Fermentor - Continuance

Usually when you think of instrumental metal you think of the bold melodies of Russian Circles or the technical ecstasy of Animals As Leaders. Every now and then you find an instrumental metal band who go a more atmospheric route. What I have not found a lot of though is instrumental death thrash. Music that very much ties into some of the core ideas of the genre but simply doesn't have vocals and instead embraces some atypical song structures. It makes for an interesting approach that can't help but to fascinate.

Continuance has a lot of layers to it - even though the band performing are merely a two piece. These tracks have a very visceral intensity. Songs like 'Stage V' are accentuated by the hectic clatter of the drums and a sense that the entire thing could fall apart at any moment, despite being tight as hell. This is a record that will dazzle the dedicated listener. It doesn't seek to beat you over the head with flashy frills, but instead relies on tight songwriting and angular riffs. While nothing will leave you scraping your jaw off the floor, instead what you'll find is that Fermentor have done a great job of simply crafting something that strips back so many unnecessary layers but remains fun.

With a couple references to the cult classic, "Peep Show" tossed in for good measure, Continuance remains an exciting and dynamic record. The band has really found a way here to make us fall in love with the simply artistry of their work, to embrace the sublime poetry of metal with nothing to conceal what it is or is not. Fermentor make a point of stripping metal down to the bolts and it makes for a very fun instrumental album. There's a lot to sink your teeth into here because Fermentor have given us metals beating heart on a plate.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/fermentormetal

Pelican - Nighttime Stories

Pelican are back baby. It's been six long years since the bands last full length but now they are back. This latest offering, Nighttime Stories is one of the bands darkest offerings to date. This is a record that is twisted and ethereal. It has all sorts of demented twists and turns, seeming to continually push the band to darker pastures. Nighttime Stories is the sound of a band coming to terms with tragedy and embracing the next phase of their lives. this is a huge step forward for the group and a step that seems to point at much more to come.

The sheer prettiness of the production has me especially enamored here. The slick guitars on a track like Full Moon, Black Water is something you just sink your teeth into. The simple poetry of these songs is transcendent and continually hints at weird next steps for the band to be taking. Nighttime Stories is a masterful offering, from front to back. While some might have judged 2013's Forever Becoming as a misstep, Nighttime Stories sees the band coming back with aplomb. It's hard not to be enamored by the overwhelming possibilities presented here. It's the sound of a band who haven't just found themselves, but who are thriving in this new phase.

This is a glorious sounding record. It routinely pushes the band to the limit and then shows all the ways that they can go even further. It's a record that seems to get stronger with every successive listen. Not only that though but it's an album that speaks to the overarching power that heavy music can have. Sure this is an instrumental band fusing prog ideas with some more conventional ones, but it never feels nerdy. In fact everything about Nighttime Stories just works plain and simple. It has clear forward motion and the overarching momentum of this band is such that Nighttime Stories will refuse to be forgotten.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pelicansong

Vipassi - Sunyata

Incredibly dense, delicate and full of strangely eloquent guitars Vipassi have always been known as one of the weirder bands in the technical metal genre. This is a band who fuse the darkness of metal with moments of jazz and pure prog - it makes sense that they are, in many ways, a Ne Obliviscaris side project. The elegant chords and lyrical playing stand as a testament to a band who constantly impress and regularly remind us that there are far weirder things in the world than pure and simple heavy metal.

Vipassi fascinate me because even though, yes, they very much fit into the polemic of bands like Atheist they have managed to fuse the more abrasive elements of those bands with the subtle beauty of Animals As Leaders. Sure it's not as immediately startling and never quite so pretty, but in many ways the avantgarde nature of Sunyata is what makes it so goddamn enjoyable. While this is an album that definitely takes a spin or two to properly understand it is also an album that encourages the listener to take time to pick it apart and try to come to terms with a weirder side of the music we all love.

So yes, at times Sunyata is dizzying and paints sonic expanses of the sort I'm occasionally not comfortable with. This is just a part of the trade, a part of the bizarre self inflicted suffering heavy metal encourages in all of us. The bass playing in particular swirls in magical circles, hinting at ethereal futures and constantly dancing around the ear. Sunyata is a motherfucker of a record and one that certainly won't make sense on the first listen. However it will keep you in awe, constantly looking for that next high.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/vipassiband

Metalfier, Exmortus, and Marty Friedman

Another night another show in the perpetual hustle and bustle that is Manhattan, a world of struggle, a world of triumph and a world of tribulation... damn I'm feeling poetic on this particularly sleepy Friday afternoon. The point is I saw three bands last night, all of whom unleashed guitar heroics and made a silly old punter like me feel free at last despite the daily toil that might bring us down. What I'm saying is that nights of shred are part of what makes heavy metal so much fun and so darn worthwhile.

