Blog Archives
Album Review: Pelagial by The Ocean
Pelagial – adj. \pə̇ˈlājēəl\ : 1. of or pertaining to the open seas or oceans. 2. living at or near the surface of the open seas.
If the album title or tracks separated into suites named Epipelagic, Mesopelagic, Bathalpelagic, etc didn’t cue you off to deducing that The Ocean are really putting their namesake at the forefront on their new album, a good listen will. On the Epipelagic level (surface level) this seems like it could end up being a corny and pretentious idea. “Oh, The Ocean are writing a concept album about the ocean. How very clever. snark snark snark”. Coming off of their less than well received Anthropocentric and many fans not too happy about the bands change to a more ‘lighter’ mood, attempting to take on such a project filled with pretense is a risky and daring move that could make or break this German quintet. Would they rise above the waves into the fresh and salty air or be cast down to Hadopelagic level (deepest part of the ocean) to be crushed by the freezing waters which exert 2 tons per square inch? Well, given that I have now listened to Pelagial about 20 times over the course of a few days, the answer on whether the record is a success or not is pretty obvious. But just how good is it?
Musings of the Heavy Metal Hippie: Bathyalpelagic II: The Wish in Dreams by The Ocean
Please excuse the few words I have for today’s entry. My ears and mind are currently in awe of this masterpiece of an album I just got my hands on. Pelagial by The Ocean, just wow, buy it, listen to it, revel in its genius. It’s like traveling to the bottom of the sea (if the song names didn’t already give that away) as each track gets heavier and more crushing.
I also have to join the choir and say that the instrumental CD that comes included is the strongest part of the package and gives quite a unique experience. I still think the vocals CD is fucking great, but the instrumental is where it’s at. Anywho, just go check this record out. Now excuse me while I go back to trying to wrap my feeble mind around what it has just heard. Mind=Blown. Enjoy! Peace Love and Metal!!!
Album Review: The Moth Gatherer – A Bright Celestial Light
The Swedish duo The Moth Gatherer’s debut album is quite interesting with its unconventional style of experimental/sludge/post metal. They have created an ambitious and tasteful mix of different music styles combined with lots of effects, which results in heavily atmospheric songs that aren’t always an easy listen. This is haunting and hypnotic music suited for fans of ISIS, Cult of Luna and Neurosis. It’s very difficult to describe it due to the pure emotional nature of the songs.
Tales From Bandcamp: The Great Silence by North
Giving a look at that album cover should give you an idea of what kind of music is contained within the latest album from North. It just screams of psychedelic, sludgy, groove laden, post-metal. Well, that’s what I see 
In The Great Silence near hour-long running time you may be able to hear many similarities to bands like Isis, Ghost Brigade, The Ocean, Neurosis, and early-Baroness, and at the same time hear how these guys really carve a niche all their own. Tracks like “Inanimate Fathers” have such a thunderous groove to them it’s neigh impossible not to be sucked down into the sludgy mire and songs like “Origins” create this kind of murky beauty that add layers of heart and complexity to the record. Then there’s “Pulse” which will bludgeon you over the head with a musty hammer of fat grooves and devastating guitars and vocals.
Seriously, every track on this album is quality and each separates itself from its previous and former with a nice diversity, something very welcome in the sludgy, post-metal realm. If any of the bands I mentioned above tickle your fancy or you just happen to like sludge metal of the highest breed, do make sure to click on the play button below. And as always, if you dig it, tell your friends, and maybe buy a download of the record. Enjoy!!! Peace Love and Metal!!!!
Band Links: Bandcamp Facebook Twitter Official Site
Tales From Bandcamp: For Clouds by Stories From the Lost
Floating somewhere in between post-metal, electronica, and groove metal Belgian band Stories From the Lost have crafted quite an excellent record in their latest release, For Clouds. The beautiful ambient sections spearheaded by electronic atmospheres interplay with the build up and release we have all come to love post-metal for. And in those releases big fat groovy riffs punctuated with punchy and hard-hitting rhythms create a unique dynamic rarely heard in post-whatever bands. Being nearly void of all vocals, the songs on the record do an excellent job of painting these sci-fi-ish landscapes that bring images of a futuristic city now in ruins now covered with brightly colored flora and fauna (if you ever played that game Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, exactly that). If you fancy yourself a fan of bands like *shels, Isis, and Russian Circles definitely give For Clouds a listen (and the album is free, so grab a download of it while you’re at it). Enjoy!! Peace Love and Metal!!!
