Good Guy Dies-"Restart" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Based in London and comprised of  (absolutely amazing!!!!) lead vocalist Cherry Makej and guitarist extraordinaire Joe Hodgson, Good Guy Dies is a buzz-worthy indie project that has previously been covered here at Heavy Metal Time Machine. For those of you might not remember that special occasion (and it really was a special time seeing as it served as my first introduction to this up-and-coming/must-hear electronic rock duo!) then let's play catch-up before we drive on forward. Once upon a time I covered this band's (domestic abuse awareness) single, "Hit Me Back" and I thoroughly enjoyed not only the positive message of the track, but the way in which it mixed together the best parts of classic rock, electronica, and punk-pop! That thought-provoking single was a slam dunk moment for the pair of Cherry and Joe and it showed just how far you can get when you work hard and are dedicated to the to the task at hand! It was all at once enlightening and energetic and for Good Guy Dies a smash hit in the making like "Hit Me Back" should have been the perfect launching pad to finally get this (deserving) dynamite duo from point B to point A (with point B serving as the group's initial formation back in 2012 and point A representing wide-spread praise and admiration!). For whatever reason that didn't happen so the logical question is where do you go from here if you are Good Guy Dies? The answer seems simple enough. You head back to the studio and get hard at work on a proper follow-up. And that is where "Restart" comes into play. In some ways "Restart" is just like "Hit Me Back" in that it combines large amounts of classic rock and electronic rock with tiny flakes of punk-pop. It is also lyrically-deep and thought-provoking and just like it's 2014 precursor this image-rich single is dripping with passion. The raw emotion on display here is right in line with where "Hit Me Back" left off.  Even so these two singles are like night and day. Whereas "Hit Me Back" was powerful and got right in your face with a positive message this forthcoming single is much more angry and confrontational. For "Restart" lead vocalist Cherry Makej and guitarist Joe Hodgson added industrial rock elements to the studio mix as well as some slight instances that could be construed as alternative rock. While it still sounds like Good Guy Dies it is a bit more temperamental and it comes across as edgy. But then again so is the video for "Restart"! You can check that out below this article and you can find Good Guy Dies online here.With a scheduled release date of September 28th, "Restart" goes a long way towards showing the full-extent of this duo's talent and just how all-encompassing their music can be. They may have been absent for way too long (again, it was almost a full year in-between the sweet "Hit Me Back" and the equally awesome "Restart"!), but Good Guy Dies is back all the same. And I for one couldn't be happier!!!!

Mellevon-Solace

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Recorded and produced by band-member April Hutchins at Muffin Studios in Montreal, Quebec, "Solace" is the second full-length recording from Canada's Mellevon. It was released at the tail end of 2014 and this fourteen track album serves as the follow-up to the group's 2013 debut album, "Chaos Reigns". With a run-time that is over the fifty minute mark(!), "Solace" features two (short) instrumental numbers in "A Song for the Setting Sun" and the album's title track and this new recording finds Mellevon sporting a new look. One-time (harsh) vocalist Gabriel Tulli has been replaced by Red Skull and new drummer Colin MacAndrew (The Wild Hunt) takes over for the departed Jermeel Chase. As for everyone else? Well, seeing as she is responsible for most of the music and lyrics on "Solace" (as well as the album's concrete production job) special props should go to guitarist April Hutchins. As one of the original members of this Montreal-based band, April Hutchins excels in each department that she has a hand in (musician, songwriter and producer) and on "Solace" her guitar playing is absolutely sick! While this five-piece band (reportedly) started out as a Industrial/Nu-metal act you'd never know that by April's performances on "Solace" as her work is well-drawn out and meticulous in it's complexity! Even so her riffs are crisp and sharp and when stacked up against the jagged nature of some of this album's material they offer up a glorious wall of sound! April's guitar skills are the album's true highlight and they help make each and every track on "Solace" somewhat different. For the album's full line-up (and to see the guest list for "Solace") be sure to check below this review. Otherwise we're looking at a one-time(?) Industrial/Nu-metal band that has apparently turned the corner and is now (more or less) a hybrid/modern metal band. Sure, there's still a bit of industrial metal going on here, but it's been maxed out by way of melodic death metal (hence the band's own Industrial Melodic Death Metal tag) and a long-list of sub-genres that range from dark metal to goth metal to even (light) symphonic metal! The album's cool mash-up of styles helps make for a more interesting listening experience all-around. And for the most part so do the clean and harsh vocals. I might have sorted out the harsh vocals a tad more (maybe it's the mix, but from time to time the death metal growls sound....well, off kilter I guess), but they are good all the same. And that really goes for each member/part of Mellevon. Everyone does their thing and they do it well. But, if I had to pick one other thing that stood out about Mellevon's latest (besides the stellar guitar parts that rule on "Solace"!) it would be the keyboards. They come courtesy of Chel Vorsteher and they help give "Solace" a nice after-shine. They range from classy to somewhat electronic and they add that extra exclamation point to the whole affair! All in all I found "Solace" to be a solid listening experience. As with a lot of up-and-coming bands these days there are a few things that could be touched-up, but overall this is a good band that sure sounds as if they could be REALLY good in no time at all. Even if you don't pick up Mellevon's latest album I'd sure as hell keep an eye on them as this is one Canadian band that has "HUGE POTENTIAL" written all over them!!!!
 


