Septiclfesh were once thought dead and buried until 2007 bought them back to life and with a new vision. The Greek symphonic death metal band with a 100-member orchestra and choir crafted Communion, an album that flirts frivolously with Egyptian mythology but still clamp firmly down with the mandibles of darkness. Sangreal speaks volumes about Septicflesh, it is a 5-minute epic of captivating storytelling, non-guttural growls, memorable guitar assaults and headbanging moments, an inspiring drum performance with more double kicks than a martial arts contest and you finish, feeling fulfilled with the journey taken place. Surprisingly accessible but incredible all the same.
Monthly Archives: August 2013
Knives Out!
If you recognise the name Dog Fashion Disco, then you may be aware of the prolific adventures of their vocalist Todd Smith. If not, then here is a collaboration between him and members of a lesser known nu-metal band Nothingface. Essentially, it’s an angry stabbing (see what I did there?) at the Christian church, with the throwdown switch firmly jammed in the on position and the guarantee that bodies will line the rafters. Hide In The Sky is all that great about modern metal but with the homage back to nu-metal’s finest and debut Black Mass Hysteria is full of it.
The Hypnophonics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_OMV6bqC8o
As much as the resurrection of vintage sounds is becoming a bore, some sounds seem to age incredibly well and one I find is that of psychobilly and garage punk. Enter Montreal’s The Hypnophonics. Having had several of their tracks upon critcally divided game WET including this song, The Hypnophonics blend both sleazy grindhouse ballads with 200mph punk headcharges whilst yelping and gang vocals put a smile on your face. Expertly executed and endless fun.
Stars As Eyes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMX14j6-rV0
A form of music I have always had an abundance of time for is that with enormous atmosphere. Stars As Eyes may have long ago finished as a production unit, but the penultimate track from their debut effort Freedom Rock stands as a great entry point into the realm of IDM. With Boards of Canada like attention to detail but with the glitchy jitters Aphex Twin perfected, The Fighting Of Fights is a wander through a digitally changing landscape, evolving to the rhythm of war drums in a hip-hop stagger.
Konichi – What Can We Do
(For last week)
I haven’t been listening to a lot of newish music lately, although I have been contemplating recording a completely neurofunk-based mix recently and have stuck this track on a fair amount recently. I don’t know whether I will ever use this in a mix but I really enjoy this for some bizarre reason. Konichi, based in the hills of Gloucestershire, makes a more traditional form of drum ‘n’ bass known as jump up and this pushes the boundaries at what jump up is known for. It has practically no build-up except from the drop, hence the term ‘jump up’ but I like the almost angry frog warbling bassline about this track. The sheer viciousness will make any head bob and face suck itself inwards at the power it has, even if it won’t make you skank like no tomorrow. It is certainly an acquired taste, but no doubt fun to listen to.
Rishloo – Scissorlips
(For two weeks ago)
I was feeling quite down two weeks ago, so I kinda wanted a powerful pick-me-up that I could bellow at an incredible volume, and this fit the bill perfectly. I have posted about this band before and how much of a massive shame it is that they are no longer together because they make such incredible, compelling music. If as many singers in modern rock and metal music injected as much passion and emotion into the mantras they perform, the quality would skyrocket. This is intense, dramatic and deeply personal progressive rock at its absolute finest. The guitar work has been master crafted to reflect each mood and revelation in the lyrics, which seemed to have almost abandoned all hope until the very bitter end. Which In its irony, is how the band seemed to have concluded. I cannot stress enough the sheer talent these guys have and it is outright criminal that they never received the recognition they deserved for their gifts to modern music. Simply phenomenal.
The Soundshark 