi

Sometimes it is necessary to challenge yourself and to breach the limits of what you feel is acceptable. Nowhere is that more true than when discovering and listening to extreme music. I occasionally listen to noise and drone and I have the odd spurt where I actively seek out the most intense music. Japanese duo Legion of Andromeda are exactly the type of band I'm talking about. Their latest opus was released last September via Crucial Blast as a CD/digital download and it features seven doom/death/noise drenched songs. It was previously released on tape/LP via At War With False Noise and Unholy Anarchy.

Legion of Andromeda cuts a primitive figure with raw guitar and vocals, backed-up by the clinical time keeping of a drum machine on opener Transuranic Ejaculation. It’s droning, repetitive and disconcerting, which is completely the atmosphere that LOA were no doubt looking to achieve. They make fellow countrymen Mad Capsule Markets sound like a pop band. Cosmo Hammer is the best song-title period and kinda sounds like it should be a killer thrash song. Thrash though, it is not. It has a similar tempo to that of Iron Scorn’s opener but this time features more torturous, higher-pitched screams in places as well as some cool but subtle vocal effects. You’ll get a faint hint of guitar melody during Overlord Of Thunder, as M adds a layer of treble to the mix. As with the majority of the record, it becomes quite hypnotic when LOA uses the same drum pattern for over six-minutes. The longer it goes on for, the faster it seems to get but maybe that’s just your head playing tricks on you. Things do in fact seem to pick up the pace during Scourge Of Pestilence, which while being every bit as vile as it’s title suggests is actually the shortest (and most uptempo…perhaps?). It’s quite hard to get your head around the psyches of both M and R during Sociopathic Infestation ,considering they have crafted this terrifying yet minimal sound all by themselves. The fact that the country has a forest reserved for those who wish to commit suicide (bless their souls) may give you a clue though as to the society that they live in. By the time penultimate song Aim At The Starless Sky begins, you have either submitted to LOA’s tortured doom/death or you’ve given up altogether. If you’re still here then your mind will only get stronger, as once again your subjected to rendition-like noise and stark industrialism, all set to the backdrop of extreme metal. Fist of Hammurabi slowly smothers you throughout it’s seven-minutes until there is no signs of visible life left. It all comes to an abrupt end and leaves an indelible mark on the brain. Legion of Andromeda are not for the faint of heart or the weak willed. Approach at your peril. 

You can stream Iron Scorn below:-

You can buy it on all formats (except tape) from LOA's bandcamp page above. You can also pick it from the below labels:-

At War With False Noise - https://awwfn.bandcamp.com/merch
Crucial Blast - https://crucialblast.bandcamp.com/merch

Legion of Andromeda Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legionofandromedaofficial/
Crucial Blast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CrucialBlast

There's No Problem With British Metal: Ritual Fest All-Dayer 06/08/2016

A little while ago I angrily commented underneath a Facebook post relating to a misinformed article regarding the state of British metal, that appeared on the website of a monthly UK metal publication that was "supposed" to support it. Seeing as my comment seems to be deleted, here's a link to said article for you to peruse - http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-07-27/british-metal-has-a-massive-problem-and-here-s-why.

I've decided that instead of just stating that I thought the article was wrong, I'd qualify why it's in rude health and getting better by using yesterday's Ritual Festival all-dayer as a case-in-point, while also giving the bands and organiser involved some promotion.

Yesterday's shenanigans featured 10 bands, of which 9 were from the UK. Danish band Hexis were added at short notice as part of their UK weekender and the three main bands OHHMS, Conjurer and Bast were in the midst of a UK tour themselves. I'll apologise now for the lack of photos. Shortly after starting this blog I realised that me, consuming beer and trying to take photos didn't work.

