It seems like bands with tons of groove and melodic sensibilities for days are a dime a dozen lately. But they don't always also come complete with tasty techy noodling like British band Novelists. You know what that means, don't you? Oh yes, it's Tech Tuesday!
Novelists aren't a tech death band, or a band that's driven exclusively by instrumental prowess like Scale the Summit or CHON. But their djenty sound certainly has some interesting spice to its riffage -- more like a Monuments or The Safety Fire. All of these comparisons getting to you yet?
OK then, let's let Novelists speak for themselves. Join me in jamming the band's latest track "Echoes", taken from their debut LP Souvenirs, which conveniently drops this Friday. I know that shreddy solo in the middle is guest work from one Pierre Danel, but damn if it doesn't get "Echoes" the Tech Tuesday nod on principle alone. Check it out kids.
Showing posts with label Monuments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monuments. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Sunday: Novallo - Visually Silent
I'm pretty late to the party on this one, but since when have I ever let that stop me from spreading the good word? And as a bonus, if you dig this one, there's some new material from these guys all fresh and shiny and waiting for you.
Your Sunday song tonight, "Visually Silent" from the 2012 debut self-titled EP by Ohio tech-djent five-piece Novallo, is equal parts progressive melodicism, glitchy noodling, and djenty grooving. Monuments and Glass Cloud are coming to mind right now as touchstones, but really, I think you should check Novallo out for yourself. And if, like me, you dig "Visually Silent" and the rest of band's stuff from 2012, you'll be happy to know that, like I said above, Novallo's follow-up EP dropped last month. So get listening already!
Your Sunday song tonight, "Visually Silent" from the 2012 debut self-titled EP by Ohio tech-djent five-piece Novallo, is equal parts progressive melodicism, glitchy noodling, and djenty grooving. Monuments and Glass Cloud are coming to mind right now as touchstones, but really, I think you should check Novallo out for yourself. And if, like me, you dig "Visually Silent" and the rest of band's stuff from 2012, you'll be happy to know that, like I said above, Novallo's follow-up EP dropped last month. So get listening already!
Wednesday, 26 August 2015
Tuesday: Monuments - I, the Destroyer
Speaking of djent, as I was last time out, there are still lots of bands doing decent enough djent to warrant attention. Sure, it's a sound that's become oversaturated in the marketplace (to put it in high falutin' talk) but, as I've said before and will say again, there's absolutely nothing wrong with djent done well.
And as I've also said before, Monuments know how to do this kind of thing properly. Their 2014 disc The Amaneunsis is chock full of studies in the kind of big riffs and grooves that I consider prime djenty goodness, and I've featured several tracks from it in the past. But if you need further convincing that this particular subgenre shouldn't be exclusively maligned, check out "I, the Destroyer", and prepare to get, well, destroyed.
And as I've also said before, Monuments know how to do this kind of thing properly. Their 2014 disc The Amaneunsis is chock full of studies in the kind of big riffs and grooves that I consider prime djenty goodness, and I've featured several tracks from it in the past. But if you need further convincing that this particular subgenre shouldn't be exclusively maligned, check out "I, the Destroyer", and prepare to get, well, destroyed.
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
Tuesday: Monuments - Jinn
Let's keep the groove train we started with "yesterday's" Lamb of God song going with some more big riffing, this time from across the pond.
Also, this time swap Lamb of God's aggro groove for one a little proggier and, yes, a little djentier too. If you don't let the "D" word stop you -- and you shouldn't, you rebel you -- you might be pleasantly surprised with the Brits in Monuments. If, of course, you're already familiar with Monuments, then you know what we're dealing with here, and you know it's better than I'm making it sound right now.
In any case, just listen to "Jinn" from Monuments' 2014 sophomore album The Amaneunsis and be convinced that Monuments can groove with the best of them. Just try to listen to this one without bobbing your head at some point. I dare you. Double dog dare? No, that's just crazy talk.
Also, this time swap Lamb of God's aggro groove for one a little proggier and, yes, a little djentier too. If you don't let the "D" word stop you -- and you shouldn't, you rebel you -- you might be pleasantly surprised with the Brits in Monuments. If, of course, you're already familiar with Monuments, then you know what we're dealing with here, and you know it's better than I'm making it sound right now.
In any case, just listen to "Jinn" from Monuments' 2014 sophomore album The Amaneunsis and be convinced that Monuments can groove with the best of them. Just try to listen to this one without bobbing your head at some point. I dare you. Double dog dare? No, that's just crazy talk.
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Visions - Korma
British tech-core band Visions have had a lot of obstacles thrown at them in the last couple of years, including at least one line-up change and the collapse of their label Myriad Records, but perseverance is the name of the game for these underdogs.
I've featured these guys a couple of times before, mounting troubles and all, and it's nice to be able to pick another one of their songs without the impetus being some drama or other. Perhaps the best part, though, is that the band has obligingly put out a new song, so I can recommend you check out their very latest.
The song in question is called "Korma", and its got some big riffing and some big vocals. Since the band's drumming position is still vacant, they had a little help on this track from one Mike Malyan, whose name you could certainly be forgiven for being familiar with: Mike is not only the current skinsman for his fellow Brits in Monuments, he's also part-time live and touring beatmaster for French electro-metal project The Algorithm.
Mike's confident style and overall chops are right at home in Visions, and while I have no idea whether A) this is a permanent line-up arrangement, or B) this track represents work on a new album, I will be so bold as to say that this particular collaboration results in a solid slice of aggressive energy. Think later-catalogue Finch done just a little more metal, and you'll be ready to have a go at "Korma".
