Remember earlier, in my post for yesterday, when I mentioned a band called Botch on my way to arriving at yesterday's band Minus the Bear? For the benefit of those of you who were perhaps a little lost, lo and behold, today you're getting a Botch song. History class is now in session.
Your Sunday song is "Transitions From Persona to Object" from Botch's second and final LP We Are the Romans, released all the way back in 1999. Do its jagged dissonances sound a little different from Minus the Bear or, say, Russian Circles, to name just one of the other post-Botch bands? Good ear.
It's a testament to the diversity of influences and tastes swirling about in Botch that so many different bands came out of its demise. Even if Dillinger Escape Plan-esque mathy mayhem isn't your cup of tea, Botch still holds an influential place in post-hardcore history, so get educated, son.
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.
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Beyond Creation - Neurotical Transmissions
Thank the gods it's Friday, even if it's only for another ten minutes or so (at the time of starting this post; no guarantees about end time...). I don't know what you're week has been like, but let's assume you've put in your time and deserve to rage for the long weekend. This one's for you.
About a month ago I featured the first single from Earthborn Evolution, the latest record from Montreal tech-death band Beyond Creation. Well, the band has put out another badass track, and they're just too awesome (and too Canadian) not to feature again.
"Neurotical Transmissions" is a pummeling slice of sludgy space teach death, built around a collection of low, snaky riffs that remain labyrinthine and articulated rather than sounding muddy and indistinct. Mix in some tasty leads and you've exhibit B in the court case for why Earthborn Evolution should be killer.
About a month ago I featured the first single from Earthborn Evolution, the latest record from Montreal tech-death band Beyond Creation. Well, the band has put out another badass track, and they're just too awesome (and too Canadian) not to feature again.
"Neurotical Transmissions" is a pummeling slice of sludgy space teach death, built around a collection of low, snaky riffs that remain labyrinthine and articulated rather than sounding muddy and indistinct. Mix in some tasty leads and you've exhibit B in the court case for why Earthborn Evolution should be killer.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Album of the Week: Destrage - Are You Kidding Me? No.
You know I'm always on the lookout for things that are a little off the beaten path, and one of my favourite albums this year is, in my opinion, just that. It's not especially inaccessible (think Protest the Hero, a bit more metal and a bit more musically varied and you're in the neighbourhood) or even especially hard to get (these guys are on Metal Blade, after all). But it is Italian, so I figure there's at least some of you who don't know Destrage already and need to be corrected.
"Are You Kidding Me? No." isn't a debut album (it's the band's third) but to me it's got all the energy of a debut, all the fire of a band with something to prove. It also doesn't hurt matters that all these Italian stallions are firmly in command of their instruments and turn in top-notch performances that avoid going over the top.
But like I said, I get the feeling neither this band nor this album are getting the kind of love they deserve here in the North American metal market. And it's a shame, because I would love to see a tour that brings these guys across the Atlantic. Jam this album and make it happen.
"Are You Kidding Me? No." isn't a debut album (it's the band's third) but to me it's got all the energy of a debut, all the fire of a band with something to prove. It also doesn't hurt matters that all these Italian stallions are firmly in command of their instruments and turn in top-notch performances that avoid going over the top.
But like I said, I get the feeling neither this band nor this album are getting the kind of love they deserve here in the North American metal market. And it's a shame, because I would love to see a tour that brings these guys across the Atlantic. Jam this album and make it happen.
Thursday: Abysmal Dawn - Inanimate
You know I don't necessarily go in for the whole Throwback Thursday thing (although I have done Thrashback Thursday a couple of time...) but today's song definitely has a bit of throwback, old school feel despite being a brand spanking new track.
California's Abysmal Dawn have been putting out death metal records for the better part of a decade, with their latest Obsolescence due out in October. But rather than going the increasingly technical route, Abysmal Dawn seem to have worked on perfecting their riff and groove crafting. Or at least that's what new track "Inanimate" would lead me to believe.
"Inanimate" is built on big, grooving death metal riffs. It's not fast as fuck or techy as fuck, but it's still got heavy in a distinctly death metal way. No idea what I'm talking about? Just listen to the song already. It might not be my everyday cup of tea, but sometimes a little simpler and a little more streamlined is exactly what you need.
California's Abysmal Dawn have been putting out death metal records for the better part of a decade, with their latest Obsolescence due out in October. But rather than going the increasingly technical route, Abysmal Dawn seem to have worked on perfecting their riff and groove crafting. Or at least that's what new track "Inanimate" would lead me to believe.
"Inanimate" is built on big, grooving death metal riffs. It's not fast as fuck or techy as fuck, but it's still got heavy in a distinctly death metal way. No idea what I'm talking about? Just listen to the song already. It might not be my everyday cup of tea, but sometimes a little simpler and a little more streamlined is exactly what you need.
Wednesday: Chimp Spanner - Mobius, Pt. 2
Every once in a while I read something somewhere online either from or about Paul Antonio Ortiz that mentions progress on a new album, but I hear only silence. Even a quick scroll down his Facebook wall reveals little more than the tantalizing tease that some "super cool things" will be coming in October (his words).
We can all keep our fingers crossed that those cool things will include news of new material, or perhaps said new material itself, but in the meantime let's fill the vacuum of Chimp Spanner silence by cranking "Mobius, Pt. 2" from the main monkey's 2012 disc All Roads Lead Here. I've previously featured the first installment of this three-part monster song, so now enjoy part two and long for some fresh monkey business with me.
We can all keep our fingers crossed that those cool things will include news of new material, or perhaps said new material itself, but in the meantime let's fill the vacuum of Chimp Spanner silence by cranking "Mobius, Pt. 2" from the main monkey's 2012 disc All Roads Lead Here. I've previously featured the first installment of this three-part monster song, so now enjoy part two and long for some fresh monkey business with me.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
The Contortionist - Language I: Intuition
I'm sure you're all aware of the forthcoming third LP from The Contortionist, entitled Language and due out in mid-September. I've mentioned it, and my anticipation of it, before, but I missed the boat on sharing the first single with you when it came out a while back.
Thankfully the guys have provided me with the perfect second chance, releasing an honest-to-gods music video for said single, "Language I: Intuition", and I shan't miss my opportunity on this one again.
Absolutely stuffed with the ambient/atmospheric bits The Contortionist is so adept at, "Intuition" also brings a bit of groove and a smattering of the band's old heaviness. "Intuition" also sounds to me like a smaller piece of a larger whole, and if that's the case, Language sounds like it could be a good one.
Thankfully the guys have provided me with the perfect second chance, releasing an honest-to-gods music video for said single, "Language I: Intuition", and I shan't miss my opportunity on this one again.
Absolutely stuffed with the ambient/atmospheric bits The Contortionist is so adept at, "Intuition" also brings a bit of groove and a smattering of the band's old heaviness. "Intuition" also sounds to me like a smaller piece of a larger whole, and if that's the case, Language sounds like it could be a good one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)