Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Thoughts on video reviews
Dear AZM readers
I'm thinking about doing video reviews of album releases. Would this interest you. Looking for feedback from our readers.
Thanks
Clint / Absolute Zero Media
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Code666 Artist Bilocate Interview is up
Bilocate.net
1. So for those of us in North America please let the
fans know about the Oriental Death /Dark Metal Sounds of this Middle
Eastern Force know as Bilocate?
Bilocate is a 6 piece band formed back in 2003,
released our first EP in 2003 as well and then released a full length
album "Dysphoria" in 2005 followed by the masterpiece
(named by the international media with more than 80 reviews) album
"Sudden Death Syndrome" in 2008 and now released our latest
effort in 2012 "Summoning the bygones". Bilocate sound is
adopted from our history and culture but we tend to use oriental
elements in scales, beats and riffs more than the obvious bely
dancing arabic music played on guitars and drums, its more of
translating oriental scales into western metal music which gave our
sound a good level of a unique sound and the word Dark in our genre
came from the variety of Doom, Death and Black Metal influences you
hear in Bilocate tracks so combined the 3 genres into one word "Dark"
and followed by our cultural scales and techniques with Oriental to
form a genre we feel fits our music the best "Dark Oriental
Metal" although its still hard for some fans and media to digest
as it is but its there and with time it will be known.
2. How did you come to work with Code666 ?
When we finished Summoning the Bygones we did the
normal step of approaching labels with our work and it was really
impressive how many labels replied back that they know the band very
well and they were following our news, we got many offers yet Code666
offer was the best and the label was the fastest in releasing the
album… till now we are impressed by their work and speed.
3. What is the Scene like in Jordan are there many
extreme metal bands at all there ?
The scene is small relatively and comparing to other
scenes its not that active due to metal being banned by the
authorities and live concerts are cancelled all the times, sometimes
if a rock / alternative band plays they might face problems and get
their gig cancelled and them selves questioned by the authorities so
you can say we live the work Underground literally in jordan but
bands are there they are trying to record and use the internet to
reach the world with their music, one of the bands that is really
worth checking is BOUQ a one man band by one of our friends and sound
engineer who worked with us on both album recording bass with our
bassist.
4. Bilocate's sound most reminds me of Edge of
Sanity/ Early My Dying Bride mixed with healthy dose of bands like
Septic Flesh and Samael in the way its presented . Where did the
sound come from for " Summoning of Bygones"?
As i mentioned in the first question our sound is
coming from our culture mixed with our individual influences we grew
up listening to bands like My dying bride. Opeth, Edge of sanity,
paradise lost, old anathema and old katatonia in early 90s and 2000s
and that gave a good direct on the band's sound yet we kept our music
different any fan of the above mentioned bands will enjoy Bilocate
and feel that we gave the music an extra dose of originality, each
track is a story and a journey by itself specially the long ones like
A desire to leave (20 mins) and Blooded forest (17 mins) you feel
that its a full metal dose and the track itself is a complete album
with its musical variations.
5. How does the band create the songs in the studio
does the music come 1st or are the lyrics most important ? just
wondering?
Lyrics comes first then we compose music to fit the
story of the song, is it angry, is it deep, is it sad.. and sometimes
each part takes its own identity musically from the idea behind its
lyrics.
6. Is there a running theme or storyline on "
Summoning of Bygones" or just a collection of epic songs?
Our musical theme is about War, Life and Death,
tragedy and suffering and we take those feelings from our region as
you know we are witnessing the longest war in the history of mankind,
Palestine is under war for the past 64 years and the whole region is
under never-ending sad story, Summoning the Bygones is talking about
this story and it tells stories of worriers, families, kids who died
young and never had the chance to live a normal life.
7. What are the members of Bilocate listening to as
of late it always tells a lot about a band by what they listen to
outside of creating music.
For me am listening now to Paradise lost, moonspell,
anathema's latest releases, also other band members have Storm
Corrosion, Porcupine tree, Opeth, Edge of sanity, bloodbath in their
playlist but all of us tend to go back and listen to some classics by
Pink Floyd, Wishbone Ash and other legends.
