60 total search results — Page 3 of 3
Pygmy Lush – Mount Hope
Review — October 1, 2008
The metamorphosis is complete. Where Bitter River combined harsh and acoustic tracks, Mount Hope excludes the 'harsh.' In this way, one can view Pygmy Lush's roots, the seminal Pg. 99 and City of Caterpillar, as the larva, or caterpillar, if you will. Pygmy Lush's first release, Bitter River, then …
Cannabis Corpse – Tube of the Resinated
Review — November 6, 2008
The equation is very simple. Take several old school death metal fans and add copious amounts of bud. The result is Richmond's very own blaze-driven Cannabis Corpse. The band, whose idea was to express its love for smoking weed and listening to Cannibal Corpse, released their second album, Tube of …
The Wayward – Overexposure
Review — December 1, 2008
Overexposure should be listened to with a) an instrument in hand, b) a beer in hand/several beers in your stomach, or c) a turntable. Why a)? Because you will look down at whatever instrument you have chosen to hold - maybe with intentions to play along with the music you're …
Aussitôt Mort – Montuenga
Review — December 3, 2008
I've been waiting to hear Aussitôt Mort's first full-length since this spring. Montuenga's release kept getting pushed back, but at least three months after the intended date, it's finally here. Aussitôt Mort parted with their vocalist who appears on the 12" demo, so their songs have taken on a …
Red Sparowes – Aphorisms
Review — December 28, 2008
When Red Sparowes released At the Soundless Dawn, I began to better appreciate instrumental music. The sound that the band has made for themselves incorporates pedal steel guitar, wandering movements, and entrancing song developments. After recording the band's second full-length Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun guitarist …
Sinaloa – Oceans of Islands
Review — December 31, 2008
A seven year old band from Boston, comprised of three members, released their third full-length this year. After writing five songs two years ago for a split with friends Ampere, Sinaloa present Oceans of Islands, their first effort distributed by Level Plane Records. Their previous albums and splits were …
Vancouver / Zatokrev – Split
Review — January 18, 2009
Get a Life! Records brought together two bands on its roster to release a split recording. The twenty minute split features two tracks from each of the bands who have previously released material - Zatokrev with two full -engths; Vancouver with a split and a full length - on Get …
Light Yourself on Fire – Intimacy
Review — July 23, 2009
Light Yourself on Fire combine hardcore and death metal on Intimacy, their second release. Ex-Reversal of Man vocalist Matt Coplon gives us notes on his lyrics, which draw from writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Kierkegaard. It's always a bonus to get insight into the thoughts behind …
Birushanah – Akai Yami
Review — July 23, 2009
Three songs, forty minutes. Akai Yami was my first introduction to Japan's Birushanah. The band uses two metal percussionists as well as a drummer, a fretless bassist and guitarist. "Jyodo" is a calm and intriguing opener that features traditional Japanese percussion. However, this doesn't last long, and the twenty-minute track, …
Eksi Ekso – I am Your Bastard Wings
Review — July 23, 2009
Eksi Ekso is a group of six musicians from Boston. Their debut, I am Your Bastard Wings, highlights a musical prowess that dances between free-form and orchestrated. The breadth of instruments - viola, oboe, violin, flugelhorn, trumpet, bass, guitar, keys, drums - adds to Eksi Ekso's complex sound. Easy …
The Thucydidean Theory – Chapter III: World Reclamation
Review — July 23, 2009
Chapter III: World Reclamation is a bizarre release. The Thucydidean Theory combine punk and trance arrangements that are heavily bass-driven. This four song release features female vocals that mingle with vocal-like synth sounds. "Please Stop Calling My Office and Yelling 'Cunt' at Whoever Answers the Telephone" is the most upbeat …
Drain the Sky – Haunted by Rivers
Review — July 23, 2009
"Haunted by Rivers" begins Drain the Sky's first release on Level Plane Records. Use of repetition, low vocal pitches, and no percussion make the song oppressive. However, the rest of Haunted by Rivers does not follow in the same fashion. "Sightless" increases tempo and dabbles in hardcore punk. I really …
Lymbyc Systym – Carved by Glaciers (Reissue)
Review — July 23, 2009
Magic Bullet reissued Lymbyc Systym's first release, but with two bonus remixed tracks. The five original songs sound as good as ever. Lymbyc Systym's brand of ethereal electronic noodling has grown since Carved by Glaciers, becoming even more cohesive and brilliantly layered. However, to be able to revisit the …
A Death Cinematic – A Parable on the Aporia of Vengeance and the Beauty of Impenetrable Sadness
Review — July 23, 2009
Limited to a number of 250, A Death Cinematic's most recent release features two discs and impeccable packaging. Comparisons can easily be made to certain output by A Silver Mt. Zion or Godspeed You! Black Emperor, but A Death Cinematic's sound is someplace else. It is distant, eerie, and always …
Stella Dawes – Contrasts
Review — July 23, 2009
Stella Dawes sent us a promo of Contrasts with a press sheet on which they wrote too much about themselves. In all honestly, it turned me off to their album before I even listened to the twelve songs. They say their influences are "Poison the Well, Underoath" and "'screamo' bands." …
Who Calls So Loud – Who Calls So Loud
Review — July 23, 2009
Who Calls So Loud features ex-members of Funeral Diner and Portraits of Past, but that's not the only reason you should listen to their self-titled release. Their label, Protagonist Music, is well known for its incredible acts such as In First Person, Pyramids, Osceola, and Suis La Lune. The band …
imadethismistake – It's Okay
Review — July 23, 2009
imadethismistake play catchy folk-infused punk. It's a simple concoction, but it works well for the band. It's Okay is an eleven song LP with awesome artwork done by EMY (aka Bughead). Kylewilliam Campol's vocals match the music nicely, and the music is never too overbearing or haughty. It's evident that …
Outclassed – This Might Be Coincidence...
Review — July 23, 2009
Outclassed's This Might Be Coincidence is a five-song escape from tranquility. Their satisfyingly raucous punk is filled with energy and misshapen tempos. Song titles like "Kick God in the Face, Hail Satan" and "Fuck Mark" are almost impossible to hate. Their label Forcefield Records is also home to City of …
Theta Naught – Omnium Gatherum
Review — December 6, 2010
Theta Naught have holed up in Salt Lake City after playing together since 2002. Omnium Gatherum, their fifth release, features more than one hour of instrumental music across 15 instrumental tracks. My introduction to Theta Naught, "The Sixth Planet," feels a little too drawn out, maybe because the song is …