It's always a tough job opening an all-dayer or a festival, especially at 1pm on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Derby's Twisted Swan had the dubious honour of warming up those who turned up early, with their own brand of funky, experimental heaviness. It's always a good sign when the openers put as much effort into their set and the headliners do and as it was my first time catching them, I was impressed. Next up was a set from local Leeds thrash/death band Cryptic Shift. The last time I saw this four-piece was at Bad Apples (Leeds), but they seemed to have changed a bit since then. Old-school death and thrash akin to the like of Slayer and Noisem was on offer, as well as plenty of screaming leads and dual-guitar harmonies. They were another band well worth getting down early for. I've featured Sheffield- trio Kurokuma on here before, but hadn't seen them live so them being on the line-up made the day even better. Their combination of drone, doom and psych proved that it's not just all about hardcore in the Steel City and getting to chat with them later in the day was good too. They've got a new EP coming out next month, so keep an eye for that. Bury's PIST have always been great value whenever I've seen them before and while being slightly less inebriated at Ritual, they were still spot on. Their sludgey grooves and general heavy metal attitude showed exactly why they played Bloodstock last year. They played a number of tracks from their recent album "Rhythm & Booze", which went down really well with the well-oiled crowd. The Bendal Interlude closed out the first half of Ritual in mighty fashion. Having reviewed "Reign Of The Unblinking Eye" earlier in the year, they were another band I was looking forward to seeing for the first time and they didn't disappoint. Stoner/doom/sludge was very much the order of the day so far, but TBL produced a rousing set with tonnes of volume for good measure. Danish merauders Hexis upped the pace during the second half of Ritual. With the house lights off and via the blinding light of a sole strobe, their mix of hardcore and black metal made for the set of the day (in my opinion.). It was so good to see them again after what seemed like an age. Next up was Iron Witch who had recently released their new album "A Harrowed Dawn". They made sure that songs off the new record were given a decent airing and showed that their new line-up is gelling really well. I purchased a copy of the LP too (which looks and sounds amazing by the way!). Bast took to the stage shortly afterwards and the trio blew the crowd away with their brand of doom/sludge that made the darkened upstairs room of Belgrave feel even more disorientating. The crowd seemed to gain extra energy during their set and the band reciprocated by seemingly getting heavier and heavier. At this point, fatigue was starting to kick in for me but the heavy, blackened hardcore of Conjurer soon put pay to that. They gave a great performance and showed exactly why they're a part of the Holy Roar Records roster. Angular riffs, Holy Terror-inspired heaviness and claustrophobic screams took the mood and the volume up a level. Ritual's headliners were post-metal/doom band OHHMS and provided a fitting end to proceedings, with compositions that were as pensive as they were majestic. They were well worth waiting for, as they created a very different atmosphere to those before them. A mix of atmospheric metal and subtle stoner/psych bought the day to a dramatic end. Days like this can usually be an endurance test but thanks to the variation of styles and bands performing, Ritual all-dayer was a great day and a great advert for the British metal scene. Here's to next year!

Listen to all the bands that appeared below:-

Twisted Swan - https://twistedswanuk.bandcamp.com

Cryptic Shift - https://cryptic-shift.bandcamp.com

Kurokuma - https://kurokumauk.bandcamp.com/releases

PIST - https://pist.bandcamp.com/

The Bendal Interlude - https://thebendalinterlude.bandcamp.com

Hexis - https://hexisband.bandcamp.com

Iron Witch - https://ironwitch.bandcamp.com

Bast - https://burningworldrecords.bandcamp.com/album/spectres

Conjurer - https://conjureruk.bandcamp.com

OHHMS - https://ohhms.bandcamp.com

Ritual Festival Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RitualFestivalUK

Twisted Swan Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/twistedswan/home
Cryptic Shift Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/crypticshift
Kurokuma Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kurokumauk
PIST Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pistband/home
The Bendal Interlude Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/THEBENDALINTERLUDE/home
Hexis Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Hexisband/
Iron Witch Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ironwitch1977
Bast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Bastmusic
Conjurer Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/conjureruk/
OHHMS Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OHHMStheband/

Sun Of Gaia - Corrode

Tracklist:-

1. Corrode

2. Endless Wake

3. The Cold

4. Haunted Eyes

5. Blinding Light

6. And The Clouds Cry

Writer's block is the bane of my life. I have loads of bands and records I want to write about, but often it's hard to put down what I'd like to say. That very thing struck as I was hitting play of the debut EP from Australian progressive death metal band Sun Of Gaia. Having done a little research I can see that Corrode is their first official release (not that hard to establish I know) and that they only formed earlier this year. Oh and they're gonna be sharing the stage with King Parrot at The New Dead 7 metal festival in Adelaide this September. It looks like a great festival and is all ages too! I'll throw a link up to it later on in this post.

