Isaac – Évasions manquées

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

From their Gaulish city of Reims, Isaac—stylized as ISaAC—just released Évasions manquées, their sole release since 2011, if we don’t count their split with Térébenthine in 2014, which would still leave a wide gap between the two. The band has been likened to The Mars Volta, among others, but the similarities, although present, are threadbare. Let’s see what the band has to offer.

Évasions manquées is a three-song EP, with the longest song, self-titled, topping the twelve-minute mark. At first, with “Aliocha”, we’re greeted with a droning post-hardcore piece. The Mars Volta parallels … Read more

Vak – Budo

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

Sometimes, an album can put me under its charm even before playing me the first note of music. Of course, it helps that I already liked the band because of their 2014 album, Aedividea, but forget that for a second. Upon arriving on their Bandcamp page, I am greeted with three songs for a total of one hour of music; one thirty-minute song, one twenty-minute song, and one ten (if we round those numbers). Following this, I scroll a bit and see the “rock in opposition” and “zeuhl” tags. That’s it, I’m sold!

There’s more … Read more

NOT MUSIC: Vox Medusae Is Out Now!

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

Potmos Hetoimos‘ 11th album—the first on the Not Music label—is now out!

The album is available to download for free. Alternately, you can acquire this limited digipak for just $10, shipping included, anywhere in the world.

This is a 56-minute concept album in 8 tracks telling the metaphorical tale of Perseus slaying Medusa, who is tearing his life to shreds.

Matt plays all instruments safe for the saxophone and guest vocals and solos. The album is mixed by Angel Marcloid (Fire-Toolz, Mindspring Memories). Members from the bands Curse and Usti Waya appear on Vox Medusae, … Read more

Organ: – Everything Is Pared Down. Minimal Expectations

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

Everything Is Pared Down. Minimal Expectations is the Norwegian-Italian trio Organ:‘s third release, nine years after their 2009 self-titled EP. This album has taunted me for so long, sitting there as a pre-order on Duplicate Records’ Bandcamp page without any official release date… And then, without warning, it came out! Well, to be exact, the album became streamable in full, while the official release date was set to October 30. Let’s see what this beast is made of.

Save for the blast beats and clashing notes, everything reeks of retro prog: the guitar and bass’ … Read more

遺伝学者 – 芸者

by Dæv Tremblay

The Music

The Words

Good can come from death. Some would argue that, indeed, djent is a dead genre. I’d have to admit that it has seen better days, but, every once in a while, some shiny thing rises through the ashes and comes to the surface. A miniature speck of jade in a dull grey pile. Today, this is thanks to Mexican quartet 遺伝学者 (Iden Gakusha) and their Japan-oriented EP, 芸者 (Geisha). I believe the band achieves something great with this twenty-minute EP; here’s why.

First of all, the foundation of djent—and metal—is the riffs. Fear not, the riffs … Read more