I think you've had enough of break from all things epic over the past week or two, so let's return once more to the land of songs longer than ten minutes long for today's piece of metal madness.
Russian outfit Mare Infinitum does a pretty good job of defying description and classification, so I won't waste a lot of time trying for a pithy summation. There're a lot of different elements in the mix on the band's second album Alien Monolith God, and they all add up to something that I'll only call "epic" or "grandiose" with any hope of being correct.
Your song this evening is "The Nightmare Corpse-City of R'lyeh", the opening track from Alien Monolith God and a tall slab of Lovecraftian insanity to boot. Black, doom, prog, straigh-up heavy -- no matter what your flavour of metal, you'll find at least a taste here, all blended into a tasty metal smoothy. Got ten minutes or so? Drink deep from this one.
Thursday 30 April 2015
Wednesday 29 April 2015
Mara - Murugan
I've got something good and heavy on tap for today, so if it's cool with you we're going to head back in the direction that started this whole Loud Noises thing in the first place: metal. Sound good? I thought you'd be OK with it.
Baton Rouge's Mara don't necessarily have an extensive catalogue, but they do pack a lot into what they do have. Take their latest single "Murugan" as an example. Sure, it's only one song and not an EP or LP, but it's also nearly eight minutes of proggy goodness with a decidedly Between the Buried and Me feel -- I think it's all the synths and keys.
That's not necessarily a bad thing though, if you can pull it off, and Mara do a pretty good job of it. Now it only remains to be seen what's next from these guys, and whether or not they can drop and LP of this stuff on us.
Baton Rouge's Mara don't necessarily have an extensive catalogue, but they do pack a lot into what they do have. Take their latest single "Murugan" as an example. Sure, it's only one song and not an EP or LP, but it's also nearly eight minutes of proggy goodness with a decidedly Between the Buried and Me feel -- I think it's all the synths and keys.
That's not necessarily a bad thing though, if you can pull it off, and Mara do a pretty good job of it. Now it only remains to be seen what's next from these guys, and whether or not they can drop and LP of this stuff on us.
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Devin Townsend Project - Universe in a Ball!
I'm sure the majority of you out there are familiar in some way with the work of Devin Townsend. The question is how: do you know his work as a producer? Or are you more familiar with Strapping Young Lad? How about his solo stuff? Mr. Townsend is pretty prolific in one form or another, so everybody should be able to find something.
Today's song is just one example of something heavy Devy that you might dig. I happen to enjoy some of the Devin Townsend Project stuff quite a bit, in particular the 2009 installment Addicted. To that end, your Tuesday song is "Universe in a Ball!", a crunchy bit of synth-spiced, industrial-flavoured groove rock that's just a fun headbanger. Have a listen and start getting familiar with Devin's expansive catalogue.
Today's song is just one example of something heavy Devy that you might dig. I happen to enjoy some of the Devin Townsend Project stuff quite a bit, in particular the 2009 installment Addicted. To that end, your Tuesday song is "Universe in a Ball!", a crunchy bit of synth-spiced, industrial-flavoured groove rock that's just a fun headbanger. Have a listen and start getting familiar with Devin's expansive catalogue.
Monday 27 April 2015
Refused - Elektra
No fancy alliteration today, just some new music for you that's been nearly two decades in the making. No, it's not new Guns N' Roses, it's just new Refused. Yeah, they're not so fucking dead after all.
News of new tour information meant it was pretty much only a matter of time before we heard some new material from the reformed Refused, and now we've got our wish. Several times over, in fact -- the new material in question is not just the single that is today's song, but a whole new Refused album. Freedom is due out at the end of June, but for a more immediate slice of the Refused energy and ferocious riffing you're looking for you can listen to "Elektra" right now.
News of new tour information meant it was pretty much only a matter of time before we heard some new material from the reformed Refused, and now we've got our wish. Several times over, in fact -- the new material in question is not just the single that is today's song, but a whole new Refused album. Freedom is due out at the end of June, but for a more immediate slice of the Refused energy and ferocious riffing you're looking for you can listen to "Elektra" right now.
Sunday 26 April 2015
Teenage Time Killers - Hung Out to Dry
You know how normally I'm asking you for ten minutes or more of your time for some epic jazz prog saga or other? Today's brief, furious blast of proto-punk is an apology of sorts. We're cool, right?
You may or may not have heard of Teenage Time Killers already, as they're a bit of a supergroup featuring members of Corrosion of Conformity and My Ruin along with an expansive supporting cast of guest musicians. I won't go into the lengthy list here, except to drop a couple of names that are pertinent for our purposes here today: Dave Grohl and Randy Blythe.
Pertinent how? Well, they're both featured on the first Teenage Time Killers single "Hung Out to Dry", from the upcoming Greatest Hits Vol. 1. That's right, that's Randy you're hearing (or are going to hear) those rapid-fire verse vocals from. And believe it or not, Dave is handling the low end of things here, rather than the drumming duties.
And best of all (maybe, I don't know how strapped for time you are on a Sunday afternoon) is that "Hung Out to Dry" clocks in at seconds shy of two minutes long, so you have no excuse for not giving it at least a listen or two. You could probably be just about done with its two minutes of grungy deathpunk by the time you're done reading this post, so get clicking already.
You may or may not have heard of Teenage Time Killers already, as they're a bit of a supergroup featuring members of Corrosion of Conformity and My Ruin along with an expansive supporting cast of guest musicians. I won't go into the lengthy list here, except to drop a couple of names that are pertinent for our purposes here today: Dave Grohl and Randy Blythe.
