Review: Bandcamp / Soundcloud / Submissions Round-Up pt 8
Submissions are pouring in thick and fast (keep 'em coming guys) so time for another round-up.
First up is 'Narrow' from Lark's Tongue who hail from the midwest of the USA. They play some dark shoegaze stuff that mixes in psych and post-rock. The guitars are gloriously dense and fuzzy and compliment the clean vocals perfectly. Over 8 tracks they ply their craft with skill and passion. Standout tracks include 'The Mask Of Evil' which is heavy and begins with some serious feedback, the guitars throughout are a fuzzy wall of dense sound, and 'Cold Hands', a slow, heavy number with some serious echo and reverb. All 8 tracks are strong, with no 'fillers' on the album at all. 'Narrow' can be bought via the band's Bandcamp page here and is available as a double LP and digital download.
Next up is The Brandon Callies Band and their 'There's A Killer Down In Texas'. This is ostensibly a concept album around the theme of murder ballads and horror movies. Callies himself says tht he is often "lumped in with the singer/songwriter crowd"...hmmm.....ballads, singer/songwriter, self-professed influence of Bruce Springsteen....I would normally run a mile, bit I gave it a listen and was more than pleasantly surprised. Callies has made an album with some dirty rock'n'roll and garage punk tunes, full of attitude and verve. There are a couple of songs that verge on country/americana which, on a personal level, doesn't float my boat, but for the most part it is a fine collection of gritty tunes. Standout tracks are 'Pistols,chains and razorblades' with some cool riffing, and the garage punk vibe of 'I want blood'. The album can be streamed/downloaded on the Bandcamp page or from the Hand Drawn Records webstore here
Musculus are "Helsinki-based purveyors of nudity, stupidity and heavy shit" and their new EP is chocka with some hard-rockin' stoner/rock anthems that cannot help but bring a grin to your face and a nod to the head. The songs on the 6 track EP swing between riffing stoner/doom heaviness ('The Matador', 'Knife To A Gun Fight') and more traditional hard rock ('Shake your moneymaker'). It's all good stuff - heavy as fuck but with a smile on its lips (check out the video below). 'Six Pack' is available on CD or as a download from the guys' Bandcamp page here.
Staying on the metal theme, Rotorvator from Italy have a new 12" out on Sincope Records, a "a diy ethics label with political approach and hardcore punk attitude"...sounds good! Rotovator bring an intriguing, and punishing, mix of black metal and electronics...and I gotta say, I like it! With trademark black metal growling vocals and heavy industrial sounds it's not a relaxing listen but interspersed with the abrasive noise are flashes of almost psychedelic guitar that raise this well above the norm. It adds a new twist to a well-trodden genre and is all the more exciting for it. It can be purchased from the label itself here on a one sided 12" with a beautiful silkscreened cover, limited to 150.
Last, but definitely not least and moving to the opposite end of the music spectrum, we have 'E.S.P.' from Moon Ra and Nicola Corti. Released by Artetetra, " an italian tape label interested in exotica, ethnic music and neo-psychedelia" it is an exquisite collection of drones and ambient musings all based around the concept of sleep. The tracks are built from sounds from sounds from acoustic instruments, effects, tapes, walkmans, reel to reel recorders, modular synth and is a fantastic example of modern electroacoustic composition. The music itself can be relaxing and tranquil at times and challenging at others, asking questions of the listener. Beautiful, beautiful sounds! The tape is relesed on the 12th December and can be purchased via the label Bandcamp page
First up is 'Narrow' from Lark's Tongue who hail from the midwest of the USA. They play some dark shoegaze stuff that mixes in psych and post-rock. The guitars are gloriously dense and fuzzy and compliment the clean vocals perfectly. Over 8 tracks they ply their craft with skill and passion. Standout tracks include 'The Mask Of Evil' which is heavy and begins with some serious feedback, the guitars throughout are a fuzzy wall of dense sound, and 'Cold Hands', a slow, heavy number with some serious echo and reverb. All 8 tracks are strong, with no 'fillers' on the album at all. 'Narrow' can be bought via the band's Bandcamp page here and is available as a double LP and digital download.
Next up is The Brandon Callies Band and their 'There's A Killer Down In Texas'. This is ostensibly a concept album around the theme of murder ballads and horror movies. Callies himself says tht he is often "lumped in with the singer/songwriter crowd"...hmmm.....ballads, singer/songwriter, self-professed influence of Bruce Springsteen....I would normally run a mile, bit I gave it a listen and was more than pleasantly surprised. Callies has made an album with some dirty rock'n'roll and garage punk tunes, full of attitude and verve. There are a couple of songs that verge on country/americana which, on a personal level, doesn't float my boat, but for the most part it is a fine collection of gritty tunes. Standout tracks are 'Pistols,chains and razorblades' with some cool riffing, and the garage punk vibe of 'I want blood'. The album can be streamed/downloaded on the Bandcamp page or from the Hand Drawn Records webstore here
Musculus are "Helsinki-based purveyors of nudity, stupidity and heavy shit" and their new EP is chocka with some hard-rockin' stoner/rock anthems that cannot help but bring a grin to your face and a nod to the head. The songs on the 6 track EP swing between riffing stoner/doom heaviness ('The Matador', 'Knife To A Gun Fight') and more traditional hard rock ('Shake your moneymaker'). It's all good stuff - heavy as fuck but with a smile on its lips (check out the video below). 'Six Pack' is available on CD or as a download from the guys' Bandcamp page here.
Staying on the metal theme, Rotorvator from Italy have a new 12" out on Sincope Records, a "a diy ethics label with political approach and hardcore punk attitude"...sounds good! Rotovator bring an intriguing, and punishing, mix of black metal and electronics...and I gotta say, I like it! With trademark black metal growling vocals and heavy industrial sounds it's not a relaxing listen but interspersed with the abrasive noise are flashes of almost psychedelic guitar that raise this well above the norm. It adds a new twist to a well-trodden genre and is all the more exciting for it. It can be purchased from the label itself here on a one sided 12" with a beautiful silkscreened cover, limited to 150.
Last, but definitely not least and moving to the opposite end of the music spectrum, we have 'E.S.P.' from Moon Ra and Nicola Corti. Released by Artetetra, " an italian tape label interested in exotica, ethnic music and neo-psychedelia" it is an exquisite collection of drones and ambient musings all based around the concept of sleep. The tracks are built from sounds from sounds from acoustic instruments, effects, tapes, walkmans, reel to reel recorders, modular synth and is a fantastic example of modern electroacoustic composition. The music itself can be relaxing and tranquil at times and challenging at others, asking questions of the listener. Beautiful, beautiful sounds! The tape is relesed on the 12th December and can be purchased via the label Bandcamp page
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