Time for a big ol' Easter slab of crushingly heavy blackened post metal courtesy of supergroup-of-sorts Sumac (even though, yes, this is supposed to be a post for near the end of February instead of near the end of March...)
Featuring members of Baptists, Russian Circles, and Isis, Sumac might just be the most super supergroup you've never heard of. Their bands of origin should give listeners a clue as to the talent at work in Sumac, but the best part of the whole thing might be that they sound here like their own own heavy-ass beast. Their sophomore disc What One Becomes drops in June, but massive first single "Rigid Man" can bludgeon you into submission right this minute. Of particular note is the big riff that brings things back from the breakdown late in the song -- tasty!
Showing posts with label Russian Circles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russian Circles. Show all posts
Sunday, 27 March 2016
Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Tangled Thoughts of Leaving - The Albanian Sleepover: Part One
How did yesterday's epic Native Construct progathon treat you? If "The Spark of the Archon" was a test of your stamina, I've got some bad news for you: today's song also approaches saga-length. But maybe it's just ten minutes or so of funky prog-jazz that's not your thing. Maybe you'll do better with some slow-burn instrumental post-rock/metal/whatever?
Australia's Tangled Thoughts of Leaving are getting ready to release their latest album Yield to Despair in a couple of weeks, but you don't have to wait until the 17th of April for a taste... or a long, lingering chug, such as the case may be. The full ten minutes of album opener "The Albanian Sleepover: Part One" is currently streaming on Tangled Thoughts of Leaving's Bandcamp in all its vaguely melancholy glory.
It's a moody musical journey of build and release in the tradition of bands like favourite of mine Russian Circles, so if you've got another ten minutes to spare, I encourage you to strap on some headphones and take a trip. They won't all be this long from now on, I promise.
Australia's Tangled Thoughts of Leaving are getting ready to release their latest album Yield to Despair in a couple of weeks, but you don't have to wait until the 17th of April for a taste... or a long, lingering chug, such as the case may be. The full ten minutes of album opener "The Albanian Sleepover: Part One" is currently streaming on Tangled Thoughts of Leaving's Bandcamp in all its vaguely melancholy glory.
It's a moody musical journey of build and release in the tradition of bands like favourite of mine Russian Circles, so if you've got another ten minutes to spare, I encourage you to strap on some headphones and take a trip. They won't all be this long from now on, I promise.
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Monday: Trees on Mars - Ode to the Vulture
We're still playing a bit of catch-up here at Loud Noises, and for today's belated Monday post we're going to do it with a little bit of InstruMetal Monday. What kind of instrumental metal are we dealing with this time? Get out your music blender, kids.
Take some Scale the Summit, add maybe about a third as much Russian Circles, set your dial part-way between post-rock and post-metal, blend liberally, and you've got a rough recipe for Trees on Mars. Season that with a guest solo from none other than Plini and you've got a recipe for your Monday song.
Have a listen to "Ode to the Vulture", a track from Trees on Mars' 2014 debut LP The Sapling. And while you're at it, have a look at it too, because today the link happens to take you to a full-band video to boot! Enjoi!
Take some Scale the Summit, add maybe about a third as much Russian Circles, set your dial part-way between post-rock and post-metal, blend liberally, and you've got a rough recipe for Trees on Mars. Season that with a guest solo from none other than Plini and you've got a recipe for your Monday song.
Have a listen to "Ode to the Vulture", a track from Trees on Mars' 2014 debut LP The Sapling. And while you're at it, have a look at it too, because today the link happens to take you to a full-band video to boot! Enjoi!
Friday, 30 January 2015
Thursday: And So I Watch You From Afar - Think: Breathe: Destroy
Time for a little belated instrumental post-rock from Ireland for your Thursday. How's that for specific?
Belfast's And So I Watch You From Afar have been pretty prolific over the last few years, with three albums, an EP and a couple of remixes to their credit in the last four years or so, and another LP Heirs due out in May. And despite their being, as I tried to encapsulate above, an instrumental, post-whatevery kind of band (think vaguely Russian Circles or Mogwai-type stuff) they cover a fair amount of musical ground in some of their songs.
