Category: Album Reviews 2017

Caligula’s Horse – In Contact

Based in Australia progressive rock/metal band Caligula’s Horse has crafted an ambitious new album entitled “In Contact” conceptually based on how art and creativity connects human beings.

“Dream The Dead” showcases the band’s clearly eclectic personality with compelling polished guitar work that particularly shines in the memorable skillfully executed solo definitely characterized by modern prog influences. At the same time, this song delivers emotive nuances embedded in clean guitar melodies and a rather catchy chorus.

“Will’s Song (Let The Colours Run)” picks up speed with entertaining tempo variations again structured according to prog metal style. While the music themes keep on focusing on crispy sparkling guitar melodies/solos the syncopated rhythmic textures rely on a series of precise crunchy riffing and soft vocals seamlessly shift to a more rocker delivery.

“The Hands Are The Hardest” continues to emphasize delightful guitar melodies and sophisticated solo surrounded by polychromatic atmospheric layers that enhance the particularly emotional nature of this track without sacrificing a full display of the band’s instrumental prowess.

“Fill My Heart” becomes mellower and atmospheric channeling pure melancholy through smooth melodic guitars. As the song progresses the whole instrumentation acquires a more impactful prog metal approach that naturally leads to a truly impressive guitar solo that will inevitably capture the listeners’ attention.

The longest track on the album is “Graves” which might feel like a stand alone opus due to the significant instrumental and vocal variety but surely fits the overall heartfelt mood. This is one of those songs meant to impress as Caligula’s Horse create loads of complex cinematic themes focusing on absolutely stellar guitar leads, a stunning ensemble of intricate vibrant guitar melodies and graceful piano passages.

Caligula’s Horse effortlessly demonstrates excellent mature musicianship delivering an evocative charismatic work of music therefore the powerful soundscapes and the vivid emotional quality of “In Contact” will be easily appreciated by prog lovers worldwide.

Death Rattle – Volition

New Hampshire based groove/thrash outfit Death Rattle worked hard to independently release the sophomore full length “Volition” which promises a relevant inflamed heavy approach.

“Internal Determination” hits you right in the face as Death Rattle aims to unleash all kinds of heavy guitar riffing and ferocious growls but spices up the whole distorted core with more intriguing well executed guitar leads marching through multiple tempo changes.

“Love And War” continues to rely on brutal grooves and lethal screams while lead guitars again steal the spotlight with a more variegated approach and occasional gloomy melodic tonalities.

“Adrenalize” channels a chaotic rhythm with vocals that feel like hearing multiple voices in the head but as expected the guitar riffs take the role of maintaining a fierce groove bearing a quite somber tone.

With the usual monumental guitar work “Doomsday” has a thick groove that could easily trigger a savage moshpit even if the tempo slows down to favor a darker mood and a fancy guitar solo.

“From Blood To Black” might be the darkest track with pitch-black almost creepy atmospheric vibes. With a crunchy furious style the whole rhythmic instrumentation successfully match the absolute nightmarish scenario and rightfully gives way to a rather compelling lengthy guitar solo.

Overall, “Volition” offers interesting moments and is mainly fueled by fast aggressive guitar driven grooves which might not always be memorable but definitely stay true to Death Rattle’s heavy music pathway.

Vulture Industries – Stranger Times

We could try to analyze and categorize the music style of Norwegian Vulture Industries but it would become a challenging process so we should conveniently tag them as ‘avant-garde metal’. The latest release “Stranger Times” is in fact all over the place as Vulture Industries channels a surreal darkness embracing multiple rock/metal styles.

“Tales Of Woe” offers some inflamed ensemble of gothic rock style guitar riffs & melodies following a quite catchy rhythmic crescendo that often bears enigmatic heavy accents while the whole instrumental galore is spiced up by occasional intense screams and flamboyant vintage rock keyboards arrangements.

The darkly sultry track “As The World Burns” should never be ignored as Vulture Industries skillfully and effortlessly craft slow burner bluesy melodies that eventually gain all kinds of energetic rock dynamics ultimately crowned by a highly enjoyable guitar solo.

“Strangers” might sound exquisitely melodic with solemn clean vocals, carefully structured soft guitars leading to a lovely sparkling solo and a mournful trumpet waltz yet the massive shroud of darkness is rather palpable within the borderline experimental rock tonalities.

“Something Vile” revolves around rich rhythmic textures with embedded catchy qualities and fascinating guitars offer also a lavish dosage of darkened rock melodies that can be considered widely accessible and memorable.

“Gentle Touch Of A Killer” features over the top yet quite charismatic vocals while guitars focus on gritty riffs as well as loads of obscure rock melodies that follow a sort of creepy carnivalesque theme.

Vulture Industries successfully deliver their signature ‘dark metal cabaret’ and despite its inner entertaining quality “Stranger Times” is an album that might not necessarily sound immediately/easily loveable to the average metal/rock listeners.