Mellevon is:
Red Skull: Lead vocals, clean vocals
April Hutchins: Guitars, vocals and spoken word .
Chel Vorsteher: Keyboards, clean vocals .
Stefan Guaiani: Bass, harsh vocals .
Colin MacAndrew : Drums, harsh vocals


Guest Performers:
Björn Strid (Soilwork): Vocals on "The Quiet Light".
Les Godfrey (ex-Tchort, ex-The Illuminati): Guitar solo on "Under Moss".
Kyle Lapointe (The Renaissance Men): Spoken word intro on "Sonically Transmitted Dysphoria".
Melanie Hutchins: Vocal harmonies on "Left Behind".

We Butter The Bread With Butter-Wieder Geil!

AFM Records
2015

My kids had a real hard time believing that a band like this existed. Maybe you will too. And yet it's all too true. Yes, Virginia, this is a real band.  And yes, Virginia, that really is the band's name. The way I see it things would only be crazier if their name was We Butter Our Butter With Butter. Otherwise this is about as odd as it gets when it comes to (metal) band monikers. Then again this is a odd band. Or better yet, this is a odd band with a odd take on synthesized metal. Founded in 2007 by songwriter, guitarist and producer Marcel Neumann, We Butter The Bread With Butter is a German four-piece whose mission in life seems to be striking the perfect balance between synthetic sounds and samples and real instruments. Need a description? How does industrial metalcore strike you? Maybe electronic modern metal would be better tag? Or perhaps digital deathcore? Whatever the case might be, "Wieder Geil!" is the latest release from We Butter The Bread With Butter (WBTBWB) and two things are certain. And that would be A) "Wieder Geil!" has been digitally enhanced by tools of the trade in order to give it synthetic vibe and B) "Wieder Geil!" is over-the-top LOUD METAL that is closer to heavy thrash/death than hard rock. I guess you could add one other point to this album. "Wieder Geil!" might be crazy, but it's a good kind of crazy. And it's not just the actual music either as the same thing can be said of lead singer Paul Bartzsch! His crazy antics and huge vocal range help top things off all of which makes "Wieder Geil!" one of those albums where you feeling like screaming "What a rush!" at the top of your lungs! Especially when you're out and about just cruising your life away and this album is cranked up as far as it will go! Just be sure to keep one eye out for the cops while you're doing it because "Wieder Geil!" will  make you want to slam it down and SPEED! So, even if this band's weird name gave me reason to pause their metal-minded music never once did. Therefore I'm giving  "Wieder Geil!" my stamp of approval and until we meet again, spin this one right round baby right round!

Jovian Litany-Heroes Leave

Self-Release/Independent
2015

E-mail submissions are the best as you never know exactly what you are in for. Site-founder/main man Metal Mark received this particular submission and promptly sent it my way. I have to admit that the e-mail's title alone peaked my interest. "A Doctor with a Metal Album.... Whaaaat?" found me filled with curiosity so I quickly sprung into action! And as that title goes it is a doozy! Or rather it's background information. For you see Jovian Litany is a one man recording project founded in 2008 by Charlotte, NC's Jeffrey Py and Mr. Py is of all things a Doctor of Audiology! Crazy weirdness all around with that one! But anyway, Jeffrey, who was raised on a strict diet of fried scrapple (Hell yeah! Yum!) and disappointment (Sadly I know the feeling all too well...), has produced a total of four albums under the Jovian Litany name with this particular nine- track album serving as the "band's" latest & great work! Devoted to the concept of loss, "Heroes Leave" is not so much a concept album as it is a themed one. Or so says the main man himself so who are we to argue? And if you are going to tackle the subject of loss then you just know that the music at hand has to help convey the heartache and absolute sorrow associated with a concept right? For Jeffrey Py and Jovian Litany that translates into something quite different (Or flat odd weird if you will!!!) but nonetheless completely satisfying! And that would be extreme metal mixed up with New Age with some Techno tossed in for good measure! Jeffrey Py's e-mail to Heavy Metal Time Machine suggested a release that was a "mish mosh of musical styles, alternating songwriting between a heavy album and an ambient album" and damn right if he didn't make good on that promise! The latest release from one-man band/solo project Jovian Litany offers listeners extreme material that borders on full-fledged death metal, ambient New Age passages and music that combines the two star-crossed lovers into one glorious slab of electronic metal mayhem! And all the while the mood is as dark and depressing as death rock making "Heroes Leave" one of those perfect releases for when all you want to do in life is turn the lights down low, tune out to the world and just get lost in the loneliness that is this bizarre ride we call existence! By moving back and forth between artificial studio creations and harsh/sick guitar work that at times recalls the best of the Floridian death metal scene(!) an album like "Heroes Leave" allows you the opportunity to slip out of this world for awhile. In other words,  "Heroes Leave" should be enjoyed with your headphones on so that there are no distractions other than the sound of your own beating heart and your personal thoughts so that when you slip out of time and space it's a clean and pure trip! As the music of Jovian Litany is as effective clean and focused as it is dirty and chaotic it is a smooth and seamless journey listening experience when it boils right down to it. And with each new spin of this album you're very likely find something new to appreciate. All told this nine-track album is very cool indeed and for the guitarist/vocalist responsible for "Heroes Leave" I say good on you my friend! Take pride in the creation of "Heroes Leave" Jeffrey as this mad cap metallic adventure is nothing short of fantastic! It's a shame that the music of Jovian Litany isn't more well-known, but hopefully this review and of course word of mouth can help change that. Let's hope so as this album is just too good to be kept under wraps! You can pick up a digital copy of "Heroes Leave"over here at CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jovianlitany3 Meanwhile you can find out more about the man, the myth and the legend either here: http://www.jovianlitany.com/ or here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jovian-Litany/144316111801