Getting the chance to hear creative bands from the other side of the globe is always exciting for me and Sun Of Gaia is another name that I can proudly say I’ve featured here. EP opener Corrode is a short and precise blast that demonstrates exactly what they’re about, with rousing instrumentation and deep growls. Endless Wake swiftly follows with a whole heap of modern technical flair. Sun Of Gaia steers clear of the obvious djent sound and actually stands up alongside metalcore bands like Killswitch Engage, in the riff department especially. That’s not the only weapon in their arsenal though, as they also whip out jazz guitar and inspired bass-noodling that splits them apart from the masses. There’s an obvious modern slant to the production on Corrode, but as The Cold begins there’s also a subtle murkiness amongst the low-end that’s quite warming. The verse that follows is full-on and the metallic refrains are worth waiting for. They manage to fit a lot into just over four minutes, with dual screams and gloomy atmospherics, as well as a solo of epic proportions. Haunted Eyes is a little more mid-paced in places, not that you’d really notice. It contains some nice straightforward metal elements within it’s layers of technicality too. Towering post-metal atmosphere spreads itself over Blinding Light and the guitars rule all. There’s something symphonic about it as well, with more than a hint of black metal. It’s eerily melodic and even slightly bombastic. That orchestral side breathes light into Sun Of Gaia’s music and the song as a whole shows the real breadth of their musical progression. Talking of progression and strings, EP closer And The Clouds Cry stretches to over eight-minutes. It happens to be the band’s most caustic track with a searing intensity that creeps up on you. Intense is probably the best word to describe Corrode. It carries you through various shades of extreme metal yet it keeps you close, cradling your emotions instead of ripping them to shreds. Sun Of Gaia should certainly be bigger thanks to this performance. I’m looking forward to more music from them in the future. 

You can stream Corrode and buy it in both CD and digital formats from Sun Of Gaia's bandcamp page below:-

Sun Of Gaia Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sunofgaia/

Update: In my haste to get this review published last night, I forgot to throw up a link for The New Dead Metalfest 7 that Sun Of Gaia will be appearing at in September. If you're in Adelaide around that time, you should see them alongside King Parrot, Disentomb and a whole host of other bands - https://www.facebook.com/thenewdead/home

No Ditching/Baby Ghosts - Split 7"

Tracklist:-

1. No Ditching - Emo

2. No Ditching - Dog Problem

3. Baby Ghosts - Return Of Bones (Part I and Part II)

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining but my life seems to be getting busier and busier of late. It's not all bad though, as last night I went to a local show in Harrogate to watch Martha and Kamikaze Girls for the first time. The gig was great, the vibe too and the venue that hosted it happens to be one of my favourite bars in Harrogate. That brings me onto the subjects of tonight's review. Both No Ditching and Baby Ghosts are punk bands and are from opposite sides of the Atlantic. No Ditching comes from Durham and funnily enough has connections to Martha. Baby Ghosts comes from Salt Lake City (US). This split 7" was released by UK label Drunken Sailor Records earlier this year.

No Ditching begins with a song called Emo and their sound is not as the title suggests. They play raw punk that’s easy on the ear. This would have gone down very well at Major Tom’s (venue for the aforementioned gig) last night. The guitars are high up in the mix and very danceable, while clean vocals draw you in. They employ greater use of dual-vocal melodies on Dog Problem, which is more off-kilter but still just as catchy and Emo. Baby Ghosts make perfect partners on their side. Return Of Bones (Part 1 & 2) is their only song but you can hear why both bands joined forces when listening to it. Baby Ghosts aren’t as urgent in delivery, though they still weave a memorable song. Their song-writing and musicianship highlights their experience too. The great thing about both bands is that they promote a different view than most punks bands now. They promote acceptance, diversity and generally getting along and being nice. The world needs more like them. This is great.

