Mini-Reviews XLII

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Yet another track-EP from Mesarthim. The last one isn’t even 10 days old and Type III is already succeeding it. I have to say that there’s something different, here. The piano introduction sets the tone, and then guitar palm-muted chords come and increase the momentum of the track to an epic level. That being said, I’m really not a fan of epic metal – imagine all those Skyrim OST metal covers -, but I appreciate the little bit of diversity the project is putting in its music.
British mathcore band Zilf released, earlier this year, the cleverly-titled (not) PrEPare Read more

Mini-Reviews XLI

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Free Salamander Exhibit‘s Undestroyed came out very recently, on December thirteenth, via Web of Mimicry. The strong vibes of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and flairs of Frank Zappa are unsurprising, given that the band consists of eighty percent of the former’s lineup. What’s interesting, here, is that the band uses homemade musical instruments in addition to the traditional rock trio. Flute, trumpet, glockenspiel and theremin are also common sounds in this fifty-minute record. I’ve never really been a fan of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum or Frank Zappa – you can throw me rocks -, so it’s a bit difficult for me … Read more

Mini-Reviews XL

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Can we reach L before year’s end? Place your bets!
dMu is an avant-garde metal and jazz fusion coalescence with baritone sax, bass clarinet, electric guitars, and heavy drums. Synaptic Self was released in August and has since been grossly underrepresented in people’s listening time. It’s an album of pure and masochistic ecstasy. Fans of John Zorn will most likely find a brass and woodwinds alter ego to the musician here, but even those who don’t give a shit about Mr. Zorn – me included – should take the time to listen to this album and let it sink in, … 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

Monthly Recommendations: November 2016

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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