Desma-Identità Anonime

Atomic Stuff Records

2014

Brescia-based, with local rock influences such as Litfiba, Timoria and Afterhours working side-by-side with the classic rock/hard rock scene of old (Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin), the Italian band Desma was formed back in July of 2009 with this recently-released LP . acting as their full-length debut. The album title roughly translates to "identity anonymous " 

and for this electronically-enhanced Italian rock band that would seem to be as much a reflection of this album's mysterious ways as it would be the notion that I am all but lost given the national stance that this release takes (ie: it's all in Italian and as I'm struggling enough with my own country's take on English these days it stands to reason that I'm quite helpless when it comes to lyrical content on an album like this!). Still, music is a universal language and for this particularly band that was emotionally energized and really stirred into action in September of 2012 thanks to winning a national "Battle of the Bands" and getting the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open up for Iggy and the Stooges in front of a frenzied crowd of 10,000(!) it was a case of don't look back and keep on keeping on! The members of Desma include vocalist Alberto Gobbi, guitarist Diego Gualtieri, bass guitarist Simone Pedrali and brothers Emanuele and Maurizio Torri (keyboards/synths and drums respectively) and as it was actually keyboardist Emanuele Torri who first conceived of this project it should not be all that shocking to discover that Desma does indeed lean heavily on the keys and the aforementioned electronic elements. The electronic part of the equation would seem to come by way of early Subsonica (one of Desma's many local influences), but for other comparisons one could look towards a more iron-clad, lean, mean and leather-wearing Depeche Mode! That's just so here and there though as

radio rock, classic hard rock, some modern and/or alternative rock and even prog influences get throw into the proverbial mix! And despite the use of keys and synths there are plenty of heavy guitar solos to even matters out thanks to the apt playing of Diego Gualtieri. So, what am I exactly getting at here with Desma's first studio offering? Well, bypass the whole "sung in Italian" aspect of this Brescia-based band and you are still looking at a steady/ready band which seems more than capable of balancing the keyboard parts with the guitar rock parts while also displaying melodic vocals and catchy, radio-friendly pieces. As that sure sounds an awful lot like some popular bands these days (say Coldplay and/or Muse!) there is most certainly a built-in market for this kind of magical rock. Time will time though if a band like Desma can conquer more then just their native country....  

Can Of Soul-Hearreality

Atomic Stuff Records
2014

Can Of Soul is the new solo project from Tomas Toffolo (otherwise known here as "Tomrocker"). As one of the resident vocalists of Rock Against Cancer and a founding member of both the doom thrash metal band Stygma and the hard rock band Why Out this well-traveled and extremely seasoned musician has already covered a lot of ground. He performs in a Black Sabbath cover band and was also the co-founder of the hard rock cover band Black And Purple. For Tomas, who incidentally enough also studded classical piano for some 8 years(!), it sure seems as if nothing is out of reach and that includes Can Of Soul's debut release which was produced by Tomrocker himself! A well-thought out and down-right compelling concept album the story behind "Hearreality" is as follows: A world dying because of the solar radiation hosts a civilization that is looking for new habitable planets to preserve its species. Once identified a “Land”, very different compared to our continuum, the aliens get ready for the invasion by extracting and preserving the “souls” from the bodies to accomplish the space leap without damage. On this assaulted planet there are also mystical entities with supernatural powers who will fight alongside the humans to fend off the invaders whose commanders, once defeated, will be imprisoned. As colorful and rich as that story-line is it would be a real disservice if the music at play on "Hearreality" was anything but exceptional. To that end Tomrocker is backed up by mainstream and underground rock and metal musicians including;

Silvio Masanotti www.silviomasanotti.com
Alex "Dynamitale" Motta www.facebook.com/dynamitale
Alessandro "Ajeje" Petrone www.ajeje.it 

And yes, I snagged that bit off of the band's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/canofsoul ) as the actual list of guest musicians that is included with this CD's promo pamphlet is quite long and varied all but ensuring the expansive nature of this large-scale project! As referenced above our main man Tomas Toffolo has seen and done it all which is an important thing to point out given the various genres at play here. On the debut release from the Italian band Can Of Soul it's hard not to feel a little overwhelmed when it comes time to describe the sounds at work on "Hearreality". Though listed as a hard rock band or even as a alternative hard rock act the fact is Can Of Souls is so much more. Everything about Tomas Toffolo's past comes into play with individual tracks offering pieces and parts of doom metal, classic rock and hard rock. That is just the tip of the iceberg though as electronic elements creep in the mix as well as the aforementioned alternative rock and hard rock additions! To be sure it is a crazy thing to try to decipher everything going on here as more than one number had me envisioning a bizarre mash-up of Last Crack, Voivod, Deep Purple and the primitive origins of  both rock and roll and black metal! Minus the black metal shrieks that is! It all sounds offensive I realize, but Tomrocker and his guests pull the rabbit out the magician's hat and in the process have ended up making a fantastic and fully adventures LP that all metal fans with an eye set towards creative innovations should grab hold of! Released back at the end of November, "Hearreality" is a real winner on all fronts except for perhaps it's rather dull album art. Actually, "Hearreality" might very well suffer indifference as a result of this Italian band's name. In no way whatsoever does Can Of Soul hint at what's in store when it comes time to play this phenomenal recording! Thankfully the label's YouTube channel allows interested parties the chance to listen to the samples of "Bette Davis Eyes" (http://youtu.be/PYpRlU6tsjI) and "Mystic' (http://youtu.be/X3e6lfVrv_Q). What? You say I didn't mention the cover track? Well, the choice to cover "Bette Davis Eyes" might seem a tad weird at first, but it REALLY works in this context. And it simply is fantastic! For the record here is the official track listing of this inspired debut album from the soon to be legendary Can Of Soul:
01. We Hate the Sun
02. This Order #5
03. Mystic
04. Solid Conviction
05. My Queen
06. Bette Davis Eyes
07. Demon Eater
08. Peaceful Snake
09. Dealing
10. Beyond My Wayward Zen Garden
11. Outro
12. DGRZ (bonus track)

