The Evpatoria Report - Maar (2008)

The second album from Swiss outfit The Evpatoria Report; a compelling album which offers instrumental rock combining serenity, power and intensity. This album really defining their well earned place on the Post-Rock leader board, a feeling of Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky are all apparent but this is not simply a copy cat album. “Eighteen Robins Road” the opening track, has the detail and complexity to keep us on edge, dramatic tension and ambient elements combining to create a feeling of pleasure. “Mithridate” provides us with a pleasant change from what was previously expected from a seemingly ‘wordless’ band. A sample track is placed over the song around half way through, the words taken from an army experiment in which they sampled the drug LSD. This sound track fits perfectly over the top of the music, a different approach taken but not one which was bad in any form. 
The use of Synth’s and Violins mixed with the seemingly more aggressive elements of the guitar, drums and bass all work fantastically together, but still provide us with a feeling of calm throughout. “Acheron” reaching almost twenty minutes in length has a slow pace but not at any point would I say it was boring, the sound The Evpatoria Report have come to be famous for is one of intense enjoyment. The albums climax gives you a feel of slowly drifting away, peaceful yet a fit ending for a very impressive album. I was left with the feeling of satisfaction, this album is certainly one to give a listen and an eye must be kept on them in the near future.  

Matthew Wright

Blueneck - The Fallen Host (2009)

Following the success of their 2006 debut album ‘Scars of the Midwest’ there was a lot of anticipation regarding the long awaited follow up album ‘The Fallen Host’, three years had past and I think everyone was excited to see what the Somerset boys could do. 
Opening with ‘Depart From Me, You Who Are Cursed’ we hear the soft touching of piano keys combining with deep sounds of Cello slowly being joined but what feels like a full strings section. This short orchestral piece has the feel of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, something which has become common with Blueneck’s music. Fading into the second track, Seven, we are shown the more aggressive side of Blueneck. Drums are introduced and this is where the album really takes off. This album is like a rollercoaster, as we come down from a high we are greeted with the first track of three which breaks the nine minute mark, Low. This song introduces Duncan Attwood on vocals, the slow crescendo reaches a peak after six minutes, where we are treated to a display of what Blueneck do best, simple yet very effective. Weaving Spiders Come Not Here, one of my personal favourite tracks has a feel of Mogwai about it, the beautiful piano part at the beginning makes you want to close your eyes and just be at peace with everything. A simple drum track placed behind half way through and the sound of Cello again all fits together to make this song one, for me, of the most memorable. Lilitu, is one of those songs you could listen to over and over again, starting again with the gentle vocals and Cello, slowly joined with Piano, Drums and Guitar. The layers slowly build throughout the song until again a climax is reached and everything slowly fades together. 
This album for me is up there with the all time greats, and if you have not being lucky enough to hear it, I would strongly recommend it. A Post-Rock masterpiece combining ambient and almost atmospheric elements to create a truly beautiful album. 



Matthew Wright

Bonobo - Dial "M" for Monkey (2001)

Simon Green aka Bonobo is the mastermind behind 2001’s Dial "M" for Monkey, a chilled out, mood changing experience. Focusing more of the live performance this album has the feel of something from the 60’s, trip-hop and break beat elements mixed together with jazz, keeping a funky feel. I could play the album over and over again. The simple drum beats on tracks such as Noctuary and Nothing Owed take over and make you nod your head uncontrollably, these songs among others have a sort of hypnotising control over you. Mixing samples and live instruments the result is something very special and powerful, you will find your self coming back for more very often. A exceptional album a must have for anyone interested in this genre. 

