New Reviews July 22nd 2009.....
CITIES LAST BROADCAST "The Cancelled Earth" CD (Cyclic Law)
I understand this a project from the man behind KAMMARHEIT but for me Cities last broadcast is a far more interesting project. I maybe just that ghostly sounds, field records and deep dark ambience if done right is just simply mindblowing . What we have hear is a wonderful collection of haunting Drift ambient with a very spacial and distance feeling almost like you alone and waiting for the end of days. The airy loops, deep drones and icy string sounds that come across are symphonic all in there own minimalist brilliance. The reverbed sounds of trains and the outdoors in general are amazing. I love the people and children in the distance. Cities last Broadcast would make fantastic soundtracks to fringe videogames and to Thriller , Horror and Scifi films . He should really look into doing such. The tones of bells, machines and broken world with no hope really comes through on all these tracks. It was well worth 10 yrs of collected sounds to get a release like " The Cancelled Earth" . I hope its not another 10 yrs for the next.
KARJALAN SISSIT "Fucking Whore Society" CD (Cyclic law)
This is what I was waiting for Karjalan Sissit is the master of apocalyptic industrial nightmare with a strong neoclassic/ symphonic backdrop. If vocals are always deep spoken or screamed in a violent and abrasive fashion. I put K.S. in the same league as bands like Puissance, Sophia, In Slaughtered Natives and Nordvargr . As the man knows how to create a soundscape that is oppressive, majestic and powerful all in the same breathe. I never understood by this project didn't attain higher status in the Post Industrial landscape of CMI, ColdSpring and Tesco realms. I love the dark percussive sounds mixed with the almost tormented / tortured vocal lines. Karjalan Sissit is were Ambient, Doom, Martial and Neoclassic all come at one point and breeds a life all its own. We all know this has more appeal then it is given at this time. I would love to see what a full visual DVD on his track would be like. I'm sure it would scar most of you out there. This world needs a good cleasing and Karjalan Sissit is taking a big step in the right direction.
http://www.cycliclaw.com
COLD CAVE — cremations — CD (Hospital Productions)
This is one of the most unusual listens I've had in some time Cold Cave sound electro music that wants to be Coldwave and Symphonic at the same time but its heavily distorted and if I had to say it sounds like someone I would say its a mix of Canaan and This Empty Flow if you have ever heard those two bands. I really like it its almost like if you took bands like Joy Divison or Depeche mode and fuzzed them out in a really fucked up manner. I understand this is a demo/ live recording of early material but that would make we really hear what they will sound like on a proper CD release as these tracks are very impressive in there own rights. The gothic vocals and drum machine in the 80's club beat style really takes these tracks to a different place then I was expecting. I know some of you will get what I mean but this but there is a Coil/ Nurse with wound style going on with some of the middle tracks. I know I can not be the only one to hear this. The last batch of songs from 2007 remind me of a mix of early waxtrax meets sebadoh . The lo fi indie stuff with 4 track noise mashups. Hospital productions as released one crazy fun release that will not be for everyone but is wicked pissa of time for me.
http://www.hospitalproductions.com/
MALKUTH — sefirah gevurah — CD (Hospital Productions)
Raw , Primitive Black metal from NYC this seems to be trying to show the world you don't need to be blistering and epic to make great Black metal remember the early days of Black metal in Norway and Sweden even some of the early metal from Poland this reminds me of Graveland, Early Mayhem and Enslaved in the way its created with just guitars, the polka drum sound and the low end bass rumble. If you want your Black metal with symphonic elements then you barking up the wrong tree. This is at its essence Tru Black metal the kind that scared the world 15-20 yrs ago and its good to see bands like this return to the roots of where it all came from and add a new level or loathing and disgust to way of life it was to some in 1990-1991... Malkuth show that again this side of the ocean can prove itself to the art of the Black....
