Kruger-Adam and Steve

Listenable
2015

Influences are listed as Breach, Entombed, Neurosis and Tool and the current band members include vocalist Renaud, bassist Blaise, drummer Raph and two guitarists in Margo & Raul. And for this (experimental) Swiss heavy metal/post-hardcore five piece, who are not to be confused with the two separate Kruger-named bands from Russia, this PledgeMusic-funded LP is reported the end game. As in no more music and "Let's all go out on a high note fellows!" if the rumors are indeed true. If that is to be the case then this Lausanne-based collective (active since 2001 with this 8-track release, once more produced by the band members themselves and mixed by Cult of Luna's own Magnus Lindberg, serving as album number five) has a nice swan song here. Every bit the band that the above four influences suggest, with the cleverly-titled "Adam and Steve" clocking in at just over 47 minutes(!), Kruger here close the gap between music and noise all while traipsing about in the cold dead of night. To be sure this one is bleak and oppressive and filled with little in the way of light, but for Kruger it all ends up well as "Adam and Steve" is heavy hellfire, death and of course all-out devastation! There's no need to expect mercy or compassion out of a record like this one and you are sure to come out of the experience all the more cynical (if not devoid of all emotions like the constant vibe of this soundtrack of the abyss!) and that's not a bad thing in the least ghouls and boys! Thank the dark maker of all things bleak and ominous for this maniacal post-metal stab at hostility as honestly this right here is all we need to make it through another day! It's the life of the party friends! Especially as who amongst us really needs more "hopped up on happiness" Top-40 pop shit? Not I....


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kruger-official/124642822544

Almøst Human-Ø

Self-Release/Independent
2012

Disregard the original release date of this EP as Almøst Human's "Ø" has been making the rounds once more thanks to Fullblast! PR. Actually, it has been making the rounds since early summer (or possibly even sooner), but in all honestly it was only yesterday that I stumbled upon it and a bevy of other promos from New York's Fullblast! PR. That is what happens when you make multiple folders for review material and then forget to actually open them once in a while! But, I digress. We're not here to talk about my poor organization skills. No, we are here to talk about Swiss metal band Almøst Human and their 5-track debut EP, "Ø". Initially formed in the 90's by guitarist/songwriter Olivier Perdrizat and drummer Rosario Fullone, Almøst Human (a modern metal/nu metal band with keyboard/electronic flourishes) did not get off the ground completely until 2010. By that point in time Almøst Human had become a fully-recognized, alive and alert life force thanks to the fortunate addition of vocalist Ben Pluss, second guitarist Chris Matthey and bassist Jan Peyer. Naturally the self-produced and self-released "Ø" EP serves notice that Almøst Human is here. And damn if they don't mean business then I don't know who does! Armed and at the ready, Almøst Human opens the show with gritty and raw, metallic brainbuster "Living Wreck". At over seven minutes in length this industrialized Ministry meets American Head Charge fist-banger is a full-on feast for the senses! The all-too brief, sample-heavy "Mørning Star" leads straight into "Øbey, Cønsume Ør Disappear" and it's at this very moment that one becomes fully aware of all the various influences that are vying for attention on "Ø" . Emotionally-driven, "Øbey, Cønsume Ør Disappear" is a humbling combination of mid-90's alternative rock, late-90's nu metal, "Black"-era Metallica and Pantera. There's more Pantera to be found on "Nørmøsis" and it's the band's primal instincts to mix in the electronic anarchy of bands like N.I.N., Filter and Ministry that will ultimately make or break them. As "Each Øf Us" (a modern metal take on System Of A Down minus the hardcore raps!) wraps things up one can't help but appreciate what this Swiss act is trying to accomplish even if they do face a uphill battle due to the inclusion of nu metal hallmarks. Still, with harsh and clean vocals mixing things up and the interesting use of electronic elements a band like Almøst Human has more going for them then against them. Øbey, Cønsume Ør Disappear" and "Nørmøsis" hint at better things to come and "Living Wreck" has more than enough fire-power to appease thrash metal fans and those who crave full-on carnage! Should Almøst Human choose to lean more on the thrash metal aspects of their sound I could really see this band making hard hitting metal that would turn heads. The promise is there and so is the talent so Almøst Human is one band to keep an eye out for!