Halloween Havoc – new releases this weekend
It’s riff-oween!
As this October week has seen a healthy flood of new releases, here’s a blast of reviews and recommendations for those of a metal inclination. Still need a soundtrack for the weekend?
Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou – full collaboration album out now
The highly-anticipated collaborative album from Emma Ruth Rundle and sludge merchants Thou, ‘May Your Chambers Be Full’, has just been released, available on CD, vinyl and digital download. Marrying Rundle’s heartfelt, dark folk/post-rock vibe to Thou’s equally heartfelt but more aurally extreme doomy sludge, it all works well as a cohesive alt-rock/post-metal album without compromising either half’s sound. This release has a very 4AD-ish feel to it, and wouldn’t have been out-of-place on that label’s roster. From opener ‘Killing Floor’, which sees Emma and Thou frontman Bryan duetting against the band’s steady sludge, to closer ‘The Valley’, which sees Emma leading with her heartbreakingly tender vocals and strings, before finishing against a wall of guitars, it’s an amazing album which will leave the listener wanting for further releases from both parties, both in their own right and as a joint project again. Highly recommended.
Pupil Slicer – new single on Prosthetic Records
London-based extreme hardcore/mathcore trio Pupil Slicer have just announced that they have signed to Prosthetic Records, and they’ve marked the occasion with the release of a new single and video, ‘L’appel Du Vide’. Sounding like a hectic blend of The Dillinger Escape Plan and The Locust, and featuring guest vocals from Carson Pace of The Callous Daoboys, it’s an unrelenting 3 minutes and 36 seconds of riffery – check out the video below, or download from Bandcamp and other streaming sites.
Download – https://pupilslicer.bandcamp.com/track/lappel-du-vide
Possessor – new Halloween-friendly album
The new album from another UK-based trio Possessor, ‘Damn The Light’, has just hit, via APF Records, and it may well be the perfect soundtrack to the Halloween weekend. Coming from similar territory as label mates Video Nasties, it’s a fuzzy, horror-obsessed riff fest – imagine a more overtly-metal Butthole Surfers jamming with Clutch, and you’d be getting warm. It’s hectic without sacrificing the catchiness, and quite an accomplishment considering it was only written and rehearsed remotely via video calls and voice messages between the band during the lockdown period – testament to our music scene’s determination to survive this year.
Black Sabbath tribute/covers album
Magnetic Eye Records have just released ‘Best Of Black Sabbath’, which sees 15 bands covering various tracks from the legendary Birmingham quartet’s discography. It’s a mixed bag of tracks on offer – whilst some bands here have remained faithful to the originals, some have given them a overhaul and added their own distinct stamp. Highlights include Rwake’s heavy sludge take on ‘The Rwrit’, Year of The Cobra’s version of ‘Planet Caravan’ (imagine Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac gone metal), Hippie Death Cult’s faithful cover of ‘Faeries Wear Boots’ with all the groove you want, and Brume’s violin-lead take on ‘Solitude’. It’s a balanced release that could appeal to both classic Sabbath fans and fans of the bands involved.
Out now on double vinyl record, double CD and digitally.
Have a fun, safe Halloween everyone, whatever shape it takes for you during this unusual year.
(Photos of Pupil Slicer and Year Of The Cobra taken by myself at gigs during 2019)
Contact:
Emma Ruth Rundle – https://www.facebook.com/emmaruthrundle
Thou – https://www.facebook.com/groups/309727754887/
Pupil Slicer – https://www.facebook.com/pupilslicer
Possessor – https://www.facebook.com/possessorband
APF Records – https://www.facebook.com/apfrecords
Magnetic Eye Records – https://www.facebook.com/MagneticEyeRecords
The October Game – ‘Balancing’ review
Alt-rockers release expansive third album
Tracklisting:
1. Answers & Keys
2. We Built This Wall To Destroy It
3. November
4. The Rise and Fall
5. Not Important
6. Beg Cycle
7. Trust No One
8. Trousers
9. I Hope You Got What You Wanted
10.Sneaky Beaky
11.Labyrinth
12.Recover
Line-up:
Luke Williams – Vocals/guitar
Nick Kozuch – Guitar
Owen Stephen – Bass/vocals
Ollie Taylor – Drums
Nick Murray – Viola/keys
For those unfamiliar with Herts/Beds/London quintet The October Game, here’s a brief description – at their heart, they’re an alt-rock band, but with various dimensions; touches of electronica, folk and indie pop (and viola) make up their sound to make something unique and well-thought out. Third album ‘Balancing’ sees the band at their most expansive, taking every aspect of their sound and taking it to its peak.