Pertinent how? Well, they're both featured on the first Teenage Time Killers single "Hung Out to Dry", from the upcoming Greatest Hits Vol. 1. That's right, that's Randy you're hearing (or are going to hear) those rapid-fire verse vocals from. And believe it or not, Dave is handling the low end of things here, rather than the drumming duties.
And best of all (maybe, I don't know how strapped for time you are on a Sunday afternoon) is that "Hung Out to Dry" clocks in at seconds shy of two minutes long, so you have no excuse for not giving it at least a listen or two. You could probably be just about done with its two minutes of grungy deathpunk by the time you're done reading this post, so get clicking already.
Saturday 25 April 2015
While She Sleeps - Our Legacy
It's 'core time again for your Saturday song, this time from a band I've written about a couple of times before, but not in a while. They've got a brand-spraking-new record out, so I figure it's about time we revisit British metalcore act While She Sleeps.
If first single "Our Legacy" is any indication, While She Sleeps' new album Brainwashed is melodic metalcore with a capital 'M' on both. Melody and sing-along-ability are here in spades, but there's some nice chunky riffing happening here too. Think more recent Darkest Hour with the overt technicality turned down some and you'll get at least some sense of the flavour of While She Sleeps. Check this one out if you're looking for something fun to share pints and stories over this weekend.
If first single "Our Legacy" is any indication, While She Sleeps' new album Brainwashed is melodic metalcore with a capital 'M' on both. Melody and sing-along-ability are here in spades, but there's some nice chunky riffing happening here too. Think more recent Darkest Hour with the overt technicality turned down some and you'll get at least some sense of the flavour of While She Sleeps. Check this one out if you're looking for something fun to share pints and stories over this weekend.
Friday: Alice in Chains - Junkhead
Your belated Friday song is also my alternate choice for a Throwback Thursday song this week, and considering its age, compared to the Machine Head song I did go with, perhaps I should have gone with this one after all.
I think few would argue the power of Alice in Chains' 1992 masterpiece Dirt, and one of my favourite songs on that record has always been "Junkhead". Seldom is such a stark and revealing glimpse into addiction also so sympathetic and, dare I say, relatable. And sonically, "Junkhead" is just so sludgy and grimy in its verses that the choruses can't help but cut through with extra force. Such a classic slice of grunge -- in fact, if ever anyone tries to tout Nirvana to you as the epitome of grunge, I implore you to put this one on and then proceed to look smug and triumphant. Argument: won.
I think few would argue the power of Alice in Chains' 1992 masterpiece Dirt, and one of my favourite songs on that record has always been "Junkhead". Seldom is such a stark and revealing glimpse into addiction also so sympathetic and, dare I say, relatable. And sonically, "Junkhead" is just so sludgy and grimy in its verses that the choruses can't help but cut through with extra force. Such a classic slice of grunge -- in fact, if ever anyone tries to tout Nirvana to you as the epitome of grunge, I implore you to put this one on and then proceed to look smug and triumphant. Argument: won.
Thursday 23 April 2015
Machine Head - Now I Lay Thee Down
I'm going all the way back to 2007 for your Throwback Thursday song this evening for a cut from what many would call Machine Head's masterpiece.
Machine Head's career has been kinda hit or miss on the whole, and depending on who you ask, different parts have been hits and different parts have been misses. But I think anyone who's into Machine Head at all will probably agree that 2007's The Blackening has to be counted near the top, if not at the top, of the band's catalogue.
That's why you're getting something from The Blackening for Throwback Thursday, namely "Now I Lay Thee Down". It's straight-forward enough that it could almost be on the radio, but it's also got some cool grooves and some fun bass work (particularly in the choruses) that warrant another listen. Want some no-frills heavy for your Thursday evening? Machine Head circa 2007 have got you covered.
Machine Head's career has been kinda hit or miss on the whole, and depending on who you ask, different parts have been hits and different parts have been misses. But I think anyone who's into Machine Head at all will probably agree that 2007's The Blackening has to be counted near the top, if not at the top, of the band's catalogue.
That's why you're getting something from The Blackening for Throwback Thursday, namely "Now I Lay Thee Down". It's straight-forward enough that it could almost be on the radio, but it's also got some cool grooves and some fun bass work (particularly in the choruses) that warrant another listen. Want some no-frills heavy for your Thursday evening? Machine Head circa 2007 have got you covered.
Wednesday 22 April 2015
Plini - The End of Everything
This one's easy. So easy, in fact, that I almost can't believe I haven't done it before now. But then yesterday, as if in answer to my neglect, the stars aligned, the heavens opened up, and Plini released a new music video... of sorts.
The latest EP from the Australian guitarist, The End of Everything, dropped last month, and silly me, I've yet to feature any of its three slices of awesome. I get to change that today, thanks to yesterday's release of a music video to accompany title track "The End of Everything".
But remember that "of sorts" from earlier? The twist here is that the video is only partly a music video, while at the same time being partly a documenting of their process of crafting a custom guitar strap for Plini's sexy Strandberg. All the visual is secondary, however, to what's coming out of your speakers and going into your earholes, which is a suitably epic-cum-jazzy opening to the end of Plini's trilogy of EPs. Only question left is, when does the LP drop?
The latest EP from the Australian guitarist, The End of Everything, dropped last month, and silly me, I've yet to feature any of its three slices of awesome. I get to change that today, thanks to yesterday's release of a music video to accompany title track "The End of Everything".
But remember that "of sorts" from earlier? The twist here is that the video is only partly a music video, while at the same time being partly a documenting of their process of crafting a custom guitar strap for Plini's sexy Strandberg. All the visual is secondary, however, to what's coming out of your speakers and going into your earholes, which is a suitably epic-cum-jazzy opening to the end of Plini's trilogy of EPs. Only question left is, when does the LP drop?