http://www.hospitalproductions.com/
Wolf eyes- always wrong-CD (Hospital Productions)
If you don't know who Wolf eyes are and follow the noise scene you have been living under a major rock. Wolf Eyes are the modern savior of the Industrial Noise Rock scene. I've seen them live and its several guys with pedals, machines, percussion and broken instruments creating a sonic wall of destruction that is only close to what can be called the end of the world on stage. The vocal styling are dirty, raw and full of piss and vinegar as well. With "Always wrong" This unit continues on the path of sonic terrorism in the strongest of methods. Wolf Eyes are the Sonic Youth or Swans of the Industrial Noise realm its that simple. There are no one that really sound like that ever . You know its Wolf eyes within moments of any song. This band has seen the heights of Subpop records unheard of for noise acts and have worked with everyone inbetween. Hospital Productions is a perfect home for this release as Dom respects and crafts all his releases to fit an understand and sickness for great underground art.. We all look forward to the next great Wolf Eyes release enough said....
http://www.hospitalproductions.com/
Ambassador Gun- When in Hell-CD (Pangea Recordings)
Ok this is going to be a short one. Ambassador Gun is just a metalcore/grind band using all the same tried all the bands of the past have. There not original like Napalm Death or Impaled or even silly or fun like Anal Cunt or Meatshits.. There mix that Post hardcore sound of today with the grind that just pisses me off Do not mix bands from the new Pop Post Hardcore scene into your sound then grind out. This is just a band with no real direction trying to find its way. Its a damn same too because the band can play very well and has talent just hidden by wanting to be famous in the genre already over flooded by subpar work. I'm going to have to pass on this big time..
http://www.myspace.com/ambassadorgun
A Forest of Stars- The Corpse of rebirth-CD (Transcendental Creations)
Forward thinking black metal, Post Black metal, Experimental Black Metal its all what A Forest of Stars is showing me to be unique, interesting, passionate and down right great piece of work. For fans of bands like Agalloch, Alcest, Wolves in the throne room, Deinonychus, In the Woods, Code & Solefald you will fall in love with the Epic sounds that are equal parts, Metal, Folk and Ambient going on to mix to a full picture. Yes if you are not a fan of long tracks this will be something that will become boring to you rather quickly as A Forest of Stars builds and layers there web of sonic excellence like few other... I really love the violins and strings mixed with the vocals that are almost from a human on the brink of sanity. The guitars and drums come from a much more progressive and folk element . At times at almost want to call A Forest of Stars Extreme Post NeoFolk ( I know this is a ridiculous term but it fits whats going on here). I swear at moments this band is strongly influenced by Tenhi, Of the Wand and the Moon and Dead can Dance as well. There are moments of Devil Doll (Mr Doctor would be proud). A Forest of Stars has a lot of Doom going on in the mix of this release as well. I going to try and interview this band if possible as they have floored me with one of the 2 Best releases of 2009 so far the other would have to be Code's new release...
http://transcendentalcreations.com/
De Magia Veterum - Migdal Bavel-CD (Transcendental Creations)
Chaos Metal would be a better term from this project. This is like electro industrial black metal with one mission and one mission alone. To destroy all living things in its path. or at the least to control it's very will. Its a whirlwind of sounds, some of the sickness vocals you can hear mixed with odd 80's synth sounds, Guitars playing 20 things at once and Drummer if human in anyway must almost stroke out after a few songs (I'm very sure these drums are electronically altered in some manner). De Magia Veterum does have a hypnotic melody about them though and it's what draws you in even deeper to the dark black place there almost borg like mind lies.. Transcendental Creations with a few labels like Ajna Offensive, Debemur Morti Productions, Prophecy Productions and Moribund Cult take the extreme in extreme music and push it to another level. Here is another band that falls in the styles like V.E.G.A, Deathspell Omega etc were there really isn't a style its all there own. Black metal that makes you question if you've ever heard real Black metal before... Excellent...