When you add all of these songs together the result is a near masterpiece for the ages! Both dark and moody, "Hearreality" is a Sci-Fi story with the perfect soundtrack being provided from a band that pays homage (musically at least) to artists as diverse as Black Sabbath is to Goblin! This is one album that needs a bigger audience especially one outside of the group's native country! Be sure to head over to the group's Facebook page for more information or head to Atomic Stuff's online page here: www.atomicstuff.com/canofsoul.html As a wrap-up to this report I'd just like to point out that "Hearreality" is (digitally) available on both Amazon and iTunes.

Wrong Era-The Wrong EP

Atomic Stuff
2014

"The Wrong EP" is the debut offering from Italy's freshly-assembled Wrong Era. Formed earlier this year out of the remains of Italian hard rock band Sutuana, with this recently released EP containing four new tracks in addition to two remakes of old Sutuana songs, Wrong Era is made up of bassist (and now lead vocalist!) Marco "Sappa" Nicoli (Sutuana, Instant Karma, ex-Midnite Sun, ex- The Unripes), guitarist/vocalist Lorenzo Zagni (Sutuana, Lola Stonecracker) and drummer Gianluca Montanari (Sutuana). Recorded and mixed at SappaLand RockLab by band member Marco "Sappa" Nicoli, "The Wrong EP" is being promoted by the fine folks over at Atomic Stuff in another win-win situation for artist and record label! This match made in hard rock/heavy metal heaven has only helped to establish the key factoid that this very slick, six track EP is available for free download and streaming directly from Wrong Era’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/wrongeraofficial. Though it was initially presented to me as "rock in Italian" there is
a lot more to be said of this talented trio than that simple description or the above black and white artwork might suggest! A crackling fusion of heavy rock, alternative, post-grunge and the 1970's hard and heavy sound-scape, "The Wrong EP" is clearly in the right with this Italian rock band energized and amplified
by the presence of electronic elements! As much as the "lyrics ooze of discomfort" the music at hand is often times just as unnerving (if not more so!) with distorted vocals and studio trickery paving the way for band's one and only track "Wrong Era" to all but frighten the listener on an emotion plain! To be fair that bit of heaviness is the more extreme side of Wrong Era, but it does exist and it carries it's own distinctive attitude thus giving this rock trio's first piece of studio recording a fine and frightful edge upon which to build a more solid (and hopefully long-term!) foundation. You can find more information about Wrong Era at: http://www.facebook.com/WrongEraOfficial

My Own Ghost-Love Kills

Secret Entertainment
2014

My Own Ghost is a female-fronted band from Luxembourg, Germany which was founded in 2013 by guitarists Fred Brever & David Soppelsa and bassist Joe May. The 13-track "Love Kills", which will be released on October 10th, is the band's full-length debut and with vocalist Julie Rodesch (Providers, Seven Days On Fire) and drummer Michael Stein (Red Circuit) rounding things out it has the potential to turn My Own Ghost into a buzz-worthy/must-hear act! Due to the five musicians' different backgrounds, reportedly ranging from pop to metal, and the fact that each and every member of My Own Ghost contributes to the songwriting (a rare feat in this day and age!) you end up with an album that is chock-full of variety while marvelously consistent. Again, this is not something you see everyday but when it comes to the melodic yet powerful My Own Ghost and their alternative/modern rock (by way of electronic, classic, pop and heavy rock) sound it's not only attention-getting it's downright special! The strong songwriting here on "Love Kills" is nearly overshadowed by the amazing performances from all five members with extra points be awarded to vocalist Julie Rodesch and the guitar playing of Brever and Soppelsa. If My Own Ghost gets a chance to move beyond their home country and then all of Europe one could almost envision this band and their radio-friendly rock making a real run towards worldwide recognition and admiration!