Tuesday: Misery Signals - The Shallows
OK, we took a break for a long-overdue Metallica Monday, but let's go back to the 'core well for one more metalcore-y song before we move on to other matters. This one's from the latest album by one of my favourites bands, and calling it just metalcore is selling it oh so short. Isn't it about time to head back to the studio by now boys?
Your Tuesday metalcore track is "The Shallows", from 2013's Absent Light, a study in angular grooves and ever-evolving energy. Absent Light may not have hooked me as deep as the band's earlier work right when it came out, but it grows on me with every listen. Give "The Shallows" a shot and let it grow on you too.
Your Tuesday metalcore track is "The Shallows", from 2013's Absent Light, a study in angular grooves and ever-evolving energy. Absent Light may not have hooked me as deep as the band's earlier work right when it came out, but it grows on me with every listen. Give "The Shallows" a shot and let it grow on you too.
Tuesday 21 April 2015
Monday: Metallica - Blackened
As you may have noticed, it's Monday again, and that means we need to rock out a Monday song before the clock runs out on this often-shittiest day of the week. It's been a while since I've done a Metallica Monday, so I think it's probably about time I rectified that.
Now, I know (and have no doubt said before) that it's kinda cool nowadays to rag on Metallica, and sure, they have earned their share of derision and ridicule for a number of very valid reasons. But all that poking of fun can distract us from all the great material the guys actually have put out over the years. Like your Monday song, for example, or the album from which it hails.
Say what you will about Lars and the mix, ...And Justice For All is still one of Metallica's best records, and it opens, as it should, with a bang. "Blackened" might sound a little thin, mix-wise, but the song that fades in with that opening volume swell is still undeniably big and badass-sounding. Go retro with this one.
Now, I know (and have no doubt said before) that it's kinda cool nowadays to rag on Metallica, and sure, they have earned their share of derision and ridicule for a number of very valid reasons. But all that poking of fun can distract us from all the great material the guys actually have put out over the years. Like your Monday song, for example, or the album from which it hails.
Say what you will about Lars and the mix, ...And Justice For All is still one of Metallica's best records, and it opens, as it should, with a bang. "Blackened" might sound a little thin, mix-wise, but the song that fades in with that opening volume swell is still undeniably big and badass-sounding. Go retro with this one.
Monday 20 April 2015
Sunday: Atreyu - At Least I Know I'm a Sinner
Let's see just how divisive a topic metalcore can be, shall we? Your Sunday song is taken from the debut album of one of those love-them-or-hate-them bands that came out of the screamo explosion. I'm talking, of course, about everybody's favourite boy warrior from The Neverending Story, Atreyu.
I haven't been much of an Atreyu fan for years, but their first two albums... If we'd been listening to vinyl copies of those back in the day, we'd probably have worn out a few. Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses in particular got some pretty heavy rotation for a while there, so that's where we're headed for yesterday's metalcore song.
The social or religious commentary in "At Least I Know I'm a Sinner" might be a little heavy-handed for some, but for the bunch of us snotty teenagers attending a Catholic high school it was just the right tone. Listening to this album now this track remains one of my favourites, but like I said, metalcore is divisive among metalheads, so obviously feel free to tell me how wrong I am.
I haven't been much of an Atreyu fan for years, but their first two albums... If we'd been listening to vinyl copies of those back in the day, we'd probably have worn out a few. Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses in particular got some pretty heavy rotation for a while there, so that's where we're headed for yesterday's metalcore song.
The social or religious commentary in "At Least I Know I'm a Sinner" might be a little heavy-handed for some, but for the bunch of us snotty teenagers attending a Catholic high school it was just the right tone. Listening to this album now this track remains one of my favourites, but like I said, metalcore is divisive among metalheads, so obviously feel free to tell me how wrong I am.
Sunday 19 April 2015
Saturday: 36 Crazyfists - Whitewater
Let's keep this metalcore train clickity-clacking along for your belated Saturday song, shall we? For this one we're headed back to America's vaguely Canadian cousin Alaska for another sampling of the wares on offer from metalcore stalwarts 36 Crazyfists.
The song in question this time out is going to be "Whitewater" from 2010's Collisions and Castaways. The band's sixth studio album, Collisions is a great example of a band staying the course. Sure, 36 Crazyfists can be kinda "samey" here and there, a symptom of any band that finds their sound and keeps returning to that same well.
But sometimes that same sound you fell in love with is the sound you're looking for. You could just keep listening to the same old shit again and again, which is perfectly fine, or you could get into one of the rare bands that keeps their core sound but also manages to keep their songwriting quality high enough that at least thing aren't exactly the same all the time. If you dig metalcore, 36 Crazyfists is a band like that, so give "Whitewater" a go and see what you think.
The song in question this time out is going to be "Whitewater" from 2010's Collisions and Castaways. The band's sixth studio album, Collisions is a great example of a band staying the course. Sure, 36 Crazyfists can be kinda "samey" here and there, a symptom of any band that finds their sound and keeps returning to that same well.
But sometimes that same sound you fell in love with is the sound you're looking for. You could just keep listening to the same old shit again and again, which is perfectly fine, or you could get into one of the rare bands that keeps their core sound but also manages to keep their songwriting quality high enough that at least thing aren't exactly the same all the time. If you dig metalcore, 36 Crazyfists is a band like that, so give "Whitewater" a go and see what you think.
Friday 17 April 2015
Matter - A Voice
Let's keep the metalcore train rolling with another post featuring some good modern metalcore. This time, however, the "melodic" part of "melodic metalcore" is turned up to eleven.
