Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
A Tortured Soul - Kiss of the Thorn
A Tortured SoulKiss of the Thorn
Label: Eyes Like Snow/Northern Silence Records
Operatic and progressive old-school gothic metal (ala Priest, King Diamond, Shadow’s Fall) from Milwaukee but signed to a German Label. Shadowy doom protruding from a festering pool of abstract progressions.
• A Tortured Soul WebsiteAbney Park - Lost Horizons
Abney ParkLost Horizons
Label: Self Released
Forerunners of the oncoming “Steampunk Artistic Movement,” this Seattle outfit takes flight with a story of roving time travelers and airship pirates while gallivanting through and amalgamating the most admirable traits of a variety of genres including gothic, gypsy rock, punk, industrial, and electronica. Eclectic, elegant and unique.
• Abney Park Website • Abney Park WikiApocalyptica - Worlds Collide
ApocalypticaWorlds Collide
Label: 20 20/ Jive Records
Cellos and heavy metal may be an unlikely combination, but these fine Finnish folks have successfully been kicking out variants on their theme over the years. With several guest vocalists and a couple radio ready singles, this release is a smoking’ mix of their symphonic metal and thrashin’ ragers.
• Apocalyptica Website • Apocalyptica WikiAsylum Street Spankers - What? And Give Up Show Biz?
Asylum Street SpankersWhat? And Give Up Show Biz?
Label: Yellow Dog Records
The Spankers put on a humorous and entertaining show to be sure and this 2 disc set nicely displays the many facets of this extremely versatile band. Their classics are interspersed with stage banter and stories that round out the live show atmosphere.
• The Asylum Street Spankers Website • The Asylum Street Spankers WikiAlmah - Fragile Equality
AlmahFragile Equality
Label: Blistering Records
Well flavored and maturely tempered power metal featuring former Angra members. Robust guitar solos are intertwined with pulsating rhythms and urgent vocals justifying the quality and caliber of this melodic power metal fury.
• Almah Website • Almah WikiAmorphis - Skyforger
AmorphisSkyforger
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Finding new ways to awaken my inner Viking! Invigorating anthems with their signature Scandinavian folk metal approach reverberate a dark, powerful beauty and majesty unmatched. This third round with singer Tomi Joutsen integrates a broad stroke of vocal styles with increased progressive rock elements to their musical palette.
• Amorphis Website • Amorphis WikiArkaea - Years In The Darkness
ArkaeaYears In The Darkness
Label: E1 Entertainment
Terse, intense and vibrant industrialized death metal from Fear Factory alumni Raymond Herrera and Christian Old Wolbers. Although incorporating proven Fear Factory stylings which fans will certainly enjoy overall I find the release safe, repetitive and formulaic.
• Arkaea WikiJimi Tenor & Tony Allen - Inspiration Information
Jimi Tenor & Tony AllenInspiration Information
Label: Strut Records
Pairing together Finnish experimental musician Jimi Tenor with Tony Allen, an amazing Afrobeat drumming legend, has ushered forth a curious cache of mind warbling avant jazz creations . Lyrics are spun with experience and dark sarcasm while being treated with tribal beats, horns, flutes, and samples through a wildly unpredictable imagination.
• Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen WebsiteAlo - Man Of The World
AloMan Of The World
Label: Brushfire Records/Universal
Sublimely mellow rock music tumbled with expertly crafted tale telling courtesy of 4 childhood friends. Since it was by Jack Johnson and recorded at his solar powered studio in Hawaii ALO scored the opening slot on Johnson’s summer tour including Alpine Valley 7/24 and River’s Edge 7/25 and I am thrilled more people will get to hear them.
• Alo Website • Alo Facebook • Alo WikiKing Sunny Ade - Baba Mo Tunde
King Sunny AdeBaba Mo Tunde
Label: Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings
I’ve been a fan of this Nigerian native Afro-pop mega legend for quite some time so I was delighted to hear about his first studio album in over 10 years. The second of this twin disc release blasts off with the 31 min title track and if you make it through that on your feet, you might as well call in sick for the week cause you will be shaking and dancing all day and night to these incredible and inviting masterpieces.
• King Sunny Ade Facebook • King Sunny Ade WikiAzam Ali - From Night to the Edge of Day
Azam AliFrom Night to the Edge of Day
Label: Six Degrees
Lullabies of love; lullabies of anguish; lullabies of rebellion, exile and awareness; such is the dichotomy of these Iranian, Turkish, Lebanese and Kurdish lullabies as presented by this amazing Iranian-born, Indian-raised vocalist. She connected with the spectrum of emotions behind lullabies when she gave birth to her son and realized the tumultuous world that he would be exposed to and live in.
• Azam Ali Website • Azam Ali WikiAtrocity - After The Storm
AtrocityAfter The Storm
Label: Napalm Records
One of my long time favorite experi-“metal” bands, this German group has explored many facets of musical and cultural heritage over the years. Their exploration continues by refining their folk fancies, expanding on their impressive song structure, and again including the amazing vocals of Yasmin (frontman Alexander Krull’s sister). Powerful, invigorating, and unique.
• Atrocity Website • Atrocity Facebook
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