Thursday: Revocation - Spastic

     I know Revocation's killer self-titled LP only came out last year, but I'm already ready for new material -- and not in a "palate cleanser" kind of way. No, I really dig Revocation, and I just can't wait to hear what the guys come out with next.

     Revocation's work in general, and Revocation in particular, is chock full of riffs that are singable while still heavy as fuck. I can't count the number of times I've found myself humming something from a Revocation song even when I'm not listening to anything. Today's song features just such a riff.

     The main riff to "Spastic" is appropriately weird and dissonant-sounding, but I defy you to listen to the song a couple of times without it getting stuck in your head. "Spastic" is also an instrumental track in the vein of the best from the first few Metallica albums, late-in-the-running-order displays of technical prowess like "The Call of Ktulu" and "Orion". Revocation has definitely taken up the thrash torch.

Conquering Dystopia - Ashes of Lesser Men

     The shredheads and instrumental fans among you are likely already aware of Conquering Dystopia, a powerhouse of a supergroup that features, among others, Jeff Loomis. Anybody unaware of this musical endeavour should sit up and take notice right now, because this may well be 2014's best source of tasteful-yet-over-the-top instru-metal.

     "Ashes of Lesser Men" is not only a sweet track, but it's also been given the playthrough video treatment, meaning you can watch as Jeff Loomis and Keith Merrow destroy their way through some tasty riffing and badass shredding. I will most definitely be checking out more of Conquering Dystopia's debut self-titled LP. How about you?

East of the Wall - Noir Filter

     I picked the latest album by today's band as one of my Ten Best of 2013, and I've featured them here in the hallowed halls of the Song of the Day before, but I feel for some reason like these guys are under-appreciated outside of the online metal community. I could be completely off base here, but that isn't going to stop me from proclaiming once again the awesomeness of East of the Wall.

     Redaction Artifacts is a difficult record to describe: broad, kinda vague terms like "post-metal" or "prog" can sketch an outline, and I could fill in a million and one details about dissonant riffs and weirdly infectious grooves, but you should probably just listen to East of the Wall for yourself and come to your own conclusions.

     Today I'm recommending album closer "Noir Filter", but if you've got more than the epic ten minutes required for this one, then I strongly urge you to listen to Redcation Artifacts in full. It's an experience you'll be glad you undertook.

Arsis - Denied

     More than likely, your Monday blues are currently in the midst of being drowned in a wash of green beer and misplaced Irish pride (misplaced in the sense that most St. Patrick's Day revelers are in fact not Irish at all -- a shirt saying "kiss me I'm Irish" doesn't make it so). But why not try some different medicine, namely some medicine of the technical death metal variety.

     If you're into anything at all tech-deathy, you should definitely already be familiar with Arsis, and if you're not into anything at all tech-deathy... well, what the fuck is wrong with you? St. Patrick's Day or not, a shitty Monday can be made better with some fleet-fingered riffing and shredding. Crank "Denied" from last year's Unwelcome (well, originally from the Leper's Caress EP and then re-released on Unwelcome) at your Paddy's Day party and see what kind of reaction you get from your friends. And if they don't like it, get new friends.

 

Sunday: Kongos - I'm Only Joking

     We're going to keep the somewhat chill vibe going for your Sunday song with something I'm confident you metalheads aren't rocking right now.

     Kongos, a four-piece outfit comprised of four brothers, is an indie-folk-rock-type band with some African/tribal flavour mixed liberally throughout. They're catchy, and the kind of thing that's getting a decent amount of alternative radio airplay in my neck of the woods, but don't let that deter you. There's some real depth here, and some really interesting instrumental stuff going on.

     If that piques your curiosity, have a listen to the menacing-sounding "I'm Only Joking" from the 2012 record Lunatic, a brooding track that's quirky and dark and, at times, reminiscent of some kind of off-kilter steam engine, whirring and clanking away -- just the kind of thing to get a metal fan into something outside his comfort zone. Check it.

Saturday: The Reign of Kindo - The Hero, The Saint, The Tyrant & The Terrorist

     It's the weekend once again (funny how it happens approximately once a week, right?) and we're once again going with some more chill, less metal songs to cap off another seven days under the sun. But, as I've often said before, just because stuff isn't metal doesn't mean it can't be really cool.

     Today's band is the perfect example. The Reign of Kindo weave multi-instrumental magic with their blend of rock, funk, jazz, and even some latin salsa flavour. The result is catchy while still being interesting, the kind of thing that stands up to, and even rewards, multiple listens. I've written about these guys before, but they definitely deserve another day in the sun.

     So have a listen to "The Hero, The Saint, The Tyrant & The Terrorist" from the band's 2013 album Play With Fire and see if The Reign of Kindo's special brew is right for you.

Glassjaw - Ape Dos Mil

     Even though there's still plenty of snow on the ground here, it is nevertheless almost spring, which means the summer tour and festival season is right around the corner. This year's Heavy MTL festival in Montreal, however, has a line-up that doesn't do a whole lot for me, especially considering I'd have to go to Montreal to see it (Heavy TO is, alas, little more than a memory).

     The 2014 edition of Rockfest in Montebello (also dans la Belle Province, for the uninitiated) looks considerably more interesting. Not only is the sheer number of bands I'd like to see higher (at least a half dozen as opposed to the three or so on the bill at Heavy MTL) but some of said bands are much more interesting choices than those at Heavy. Like Glassjaw. Seriously. Glassjaw!

     Who the fuck knows when we'll see a new Glassjaw LP, if ever, so for now we'll just have to jam some old stuff (namely the relatively chill "Ape Dos Mil" from 2002's classic Worship and Tribute) and content ourselves with the possibility of seeing the band tear it up at a sweet-looking summer festival. And hey look, Rockfest is right around my birthday. Now you know what to get me.