The band in question is L.A.'s Matter, whose latest record Teraphim was fairly well received when it was released last year. But just in case, like me, you missed Matter and Teraphim first time around, they've got you covered. The band recently released a video for the song "A Voice", giving you the perfect opportunity to get up to speed on what really... matters....
See what I did there? Yes, I'm actually that lame. Just go listen to Matter, OK?
The band in question is L.A.'s Matter, whose latest record Teraphim was fairly well received when it was released last year. But just in case, like me, you missed Matter and Teraphim first time around, they've got you covered. The band recently released a video for the song "A Voice", giving you the perfect opportunity to get up to speed on what really... matters....
See what I did there? Yes, I'm actually that lame. Just go listen to Matter, OK?
Thursday 16 April 2015
August Burns Red - The Wake
August Burns Red is one of those bands that, for no reason I can accurately pinpoint, I've never really been into. They seem like I should be a fan, as their sound is kinda right up my alley, and if the strength of their latest single is any indication, maybe I'll become a convert.
The band's latest album Found in Far Away Places is due out at the end of June, but they're prepping us all with a lyric video for ass-kicker "The Wake". It's got a perfect blend of riffage, energy, and straight-up heavy. So if you're a fan of good meaty metalcore, with a teensy sprinkling of death metal flavour, the new August Burns Red might be just the thing for you. Give it a shot.
The band's latest album Found in Far Away Places is due out at the end of June, but they're prepping us all with a lyric video for ass-kicker "The Wake". It's got a perfect blend of riffage, energy, and straight-up heavy. So if you're a fan of good meaty metalcore, with a teensy sprinkling of death metal flavour, the new August Burns Red might be just the thing for you. Give it a shot.
Wednesday: Chaos Divine - Soldiers
Want to go proggy for your belated Wednesday song? Of course you want to go proggy for your belated Wednesday song! And where in the world are we going to follow Carmen Sandiego to for today's progtastic selection? Australia, of course.
Fucking Australia. They get beautiful weather, cute little accents, close proximity to the last natural habitat of the endangered hobbit... they even have their very own word for beer, for fuck's sake! And over the last few years, Australia has become a hotbed of proggish activity too. Today's example of this is Chaos Divine, which, if forced to, I suppose I would classify as "post-metal" since they're "post" enough to warrant a "post" qualification and heavy enough to warrant said qualification being appended to something more than just "rock".
But forget genre hair-splitting. All you really need to remember is that "Soldiers", from the band's latest album Colliding Skies, is rock solid. Not too tech or too heavy (as if something could really be either of those things...), but still oozing proggy groovyness. Or is it grooviness? You get the idea. Check out Chaos Divine.
Fucking Australia. They get beautiful weather, cute little accents, close proximity to the last natural habitat of the endangered hobbit... they even have their very own word for beer, for fuck's sake! And over the last few years, Australia has become a hotbed of proggish activity too. Today's example of this is Chaos Divine, which, if forced to, I suppose I would classify as "post-metal" since they're "post" enough to warrant a "post" qualification and heavy enough to warrant said qualification being appended to something more than just "rock".
But forget genre hair-splitting. All you really need to remember is that "Soldiers", from the band's latest album Colliding Skies, is rock solid. Not too tech or too heavy (as if something could really be either of those things...), but still oozing proggy groovyness. Or is it grooviness? You get the idea. Check out Chaos Divine.
Wednesday 15 April 2015
Tuesday: Arsis - Choking on Sand
Well here we are once again: the top of the mountain is within sight, and we're ready to make a push for the summit. Time for a little bit of Tech Tuesday! And just because I think it's about time they rounded up their riffs and headed back into the studio, we're going to have another Arsis song, OK?
Unwelcome, Arsis' last album, only came out in 2013, so there might not be anything in the works just yet. But Mr. Malone and Company have been working on a 2-3 year album cycle since, well, pretty much ever (not even counting EPs) so it wouldn't be that out of the question to hear some Arsis news sometime this year.
In the meantime, let's have something from the aforementioned Unwelcome, shall we? Your Tuesday track is "Choking on Sand", which has some fleet-fingered-and-wristed riffing that makes this one metal enough for that badass song title. Check it.
Unwelcome, Arsis' last album, only came out in 2013, so there might not be anything in the works just yet. But Mr. Malone and Company have been working on a 2-3 year album cycle since, well, pretty much ever (not even counting EPs) so it wouldn't be that out of the question to hear some Arsis news sometime this year.
In the meantime, let's have something from the aforementioned Unwelcome, shall we? Your Tuesday track is "Choking on Sand", which has some fleet-fingered-and-wristed riffing that makes this one metal enough for that badass song title. Check it.
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Monday: Trivium - Forsake Not the Dream
What's this? A Monday post almost on a Monday? You know it. A "Metal" Monday post even. But why the quotation marks, you ask? I'll tell you, I said.
I used to be a pretty decent Trivium fan. Ascendancy in particular came out at the perfect time, just when I was getting into heavier and heavier stuff. That album and Shogun are definitely my favourites, and I'll still revisit them periodically. But everything since Shogun has been a little hit or miss, even if you're still into Trivium, which I know a lot of tr00 metalheads aren't.
I would, however, point out that even that hit-or-miss newer material does occasionally hit, providing songs that, for whatever reason, hook me in just the right way. Your "Metal" Monday song, "Forsake Not the Dream" from 2011's In Waves, is just such a track. I don't know why its radio-friendly, melody-heavy riffs and chord progressions tickle me the way they do, but it's a very Goldilocks-just-right mix of elements. Have a listen, and then commence your scoffing, O tr00est of metalheads.
