Monthly Archives: November 2017

Floom, Kodian Trio, The Last of Lucy, Impureza, High Aura’d, Les chevals & Allonymous, Gnarbot, Kurushimi, and Entheos

by Dæv Tremblay


Floom – Multi-Voice of the Immensity
It is with a rather questionable portmanteau that guitarist, flautist, and singer Maxx Katz present to us a sludgey, droney doom album filled with flutes and female vocals. The band is an all-women trio, with Christina Fleming and Cathy Monnes supporting Maxx with vocals. The riffs are great, all drowned in fuzz and distorsion, and the flutes are just the icing on the cake.

Kodian Trio – II
The second album of the Belgian free jazz trio is even better than their first. The dynamics between the guitar, the saxophone, and the drums are … Read more

The Knells – Knells II

by Dæv Tremblay

You don’t often see, or hear, a troupe of classically trained musicians making progressive rock music along with an all-female vocal trio. Yet, as its name alludes to, Knells II is the second album of New York’s The Knells, a band united under Andrew McKenna Lee’s vision. The compositions are rather short and to-the-point, but are meticulously written with many intertwined layers more akin to a woven tapestry than merely a bunch of parallel threads. Knells the Second is a direct successor of the first of its name, superior in every regard – except in duration. The Knells was … Read more

Merkabah – Million Miles

by Dæv Tremblay

Moloch was a defining album for me. As one of the first, and, above all, best, albums truly bridging the gap between jazz and metal into a strange form of palatable yet challenging avant-garde jazz record. The Polish quintet is now back with their third release: Million Miles. Their newest takes up where Moloch left off – kicking and screaming –, and offers us an experience that’s almost as searing as its predecessor. However, instead of pure abrasive power, Million Miles is more delicate, tasteful, and mature than its older sibling. They obviously still share the same genes, but … Read more

Squintaloo – Über Bord!

by Dæv Tremblay



Squintaloo is a German experimental progressive rock quartet, and they released their latest album, Über Bord!, in June 2017. Their style is eclectic and modern, drawing many comparisons to even some more out-there math rock and prog rock outfits. While very rooted into harmonic cohesion with a rather simplistic melodic approach, most of the eccentricity comes from the structures, the odd rhythms, and the layers of effects that affect the guitar sounds. That is not to say that those two aspects are not well done or that playing them doesn’t require a high degree of musicianship from the players’ … Read more

Aiming for Enrike – Las Napalmas

by Dæv Tremblay

This Norwegian experimental math rock duo is about as colourful as the cover art for their latest album, Las Napalmas. Released in late October, the 34-minute album is a playground for effect pedals on the part of Simen Følstad Nilsen on guitars, and for odd rhythms from Tobias Ørnes Andersen’s drumkit. The result is an energetic, almost punkish vibe that emanates from the singing strings and beating drums. If you’re into the likes of Yowie, or would like a more experimental The Physics House Band, look no further than Aiming for Enrike.

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