Pentakill – II: Grasp Of The Undying

When the realm of video games and metal collide some phenomenon like Pentakill might happen. Directly from the League Of Legends gaming universe arrives “II: Grasp Of The Undying”, the second album of a virtual band that really rocks in a fictional land created by Riot Games team of composers. It might sound bizarre but in reality there are many talented musicians behind these video game characters such as vocalist Jorn Lande, songstress Noora Louhimo of Battle Beast and Tommy Lee of Motley Crüe.

“Cull” might start with intense melancholic arpeggios and soft rock vocals ballad style but soon unleashes all kinds of sparkling heavy blasts complemented by high pitch screams which remind of power metal sonic formula.

“Mortal Reminder” offers a symphonic metal approach with background triumphant keyboards, loads of fancy melodic crispy guitars and an overdose of powerful vocals.

“Tear Of The Goddess” features Noora Louhimo’s signature fiery & passionate vocal delivery and everything acquires a warrior/battle hymn style with steady inflamed riffing even if the song’s structure focuses mainly on catchy polished guitar melodies.

“Frozen Heart” slightly changes scenario with tons of electro elements and modern metal guitar tonalities but still maintains a grand melodic core enhanced by pleasant guitar leads.

“Blade Of The Ruined King” becomes triumphantly theatrical focusing on majestic symphonic arrangements and the right amount of dazzling intricate melodic guitars.

“II: Grasp Of The Undying” has loads of entertaining well executed moments in an overwhelming amalgam of different metal/rock styles but it will probably make more sense if you are League of Legends fans/players.

 

 

Grave Pleasures – Motherblood

Dwelling in a darkly romantic limbo of post-punk and goth/death rock Finnish band Grave Pleasures has crafted the new macabre dance floor music ensemble “Motherblood” in an isolated studio surrounded by the bleak British countryside.

The enjoyable album opener “Infatuation Overkill” is filled with retro goth flavors as dirty guitar riffs relentlessly build a catchy rhythm amplified by an addictive rebellious chorus.

“Doomsday Rainbows” continues to channel a groovy vintage flare and vocals stand out with a wildly entertaining post-punk delivery while guitars never fail to deliver extremely catchy melodies.

“Be My Hiroshima” easily fits in the dark romance category as it evokes an exquisite goth mood spiced up by an exciting punkish chorus and guitars skillfully deliver an irresistible series of melodic hooks.

Stuck in a groovy loop “Joy Through Death” builds a thrilling post- apocalyptic rhythm suitable for a macabre dance party and the moody guitar melodies carry fascinating dark tones in proper goth fashion.

“Atomic Christ” becomes dramatic with intense gloomy atmospheres and theatrical narratives while guitar riffs & melodies smoothly flow through a darkened mist with understated cathartic strength.

Listening to “Motherblood” you can always perceive the profound dark tonalities of misery and Grave Pleasures also demonstrates the ability to create loads of hypnotic danceable grooves.

Kaipa – Children Of The Sounds

Formed in 1973 Swedish prog rockers Kaipa have been known for the eclectic music experimentation and on the newest release “Children Of The Sounds” mastermind Hans Lundin is joined by guitarist Per Nilsson, bassist Jonas Reingold, drummer Morgan Ågren, and vocalists Patrik Lundström and Aleena Gibson.

The title track is structured like an operetta where positive energy, ‘70s rock themes and rich atmospheric arrangements are constantly emphasized by luminous vocals while the intricate guitar leads add a more modern sophisticated prog approach.

“On The Edge Of New Horizons” again is filled with happiness and bright harmonies featuring sparkling choirs and retro keyboards arrangements. Crunchy guitar riffs and fancy melodies channel interesting music diversity while the overall mood evokes daydreaming in the middle of the forest on a sunny day.

“What’s Behind The Fields” begins with technical guitar leads bearing remarkable neoclassical inspiration while the majority of the song relies on peaceful acoustic harmonies and mellow yet charismatic crispy polished guitar melodies.

The strength of “Children Of The Sounds” certainly is particularly palpable in the polychromatic vocals, the complex detailed arrangements and the absolutely dazzling guitar work, impeccably performed by Per Nilsson, that prog acolytes will find highly enjoyable.

Implore – Subjugate

Blackened death metal grinders Implore aim to impress the extreme metal scene with the brutally intense sophomore release “Subjugate”.

“Birth Of An Era” stars with a somber atmosphere that introduces a blistering concoction of furious blackened guitar riffs marching through a breathless tight rhythm while fierce growls evoke a monumental wrath.

“Paradox” showcases some technical death metal guitar work that brings diverse tonalities and breaks the aggressive somehow monotone rhythmic structure.

“Disconnected From Ourselves” continues the extreme death metal oriented patterns with guitar riffs & solo full of uncompromised rage and speed while vicious vocals engage in a social revolt through music.

“Patterns To Follow” runs on sharp vicious guitar driven rhythms but there are a subtle sense of melody and technical elements in the guitar leads that evoke a grave mood.

“Desolated Winds” bears an overdose of anger and discontent with fast grindcore infused guitar progressions while the whole instrumentation marches with fierce brutality through a blackened sonic realm.

“Gazing Beyond” closes the album with massive fury embodied by relentless enraged growls and the usual tight guitar riffing that matches the dismal apocalyptic vibes.

