This is the debut album from US metallers Ghastly Sound.
Having really enjoyed both Ghastly Sound and The Bottom, I’ve been looking forward to Have a Nice Day. It has not disappointed, quite the opposite in fact. Continue reading
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Tag Archives: Helmet
Soul Attrition – Vashon Rain (Review)
Soul Attrition is a one man post-rock band from the US and this is his debut album.
The man behind this band also plays in the wonderfully alternative/sludgy Escape Is Not Freedom, so I knew I had to give this one a listen. Continue reading
Escape Is Not Freedom/Dusk Village – Split (Review)
Escape Is Not Freedom and Dusk Village are both alternative/sludge metal bands, and they have teamed up with each other on this split.
Escape Is Not Freedom, (who we know from their 2015 album The Truants), start us off with two tracks, which last just under 10 minutes in total. Continue reading
Ghastly Sound – The Bottom (Review)
Ghastly Sound are a metal/hardcore band from the US and this is their second EP.
Oh Ghastly Sound, with this latest EP you’re really spoiling us. Already this year we were treated to your extremely enjoyable self-titled debut EP, and now, hardly any time at all later, you’ve now gifted us with your latest creation – The Bottom. Continue reading
Ghastly Sound – Ghastly Sound (Review)
Ghastly Sound are a metal/hardcore band from the US and this is their debut EP.
As much as I luuurrrvvvveeee the distortion of a good guitar, I do always like it when I come across a band that eschews this in favour of the primal heaviness of just drums and bass. Continue reading
Lo-Pan – In Tensions (Review)
This is the latest EP from US stoner rock band Lo-Pan.
Their 2014 album Colossus made a very favourable impression on me. As with Colossus, In Tensions is instant-gratification personified. The tracks are bright, have high-impact and are imbued Continue reading
Chronoboros – Dialing up the Cutter (Review)
Chronoboros are from Greece and play Sludge-fuelled Hardcore. This is their début EP.
Chronoboros play a mix of Sludge/Hardcore that shares some features of Alternative Metal and Noise Rock in its sideways approach. It reminds me of the early-to-mid-90s style in some ways, albeit with a modern delivery and a distinct personality all of its own.
Combining elements of bands such as Fudge Tunnel, Association Area, Kowloon Walled City, No Anchor, Helmet, The Dillinger Escape Plan and a plethora of others, this is an interesting and enjoyable release that shows that a band can be inventive while still having the capacity to rock out hard.
The music is complex and involved. It has a lot of depth and layers to it meaning that although these songs are quite short they make a good impression. Heavy sections compete for space with less-conventional parts and there’s a lot of good ideas on this EP that are barely explored before the band hop off once again on another exploratory trip into their unusual world.
The vocals combine harsher screams with more unusual semi-spoken vocalisations. It works a treat and is thankfully the right side of quirky.
There’s a lot of talent and promise on this release. It’s only 15 minutes long, so what excuse do you have for not checking it out?
That’s what I thought.
Escape Is Not Freedom – The Truants (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.
Seneron – Parasites and Poets (Review)
Seneron are from Northern Ireland and this is their début album. They play Rock.
Infusing their Rock with Grunge and Punk, Seneron have produced a richly melodic 28 minutes of enjoyable music.
Not wildly dissimilar from fellow Irish bands Therapy? and, (in particular), Kerbdog; Seneron inhabit the same stylistic space as these heavy-hitters. Add in bit of Helmet, Foo Fighters and…yes, Seneron would have fit in very well in the early 90s.
The songs are catchy, memorable and easy to digest. It’s very easy listening, and I mean that in a good way. You can just turn this on and zone out to the infectious melodies. Before you know it, you’re rocking around in your seat and singing along with rawkus abandon. Or something.
The songs are short and sweet, never outstaying their welcome. Parasites and Poets succeeds in being very easy to like and very easy to recommend.
The songs are well-crafted sugar-coated slices of Rock. The guitars are pleasingly loud though and it’s to Seneron’s credit that they’ve given their guitarist permission to add a bit of a bite to his attack. Compared to most of the stuff on this site you wouldn’t call it aggressive, but it’s not a passive, weak delivery like a lot of this type of music thinks it can get away with.
A thoroughly enjoyable album. Check out Seneron.
