Above all, Chris Connelly is one of the few independent artists today who still believes in the power of songwriting as nothing short of divine narrative; the craft of music as the perfect vehicle for poetic expression. Connelly was an active member and contributor to Ministry and to The Revolting Cocks between 1987 and 1993, but he was involved in several other projects and bands such as: PTP, Acid Horse, Killing Joke, Pigface, The Bells, Catherine, Chainsuck, The Damage Manual, Die Warzau, Everyoned, Finitribe, The High Confessions, KMFDM, Thanatos, The Love Interest, The Final Cut, Murder, Inc. and he developed his own solo career.
The Scottish-born, Chicago-based musician established himself as a talented alternative singer and songwriter, and his vocal style is often compared to that of Scott Walker and David Bowie. Read more Chris Connelly – Artificial Madness (2011)
2011
Cosmonauts Day – Paths of The Restless (2011)
I closed my review about their debut live-demo EP saying that I’m looking forward to listen to their whole album and it seems this is one of the very few wishes that actually comes true.
Cosmonaut Day delivering a quite unique mixture of post-rock, stoner/sludge metal and space/progressive rock with some exotic aromas, original structures and harmonies and exciting rhythmic and grooves. “Name your price” means that you can download their album even for free from Bandcamp page, but I believe all these underground bands from all over the world who delivering quite exciting alternatives for the boring and predictable mainstream products deserves our full support and eventually every penny counts. Read more Cosmonauts Day – Paths of The Restless (2011)
Bruthal 6 – Augenblick (2011)
Their cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” drew attention among the metal fans and users of the YouTube back in 2006 and actually, it was a murderous cover. And well, Bruthal 6 are a murderous band, they find a brutal mixture of powerful thrash, groove and nu metal grindings with strong and melodious vocals and striking, memorable alternative metal schemes. Eventually imagine a collision between Godsmack and Sepultura, a perfect balance between aggression and harmonies, between brutality and expressive melodies. This band from Buenos Aires, Argentina fined their own, catchy and criminal style of metal. Read more Bruthal 6 – Augenblick (2011)
32crash – Y2112Y (2011)
“Earth, year 2107. …. The average temperature at the surface of the planet raised by 8°C during the ten last decades. Because of its unsustainable heat, he equatorial belt today is improper for inhabitation…”
Picking up where their debut, 2007’s “Weird news from an uncertain future” left off, “Y2112Y” is another twisted journey into the future as Jean-Luc De Meyer see it. “I could have died at three of a unknown malignant virus / I could have died at five of a missile fired by mistake / I almost died at ten during the floodings on Pluto/ At twenty I survived the bombings of the cosmic war / I should have died at thirty when a meteor struck the earth / I nearly died at forty when my spaceship crashed on Mars / But I’m alive today to start my second century”.
And if 32crash doesn’t ring the bell, the name of Jean-Luc De Meyer (the voice of the legendary Belgian EBM band Front 242, but also of several other projects) should. At least if you’re interested in the electro-industrial are of music. Read more 32crash – Y2112Y (2011)
Megadeth – TH1RT3EN (2011)
This might be the last opportunity for Born again Christian, Mr. Mustaine to claim the crown and the throne of Metal. Metallica with “Lulu”, the controversy collaboration with Lou Reed left their throne unwatched and the crown can be stolen. Anthrax already delivered a pretty strong release, “Worship Music” on September 12, and Mr. Mustain response is “Thirteen”, the thirteenth studio album consist of thirteen brand new songs. Regarding the “Big Four” thrash metal acts, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax, still, my money is on Slayer even if it’s quite uncertain they will release new material this year due Jeff Hanneman’s health condition.
Although, “TH1RT3EN” might be the best Megadeth album in decades. Since 1992’s “Countdown to Extinction”, Megadeth wasn’t this kicking and biting. “TH1RT3EN” also marks the return of Dave Ellefson who left Megadeth back in 2002 having a severe disagreement over royalties. Canadian drummer Shawn Drover joined Megadeth back in 2004 while guitarist Chris Broderick (ex-Jag Panzer and ex-Nevermore) joined in 2008 replacing Glen Drover. Read more Megadeth – TH1RT3EN (2011)
Animals As Leaders – Weightless (2011)
Tosin Abasi’s Animals As Leaders are back. Scheduled to be released on November 8, the 12 new tracks of “Weightless” picking up where they left off with their 2009 self-titled debut album.
