Mini-Reviews LXVIII


Looprider is a Japanese post-rock band who just delivered Umi, a twenty-five-minute song and EP. A little something special about the band is the fact that they have two drummers, a thing that is usually seen in more experimental genres. This piece is quite interesting; it build up momentum throughout its pretty long structure, and manages to take a few detours, left and right, to sprinkle the journey with slightly odd but interesting moments. It’s mostly instrumental, but features some calm vocals too.
MRW (pronounced em-er-vu) recently released Gwarectwo “Hrabia Renard” rok 1934, a twenty-two-track EP of mad … Read more

Mini-Reviews LXVII


The suffix ‘-gaze’ has certainly been on the rise, lately, and, even with my former disliking of the budding subgenre, I’ve come to appreciate it more and more. Planning for Burial apply the term to a new genre, creating doomgaze. It’s my first time listening to something like this, and I value it a lot, now! Below the House is charged with emotion and heaviness, staying low and slow, with a very raw sound to it. The album comes out on March tenth, and it would be a great idea to listen to the available songs now to make your … Read more

Monthly Recommendations: February 2017


‘The legendary rock in opposition band Thinking Plague has just released their eighth album, Hoping against Hope, after a crowdfunding campaign (I’m still waiting for my due! [Edit: Got it!]) I personally think this is their finest work to date, toppling In Extremis, which I thought was their best one, prior to this. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, be ready to be challenged. The band consists of six members who play instruments ranging from woodwinds to accordion in rhythmically and harmonically avant-garde compositions. It’s truly a treat, and I recommend that every one of you listens to it!’
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Mini-Reviews LXVI


Microtonal electropop artist Brendan Byrnes recently released Neutral Paradise, a fifty-minute collection of mostly-new tracks. Most of the twelve compositions on record use the 22-EDO system, used exclusively in Brendan’s band Ilevens. His knowledge of the system makes the songs sound natural and easily appreciable to even a neophyte audience. This is the future… Bar that. This is the present of music, and it’s awesome!
Belarusian experimental black metal band Leprous Vortex Sun put out По направлению к Солнцу, плавящему изнутри кости (Po napravleniyu k Solntsu, plavyashtshyemu iznutri kosti), in late December of last year. Hinging on heaviness, technicality, … Read more

Yowie – Synchromysticism

Yowie is one of those names that evoke wonderment, amazement, bewilderment. It all began with their 2004 debut, Cryptooology, which redefined the boundaries of the math rock genre. In truth, I believe they stand besides Hella for their contribution to the genre. Cryptooology and Hold Your Horse Is are kin, siblings of the same noospheric matrix, in my eyes. We had to wait eight years before Yowie were to release their sophomore, Damning with Faint Praise, which took the flame of its predecessor, and swallowed it.

Today, I’ll be writing my thoughts on the band’s third release, titled … Read more