Mini-Reviews XVI

mr16

I’m not a huge grind guy, but when the aesthetic is tempered a bit, I can appreciate it. Cognizant are a really solid example of that; with a self-titled album that explodes over the course of just 17 minutes, they weave a chaotic web of death, black and grind elements with relentless intensity and slick production. The result is simultaneously viciously aggressive and eminently listenable.

This album took me by surprise with its high quality and unique niche. I highlighted a couple of bands that could be considered progressive post-metal/sludge in my last set of mini-reviews, but Barishi actualize an … Read more

Mini-Reviews XV

osr
Tactus is a progressive metalcore band from Fredericton, New-Brunswick. It’s a pretty good record recalling a bit of Novållo, but, as with most things labeled metalcore – even if it’s the progressive kind -, Bending Light suffers from its lack of originality. The whole thing is a considerable step up from their debut, T, but the restrictions of the genre are something they should strive to strike down, next time around. The album comes out on October seventh.
Luminiferous Aether is the newest album from progressive atmospheric black metal band Mare Cognitum. Out on September sixteen, it’s what … Read more

Exploring Bandcamp Tags: Math Rock

bcmrBandcamp is a wonderful platform. Not only is it free for fans and artists, but it’s also one of the least greedy large platforms, taking only 15% off of music sales from the artist, whereas iTunes takes about 30%. I can only think of CD Baby that has a lower revenue share, at 9%, but their website is definitely not meant for the same thing; on one hand CD Baby requires artists to pay fees in order to sell their music, and it’s impossible to allow a pay what you want pricing, something Bandcamp have become renowned for.

On top … Read more

Mini-Reviews XIV

mr0908
Today’s listening schedule is much more digestible, only eight albums since Tuesday!
First up is the highly anticipated third album from Veilburner: The Obscene Rite. The songs here can be really hit-or-miss. For example, the single, “Eucharist of the Breathing Abyss”, is great, filled with dissonance and heavy riffs, but others, like “Dilemma Manifestation” almost sound like a Pagan metal song, and I don’t think there’s anything I despise more than this genre of metal. So, in short, some good tracks, some meh tracks, I say you should wait for the full stream before buying or not!
On … Read more

Seven Impale – Contrapasso, Review and Interview

Seven Impale Front promo highest res RGB 3000x3000“What is the next step?”

This question is the first thing crooned by vocalist-and-guitarist Stian Økland on Seven Impale‘s sophomore album, Contrapasso. It was also the question burning in my mind after several months of listening to their debut album, City of the Sun, which was my favorite record of 2014. I’ve heard plenty of bands with elements of both jazz and prog rock, but never one that truly synthesizes those styles in perfect balance. Typically you can feel whether a band is rooted in jazz and incorporating some elements of prog or vice versa. With this … Read more