Nehoda - But Anyways...

Wow, this is a powerful one. It's always fascinating to see the myriad directions heavy music can go, especially when a musical style as diverse as grunge is one of the primary influences. This is what makes Nehoda such a compelling band. Their new record, But Anyways... is a masterful offering full of deep emotions, potent guitars and gorgeous production. This is a record that can't help but to impress. The band dug deep on But Anyways... and it has paid off in more ways than one. For some of us it might even draw a tear. 

But Anyways... kicks off with a dynamic blues rocker, "I Don't Know" and then it just leaps from peak to peak. While the other key highlight is the album closer, the sorrowful acoustic ballad "Please Don't Go" the band manage to impress throughout. One thing that strikes me about But Anyways... is how nicely the record flows. Each track blends nicely into the other and as you close it out you really feel as if you were taken on a journey. Few bands can execute at that level guiding the listener along masterfully through their despair. It's a rare delight to sink your teeth into a band who do this so well. The years Nehoda have poured into their craft has certainly paid off here. 

Nehoda are the sort of band whose deep steeping in generations of rock music has lead to something glorious. With beautiful production, great songwriting and a timeless sensibility to a lot of the songcraft here, But Anyways... manages to touch on transcendence. While at first it didn't come together, a few songs in I started to understand just how good this band is. Nehoda have gone above and beyond on this album and it hints at great work to come. But Anyways... is the rare subdued stunner and I am 100% here for it. 

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/ThebandNehoda/

Killed A Fox

Nifty Croatian rock with groove, Killed A Fox are a pretty cool new band who bring in a healthy mix of influences to get at something special. Their sonic attack is fairly distinct and shows the capability of the band to come forth with a bit of everything and deliver what can only be called a startling and refreshing burst of rock 'n' roll madness. While yes, there are a lot of standard modern rock influences in the vocals, you can also find touches of Primus and other slightly 'out there' acts accentuating the ringing guitar parts and gyrating bass lines. These songs are exciting and oftentimes tumultuous, twisting and turning like there's no tomorrow. When they end in moments of triumphant and glorious rock and roll redemption you have to close your eyes and smile, this is what the lords of rock would have wanted for us. Killed A Fox have a distinct sound and know what they want to do, it's just a matter of clicking 'play'.

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

Deep Kick-Human Buzz

Time fore another record that might not be standard Two Guys Metal Reviews fare. This time I'm bringing you Human Buzz a new release from Swiss rockers Deep Kick. This new record is powerful and oftentimes enchanting. With stellar production and a great songwriting sensibility, Human Buzz is the kind of thing that you latch on too and have difficulty forgetting. This is a band who have been honing their craft for five years and now seem to be at the top of their game, ready to take over the world.

The funk rock rhythms that seem to define so many of the songs on this record are nicely complimented by wide soundscapes. The guitar tone is fairly thin and jangly, but surprisingly that's not a bad thing, in fact it gives the music a very lighthearted almost visceral quality. The vocal melodies are really well done and give you something special to latch on to. They slot in nicely over the chord progressions and help to keep things engaging. The occasional moments of sampling provide a welcome relief though, a nice little pause before diving back down the rabbit whole of funk rock which is at time simply cosmic. 

As you dive into this record, it's easy to find the glory of a record that kind of gets to the core of funk rock. Above all else, Human Buzz is not only fun to listen too, it is also intelligent and eye opening. Sure, this isn't usually my type of music, but Deep Kick have been able to transcend the common boundaries of the genre to create something exciting and more powerful. As I find myself more and more deeply invested in my record I find myself tempted to check out other bands of their ilk. With flashy solos and fun rhythms, Human Buzz is definitely worth checking out!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deep-Kick/160463348931

Livingston-Animal

When I first spun Animal last Thursday I didn't get it. I was preparing myself for a pretty heavy trip, a festival where drugs and alcohol were eschewed rather than encouraged. Something about it didn't sit right with me. Then I spun it again today and something clicked. There is a strange orchestral magic to Livingston's new record that allows it to stand tall. With its beautifully layered production and intricate sound, Animal goes beyond what many of the bands indie rock contemporaries are doing and lays the groundwork for a sound that is far more promising and epic.