First up was Metalfier, who, despite sounding exactly like you'd expect a band call Metalfier to sound where quite a bit of fun. Fronted by a possibly insane Polish dude these guys are propelled by the high octane guitar heroics of Jeff Monge. Toss in some fun thrash metal songwriting and suddenly you have yourself a tasty opener for a metal legend. The point being, these guys are still refining their sound, but that's part of what makes them fun. Thrash metal is here for us to have a good time and get drunk with our buddies - so really, you have to ask, what more could you ask for from a rapidly rising local act?

Up next were my most hotly anticipated band of the soiree, legends-in-the-making Exmortus. These shred happy death masters have a great time unleashing the live rituals of their high powered sound. Over the top and proud of it Exmortus are the kind of band who really allow you to get your rocks off in a live setting. The fact of the matter is that these dudes are among the best up and coming bands in the country. Hell - forget that, with their upcoming record it seems to me at least that Exmortus are thrash warriors for a new generation who will keep pushing their music over the top and driving it beyond all expectations - this is what heavy metal is supposed to be about, and Exmortus fucking get it.

Finally it was time for Marty Friedman to unleash his shreddy goodness upon the crowd. With an incredibly talented backing band partially from Japan and partially from the States the man played work from across his entire solo catalog. With a nice mix of ballads and more straightforward thrashers it was stunning to see him unleash his mastery live. The thing is, while Friedman is the focal point, the dudes and dudette he plays with are insanely talented. It's incredible to witness the stage presence and raw energy he has been able to cultivate - making him perhaps the most potent and inspiring live instrumental act in the twenty first century.

At the end of the night I went off to an all night diner with an old friend and couldn't help but be charmed at the eternal power of what we had just witnessed. Marty Friedman is a living god, a man who truly understands what it means to play heavy metal and carry it forth for a new geenration. This is the kind of bleak salvation that we need if we want to have the strength to carry on for another day. And so we let our hair fly and the horns soar and go out and enjoy the darkness, because high speed guitar antics are what give us strength.

Find the bands on Facebook!

Metalfier: https://www.facebook.com/METALFIER?fref=ts

Exmortus: https://www.facebook.com/exmortusofficial

Marty Friedman: https://www.facebook.com/martyfriedman.official?fref=ts

The Channels, The Magnificent Shithawks, Bangladeafy and Dreadnought at The Fire Shot

There is something oddly liberating about having completely sold your soul to rock and roll and getting the chance to go out and do nutty stuff like house shows in Philly neighborhoods that would scare the daylights out of my mother. I mean... when you find yourself in a new house, only knowing the touring bands (And then only from the internet) you need to be ready to open yourself up and prepare to find out more. Such was the case yesterday evening as I hung out with the lads and lasses of Dreadnought and rejuvenated my soul with another soiree of gloriously heavy music in a nifty new Philadelphia art space.

First up were The Channels - the kind of band who when they get on stage seem to be really regrettable college rock and then blow you away with strangely triumphant experimental sounds. These guys pull off all sorts of nifty tricks to make for an interesting show, using all sorts of household implements (Plastic forks et al!) to get unique sounds. Largely focused around the bassists talkbox these guys put together something distinctly fun - even if it did feel a little underdeveloped at times. That being said - these guys are just starting out, there is a very real potency to what they do, and if you can dig into poignant grooves that boggle the mind, then you might be an avid member of this bands future fanbase.

Despite the late start The Magnificent Shithawks were able to bring a high energy delivery to the table. Their largely Sleep influenced sound was wonderfully groovy. Their use of two vocalists and heavy jam passages was a lot of fun to watch unfold live. It reflected the enduring power that this kind of music can have. Largely pentatonic, but still a pleasure to just feel, The Magnificent Shithawks are one of those bands that simply understand the very real power of stoner rock. It puts a smile on your face and forces you to raise the horns simply because these dudes know what's up, and when they turn on, it's time for you to tune in and drop out.

