Band: *shels Album: Plains Of The Purple Buffalo Website: http://shelsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/plains-of-the-purple-buffalo RIYL: Mahumodo, Sigur Ros, Mono Mini-review: I've seen their name mentioned a few times in these forums, but no actual reviews or anything (unless I missed it). This is not a new record by any means (from July 2011), and I'm sure some of you already know that *shels features former vocalist and drummer from UK's now defunct Mahumodo. Plains Of The Purple Buffalo is basically an epic (77 min) concept album that's mainly an instrumental affair (the vocals are few and mainly repetitive, with some screaming), and which features the best of what the RIYL's bands have to offer. This is an incredibly genuine, emotionally-filled record with none of the pretentiousness or self-indulgence that you may expect from lengthy post-rock albums.
Band: Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster Website:http://tacomanarrowsbridgedisaster.bandcamp.com/ RIYL: Isis, Cult Of Luna, Tool Mini-review:I can't actually remember where I heard of this band, so there's a chance it was on Decoy and I'm stealing someone else's recommendation. If not, and they are new to you, Tacoma Narrows are a band from London who play a post metal, sludgy, post rock blend that reminds me most of all of Isis but also Tool in some of their guitar work. If you're into bands like Isis, Cult Of Luna, Rosetta or Neurosis then they're definitely worth checking out. I'd say they're slightly more melodic or post rock influenced than Neurosis or Rosetta but you get the idea. In some of the on-line descriptions they're described as being an instrumental 4 piece although on this album about half the songs have vocals and I think they add quite a lot to the overall sound.
Currently listening to: Jolly - The Audio Guide To Happiness (Part 2) Leprous - Coal Dillinger Escape Plan - One Of Us Is The Killer Amorphis - Circle Hope For The Dying - Aletheia Best Of 2012 - Best Of 2013
Ya, I was really surprised they didn't get more attention last year when they came out. I added myself to their email update list and they send out a ton of other band rec's all the time.
I felt that way after the first two tracks, too. In fact, I was ready to just hand America back over. But the longer this album went on, the more disinterested I got. Needed less music, more vocals. The middle drags on forever.
Ya Nick, but you also don't like the new Torche album, so I dunno. It was rather lengthy, but I was engaged the whole time. And to me this style music is meant for more music than vocals anyway. At least the vocals are damn good.
I've been on their email list for ages and was dumb enough to ignore their updates, but from their label I would certainly recommend Ancients (also with Medi on vocals, full album coming up), Latitudes, Pretend, Ef, and Parliament of Owls (all available to listen from http://shelsmusic.bandcamp.com/). I don't have any of those actual records yet, so I can't really follow the format agreed upon here, but hopefully soon...Ancients is particularly promising.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster is pretty damn good by the way, I agree that vocals are not necessarily needed more here, this is good stuff.
I've got the new Ancients for review here, and it's very solid. I also have been on the email list for *shels music and ignored it for some reason. I'm glad I started paying attention.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Band: Latitudes Album: Agonist Website: http://shelsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/agonist RIYL: The Ocean, early Pelican, early Russian Circles Mini-review: Again, this is not a new record by any means (from 2009; they actually have a new one coming up), but I don't really remember seeing their music being referenced anywhere on this site. This is a primarily instrumental record (only 2 of the 7 tracks have some surprisingly delicate vocals) that has somewhat of the epic-yet-oppressing feel that may be found on The Ocean's Precambrian (2nd disc of course). It's not unlike early works from Pelican and Russian Circles either, but decidedly sludgier in its approach.
Their previous EP, Bleak Epiphanies In Slow Motion, is quite good too but doesn't really have as much of a lasting appeal.
Band: Mat. McHugh Website: www.lovecomesaveme.com RIYL: The Beautiful Girls, Ben Howard, Donovan Frankenreiter Mini-review: The frontman of The Beautiful Girls went all philosophical following the birth of his son and a prophecy told to him by an Indian shaman more than a decade ago. So he wrote an album of slow burning acoustic numbers and released it from his website for free and with no requests for email addresses or further promotion. In just under a month it has received the equivalent of gold-record certification in Australia. It's a gift to you.
"If you want something done right, get a fucking Australian band to do it" - Chris Cheney
Band: The Last Hundred Years
Album: Troppo
RIYL: QOTSA, Tool, Pink Floyd, Russian Circles (???)
Website: http://thenexthundredyears.bandcamp.com/
Mini-Review: Only have a few listens down to this album and after the second go through I was blown away. Its kind of hard to compare this album to any other, its a blend of stoner rock riffs, progressive/experimental metal, and post (music). Very original sound that I highly encourage you to give a listen. And they have a back catalogue of a couple albums that I have yet to check out. AND they offer the name you price on all albums at their bandcamp, so you have no excuse to not check them out. Very interesting stuff for sure not a dull song on the new album.
Think it should read 'The Next Hundred Years'. Sounds very interesting from the RIYL list. I have about 15 hours flying to do on Thursday so am on the look out for new stuff to listen to, will give this a try.
Currently listening to: Jolly - The Audio Guide To Happiness (Part 2) Leprous - Coal Dillinger Escape Plan - One Of Us Is The Killer Amorphis - Circle Hope For The Dying - Aletheia Best Of 2012 - Best Of 2013
Album: Troppo
RIYL: QOTSA, Tool, Pink Floyd, Russian Circles (???)
Website: http://thenexthundredyears.bandcamp.com/
Mini-Review: Only have a few listens down to this album and after the second go through I was blown away. Its kind of hard to compare this album to any other, its a blend of stoner rock riffs, progressive/experimental metal, and post (music). Very original sound that I highly encourage you to give a listen. And they have a back catalogue of a couple albums that I have yet to check out. AND they offer the name you price on all albums at their bandcamp, so you have no excuse to not check them out. Very interesting stuff for sure not a dull song on the new album.
Think it should read 'The Next Hundred Years'. Sounds very interesting from the RIYL list. I have about 15 hours flying to do on Thursday so am on the look out for new stuff to listen to, will give this a try.
Ha, your right, The NEXT Hundred Years" my bad, I was in a hurry typing this up last night. But ya, perfect for a long flight. Get all three albums off their bandcamp. Just listened to most of Obese Momentum this morning and it is fantastic as well. I am completely in awe on how cool this band is. I get a very heavy 90's rock vibe as well after a few more listens. And dare I say it, moments verging into Deftones territory.
Band: Royal Thunder
RIYL: Witch, Graveyard, Kylesa, Sabbath, Wolfmother
Album: CVI
Website: http://royalthunder.bandcamp.com/releases
Mini Review: Female fronted southern, sultry hard rock band. Great description quoted on their facebook page, "a revved-up southern hard-rocker that howls like Led Zeppelin astride a psychedelic unicorn." - NPR.org. I agree with that description. CVI incorporates a heavy blues hybrid slab of Doom/Psych/Sabbath style music, that absolutely blows my mind. This album is a definite contender for my end of the year lists. Miny Parsonz, the female singer wales like a demonic angel accompanied by some of the best bluesy/doomy musicianship I've heard all year. Don't pass this one up. 4.5/5.0
Rick Gebhardt
buck09
el badman
Max
Nicholas
Nick Senior
powell.ad
Bill Lohr