Sure, there are a lot of weird touches of electronic music in here and some autotuned parts, but in all honesty, that adds to the strange beauty of this recording. The otherworldly vocal lines on tracks like Big Mouth is touching, it draws me in and touches the soul. If I was to compare these guys to any band around today I would have to draw a link with the Killers. There's the same idea of having prog rock instrumentation within an alt-rock context. That being said, there is a distinctly English touch to these guys sound which sets them apart from their peers. The music on Animal is honest, yet is done very differently than records from other nations, there is a distinct flavor that only Livingston can provide, and it shows clearly on every track of this album.

As the band eases their way through these tracks it's easy to find the beauty behind it. There is an ebb and flow to the music which transcends words and in many ways speaks to the magic of alt-rock in the twenty first century. These guys have great songwriting ideas and this makes for some singularly engaging work. The soundscapes crafted on Animal are stunning and will leave you in awe for spin after spin. Let Livingston work into your heart, you won't regret it. These guys have exciting and interesting new ideas, and after twelve years, it might just be their time to shine.

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

Jay Smith-King of Man

A Swedish rock hero out to unleash his second solo release. Jay Smith is usually known for his work with the band Von Benzo, but now he seems to be out on a track of his own with the genre sweeping King of Man. This is the sort of modern rock and roll release that has the sort of ubiquity that is almost required to succeed in the modern rock game. You see, King of Man shows us something distinctly human about Jay Smith and it helps all the little people like you and me get a better grasp for what it means to be an artist in his prime.

Part of what makes King of Man so appealing to me is the earthy quality to the music. There is a true depth to what Jay Smith is doing here, like he really wants people to get at the fundamental nature of his music. The result of this is a record that sounds honest, through layers of beautiful production and carefully crafted songs. Jay Smith is a man who really knows how to craft pieces of music, every song here has a unique twist to it, but they all fit in the same general vibe. Even his cover of Cowboys from Hell, which is far removed from the original, brings something new and exciting to the table. This is a labor of love and proves Smith to not just be another rock and roller.

So where does this leave us? Well, we could simply be gaping in the tracks of one of Sweden's rock superstars, but I think that King of Man gives us something more. Jay Smith is revealing the soul of a master to the people and wants us to connect with him and this makes him beautiful. King of Man is an album from a lord of rock, someone who will not be stifled but only turn it up louder. So let yourself be taken in the storm, there's only so much you can take, but Jay Smith will help you with the burden of everyday life. Let down your hair and join the groove, what else can you do?

Find Jay Smith on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/jaysmithofficial

Buffalo Sunn

Buffalo Sunn is the kind of artsy rock band who understand the value of lush production and stellar musicianship. Their new track, By Your Side is a delicious debut, and seeing as they're working with one of the best music promotion companies in the world right now, you know that we'll be hearing more soon! A band with four biological brothers and a pair of honorary ones Buffalo Sunn are the kind of group with a refreshingly direct sense of what they want to do. Furthermore, there is a real depth to the Buffalo Sunn sound, showing us that with By Your Side at least they understand the amount of work that needs to be put in to create a beautifully crafted and very emotional piece of music in the modern alt rock scene. With memorable hooks and touching lyrics, this is the sort of inspiring stuff that sticks with you, regardless of your favorite genre, and I think this is what will ultimately allow Buffalo Sunn to triumph. Honest and bold, By Your Side will come out and touch the hearts of thousands.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Buffalosunn?fref=photo

The Arkanes-W.A.R.