All night people had been telling me cool things about Bangladeafy yet I wasn't sure if I should set my expectations too high. Then they played their first song and I was left scraping my jaw from the floor. Featuring two of the most talented musicians I have ever seen play live, this instrumental duo has a wholly unique attack. The bands charming bassist John unleashes a largely tapped assault with his bass. Begging for more volume as he forces out otherworldly sounds in his distinct melodies and world music influenced grooves. Bangladeafy are the real fuckin' deal - unique, powerful, and ready to tear your fucking face off. If you want a band who keep it technically destructive without forgetting what makes metal fun in the first place then look no further, Bangladeafy have cracked the code.

And finally it was time for my beloved Dreadnought, on tour all the way from Colorado and now here to play in front of a few dozen DIY devotees. Using a variety of woodwinds and keyboards alongsides more traditional metal instruments this band lived up to the hype. I'd fallen in love with their latest full length Bridging Realms when it was sent to me a few months ago - but now I'm even more enamored with the band. Their live delivery is flawless and I have to wonder what they would sound like in a more professional context. That being said, they performed admirably, the twin female vocal harmonies landing perfectly every time and leaving the audience in total awe, with more than a few attendees wiping away tears by the end of the set. These guys are wholly on point, the prog passages are executed brilliantly and then when the darker moments take control they manage to dominate the room and take on a strange fifth element, reflecting the incredible darkness that they have been able to harness.

So ended another fun night in the Philthadelphia punk house scene - perhaps my last for a good long while. And yet I could not have anticipated a better send off. All four bands opened my mind and left me curious for more. And now I know that my initial instincts were right, Dreadnought is hands down the best new heavy band of the year - both live and on the record.  On top of that Bangladeafy are clearly breaking the bounds of modern metal, and you need to check them out. If you're not ready to jump on the train, for either of those bands... leave the hall.

Find the bands on Facebook and Bandcamp!

The Channels: http://thechannels.bandcamp.com/

The Magnificent Shithawks: https://www.facebook.com/themagnificentshithawks

Bangladeafy: https://www.facebook.com/Bangladeafy

Dreadnought: https://www.facebook.com/dreadnoughtband

Glowsun - Beyond The Wall Of Time

Glowsun are a blissfully organic instrumental stoner rock band whose fuzzed out tones and stunning melodies leave you gasping for air. Their new record, Beyond The Wall Of Time is the kind of ever shifting and oftentimes mind melting instrumental stuff that forces you to reconsider what this kind of music can be. A sort of more accessible version of Year Of No Light, Glowsun have rapidly been able to establish an easily digestible sound that remains intellectually stimulating and prone to entrancing the listener.

This is the kind of record that you need to leave on repeat to really get in too. The way its seemingly cyclical nature works its way into your soul is stunning. You feel the songs ebb and flow, grow and waste away as with every passing moment you find yourself deeper in a beautifully crafted soundworld. There is a sense of cosmic liberation coming out of Beyond The Wall Of Time as if in their stoned reveries Glowsun have been turned on to a deeper reality, one that transcends words and can only be expressed through loud guitars, thudding basses and crushing drums. What I'm trying to say is that Glowsun are the sound of an alternate dimension being unveiled before your eyes.

Glowsun have managed to diffuse a variety of sounds and invoke the kind of inspirational mess that requires a madman or a true fan to pick apart. Beyond The Wall Of Time transcends so much of what we view as traditional music and gives us a chance to realize that even within the fairly narrow confines of stoner rock there is still a lot to be said. Coming straight out of left field with some exciting and endlessly fascinating music I'm very excited to check these guys out (And hopefully interview them!) at Hellfest.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Glowsunmusic?fref=ts

Tempel - The Moon Lit Our Path

If memory serves I first wrote about Tempel all the way back in the summer of 2012 when I was a bored 16 year old at my grandparents house. How things have changed... and yet the sublime music of Tempel seems to remain the same, well, if anything it's only gotten better. Tempel, already iconoclastic and exciting to begin with have only become moreso with their latest release, the melodic and inspiring The Moon Lit Our Path, a five song instrumental black metal epic that will capture your imagination.