http://transcendentalcreations.com/
Burnt by the Sun- Heart of Darkness- CD (Relapse Records)
Icon, Original, Cutting Edge these are all things Burnt by the sun were before people were using the Post word before a music style. They mix Death Metal, Hardcore, grind, Prog Rock and Industrial elements into the next step that bands like Deadguy, Prong, Fudge Tunnel & Godflesh were doing before them. This is the old guard of Relapse that I miss and glad these guys and brutal truth back into the fold again as these where the bands in my 20's that showed me you can be heavy and experimental at the same time without compromise.. The straight to face guitar and vocal assault is just better then words can explain the rhythm section is complex and frustrated as ever and that is one of the great dynamics to Burnt by the sun. If by now you don't know if you are a fan of Neurosis, Mastodon, Isis and Dillenger Escape Plan then this will be a must own not questions needed. I'm very sad to hear this will be the final chapter of this band as with " Heart of Darkness" it sounds they have a lot more in them. Just think about guys ok??
http://relapse.com/
This is what I was waiting for Karjalan Sissit is the master of apocalyptic industrial nightmare with a strong neoclassic/ symphonic backdrop. If vocals are always deep spoken or screamed in a violent and abrasive fashion. I put K.S. in the same league as bands like Puissance, Sophia, In Slaughtered Natives and Nordvargr . As the man knows how to create a soundscape that is oppressive, majestic and powerful all in the same breathe. I never understood by this project didn't attain higher status in the Post Industrial landscape of CMI, ColdSpring and Tesco realms. I love the dark percussive sounds mixed with the almost tormented / tortured vocal lines. Karjalan Sissit is were Ambient, Doom, Martial and Neoclassic all come at one point and breeds a life all its own. We all know this has more appeal then it is given at this time. I would love to see what a full visual DVD on his track would be like. I'm sure it would scar most of you out there. This world needs a good cleasing and Karjalan Sissit is taking a big step in the right direction.
http://www.cycliclaw.com
COLD CAVE — cremations — CD (Hospital Productions)
This is one of the most unusual listens I've had in some time Cold Cave sound electro music that wants to be Coldwave and Symphonic at the same time but its heavily distorted and if I had to say it sounds like someone I would say its a mix of Canaan and This Empty Flow if you have ever heard those two bands. I really like it its almost like if you took bands like Joy Divison or Depeche mode and fuzzed them out in a really fucked up manner. I understand this is a demo/ live recording of early material but that would make we really hear what they will sound like on a proper CD release as these tracks are very impressive in there own rights. The gothic vocals and drum machine in the 80's club beat style really takes these tracks to a different place then I was expecting. I know some of you will get what I mean but this but there is a Coil/ Nurse with wound style going on with some of the middle tracks. I know I can not be the only one to hear this. The last batch of songs from 2007 remind me of a mix of early waxtrax meets sebadoh . The lo fi indie stuff with 4 track noise mashups. Hospital productions as released one crazy fun release that will not be for everyone but is wicked pissa of time for me.
http://www.hospitalproductions.com/
MALKUTH — sefirah gevurah — CD (Hospital Productions)
Raw , Primitive Black metal from NYC this seems to be trying to show the world you don't need to be blistering and epic to make great Black metal remember the early days of Black metal in Norway and Sweden even some of the early metal from Poland this reminds me of Graveland, Early Mayhem and Enslaved in the way its created with just guitars, the polka drum sound and the low end bass rumble. If you want your Black metal with symphonic elements then you barking up the wrong tree. This is at its essence Tru Black metal the kind that scared the world 15-20 yrs ago and its good to see bands like this return to the roots of where it all came from and add a new level or loathing and disgust to way of life it was to some in 1990-1991... Malkuth show that again this side of the ocean can prove itself to the art of the Black....
http://www.hospitalproductions.com/
Wolf eyes- always wrong-CD (Hospital Productions)
If you don't know who Wolf eyes are and follow the noise scene you have been living under a major rock. Wolf Eyes are the modern savior of the Industrial Noise Rock scene. I've seen them live and its several guys with pedals, machines, percussion and broken instruments creating a sonic wall of destruction that is only close to what can be called the end of the world on stage. The vocal styling are dirty, raw and full of piss and vinegar as well. With "Always wrong" This unit continues on the path of sonic terrorism in the strongest of methods. Wolf Eyes are the Sonic Youth or Swans of the Industrial Noise realm its that simple. There are no one that really sound like that ever . You know its Wolf eyes within moments of any song. This band has seen the heights of Subpop records unheard of for noise acts and have worked with everyone inbetween. Hospital Productions is a perfect home for this release as Dom respects and crafts all his releases to fit an understand and sickness for great underground art.. We all look forward to the next great Wolf Eyes release enough said....