Band Links: Facebook Bandcamp Official Site
Label: Dunk Records
Album Review: Reserve De Marche – The Last Twenty Years
There seems to be something about trios that swings the instrumental prowess in one of two extreme directions: either the three members are incredibly talented individuals (giving rise to technical and intricate rock/metal) or less proficient and more focused on simplistic yet anthemic music (such as in punk). Managing to synthesize aspects of both these camps, Russian prog-post-rock trio Reserve De Marche create a unique melting pot of keywords in their début that are bound to push all the right buttons for instrumental fans. If names such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Cult Of Luna, (a more energetic) Red Sparowes and Russian Circles call your attention, then read on about The Last Twenty Years.
Tales From Bandcamp: Individuation by Latitudes
Combining elements of sludge, black, post, and prog metal, Latitudes have been able to craft a very unique sound that is laced in tons of atmosphere and texture. Their 2nd album Individuation shows the band growing their sound as well as their songcraft ability as each of the 8 track on the record are able to meander throughout different areas of their crushing beauty while not losing their way, nor my attention. Soft and ghost-like vocals paired with viscous sludge metal riffing, dreamlike ambient sections, and frequent black metal atmospheres create a floating in space while watching the glorious explosion of nebulae feeling. If you fancy bands like Pelican, Isis, prog era-Mastodon, Pink Floyd, or Agalloch give this band and album a shot, it’s some great music. Enjoy!!! Peace Love and Metal!!
Full Album Streams: Until Fear No Longer Defines Us by Ghost Brigade
Until Fear No Longer Defines Us is an album I’ve been meaning to write about for a while, but my ‘ADD’ always seemed to hinder it’s progress. It’s really a great album. Since I’m not familiar with any of Ghost Brigade’s previous work I can’t call any comparisons from this to any of their earlier albums (something that is now being rectified). Anywho, I really enjoy this record a lot. Between the somber acoustic songs, to groove metal, to the crushing post-metal anthems there is a lot of varied music to absorb throughout this L.P. Beyond the great music, Until Fear… boasts some excellent lyric writing with some profoundly deep and interesting words that match wonderfully with the music that they are accompanying. If you’re a fan of bands like Alice in Chains, Isis, Paradise Lost, and Neurosis definitely give this record a listen, I’m sure you will love it. Enjoy! Peace Love and Metal!!!
Also check out the amazing video for the song “Clawmaster”. One of my all time favorite music videos.
Full Album Stream: (III) by Toundra
I’m at a loss for words about today’s Bandcamp stream. Much like the fully instrumental post-rock/metal contained within the record I just can’t express myself about this using something as arbitrary as words. The musical language spoken on this album is just so beautiful, spiritual, and emotional. All I can really say is sit back, relax, and get prepared to go on one hell of a musical journey with the Spanish quartet Toundra and their album, (III), as your guide. This is certainly some of the best music I will hear this year. Fans of bands like *shels, Pelican, and Pink Floyd albums like Meddle, should not pass this band up. Enjoy! Peace Love and Metal!!!
P.S. If you click on the album cover above you can listen to Toundra’s entire catalog on Bandcamp. They’re all excellent!
Full Album Streams: Years Past Matter by Krallice
After releasing their monumental atmospheric black metal album Diotima last year, NY’s Krallice wasted no time working on their follow-up album. Just released this weekend (Aug. 25, 2012) Years Past Matter follows in its predecessor’s path in creating dense songs filled with multifaceted layers of beautiful discordance. Stylistically not too much is very different other than the previous record had a more ‘nature’ feel to it, this one is more focused on the ‘astronomical’. I really like the long musical passages in this record, and given the density of them I look forward to hearing how they open up with multiple listens. If you need a record that will remind you how small we are in comparison the universe, this album will definitely give it to you. If you haven’t already, fans of bands like Wolves in the Throne Room, Isis, and Panopticon should check this out immediately.
Years Past Matter is a self-funded release as the band is no longer with the Canadian label, Profound Lore. So be sure to spread the word about this release, and if you dig what you hear, grab a copy of the record off their Bandcamp page. Enjoy! Peace Love and Metal!!!
P.S. No, there is nothing wrong with the song titles in the player below. The songs are actually called “IIIIIII” and “IIIIIIIII”.