You can stream the split and buy it as a digital download or physical 7" below:-

No Ditching Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NoDitching
Baby Ghosts Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Baby-Ghosts
Drunken Sailor Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenSailorRecords

OHHMS - Cold

Tracklist:-

1 The Anchor

2. Dawn Of The Swarm

We may be creeping up on the end of 2016 but I still have a load of music to catch up on from 2015! One such record is the latest two-track release from Kent doom/post band OHHMS. I picked this and their last release "Bloom" up on vinyl at the Ritual Fest all-dayer on Saturday just gone and it reminded me that I had it write about. "Cold" was released in June 2015 via Holy Roar Records and is only the band's second official release, since their inception a year earlier. I guess if it's good enough for Holy Roar then it must be good enough for me!

Even before I press play on this, I’ve just got to say that the packaging is great. The songs are pressed onto a slab of wax that’s a gorgeous hue of transparent blue/green. I’m also a bit of a sucker for atmospheric post-metal and need to find a band to fill the void left after Voe’s departure form this mortal realm. All the signs point to Ohhms being that band. Opener The Anchor is melodic and bleak in the same way that Cult Of Luna is (or was, I’m not too sure). However; far from being caustic they use vocal melodies beautifully. This song is mammoth yet also really endearing. The riffs are thick and best served during a live-gig but on record they fill any room. Ohhms is definitely more palatable to those who haven’t yet scratched the doom/drone/post-metal surface in the UK, but if this weekend was anything to go by also appeal to hardened fans of the genre(s). Dawn Of The Swarm is dreamier as it’s opening bars whisk you off to calmer climes, though if you weren’t expecting the riffs that swiftly follow then shame on you!  In spite of the heaviness I mentioned in the last sentence, it’s also remarkably catchy. Ohhms manages to create a song with a completely different feel to that of The Anchor yet Dawn Of The Swarm sits perfectly alongside it. Two songs spanning over 30-minutes and both with obvious differences but a common denominator; they’re both achingly good.

Stream it and buy it digitally or on CD below:-

There's a 2nd pressing of the LP available on Organic Ale coloured wax via the Holy Roar store here - http://www.holyroarrecords.com/products/

Ohhms Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OHHMStheband
Holy Roar Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/holyroarrecords

Ethereal Riffian - I Am. Deathless EP

Tracklist:-

1. Drum Of The Deathless

2. Sword Of The Deathless

Just when it seems as though black metal is the only genre that's alive and kicking in the Ukraine, along comes Ethereal Riffian. As their name suggests, they play riffs in the form of stoner, doom and anything else that's slow. The Kiev based quartet started in 2010 and have so far released two full-lengths, a single prior to 2016, where they've already release a live-album before this two-track EP. They've recently self-released an amazing 5cd set, which features limited versions of their back catalogue. 

There’s something very unique about Ethereal Riffian as they begin with Drum Of The Deathless. The Eastern-inspired scales used during the intro section and the use of traditional instruments like the guest Djembe and Didgeridoo (though not traditionally Ukrainian), add extra textures to ER’s engaging sound. The more conventional sound provided by the drums, bass and guitar are complimented by clean vocals and occult chants in English. It’s all really trippy and strangely soothing. The menacing and otherworldly mood continues into Sword Of The Deathless, with the Didgeridoo being more prominent and lending to a sound that’s akin to Aboriginal folk music. It’s hypnotic at time, especially thanks to the repeated lyrics and accompanying melodies. It strikes me that Ethereal Riffian don’t really bother with rules and set song layouts. They’re very proficient musicians (as are their guests) and even though this release contains a mere-two tracks, it’s still chock full of original ideas and exciting music. Definitely a band that should explore further if you appreciate mystical and traditional stoner/doom. 

You can stream and download I Am. Deathless below:-

Ethereal Riffian also has a number of merch/cd bundles available via their bandcamp page.

