In Ears - June 2017

Monthly reviews for June 2017 include: Sólstafir, Seether, Crippled Black Phoenix, Paradise Lost, Blind Guardian, SubRosa, Sanctuary, Blue Öyster Cult, Kikagaku Moyo, Blondie, This Will Destroy You, Vanilla Fudge and more

During the previous few weeks I also experienced some massive music events. First of all, we went to Hellfest, with my girlfriend as press and we returned with some great pics and interviews (including video interview with Liam Wilson). Secondly, I worked for few days as a roadie at Foo Fighters and Guns N’ Roses shows in Prague. I will provide you behind the scenes story and plenty of pics soon. And finally, after a year of negotiations, I finally presented music for Czech blind people at SONS. During an evening session I included songs from Anathema, The Gathering, Steven Wilson and many more. Whole story coming soon as well. Have a great summer!

Sólstafir – Berdreyminn

Beauty and roughness of Icelandic scenery. That’s a feeling which arouses with new album Berdreyminn. Since a release of album Svartir Sandar in 2011, Sólstafir finally enjoy well deserved attention, which was further raised with album Ótta, which came out in 2014. There was not a reason to change direction of a band and nobody even expected that. Style of the band was not even negatively affected by an unpleasant break-up with a long term drummer. However, we can see even further departure from rawness and stronger inclination towards cinematic atmosphere. Therefore, continuously rising fanbase can enjoy a post rock journey, just on new touristic paths.

Seether – Poison the Parish

Very solid release from nu-metal veterans. I remember the days when Staind, Adema and so many others ruled the world. These days are long gone, but this a rare bright moment.

Crippled Black Phoenix – I, Vigilante

I gave these guys a try, as they were part of the Hellfest line-up and I came across their name multiple times. So far, I am not a fan of their discography. Their latest album Bronze didn’t work for me. Well, not even their most respected release I, Vigilante. However, the tracks Bastogne Blues and Of A Lifetime from this album are some of the most beautiful songs I heard in my life.

Paradise Lost – Medusa

I’m not allowed to say much, but this comment from Greg fits really well: “The new album will be slower, sludgier and more doom filled than ever before. Eight riff laden monster tracks of sheer Northern misery.” Well, bloody sludgy, trust me…

Blind Guardian – Live Beyond The Spheres

What else did you expect then ass-kicking live show?

SubRosa – For This We Fought the Battle of Ages

Breath taking atmosphere and one of the best discoveries on Hellfest!

Sanctuary – Into The Mirror Black

Mind blowing early days of Warrel Dane. It is significantly power metalish (I even feel some early Helloween), but there are some prog inputs as well, in a sense of an absolute freedom within song structure. On top, Warrel yelling and crying.

No “Click”

Blue Öyster Cult – More Of The Best, Crippled Black Phoenix – Bronze, Kikagaku Moyo – House in the Tall Grass, Blondie – Pollinator, This Will Destroy You – This Will Destroy You