Pinkish Black - Bottom Of The Morning

Pinkish Black are an inherently fascinating band. Outside of their tragic backstory these guys have also rapidly come into their own as some of the most interesting and potent songwriters on Relapse right now. Their third record Bottom Of The Morning is one of those albums that speaks to the weird magic that this bands unique brand of post-music has. Pinkish Black have a profound sadness behind their work and a sense of the sublime that gives their soundscapes breadth - creating an album that you have to come back too time and time again.

Part of what has always fascinated me about this duo is how wonderfully organic the sound is. Toss in a healthy dose of Zombi-esque weirdness and you start to get a sense of why Pinkish Black is so inherently fascinating to a metal nerd like me. Bottom Of The Morning speaks to a much darker reality, one that we all must deal with despite the terrors that might haunt us. The magic of this record is that despite the tightly organized song structures and wonderfully eerie melodies there is also a sense of chaos that tickles the edges of the album. You hear the record about to fall apart, terrifying the listener and leaving them forced to grasp at straws - desperately hoping for a way out of this fucked up world of ours.

Maybe I'm just tired after a long day of work - but there is something that really resonates with me with Bottom Of The Morning as if Pinkish Black are speaking to the power of the human condition. Pinkish Black get what it means to craft tunes that resonate with the listener and give us a reason to live. The purifying magic of Bottom Of The Morning will leave any fan of outer sound satisfied, and perhaps even eager for more. Though this record can be a challenging one, it's hard not to fall in love with what these mad geniuses have done.

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

So Hideous - Laurestine

The time has finally come for So Hideous to embrace all of their early promise. With a record based around the number seven, to the extent that they use exclusively 7/8 and 7/4 time signatures Laurestine stands as a testament to stellar songwriting that transcends the genre. The fact of the matter is So Hideous are changing the face of heavy music with their latest release and it is a record that REFUSES to be underestimated. Ambitious and beautiful - this is the kind of record that makes me proud to be a metalhead.

The thing is for Laurestine the dudes in So Hideous pulled out all the stops - hiring a thirty piece orchestra to accentuate their triumphant music. A concept record in the grandest possible form it's hard not to enjoy every step of the journey that So Hideous take you on. The thing is - this is the kind of record that requires at least four or five listens to even scratch the surface of, there is simply so much going on and So Hideous are ridiculously far ahead of their time. It leaves us in a whole new soundworld and one that other metal bands should be taking note of. So Hideous have effectively raised the bar for artistry in metal and the ramifications could be epic.

And so I leave you dear reader to once more cloak myself in the incredible ecstasy that is Laurestine - a heavy metal record that refuses to come across like any other. There is a profound sense of sonic poetry to this album - something that only shines through in the top few albums of any given year. Laurestine understand the raw gravitas of their music and it helps them to speak to the masses and unveil the beauty within. This is heavy metal for the modern man, nay, the thinking man, and you had better get used to it, because with any luck Laurestine is the future.

Find them on Facebook!

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

Insect Ark, Codas and Locrian at St Vitus Bar

Last night was something of a rite of passage for me - it was my first evening at the now legendary St Vitus. This bar - known for hosting all manner of top notch metal events sees the cream of the crop pass through its doors. In the audience at last nights show I bumped into writers for Metalsucks, and internationally touring musicians among others. The point being - this is the beating heart of the heavy metal underground so getting to check out three great bands at a venue like this one is not an experience one should underestimate.

Up first was Codas - a one man industrial(ish) project that used a guitar and various laptop effects for a highly emotive and powerful musical experience. There is something strangely cathartic about watching Codas unique brand of music in a tiny dark room like the one at St Vitus. It gives you a sense of intimacy with the music and allows the walls of sound to resonate around the listener and give them a sense of freedom even with the projects harsh sonic confines.
Codas is heavy music that speaks to the soul and has an intensely personal power that will open your eyes and guide you into the void.

