Kezia-The Dirty Affair

Logic(Il)Logic Records/Andromeda Dischi
2015

Kezia is an Italian five-piece that was formed in September of 2013 by long-time friends/seasoned musicians Pierlorenzo Molinari (vocals), Antonio Manenti (guitars) and Alberto Armanini (keyboards). The band's current line-up is rounded out by the pair of Fabio Bellini and Michele Longhena (bass and drums respectively) with the 8-track "The Dirty Affair" serving as the group's official debut. This extended EP was recorded, mixed & mastered by Riccardi Frigoni at Studio 57 in Brescia, Italy and it should be noted that the bass parts on the "The Dirty Affair" were performed by Andrea Piovani while the drums were played by Matteo Viganiand. It's also worth noting how quirky Kezia is, but what else would you expect from a band that self-describes it's style as prop-metal? "What exactly is prop-metal?" I hear you asking. Apparently it's whatever this Italian band wants it to be! And that would be (up to and including) a odd combination of "rock, progressive, swing, electro and pop". Or as Kezia puts it "The structure is prog, expanding its melodic variations with pop freshness". Got that? I hope so. Especially seeing as there is going to be a quiz later! In all seriousness, "The Dirty Affair" is more in line with avant-garde rock and the EP likely reflects the distinct tastes and styles of it's band-founders. With Pierlorenzo, Antonio, and Alberto all coming from different (musical) backgrounds the sound of Kezia is every bit as all-encompassing as the various projects and bands that these three were previously involved with! Most of the time this collaboration works out just fine. The fluid chemistry of Pierlorenzo, Antonio, and Alberto is as undeniable as the metallic undercurrent of this 8-track album is. When this trio is in-sync there's a damn nice spark of fire. But when they're not? On those rare occasion it all becomes too much. It's kind of like having the perfect stew and then going out of your way to add in all these exotic ingredients. You may think that these additions will spice up your meal, but in reality you've just ruined a perfectly fine dish. Thankfully the trio behind Kezia know when to pull in the reins and when it let go. In the case of Kezia's debut release there are more good times than bad times which goes a long ways towards making "The Dirty Affair" a recommend pick-up. For more information on this interesting band be sure to check out Kezia's Facebook page or their official website. 

Deadly Circus Fire-The Hydra’s Tailor

Musicarchy Media
2015

Formed in 2009, Deadly Circus Fire is a progressive metal from London. "The Hydra’s Tailor" is the group's latest release and it follows a 2010 self-tilted EP and the band's 2013 debut full-length, "The King and the Bishop". So far the band has received high praise in publications such as Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and Prog Magazine with Metal Hammer even going so far as to physically release the band's debut album in one of it's issues. If we're to go by "The Hydra’s Tailor" then such glowing admiration isn't unwarranted! Neither are the comparisons that have been made to the likes of Mastodon, Deftones, and Tool. Especially Mastodon and Tool. Much of "The Hydra’s Tailor" sounds like a heavier, more metallic Tool as envisioned by a progressive thrash version of Mastodon and as far as Metal Hammer goes they were spot on when they called this London four-piece "one of the most imaginative and formidable" prog bands around! The group's line-up includes vocalist Adam Grant, guitarist Save Addario, bassist/vocalist Mike Enort and drummer Paul Igoe and while I've never claimed to be the world's biggest prog metal bands there is something about Deadly Circus Fire that makes my hair stand up on end! And in no way, shape or form am I talking about the band's early days when they use to get all dressed up in zombie make-up! That's just silly! After all you don't need such strange stage theatrics when your music is this menacing! Or this HEAVY!!

 Between Adam Grant's impressive mic skills and the sick guitar work of Save Addario there's no need for extra make-up or fake blood. And then you go and add in the pair of  Mike Enort and Paul Igoe into the mix? That's just madness plain and simple! Anyway, here's a video of the album track "House Of Plagues". This is just one out of the twelve numbers that make up "The Hydra’s Tailor". Keep that in mind while it shreds you to pieces....