Matthew Wright

Damnation Festival 2007

The success of 2006's Damnation Festival has seen the event grow into the UK's biggest and most successful extreme metal festival and with its new home at the Leeds Metropolitan SU the crowd capacity has doubled. This year, Birmingham based black metaler's, Anaal Nathrakh play a one off headlining show, along with crowd favourite bands such as 1349, Aborted, Ted Maul and many more. Opening this years festival are British born Malefice who, despite the small turn out, put on a jaw dropping show and manage to get the crowd moving. Scottish boys Man Must Die are next up to show us what there made of and they do not disappoint, kicking up a storm and turning the static crowd into chaos. Ted Maul are one of those bands many people hate, their mixture of Drum & Bass combined with extreme metal isn't for everyone, that is defiantly not the case here and within seconds every head in the room is banging. Their energetic stage show rubs off on the crowd and after a few minutes the room feels like a bomb has hit! Just when the audience thought the best was over the lights are cut and onto the stage walks a dark figure, flame in hand, he proceeds to blow, sending a ball of heat across the crowd. Closely followed by three more grim looking men, this can be only one band, 1349 something I personallyhave been looking forward to more than anything. An ear-splitting scream stuns the audience “Hell Fire” and were away. For the next 45 minutes we are treat to a first class display of black metal at its finest by one of the best bands around. Extreme drumming and guitar playing that can only be described as out of this world, defiantly a performance that will be remembered for a long time.  Aborted follow, their dedicated fan base kit themselves out with doctors coats covered in blood and descend on the crowd like a plague, opening the place up and creating the biggest pit we have seen all day. Aborted do not disappoint and new drummer Dan Wilding certainly stands up to the job providing a battery of blast beats and double kick. Mid set vocalist, Svencho, orders the crowd to split for an infamous Aborted wall of death. “On the count of 3 I want to see you kill each other. 1, 2, 3” hell is let loose with every single person in the crowd moving. This is defiantly one of the highlights from today's events.Last but defiantly not least, are the almighty Anaal Nathrakh who by far pull the biggest crowd and the we soon see why. The room shrouded in darkness, everyone anticipating something spectacular, a dark outline of Dave Hunt walks onto the stage, screaming the words “Have you seen the future? Cos I have. And it looks like a boot stamping on a human face, forever” with that they bust into an ultra-violent whirlwind of extreme metal at its very finest. For the next seventy minutes we are blow away with a unforgettable performance and a perfect end to an remarkable day of extreme music. I think its safe to say Damnation Festival has left its mark on the extreme metal calender for another year and everyone is looking forward to next year.  

Matthew Wright

Cult Of Luna - Eternal Kingdom (2008)

Eternal Kingdom, the 5th studio album from Sweden’s Post-Rock heavy weights, is a bizarre concept album based on the diary ‘Tales from the Eternal Kingdom’, kept by Holger Nilsson, a former prisoner, which they discovered in their rehearsal room, a run down mental institute. It’s a crazy cranial expedition into a madman’s fantasy land of Owlmen, Treemen and the Nacken, who he claims responsible for his wife’s death by drowning. Each song on the album represents a section of the diary, slowly telling the story. 

A heavier approach is taken to the album, reverting back to the Salvation days, but still in keeping with the more melodic elements that were common on the previous album, Somewhere Along The Highway. 3 interlude tracks (The Lure, Osterbotten and Ugin) help split up the album, a striking contrast in-between the heavier songs. Only one song breaking the ten minute mark, which is something Cult Of Luna tend to do, means each of the tracks is quick to make a statement, diving straight in with Klas Rydberg’s aggressive vocals placed perfectly within each song. 

Ghost Trail, the 3rd track, sees the song come to an end at 9.20, or so you are lead to believe, the slow fade out is a kind of trick and after a few seconds pause we are presented with a roaring scream and the song continues, a simply riff is played but gradually sped up, faster and faster until a sudden stop. My personal favourite track on the album and a treat live.

This has not disappointed me, and I had high hopes for the album. This band defiantly get better with age and are one to watch out for. The next release (early 2010) is set to be a book accompanied by a C.D all about the concept behind this album, something which I have no doubt will be a fantastic experience. 

Matthew Wright  

Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions (2009)

The 7th full length album from drone legends Sunn O))), Monoliths & Dimensions is a 4 track masterpiece. Featuring a host of collaborators, including Eyvind Kang, Oren Ambarchi, Jessika Kenney, Attila Csihar and Dylan Carlson, among others, the album is a perfect follow up to the 2006 Alter album. 

Opening track Aghartha provides you with exactly what you expect from Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley, the deep slow bass tones and grainy guitars. Half way through we are introduced to the almost terrifying vocals from Attila Csihar (Tormentor) who’s slow, almost speaking approach is combined with what can only be described as the eerie sound of creaking wood. 

Big Church (Megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért) the second track begins with a very different approach, a Viennese women’s choir, led by Persian vocalist Jessika Kenney, provides more intensity than conceivable. Reasonably short at only 9.43 minutes long the track is not a let down, escalating into various vocal parts over lapping, creating a feeling of unease. 