Songs like "Think: Breathe: Destroy" from the band's 2011 LP Gangs, which charts a course through a couple of different moods with some noodly, interwoven guitar parts back up by some big bass. The track even ends, appropriately enough given ASIWYFA's nationality, on a somewhat celtic feeling groove. If this kind of music is your jam, these guys will definitely give you a lot to chew on.
Belfast's And So I Watch You From Afar have been pretty prolific over the last few years, with three albums, an EP and a couple of remixes to their credit in the last four years or so, and another LP Heirs due out in May. And despite their being, as I tried to encapsulate above, an instrumental, post-whatevery kind of band (think vaguely Russian Circles or Mogwai-type stuff) they cover a fair amount of musical ground in some of their songs.
Songs like "Think: Breathe: Destroy" from the band's 2011 LP Gangs, which charts a course through a couple of different moods with some noodly, interwoven guitar parts back up by some big bass. The track even ends, appropriately enough given ASIWYFA's nationality, on a somewhat celtic feeling groove. If this kind of music is your jam, these guys will definitely give you a lot to chew on.
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Saturday: Minus the Bear - When We Escape
Calendar and Mother Nature be damned, the Labour Day long weekend is often seen as the unofficial end to summer. Fall doesn't officially start for a bit yet, and weather-wise fall could still be a ways off, but the return of students to schools just seems to mark the change of season more concretely. All this means that this long weekend is a tailor-made excuse for maxing, relaxing, and chillification of all sorts.
And I've got a soundtrack fit for any of those three states of mind. But first, I've got a question for you: do you remember seminal math/metalcore band Botch? If you don't, you probably should, but for the time being let's just say you're probably at least familiar with one or more of the bands that were born from Botch's ashes. Mouth of the Architect, Russian Circles, and These Arms Are Snakes can all trace some membership past or present back to Botch, as can today's melodically poppy indie rock band Minus the Bear.
It really is hard to pin Botch guitarist Dave Knudson's current project down. Minus the Bear has very radio-friendly melodic sensibilities, but with a little more going on than your average indie rock band. Whether it's an interesting musical idea, or a hint of a dark tint lyric-wise, Minus the Bear have enough cool stuff in their bag of tricks to keep a metal fan like me entertained.
So entertained, in fact, that I had several candidates for today's (yesterday's) song, the rest of which will probably end up here in due time. But for today (yesterday) you're getting "When We Escape" from Minus the Bear's 2007 classic Planet of Ice. It's a (mostly) mellow, melancholy sort of track, but it's still got a cool energy that should serve your long weekend well. Get to know Minus the Bear if you know what's good for you.
And I've got a soundtrack fit for any of those three states of mind. But first, I've got a question for you: do you remember seminal math/metalcore band Botch? If you don't, you probably should, but for the time being let's just say you're probably at least familiar with one or more of the bands that were born from Botch's ashes. Mouth of the Architect, Russian Circles, and These Arms Are Snakes can all trace some membership past or present back to Botch, as can today's melodically poppy indie rock band Minus the Bear.
It really is hard to pin Botch guitarist Dave Knudson's current project down. Minus the Bear has very radio-friendly melodic sensibilities, but with a little more going on than your average indie rock band. Whether it's an interesting musical idea, or a hint of a dark tint lyric-wise, Minus the Bear have enough cool stuff in their bag of tricks to keep a metal fan like me entertained.
So entertained, in fact, that I had several candidates for today's (yesterday's) song, the rest of which will probably end up here in due time. But for today (yesterday) you're getting "When We Escape" from Minus the Bear's 2007 classic Planet of Ice. It's a (mostly) mellow, melancholy sort of track, but it's still got a cool energy that should serve your long weekend well. Get to know Minus the Bear if you know what's good for you.
Monday, 26 May 2014
Russian Circles - When the Mountain Comes to Muhammad
Do you like post-rock and post-metal? Do you like it big and epic? Do you prefer it to be instrumental? How did sleepmakeswaves the other day treat you?
Depending on how you answered the questions above, you may or may not take a liking to instrumental three-piece Russian Circles. They deliver all of the epic, ebb-and-flow goodness you've come to expect from your post-rock/post-metal bands, with none of those pesky word things gumming up the works.