Insect Ark came on next with a half hour set by only half the duo (The other half lives on the West Coast and unfortunately couldn't make it) The sound of Insect Ark is the sound of mountains moving. You find yourself lost in the great undulating sonic waves. Waves that speak right to the heart and get your entire body caught up in some sort of strange unholy motion. Insect Ark has a sort of surreal power behind it that keeps music nerds like me totally rapt. Largely industrial but unafraid to embrace the beauty of the bass guitar - this is the kind of stripped down sonic majesty that makes post-music so valuable.

Finally the hour had come for the almighty Locrian to wow the crowd with a wholly cathartic release of sound - replete with gentle climaxes and decrescendos and reflected in the musicians every movement. These guys are not just great musicians - they are top notch performers. It makes the Locrian live show almost a form of performance art. You find yourself staring deep into their actions and wondering what their odd and often experimental sounds say about humanity. Locrian are aware of the profound power of music (if this is even properly music) and this leads to something utterly overwhelming and completely unforgettable.

At the end of the night as I enjoyed my thirty minute walk home (You have to love these last beautiful nights of summer) I couldn't help but smile. Not only had I done it - bloodied myself in the ethereal magic of St Vitus Bar but I had gotten to see three bands that provide the sort of catharsis that makes this life livable. And so I find myself looking on to what else I have to face today - interview transcriptions, phone calls and a whole lot of guitar and I realize that in the end - we will make it through, if only because of the music.

Find the bands on Facebook!

Insect Ark: https://www.facebook.com/InsectArk?fref=ts

Codas: https://www.facebook.com/codasmusic?fref=ts

Locrian: https://www.facebook.com/LocrianOfficial?fref=ts

Locrian - Infinite Dissolution

I very clearly remember listening to Locrians Return To Annihilation when I was 17 and being blow away by what the music represented for me. The thing is - they seem to have only gotten better since then. Whereas Return To Annihilation might have just been a little too abstract their latest offering, Infinite Dissolution is perhaps their most exciting yet - showing the band delivering a soul encapsulating release that embodies a wealth of emotions and carries the listener on a musical journey that they won't soon forget.

With more discernible riffs and a much more clear sense of forward motion on Infinite Dissolution this record might seem a little less cerebral. Yet what I've found as I increasingly dig deeper into the sound is that Infinite Dissolution has more to unpack than any other Locrian release. These guy have always made me ask "Can this even be called music?" And I mean that of course in the nicest possible way. Locrian force me to re-evaluate my stance on a whole bunch of things and make you look at the true nature of art. Yet beyond that Infinite Dissolution contains some pretty killer tunes that will open up fascinating soundscapes and give you a taste for the bands avant garde fury.

What I'm trying to say is that Locrian are always going to give you cool stuff to dig into, but with Infinite Dissolution they may have just hit their peek. It's rare that I find a record that is as hands-down mesmerizing as this one. It's almost impossible to stop the roaring and ambient might that Locrian seem to carve out. Utterly unique and always ready to challenge old perceptions I get the impression that Locrian can't help but make the listener smile. They are post-music at the highest level and they will blow your mind.

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

Upcoming show: Russian Circles + Helms Alee (10.04 Paris, 24.04 Tourcoing)

Returning after nearly 2 full years of absence on our French soil, the Chicago-based Post-Metal figureheads are getting ready to embark on a European tour that will include a couple of stops in France, including a Parisian date scheduled for the 10th of April.

Ever since the release of the bands' self-titled debut EP, the band has been consistently blowing minds with each of their successive releases, growing gracefully alongside their ever-expanding sense of ambition, reaching up to their most recent full-length effort: the epic, splendid "Memorial". Combining the sound of sludge-influenced Post-metal from the likes ISIS, Neurosis or Cult of Luna with the progressive, cinematic scope of post-rock acts such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai or Explosions in the sky, Russian Circles have achieved the same emotional and atmospheric density of all of the aforementioned bands as a mere 3-piece formation. Armed with top-notch compositional skills, the band manages to flesh out detailed sonic textures and emotions with exquisite detail in their rich compositions filled with atmospheric soundscapes, massive buildups and huge climaxes. 

Joining them for this upcoming European tour starting March 31st are none other than Helms Alee, bringing along with them their eclectic brand of noise rock songs tainted with the sounds of sludge and post-hardcore.This upcoming tour has been a widely anticipated one for noise-rock fans, as it will mark the first European tour for the 3-piece from Seattle since their formation in 2007.

