Category Archives: Mini-Review

Devin Drobka’s Bell Dance Songs – Amaranth

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

The mouthfully-baptised Devin Drobka’s Bell Dance Songs band is a quintet made of three woodwind players, one acoustic bass player, and a drums person that also acts as the composer: the aforementioned Devin Drobka. It is without a surprise that you will read my words telling you that this is a merciless sonic assault! Amaranth came out on 28 September through Shifting Paradigm Records. Let’s dissect the beast.

The album loses no time to show its colours. At the fluid-tempoed start of “Skip Skip” and the dialogue between the bass and the drums, it’s quite fun … Read more

Andrew Bernstein – An Exploded View of Time

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

Andrew Bernstein is a saxophone player and composer most recognized for his involvement in experimental band Horse Lords. He is releasing his latest album, An Exploded View of Time, through Hausu Mountain Records.

When listening to it, I can’t help but summon a comparison with saxophone virtuoso Colin Stetson. Of course, the palette of solo sax releases is pretty wide even for this relatively niche and narrow canvas, but the choice of techniques and soundscapes with which Andrew decided to paint it are remarkably similar. A short list of those include overblowing, circular … Read more

Scherzoo – 04

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

French entity Scherzoo is no newcomer to the prog scene, as you might have deduced by looking at the album name—04—referring to it being their fourth. The mastermind behind it, François Thollot, also released music under his own name, but is here joined by Clément Curaudeau of Süryabonali, Grégoire Plancher, and Anthony Pontet. 04 is one the latest release under the legendary Soleil Zeuhl label. So, let’s take a look at it!

In under forty-five minutes, François and Scherzoo take us to the land of progressive rock. 04 being an instrumental release, it … Read more

Byo Noise Generator – Neuromechanica

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

Russia’s Byo Noise Generator—stylized as ByoNoiseGenerator—just released their sophomore release: Neuromechanica. The band claims to merge brutal death metal, grindcore, and jazz into a coherent whole, which is an impressive feat if it’s true. But there are a few amendments to make to it.

First of all, the music here on display is indeed brutal and grinding, and the composition, interpretation, and production of it is quite stunning. One thing that sets Byo Noise Generator apart from other similar bands is their permanent use of a saxophonist. Alas, sax does not jazz make, … Read more

Karas, Molly Drag, High Tension, Stop Motion Orchestra, Other Families, Moon Goons, Octaves, Irreversible Mechanism, and Stuff.

by Dæv Tremblay

Karas – Karas

Karas display an impressive force with their self-titled debut. Post-black metal, atmospheric and at times very melodic, with shameless influences of post-hardcore music, this album is a must!

Molly Drag – Thumper

Montreal’s indie rock band Molly Drag, sometimes labeled slowcore, released recently Thumper, their newest collection of sad songs. Dreamy and shoegazy, it’s a slow and contemplative record, and that’s where all its beauty resides.

High Tension – Purge

High Tension is a promising blend of blackened death metal and post-hardcore, which they expertly play on Purge, their fourth album. This band is … Read more