What Tempel do is craft unqiue soundscapes using blazing guitars and fierce drum patterns that come together ina sense of sublime ecstasy. You can't deny the overarching might that these songs have, they come from a soundworld that is wholly their own and reflect upon the greater sense of humanity that black metal is so often alienated from. There is something incredibly beautiful with what Tempel do, the way their music takes you on a journey, from the monolithic Carvings In The Door to the strangely triumphant, and very inspiring closing track, the twelve minute epic Dawn Breaks Over The Ruins.

What I'm trying to say is that The Moon Lit Our Path may very well be the instrumental record of the year. It's epic in scale and immaculate in its conception. Tempel are crafting music that feels ancient, it speaks to an older truth and it's almost shamanic at times. Incredibly meditative and refreshing Tempel are breaking boundaries that most people don't even know are there. One of the most exciting bands to be coming out of the the Arizona scene. Refreshingly direct and providing a bold new direction for metal Tempel might just change the face of the genre.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/Tempelofficialband?fref=ts

Swarm

We have gotten to the point where a band who uses touches of djent makes me nostalgic. That being said, don't think that Swarm is a mere djent band. Sure they have taken elements of the genre to accentuate their sound and keep things exciting but one can not also deny the impact that video game music has on the bands approach. Swarm have created something powerful, occasionally anthemic, and perpetually jaw dropping, instrumental architecture for a modern age. The touches of blast beats are nicely accented by mighty melodic lines that come soaring out of your speakers with a ferocious touch. The thing is, most instrumental projects come across as masturbatory and over the top, yet Swarm have pulled together something that is worth man a listen and never boring. As I continue to uncover the layers of guitar tracks and top notch production I start to realize that this duo is turned on to something great and have the potential to be the next Cloudkicker. My only hope is that they start playing live soon!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/swarmofthe

Karma To Burn/Sons Of Alpha Centauri

A seven inch that features two killer instrumental stoner metal bands, this split between Karma To Burn and Sons Of Alpha Centauri is powerful, and at times almost meditative. Evoking old school magic there is something inspiring here, bands who take tried and true formulas and craft them into something a lot darker and more poignant, yet also strangely mesmerizing. The beauty in this split, from both bands, comes not from the technicality of the music but the wonderfully unique ways the songs are structured.

As you dig into this record it's easy to see that Sons Of Alpha Centauri could very well be the next Karma To Burn. While Karma To Burn have had their powerful stoner rock sound locked into a groove for years now, no one (With the possible exception of French rockers Abysse) has been able to create something similar until now. Sons Of Alpha Centauri have a sound that is almost progressive in nature. The way these guys craft their tracks to inspire the listener and guide them on a sort of quasi-spiritual journey is actually really cool and more than proves the raw potential that this band has.

At the end of the day, this is the kind of split that can guide you off to sleep and into a strange new beautiful world. The thing with records like this is that you can spin them again and again, 7 inches are like potato chips, they're strangely addictive, the kind of thing you can just get really into and then 15 spins later realize you just spent the last two hours listening to this record. So go out, give it a spin, and revel in the simplistic majesty that has for so long defined both of these acts and made them truly great.

Find the bands on Facebook! 

Karma To Burn: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karma-To-Burn/118432638215095

Sons Of Alpha Centauri: https://www.facebook.com/sonsofalphacentauri

Skies Are Illusionists-Universal Consciousness

So, it's been a while since Skies Are Illusionists last EP, the stunning debut that was Replicating the Sun. Well now Cris Kailer is back better than ever with a sound that is cleaner, better produced, and more sonically engaging than the debut. One of the big complaints about the debut record was the quality of the drum sound, here that issue has been very much ameliorated. On this 15 minute long track I feel like Kailer leaves behind some of the Yes vibes that his debut had and goes more into a Scale the Summit derived feel. This track feels like a very natural evolution on the last one, and the powerful solo passages give off a nice improvised taste. They lock in very nicely with the powerful grooves that Kailer seems to deliver with ease. The sort of music you can groove and meditate too, Skies Are Illusionists has been taken to a new level, filled with powerful rhythm changes and chunky guitar parts. My one complaint is that the track is pretty long, and for 15 minutes, while the ideas stay fairly fresh, at times it's possible to zone out, I would like to hear some shorter pieces from Kailer. Yet, this only makes me more excited for this band to make their live debut. A talented musician with tons of ideas left in him, I'm excited for the future output of this project!

