This is the seventh album from Impure Wilhelmina, a Swiss post-metal band.
The music takes progressive post-metal/rock, post-hardcore, and indie/alt-rock, throws in a healthy amount of goth influences, and even has a blackened veneer in places. Continue reading “Impure Wilhelmina – Antidote (Review)”
This is the debut album from Nicarus, a solo Israeli artist.
I confess that it was the album art that drew me to this release, as I’m not normally a huge fan of the less-heavy genres such as anything with rock in the descriptor. I’m glad that I did check it out though, as Coal People, Coal Puppets is an Continue reading “Nicarus – Coal People, Coal Puppets (Review)”
Escape Is Not Freedom are from the US and play Alternative Metal. This is their début EP.
5 songs, 28 minutes.
I like this band. They’re playing a style that’s a bit harder to pigeon hole than most, and I haven’t really heard much too similar to this for a long time.
The band this reminds me the most of is Fudge Tunnel, only with slightly harsher vocals. If you know Fudge Tunnel at all, then it will give you a good idea of Escape Is Not Freedom’s sound. If not, then think slightly-muted and unusual Alternative Metal, done with a Noise Rock background and a raw, underground Grunge influence, before it became a big thing. Add in a few elements of Therapy? at their more Alt-Rock and a pinch of Helmet, and you have this EP.
The songs are a satisfying listen, taking me back to the 90s in many respects. If you’re looking for a few more modern references though, think a less-Sludge version of Kowloon Walled City mixed with a bit of Russian Circles.
The slightly-muted delivery is an interesting one as it is frequently presented by large riffs and energetic guitars, so how they manage to retain that subtlety and understated-edge that Fudge Tunnel did so well is beyond me. It’s partially down to the production, but also the feel of the songs themselves. It’s a very hard-to-achieve juxtaposition, but when done right, it works.
This won’t be to everyone’s tastes, (which is a silly thing to say in many ways, as you could literally say that about any band), but I have enjoyed it; not only due to the fact that it’s a little different, but also just due to the strength of the songs themselves.
If you’re looking for something a little outside of your normal comfort zone, try Escape Is Not Freedom on for size.
Wonderbox Metal 