I've featured these guys a couple of times before, mounting troubles and all, and it's nice to be able to pick another one of their songs without the impetus being some drama or other. Perhaps the best part, though, is that the band has obligingly put out a new song, so I can recommend you check out their very latest.
The song in question is called "Korma", and its got some big riffing and some big vocals. Since the band's drumming position is still vacant, they had a little help on this track from one Mike Malyan, whose name you could certainly be forgiven for being familiar with: Mike is not only the current skinsman for his fellow Brits in Monuments, he's also part-time live and touring beatmaster for French electro-metal project The Algorithm.
Mike's confident style and overall chops are right at home in Visions, and while I have no idea whether A) this is a permanent line-up arrangement, or B) this track represents work on a new album, I will be so bold as to say that this particular collaboration results in a solid slice of aggressive energy. Think later-catalogue Finch done just a little more metal, and you'll be ready to have a go at "Korma".
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Thursday: Monuments - Origin of Escape
I've got some serious catching up to do after the last couple of days, so let's get right to it, shall we? For starters, have you heard the new Monuments record yet? If grooves are your thing, the answer should most definitely be yes.
I've written about British prog band Monuments before, and even featured a song from the new record The Amanuensis back before it was released. But now that it's out and I've had some more time to chew on it, I feel it's time once again to shine some light on these British djentlemen.
"Origin of Escape" is the second track from the recently released The Amanuensis, and it's a good example of the kind of heavy grooving Monuments are capable of. And while, as I often say, the wheel isn't being reinvented here, The Amaneunsis definitely sees Monuments upping their game: there's more of everything to like this time out -- riffs, grooves, you name it -- and Chris Barretto's vocal performances are confident and powerful. Have a listen to "Origin of Escape" and hear for yourself.
I've written about British prog band Monuments before, and even featured a song from the new record The Amanuensis back before it was released. But now that it's out and I've had some more time to chew on it, I feel it's time once again to shine some light on these British djentlemen.
"Origin of Escape" is the second track from the recently released The Amanuensis, and it's a good example of the kind of heavy grooving Monuments are capable of. And while, as I often say, the wheel isn't being reinvented here, The Amaneunsis definitely sees Monuments upping their game: there's more of everything to like this time out -- riffs, grooves, you name it -- and Chris Barretto's vocal performances are confident and powerful. Have a listen to "Origin of Escape" and hear for yourself.
Saturday, 17 May 2014
Monuments - I, The Creator
June is shaping up to be a good month for new metal. Yesterday I was talking about Mastodon's new album Once More 'Round the Sun, which comes out on the 24th of June, and today I'm directing you to the first song to be released from Monuments' sophomore disc The Amanunensis, which comes out the day before (in Europe anyways, we'll have to wait a week or two over here across the pond).
I've featured the British prog djentlemen of Monuments and their first album Gnosis a couple of times before, mostly for their much-better-than-average djentish riffing and miles deep grooves. But "I, The Creator", the first song we heard from The Amanunensis, gets the nod today for throwing a stronger sounding sense of melody into the mix.
Some among you will of course decry things like an increase in clean singing as being too poppy (or something more colourful). But think about it this way: the formula of groove-centric metal plus catchy melodies is what yielded Australia's Circles. Or Sevendust, for that matter. If Monuments were to evolve in the direction of either of those bands, it wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen. Have a listen to "I, The Creator" and see what you think.
I've featured the British prog djentlemen of Monuments and their first album Gnosis a couple of times before, mostly for their much-better-than-average djentish riffing and miles deep grooves. But "I, The Creator", the first song we heard from The Amanunensis, gets the nod today for throwing a stronger sounding sense of melody into the mix.
Some among you will of course decry things like an increase in clean singing as being too poppy (or something more colourful). But think about it this way: the formula of groove-centric metal plus catchy melodies is what yielded Australia's Circles. Or Sevendust, for that matter. If Monuments were to evolve in the direction of either of those bands, it wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen. Have a listen to "I, The Creator" and see what you think.
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Sunday: Monuments - Doxa
Whether or not you think djent is something that's played out, or whether or not it was something you really dug to begin with, I don't think you can deny the fact that when it's done well it can be some tasty stuff. Rhythmic riffage with lots of low end can be a well-utilized tool or an over-employed crutch.
In the hands of the British craftsmen in Monuments it's definitely the former, a tool for the forging of cool djenty grooves that stand out from the rest of the downtuned crowd. Album number two is apparently in the works, but for now we'll have to content ourselves with debut LP Gnosis and tracks like "Doxa". This is the kind of thing I could see being on the radio (in a good way), if this kind of music got on the radio.
In the hands of the British craftsmen in Monuments it's definitely the former, a tool for the forging of cool djenty grooves that stand out from the rest of the downtuned crowd. Album number two is apparently in the works, but for now we'll have to content ourselves with debut LP Gnosis and tracks like "Doxa". This is the kind of thing I could see being on the radio (in a good way), if this kind of music got on the radio.
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Song of the Day: Monuments - Empty Vessels Make the Most Noise
Today is one of those days when I'm sure there's something cool and unique that none of you has ever heard of and that I'm forgetting to tell you about. Wrack my brain as I might, I still feel like there's something I'm forgetting. But since I can't remember what that might be, your getting some sweet shuffle action.
Friday, 23 November 2012
Song of the Day: Monuments - Blue Sky Thinking
Today's band is definitely Djent with a capital D (which isn't surprising given their pedigree, with guitarist John Browne being an alumnus of defunct British djent pioneers Fell Silent) but that doesn't mean they're not worth a listen or two. I just got a copy of their debut full-length last week, and I've been digging on it quite a bit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)