8. Will we see Bilocate coming to North America to
perform at all?
Hopefully yes, we would love to play in North America
as we've never performed live in the states before, as you know we
played many times in europe and planning to tour there this year or
beginning of 2013, but definitely we will come to USA when we get the
chance.
9. Your Website http://www.bilocate.net/ seems to be
just a portal to social media , do you feel in 2012 Social media,
Blogs and Digital media (You Tube etc) and are the best way to
get bands out there ?
We feel that social media is a way to interact with
fans and hear their voice, you cannot deny the power of social media
echo when you get your music shared on profiles it opens many doors
that the band didn't expect. our website is currently being
redeveloped but we will always direct fans on how they can interact
with us and spread our music.
10. What is a live show for Bilocate like is it just
raw rock show or are there stage theatrics?
We enjoy raw rock style with a little theatrics like
a slide show, graphics and animations on the backdrop of the stage to
give a visual aspect to our music which fans can remember, such
animations needs a lot of work and being a self sponsored band with
all members working and having a very successful careers its hard to
achieve the level of visuals we want but we are working on that
slowly.
11. Being this is the 1st real album I've heard from
the band how do the two earlier albums compare to the new one
on Code666?
Summoning the bygones is actually taken from
Dysphoria (2005 release) we took 5 tracks and recomposed and recorded
them again with our new direction and the best production ever from
Bilocate, and we took a track "Hypia" which was never
released and did it again with Dan Swano, the album also included an
adaptation for one of paradise lost tracks 'Dead Emotion" which
was never recorded again or played live by paradise lost since 1992,
Summoning the Bygones is a new album that delivered old visions we
had when Bilocate was formed but with a new outfit, i suggest you
also give Sudden Death Syndrome a listen as the album was rated 9/10
by 80% of its reviewers and rest gave it 8/10.
12. Again with a question on being in Middle east is
it hard to get shows and spread the word of your music there being
more closed off to Europe and Asia?
Yes its very hard, we depend 100% on the internet as
a promotion and communication tool, show in the middle east are few
comparing to the states, europe and asia but we get a show every
month in a different country that keeps the middle eastern metal
scene alive.
13. Where do you see Bilocate sound reaching I can
hear a more Prog element wanting to come out is this a good ear or am
I way off?
It is a good musical ear, prog metal element is clear
in our music especially in the drumming.
14. Do the members of Bilocate work with other music
outside metal or is this the only musical focus for all members?
All members are having a successful business careers
that needs attention and focus we are not a full time musicians so we
straggle in keeping both careers alive but we learning from the
situation we are in to manage this perfectly, its slowing our
progress and releasing album pretty much but we believe that music is
timeless as we now put music made in the 70s and enjoy it as if it
was released yesterday.
15. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts place
here..
Thank you very mush for this interview and we hope
that our answers met your expectations and your readers will enjoy
reading it.
Interview answered by:
Ramzi Essayed
BILOCATE Vocalist
Saturday, May 19, 2012
PRC Media Artist Stalwart Interview
- Tell us a bit about Stalwart this is the 1st album Ive heard from the band thanks to getting Promo from Clawhammer Pr. Tell us about the style and sound of the other 4 before you came to work with PRC Music. I know you had some lineup changes..
Yes, “Manifest Of Refusal” is our 5th album, we tried to combine all the best we had on previous releases – massive and brutal sound with atmospheric insertions, polyrhythmical groove,, blastbeats. Through the years our music made evolution from almost classic thrash with some keyboards to such a complex sound we have now. With each CD, we tried to make something different and go further in our musical research, but anyway each time it is a portion of good “strong” metal – that what we call Stalwart. Yes, Stalwart exists more that 12 years and we had some lineup changes during that time, so now there are 2 original members in the band. On Manifest Of Refusal we have new drummer Alex.
2.How did you come to work PRC Music they seem to really promoting you release in North America congrads on that.