Aurelio Valle-Acme Power Transmission

Nuevo Leon Recordings
2014

Best known for his time spent with the experimental rock group Calla (a Brooklyn, New York-based band which he founded in the late nineties and continues to front (even if it's been seven years since Calla's last album, 2007's "Strength in Numbers") some seventeen years later!), Aurelio Valle is another modern day artist whose talents are not strictly limited to music. Indeed, Aurelio Valle is a visual artist in addition to being a singer, guitarist and composer and on his self-produced nine-track debut outing he puts all of his skills to the test with the end results falling just short of  the magical marker we've come to know as brilliance! Named after his landlord's auto parts store, "Acme Power Transmission" was amazingly enough recorded in 2013 in Valle's own apartment under an elevated subway line! That bit of knowledge might not come across as all that impressive or innovative, what with the single argument that their are hundreds of similarly sensational (evolutionary experimental) albums which have been recorded in some of the most unusual places, but given the sheer depth of this recording it should not be so easily dismissed! Especially given the circumstances that surround Valle's break from music. Having spent several years away from the underground rock scene (during which time he worked day jobs in both a motorcycle repair and in a tailor shop!) Valle seems to have used the break in the action for his own advantage. Few artists come back so strong, so focused upon recording an album that shadows who they are as an individual. In spite of it's all-too brief length, "Acme Power Transmission" feels fully-evolved. There is a story that needs to be written here as this is one of those rare albums where everything seems fleshed out, moving from one part to another as if Aurelio Valle is drawing a story board to a movie in the making. Musically you could use the term "soundtrack rock" as "Acme Power Transmission" does convey that feeling. More specifically it starts where Calla left off and then ends where myth and realty collide! And it's all by way of eighties synth lines, improvisational brass beats, indie rock, post-punk and what sounds like experimental recording with found instruments. While there is a modern approach to Valle's musical experimentation one almost has to move backwards in time to the late eighties/early nineties when home recordings started to really catch on and magazines such as Alternative Press were providing coverage to a new movement within the avant-garde scene. At any moment I felt as if I could have been transported back to that amazing time thanks to "Acme Power Transmission" and for those who where there you'll understand all too well the magic that was felt when new music started to appear that defied any known classification. Aurelio Valle's solo album is just that, without classification or real form other than to say that it's this (soundtrack music, synth rock, experimental rock, post-punk, goth rock, etc.) and that (seemingly found instrumental, noise pop, electro rock, drone, piano-driven instrumentation, etc.) while so much more! And it's glorious! Bleak yes, but glorious nonetheless. And it's all for he taking...

Etta Zero-The Last Of All Sunsets

Dr. Music Records | Membran
2014

Etta Zero (Mathias Nutt-Vocals/Synth Programming, Johannes Schraner-Guitar/Synth Programming,

Thomas Hemmi-Bass/Piano/Synth Programming and Marius Matt-Drums & Percussion) were a new name for me and, as I clicked play on the promo link for "The Last Of All Sunsets", I had no idea what to expect. Initially formed back in 2000 under the name Downfall, covers under which name the band issued two EPs (one four track EP of original compositions and one four track EP of covers) and original playing rock-based interpretations of 80’s Synth Pop songs the band (who at the time were more or less a Synth Pop Metal outfit) changed their name to Etta Zero in October of 2010 with the (long time coming!) "The Last Of All Sunsets" serving as their debut album. Now a mixture of the past (Synth Pop Metal, dark rock, goth rock, alternative rock, etc.), the present (modern electronic sounds, groove-based rock, modern hard rock, heavy rock, heavy metal and radio rock) and the near future (striking, stylistic heavy electronic rock/metal that sounds like it could be the soundtrack for the day after tomorrow and weeks, months and years to come!) Etta Zero has the kind of resourceful delivery most bands could only dream of! Hailing from the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein, the members of Etta Zone have a clear cut case of extreme chemistry, one which has resulted from the fact that these four musicians (who have know each other since their younger, formative years) have played together in "different formations, casts and styles since the middle of the 90’s". Translated that means you have a band whose debut album sounds as if it's the result of a band that has going at it for years and years and if "The Last Of All Sunsets" is anything to go by the band should have plenty of good years to look forward to! Electronic rock fans would do well to check out the group's choice cover of "Heartbeats" (from Swedish Synth Pop duo The Knife), the emotional roller-coaster track that is "Sorrow" (radio rock is calling for this crusher!), "All That I See", the harsh "Anymore" (where the band draws from the likes of Filter, Coldplay, Depeche Mode and, believe it or not, 90's alternative rock) or "Set Me Free" while everyone else (ie: fans of synth-heavy hard rock/heavy metal) should head over to the melodic metal/modern heavy rock title cut (this one has a sharp set of choppers hiding underneath it's deceptive smile and like "Sorrow", and about four or five other cuts here, is sure to get stuck in your head!), the wicked "From The Ashes", "Etta Zero" ("Black"-era Metallica re-imagined as a modern day, post-grunge, streamlined version of Filter!), the dark metal-infused "The Downfall Factory" and album closer, "Heaven Is Closer". Meanwhile a clever cut like "Crush On You" weaves in and out of both sides of the spectrum (rock rhythms and heavy metal hooks) and for Etta Zero, who (wisely) never overuse the electronic elements, these different takes on the same theme (hard-hitting music) work so well because you have skilled musicians like guitarist Johannes Schraner putting forth their best efforts. For a band that started out playing 80's covers you really have to hand it to Etta Zero. "The Last Of All Sunsets" is everything a debut album should be. It has variety and plenty of memorable moments. More so it has several cuts that could easily be singles and it's one of those releases that has timeless written all over it. Etta Zero might have been a band that I was previously unaware of, but now they appear to a band that I'm looking forward to what comes next!