Robust Fellow Productions helped to put this EP out and you can support them here - https://robustfellow.bandcamp.com

Ethereal Riffian Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/etherealriffian

The Zenith Passage - Solipsist

Tracklist:-

1. Holographic Principle I: Emergence

2. Holographic Principle II: Convergence

3. Simulated Reality

4. Deus Deceptor

5. The Dissension Consensus

6. Dreamsphere

7. Hypnagogia

8. Metaphyiscal Solipsism

9. The Tenebrous Veil

10. Luminary Singularity

I've taken a few days out to catch up on real life, so this is the first time in the last few days that I've been able to sit down and write. The Zenith Passage and their recent album is one of intrigue for me. Released in April via the ever present Unique Leader Records (and the band themselves featuring current and ex-members from US death metallers The Faceless, Fallujah and All Shall Perish), it's been one that I've been meaning to get better acquainted with., especially as I seem to be getting more and more excited about tech-death/progressive music in general. 

As the album opener, Holographic Principle I: Emergence kicks in, I’m reminded of Transformers. A rather unnecessary pause breaks up the intro track and Holographic Principle II: Convergence. When the latter reaches full flow, it’s both heavy and technical yet something is missing. It’s like a meeting of superior minds that became corrupted by artificial intelligence. Simulated Reality is better but there’s too much electronic interference for me. I mean, it’s obvious that the musicians present on Solipsist are extremely talented, but their potential doesn’t fully come across because of over-production. Thankfully as you progress though the record it gets better and Deus Deceptor is an eight-bit dream (you’ll know what I mean when you hear it). The Dissension Consensus is by the far the most brutal song on the record so far, thanks in part to the utterly intense drumming. The song is also the most straight-forward tech death song on here, thanks to the lack of obvious effects and guitar playing that’s out of this world. I think I’m finally beginning to get this band!. Menacing atmosphere envelopes you during Dreamsphere, which is a bit like a semi-improv jazz number. After what seems like a breath of clean air, Hypnagogia snaps you back into reality with crazy time-signatures, deep bellowed screams and choral melodies. Add to that the typically brutal instrumentation and you’ve got a recipe for something uplifting and theatrical in equal measure. With Metaphysical Solipsism, The Zenith Passage has demonstrated the perfect example of straight-to-the-point modern death metal, condensed into three minutes. Penultimate song The Tenebrous Veil takes use of triggers to the max, but is rescued by strong riffing and lead work. It finishes with a weirdly ambient piano section and effects that could have been straight out of a sci-fi computer game. It flows into album closer Luminary Singularity, which is one last intense blast of technicality. At first, I didn’t warm to this record but the more I listened to, the better it sounded. I’m still going to say that Cerebric Turmoil is the best technical death metal band I’ve reviewed so far but The Zenith Passage certainly has a lot to offer and fans of technical death metal will enjoy this. 

Stream and download Solipsist via Unique Leader's bandcamp page below:-

Grab cd, vinyl and merch packages here - http://www.indiemerch.com/uniqueleader/the-zenith-passage

The Zenith Passage Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheZenithPassage
Unique Leader Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UniqueLeaderRecords

Braineater - Weak, Frail and Powerless EP

Tracklist:-

1. Call In The Bear Jew (Ode To Donny Donowitz)

2. Hooked On LCD

3. The Bird And The Lamb

4. Opinionated

Today has been the first time in a long time that I've suffered with the Monday blues. In the end I had to dust myself off and carry on regardless, while wishing I was somewhere else. At least now I can escape reality for a bit. Tonight's reality crushers go by the name of Braineater (pretty apt I think). I wasn't familiar with these guys until I received an e-mail from Sun Chariot Records, who released "Weak, Frail and Powerless" back in February. Braineater have had a few previous guises in their time. Starting out in 2010 as Astaroth, then changing their name to Volvagia in 2013 before quickly switching again. They released their first demo under the Braineater name in 2013, swiftly followed by a split tape with Vanquisher (2014), an EP called "Reclusive" and then this one. You certainly can't call them lazy!