Man, SPV Records has been putting out some of the best rock and roll records of 2014, and they seem to be showing on sign of letting up. The latest gem to come out of the label is the tasty Liverpool quartet, The Arkanes, whose new record W.A.R. is the sort of gem that gets long haired dudes hippity hopping, grooving to a beat that seems to be some sort of unholy fusion of classic rock, grunge, and more than a touch of new alternative stuff. The end result is a record with a distinct sound that is easy to latch in to and then quickly fall in love with.

See, The Arkanes have a great sense of songwriting, and moreover, how their unique take on songs can come forward and give their music a distinct vibe that no other band can truly emulate. With W.A.R. this band manages to rise up and show the world exciting new things can still be done in rock music, be it in low tempo moody tracks like Vampyre or faster rockers like the album closer, Edge, you get a sense that Arkanes just want to live, breath, and simply embody rock and roll. Not a lot of bands have this sort of dedication to the genre, nor the creative potential to really move it forward, but The Arkanes do and this sets them apart, golden gods for a new era.

Dive on in and fill your heart with the rock and roll lust that makes a band like The Arkanes so worthwhile and relevant. In an age where bands start to use up old ideas and leave many concepts played out, The Arkanes are bringing something fresh and exciting to English rock music. Will they be the next fab four? Probably not. But are they capable of touring the world, spreading good vibes and generally making an important, unforgettable mark on rock and roll? Well, if W.A.R. is any indication, then the answer is most definitely yes.

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

Mallory-Honey Moon

Loud groovy rock and roll, that's a great way to kick off the day, I would know because that's what Mallory bring to the table, the sort of pumping, virile madness that captures the heart and holds heshers like you and me in thrall. Another great rock record to grace our eardrums in 2014, Mallory seem to have figured out what they want to do, how to do it, and how to best bring it to the people. Their is a distinct magic about Mallory, a sort of heaviness that permeates Honey Moon, it sounds very 2014, but the topics dealt with are simply timeless.

Even from the first track the heavy grooves Honey Moon catch your ears with a powerful bass thump. These guys are also superior songwriters, there sense of how to construct pieces that seem to just reflect the pure truth and beauty of rock and roll is impressive. See, that's what Mallory have that not a lot of other groups really get at these days, a sort of... comprehension of what rock music is all about. This sets them up as veritable masters of their craft, golden gods who will not be put down, not by the man, not by the people, no one, they will just turn up and continue to belt out the truth. How many other bands have that sort of beautiful honesty behind them?

So maybe I got a little bit out there with this review, what can I say, I'm a little hung over. But that's not the point, Mallory are capable of touching the heart with a distinct and timeless passion. This is not a band who you are going to forget in a few weeks, no, they've a very clear dedication to their music that you feel when you listen to their work. You get a sense for the immense travail that went into the crafting of Honey Moon. This is the sort of rock music the world needs more of and if you like stuff with haunting vocals, crushing riffs and top notch bass playing, then this is the album for you!

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

Republic of Rock 'N Roll-Golden Place

Republic of Rock 'N Roll is the kind of band who try to go back to the basics of what rock is about but do it through a modern context. The end result of this is something exciting and well thought out, the sort of beauty that gets to the spirit of the genre and sets your soul on fire. With colossal riffs and top notch production, these M&O Music rockers have a great handle on what it means to bring the rock and roll fire to an audience that is hungry for something fresh. Anthemic and powerful their new record Golden Place could capture your heart.

What sets Republic of Rock 'N Roll apart as a band is the strangely majestic way in which they shape their choruses. With all of the layering going on here, it's easy to fall into a vast soundscape. The songwriting is, as a whole, very impressive, these guys know how to craft pieces that are filled with tasty hooks and impressive drive. Yet don't think that all of Republic of Rock 'N Roll's music is tightly structured, they are not afraid to descend into sheer anarchy with brash solos and parts that almost feel jammed out. This creates an interesting balance that makes for a record that is engaging over multiple listens, bringing something new to the crowded world of rock music.