http://www.hospitalproductions.com/
Ambassador Gun- When in Hell-CD (Pangea Recordings)
Ok this is going to be a short one. Ambassador Gun is just a metalcore/grind band using all the same tried all the bands of the past have. There not original like Napalm Death or Impaled or even silly or fun like Anal Cunt or Meatshits.. There mix that Post hardcore sound of today with the grind that just pisses me off Do not mix bands from the new Pop Post Hardcore scene into your sound then grind out. This is just a band with no real direction trying to find its way. Its a damn same too because the band can play very well and has talent just hidden by wanting to be famous in the genre already over flooded by subpar work. I'm going to have to pass on this big time..
http://www.myspace.com/ambassadorgun
A Forest of Stars- The Corpse of rebirth-CD (Transcendental Creations)
Forward thinking black metal, Post Black metal, Experimental Black Metal its all what A Forest of Stars is showing me to be unique, interesting, passionate and down right great piece of work. For fans of bands like Agalloch, Alcest, Wolves in the throne room, Deinonychus, In the Woods, Code & Solefald you will fall in love with the Epic sounds that are equal parts, Metal, Folk and Ambient going on to mix to a full picture. Yes if you are not a fan of long tracks this will be something that will become boring to you rather quickly as A Forest of Stars builds and layers there web of sonic excellence like few other... I really love the violins and strings mixed with the vocals that are almost from a human on the brink of sanity. The guitars and drums come from a much more progressive and folk element . At times at almost want to call A Forest of Stars Extreme Post NeoFolk ( I know this is a ridiculous term but it fits whats going on here). I swear at moments this band is strongly influenced by Tenhi, Of the Wand and the Moon and Dead can Dance as well. There are moments of Devil Doll (Mr Doctor would be proud). A Forest of Stars has a lot of Doom going on in the mix of this release as well. I going to try and interview this band if possible as they have floored me with one of the 2 Best releases of 2009 so far the other would have to be Code's new release...
http://transcendentalcreations.com/
De Magia Veterum - Migdal Bavel-CD (Transcendental Creations)
Chaos Metal would be a better term from this project. This is like electro industrial black metal with one mission and one mission alone. To destroy all living things in its path. or at the least to control it's very will. Its a whirlwind of sounds, some of the sickness vocals you can hear mixed with odd 80's synth sounds, Guitars playing 20 things at once and Drummer if human in anyway must almost stroke out after a few songs (I'm very sure these drums are electronically altered in some manner). De Magia Veterum does have a hypnotic melody about them though and it's what draws you in even deeper to the dark black place there almost borg like mind lies.. Transcendental Creations with a few labels like Ajna Offensive, Debemur Morti Productions, Prophecy Productions and Moribund Cult take the extreme in extreme music and push it to another level. Here is another band that falls in the styles like V.E.G.A, Deathspell Omega etc were there really isn't a style its all there own. Black metal that makes you question if you've ever heard real Black metal before... Excellent...
http://transcendentalcreations.com/
Burnt by the Sun- Heart of Darkness- CD (Relapse Records)
Icon, Original, Cutting Edge these are all things Burnt by the sun were before people were using the Post word before a music style. They mix Death Metal, Hardcore, grind, Prog Rock and Industrial elements into the next step that bands like Deadguy, Prong, Fudge Tunnel & Godflesh were doing before them. This is the old guard of Relapse that I miss and glad these guys and brutal truth back into the fold again as these where the bands in my 20's that showed me you can be heavy and experimental at the same time without compromise.. The straight to face guitar and vocal assault is just better then words can explain the rhythm section is complex and frustrated as ever and that is one of the great dynamics to Burnt by the sun. If by now you don't know if you are a fan of Neurosis, Mastodon, Isis and Dillenger Escape Plan then this will be a must own not questions needed. I'm very sad to hear this will be the final chapter of this band as with " Heart of Darkness" it sounds they have a lot more in them. Just think about guys ok??
http://relapse.com/
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