Braineater specialises in death/grind though on Call In The Bear Jew (Ode To Donny Donowitz), they’re pace is sludgy and their guitars are thick. Who needs labels nowadays anyway, as this is all over the place and it’s great! Hooked On LCD is a really clever title and the song itself is a riff-laden mix of hardcore, thrash and death. I get the feeling these guys don’t take themselves too seriously. I have a sore neck that hasn’t been helped by recent gig attendance (I think age is catching up with me!). The Bird And The Lamb isn’t helping my recovery, as it’s hard to keep still when this song’s on. The noise levels are increased further during Opinionated with walls of bass rattling everything nearby. The off-kilter time signatures remind me of some Hydra Head-era bands for some reason and I’m liking the fact that Braineater keep things decidedly old-school. If you’re idea of shutting yourself off from the world is to sit is a pitch black room with harsh music at unbearable volume, Braineater would more than likely be your soundtrack. Do yourself a favour and jam this. 

Stream and download the EP below:-

If you like tapes, they have five copies remaining too. Other merch is available here - http://braineater.bigcartel.com

Braineater Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VolvagiaMetal

Twilight Fauna/Jennifer Christensen - Split 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Jennifer Christensen - Sickness Unto Death

2. Twilight Fauna - Crossing The Threshold

This split 7" was another that was released towards the end of last year. This time featuring Twilight Fauna, whom I've featured here before and composer/musician Jennifer Christensen. This split is again not confined by genre, which isn't surprising considering the direction that Ravenwood (Twilight Fauna) is taking with his music nowadays. I like discovering music at my own pace but I do have to apologise at this point for my delay in writing about this release. This was limited to 300 copies of frosted clear vinyl. 

This is the time I have set ears upon Jennifer Christensen. Her contribution Sickness Unto Death is a hauntingly dramatic instrumental piece led by cello and violin. Heavily improvised and very much outside of my comfort zone, it’s chilling atmosphere is strangely addictive and exciting. Twilight Fauna follows suit on Crossing The Threshold, but with ambience and guitar that comes across like white-noise. It’s a bit of a shock after the calmness but it’s also expected. The noise fades mid-way through to reveal quiet, ghost-like whispers and gentle guitar tones that act as a transition as well as brief moment of solitude. As the rain falls outside my window, I feel at peace and even though this split has carried me through a variety of emotions across it’s two tracks, it has done so with a strange comfort. This is definitely for the more adventurous and the more discerning music fan.

Stream the split and purchase it digitally or physically below:-

Jennifer Christensen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jenniferchristensenmusic/

Twilight Fauna Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/twilightfauna

Thetan - Who Will Protect Us?//Relief pt2 7" Lathe

Tracklist:-

1. Who Will Protect Us? (Brother Inferior cover)

2. Relief pt2 (Doom cover)

I've decided to take some time to write about some shorter (two-track) releases, because short and sweet is good. I'm starting out with this 7" lathe that Thetan released last November via Anti-Corporate Music Inc. It features the band covering songs by Brother Inferior and Doom. There was only 50 copies of this made and remarkably there are still copies available! For those who have checked out my previous review featuring Thetan, they are a heavy and fast hardcore bass/drum duo from Nashville (TN).

This is raw and nasty and perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up. Dan’s vocals on Who Will Protect Us? are almost incomprehensible, not that there’s any time to try and follow them anyway. They channel the spirit of Doom during their cover of Relief pt2, somehow managing to drag the same murky atmosphere into the recording too. It’s not often that my reviews are shorter than my opening paragraphs, but there’s no point in getting too fluffy with things. If you like fast and raw music of the grind/hardcore/PV variety and like to boast about owning rare records, buy this. It’s good.

Stream and/or grab it in both physical and digital formats from Thetan below:-

It's also available from Anti-Corporate Music Inc. here - http://anticorp.storenvy.com/collections/

Thetan Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/welcometowhinecountry
Anti-Corporate Music Inc. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AntiCorpMusic

Dreamwaves - Elements EP

Tracklist:-

1. Nines

2. Focus

3. Echo

4. Breeze

Tech/Progressive metal in the UK is gaining quite a bit of momentum right now, with help from Tech-Fest and a impending visit from Animals As Leaders (who're doing a huge run of EU/UK club shows). It's a sub-genre that's lacking in my personal record collection but that might be about to change. Brighton, known for it's bulging punk scene has spawned Dreamwaves, who play instrumental progressive modern metal. Elements is their debut EP and it's due for official release in August via Infectious Sounds.

