Opeth

Graveyard – Lights Out

Graveyard follow suit to their name, like a rusty tombstone, symbolizing age and progression over time. If cleaned properly, you’ll find a treasure once forgotten, or an antique piece like Lights Out, that just needs to be revisited.

God Seed – I Begin

I Begin is an apt title for what is a new beginning of sorts, and like many beginnings it is not perfect. However, its lesser moments can be overlooked in favour of the enjoyable whole.

Musk Ox

Musk Ox: The Hellbound Interview

“I first saw Musk Ox perform in southern Ontario in the late spring of 2009. I was struck by the contrast between ambient acoustic music and a vibe that is perfectly resonate with that of many progressive, folk, and black metal bands. Musk Ox inhabits a place within two different styles of music, and gives us cause to appreciate both and ask questions about the relationship between them. My interactions with Nathanaël Larochette have always been easy due to his being such a friendly and approachable person, and I am thrilled that he took the time to answer my questions.”

Interview by Jonathan Millard-Smith

Anders Nyström from Katatonia: The Hellbound Interview

“We get approached by people who measure years in terms of success and how you’ve risen on the proverbial ladder. Even some friends and relatives ask question why we are not more successful. We put twenty years into this band and they ask us why don’t have fancy cars and fancy houses, but that was never the goal of our band. Our goal is that we still exist after 20 years and we’re still going strong. Many bands nowadays don’t even have any more original band members within their ranks.”

Raymond Westland in conversation with Anders Nystrom of Katatonia.

Katatonia – Dead End Kings

The melancholic musings of Renkse and Co aren’t as convincing as on the three previous albums I’m afraid. Dead End Kings certainly has its moments of greatness, but for some reason I expected a stronger and more consistent album.

Soen – Cognitive

Cognitive by Lopez and Co is an excellent debut album, full of intelligent and engaging song material which should thrill the Porcupine Tree, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Oceansize and Amplifier crowds.