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
Monday, 16 November 2009
Thursday, 12 November 2009
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
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
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
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
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