In clear, the upcoming Parisian concert will definitely be one you're not going to want to miss, whether you're a post-rock or post-metal enthusiast or a fan of raw, dissonant noise rock from the likes of early Sonic Youth or Melvins. For those who aren't too familiar with the band, I urge you to come out to the show and experience the splendor of Russian Circles first-hand, as I am sure their gig will prove to be as much as an experience as their albums are.

Robin

Links to the event (with links to grab some pre-sale tickets)
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/952318224796445/
Lastfm
http://www.lastfm.fr/event/4014641+Russian+Circles+at+La+Maroquinerie+on+10+April+2015

This gig is brought to us by Kongfuzi booking.
Be sure to check out and subscribe to Kongfuzi booking for updates on their upcoming shows http://kongfuzi-booking.org/wordpress/programme/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/KONGFUZI-BOOKING/100155577922

Russian Circles
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/russiancirclesmusic
Bandcamp
https://russiancircles.bandcamp.com/
Official Website
http://russiancirclesband.com/

Helms Alee
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee
Bandcamp
https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/

Both Russian Circles and Helms Alee are signed to Sargent House records, whose catalog also include Chelsea Wolfe,  Boris, Deafheaven, Wovenhand, Marriages… (the last 2 band are also going to be playing a show in Paris on april 12^th at Le Trabendo, stay tuned for more info!) Be sure to check out their page:
http://sargenthouse.com/artists/

Sólstafir w/Nordic Giants in Paris (@Le Nouveau Casino, 27/01/2015)

Rushing across Paris as fast as humanly possible, I arrived at Le Nouveau Casino last thuesday with the firm determination of not missing out on a single song that evening. As I took the time to catch my breath, I stepped into the venue to find the room absolutely jam-packed with people.  With both French dates marked as sold-out, it seems pretty clear that, in light of last years’ unfortunate tour cancellation, Solstafir’s concert had been long-awaited by French fans.

Opening for the Icelandic quartet was a post-rock band named Nordic Giants. The duo took to the stage wearing tribal clothes and masks covered in feathers foreshadowing the importance of the visual aspect of the bands' performance. Making use of the stages' backdrop as well as a TV screen placed at the front of the stage, the bands' music acted as a score for various short films, embarking every single audience member on a poetic voyage beyond reality to explore the endless wonders of human imagination.
The band visibly took great care in turning their shows into a perfectly cohesive show, as the compositions were perfectly fitted to bring each short film to life, creating an incredibly immersive experience. With one anonymous musician handling keyboards and the occasional trumpet sections on one hand, and the other taking care of percussions and guitar duties, the band managed to create an impressively rich, larger-than-life quality with their climactic songs.  Each song had its beautiful and haunting melodies within rich compositions paced with superb crescendos and outbursts of thunderous drum grooves. The second half of their set marked the appearance of a few sampled guest vocalists who were brilliantly incorporated into the scenery of each cinematic piece.
In short, Nordic Giants provided us with an incredibly beautiful musical and visual experience to which I can only respond to by giving my highest praise. For any fans of cinematic post-rock from the likes of Maybeshewill or God is an astronaut, I highly recommend checking out this band and looking out for their upcoming performances.