 https://www.facebook.com/EttaZero

Young Magic-Breathing Statues

Carpark Records
2014

Young Magic, a Brooklyn, New York-based act (by way of Australia (producer Isaac Emmanuel who, prior to 2010, first conceived of Young Magic as being some sort of solo project ) and Indonesia (vocalist Melati Malay) with the New York underground dance scene serving to split the difference!), are on their second feature full-length project (or is that soundtrack in this case given the hazy sound-scape vibe?) with the recently-released "Breathing Statues". As an endearing (if oddly cold and abrupt) female fronted psychedelic rock band dressed up in electronic garb (and made over with atmospheric post-shoegazer tricks of the trade) a group of Young Magic's potential could easily slide between studio-project and potential (full-fledged band on the run) live outing and no one would blink an eye, but how exactly does that work-out when it's just you, your stereo and nothing but silence serving as the starting point? Mostly, given the experimental nature of all of this (even as it's meant to be absorbed via familiar waves of (pick and choose) synth-lines and mystic percussion), it comes across as if it's more of a pattern of carefully-assembled electronic components then music as, well, real music but it still serves a point...whatever that might be. At it's best it's all sincere and relaxing, putting one in the proper mood to embrace computerized sounds, process them and then fall in line with the new standard of inorganic song-structures. And it's hard to argue against the process when it certainly pulses through your body making you move involuntarily. That's not to say it's (to take a page from R.E.M.) music meant for "Shiny Happy People". Not in the least as there's a dark underbelly to "Breathing Statues". Far from warm and fuzzy, Young Magic's "Breathing Statues" is often bleak! Of course I alone could embrace that as I've long-loved dark wave, post-rock and goth rock (the more bitter the better!), but it's the lack of real instrumentation that holds an album like this chained to the ground. Had "Breathing Statues" taken a moment to breath, relax it's constricting song-structures and embrace the full-possibilities at the disposal of indie bands these days then this one could have been great! Instead it's a so-so album that means well, but doesn't deliver on it's promise.... 

Flutronix-2.0

Flutronix Records
2014

Sometime (long) ago, back in 1992 or 1993 to pin-down a more precise time-period, I was a younger man from a small town mindset, setting off for college. That was Kent State and, circa the early nineties, it was a move that served as an (eyes wide open) awakening to the full richness that was "alternative" music. As I listened to "2.0" I couldn't help but think back to that time when I began to observe music as a movement (if not as a means of revolution, as it was in a time not that long ago at Kent State, then at least with one's own internal battles) and I slowly became aware of the beauty that was to be found in music that didn't fit into a neat little package. Those days are so long ago that I find the memories are but mere flickers of a fading light and yet it taught me the valuable lesson that you should try everything once (otherwise think of the wonders you might miss out on in this thing we like to call life!). Still, with twenty years or so now having past since I wore a much younger man's wardrobe, even I find that (music-wise) there is always something unexpected, new and fresh new, and (now and then) something that will really catch you off guard! Enter Flutronix. As boldly as I like proclaim that  "I've heard it all" I have never heard Flutronix. And with that I hereby suggest that a new classification of music be established that will simply be known as "Flutronix"! Composed of Natalie Joachim and Allison Loggins-Hull, a critically-acclaimed flute duo, Flutronix is unlike anything I have ever had the privilege of experiencing! Modernizing classical music by way of electronic programing, Flutronix, with the help of (co-) producer Tony Maimone, hip-hop producer Ski Beatz ("They Ain't You"), drummer Joe Blaxx and the Melodia Woman's Choir of NYC (on the memorizing "She Is"), takes on the challenge of finding common ground between not only classical music and the sounds of modern electronic elements, but soul and hip-hop. As "2.0" proves the pair (easily) achieves this task with a graceful presence that borders on heavenly! A soulful, R&B-inspired cover of "Sweet Dreams" (Eurythmics) only adds to the elegance of "2.0", but be aware that this is still very much in tune with today's pop/dance scene. There are no dubs to be found among this CD's nine-tracks as opener "Everything Begins" and closing number "She Is" simply hold in place a collection of endearing numbers that will find you walking on clouds as the sensation that everything is right once more with the world returns to your spirit. This is a simply enchanting collection of music that makes Flutronix a name to watch as they challenge the world's perception of classical music and, more specifically, the supposed limitations of the flute as an instrument!

Dirty Shirt-Freak Show

Est Ouest - Est Vest
2013

Released back in February of this year, "Freak Show", which was produced by Mihai Tivadar & Charles "Kallaghan" Massabo, is the third studio album from "rock/metal" band Dirty Shirt. This Romanian act features two vocalists in Dan "Rini" Crăciun and Robi "Metalistu" Rusz  and is rounded out by Mihai Tivadar (guitars, synths, programming), Cristi Bălănean (guitars), Pali Novelli (bass) and Vlad "X" Ţoca (drums). Now, it was actually Mihai Tivadar who sent me a email asking if I'd be willing to give "Freak Show" a listen and review it. I'm always happy to accommodate such requests (especially when bands say please!) although the difference between the email request's title of "Balkan Crossover Metal from Romania" and the actually reality of what Dirty Shirts is all about is a bit striking! On their latest release this band is technically "crossover" if you consider throwing everything and the kitchen sink into your music crossover. Describing the group's actually sound on "Freak Show" would be almost impossible as there is ANYTHING and EVERYTHING going on here and yes friends, it is rather freakin' awesome (and then some!) so sit back and enjoy this wild ride! Check this out. We have the "typical" sounds of rock and roll and heavy metal from what is said to be one of the most original bands in Romania. But then you're also treated to funk, punk, hardcore, thrash, death metal (mostly it comes crashing out in some of the album's sick & twisted vocal deliveries!) elctro, world music, Romanian traditional music, folk rock, rap-like rock and even some nu metal! Oh yeah, you better believe that it is crazy folks, but at it's heart it's still very much a "loud and proud" kind of release from a group that obviously has way more talent in their little individual pinkies then most groups have collectively! Is "Freak Show" the right fit for everyone? Maybe not, but it sure as hell is fun, interesting and very creative! It's one of those rare albums where it keeps you glued to your seat just waiting to see what pops up next. You can hear it yourself at the link below (and trust me you'll want to hear "Freak Show" for yourself as it's just too original to be missed) and maybe even find out what it is exactly that makes this band tick!

