Angel Marcloid’s musical essays with Fire-Toolz paid off, as many lauded the black metal and vaporwave crossing sophomore Drip Mental. Now with the third iteration – Interbeing – finally out, we get to ask ourselves: “What more is there to say?” On the one hand, many of the praises and critics of Drip Mental still apply. The odd but fascinating offspring of two radically different musical genres is still as good, if not better, than ever – imagine slowed-down, funky pop tunes from the eighties (or an original composition aimed at mimicking that aesthetic) with screams and blast beats … Read more
Floom, Kodian Trio, The Last of Lucy, Impureza, High Aura’d, Les chevals & Allonymous, Gnarbot, Kurushimi, and Entheos
Floom – Multi-Voice of the Immensity
It is with a rather questionable portmanteau that guitarist, flautist, and singer Maxx Katz present to us a sludgey, droney doom album filled with flutes and female vocals. The band is an all-women trio, with Christina Fleming and Cathy Monnes supporting Maxx with vocals. The riffs are great, all drowned in fuzz and distorsion, and the flutes are just the icing on the cake.
Kodian Trio – II
The second album of the Belgian free jazz trio is even better than their first. The dynamics between the guitar, the saxophone, and the drums are … Read more
The Knells – Knells II
You don’t often see, or hear, a troupe of classically trained musicians making progressive rock music along with an all-female vocal trio. Yet, as its name alludes to, Knells II is the second album of New York’s The Knells, a band united under Andrew McKenna Lee’s vision. The compositions are rather short and to-the-point, but are meticulously written with many intertwined layers more akin to a woven tapestry than merely a bunch of parallel threads. Knells the Second is a direct successor of the first of its name, superior in every regard – except in duration. The Knells was … Read more
Merkabah – Million Miles
Moloch was a defining album for me. As one of the first, and, above all, best, albums truly bridging the gap between jazz and metal into a strange form of palatable yet challenging avant-garde jazz record. The Polish quintet is now back with their third release: Million Miles. Their newest takes up where Moloch left off – kicking and screaming –, and offers us an experience that’s almost as searing as its predecessor. However, instead of pure abrasive power, Million Miles is more delicate, tasteful, and mature than its older sibling. They obviously still share the same genes, but … Read more
Squintaloo – Über Bord!
Squintaloo is a German experimental progressive rock quartet, and they released their latest album, Über Bord!, in June 2017. Their style is eclectic and modern, drawing many comparisons to even some more out-there math rock and prog rock outfits. While very rooted into harmonic cohesion with a rather simplistic melodic approach, most of the eccentricity comes from the structures, the odd rhythms, and the layers of effects that affect the guitar sounds. That is not to say that those two aspects are not well done or that playing them doesn’t require a high degree of musicianship from the players’ … Read more