Monthly reviews for March 2017 include: Simo, Cult Of Luna & Julie Christmas, Inter Arma, Junius, Master’s Hammer, Sanctuary, Astronoid, Veena, Zeal & Ardor, Grief & Bliss, Fueled by Fear, Rival Sons
Simo – Let Love Show The Way
Really cool, but poorly promoted hard rock
Veena – Help It To Die
You will barely find more inspirational duo in Czech Republic than Veronika Burianková & David Zeman. They are active within projects Kalle, Nod Nod and Veena. All of them getting top positions within respected poll charts. We can say they play doom rock within Veena. But, If you demand more doom/sludge metal side, go for Nod Nod and pick Kalle, for quality pop rock.
Junius – Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light
Post rock bands sometimes progress in big steps. But nobody as Junius. I follow this band since their 2009 release The Martyrdom of a Catastrophist and there are massive development jumps with every new release. They have created their own style, where the core of the band’s style is stable but the rest is optional. Reports from the Threshold of Death from 2011 where I felt elements of Depeche Mode was one of my most favorite albums, while I was in Barcelona for my master studies. Eternal Rituals For The Accretion Of Light takes another massive jump in their progression as they included more apocalyptic elements and harsh vocals and work well as a soundtrack to my current life phase again. This video is just one part of the spectrum of their sound. It’s quite massive, but there are beautiful atmospheric pieces as well. Interview coming hopefully…
Cult Of Luna & Julie Christmas – Mariner
Spectacular clash of worlds. Apocalyptic sludge metal meets post ambient. Plus amazing Julie Christmas on top. It is a true clash, as I didn’t enjoy any of the works from Cult of Luna nor Julie until now. I tried already few Cult of Luna albums and talking about Julie, one of my closest friends truly loves Battle Of Mice – A Day Of Nights album. I gave this legendary piece, which helped so many people already multiple tries, but nothing. However these two entities together – absolutely mind blowing!
Zeal & Ardor – Devil Is Fine
Try to mix american slave music with black metal – One of the most innovative and promising projects today. Interview coming asap.
Inter Arma – Paradise Gallow
Impressive blackaned sludge metal. There are just too many black metal or sludge metal bands, which just bore me to death. It’s fantastic, when somebody takes the best from both sides and mix it together. Sludgy song structures, with stunning catchy riffs plus blackened vocals. It gets doomy, it gets grindy. Plus they don’t mind, having fun with heavenly intro and country outro. Main riff in this piece…
No “Click”
Blood Ceremony – Blood Ceremony, Brimstone Coven Black Magic, The Derek Trucks Band, Eric Clapton – I Still Do, Inquisition – Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith, Skuggsja – A Piece For Mind & Mirror, Rotting Christ – Rituals, Moonsorrow – Jumalten Aika, Witherscape – The Northern Sanctuary, Borknagar – Winter Thrice, Nails – You Will Never Be One Of Us, Persefone – Aathma, Trees of Eternity – Hour of the Nightingale
Sanctuary – Inception
I hoped for rawer Nevermore but I rather got early Helloween. Ok, that was too strickt – it’s simply something for fans of early Metal Church, Channel Zero and any early power/speed metal bands.
Astronoid – Air
This album has been voted The Best Debut Album within Metal Storm Awards 2016. I understand it’s success, because it reminds me very much of a year, when band Atoma has won this category in 2012, same as The Best Post-Metal Album. There are some hell of catchy moments, but to be honest, I am too lost within a roller coaster of high melodies and especially intense drumming. And no, I am not a Deafheaven fan.
Master’s Hammer – Ritual
This band is a true miracle. It’s a Czech black metal legend, which managed to get more respect worldwide, than in their home country. Plus they didn’t play for many years, until this year, when they will perform at Brutal Assault. Sorry, I am not going to see that. However, it was a great time to check their legendary debut, from which song Jáma Pekel was even covered by Polish Behemoth. Fenriz, the drummer of Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone, said about the album “is actually the first Norwegian black metal album, even though they are from Czechoslovakia.” To be honest this release is both entertaining and worth respect…
Direct Music Messages
Grief & Bliss – Endeavor: sth for the fans of Alcest and I also remembered Italian band Novembre.
Fueled by Fear – Solid metalcore from Zurich. Very motivational, so I’m sending this to an owner of my favorite gym, to include this in playlist.
Final tip:
Rival Sons – Live at Download Paris: Anytime. Why not?!