Find Skies Are Illusionists on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/SkiesAreIllusionists

Lazer/Wulf-The Beast of Left and Right

Groovy and poignant, Lazer/Wulf are not a band to be messed with, in fact, they will mess with you first, smoke your weed and smash in your face. These guys are a pretty much entirely instrumental trio, but they have been known to on occasion bring in a few interesting vocal lines to spice things up. So where does this leave us? Simply with a band who seem set to take over the world with chunky grooves and incredible skill. These guys bring everything together on The Beast of Left and Right with a wonderful 'jam band' type feel, true ascension for all you rock and rollers.

One of the most interesting aspects of The Beast of Left and Right is that it is written palindromically, which means that, for example, the first track on the record uses the same progressions and rhythms as on the last, but they are in different keys. This helps to make something really interesting and exciting, it feels very much like a whole. As if you are finding some sort of glorious heavy metal redemption in the vaguely jazzy, strangely thrashy approach of a band who seem dedicated to busting every possible genre barrier. These guys craft very weird and intricate soundscapes that are surprisingly addictive. Once you spin this record you're going to want to listen again and again.

Lazer/Wulf are exciting and intricate, possibly the most exciting and intricate band to come up in years. These guys don't follow rules, in fact, they seem to be taking rules apart, and then piecing them back together however they see fit. These guys are insanely talented musicians and their skill is almost unmatched by anyone else on the scene today. So open up your heart and let Lazer/Wulf open up your skull, this is instrumental metal madness that could appeal to the masses, driving people insane with walls of sound and earth shattering wails.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/lazerwulves

Belzebong Interview!

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to sit down with the almighty Belzebong and talk about their music, tour, weed, Satan, and more. This was a frankly hilarious interview with a lot of strange pauses. These guys certainly bring the riff, and there dedication to their craft is admirable. Oftentimes vaguely disturbing, this was definitely an interview to remember. Belzebong are shaping new worlds with their bong loaded goodness, and there is no guessing where they will end up next.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/BelzebonG/67860307012

How has the tour been going so far?
Alky Dude (A): It's been okay. We've played like three shows so far I think.

How did you hook up with Conan and the Moth?
A: Our Sound of Liberation booking agency wanted a tour with us and Conan.

It's been a long time since you put out a full length, have you made any progress on a sequel?
A: Yes there is progress.

Sheepy Dude (S): Shit is on man!

C: We have three new songs we're working on, and we're doing the last song for the new album, it will come out in the first few months of 2015, so there has been progress.

When will you record?
C: We will record it in autumn probably, somewhere in Poland. The name will be Drug Me To Hell probably.

A: The cover is ready, and expect some funny shit from the cover.

The other covers have kind of been parodies, is this a parody?
A: No, it's not a parody.

C: It's completely new, Sheepy Dude made it, he's making all of our cover art now.

A: He did the poster for the tour too.

One of the things I was curious about, where does the 'dude' moniker come from? The Big Lebowski?
S: We love the Big Lebowski, it's one of my favorite movies, but it's not that/

A: We started to call ourselves 'the dudes' at one point, and so we took our old nicknames and added the word 'dude'. You know how Ghost has the Nameless Ghouls? Belzebong has the Faceless dudes.

You've done European tours a few times now, do you have a US tour coming up?
C: Maybe after the new LP, but now just Europe. That's Sound of Liberation's decision, so we are waiting.

I know you met in the woods, how did that work out? Was it a giant pot party or what?
A: There were strange gatherings of strange people in the woods.

S: We didn't even smoke weed yet.

A: When I met him the first time he was puking and having diarhea.

S: We were maybe 15-16 years old.

A: The part of our origin with the toothless midget fairy is also true. The mountains outside our home city are weird.

S: The mountains of the Witches Sabbath.

That pagan culture is deep in Polish culture, does that impact your music?
A: Witches, magic mushrooms. I am like the alchemist, I do these magic potions for the band.

Are you a shaman?
A: Sometimes. I am a voodoo shaman. "Weedoo" even.

What got you guys into smoking weed?
A: Satan

Does that have a spiritual element?
S: Sure man.

A: We can't think without it.

Belzebong is sort of an instrumental Black Sabbath. What inspires these riffs?
S: Stoner bands, weed, witches, occult stuff, and Black Sabbath obviously.

