Noisear – Subvert the Dominant Paradigm
Overall, Noisear is an obvious fit for the Relapse roster that has released a fine grind album.
Reviews
A Storm of Light – As The Valley Of Death Becomes Us, Our Silver Memories Fade
If you guessed by the album title that A Storm of Light plays post-metal, congratulations! You win a new car! (Car not included.) Nevertheless, this is some pretty decent stuff, album number three from the NYC trio that features Neurosis collaborator Josh Graham.
The Great Sabatini – Napoleon Sodomite
If you’re looking for grind inflected sludge metal, with a love for noise, this is the band for you. Something you will notice right from the beginning however, is that The Great Sabatini are not interested in making their music quite that simple. Unlike many 7” releases, Napoleon Sodomite doesn’t feel like the band threw on a few outtakes just to be able to say they put out a 7”. This is quality beginning to end.
Krallice / Withered / Titan / Kosmograd @ Sneaky Dee’s, Toronto ON, April 26th, 2011
“Krallice play like a thunderstorm: merciless and drenching, with a primal, electrical force. There was an extra edge to their performance this night, however, as though each raindrop in that metaphorical storm was tipped with a feather-thin blade.”
Natalie Zed reviews the recent Toronto performance from NY’s Krallice, joined by Withered and other local support. Concert photos by Adam Wills.
Ironweed – Your World of Tomorrow
I’m not a big fan of bands with overt drug references in their names. I mean, Weedeater is pure genius, Bongzilla’s not bad, but it’s all downhill from there. That being said, Ironweed somehow works, taking one of the most over-used words in (dorky) metal, and adding weed. You know what they say… Just add weed, right?
U.D.O. – Rev-Raptor
While it’s not the coinciding North American tour that was threatened around the time Accept announced its reformation without their former singer, Udo Dirkschneider’s latest “solo” effort hits shelves exactly one month after his former band graced the Mod Club stage in T.O.. To say I’m a little underwhelmed would be an understatement.
Between The Buried and Me/ Job For A Cowboy/ The Ocean @ The Opera House, Toronto ON, April 21, 2011
Short story even shorter, The Ocean ruled the night, Job For A Cowboy was on the wrong show and BTBAM were technically flawless but the band became a victim of their own songwriting.
Winter – Into Darkness
I can see how this would’ve blown some minds back in 1990, but it really hasn’t aged all that well. Other bands have since taken the torch and left Winter sputtering behind with this lo-fi, depressing slog of an album that has more in common with the “gothic doom” of My Dying Bride than the true masters of the genre.
While Heaven Wept – Fear Of Infinity
I can’t say enough how unique and epic this band is. Sure , they may have lost a lot of their doom but I think this has made them even more of a better band. It gives the music and riffs much more room to breathe and I find there is a lot more varation on the tempos that has helped modernize their sound without falling into any trendy sterotypes.
CAULDRON / HOLY GRAIL / ENTROPIA / BLACK WIZARD @ The Media Club, Vancouver BC, April 19, 2011
“Opening with the mighty ‘All Or Nothing’, Cauldron were in fine form as expected, their brand of Banzai-worshipping eighties metal as good live as on tape. Say all you want about Canada and power trios, but damn, Cauldron have it down pat, the three of them playing off each other like old pros, Decay and Chains even getting into vaguely-choreographed guitar mimics at one point.”
Kyle Harcott reviews the April 19th Vancouver performance by CAULDRON, HOLY GRAIL, ENTROPIA & BLACK WIZARD at the Media Club. Concert photography by Ted Reckoning