Russian Circles can sound jammy and unfocused at times, but they make up for this by telling a compelling narrative at others. If you've got the time to put eight minutes in, "When the Moutain Comes to Muhammad" from 2009's Geneva will reward your investment. Just don't expect Russian Circles to get where they're going in a hurry.
Depending on how you answered the questions above, you may or may not take a liking to instrumental three-piece Russian Circles. They deliver all of the epic, ebb-and-flow goodness you've come to expect from your post-rock/post-metal bands, with none of those pesky word things gumming up the works.
Russian Circles can sound jammy and unfocused at times, but they make up for this by telling a compelling narrative at others. If you've got the time to put eight minutes in, "When the Moutain Comes to Muhammad" from 2009's Geneva will reward your investment. Just don't expect Russian Circles to get where they're going in a hurry.
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Saturday: Russian Circles - Memorial
Russian Circles drummer Dave Turncrantz must be a blast to jam with. It's not like he's the most technically showy drummer, or someone who plays at a million beats a minute, or anything like that. But man, he can fall into the pocket of an interesting little beat and stay there for days. And he's more than capable of spicing things up a little, tossing in some stick/rim work or some quick-wristed hat play.
Now, I don't get to jam with Mr. Turncrantz, but last year's Russian Circles record Memorial did at least provide me with another welcome dose of his playing. Memorial also provided me with an opportunity to hear a contradiction in terms: A Russian Circles song with vocals. Wait, what?
Yes, album closer "Memorial" features vocals by one Chelsea Wolfe, but rather than fundamentally altering the band's sound by claiming centre stage, the ethereal vocals sit right in the midst of the mix with the other instruments. They almost feel like something that wouldn't be out of place in any song in the band's catalogue. Have a listen and see what you think.
Now, I don't get to jam with Mr. Turncrantz, but last year's Russian Circles record Memorial did at least provide me with another welcome dose of his playing. Memorial also provided me with an opportunity to hear a contradiction in terms: A Russian Circles song with vocals. Wait, what?
Yes, album closer "Memorial" features vocals by one Chelsea Wolfe, but rather than fundamentally altering the band's sound by claiming centre stage, the ethereal vocals sit right in the midst of the mix with the other instruments. They almost feel like something that wouldn't be out of place in any song in the band's catalogue. Have a listen and see what you think.
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Russian Circles - Youngblood
With Instrumental Week continuing this evening, I figured it's only fitting to feature a band that I mentioned yesterday in my description of Salt of the Chief Cornerstone. They're kinda trendy in instrumental metal circles right now, but there's still probably lots of you out there who don't know them, so tonight we're going with a song by Russian Circles.
Your song tonight is "Youngblood" from the 2008 album Station, which happens to be the song by which I discovered this instrumental three-piece. I think I dig 2009's Geneva better, but Station is still a great example of Russian Circles' style, and "Youngblood" is one of my favourite cuts from the latter record. So enjoy it as another reminder of just how powerful music can be, even without those clumsy word thingies.
Your song tonight is "Youngblood" from the 2008 album Station, which happens to be the song by which I discovered this instrumental three-piece. I think I dig 2009's Geneva better, but Station is still a great example of Russian Circles' style, and "Youngblood" is one of my favourite cuts from the latter record. So enjoy it as another reminder of just how powerful music can be, even without those clumsy word thingies.
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Salt of the Chief Cornerstone - Taken By Storm
Two pigs with one bird in tonight's quickie post: marking the occasion of tonight's Protest the Hero show here in Kingston (pit report coming in the next day or two...) and continuing the impromptu Instrumental theme week.
Yes, I figured it's been too long since we've done a theme week,so why not capitalize on the momentum of the rad instrumental posts of the last two days and just make a whole week of it. Sound good? Good. Now for the Protest the Hero show bit.
One of the opening bands, Salt of the Chief Cornerstone, happens to be an instrumental guitar-and-drums duo from Windsor, Ontario. Vaguely jam-bandy at times, Salt overcome this with an ebbing and flowing style that honestly felt a little Tool-esque to me. The same kind of build and release, except done instrumentally a la Russian Circles or something. Except that there's only two of them, making the interplay of both instruments that much more important.