I used to be a pretty decent Trivium fan. Ascendancy in particular came out at the perfect time, just when I was getting into heavier and heavier stuff. That album and Shogun are definitely my favourites, and I'll still revisit them periodically. But everything since Shogun has been a little hit or miss, even if you're still into Trivium, which I know a lot of tr00 metalheads aren't.
I would, however, point out that even that hit-or-miss newer material does occasionally hit, providing songs that, for whatever reason, hook me in just the right way. Your "Metal" Monday song, "Forsake Not the Dream" from 2011's In Waves, is just such a track. I don't know why its radio-friendly, melody-heavy riffs and chord progressions tickle me the way they do, but it's a very Goldilocks-just-right mix of elements. Have a listen, and then commence your scoffing, O tr00est of metalheads.
Monday 13 April 2015
Sunday: Solipsist - End This Day
I told you I'd get you back into metal territory soon enough, and lo, I am a keeper of promises. Enjoy your Sunday song kids.
Cleveland's Solipsist is an interesting beast. Their vocalist has a bit of a Randy Blythe thing going on sometimes, but their sound is definitely more death metal than Lamb of God's. So think Lamb of God with the deal metal quotient turned up a bunch, and you'll at least have a starting point for Solipsist.
The band's latest album, last month's The Burning Mass, offers a number of tasty tracks that I could have chosen as your belated Sunday song, but I've decided to go with the melo-deathy "End This Day" simply for its driving energy. There's almost a bit of a Black Dahlia Murder feel to this one. Give it a listen, and then check out the rest of The Burning Mass. It's not anything mindblowing, but there's some rock solid riffage to be had. Have at 'er!
Cleveland's Solipsist is an interesting beast. Their vocalist has a bit of a Randy Blythe thing going on sometimes, but their sound is definitely more death metal than Lamb of God's. So think Lamb of God with the deal metal quotient turned up a bunch, and you'll at least have a starting point for Solipsist.
The band's latest album, last month's The Burning Mass, offers a number of tasty tracks that I could have chosen as your belated Sunday song, but I've decided to go with the melo-deathy "End This Day" simply for its driving energy. There's almost a bit of a Black Dahlia Murder feel to this one. Give it a listen, and then check out the rest of The Burning Mass. It's not anything mindblowing, but there's some rock solid riffage to be had. Have at 'er!
Saturday: Klone - Immersion
After more than a week off the rails, it's time to get things back on track, starting with something for Saturday. Let's do it!
After our recent time in jazz land, we'll ease back into heavier things by way of post-whatever town. Post-rock, post-metal, whatever you want to call it, it doesn't matter, just set your phasers to France and have a listen to "Immersion" from the latest Here Comes the Sun by Klone. It's got some big riffing going on, hence the easing back into heavier things, but it's also got a laid back kind of vibe that even goes so far as to feature a horn solo.
So, one foot still in vaguely jazzy territory still? Maybe. Not really. But why don't you be the judge of that. Check out "Immersion" Klone and see if you get the same old school vibe from them that I do.
After our recent time in jazz land, we'll ease back into heavier things by way of post-whatever town. Post-rock, post-metal, whatever you want to call it, it doesn't matter, just set your phasers to France and have a listen to "Immersion" from the latest Here Comes the Sun by Klone. It's got some big riffing going on, hence the easing back into heavier things, but it's also got a laid back kind of vibe that even goes so far as to feature a horn solo.
So, one foot still in vaguely jazzy territory still? Maybe. Not really. But why don't you be the judge of that. Check out "Immersion" Klone and see if you get the same old school vibe from them that I do.
Sunday 12 April 2015
Friday: Monobody - Lifeguard of a Helpless Body
I'm going to stick with the vaguely jazzy pseudo-theme that's been running through the last week (or more) in choosing something a little more chill for your belated Friday song. Don't worry though, I'm not surreptitiously morphing this into an instrumental jazz blog, and we'll be back in more metal territory before you know it. And hey, your Thursday song was some old-school-meets-new-school death metal from Italy's Human Improvement Process, so quit complaining!
Quit complaining and check out Chicago's Monobody, an instrumental electro-jazz quintet with the interesting quirk of having two bassists on much of their material. But don't look at it as something gimmicky; instead just get into one of the many cool grooves that either Al Costis or Steve Marek (or both!) lay down with drummer Nnamdi Ogbonnaya.
There's a lot of fun stuff going on on Monbody's self-titled debut LP, making it a "must check out" for anybody who's into this kind of thing. And anybody who's not into this kind of thing should have a listen to album opener "Lifeguard of a Helpless Body" and get into this kind of thing, OK?
Quit complaining and check out Chicago's Monobody, an instrumental electro-jazz quintet with the interesting quirk of having two bassists on much of their material. But don't look at it as something gimmicky; instead just get into one of the many cool grooves that either Al Costis or Steve Marek (or both!) lay down with drummer Nnamdi Ogbonnaya.
There's a lot of fun stuff going on on Monbody's self-titled debut LP, making it a "must check out" for anybody who's into this kind of thing. And anybody who's not into this kind of thing should have a listen to album opener "Lifeguard of a Helpless Body" and get into this kind of thing, OK?
Saturday 11 April 2015
Thursday: Human Improvement Process - Tortured Hands of Reason
Once again, the track I've picked for your belated Thursday song isn't Throwback per se, but it does have a bit of old school flavour -- old school death metal flavour, to be precise. But this tasty death metal flavour is actually brand new school, and international to boot.