With Golden Place Republic of Rock 'N Roll have found a pretty distinct sound, as it evolves I'm sure that they will get a better grasp of what they want to do and start to really develop what they do best. As is, this is a really interesting and well thought out record that takes the listener on a journey that ends with the masterpiece that is Let It Go. Come on in and feel the groove, Republic of Rock 'N Roll want to be huge and their approach to the music is only helping them. Golden Place is worth a few good spins, so slap it onto your tape deck and let's go!

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

Stealth-Shores of Hope

I get a lot of good rock CD's in the mail, and let me just say, I really dig it! So as I sit here, preparing my body to go to a show and trying to recover from the horrors of exams, there is really nothing better for my fatigued soul than Stealth's new masterwork Shores of Hope. Featuring a solid rock sound flecked with hard rock and metal Stealth have put out something pretty fresh and exciting with fun choruses and a lot of tight songwriting. These guys are professional, passionate and powerful, and that definitely manifests itself in the music.

As I dig deeper into Shores of Hope I start to get a real sense for the immense work that went into this record. The riffs are all precisely delivered, with an almost machine-like accuracy, creating a solid backbone for the tracks. One of the things that really makes Shores of Hope special for me is the incredible vocal lines, this bands singer can really belt it! He gives a wonderful touch of melody to the tracks and it just makes the entire record all the more precious in my ears. Toss in some well crafted guitar lines and you realize that Stealth really have got themselves together, they have a good idea of what they are doing and how to do it, now they just need to start bringing it to the people. Regardless, Shores of Hope is a very promising debut release.

Now, frankly I'm exhausted, I've had a tough week, lots of exams and the like. But now I'm starting to find my way, a path forward, one that takes me to the shores of hope. Stealth have snuck their way into my heart and illuminated my soul, giving me the desire to carry on. With a little luck, you too will get a chance to experience the transcendent and beautiful joy of a band who really understand the purpose of rock and roll as a sort of unholy medication. Shores of Hope is a lot of fun to listen too, so close your eyes, turn it up and let go!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/stealthband?fref=nf

Mangoseed

Mangoseed is an exciting rock band from London. Their sound, while based in tradtional rock roots, actually has a lot more going on, with touches of world music and pop to augment the sound. Why, on many of the tracks off their new album, Basquiat its possible to find bits of rapping. The electronic elements here also add a lot of flavor the music and give Mangoseed a unique vibe. See, what makes Mangoseed so interesting for me is that they take a lot of elements that we, as music fans, are pretty familiar with, but they deploy it all in a unique way and give the group a color that no one else has really achieved before. As you dig deeper into this record you find that Mangoseed really aren't to be taken lightly, they simply have so much exciting and new stuff going on that it boggles the mind. Filled with a variety of ideas and emotions, Basquiat is a shape shifting beast who transcends many of its contemporaries. Suffice to say, I think the future will be very bright for these English innovators!

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

Rinch-Odysee

I don't get a lot of progressive and exciting modern rock, yet Rinch provide it proudly with their new record Odysee, the kind of album that gets to the spirit of what bands like The Killers are trying to achieve. Really, that's what makes these guys special, a stripped down approach to a genre that has gotten too complex. Through that they find a certain beauty that few of their contemporaries can touch on, the sort of magic that only really comes from when a group of guys with guitars, drums, and copious amounts of hair get together and decide to see what happens when they make music.

Rinch have really pulled back all the stupid layers that cloud modern rock and so their music takes on what can almost be described as a punk edge. The anthemic choruses are easy to latch on to and demonstrate the kind of triumphant magic this band has, soaring over top of its peers simply because no one else on this particular scene is willing to get rid of all the lies. Driven by a thudding bass and simple, almost shouted vocals that find beauty in what can only be called a basic attack we get a sense for where Rinch is going. The sound is not at all guitar heavy, instead the rhythm section gives this band an incredible forward momentum that means that it is impossible to stop listening.