Then came the time for tonights' headling act to mark their long awaited return to Le Nouveau Casino. Starting things off with the moody intro Náttfari off their now 10 year old album Masterpiece of Bitterness, it did not take more than the first few notes for the band to instantly mesmerize their entire audience with their unique sonicscapes of unfathomable beauty. Following the brief intro, the band went straight to business by hitting off with the excellent Köld, off their album of the same name. With the exception of 1 more song off each of the aforementioned albums, the bands' set will go on to feature exclusively songs off their last 2 records, with an emphasis on their latest full-length effort: Ótta.
Anyone having witnessed a live show by the Icelandic quartet must understand how captivating it was to see and hear these majestic compositions come to life before our very eyes. As every song drew to a close, the sound of every instrument would gradually die out to eventually leave way for the five or six seconds of silence from an audience completely taken away. I found myself deeply moved every time every song would fade into these lulling moments of silence followed by thunderous cheers from the audience, these brief fragile moments during which everyone slowly returns to the present moment after having been carried far, far away.
The sound of wailing bowed guitars and magnificent, roaring reverberated leads echoing across the venue were complemented by what I can only qualify as a perfect vocal performance. Not only staying pitch-perfect, Aðalbjörn "Addi" Tryggvaso's powerful live vocals convey an incredible amount of raw emotion on every song. I've even spotted a couple of audience members that were so moved during the gig that they would occasionally break into tears of joy.
Other than that, the show had a few moments during which some instruments weren't audible enough (most notably the banjo and the rhythm guitar), but needless to say that these minor issues did little to bother, let alone compromise the band's absolutely stellar performance.

In short, Tuesdays’ gig at Le Nouveau Casino was one of top-quality performances for both bands. With Nordic Giant's awe inspiring cinematic post-rock set and Solstafir’s powerfully engaging take on post-metal, this was certainly not an evening to miss out on. For any fans that happened to have missed out on this sold-out gig, I can only suggest you pay close attention to both bands' future tour dates.

Robin

Nordic Giants 

Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/nordicgiants

Official Website

http://www.nordicgiants.co.uk/

Sólstafir

Facebook  

https://www.facebook.com/solstafirice

Nordic Giants Setlist 

1. (Unknown)     (film - "Lunar" by Tyson Wade Johnston)
2. Mechanical Minds     (film - "The Gift" by Carl Erik Rinsch)
3. The Seed     (film - "Death of an Insect"… more )
4. Through a Lens Darkly     (film - "The Last Breath" by David Jackson)
5. Néoténie     (film - "Reload" by Jodeb)
6. Together     (film - "Pencilhead" by Pencilhead.me)
7. Little Bird     (film - "Solipsist" by Andrew Thomas Huang)
8. (Unknown)
Outro (film - "The Last Breath" final scene)

 

 

Sólstafir setlist
1. Náttfari
2. Köld
3. Lágnætti
4. Rismál
5. Ótta
6. Svartir Sandar
7. Djákninn
8. Dagmál
9. 78 Days in the Desert
____________________
10. Fjara
11. Goddess of the Ages

Anatomy of Habit - Ciphers+Axioms

Anatomy of Habit is a truly special band, a doom act who seem to have found a truly unique take on the genre, fusing the ideas of bands like Neurosis with some strange ideas reminiscent of groups like Swans. In other words Anatomy of Habit sound like the world is ending, and by god is it enjoyable. See, there is not a true sense of chaos behind the sound, although the chaos is definitely there. Instead I feel a sense of total destruction, as if my brain is slowly collapsing in upon itself and the only thing I can do to stay alive is to keep listening.

There is something wonderfully interesting about this record, and I think it's not just because of the unique sound. The sometimes spoken vocals give the music a very weird and almost cerebral vibe that none of the bands peers can claim to have. However some of the lyrics really catch my ear and get the mind thinking. Two of my favorite lines come on the second track of this two song album. Who but Anatomy of Habit could come up with bits like "A life lived backwards" or refer to the mysterious "Architecture of faces" what the hell is that even supposed to mean? Isn't that the point though? Anatomy of Habit have come through and created something that makes me question reality.

What I'm trying to say is that these guys are special and have the know how to do something truly special. These songs aren't going to pull in people who aren't into slow and heavy music, but that's not the point. Yes, it's aimed at a niche market, but for that niche market the quasi-spiritual effect of this album is mind boggling. The band has managed to create something weirdly special and incredibly beautiful. It leaves me on my knees, begging for more, but also trying to understand the disturbing magic of Ciphers + Axioms.

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

Broughton's Rules - Anechoic Horizon

For something to be 'Anechoic' means for it to be free of echo, for a note to be played without resonating back. So the idea of having an Anechoic Horizon might seem interesting, this idea that there are no echoes coming back, ever. It creates a sense of melancholy that I feel is very much reflected in the riffs of Broughton's Rules, if they can even be called riffs. This post rock group is creating something wonderfully sad, and morose, touching on the human condition in a way that few of their peers can, and they're doing it all without vocals.