After finished recording of “Manifest..” we started searching for a label, and we got various offers from Europe and America. Finally we choose contract with PRC Music, one of factors was they made us their priority release for 2012. Nowadays it is too early to conclude, because album is not yet released, but we feel good support from them so far.
- 3. Your music is a mix of Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad and Thrash metal from the 90's all mix in with some symphonic elements. Its very complex and powerful in nature , Is it hard to get this sound to come across live?
Yes, you right, it is not easy job to perform our music live, especially taking in mind that we have to play in various venues, there equipment is not always makes us happy. Anyway, while playing live we make accent on drive and energy and try to metal up the metalheads asses.
4. Will Stalwart be coming to North America to perform at all now that your on a Canadian label?
Of cause we want it very much, but you know nowadays reality, so for underground bands like us it is not so easy to go and perform overseas. Anyway it fully depends on how “Manifest Of Refusal” will be accepted by metalheads in Canada or US.
5. Will we see a dvd or some videos off Manifest of Refusal??
So far we don't have any official videos, but we are going to make one soon after release.
6. Is there a story behind the songs of Manifest of Refusal or just a collection of Massively epic metal songs?
Manifest Of Refusal is not a conceptual album, so songs lyrics is not directly connected to each other. However all lyrics, so as songs itself are projection of mental images
7. What is the Underground metal scene in Russia can you make a living doing this kind of music there or is it much like USA were music is more a part time love?
Of cause we can not. We suppose, the situation here is even much worse than in US. In Russia there are just very few metal bands, playing new/alternative metal in Russian language, who can make a living doing this. All the rest are in deep underground. So, all of us have a regular job besides music. For example, in our band we have radio news-maker, software engineer, and even PhD in physics\mathematics.
8. Your website is impressive http://www.stalwart.ru most bands live on social media these days do you feel its better to have your own site then live on facebook or Reverbnation in 2012?
Yes, we currently renovating our website, and not everything is in place yet, but you can image how it will look. We think it is good to have official site in addition to resources like Myspace, Facebook, and other social media.
9. Were do the members of Stalwart see Underground music heading is it a rebirth as the major labels fall and truly independent music shines or do think music is losing its way as they only way to success and live off music is merch and touring you can no longer live on Cds or music sales?
It is difficult question. Everyone knows that now making metal music became really hard. We cannot say how music business will function in the future – it is just beyond our competence. From the other hand, positive thing is that making music became a business for real enthusiasts who doing it not for money but because they really loves what they do.
10. Do the members of Stalwart make music outside of metal or is metal the only musical focus ?
Actually we haven't enough time to play music besides Stalwart (taking in mind we have regular jobs) May be it would be interesting experiment to play something like jazz-rock or fusion, but all of us are mainly metal musicians.
11. Not knowing much of Russian music scene are there a few bands from your area that you would like to give some heads up to my readers?
When you see some metalhead in the street of St Petersburg he is most probably plays guitar or drums in some local metal band. There are many underground bands in Russia, but guys who play really crazy are rare thing. In our local scene we should mention the Psilocybe Larvae, playing atmospheric death-doom (they next CD will be released by Italian Label Nadir Music so you probably will hear about these guys soon), Undeon who plays progressive metal, Misanthrope Count Merciful with they crazy groove/thrash metal. Now we are on tour with Ukrainian guys Sidus Mortuorum, they play old school death in the veins of Obituary and their live shows make crazy all the metalheads around including ourselves!
12. The Artwork for your albums is very conceptual always do the covers play into the overall meaning of the Albums themselves?
Artist who make the cover design of cause listens the music, reads the lyrics and creates the projection of the mental images inspired by the music. For example, the “Manifest of Refusal” artwork contains illustration for each song lyrics. We think that artwork is very important since it is visual extension of our music, so we work on that with the best guys around.
13. What are the members of Stalwart listening (this tell a lot about the band where they are and where the music heading)?
This question seems to be quite simple, but in reality it's not true. Each band member has different music priorities, and sometimes we can waste hours arguing about some bands or albums. Among our main influences we can mention the following names by that you can imaging who we are – Testament, Pantera, Sepultura, Slayer, Meshuggah, Fear Factory, Dimmu Borgir, Morbid Angel. Yes, not so original list, but we do not copy those band, just create our music inspiring by their drive and sound.
