Author: Steve Earles
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Viathyn – Cynosure
Once again, another self-release that would put a major label to shame, this is of the same quality as many a band on, for example, Nuclear Blast. The music is very heavy, but progressive, and very heartfelt, reminding me of folk music in its feel and atmosphere. The song-writing is superb, which is how it…
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Kerbdog – Congregation
Kerbdog are without a doubt the finest metal band to ever emerge from Kilkenny in my native Ireland. Formed in 1991, they signed to major label Vertigo Records (home, at various times, to Black Sabbath and Metallica – hmm, interesting split release potential there!). Alas, despite two great albums, success eluded the young band and…
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Quartered – Eyes and Ears
As an Irishman, I’m constantly astonished at the sheer quality and diversity of the bands Canada is producing. That this album is a self-release proves my points. The quality of the production, the musicianship, and the all-important songs would put many major league bands to shame. Heavy, but never without hooks and melody, this is…
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Laugh At The Fakes – Dethrone The Crown
Just looking at the publicity for the splendidly named Laugh At The Fakes, I see them being recommended for fans of such bands as Opeth (no, Opeth sound like Goblin these days, and that works well for them, but I don’t hear that here), Avenged Sevenfold (urgghh, no, a band that boast about their ‘real…
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Black Sabbath: The Vault by Paul Elliot
Without Black Sabbath, I wouldn’t be writing this and you wouldn’t be reading this… it’s that simple. Published by Carltonbooks, (available to order here). “Written by a leading music journalist and illustrated throughout with rare and previously unpublished photographs, Black Sabbath: The Vault is the ultimate interactive celebration of the iconic rock group. Featuring 20…
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Laika – Somnia
This band have taken their monicker from the unfortunate Russian dog who became one of the first animals in space: Laika. Unusual name for a band, but no less so than Leprotic Acid Spitting Amoebas From Angola (NB: I made that name up off to the top of my head – if a band with such…
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Aleister Crowley: Magick, Rock and Roll, and the Most Wicked Man in the World
Aleister Crowley: Magick, Rock and Roll, and the Most Wicked Man in the World Written by Gary Lachman Published by Tarcher/Penguin There can be few music fans that aren’t aware of the name Aleister Crowley. From The Beatles through to Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, Crowley (AKA The Beast 666) enjoys a bountiful afterlife. Much has been written about…
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Transmaniacon – The Darkening Plain
Now, this is a band-name well chosen, for ‘Transmaniacon’ is a track from Blue Oyster Cult. Blue Oyster Cult are a criminally overlooked act in the inspiration stakes, with most people just knowing them for the track ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper.’ This is in part due to it being featured in films like Halloween (the…
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Norilsk – Japetus
This is an excellent three-track introduction to a very worthy band. On the title track and “Potsdam Glo,” the band show a talent for strong, original atmospheric doom. My only criticism is a constructive one: I’d like to see the vocal more forward in the mix. Interestingly, what sums up Norilsk the best is their…
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The New Jacobin Club – Soldiers of the Mark
The New Jacobin Club make the cast of the Rocky Horror Picture Show look like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! For certain, their live shows must be out of this world, but what of the music? Is there substance to back up the style? Thankfully there is! Their PR describes this as something you’d like if…