Mini-Reviews XXXIX

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It’s a much busier December than I expected! Being the last month of the year, I would’ve expected there to be fewer releases, especially considering all the year end’s lists being published left and right. Oh well, it’s their lost, not ours – not yours, loyal readers! Let’s go over this!
Okay, there’s not a lot on this album, online, but it’s a pretty sweet progressive black metal album. The Prisoner is a Lebano-Franco-Scottish collaboration including the singer of Gorod. Life of the Mind is their sophomore album, and was just released today. It’s really quite an amazing journey; at … Read more

Mini-Reviews XXXVIII

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I wrote, not so long ago, about Vectrexcentricity, my favourite project from guitarist Killick Hinds. And, here they are, releasing a new album, a live one, this time: Livelike Boy Android. It consists of the same trio, but here playing new improvised pieces. It’s a quality fifty-four minutes of free, ambient jazz, and, while there is no chiptune to be had, the use of both fretted and fretless guitar (and bass) proves to be quite interesting and fascinating to behear.
A quick look on Art as Catharsis’ bandcamp page revealed an album I somehow missed: No Haven‘s … Read more

EXCLUSIVE: Listen to ‘Slave of the Chapter’, a Brand New Track from Progressive Death Metal Band Decipher

This one is a banger! The penultimate track off of Intuition, coming out on December sixteenth, begins with a heavy riff that is then followed by a really amazing atmospheric section, which then evolves into hills and valleys as the song progresses. The low and guttural vocals serve as a driving force, pushing the already-heavy riffs into darker territories, and making the atmospheric sections stand out that much more as they soar beautifully. The album doesn’t have melodic vocals, except a guest singer on ‘Soulbound’ who renders justice to the delicacy of the song. As a whole, it’s a … Read more

Monthly Recommendations: November 2016

monthlyrecommendations
November has been quite surprising. Going from a month from which I didn’t expect much to one that blew me away with unscheduled releases and band discoveries. Anyways, here’s what we think are the best four releases the month had in stores for us, as well as some honourable mentions.
‘Corima‘s third full-length, 天照, delivers an untamed flow of energetic, Japanese-influenced Zeuhl. The album is enjoyable to the core and will please anyone seeking a new musical challenge. Personally, I’m overjoyed to have stumbled upon it and to finally be able to make a connection with the promising world of … Read more

Mini-Reviews XXXVI

minireviews
Pelicrane, the monstrous hybrid bird, which happens to play some experimental math rock, just released goin2church. First off, it has strong Yowie and Doom Salad vibes, which is something I can totally swallow. There might also be some Hella somewhere in there. The thirty-three minute album consists of ten tracks of harsh instrumental math rock that is challenging and interesting.
What I dislike about Indian band Orchid is their production. Their compositions are pretty good, but the vocal emphasis is way too strong, and spoils the overall experience. However, if you can put that aside for a minute … Read more