This album is more like Pantera Groove Metal rather then Dream Theater Progressive Rock/Metal. Singer Russell Allen (Symphony X) and his (super) band mates delivered a quite heavy album full of nervous guitar riffs and raging grooves, classic, but biting and looking forward kind of, hate to say this, but no other proper word, True Metal. Progressive, Groove and some Southern taste like elements are merging perfectly here. Russell Allen had some royal partners in this project: drummer Mike Portnoy (Ex-Dream Theater), guitarist Mike Orlando (previously worked with Zakk Wylde and Bumblefoot), bass player Paul DiLeo (Fozzy), and rhythm guitarist Rich Ward (Stuck Mojo/Fozzy). Meanwhile DiLeo and Ward left the project due to scheduling conflicts with their other bands and on February 8, 2012, John Moyer (Disturbed) became Adrenaline Mob’s new bass player. Read more Adrenaline Mob – Omerta (2012)
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brushvox
Elizabeth – Where Vultures Land, EP (2012) – free download!
This is the debut EP of this brutally brilliant Swiss band delivered – once again – in its digital format and even FOR FREE by Throatruinner Records and its fully devoted “driver”, Matthias Jungbluth. He’s fan-friendly approach, he’s support of those bands deserves our support and every and each penny counts!
Elizabeth reminds me of Celtic Frost in the best possible sense, actually sounds pretty as a modern, and even future Celtic Frost incorporating along the traditional Black and Thrash Metal heritage all the post-scremo, post-hardcore, post-punk, and post (modern) whatevers, everything what can make the music more louder, more stronger, more extreme. And Elizabeth seems to find just the right path of merging past and future into their own cutting edge Metal. Read more Elizabeth – Where Vultures Land, EP (2012) – free download!
The Tape Disaster – A Voz do Fogo, EP (2012) free download!
Brasilia’s finest Progressive Rock outfit it’s back with a beautiful EP and through the experimental net label headed in the depths of São Paulo, Brazil, Sinewave the two track material it’s available for free download.
I listen The Tape Disaster last year, and wrote about them because I was quite impressed by their ability to merge smooth and nowadays Shoegaze called elements with the power and explosion of traditional Rock and the magic aromas of Brazilian music and percussion. Read more The Tape Disaster – A Voz do Fogo, EP (2012) free download!
Hartmut Kiss – Flaming Passion, EP (2012 )
Not being a clubber and a “classic consumer” of music generally speaking and particularly of dance music, my opinion is based exclusively on vibes and feelings, feelings bring to the surface by the sounds – the music – I’m listening to. And I’m kind of good – and massive – listener of all different genres of music, sometimes including dance music too. But well, I’m not a clubber, I’m not a consumer. Yet.
DJ Harmut Kiss seems to have always the right track at the right moment at his hand and it seems the veteran German DJ reads on the faces of the crowd like a book. And mix his own tracks with the intuition of a man who seen everything and knows all the secrets. The rhythmic is addictive and the subtle groove will definitively hypnotize you and put you on the move. “Flaming Passion” Read more Hartmut Kiss – Flaming Passion, EP (2012 )
Soulfly – Enslaved (2012)
Another Soulfly release it’s a strong reason for celebration, but when David Kinkade describe this is gonna sound-like “Arise on crack”, the excitement and expectations are rising even higher. The 8th studio album by Max Cavalera’s Soulfly will definitively satisfy all the band’s fans and eventually will bring a few new ones. Max seems unstoppable and restless. Hopefully not because of the….. crack. 🙂
With artwork from Marcelo Vasco, who has designed album artwork for bands such as Borknagar, Obituary, and Dimmu Borgir and co-produced along max by Zeuss (previously worked with bands like Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, Bleeding Through, Throwdown, Chimaira, etc), “Enslaved” featuring for the first time new drummer David Kinkade (ex-Borknagar), and Tony Campos (former of Static-X, Prong, and Ministry) on bass, along guitarist Marc Rizzo and Max Cavalera on vocals, guitar, and berimbau.
Guests appearances on the album include Dez Fafara of Coal Chamber and DevilDriver and Travis Ryan of Cattle Decapitation, and on “Revengeance” feataturing Richie Cavalera of Incite, Zyon and Igor Cavalera Jr. of Lody Kong.
The album was recorded in late 2011 in Tallcat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and it will be officially released by Roadrunner on March 13. On January 25, 2012 the lead single, “World Scum”, became available as a free download for 48 hours, with a video released on February 16. Read more Soulfly – Enslaved (2012)
Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise (2010)
Nicolas Jaar released his debut album, “Space Is Only Noise” in May of 2010 to critical acclaim, receiving a score of 8.4 “Best New Music” from Pitchfork and four stars from The Guardian. It was ranked #1 album of the year by Resident Advisor, Mixmag, Crack Mag, #2 by DJ Mag and #20 by Pitchfork. His track “Don’t Break My Love” also received BNM by Pitchfork in late 2011.