Have a listen to "Taken by Storm" from Salt of the Chief Cornerstone's first EP of demos, and turn it up loud (maybe even close your eyes?) if you want to come close to simulating the energy of being about ten feet away from a performance of this monster.
Yes, I figured it's been too long since we've done a theme week,so why not capitalize on the momentum of the rad instrumental posts of the last two days and just make a whole week of it. Sound good? Good. Now for the Protest the Hero show bit.
One of the opening bands, Salt of the Chief Cornerstone, happens to be an instrumental guitar-and-drums duo from Windsor, Ontario. Vaguely jam-bandy at times, Salt overcome this with an ebbing and flowing style that honestly felt a little Tool-esque to me. The same kind of build and release, except done instrumentally a la Russian Circles or something. Except that there's only two of them, making the interplay of both instruments that much more important.
Have a listen to "Taken by Storm" from Salt of the Chief Cornerstone's first EP of demos, and turn it up loud (maybe even close your eyes?) if you want to come close to simulating the energy of being about ten feet away from a performance of this monster.
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Tides From Nebula - Only With Presence
Regular readers -- that fabled group of you I'm always referring to which may or may not actually exist -- will know that instrumental music makes me smile. Regardless of whether or not something falls under the broad umbrella of what we call "metal", there are just so many aspects of instrumental music that tickle my fancy, provided it's done right.
Yesterday's song by Exivious, "Deeply Woven", is exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about, but you don't have to be all jazzy and heavy to get my attention. Tides From Nebula have done the same thing with their slow-burn, atmospheric post-rock. They're not doing anything especially new or noteworthy (there's that recurring iteration vs. innovation thing, eh?) but I still like what I'm hearing.
Check out the track "Only With Presence" from their brand speaking new record Eternal Movement and see if you also like what I'm hearing. And don't you dare point out the resemblance between this song and Russian Circles' "Malko". I heard it too. Can't have too much of a good thing, right?
Yesterday's song by Exivious, "Deeply Woven", is exactly the kind of thing I'm talking about, but you don't have to be all jazzy and heavy to get my attention. Tides From Nebula have done the same thing with their slow-burn, atmospheric post-rock. They're not doing anything especially new or noteworthy (there's that recurring iteration vs. innovation thing, eh?) but I still like what I'm hearing.
Check out the track "Only With Presence" from their brand speaking new record Eternal Movement and see if you also like what I'm hearing. And don't you dare point out the resemblance between this song and Russian Circles' "Malko". I heard it too. Can't have too much of a good thing, right?
Thursday, 8 August 2013
Song of the Humpday: Russian Circles - Deficit
Yeah, I know, I've been behind the eight ball a lot lately. It's been a busy week, but that's no excuse. Onward and upward!
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Song of the Day: Set and Setting - Spiraling Uncertainties
Cool instrumental stuff seems, thankfully, to be in ready supply these days. Among the instrumental stuff I'm digging durrently: Scale the Summit, Pomegranate Tiger, Russian Circles, Blotted Science, Animals as Leaders, Mestis, Trioscapes, Zaius, Intervals...
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Song of the Day: Russian Circles - Malko
Today is a continuation of yesterday's theme of reminding you about shit I've already mentioned. However, unlike Refused, a band you should almost be ashamed not to have heard of by this point, today's band is not one I'll shun you for not knowing. That being said, they're cool, and you'll still be a cooler, less shunnable person for having heard them, so do yourself a favour and wise up right now to instrumental masters Russian Circles.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
The List: Instrumetal
OK, today I’m debuting The List, the first of what I intend to be several semi-regular, semi-themed posts here at Loud Noises. When I do a List post, I’ll be coming up with (gasp!) a list of bands/albums/whatever centred on a particular theme. (I know, I know, real original. Shut up.) Rather than agonize over actually ranking whatever it is I happen to be listing, these are just going to be lists of stuff you should check out, in no particular order (although I will of course mention when I think something is especially badass or otherwise worthy of note). And to start the listing off right, I’m going to try turning you on to what I feel might be a somewhat underappreciated variety of metal: instrumental metal, which for the purposes of this post I’ve decided to call instrumetal (nice portmanteau, huh?)
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