A: Aleister Bongley (Laughter) He was the brother of Crowley, his twin alter ego, he smoked weed. We are inspired by goats too (Laughter)

Where did Sheepy, Alky and Cheesy come from as nicknames?
S: Long story man. I shagged a sheep only once, and it sticks to you for life.

A: Cheesy Dude shagged cheese.

C: My nickname is cheese in Polish, so it works in English too. It was a long time ago, you need to ask the people who lived there man.

S: The cheese has holes you see... and it's convenient.

A: I'm like a mix, because I'm a chemist, but also I like alcohol and alchemy so it comes together. I also work in pharmaceuticals.

I saw you lived pretty far apart, how does that work?
S: Well, I recently moved so now it's only Alky who lives in Krakow, while we're based in Warsaw.

How often do you rehearse?
A: Once a week.

How far away is Krakow?
A: It's like 200 kilometers, but we have really crappy roads so it takes 5 hours by car. You can take the train but it's too fucking expensive.

S: It can just stop in the middle of nowhere too.

A: They will stop for forever. Once we had a trip to play a gig and the train was from Krakow, to Warsaw then to other places, then Sheepy got in the train like two hours after me, and then we fell asleep and wake up and we're standing in the middle of nowhere, so I fall back asleep and wake up again, and we're still standing in the same place in the middle of nowhere. The trip took 17 hours by train and then we played the gig and had to get in the train to go back. It was shitty.

Finish this sentence for me, "I've never told this story before and probably shouldn't but..."
A: Sometimes I play sober!

What do you love so much about music?
S: Everything man.

A: The sound, the good sounds of music, sitting and listening and sometimes sleeping and listening to the sounds.

C: Structures, grooves.

S: Psychedelic trips man.

A: and Satan and weed and goats (Laughter)

Last words of wisdom?
S: No wisdom, just stupidity and riffs.

Intercostal-S/T

Super down tuned stoner doom from Geneva. Well then, that's a good start. Intercostal are the sort of crushing group who place a heavy emphasis on the bottom end and then go from there. Their music is so good that it barely even struck me that this is an almost entirely instrumental act (Occasional vocal samples and screamed passages are brought in). Instead, Intercostal have created something interesting, worth a few listens, not just for novelty value but also the way in which the band proves themselves as gifted musicians, capable of taking on the world and birthing majestic sounds that one might have thought could never work out.

See, Intercostal have that magical ability of stoner bands to hold together, not by a fixed meter but sheer empathy. This gives tracks like Sea's Calling an impressive forward drive and definitely keeps things exciting and interesting. The drum work on this record is especially notable, it is filled with all sorts of fascinating fills, adding a powerful new layer to the music. Meanwhile the guitar riffs are extremely crunchy and occasionally approach Floor-like levels of raw heaviness. The solos come across as melodic and tasty, providing a blessed respite from riffs that slowly grind your bones into powder. As a whole, I think the most impressive aspect of Intercostal is the songwriting, it digs into the soul and really gets you going.

In conclusion, anyone who likes the sort of progressive stoner darkness that grooves will dig Intercostal. They have a great understanding of what they are trying to do and moreover how to do it. As you find yourself falling into the secular haze of Intercostal's music its hard to feel emotion, this record simply sucks you up and drags you down, a complete sensory experience that has to be heard to believe. Intercostal are breaking the rules and laying down new ones, paying little heed to the consequences, let down your guard and enter the strange ritual that is this record.

Find Intercostal on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/intercostal

Satan's Satyrs, Ultra Electric Mega Galactic, and Sasquatch in Paris

It's been a long time since I was at a pure and simple rock show, so much of the modern stuff simply doesn't do it for me. Yet I still love rock music, give me Blue Cheer and Black Sabbath any day and I'll be happy. That's why I was especially excited for tonight, three rock bands who I very much enjoy. I got to the venue early to get some interviews done and had a good time talking to Satan's Satyrs and Sasquatch. Both bands know whats up to say the least. Now it was time for me to hold my own sort of unholy rock and roll communion, beer, broads, and extremely loud music.