Odysee is magical, it takes the listener on a musical journey, much like the title promises. Not a lot of bands are this good at mixing in there pop elements to the might of the music. this is the sort of deal that you might not think would triumph at first, yet as you get deeper into it, it makes sense. People have a hunger these days for simple and easy songs in 4/4 with fun choruses. In a world where rock tries to be to smart for you and have more class than it ever deserved it is reassuring to have a band like Rinch, unpretentious and easily approachable, they don't care what you think, there music is fantastic and you can't do a thing about it.

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

Jupiter Zeus-On Earth

I've been getting a lot of good stuff from Western Australia lately and Jupiter Zeus is the latest from a triumphant breed. Their new record On Earth is a testament to the enduring power of space rock in its modern context. On Earth creates simple yet vast soundscapes that bring in the listener and show that you don't have to be old to be wise. These eleven tracks contain more power than most bands can put together in years of work. This is the kind of record that will get people talking for years, filled with poignant riffs that don't just make music but touch on the human condition.

The thing is, Jupiter Zeus are the kind of band who really have no true peer. Their approach to their music is distinct, their attack powerful and the riff style direct. Jupiter Zeus are not just a very stoned group of space rockers, they are artists, men who grasp the significance and beauty of their craft. The power behind the vocals is incredible and brings the entire sound around a powerful and distinct formation. The guitar parts are also fully engaging. I really dig the way the songs are structured, soaring and swooping from one ear to the other, showing the eternal magic of this bands music. It goes beyond the triumph of bands like Soundgarden and into a realm all of their own.

Let's just say, Magnetic Earth Records have done good in signing this band. Their innovative sound combines a variety of old school giants into something fresh and exciting. It fits perfectly within the modern rock context yet gives a distinct and fresh vibe. Not a lot of bands have the sheer promise that Jupiter Zeus do and I'm excited to see that their fan base is rapidly rising. Prepare yourselves my brethren for one of the most promising and destructive rock bands to come up in recent years. The perfect fusion of Sabbath, Soundgarden and Led Zeppelin this is the new generation of rock and rolls triumph.

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

Yerbadiablo-It Doesn't Work

Yerbadiablo are an impressively artsy rock and roll band. The thing that makes them special is that their artsiness never comes across as pretentious, or snobbish. No, Yerbadiablo have honed an impressive and beautiful rock and roll sound that finds glory in the little things. Their new record It Doesn't Work is easily capable bringing a smile to your face, not with brutality or fatality, but a certain sheer humanity that unites us all. Every once in a while I stumble upon an album like this, a record that touches into what it simply means to be human.

With a sound that seems to take elements from every subgenre of rock and roll (with more than a few touches of metal and punk) Yerbadiablo do not hesitate in crafting exciting new sounds that define the power that music can have over people. Part of the magic of this is the songwriting, it speaks to me on a fundamental level, often reminiscent of bands like Deep Purple. However, there is something distinctly modern about It Doesn't Work showing that as much as it may pay tribute to its predecessors, this is definitely a product of the 2010's. With a wide open and extraordinarily beautiful sound, this is not the sort of record to be taken lightly.

Filled with deeply passionate lyrics that examine societal problems in a reflective manner we start to grasp the humanity of this record. Yerbadiablo understand social movements, they get the fragility of the human condition and want to save it. This is what seems to push them forward a desire to show the common man the antisystem and bring him back in touch with his roots. Wholly enjoyable and evidence of the enduring power of rock and roll music, It Doesn't Work has rapidly found a place in my heart and I look forward to seeing what Yerbadiablo put out next!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yerbadiablo/187711264596993