Hunting & Gathering (Cydonia) with its numerous guitar parts and thundering horns section, together with a full male choir, provides a crushing musical experience. One of the more distressing songs on the album.

This track leading straight into the final song Alice with its escalating beginning, taking almost 2 minutes to really begin. What we are greeted with then is a slow, yet very heavy underlying guitar sound, together with an almost beautiful horns section, both working together, the contrast of the two sounds leaves a lasting impression. Softly placed in the background we hear the sound of harps and a minimal percussion section, fading the song out, leaving you more than satisfied with the listening experience.  

Sunn O))) are always pushing the boundaries with their music and this is no different, a must have for any drone/noise fan, one album that will be at the top of my play list for a long time to come.  

Matthew Wright

Russian Circles - Geneva (2009)

The 3rd instalment from the Chicago based Post-Rock titans, an epic journey which leaves you craving for more. This long anticipated album is a cry from their previous 08’ album Station, this time we get the feeling of a more mature band, a band who have spent hours refining all the elements to create an album which I would describe as close to perfect. 

Tracks such as Melee combining the softer elements of snare rim shots with heavy distorted guitars works wonders and is something that is hard to find these days. The album climaxes with the 10.27 long Philos, a gradual journey through both the softer side and more aggressive elements of Russian Circles, reaching a peak half way through and slowly winding down, a fitting end to an album that is up there with my all time favourites

Matthew Wright 

Damnation Festival 2009

Leeds University Student Union was once again playing host to this years Damnation Festival 2009 and with a impressive line up yet again, this was setting up to be one special day. 

The day started out at the Terrorizer stage with the Australian Black Metal outfit Nazxul, for whom this was the first U.K appearance. Gracing the stage to the sound of an eerie backing track, they did not disappoint. Their raw sound of the low quality guitars mixed with impressive vocals made them a hit with the slowly growing crowd. This was a perfect start to a long day. 

Next over to the Rock Sound stage, where most of the bands I had come to see would be appearing. And So I Watch You From A Far, a band which I was not familiar previous, blew me away almost instantly. Their Post-Rock Instrumental take was a complete difference to Nazxul but not an unwelcome one. Their stage presence was an energetic one and the different contrasting elements of the songs made me eager to check them out on C.D. 

Electric Wizard, one of the reason I was very excited about the day, especially after their performance at Hellfest earlier in the year. This time venturing over to the main Jagermeister stage, to an already growing crowd I knew that I was not going to be disappointed. Opening with their infamous track Dopethrone it was apparent that this was going to be one loud performance. Their heavy riffs mixed with Black Sabbath esque doom elements and amazing vocals made their performance very special. They played four songs in total, Dopethrone, Dunwich, Satanic Rites of Drugula and Funeraloplis, a excellent end to one very loud and heavy show.

Making a hastey exit back down to the Rock Sound stage where the rest of the day would be held, I was excited to see A Storm Of Light a band which I had listened to previously on record and had high hopes. Disappointment was not something which I felt. Immediately the heavy but slow guitars and drums made it hard not to bang your head. Opening with the second track of their album And We Wept the Black Ocean Within, Vast and Endless, one of my favourite tracks. Playing to a packed room this is one band I would not turn down seeing again. 

Next up were This Will Destroy You, four bearded guys from Texas who once again I was very excited about after receiving their first full length self titled album. Opening with A Three-Legged Workhorse there sound was close to perfect. I knew instantly that this performance was not going to be one to miss. The flawless rendition of this song set the standard for the rest of the set. I was not by any means unhappy, hearing a few songs which I had never heard I knew exactly what I was going to be doing when I arrived home that night. The 45 minute set unfortunately flew over, I would of being very happy to stand and listen to them all night. The Post-Rock outfit are a must listen for any fan of this genre, highly recommended. 

Finally, Headlining the Rock Sound stage were Jesu one of my favourite bands at the moment. I had being looking forward to their set all day but unfortunately I was a little let down. Weather this was due to the technically difficulties lead singer Justin Broadrick was having or just not being their day. Never the less there were still some elements which sounded very good and all in all the performance was average. 

All in all the day was a success, and now looking forward to see what the Damnation team have in store for next year. 

Matthew Wright  

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