Publicist UK - Forgive Yourself

Sure I've got Summer Slaughter later today, but this rogue music journalist writes on anyway. There is a sense of the sublime to Publicist UK's latest record, the soon to be immortalized Forgive Yourself. Wonderfully composed and perhaps even album of the year worthy the vaguely anthemic might of Publicist UK will keep you spinning this record again and again. The Publicist UK crew have been able to craft a record that just sounds like the human condition and will have you looking within as you seek to understand the lyrics.

The raw poetry of the words on this record is stunning and it leaves you contemplating your place in society. That being said, Publicist UK are never heavy handed and will not disgust the listener with preachy lyrics. Instead, the vocals stand as a fitting compliment to the glorious atmospheres that are interwoven throughout the record. Publicist UK seem like they are only going to get better too, even if now the songwriting is just about perfect with every song taking a logical journey and yet fitting perfectly into a whole. While I'm not entirely sure if this is a concept record, I'd certainly say that it's something special enough to keep any fan of truly thought provoking music engaged for days on end.

I mean, it might sound cliched for me to say this, but I can't help but be reminded of some modern doom acts with what Publicist UK do. Their is something distinctly dark about what their music, and yet it is hardly occult, but rather reflecting the bleak realities of everyday life. And yet, one gets the sense that with the power of the music on Forgive Yourself you too might just be able to forgive yourself and reach forth for a brand new day. Publicist UK understand what it means to create great art, and don't you forget it.

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

Tombs-Savage Gold

Tombs, for the uninitiated, are a sort of unholy fusion of post punk with heavier, darker stuff, like black metal, and experimental music. Their new record Savage Gold is evidence that these Brooklyn natives are innovators and bringing metal to a whole new level. Their unique take on extreme music is oftentimes inspiring and depicts a metal band who are hungry for success. Alternating between a sublime rage, and moment of dark beauty, Savage Gold is oftentimes an inspiring record and proves Tombs to be one of the most exciting extreme bands out there today.

What's important to know about Savage Gold is that even from the opener, Thanatos, it's easy to lose yourself in the layers of sound that Tomb create. The riffs here, while very much in the black metal tradition, often have a little something more. I won't say there are clear hooks, but rather that Tombs have brought in a very engaging element to their riffs, making songs like Portraits masterpieces that you can spin again and again. This record is wholly satisfying, falling into the strange secular haze produced by Savage Gold is certainly something any metal dude could easily do, Tombs have a clear artistic direction and their songwriting has only improved since 2011's Path of Totality.

Over the past few years Tombs have been on a handful of compilations, three albums, an EP, and a split. Suffice to say, I feel fairly confident stating that these guys will be back fairly soon, building on the mastery that is Savage Gold. Tombs understand where they want to take their music, and for the dedicated lover of extreme metal, few things are better. Filled with interesting riffs and a truly unique take on both post-punk and black metal, Savage Gold is the sort of release that proves how great Relapse is as a label. So get in there, open your heart, and find your way through, to the savage gold within.

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https://www.facebook.com/TombsBklyn

Liquid Casing

Liquid Casing is an interesting progressive rock band with some more quirky post punk leanings in their sound. A wholly unique band these guys are a lot of fun to listen too on a tired Saturday morning. Their songs often descend into a beautiful punk chaos with all of the strange glories that the genre is known for. I particularly like the saxophone solos that permeate the music and help to give Liquid Casing their own edge. I get the impression a lot of the songs develop from jam sessions, not that that's a bad thing, it just gives the music a much more free form kind of feel. The end result is a much more wide spread and topsy-turvy soundscape that is hard to leave. I mean, how can you say no to those saxophone solos! They're just so much fun to listen too! In short, Liquid Casing is an excellent four piece because of their cool mix of instruments and sounds and very open and powerful songwriting. A nice way to kick off your weekend any fans of progressive music birthed from stellar musicians just having a jam should dig this record.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/liquidcasingmusic/app_2405167945