Foreign Affairs

Seamus Heaney is one of my favorite poets, in large part due to the way the he uses a down to earth simplicity to communicate a beautiful message. This is the sort of thing that his Northern Irish fellows in Foreign Affairs seem to be doing too. They get at a certain beautiful human innocence thats we all can relate too. Their is something much deeper in the sound of Foreign Affairs, a power that not a lot of bands can really claim to have. Foreign Affairs get at the heart of the human condition, through a unique brand of anthemic pop punk that features catchy riffs and moving choruses. From the first, it is clear that Foreign Affairs know how to write a tight pop punk track. Though they only have a couple of songs up for the moment, their is al ot more to Foreign Affairs than meets the eye. How else could a band who put out their first single in October of 2013 already be at more than 1,500 Facebook fans? So lovers of pure and sacred pop punk across the globe, get ready, Foreign Affairs will be taking the world by storm!

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

Synaesthesia-S/T

Synaesthesia is a mental condition where you see colors when you hear music. I have it and I must say, it really enhances my enjoyment of sound. So what happens when a band tries to compress these feelings into a prog album? Sheer progressive madness. With their stunning self titled debut, Synaesthesia show an incredible potential to rise up as one of the worlds prog greats, in a scene that is overwhelmed with posers and incompetents. Powerful and passionate this is the kind of music that shows the neverending glory that prog has.

From the twenty two minute plus opening mantra of Time, Tension, and Intervention Synaesthesia reaches out and won't let go. There is a certain magic behind a band who can mix epics like that with shorter and catchier pieces like the always fun Technology Killed the Kids. Synaesthesia clearly know how to write some top notch stuff. The mix of styles found on this record is also very cool. One thing in particular I like from this is the electronic elements that Synaesthesia frequently bring in. When this is offset by rock or even metal beats it creates an interesting dichotomy that is sure to leave the listener guessing. The end result is a beautiful spiralling masterwork that leaves the listener begging for more.

Synaesthesia have pulled out all the stops for this record and it leaves me wondering how they could top it in their sophomore release. Here is a band who have fused styles and brought in unique elements all of their own. With its soaring and melodic keyboard lines Synaesthesia creates luscious soundscapes that few can deny. The way that Synaesthesia craft melodies that shift in crazy, yet strangely familiar ways you realize that there is no stopping these guys. Synaesthesia is a musical juggernaut and at this point we can only hold on and enjoy the ride.

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

Manhattan Coast-This One's for You

Regular readers know the drill, Matt tries to be a hoary old metal dude, but he has a soft spot for fun loving pop punk, it happens. Manhattan Coast have the kind of lighthearted pop punk sound that takes me back to the land of my childhood. Their newest EP This One's for You is five songs of tight rock and roll vibes with strong progressions, excellent tension and a generally fun attitude found throughout. Manhattan Coast understand the beauty and joy of the pop punk genre and infuse it with a certain innocence that proves the genre will never die.

One of the most impressive things about Manhattan Coast is the way that they generate an impressive wall of sound. Their is a sort of huge power behind tracks like Monsoon Season in Machine City that is truly indicative of the magic of the genre. Another aspect of the record I really like is the way that melodic lead lines are established, running under the main riff and helping to give a wonderfully layered feel to the music. These layers eventually come together to make for some very catchy music. Since my first listen I've been humming these songs everywhere I go. This One's for You grasps the true beauty of the music and shows that this Welsh quartet have the know how to write the songs that could define a generation.

Hooky and passionate this is the sort of pop punk that captures my heart. There's not much more to be said other than raise your hands into the air and prepare for some high powered punk fun. Sure these dudes might not be making grim and evil black metal, but there is another sort of beauty that can be found in the music. Manhattan Coast have a glory all of their own and nowhere is this more clear than on This One's for You. Don't leave Manhattan Coast by the wayside, they are coming up fast and soon their will be no escape from the groups pop punk mastery.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/ManhattanCoast

Monks of Mellonwah-Turn the People

I have covered Monks of Mellonwah quite a bit in the past, and with good reason. These award winning Australians have some innovative and magical alternative rock magic. Their new full length Turn the People is actually made up of a trilogy of EP's they put out in 2013. So where does that leave us now? Well, quite frankly, this is essentially the best alternative rock debut that I have heard in many years. The mysterious Monks of Mellonwah have an aura of power around them that can not be dissuaded, and that is what will allow them to truly triumph.

