On the other side of nothing there is Absolution. Stepping in the foot-prints of P.O.D., Godsmack, Drowning Pool and other acclaimed representatives of the post nu metal and alternative metal scene, this band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, delivering their second album. They heavily promoting themselves in support of their previous, critically-acclaimed EP “Theory Of Existence” sharing the stage with many great acts such as Ill Nino, Nonpoint, Drowning Pool, Tantric, Taproot, RED, Future Leaders Of The World, Ekotren, A New Revolution, Sick Puppies, Otep, CKY, Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry and many more, they gained an impressive following.
Powerful and melodic, passionate and adrenaline pumping, Absolution gained experience and reach its maturity. Read more Absolution – The Other Side Of Nothing (2011)
post metal
Shining – VII Fodd Forlorare (2011)
It’s pity and annoying, there are a band named Shining from Norway formed at Oslo in 1999 and this band from Halmstad, Sweden formed in 1996 by Niklas Kvarforth, also involved in the bands Skitliv, Diabolicum, Den Saakaldte, Funeral Dirge and Bethlehem. I love them both, Jørgen Munkeby shake my world last year with the incredible album “Blackjazz” which forged jazz, industrial and black metal, while Niklas Kvarforth keep on surprising us with his intense blending of black metal and incorporated elements of doom metal and post/modern metal textures. Two creative Scandinavian bands sharing the same name still may be confusing for some…
“VII Fodd Forlorare” set to be released by Spinefarm Records on May 25, 2011 consist in six gloomy but beautiful and intense new songs and it’s obviously the band’s seventh album. Taking on a more experimental path, Shining remains an intense and extreme metal act, some acoustic and experimental/psychedelic passages bringing more color and excitement to this new material. Read more Shining – VII Fodd Forlorare (2011)
Enslaved – The Sleeping Gods (2011)
This is “only” a 5 track EP from this innovator Norwegian band after the release of the exciting album “Axioma Ethica Odini” last year. Enslaved slowly grow out of their black metal roots into something which is on the border between modern (post) and progressive metal, but still keep in their sound the energy and weight of their origins. “Alu Misyrki”, the second track from this new material have a strong Celtic Frost feeling for example. Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson managed to navigate intelligently between rock and metal tones and textures, experimenting with different approaches, pushing the limits of sounds and tearing down the walls of conventions. “The Sleeping Gods” is another nice piece in this artistic development. The very next song, “Synthesis”, bring to the surface some obscure psychedelic layers, cinematic sounds, it’s made of shattered sounds and enigmatic noises. Read more Enslaved – The Sleeping Gods (2011)
Devin Townsend Project – Deconstruction (2011)
I was fascinated by the talent of Devin back in 1993 when he appeared as the vocalist on Vai’s “Sex & Religion” – so far one of the best albums of this Zappa discovered eccentric guitar-hero. But Devin (born May 5, 1972 – Happy Birthday!!!) picked up the banjo when he was five and began playing guitar when he was 12, started his own extreme metal band called Strapping Young Lad, played with The Wildhearts, also in a project called IR8 where Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica) featured on vocals and bass, Devin on guitar and Tom Hunting of Exodus on drums, made many appearances as guest on different albums – Punky Broaster, Front Line Assembly, James Murphy, Stuck Mojo, Unit:187, Zimmers Hole, Skinny Puppy, Paradise Lost, Soilwork, Lamb of God, Gwar, etc, – and released several solo albums beside he’s one of the very appreciated producers now days. We may say, Devin is extremely creative and busy. Read more Devin Townsend Project – Deconstruction (2011)
Polkadot Cadaver – Sex Offender (2011)
This may be one of the best albums of 2011 already and I became fan instantly and unconditionally. If this Spanish/Portuguese sound like “Polkadot Cadaver” don’t sound familiar, Dog Fashion Disco should ring the bell. Actually, “Sex Offender” is their second album, their debut album, Purgatory Dance Party, was released in November, 2007. When Baltimore based Alt-Metal act Dog Fashion Disco came to an end in 2007, it wasn’t the end of front man Todd Smith, guitarist Jasan Stepp Guitar and drummer John Ensminger musical output, they just get sick of living the vagabond lifestyle that a touring metal band requires, so they decided to start a (more) studio band. And Polkadot Cadaver seems to be the perfect form to unleash their schizophrenic musical madness. “Sex Offender” is extremely colorful and intense, full of great songs. Read more Polkadot Cadaver – Sex Offender (2011)
Valerian Swing – A Sailor Lost Around The Earth (2011)