http://dirtyshirt.bandcamp.com/album/freak-show-2013

Seta-Interferenze

Atomic Stuff Records

2013

Formed in 2009, with "Interferenze" serving as their grand debut, Seta are a five-piece electro/rock band from Verona, Italy. For this young act, whose lyrics happen to be entirely in Italian, the album "Interferenze" serves as the connecting point between the past, present and future. Only with Seta it's all eyes pointing forward as they aspire to "sound consistent". To that end they most certainly do succeed as "Interferenze", in a fashion that is often times reserved for the likes of (early to mid period) Depeche Mode or, in a way even I can't quite fully explain, a less-polished (but way more rock-oriented) Duran Duran. The contrast between music such as this and the album's opening sample of "Sid Vicious is Dead" is striking in more ways then one. True, anytime a album opens with samples clipped from (what I would assume to be) a British broadcast alert and then (dramatically) shifts right into Italian it's going to come across as nothing less then radical. In the case of Seta though it's not just that "unique" combination that counts for something, but it's also the strange allure that comes from positive, forward-thinking, edgy rock being broken up by these softer synth moments. The graceful synths are the work of Alberto Rossetti (keyboards/synth, samples) and even at the highest level of usage they are never overpowering enough to flood over the rock reality of this recording. Lead by Luca Tosato, whose voice has all the hallmarks of  a top-tier rock star (only without the bloated sense of self-entitlement that comes along with such a title), Seta offers the listener something different, a new choice if you will. Even within the electro/rock genre these Italians stand out as the music here almost has the feel of a movie soundtrack, but one that has transposed into the more traditional setting of a rock and roll LP. While it does feature quite a bit of  no-nonsense, heavy guitar rock, which comes courtesy of Lorenzo Meuti, these musicians do understand the delicate balance that is achieved by bringing melody into the equation. Rudy Ferrarese (bass) and Matteo Ortolani (drums) are the last two pieces to this puzzle and all told Seta, and their full-length debut album here, were a more then pleasant surprise. In the end this one comes with my sincere recommendations.

www.setaofficial.com

www.facebook.com/SetaOfficial

Fred Colombo-Memoria

Self-Released via Zimbalam
2013  

Fred Colombo is a talented French-Italian composer/musician who has been a member of the bands Spheric Universe Experience and Ghostfather. Both of those acts (between whom he's recorded five albums) have allowed this veteran keyboardist to play well within the fields of hard rock and heavy metal. He's also managed to have played gigs with the likes of The Scorpions (for whom he's opened), Threshold, Uli Jon Roth, Iced Earth, Amorphis and Orphaned Land. So, when you're talking about "Memoria", Fred Colombo's new solo venture, you might look at his track record and expect it to follow a similar pattern right? Well, not so fast. This French keyboard player/producer offers up more then a few surprises on this solo album...some of which comes from way out of left field and even surprised me. That's saying something as I'm known to have everything from Slayer to the Bee Gees on stand-by! To say that there is quite a bit of variety here is an understatement. While some of this album could be loosely described as "metal" it's better to air on the side of caution and just say that "Memoria" is Fred Colombo exploring just about everything and anything but heavy metal. As I was per-warned a little about what was in store for me here (style-wise) I could easily see a fans of Fred Colombo's other bands getting this album and being stunned. Let's see what all we've got here. There's pop, indie rock, electronic, house, dance, fusion and rock. There's also so much more. Overall the album is a billion miles away from his work with Spheric Universe Experience and frankly a lot of left me with a strange look upon my face. It's different alright. The thing is I sort of dug that it so "out-there". Even though it is an album that even involves some light jazz/adult contemporary, which I would normally run screaming from, it does work as a solo release. And it's obviously that Fred Colombo is taking a risk and stepping out into the open with this solo release. I give him props for that. As variety is the spice of life I do understand his desire to so freely explore all of his loves even if I can also see this album leaving a lot of people rather confused. In the end "Memoria" is a softer approach for Fred Colombo and there is nothing wrong with such a bold move on his part. So, just as long as the listener knows what they are getting into with this new solo outing the no harm and no foul I figure.