Back when opening track ‘Answers & Keys’ was first released earlier last year (it’s presented here in a new re-recorded state), I wrote that it had a ‘Muse-like swagger’ about it, and indeed, there’s a similar feel and level of confidence throughout this whole album. One thing that becomes obvious is that, since recording their previous album ‘Wildblood’, TOG have pushed and developed their electronic side to become a greater part of their sound, and have also taken on a stronger sense of groove. ‘We Built This Wall To Destroy It’ sees the bands at their most rocking, letting loose in a way previously unseen in their videos (video posted below). Lead track ‘Beg Cycle’ is a good example of everything that’s good about this album, followed by ‘Trust No One’ which has an utterly infectious beat, as does later track ‘Sneaky Beaky’. ‘Balancing’ has everything you could want from a rock band – it has groove, it has deeper introspective moments, biting cynicism, rockier parts and melodies you can lose yourself in and chill out to. Penultimate track ‘Labyrinth’ is a perfect example of the latter, with a great follow-up – close your eyes and listen to the intro to the closer ‘Recover’, and I’m sure you could imagine hearing it in a festival setting, crowd moving with arms in the air – a future live favourite, surely?
Confident, yet relaxed in an non-arrogant way at the same time, and full of potential, ‘Balancing’ is the sound of a band fully aware that they’ve created something than could easily sit alongside, or even outplay, the bigger names of music. This album deserves to be heard and achieve great things for The October Game. At the time of writing this, the band are all currently busy on their own individual projects (Nick Kozuch’s Black Noise with Laurence René, Owen’s international tours and Ollie’s solo work and drumming for Zaheer) – here’s hoping they find the time for album number 4.
The video for ‘We Built This Wall To Destroy It’:
‘Balancing’ is out now on Scylla Records, and can be downloaded from http://theoctobergame.bandcamp.com/album/balancing, and is available as a limited edition double vinyl/CD/mp3/bundle here http://scyllarecords.bigcartel.com/product/the-october-game-balancing.
‘We Built This Wall To Destroy It’ and ‘Answers & Keys’ are both also available as downloadable singles with non-album b-sides from http://scyllarecords.bandcamp.com/
For fans of: Muse, Massive Attack, Thrice, The xx, Arcade Fire, Radiohead
Contact:
http://www.theoctobergame.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theoctobergame
http://www.twitter.com/theoctobergame
http://www.theoctobergame.bandcamp.com/
Talanas – ‘Corpseflower’ vinyl single review
Vinyl taster from progressive death metallers
Side A: Corpseflower
Side B: Beloved Whore
Line-up:
Hal Sinden – vocals, guitar
Ewan Parry – guitar
Mark ‘Duff’ Duffy – bass
Joe Butterworth – drums
Photo courtesy of Ross Wildish Photography
The latest release from London-based progressive metallers Talanas is a limited edition 7″ vinyl record, featuring two tracks set to appear on their forthcoming second album ‘Daylight’. Having made quite an impact on the underground metal scene with full-length debut ‘The Waspkeeper’ (which followed the ‘Reason & Abstract’ EP), there’s already a buzz for the new material. These two tracks alone are a good representation of what one can expect from the Talanas sound – equal parts extremity and restraint, brutal yet sophisticated in both approach and sound.
Title track ‘Corpseflower’ sits at the heavier end of the aural spectrum and would appeal to old-school death metal fans, with touches of black metal coming in during the quieter moments. From the opening roar and blastbeats to the guitar solo, this one won’t disappoint longtime fans of the band. Samples of this track can be heard in the video above.
B-side track ‘Beloved Whore’ demonstrates the band’s more restrained, melodic side. A track that mirrors the band’s refined aesthetic, leaning towards their more gothic, melodic influences – fans of latter-day Opeth should definitely have a listen. A perfect counterpoint to the A-side offering.
A nice taster of things to come from Talanas – I advise those interested to get it whilst they can, or keep watching for the release of ‘Daylight’ later this year.
Artwork for this release was provided by famed artist Dave McKean – also responsible for countless other bands’ artwork, including the likes of Fear Factory, Dream Theater, Tori Amos and Testament. More details of his work can be found at the link below.
For fans of: My Dying Bride, Morbid Angel, Fields Of The Nephilim, Type O Negative, Moonspell, Opeth
‘Corpseflower’ can be ordered, whilst stocks last, from http://talanas.org/shop – price includes a download code for mp3 versions and hidden multimedia link.