14. Do you like recording in studio or is live performing where you wish to me most times?
This is two very different kinds of activities,but we like both of them. When in studio you feel like you're building a house, step by step, layer by layer. When you're on the stage you come on stage and destroy metalhead's asses.
15. Any closing thoughts place here...
Stay STALWART!!!
Thank you
Clint/ Absolute Zero Media
6 New Reviews 5/19/2012
Vesperian Sorrow- Stormwinds of Ages-CD (The Path Less Traveled)
Symphonic Black metal in the style and sound of the days of Yor. I Miss bands like Bal Sagoth, Old Mans Child, Dismal Euphony, Twilight Opera, Mid Period Dimmu Borgir etc this is very much the vibe that Vesperian Sorrow always gave me even back with there days on Displeased Records. They have a vipers bite in he way the vocals are so brutal and epic at the same time with very Symphonic Gothic Black. There are guest from Arcturus, Autumn Tears and Watchtower aiding in one of the Best Epic Black metal bands to ever come out of USA and Texas for that matter. The Synths are the real impressive element in Vesperian Sorrow as many times they sound s fake or cheap but not with this productions. There is a strong viking element in all they do as well so mixed with that help a band that really is DIY for most part get there amazing out to the masses..
Nexhymn- Black Horizon-CD ( Self Released)
Its good to see bands just going on it there own without label support to get there album out and to the masses this is another DIY project of Blistering Blackened Death with a Female Vocalist the could peel the paint off a wall with the power that comes from her guttural speak. There is a complexity you get from Nexhymn music is always Tech Death metal with the cold and hollow blackened melodies thrown in just to un nerve the listener all the more. They are looking for a label but if you can produce an album of this level on your own and get a good PR firm like Clawhammer to promote it you really don't need to deal with a label period just find a good booking agent and get on the road and this album will sell tens of thousands for sure. Check out Nexhymn if you like bands like Marduk, Hypocrisy and Pestilence..
Belakor- Of Breath and Bone-CD (Kolony Records)
Melodic or Swedish Death metal going on I swear if you mix Katatonia, Edge of Sanity and Dark Tranquility all into on force you would have Belakor all wrapped up into a perfect bow. The odd time changes the hints of Goth and Doom metal all mixed in to a Catchy as all hell Twin Melodic Death metal assault. The vocals are Straight out of Dan Swano's Death growls and the music is so Katatonia at time it almost hurts. I could hear a made like this all over Century Media or Listenable records all day long. Some of the songs from Belakor could be full extreme metal anthems. They add that old Ride the lighting Metallica guitar sound from time to time as well. So there love of Thrash is fully in tow as well. Belakor are a band not to miss..
Wolfbrigade-Damned-CD (Southern Lord)
So what happens if Motorhead and Entombed get into a fist fight the night there playing together and have to form a band out the members still standing to perform its fucking called Wolfbrigade. This band has it all to have a circle pit started in 30 seconds.. That punk /crust snarl mixed with Thrashing Death guitar tone and druming of a hardcore maniac all fronted by a booze infused Lemmy from Motorhead.. I was not ready for this when I heard it even the solo kick ass. Southern Lord coming out of wood work with a retro sounding Punk/Death band and making it count for all its worth. I want to see Wolfbrigade live and remember the 80/90's extreme underground days again...
http://southernlord.com/
Ahab- The Giant-CD (Napalm Records)
So when we talk about Ahab the Doom elements are strong with with these Sea fareing gentlemen. Its a mix of full of Complex Jazzy Prog Rock, Earth Shaking Doom and and the elements of Viking metal that makes up the completes storm of this Mammoth sounding release. Ahab most lives bands like My Dying Bride, Early Anathema and Paradise Lost for their verison of the journey of songwriting. Also they encompass sounds of bands like Thergothon, Ras Algethi and Dolorian in how the delicate meets the bombastic low rumbles that are projected from an album like The Giant. If you listen to this but one time your missing out on so many layers and emotions ebb and flowing through the speakers. Ahab have turned me on my head for what I thought and knew what Doom was much like a band Called Giant Squid mmm there are those Nautical names with Doom coming to haunt me again..