Satan's Satyrs were the first act that I got to see, and let me just say, this was one of the best shows I have ever seen, from any band, ever. Their is a sort of magic to a Satan's Satyrs performance, the unforgettable power of the seventies. The combination of youth, raw energy, and beautiful passion found in this bands music is a potent mix and showcases a group who will never be silenced. Earlier in the night, the bands singer Clayton had said to me something like "Black Sabbath played in front of 300,000 people at CalJam in 1974, why can't we make that happen again?" Satan's Satyrs seem destined to succeed, the kind of loud and proud, pure, and most of all, very honest hard rock that the world needs right now.

The Ultra Electric Mega Galactic were the next band on the night for me, and while it took me a couple of songs to get into it, their certainly is a lot of cool stuff  Though they didn't showcase extreme chops, the band had a marvelous drive that kept me engaged throughout. There is definitely a lot of interesting stuff going on here. See, The Ultra Electric Mega Galactic are powerful simply because they don't mess around with jazz frills or pretentious solos, instead, they create an immense general vibe that draws you in, and will never spit you back out. As you fall into the magic of their sound, The Ultra Electric Mega Galactic capture your heart, and soon, have the entire crowd grooving along.

The final band of this most excellent rock and roll evening was the powerful Sasquatch. Their riff heavy stoner rock is always a blast on the record and proved to be fun live too. Reminiscent of groups like Red Fang, Sasquatch have big choruses that have the whole crowd singing along. I think part of what makes Sasquatch such a fun band to see live is the fact that they play actual songs, 4 minute long boppers with clear structure. This immediately draws you in and gives you an easy way to connect, toss in powerful grooves and some very talented musicians and I think it's pretty easy to see why a lot of people consider these guys to be one of the most happening bands around right now.

This evening was one of the best I had in a long time. After the show I went and met up with an old friend and talked over a few beers and came to a realization. There is a certain magic in pure rock and roll, a certain rebellious triumph that no other genre, even metal, has. That's what made tonight really special in my mind, these bands were turned on to the pure rock and roll energy that got me addicted in the first place. Satan's Satyrs in particular are perhaps the most legit hard rock band out there today. So, brothers and sisters, I want to see a sea of hands out there, go out, rock hard, ride free, and remember the magic that these three groups have birthed upon the world.

Find them on Facebook!

Satan's Satyrs: https://www.facebook.com/satanssatyrs

The Ultra Electric Mega Galactic: https://www.facebook.com/TheUEMG

Sasquatch: https://www.facebook.com/sasquatchrocks

Gustavo De Beauville

Gustavo De Beauville, now there is a classy name for a very talented musician. Previously known for his work with The Unravelling this new record shows him fly to  new height, a champion of powerful instrumental music rife with powerful emotions. This all instrumental project allows Gustavo De Beauville to express himself and his music in a simply stunning way. His new record Volume 1 is vast in scope, only comparable to such geniuses as Russian Circles and Tool. There is a deep emotional power to be had here, something that makes this record incredibly engaging. With songs like In A Shaman's Dream Gustavo De Beauville seems to be opening up his soul to us, showing us the magic that these deceptively simple soundscapes can have. This is the product of hours of work, made possible through beautiful production. There are a lot of interesting things I could develop on here, but for now I will just say this, De Beauville is a musical genius, and his heart rending compositions will ring on for years.

Find him on Bandcamp!
https://gustavodebeauville.bandcamp.com/

Six Months of Sun-And Water Flows

Six Months of Sun is one of a growing body of instrumental metal bands who are not so much influenced by jazz and fusion as they are by Sabbath and Sleep. Heavy riffs and groovy song structures come together to form something that is passionate and exciting. This is the sort of metal that could appeal to people who wouldn't describe themselves as fans of heavy music. With a broad potential appeal and riffs that crunch your bones to dust Six Months of Sun debut release And Water Flows is eight tracks of metal mastery, here for all you heshers out there.

One of the most immediately appealing aspects of Six Months of Sun's sound is the way that these guys roar out of the gate with riffs that simply capture the heart. You see, Six Months of Sun understand what it is to groove, rattle, and roll. The end result of all of this are some strangely addictive sounds with heavy riffs that you will find yourself singing along with and enjoying all the way through. These guys understand how to write rock that is loud and proud and doesn't need silly things like 'vocals' to get in the way. The way these riffs make me feel, the way they vibrate in my head, man, has Christmas come early? It sure does feel like it has! And Water Flows is simply that good of a record.