Human Improvement Process might hail from Italy, but their brand of death metal would sound at home coming from just about anywhere that death metal gets done. Take "Tortured Hands of Reason", from the band's EP Enemies of the Sun, for an example. It's just got all the elements it needs to slay: riffs, grooves, blast beats, even a little leadwork. If this kind of thing is your bag, you will dig these guys, so check 'em out.
Human Improvement Process might hail from Italy, but their brand of death metal would sound at home coming from just about anywhere that death metal gets done. Take "Tortured Hands of Reason", from the band's EP Enemies of the Sun, for an example. It's just got all the elements it needs to slay: riffs, grooves, blast beats, even a little leadwork. If this kind of thing is your bag, you will dig these guys, so check 'em out.
Friday 10 April 2015
Wednesday: Arcturus - The Arcturian Sign
I don't think the Wednesday song I've got picked out for you is quite weird enough to justify calling it a full-on Weird Wednesday, but it's also a pretty decent ways removed from what I've been pointing you towards over the last little bit. So call it a weirdish Wednesday if you like.
Your weirdish Wednesday band is Norwegian outfit Arcturus, back from a lengthy slumber with a new disc Arcturian due out in May. Your weirdish Wednesday song is the somewhat unsurprisingly named "The Arcturian Sign", a black metal monolith layered with synths and strings that immediately brings to mind words like "grandiose" and "majestic".
To be perfectly honest, stuff like that (ie: grandiose and majestic symphonic-glazed black metal) isn't usually my cup of tea. But Arcturus have me rethinking that stance, at least when it comes to stuff that inhabits this weirdish little corner of the black metal world. Let them change your mind too.
Your weirdish Wednesday band is Norwegian outfit Arcturus, back from a lengthy slumber with a new disc Arcturian due out in May. Your weirdish Wednesday song is the somewhat unsurprisingly named "The Arcturian Sign", a black metal monolith layered with synths and strings that immediately brings to mind words like "grandiose" and "majestic".
To be perfectly honest, stuff like that (ie: grandiose and majestic symphonic-glazed black metal) isn't usually my cup of tea. But Arcturus have me rethinking that stance, at least when it comes to stuff that inhabits this weirdish little corner of the black metal world. Let them change your mind too.
Thursday 9 April 2015
Tuesday: Nicholas Llerandi - Cracked
I've got a kinda sorta Tech Tuesday track for your belated Tuesday song, coming from someone whose work you just might already know.
Are you familiar with Ever Forthright? What about Stimpy Lockjaw? If you dig either of these acts, it just might be the common denominating flavour of guitarist Nicholas Llerandi that you're into. Well now Nick has a solo record on the way, and surprise surprise, it's progaliciously jazztastic.
Have a listen to "Cracked" for a taste of what I mean. And then hit repeat and have a watch of drummer Zach Marks shuffling and ghosting his way through a playthrough video replete with groove. Replete I say!
Are you familiar with Ever Forthright? What about Stimpy Lockjaw? If you dig either of these acts, it just might be the common denominating flavour of guitarist Nicholas Llerandi that you're into. Well now Nick has a solo record on the way, and surprise surprise, it's progaliciously jazztastic.
Have a listen to "Cracked" for a taste of what I mean. And then hit repeat and have a watch of drummer Zach Marks shuffling and ghosting his way through a playthrough video replete with groove. Replete I say!
Monday: NY in 64 - A Towering Relic
The great game of catch-up continues today, starting with a Monday song that, I'm sure you'll be glad to hear, isn't an eon long. It is, however, still instrumental, as well as being still awesome. Intrigued? You should be.
I certainly was when I heard that NY in 64 features a couple of members of one of my favourites bands from the last couple of years, East of the Wall. But don't let the fact that half of NY in 64 hails from East of the Wall dissuade you from checking out "A Towering Relic" under the excuse of "it's probably just an EotW clone".
Sure, the first song we're hearing from NY in 64's forthcoming self-titled debut LP is dense and complex, like you might expect. But there's a different feel going on here, and the lack of vocals puts yet another different spin on things. Fans of East of the Wall should feel at home enough, but those who aren't sold on that band should find a little groove of their own here too. Basically everybody should check this one out.
I certainly was when I heard that NY in 64 features a couple of members of one of my favourites bands from the last couple of years, East of the Wall. But don't let the fact that half of NY in 64 hails from East of the Wall dissuade you from checking out "A Towering Relic" under the excuse of "it's probably just an EotW clone".
Sure, the first song we're hearing from NY in 64's forthcoming self-titled debut LP is dense and complex, like you might expect. But there's a different feel going on here, and the lack of vocals puts yet another different spin on things. Fans of East of the Wall should feel at home enough, but those who aren't sold on that band should find a little groove of their own here too. Basically everybody should check this one out.
Tuesday 7 April 2015
Sunday: Jaga Jazzist - Starfire
Maybe I should have done a theme week of long songs or something, because after "yesterday's" relatively brief Dance Gavin Dance song, I've got yet another epic number for your Easter Sunday song. Ready for some spaced out instrumental electro jazz? Sure you are!
Norwegian band Jaga Jazzist isn't an outfit I was familiar with until recently, but it's now on the list of acts I need to get to know better. Based on the strength of its title track, I think their upcoming album Starfire, due out in June, could be the perfect opportunity to do exactly that. "Starfire" is a seriously massive slab of proggy and jazzy grooves that I've listened to a fistful of times now. The fact that it's nearly nine minutes long won't really even register until you get done and look down to hit repeat. Check this one out post haste.