http://napalmrecords.com/
Canaan- Of Prisoners, wandering soul and cruel fears- DCD (Eibon/ Aural Music)
As many of you should know for the last decade or so Canaan has been making some the music emotional Darkwave/ Post Gothic Doom I've ever heard these members some of theme spawned out of one of the best Doom bands ever Ras Algethi and you can still hear that influence 20 yrs later. With this there 7th proper album again on there own Eibon Records Distroed by Aural music now. They have gotten a bit more epic and doom in sound just still allowing the Darkwave mastery to shine. There is a gloom and sorrow to this album that I have not heard since the 1st two album mostly there debut " Blue Fire" Canaan are just growing in talent and power with every release some have a more electronic element and then some more rock out like this. The addition of a full time female vocalist really adds to the over all mood. There these is a very Gathering feeling going on here . The 2nd album is ambient reworkings of the proper album and is all the more unsettling. Canaan please never leave us as This band is the closest I'm going to get to one of my fave bands ever that ended way to early " The God Machine"...
Saturday, May 12, 2012
7 New Reviews 5/12/2012
US Christmas- Bad Heart Bull-CD (Play the Assassin)
So here we have the reissue of the debut album of US Christmas original released on CDR now on CD and vinyl. This album is a mix of Post Hardcore, Doom and Dirty Bluesy Punk all into a stew of wonderful. Reminds me a lot of Mudhoney meet MC5 in its presentation.. US Christmas always has the Monster Magnet meets Hawkwind Psychedelic element going on as well. I can not call it low fi but it creeps into that style and sound. This is Rock that needs to be performed on a big stage so the open acoustics can make this album shine. If you like " Spine of God " by Monster Magnet you need to own this album now . I really don't have more to say then wow and glad to hear the early incarnation of US Christmas..
Moonloop - Deeply from the Earth-CD ( Listenable Records)
The very 1st thought I get when listening to Moonloop is what if Opeth and Edge of Sanity formed into one flowing project and I'm sure you would have Moonloop the Music is very much in that Opeth, Devin Townsend, Katatonia vibe that you can not get out of your head once its in there. The vocals are full on Death/Black in nature . With Moonloop you also get some over the top Tech metal going on that almost leads in to Power metal in the arrangements in the way Nevermore added to the genre. Moonloop is an impressive force for the Listenable roster and fits very well with the Tech and Modern feel and sound of other Listenable artists. Give this a spin you will be surprised how many layers are going on here.
http://listenable.net/
How come the Constellations Shine- Belongs to Mafra-CD / Digital (Fluttery Records)
So I'm label mates with these fine gentlemen and what we have is a collection of very personal minimalist Post Rock/ Ambient Rock track with haunting guitars, piano , strings and very minimalist percussion. They almost remind me of the more primitive Sigor Ros or Hrsta.. I know there are those of you out there that call this style of music Dream pop but its far more then that. There is an epic side to How come the Constellations Shine. It becomes Orchestral and yes even at times sounds like the band Caspian to my ears. This band knows how to move the soul as well as mind. Though they do sound like over a dozen bands before them. Its a fantastic chronicle of the Post Rock sound and adventure all should take some time in the future.
http://flutteryrecords.com/
Bilocate- Summoning the bygones-CD (Code666/ Aural Music)
In this new times of Metal the 21st century is giving us metal from all over the globe this is the 3rd released from a Oriental Metal band from Jordan yes a band from the heart of the middle east. The 1st thing that comes to mind when listening to this band is Edge of Sanity and Dan Swano as I swear this could be the continuation on Spectral Sorrow album mix with a fine does of bands like Immortal and Emperor into the fold. I was not ready for such a complex release into listening to Bilocate but friends I will tell you its amazing and mindblowing in presentation and creation. They guys can play and write music on levels of Death metals greats. We have so much eastern and prog melody going within Summoning the bygones it will take many listens to fully get the true point of the band. Code666 you have an stellar release on your hand now get it to the masses and watch the magic spread.