I think that what makes Anechoic Horizon so gosh darned interesting is the magic of the soundscapes the band creates. They hardly conform to normal ideas of what music is, or what music should be. Instead they kind of pulse, slowly rising into something greater and more terrible, wholly enjoyable melancholic despair for the masses. Despite the minor key melodies and slow tempos that dominate Anechoic Horizon this record will hardly put you to sleep. Instead it lulls you into a dream like state where you are forced to sit and desperately anticipate the next move. Three or four spins into this record and I'm still finding strange new elements that I had never even anticipated hearing.

Delving into Anechoic Horizon is a truly wonderful musical journey, there are so many exciting twists and turns to explore. As this record develops you find yourself in a strange new world, and the first thing you want to do is to delve into all of it. Broughton's Rules have all sorts of ideas that are touching on revolutionary. This is only the bands first record, but there is tons of unbridled potential and their sound is clearly defined. As the magic of this band is allowed to prosper I can foresee only good things happening for this band.

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

A Light Within-Preface

I review a lot of music, so it's not often that I stumble upon a band who defy genre specifications. I'm so used to being inundated with all sorts of sound that I feel like I can categorize almost everything that comes across my speakers. Well it seems like A Light Within have me beat, their unique and powerful brand of... I don't even know what, has a very open and ambient sound that somehow also fuses more direct guitar tones which give a sort of lining to the ethereal substance that makes up so much of the music on this three song EP.

Alright, I'll give it a go, the music on Preface is essentially post-rock. It has a very Cult of Luna-esque vibe at times, highly intelligent music that takes a while to really get into. The throbbing might of tracks like Page #18 (Grin) is oftentimes hard to define and gives a very clear flavor to the music. The just audible samples on some of these tracks gives an almost alien feeling to some of the music, making these tracks feel as if they are not of this world. Getting into this record takes a few spins, but their is a certain beauty to it, an undying magic of a band who understand what it means to make music that reflects the soul and opens the heart. This is what post-rock should be all about.

A Light Within is the kind of group who use a broad and oftentimes atmospheric sound to speak to the soul. Sure, these tracks aren't wholly engaging and might not get a listener bipping and bopping about, but it certainly will force them to take a second look, dig into what this abstract and ethereal genre of music is all about. I hope that Preface stays true to its name and precedes good things to come. So dive into the sound of a band who are not held back by traditional norms, a band who refuse to be stopped, but will simply rise stronger and more triumphant, masters of their own reality.

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

The Grasshopper Lies Heavy-Every Man For Himself And God Against All

I've never been to San Antonio, why, I've never even been to Texas, but they must have some pretty crazy stuff going on out there for a record like this to come from those sun-blasted fields. The Grasshopper Lies Heavy are the sort of band who make you ask, is this even music? And somehow, you find it within yourself to realize that the answer is a resounding yes. There new record Every Man For Himself And God Against All is a release that almost annihilates the need for traditional music because it is so all encompassing, and somehow, all powerful.

These guys have done something with Every Man For Himself And God Against All they have captured my imagination, and then beat it it to a pulp. This is the sort of bloody, ungodly destruction that leaves people feeling weak and overcome, there is no redemption from this pure nihilistic annihilation. The Grasshopper Lies Heavy speak right to the heart, soothing and strange words, before reaching down your throat, and ripping it out. Four listens in, I'm still not quite sure what to make of this very unique release, only that it defies genres and leaves me almost in tears at times, simply that powerful of a record, it escapes all human comprehension, leaving you to put together shards of memory.

In conclusion, Every Man For Himself And God Against All may not necessarily be the best album of the year, but it is certainly one of the most interesting. It crafts bizarre and unique soundscapes that leave you trying to understand where you came from, and then where you are going. This record is completely instrumental, allowing it to talk to us on a much more fundamental level and then makes you lose yourself in the nihilistic apocalypse that is ungodly and pure heavy metal madness. So open your heart, fall into the void, and become aware.

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