Probably I would never heard of if Justin Nozuka at the remix contest of “How Low” would not mention that he is looking for a remix in a deeper, ambient vein of James Blake’s “Klavierwerke” or Nicolas Jaar’s “Space Is Only Noise”. Read more Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise (2010)
VALVE – Self-titled EP (2012) free download
Contorted ant tumultuous, VALVE delivered a noisy and grinding debut EP which can be bought (name your price) from their Bandcamp page or downloaded for free from the link they offer on Mediafire.
The Parisian band delivering a very heavy and consistent modern Metal merging from Doom to Groove Metal and from Sludge to (post-modern) Metalcore all kind of different Metal sub-genres, but the result is very intense and intriguingly compact, crushing, cutting-edge Metal. In the nowadays over-dumping offering of so-called Metalcore products, VALVE almost miraculously find their own voice, path and sound and succeed to deliver a mature and quality product. “Siren” is my favorite track, although all the five tracks are equally and extremely intense and experimental, temerarious songs.
Definitively a nice surprise and a very promise full debut. Don’t hesitate, go and grab it!!! Read more VALVE – Self-titled EP (2012) free download
The Mars Volta – Noctourniquet (2012)
Mentioned The Mars Volta not so long ago because Adrián Terrazas-González, a past member and collaborator of the band because of his involved in the T.R.A.M. project.
The sixth full-length studio album of The Mars Volta is scheduled for release on March 27th, 2012. It is the first studio album to feature drummer Deantoni Parks, and the first not to feature contributions from both long-time keyboardist Isaiah “Ikey” Owens (De Facto, Look Daggers, Free Moral Agents, etc) and guitarist John Frusciante (ormer lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers). Cedric Bixler-Zavala – vocals, Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar, Marcel Rodríguez-López – keyboards and synths, Juan Alderete – bass and Deantoni Parks – drums delivered another colorful journey into the deep space of Progressive Rock having roots back to the 70’s psychedelia, but simultaneously looking into the big wide future. Lars Stalfors was in charge for engineer, mixing, but also for some additional synths, while Sonny Kay took care of the artwork and layout. Read more The Mars Volta – Noctourniquet (2012)
Galactic – Carnivale Electricos (2012)
Although I listen and I really enjoy lot of Jazz music, I’m the first to admit, I’m not an “expert”, and by the way, generally speaking I’m not an “expert” and anyone who claims he (she) is one, he (she) is a pretender (and liar). Gee! 🙂
Now let’s get back to Galactic.
Originally formed in 1994 as an octet, under the name Galactic Prophylactic, they delivering a mixture of electric Rock, Funk, Blues and Jazz. I get to listen them because behind the drum kit it’s Stanton Moore, who played in Corrosion Of Conformity, knowned him from Garage A Trois, the Stanton Moore Trio, Midnite Disturbers, played with jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter, with Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Boots Riley of the Coup on the project Street Sweeper Social Club, with Dragon Smoke and MG5. Read more Galactic – Carnivale Electricos (2012)
Cycler – Polymath (2012)
Cycler is the alias used by Ioan Bârlădeanu when he’s tripping into music. This journey kicked out back in ’97, first influences came from acts such as Kraftwerk, Photek, ZX Spectrum Orchestra, Plaid, Modeselektor, Amon Tobin, Haus Arafna, Yvat, Distance, Brazda lui Novac, but two years later he saw a HBO documentary about “rave parties” and pushed forward by The Prodigy, he split his rebellious spirit between heavy metal and big-beat.
On April 26th ’07 made his main stage debut at the 2nd edition of experimental/electronic underground festival Cybermental at Bucharest followed by several other festivals and gigs along other Romanian artist of the electro scene like Matze, Brazda Lui Novac, Silent Strike, Clock:Divider, Luntaire, etc.
Cycler featured on several releases, the first was along Karsten Hamre (NO) on the project “The Flux Komplex”, and release of the album “Lost Illusions” through Trinity Records, Hong Kong. He also appeared on some compilations: “Diferenta 01” and “The DeviantArt Compilation” in 2008.
The time seems right for his debut album and Raumklang Music released it on March 1st Cycler’s debut album, “Polymath”. And if you enjoyed “Dizzy” , the latest album by Brazda lui Novac, definitively you don’t want to miss this one! Read more Cycler – Polymath (2012)