Cutting edge riffs and fleet-fingered solos, the energy full explosion of metalcore and matchcore with the spacy pulse and smoothness of classic progressive rock and metal acts merging different approaches and sounds from Rush to Dream Theater, but adding to it a fresh and powerful breath, Animals As Leaders became soon one of the most critically acclaimed metal act.
I’m still not an unconditional supporter of instrumental rock/metal albums (and bands), but I have to admit, Animals As Leaders have some interesting moments, managed to avoid cliches and patterns, delivering good songs and not exclusively technically brilliant self-exposures. Scaling form metalcore to jazz, “Weightless” is a power and colorful release. Read more Animals As Leaders – Weightless (2011)
William Parker and ICI Ensemble – Winter Sun Crying (2011)
Screaming bloody avant-garde, the opening “Bells” kicks out with death howling and bumbling saxophone licks, mysterious cymbals, bells and other unidentified noises, surprising and emotionally fulfilled, breathing alive, but masterly outlined and powerfully shaped, this is jazz in its most pure, uncompromised and most creative form. Free jazz. Anyway, jazz without freedom, without liberty, it might be some kind of music, but definitively not jazz.
Composer and bassist William Parker joins forces with the Munich based ICI (International Composers & Improvisers) Ensemble to create this work build upon the elements of improvisation. Read more William Parker and ICI Ensemble – Winter Sun Crying (2011)
Alfa Matrix 10th anniversary compilation free download on Facebook
Head now for www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix and give a like to get it for free ! 34 tracks from exciting electro artist such as PSY’AVIAH, STRAY, VIRGINS O.R PIGEONS, MALAKWA, 32CRASH, HALO IN REVERSE, I:SCINTILLA, IMPLANT feat. LEAETHER STRIP, PLASTIC NOISE EXPERIENCE, UNTER NULL, ALIEN VAMPIRES and many more will set your loudspeakers (and the dancefloor) on fire.
Alfa Matrix is a Belgian record label. Founded in 2001, the label releases various musical styles including aggrotech, dark elektro, synthpop and electronica. Based in Brussels, the label consists of label and artists manager Séba Dolimont, promo manager Bernard Van Isacker and head of design Benoît Blanchart. Read more Alfa Matrix 10th anniversary compilation free download on Facebook
Jennifer Lo-Fi – Noia (2011)
“Troffea” starts as an indie fueled jazz song, complex rhythmic constructions, powerful vocals and smooth guitar works build up an interesting, but dizzy song. Jennifer Lo-Fi? Inspired and catchy name for a newcomer band.
“Neveo” follows in a more conventional manner, if we can admit as conventional a mixture of power pop and indie rock aromas and psychedelic rock resonances with some tasty Brazilian spices. “Ovos” starts as a rock ballad with indie, blues and jazz infusions, they simply shifting from one thing to another, playing tight, energy full and from smooth and hypnotic themes they get violently hardcore. Impressive. And the best is yet to come. Read more Jennifer Lo-Fi – Noia (2011)
Dirk Geiger – Second Life (2011)
Second life… half life… ain’t life at all? Difficult to be extremely precise, we’re living kind of interesting times and well, interesting is also the music of Dirk Geiger and this collection of remixes by 14 talented electronic artists, so this is quite an opportunity and we’ve got both: the interesting universe of Geiger, but also the reinterpretation of some fellow electronic artists. Even further, you can download also for free – “name your price” (I’m priceless! 😀 ) – this release from the Tympanik Audio’s official web site.
Geiger’s world is gloomy and contorted, subtle dark layers and distorted glitcherings are bring to the surface a dark, but pulsing universe. This is a post-industrial area of the music filled with cinematic soundscapes, post-psychedelia and percussive noises, a world of modern isolation and cold desperation. Still, Geiger is full of colors and life, he’s music is intelligently build and subtly driven, groovy and vibeful merging of hard and smooth counterparts. Read more Dirk Geiger – Second Life (2011)