Church Of Void-Dead Rising

Svart Records
2013

Having previously released/made initial contact with a limited-run, 4-track EP called "Winter Is Coming", which, incidentally, also came calling with just a lonesome and despair-inducing face for album art, this 5-piece Finnish act now presents their full-length debut LP. After first soaking in this album's artwork, which is chilling to say the least, I moved on into the inner sanctum that is "Dead Rising". Once this album starts to unfold it's obvious that the above album art is an effective starting point and it sets the mood perfectly Church Of Void's full-length debut recording. But, it only tells you so much and in no way can it prepare you for what's to come. For you see it's the music within that is the most caustic. Hard-edged, electrical doom rock? That seems just about right. Church of Void, who first came together in 2010 when it was assembled by vocalist Magus Corvus, point toward the likes of Saint Vitus, Black Sabbath and Pentagram for the doom while Scandinavian downer rock like Mana Mana and Babylon Whores fills in the blanks. I can't vouch for those last two (their ripped straight for the promo material), but I will say that the overall picture is one where everything fits together snugly. As wave after wave of this eclectic/electric doom comes crashing down it's interesting to note that while the music might just be downright spooky there is no talk of the devil to be within their lyrically content. Instead Church Of Void writes about the human condition which gives them a foot up on the competition one would have to argue. As vocalist Magus Corvus puts it "We write our material both as individuals and as a group, and most of it draws inspiration from archaic human instincts, needs and emotions". That's something you don't see, or rather hear, everyday from a doom touched outfit! "Dead Rising" is due out on August 30th on CD and LP.

EDVIAN-2012

Total Metal Records
2012

One of the advantages of reviewing music for a hobby/living (or whatever you want to call this particular aspect of existence) is the (seemingly) non-stop influx of new music at ones fingertips. Hardly a day goes by anymore in which new albums show up in either my digital or physical mailbox. As a fan/collector myself it's cool to know that with every new day somewhere a new band is potentially either in the process of forming or releasing debut material. Such is the case with this particular album that was released at the tail end of 2012 by the Russian band EDVIAN.  Formed in 2009, and featuring two brothers – musicians: Andrew and Victor Plitkinyh in it's ranks, this particularly act focuses their attention/talent on the field on progressive music.Their full-length, 8-track debut-album, as noted, was issued at the tail end of 2012 and, theme-wise, deals with the oncoming end of the world as predicted by the Mayan calendar! Interesting to say the least. Thankfully that didn't happen (the end of the world and all) as we wouldn't all be sitting here today talking about cool progressive music like this! My guess is EDVIAN is probably pretty stoked that the world didn't end as well since they would probably like to see the fruits of their labor. With all of that said, and seeing as the world hasn't imploded (yet), onward we march to this debut-recording. As stated, this is progressive music at it's core.While we could just call it "progressive metal" I think that "progressive music" is a better tag. Sure, it does have all the hallmarks of progressive metal as evident by usual progressive metal influences (Dream Theater and Symphony-X are mentioned in the promo material and it's a fair enough statement) there's all sorts of other things present, add-ons if you, such as electronic music and progressive rock. Add all of that together, mixing gently as you go, and, after you toss in the emotion theme of a world wrapped in chaos (by way of metal that's much more extreme then the Dream Theater and Symphony-X comparisons would suggest), you end up with "2012". With only a 4-track demo to their name otherwise, this 8-track LP shows a level of maturity and experience that's normally not associated with such progressive-minded groups this early in the game.With interesting time-changes, and musicians focused more on creative metal then mass-appeal metal, these 8 tracks add up to a stellar listening experience and a suggested pick-up for the fans of all thing progressive rock, metal and beyond.

Rotorvator-I vivi e i morti

Crucial Blast Records
2013

This isn't my first road-trip with Rotorvator and, with any luck, it won't be my last. Maybe though "road-trip" isn't the right choice of words. Maybe instead we should call it a mind-trip? After all, listening to any "music" from this Italian act is a trip of the brain! If your curious as to my two other "experiences" with Rotorvator then you can click on either of these two links:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/12/rotorvator-blues.html

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/03/rotorvator-heaven-ep.html

However, if you'd rather I just do a run-down of this interesting LP then buckle up folks as it's going to be a bumpy ride! Here we have Rotorvator's full-length debut album in "I vivi e i morti". Previous to this I've only heard this dark Italian act in small doses so the full-force contact was minimal. On this 7-track LP though you're plunged face first into the darkness and left to dangle helplessly! For lack of a better description Rotorvator play a grisly version of industrial black metal that is haunting to say the least. Over layers of electronic noise the group piles on twisted/harsh black metal and dreary dark metal for a release that speaks to the fear inside each and ever one of us! Crucial Blast Records is a good record label name for a release like this as Rotorvator doesn't come in with a whisper but rather they blast their way in! Amongst the noise and confusion Rotorvator unleashes unholy hellfire with maniacal lead vocals doing a play-by-play of the upcoming apocalypse! Given how dark and damn depressing black metal can be to begin with it's something that this Italian group can make it seem all the more bleak thanks to pounding industrial noise and these electronic elements which, when added to unrelenting blackened metal (Which has at it's roots a drone/doomish vibe anyway!), make for a nightmarish soundtrack. Below is a link to the group's bandcamp where, should you be brave enough or perhaps even foolish enough,  you can listen to this soul-possessing, hellfire, blackened slap of industrial metal yourself. Be forewarned though that "I vivi e i morti" is not for the lighthearted crowd or those that like everything to be neatly structured. At it's cure this music is nasty & sinister black noise that takes a long hard look into the anxiety-inducing emptiness that is the human soul. In other words it's underworld metal for those that freely walk into the deepest recesses of humanity's ugliness.


http://crucialblast.bandcamp.com/album/i-vivi-e-i-morti