Focusing almost exclusively on an inexorable concoction of brutally heavy tunes and anger against the grotesque society we are forced to endure, Implore doesn’t really deliver a necessary musical variety nevertheless “Subjugate” will absolutely satisfy your thirst for ferocious moshpit inducing metal tunes.

Tetrarch – Freak

You might have never heard about Tetrarch but that is about to change because this young band is ready to release the debut album “Freak” which might be categorized as modern melodic metal or nu metalcore but definitely showcases various major music influences.

With untamed fury the title track celebrates individuality and freedom as all of us should learn to embrace our inner ‘freak’. Bold heavy guitar riffs build a bombastic modern rhythmic galore that will make you jump and darker atmospheres support a catchy melodic core.

With massive anger “Spit” packs another round of super heavy guitar riffs and the mood gets gradually more obscure.

“Break The Trend” shines for the polished guitar leads that always hold a genuine melodic heart in contrast with the thunderous rhythmic sections and raging growls.

“Oddity” doesn’t give you a break with a vicious dosage of unruly riffing & drumming but Diamond Rowe on guitar surprises with a flamboyant melodic shredded solo.

“Torn Apart” slows down to a borderline traditional metal ballad as Tetrarch gets emotional with bittersweet and absolutely catchy melancholic guitar melodies as well as a heartfelt chorus.

Guitar shredder Diamond Rowe truly impresses the listeners with her charismatic performance and definitely renders “Freak” a more interesting and entertaining album.

Vuur – In This Moment We Are Free – Cities

Undoubtedly Anneke Van Giersbergen is one of the most beloved female vocalists and she finally returns to fully embrace a heavier progressive metal approach, joined by talented musicians, in the new music endeavor Vuur. The brand new debut album “In This Moment We Are Free – Cities” showcases a prog oriented complexity that inevitably becomes more unique due to Anneke’s passionate signature vocal delivery.

“My Champion – Berlin” opens the album with vibrant guitar melodies over strong layered modern prog metal riffing and eclectic tempo variations. The main music core is filled with crunchy heavy guitar riffs that offer a cohesive support for Anneke’s melancholic yet radiant vocal performance.

“Time – Rotterdam” offers monolithic guitar riffs amplifying the darker & heavier side of Vuur but the whole impeccable instrumentation is always ready to allow Anneke’s fascinating vocal prowess to become the center of attention. Towards the end of the song, Anneke’s vocals acquire a sincerely introspective depth within soft emotional arpeggios swiftly followed by an absolutely entertaining sharp guitar solo.

On “The Fire – San Francisco” guitars acquire warm tonalities delivering gentle sorrowful melodies always enhanced by Anneke’s voice that becomes rather haunting during the mellow moments and throughout the song effortlessly embodies different moods and styles.

“Days Go By – London” showcases mature & complex musicianship as guitars lead the way with remarkable shredded melodies often bearing darkened vibes even when engaged in frenetic acrobatic rhythms while Anneke delivers impressive multifaceted vocals that range from solemn high tonalities to softer dramatic delivery.

“Your Glorious Light Will Shine – Helsinki” is characterized by a colder melodic approach with loads of loveable gloomy guitar melodies that will reach a dazzling acme with an excellent guitar solo. Anneke’s ethereal voice passionately follows the darker instrumental intensity and the layered harmonizing backing vocals contribute to further embellish the rich atmospheric textures.

With a Middle Eastern style “Save Me – Istanbul” features pleasant melodic guitar progressions steadily entwined with heavier fiery guitar riffs. Through a maze of complex tempo changes Anneke flawlessly matches the exotic mood consistently harmonizing with powerful luminous vocals that, once again, display a striking vocal range.

Crafted as a majestic hymn to freedom “In This Moment We Are Free – Cities” hopefully marks the beginning of a long music journey since Anneke, just like in previous unforgettable projects, with ex novo enthusiasm and a genuine search for diverse creative outlets truly shines in her rightful role of band vocalist.

Ex Eye – Ex Eye

Led by experimental saxophonist Colin Stetson, instrumental supergroup Ex Eye has released a rather unique avant-garde debut album.

Blending extraordinary jazz elements and strong metal accents “Xenolith; The Anvil” reveals a transcending creative power as all the instruments follow harmoniously an ethereal sonic flow that can often acquire melodic strength but can also unfold an eclectic whirlwind of spacey progressions.

“Anaitis Hymnal; The Akrose Disc” could hypnotize the listeners with overwhelming dark atmospheres that acquire thick shoegaze vibes and the frantic instrumentation embraces a chaotic blackened crescendo skillfully guided by a steady saxophone tone to reach a calmer or safer melodic realm.

“Form Constant the Grid” features another round of unconventional often dramatic melodies as Ex Eye continues to showcase brilliant untamed musicianship creating rich atmospheric textures that naturally acquire post-black metal cold tonalities and extravagant progressive rock guitar galore.

Far from being an average band Ex Eye didn’t create this debut album to please the audience but to explore diverse music territories and bravely experiment with unusual complex tonalities that allow full expression of technical expertise and creative force.