http://code666.net/
Din Brad-Dor-CD (Prophecy Productions)
So the drummer of Negura Bunget now has released is long awaited Heathen Folk releases under the name Din Brad. It mixes Folk of Celtic, Germanic and Slavic in what I hear going on its all wrapped around a very chilling and powerful female vocalist that brings the whole release together. The melding of simple drumming, string and eastern European folk tools is what gives this a very ethnic feel to my ears similar to a band called Ranja if you remember them or a more modern band would be the non metal parts of Arkona. Dor will clearly not be for all but those of us with the heathen fire burning this will be a very personal and special release.
http:// prophecyproductions.de/
Stalwart- Manfest of Refusal-CD ( PRC Music)
Stalwart is a sledgehammer of holy fuck going on here if you like your Death metal Epic and Giant in sound and grander then look no further .. If you can mix the power of Therion with the full on metallic assault of bands like Incantation, Immolation and Bolt thrower you are close to were this Russian wall of crushing metal is coming from.. This album makes me want to trash around the room and destroy all that is in my path. Stalwart gives me hope for extreme metal again this is the Russian Meshuggah I'm convinced on it now that is who I hear much in from this band. There is a Godflesh Industrial element going on as well. I need to hear more from this band as if Early Stalwart sound like this I've been missing out on an amazing band for yrs..
Black shape of nexus- Negative Black-CD ( Exile on Mainstream)
Industrial Doom in the style of Phobos, Godflesh, Pitchshifter and It is I and you know what I could not be happier to hear this its like a bulldozer came up and just decided to clear a path for all that is behind them.. Black Shape of Nexus just what the doctor ordered they mix in Sludge elements of Cavity, Eyehategod, Crowbar and Damad all into a frothing cup of sit down and shut the fuck up and we may let you live. This is one pissed of band and I would want it no other way. The sound on this album is larger then the speakers can take. Horns up and weapons ready folks here come Black shape of Nexus either join up or die...
Saturday, May 5, 2012
New Reviews 5/5/2012
ACEPHALIX- Deathless Master-CD (Southern Lord)
If you like you metal Punk filled mixed with Thrash and Swedish Death metal then look no further my friends as Acephalix is all this and more think if you mixed At the gates with Celtic Frost and touches of Sodom you would have the proper mix of piss and vinegar for the release known as Deathless Master.. Southern Lord has found a band that has that Swedish Death metal tone in the guitars and drumming down . At times I swear there are heavy doses of Slayer and Forbidden in the arrangement of tracks as well. I makes me want to get out the Demin with the patches again and grow my hair out in the power mullet .... Check them out Acephalix are as heavy and crushing track by track..
Aquilus- Griseus-CD (A SAD SADNESS SONG/ATMF)
Aquilus is something I was very much not ready for If you could set a Theater musical to Black metal this is were I hear the band they take were bands like Dimmu Borgir, Arcturus and Emperor etc have gone but add elements of bands like Red Harvest and DHG into the mix then have them work with Trans Siberan Orchestra or Haggard to make it something all so new and adventurous in presentation , style and mindset. If Opeth was more symphonic or Devin townsend did a Black metal band we would have Aquilus.. The band have a strong love for Devil Doll as well in the piano and string and choir elements going on. Not sure there is much more that could be said in a review as you need to fully experience Aquilus in Audio format to understand and understand you will.
Catheter- Southwest Doom Violence-CD (Self Made God)
Grindcore , Power Violence, Sludge and heavy doses of Death metal is what the mighty Catheter is giving us right now. The so remind me a mix of Assuck, Bloodduster and Brutal truth all with moments were bands like Cavity and early Floor come in on all 4 legs to tear you from limb to limb. Do you remember bands like Born Against and His hero is gone maybe even Rorschach. All these bands come to mind when listening . Slap a ham or bovine would have release many a 7" for this band for sure. Again Self Made God is hit or miss with me and this one is a major HIT!!!!