There’s no frilly build-ups from these guys. They immediately bring to mind the instrumentation of bands like Fall Of Troy and the aforementioned Animals As Leaders on EP opener Nines. They are not lazy comparisons either, as the guitar work proves. Dramatic piano is a great way to end the song with a little bit of cinematic flair. Nines flows straight into Focus without a pause (which is great for the flow of the EP). There are some more chunky riffs underneath the lead-work and the drums forge their own path with a time-signature seemingly all of their own. They turn down the technicality a bit on Echo, which is a lot more introspective and laid back, at least during the song’s first half. Quiet electronics give way to post-hardcore arrangements and rousing harmonies. Some people may find this EP a little overproduced or polished and in places it is, but what that exhibits is how good musically Dreamwaves are, so it’s no bad thing on this occasion. EP closer Breeze is heavier on the piano and it’s up-tempo pace is the perfect send off. If Dreamwaves can focus on sounding more organic on future recordings and  can get plenty of live experience under their belts, there’s no reason why they can’t rise to the top of the scene and join the band’s I mentioned above. Great first EP with lots of promise. 

Dreamwaves have released EP track Focus as a sneak preview and you can listen to it via their bandcamp page below:-

You'll have to keep an eye on their Facebook page for official release news.

Dreamwaves Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dreamwavesuk
Infectious Sounds Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InfectiousSoundsUK

In Mourning - Afterglow

Tracklist:-

1. Fire And Ocean

2. The Grinning Mist

3. Ashen Crown

4. Below Rise To The Above

5. The Lighthouse Keeper

6. The Call To Orion

7. Afterglow

Bands go through stylistic changes all throughout their careers. Swede's In Mourning are no exception. From their early beginnings as a doom/gothic metal band at the turn of the millennium, to the progressive/melodic death metal band we know of today, In Mourning sure has more than a few stories to tell. With their profile growing, they released their fourth full-length in May via Agonia Records and have appeared at a number of European festival this summer.

I’ve always been a big fan of older bands like Dark Tranquillity, (early) Opeth, Insomnium and the like. In Mourning has more than earned their place amongst that list in recent years and their latest effort Afterglow is not going to change that. Album opener Fire And Ocean is an inviting slab of modern metal that still pays plenty of respect to the Swe-death of old. Mid-paced melodic riffs, cold blasts and deep bellows show In Mourning in their best light, alongside almost mystical guitar solos. You’ll forgive them for allowing the opening bars of The Grinning Mist to sound a bit like something Korn would write, when they hit full stride. Don’t take that last sentence wrong way, it’s just how it sounded to me initially. The song itself could not be further removed from the sound of the US nu-metallers. It’s filled with mournful(?) atmosphere and even thought it near’s ten-minutes in length, there’s plenty to keep the attentive extreme metal fan happy. The clean vocals are really soothing and in keeping with the genre that In Mourning calls home. The grandest example of In Mourning’s melodic death metal has to be Ashen Crown. The time-signatures jump all over the place and while the majority of the song may not sound overly groundbreaking, the lead work that provides the soaring melody is well worth waiting for. The quieter introspective string section later on it pretty good too. At this point, I wish I was sat on a deserted beach watching the waves lap against the sand. That’s how relaxed Below Rise To The Above makes me feel. The effortless way in which In Mourning switches between musical elements isn’t really a surprise, but it still highlights how proficient they are at what they do. Modern progression is key on The Lighthouse Keeper and it’s done really well. Subtle hints of djent (I’m sorry for using that horrible word) and jazz hide between swathes of more conventional doom/death. it just works really well. The Call Of Orion takes things back in more of a traditional direction (if there is such a thing) but the crooning banishes any thoughts of a formulaic effort. The title-track finishes off the album is understated style. The keys at the end sound like the voice of a siren but prove to be a clever nod to the band’s early years. In Mourning has crafted a very listenable and mature record with Afterglow. I’m a convert for sure and will definitely try to this up on vinyl soon. You could do worse than give it your time too.

Stream and purchase Afterglow digitally here:-

CD and vinyl merch packages can be purchased from Agonia Records here - https://www.agoniarecords.com

In Mourning Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inmourningband
Agonia Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/agoniarecords