Having already played with killer acts like Colossus Fall and Rorcal, these guys seem to be on the right path for heavy metal domination. And Water Flows is the kind of record that you come back to again and again. High energy and easy for anyone who just digs rock music to love I can see Six Months of Sun going far fast. This is the kind of rock music that defines generations, and sure Six Months of Sun aren't really well known yet, but this band can't help but do well. Our generations response to Joe Satriani And Water Flows is instrumetal to the max!

Find Six Months of Sun on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Six-Months-Of-Sun/119708188104630?fref=ts

Sea In The Sky

Now that the initial wave of djent is over, the truly innovative and creative bands are getting their chance to rise up and show what they are made of. Sea In the Sky is one of those bands, an act who get up there and produce powerful progressive music perfect for any prog nerd. Yet there is something more here than just djent, there is a certain magic in the music that means that it could reach out beyond that fanbase. In fact, their is a certain power that Sea In The Sky have that few other acts in their genre do. Their is a certain accessibility to be had with their music. Many people who simply appreciate progressive music and jazz could fall in love with the acoustic breaks on songs like Radical! and the simply great songwriting found throughout their new self titled EP. In short, this is djent for the masses, progressive music for the master plan and THIS is what is going to bring the genre to a new level. A band who understand what they want to do and how they want to do it Sea In The Sky seem ready to become lords of a new generation of the djent movement.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/TheSeaTheSky/app_204974879526524

Ellipsis

A band who won something of a contest on the Contorted Facebook page (which you should really check out here!) Ellipsis are a stunning video game metal act who have a high powered and super charged sound filled with shredding guitars, soaring solos and riffs that are just to die for. These guys have a great songwriting sense and are excellent in creating highly developed variations on themes. More than that these guys don't rely on video game themes for music (or at least not themes I can identify) but rather develop melodies that sound and feel video game like. The end result of all of this is an excellent band who clearly have some insane technical chops. The kind of musicians who are fun to listen too just because they are so darned skilled the future seems bright for Ellipsis. As more and more people get into video game music I could see these guys going far. They have a tight sound, excellent songwriting, and a clear understanding and passion for their music. And really, what more could you ask for?

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Ellipsis530/app_204974879526524

Divus

What's this? Glorious and triumphant instrumental progressive rock? That sounds about right to me! Divus is a really cool new band from Switzerland who have recently put out their debut full length Aureola their music is passionate and powerful with lots of artsy chord progressions and some very cool and unique melody lines that help to give the whole thing class. The thing is, these guys don't shy away from making some super long songs, on their six track record 4 are over ten minutes long and one is actually seventeen minutes long. Some might say this makes for dreary progressive music, but personally I find it just works. Their epic compositions flow together in unique and powerful ways, showcasing the instrumental mastery of the band. Sure this might lose them some fans, but us dedicated prog nerds know that Divus are grand, these guys may not be for everybody, yet the dedicated few will adore the beauty of their music. The kind of thing you could listen too for hours at a time, I'm very excited to hear how Divus develop in the future!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/divusband?fref=ts

Unbeing-Self Titled

So now, here we have an interesting and new prog band who show a new side of the metal scene in Montreal. This group practices instrumetal in its most glorious form with powerful compositions that show all of the magic that true prog can have. This set of 8 songs is well developed, powerful and passionate, showcasing a band who understand their instruments and who create music that accurately reflects the inherent power of the soul. Modern prog often becomes decadent and silly so a band like Unbeing is definitely something exciting to discover.

The first thing that will impress you with this record is the sheer songwriting chops that engage the listener from the very first song. While their are technical chops galore (more on them later) the songwriting is what really gets me going. This self titled record can reach out to non instrumetal fans, a record that could appeal to even the more traditional metalheads. Yet again, I must emphasize, the chops here are insane the crazed riffs and flashy solos are a lot of fun to listen to and give whole new layers of power to songs like Chuck Norris. (Which is accompanied by an awesome music video) In short, these guys know what they want to do and how to do it.

To finish it off, Unbeing is a promising debut that definitely deserves to be re-released (Pick it up today!) Unbeing represent a whole new layer of prog, showcasing the eternal magic that the genre will have,. Their is a bit of everythign here, but more importantly this is a record that does not confine itself to only prog fans. their is more to this record than can be found in many of their contemporaries and for that I am glad. for those of you who want an instrumetal record for the ages prepare yourselves for some of the niftiest progressive music you'l hear all year!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/UnbeingMusic