Norwegian band Jaga Jazzist isn't an outfit I was familiar with until recently, but it's now on the list of acts I need to get to know better. Based on the strength of its title track, I think their upcoming album Starfire, due out in June, could be the perfect opportunity to do exactly that. "Starfire" is a seriously massive slab of proggy and jazzy grooves that I've listened to a fistful of times now. The fact that it's nearly nine minutes long won't really even register until you get done and look down to hit repeat. Check this one out post haste.
Saturday: Dance Gavin Dance - Stroke God, Millionaire
How was your long weekend? Was it as unproductive as mine was? Now that you've emerged from your ham-and-or-turkey-induced food coma, come join me for yet another lengthy game of catch-up.
First, a Saturday song. On Friday, I had you check out the first track to be released from Between the Buried and Me's upcoming rock opera Coma Ecliptic. Your Saturday song isn't anywhere near the epic length of "Memory Palace", but it does continue the theme of new and upcoming deliciousness.
This time it's the second track to be released from the upcoming Dance Gavin Dance record Instant Gratification. "Stroke God, Millionaire" demonstrates DGD's continued ability to craft tasty little packages of pop-flavoured post-hardcore with just the right amount of tech (or tech-sounding) flair. If the rest of this record were to turn out at catchy and snappy as this one, I'd be a happy camper. And the icing on the cake? This ain't no lyric video son, it's full on animated mayhem. Peep it up yo.
First, a Saturday song. On Friday, I had you check out the first track to be released from Between the Buried and Me's upcoming rock opera Coma Ecliptic. Your Saturday song isn't anywhere near the epic length of "Memory Palace", but it does continue the theme of new and upcoming deliciousness.
This time it's the second track to be released from the upcoming Dance Gavin Dance record Instant Gratification. "Stroke God, Millionaire" demonstrates DGD's continued ability to craft tasty little packages of pop-flavoured post-hardcore with just the right amount of tech (or tech-sounding) flair. If the rest of this record were to turn out at catchy and snappy as this one, I'd be a happy camper. And the icing on the cake? This ain't no lyric video son, it's full on animated mayhem. Peep it up yo.
Saturday 4 April 2015
Friday: Between the Buried and Me - Memory Palace
So you've just finished reading about the epically proportioned tracks on Izah's debut Sistere, you've just finished listening to a sample of same in the form of "Duality", and besides perhaps being a little sweaty and physically drained from the adventure you've just been on (the Izah song, not the blog pose about Izah...) you might well be a tad sick of me and my long-ass songs this week.
Well, you might want to pour yourself something stiff and have a seat, because I'm not done with you yet. I think, however, that you'll forgive me when you find out who's providing today's epic-length tune. Or when you just read it in the title of this post. Whichever.
Anyways, down to it: your somewhat belated Friday song is none other than the latest from Between the Buried and Me. I'm sure you were all already aware that BTBAM has been in the studio of late, finishing off their rock opera of a next record. Well now you can hear the latest, assuming of course that another ten minutes or so of your time isn't too steep an investment.Yeah, I thought you'd find the time for a listen to "Memory Palace". You'll thank me later.
Well, you might want to pour yourself something stiff and have a seat, because I'm not done with you yet. I think, however, that you'll forgive me when you find out who's providing today's epic-length tune. Or when you just read it in the title of this post. Whichever.
Anyways, down to it: your somewhat belated Friday song is none other than the latest from Between the Buried and Me. I'm sure you were all already aware that BTBAM has been in the studio of late, finishing off their rock opera of a next record. Well now you can hear the latest, assuming of course that another ten minutes or so of your time isn't too steep an investment.Yeah, I thought you'd find the time for a listen to "Memory Palace". You'll thank me later.
Friday 3 April 2015
Thursday: Izah - Duality
Today's belated Thursday song is not only really cool, it's also intended to demonstrate to you that I haven't gone soft after my Wednesday apology for subjecting you to some epic goodness in the preceding two days.
How do I intended to prove my continued 'ardness to you? By recommending another length masterpiece to you, of course! Today it comes from Dutch band Izah and their debut LP Sistere, which you could be forgiven for confusing with an EP given that there are only four (!) tracks on offer here.
That very brief track list should be your first hint of the kind of epic journeys you're in store for on Sistere, but allow me to forgo the need for further hints: the album's shortest song is nearly twelve minutes long, and your Thursday track "Duality" tips the scales at sixteen minutes. But before you groan and close this tab, give Izah and Sistere a shot.
If you do, you'll find some genuinely awesome sludgy, doomy, atmospheric post-metal. I talk a lot about music journeys, especially when talking about these longer songs, but there are some true treks to be had on Sistere, full-on experiences that have covered some serious emotional and musical distance, ending up in some very different headspaces from where they started.
So don't let the sixteen-minute running time of "Duality" dissuade you from discovering what could honestly be an album of the year contender. Besides, you should be grateful I didn't pick Sistere's longest piece; the closing title track "Sistere" is a beefy thirty-one minutes of Izah. So it could be worse, right?
How do I intended to prove my continued 'ardness to you? By recommending another length masterpiece to you, of course! Today it comes from Dutch band Izah and their debut LP Sistere, which you could be forgiven for confusing with an EP given that there are only four (!) tracks on offer here.
That very brief track list should be your first hint of the kind of epic journeys you're in store for on Sistere, but allow me to forgo the need for further hints: the album's shortest song is nearly twelve minutes long, and your Thursday track "Duality" tips the scales at sixteen minutes. But before you groan and close this tab, give Izah and Sistere a shot.
If you do, you'll find some genuinely awesome sludgy, doomy, atmospheric post-metal. I talk a lot about music journeys, especially when talking about these longer songs, but there are some true treks to be had on Sistere, full-on experiences that have covered some serious emotional and musical distance, ending up in some very different headspaces from where they started.