Contact:
http://www.talanas.org/
http://www.facebook.com/talanasband
https://twitter.com/talanasband
http://www.davemckean-collector.co.uk/
Hey You Guys/Das Sexy Clap – Split vinyl single review
Split rock ‘n’ roll grooves
Tracklisting
Side A: Hey You Guys! – Keston Villers’ Investment Club
Side AA: Das Sexy Clap – On Our Knees
This is the new vinyl-only split single from the bands Hey You Guys! and Das Sexy Clap, both from Worcester.
First up, HYG!, whose A-side appearance is actually their debut single – they’re loud, they’re quirky and if this is anything to go by, they’ve got some infectious tunes, as demonstrated by their offering, ‘Keston Villers’ Investment Club’. Imagine a band who takes the energy of A and combines it with the punk rock attitude of The Hives, and you’d get something akin to this. They’re worth catching live too, having recently seen them perform.
If the idea of a heavier, scuzzier version of The White Stripes appeals to you, then give Das Sexy Clap a listen. Their side of this single features the track ‘On Our Knees’, a catchy, noisy number that could take on any bigger garage rock band you could think of, and trounce them with this alone. This is actually their last release for the forseeable future, with the duo announcing they’re now on a break – in the meantime, I recommend checking out their back catalogue, some of which is available as free downloads on their Bandcamp site.
This split vinyl single can be purchased from http://dassexyclap.bandcamp.com/album/on-our-knees, and at HYG!’s live shows.
The video for ‘Keston Villers’ Investment Club’:
For fans of: The Wildhearts, A, The Hives, The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age
Contact:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hey-You-Guys/345887652161489
https://twitter.com/heyyouguystweet
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Das-Sexy-Clap/150173415009898
Stuart O’Connor – The ‘Go Forth Bright Scenic’ Project
One night, four albums, four formats
On Saturday 18th August 2012, Stuart O’Connor released his fourth solo album at Club 85 in Hitchin – only, this was no ordinary album launch….
This was the ‘Go Forth Bright Scenic’ project, Stuart’s biggest venture yet – four albums, each with its own unique tracklisting, and each in a different format:
– ‘Go’ – Released on USB stick, presenting Stuart’s electronic/ambient side to his music, similar to his Midnight Moth material.
‘Alaskan Sky’, a track taken from the USB electro version of GFBS.
– ‘Forth’ – Released on CD, this features a band effort from Stuart O’Connor and friends, reflecting the more alt-rock/prog side. This version features many of Stuart’s previous musical collaborators, including My Pet Junkie bandmates Leon Camfield and Julia Bell, Chris Hollis, Riad Abji, Vicky Flint and Dave Smale, in addition to a guest appearance from Craig Harris, amongst others.
‘Squeaky Doors’, a track taken from the CD version of GFBS.
– ‘Bright’ – Released on audio tape, featuring a more experimental side.
– ‘Scenic’ – Released on double 12 inch vinyl, combining Stuart’s jazzier and experimental material, as well as live material recorded in Japan; a collaboration with Japanese musician Haco. Also comes with a bonus CD version of this album.
Also featuring live sets from The October Game’s Owen Stephen (debuting his solo material), Craig Harris and Philip Storey, the album launch show went down a storm, with great performances from all involved.
Here’s a little more on the CD and vinyl versions:
‘Forth’ features some of Stuart’s most raw and stripped down moments from the new crop of material, and will not disappoint fans of previous solo albums or MPJ. This version also comes with one bonus live track and three bonus demos, exclusive to the CD version of GFBS. Elements of this CD were recorded in Japan and New Zealand.
‘Scenic’ combines acoustic, jazz and experimental moments. Side C and D includes a live collaboration with Haco, recorded during Stuart’s tour of Japan in 2010, and includes a 33 minute track featuring the song ‘Less Than Lovers, More Than Friends’.
For a taste of what you can expect from current live shows, please check this out:
A live video recorded a couple of months ago, featuring the new song ‘Bright Scenic’ (which features on the USB version) and ‘Dare We Claim Victory’, taken from third album ‘Good Times With Evil’, which is also available from http://www.stuartoconnor.com/ and at live shows.
Contact at:
http://www.stuartoconnor.com/
http://www.facebook.com/stuartoconnormusician
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stuart-OConnor/169812053077845
http://soundcloud.com/stuart-oconnor/
thursdayaddams 