I especially enjoy how cinematic so many of these songs are. There is a sort of otherworldly power to tracks like Escaping Alcatraz. With Turn the People Monks of Mellonwah transcend their records forty six minute run time and instead come out to make something that goes beyond. The music of Monks of Mellonwah reaches out and rubs against the soul. With strangely anthemic pieces, like the legendary Pulse Turn the People draws you in, and if my listening is any indication, it will never let you back out. The lush and majestic soundscapes that give this record so much depth capture my heart in a way that few records can. Do not be dissuaded, my metal brethren, by the 'Alt rock' sticker so often applied to this group, theyy are so much more.

So, if you want the sort of record that will drive right into your heart and give you a new way to look at an entire genre, then Turn the People is the album for you. Already having been featured on MTV, Discovery Channel and Fox Sports this band knows how to sell their brilliant brand of rock and roll magic. Music lovers across the globe will be talking about Turn the People decades from now. This is Monks of Mellonwah's crowning achievement so far and their is no way that they will falter given the momentum they've already built up. Prepare your ears dear readers, this is Monks of Mellonwah and by Thor is it good.

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

The Intersphere-Relations in the Unseen

Progressive and powerful rock and roll magic, this is the kind of thing that we don't get nearly enough of in modern rock and roll. The Intersphere have created something special and truly unique with their new record Relations in the Unseen progressive music for the masses, incredible compositions for the master plan. March 7th 2014, the world will shake at the incredible might that The Intersphere have showcased on this new effort. If nothing else Relations in the Unseen  is proof that there are always exciting new things happening in rock music.

One of the first things that struck me about this release, was the incredible way that these guys fuse masterful compositions with poppy sounds that could easily appeal to a listener of more mainstream music. With all sorts of complex and beautiful lines one might not expect to hear in a release that seems to be turned towards the mass market The Intersphere have done something truly magnificent. This is the sort of release that could possibly change the entire rock music scene, technically complex stuff that appeals to the masses. Anthemic and passionate there is a raw energy and beauty behind the music of The Intersphere that few will forget, Relations in the Unseen stands tall not just as an album, but a statement.

In closing, if you want a record that gets at the beating heart of rock and roll and shows the undying magic of the genre then look no further, Relations in the Unseen is the album for you. Contrasting dark with light in a way that hasn't been done since the days of Led Zeppelin I feel pretty confident in saying that The Intersphere have a very strong chance of being the next big thing in rock music and maybe even the saviors of rock and roll. The time has come to rejuvenate hope in a dying genre and The Intersphere are the shining light guiding us forward.

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

Marla Mase-Half Life

Marla Mase may very well be this generations Lou Reed, and I mean it. With powerful, varied and moving spoken word music that somehow goes beyond what you think music should be Marla Mase has an impressive approach to sound. Deeply personal and incredibly beautiful, her new EP Half Life is evidence of the power that her fans have always known she had. Marla gets what she wants to do and executes with a perfection that none of her peers can claim to have. Not a lot of spoken word artists really capture the imagination like she does. This may be because Marla isn't entirely spoken word, there are strange and triumphant sung passages that add a lot of flavor and keep things interesting.

On top of all of this, her backing band is clearly excellent, they help to provide lush soundscapes and vivid solos for the mysterious tones of Ms. Mase to dance over. The diverse sounds found throughout this record is impressive and helps to give the entire affair a much more interesting vibe, bringing in diverse genres and keeping things fresh throughout. These New Yorkers have taken a clear artistic step from Speak Deluxe with this latest release, and I like it. Who knows what this mysterious modern rock genius will do next?

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marla-Mase/170044966351982?fref=ts