Deadborn- Mayhem Maniac Machine-CD (Apostasy Records)
So this is Death metal huh the kind of Death metal that was really interesting and kick ass in 1995 but now it really sound tired and stale and like 1500 other bands doing the same thing. Earache, Relapse , Nuke Blast and Roadrunner cornered this market and Deadborn sound like all those bands sorry I really done here there not bad at all just ho hum...
Dreaming Dead-Midnightmare-CD (Self Released)
This band has been on the scene for some time now and this is a couple of releases in I remember that were signed Ibex Moon wonder why they are going it alone this time out but with there 2nd proper album this is a female fronted Progressive Death metal force that sound at time very much like Arch Enemy in all they do. I really did the other side of the band were the get very prog and avant in what they do and almost sound like Porcupine Tree or Dan Swano's Nightingales. The for a few stunning moments they add some melodic Black Death that I would liken to Dissection or Emperor in presentation then right back to the Death metal assault. Dreaming Dead is one of the more interesting female fronted Extreme metal bands in the USA right now. Check them out you will be challenged and surprised..
Emptiness- Error-CD ( Dark Descent Records)
This is Dark Metal in every sense of the word my friends if you like bands like Bethlehem, Shining, Unholy and Dolorian then there is no way to pass this up as it haunts the soul and well as the mind is the complex arrangements, Vocals that of the very sick and dying on this world. The low tones and the torment that just oozes from the speaker where the sound projects. There is melody and a hollow empty feeling all at the same time. The guitars are pure chaos and you can not ask for more they at one moment sound lofi next they are playing prog metal and soaring solos then a wall of sonic noise . The drumming is on a level that many can not. He is not over playing but playing to the music around him a very rare breed today. I know two of the members are in Enthroned but that is only one small part of Emptiness sound. Error has a strong Industrial elements like Godflesh and MZ412 does and if you mix those to bands into the fold it makes the picture all the more complete. Come on there are jazz horns on the album too. This is the cutting edge and you need to hear it. They have releases on Agonia and Painkiller two very cutting edge labels as well. I need to hear more from Emptiness and I will..
Kontrust- Second Hand Wonderland-CD (Napalm Records)
Oh where to begin with Gem of an album if you can mix metal, dancehall, Hardcore, Electronic, Hardrock and more. Just in the 1st few moments I can here band like Ulver, Skindred, Oomph!, Bad Brains, Faith no more, Lacuna Coil and The Gathering.. Kontrust is a sensory overload to the mind, eye and ears I just saw a few of there videos and they are just as odd and this band so thank you. I mean 100% this bands goes from Dance beats to hardrock to Industrial rock to Death metal all in the same track and they the Reggae/Dub kicks in. The Male/ Female vocal interplay is just so tasty is hurts.. Kontrust is that band in 21st that did it to me like( Emperor, Arcturus, Ulver, Bogus Blimp , Cop Shoot Cop, Tub Ring, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Made out of Babies and When) all did to me before. Change my Idea on how music can be arranged. Napalm you have the band of 2012 and its call Kontrust amazing simply amazing...
http://napalmrecords.com/
Kill Devil Hill- S/t-CD (SPV)
So what do you get when former members of Dio/Sabbath, Pantera, Down etc you get a kick as Rock unit that has similar elements and sounds to bands like Alice in chains, Soundgarden, Black Label Society and Skid Row in the way the Heavy rock sounds dished out. I also hear bands like Lynch Mob and Fight going on here. Kill Devil Hill is that Hardrock/Metal band you use to see open in arena's and pack theaters as a headliner in the 90's. The vocals at time are so chillingly like Layne Stanley at time from Alice and Chains you would swear that he never did pass on. Grunge is a big part of this album but in a very good way that heavy bluesy guitar part is there. Do not pass this off as a supergroup past there prime as you will be missing out on one hell of a band. I hope to hear many more come from Kill Devil Hill as thier self titled album has not left my playlist in weeks.
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