So don't let the sixteen-minute running time of "Duality" dissuade you from discovering what could honestly be an album of the year contender. Besides, you should be grateful I didn't pick Sistere's longest piece; the closing title track "Sistere" is a beefy thirty-one minutes of Izah. So it could be worse, right?
Another (mile)stone in the wall...
Any of you who've been reading the blog for a while might well have noticed that I like to commemorate things. Holidays and special occasions, album releases, good days, bad days... any of them can (and indeed should) be celebrated with music. You'll also, I have little doubt, be familiar with the fact that I sometimes like to acknowledge the passing milestones that line the twisting trail that is Loud Noises from day one to today.
As such, I'd like to take the briefest of moments to celebrate another recent milestone in Loud Noises history: sometime during last week's climb out from behind the eight ball, I passed one thousand posts. Small wonder, I hear you say, given that you post a song every day. But take a second and do the math: even at a rate of a song a day, 1000+ posts represents almost three years of work.
This is an entirely appropriate number at which to arrive, since Loud Noises will be three years old in May, and the Song of the Day feature will be three in July. As these anniversaries approach, I'm still undecided as to where I might go with things in the future, but at the same time, looking back on more than a thousand Loud Noises posts, I feel pretty satisfied on the whole with where I've been so far.
So put on something you dig, hoist skyward a glass of something strong, and join me in saying here's to more than a thousand posts worth of good music, metal and otherwise.
(One other thing, while I'm being all retrospective and such: some of you may have noticed the disappearance of the Album of the Week feature (or not), and perhaps even lamented its demise. Recommending more than just songs is an idea I really like, not least because I'm a staunch believer in the importance of the album, rather than the single, as the fundamental unit of delivery for any music worth listening to.
But I kept missing week, or being late, or changing the day of the week I posted the album (ie: I kept on doing what I do) so a while back I quietly decided to simply stop doing Albums of the Week. Rest assured, however, that I haven't completely abandoned the idea, even if it's another while before I return to it.
For the time being, I will say only this: if you like a song by band X, check out the rest of the record, in order, from start to finish. The band and those involved with the album's recording made deliberate decisions to do things the way they did, to order the songs the way they did, etc., and sometimes they actually know what they're talking about...)
As such, I'd like to take the briefest of moments to celebrate another recent milestone in Loud Noises history: sometime during last week's climb out from behind the eight ball, I passed one thousand posts. Small wonder, I hear you say, given that you post a song every day. But take a second and do the math: even at a rate of a song a day, 1000+ posts represents almost three years of work.
This is an entirely appropriate number at which to arrive, since Loud Noises will be three years old in May, and the Song of the Day feature will be three in July. As these anniversaries approach, I'm still undecided as to where I might go with things in the future, but at the same time, looking back on more than a thousand Loud Noises posts, I feel pretty satisfied on the whole with where I've been so far.
So put on something you dig, hoist skyward a glass of something strong, and join me in saying here's to more than a thousand posts worth of good music, metal and otherwise.
(One other thing, while I'm being all retrospective and such: some of you may have noticed the disappearance of the Album of the Week feature (or not), and perhaps even lamented its demise. Recommending more than just songs is an idea I really like, not least because I'm a staunch believer in the importance of the album, rather than the single, as the fundamental unit of delivery for any music worth listening to.
But I kept missing week, or being late, or changing the day of the week I posted the album (ie: I kept on doing what I do) so a while back I quietly decided to simply stop doing Albums of the Week. Rest assured, however, that I haven't completely abandoned the idea, even if it's another while before I return to it.
For the time being, I will say only this: if you like a song by band X, check out the rest of the record, in order, from start to finish. The band and those involved with the album's recording made deliberate decisions to do things the way they did, to order the songs the way they did, etc., and sometimes they actually know what they're talking about...)
Wednesday 1 April 2015
Sun and Sail Club - Dresden Fireball Freakout Flight
At only two minutes in length, today's song is almost a bit of an apology for the last couple of days of prog marathons. I know you're big girls and boys, more than capable of devoting your full attention to something for ten minutes at a stretch (even if that something does sometimes require a modicum of effort to wrap your head around), but I also know that you're busy and don't always have the time for all that devoting (especially if you factor in the time it can take to give a song more than once listen if you dig it or if you're just after the full experience).
So in summation, Loud Noises readers wearied by the last two days of monumentally-proportioned songs, Sun and Sail Club's latest "Dresden Fireball Freakout Flight" has your name on it. It's the first track to be released from The Great White Dope, the sophomore disc from this four-piece whose resumes include bands like Fu Manchu and Kyuss.
With that kind of a pedigree, it should come as no surprise that "Dresden Fireball" is a short, sharp burst of fuzzed-out stoner energy (if that isn't a contradiction in terms). This one fucking goes for two minutes, like something out of a bygone rocking era, and then it's gone. Even if this doesn't grab you right off, it's only two minutes. You've got the time. Just click the link already.
So in summation, Loud Noises readers wearied by the last two days of monumentally-proportioned songs, Sun and Sail Club's latest "Dresden Fireball Freakout Flight" has your name on it. It's the first track to be released from The Great White Dope, the sophomore disc from this four-piece whose resumes include bands like Fu Manchu and Kyuss.
With that kind of a pedigree, it should come as no surprise that "Dresden Fireball" is a short, sharp burst of fuzzed-out stoner energy (if that isn't a contradiction in terms). This one fucking goes for two minutes, like something out of a bygone rocking era, and then it's gone. Even if this doesn't grab you right off, it's only two minutes. You've got the time. Just click the link already.
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