This is a soulful, explosive, flowing, ever-changing, complex and elaborate instrumental album. I actually hesitate to say instrumental rock album because Valerian Swing are far beyond any particular label and box, this is metal, rock, even jazz sometimes, eventually contemporary heavy music. Many times technicality kill the soul of the music, but this is not the case of Valerian Swing, extremely complex themes, impressive breaks, twists and turns make their music dynamic, but without loosing anything from its sensivity and expression. Incredible depths, incisive riffs, colorful lyricism, different moods and tones are revealed by this extremely young, but very talented trio from Correggio, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Formed in 2002 by Stefano Villani, David Ferretti and Alan Ferioli, only one year later including of Johnatan and Davide on vocals they recorded their first five track EP which gained excellent reviews and it was followed by explosive live shows around northern Italy, sharing the stage with established Italian underground bands. Read more Valerian Swing – A Sailor Lost Around The Earth (2011)
Enemy Logic – Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (2011)
Enemy Logic is a 4 piece metalcore band from Cork, Ireland. The title “Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind” sounds pretty exciting and provocative, so, I get into it. Started in 2002 as Windfall on a hard rock path, in 2008 they turned to a heavier sound and approach and shift their name to Enemy Logic. Classic thrash riffs, raw death like vocals, but also melodic hooks and emotional vibes are merged into one, European taste-like metalcore. With influences from bands such as The Sorrow, Caliban, Heaven Shall Burn, Arch Enemy and Soilwork, Enemy Logic find their own way, blend melodic death and crushing thrash sounds onto their own noisy and groovy aggression. Read more Enemy Logic – Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (2011)
Brotherhood Of Sleep – Dark As Light (2011)
It’s not quite my favorite genre, but “Dark As Light” still stir up the interest, it’s a gloomy and dynamic travel into the psychedelic soaked heavy side of instrumental doom. It’s quite funny, a warm, glowing orange cover for this kind of pretty dark and – no better match right now in my mind – oppressive music.
The band was formed in Athens, Greece, in Autumn of 2006 by George G. – guitar (ex-Choir Macabre) and John K. – guitar (Afformance). Later they were joined by drummer Serafim G. (also of Uranium Cardinals) and without pre-set ideas on how or what to play they’ve started rehearsing giving birth to the first main riffs that would later on constitute the nucleus of what was next to come. They released their self-titled debut album in 2009 and “Dark As Light” is their second full-length album consist in four elaborated and extensive tracks – the shortest one have 11.32 minutes. Read more Brotherhood Of Sleep – Dark As Light (2011)
Anorak – Sick (2011)
And once again, there’s a band named Anorak from Spain, another band called Anoraks from Ireland and at my third shot I founded what I’ve been looking for, Anorak from France. Really guys, get a grip, it’s absolutely no use to kick off from making noise and ending up in the court yard! On the other hand I can understand that playing music it’s much more exciting than talking legal issues with some lawyers, but still…
“Sick” is a noisy, contorted, experimental post-metal material, intense and crushing, cutting edge guitar riffs, raw vocals, balanced and colorful drums, heavy bulldozer like themes and technical shifts, turns, twists are gonna run through to you like a racing car. Still, they have some interesting, psychedelic left-over themes, quieter moments which make their music much more exciting. The eight tracks of “Sick” are an intense, shaking experience. Read more Anorak – Sick (2011)
Camion – A Serenade for Yokels (2011)
From Rome, Italy, here it comes Camion (truck). They are a grinding, noisy, stoner rock band, have cutting edge riffs, raw vocals, pumping bass and smashing drums, it’s that kind of metal what made Soundgarden to be kings in the “Badmotorfinger” era. And some of they themes, riffs, verses may sound familiar form different places. “Here Comes the Harlay” and “Here Comes the Cadillac” had a riff – the same one – which is very “I’m Broken” (Pantera), “Route 666” obviously contains the verse “six, six, six, the number of the beast” ( 😆 😆 😆 ), “Cowbell From Hell” ( fuck me! 😆 😆 😆 ) keeps adrenaline high with the perfect tempo and some wining riffs. “Beers On Wheels” could be a Manowar song played by a punk/hardcore band, well, with your boots on or high on beers and wheels, life it’s just Rock N’ Roll. “Can A Truck Splat A Lollypop” may had a place on any earlier Social Distortion album and in the end, “A Serenade for Yokels” reminds me of Green Jelly. Read more Camion – A Serenade for Yokels (2011)
