Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Metal
Scythia - ….Of War

Scythia - ….Of War

Scythia
….Of War
Label: Scythia

Do you like your metal folky? How about with a dash of violin or keyboards? Maybe some gothic overtones? This adventurous and progressive Canadian outfit enjoys galloping metal grooves along side classically constructed folk passages to arrive at a well sculpted destination. The songs are all available at their site on a ‘“pay what you want”’ basis, so everybody wins.

Scythia WebsiteScythia FacebookScythia Wiki

Titan - Sweet Dreams

Titan - Sweet Dreams

Titan
Sweet Dreams
Label: Relapse Records

Keyboards unabashedly take the forefront of this psychedelic prog-metal experience. Expanses of whirling grooves hook the listener with a demanding intensity that is unfurled with each breathtaking riff and blast.


Atrocity - After The Storm

Atrocity - After The Storm

Atrocity
After 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.

 

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Freak Kitchen - Land of the Freaks

Freak Kitchen - Land of the Freaks

Freak Kitchen
Land of the Freaks
Label: The Laser's Edge

Touted as ‘Europe’s best musical secret’ due to limited distribution, Freak Kitchen has just had their back-catalog released and this one from 2009 is the first in line. The progressive power trio consists of three renowned virtuoso musicians - Mattias “IA” Eklundh (guitar/vocals), Christer Ortefors (bass), and Bjorn Fryklund (drums). When these hard-working musicians are not performing in a band, they are out teaching clinics. The music contains creative progressive rock elements with a healthy dose of Frank Zappa influenced humor plus musical shenanigans and acrobatics galore.

Freak Kitchen WebsiteFreak Kitchen FacebookFreak Kitchen Wiki

Prong - Carved Into Stone

Prong - Carved Into Stone

Prong
Carved Into Stone
Label: Long Branch Records

When bands create seminal music in a given genre, what do they do in the years and releases that follow? Prong guitarist Tommy Victor took time off to play with Danzig and Ministry before revisiting his roots and getting revitalized enough to assemble and pen a contemporary sonic barrage under his old moniker that is ready to flood your senses with signature riffs and aggressive themes. The Prong sound is back and ready to exceed the neck- and finger-snapping experiences of the past.

Prong WebsiteProng FacebookProng Wiki

Morbid Saint - Spectrum of Death

Morbid Saint - Spectrum of Death

Morbid Saint
Spectrum of Death
Label: Relapse Records

Wisconsin grown - gurgling, growling, gnarly thrash metal with ridiculous and blistering solos plus breakneck rhythms a la early Slayer, which is appropriate for this 1988 thrash vinyl reissue. Although production values weren’t what they are now, the spirit, energy and vitality of the time soars through every note!

Morbid Saint WebsiteMorbid Saint FacebookMorbid Saint Wiki

Mörglbl - Brutal_Romance

Mörglbl - Brutal_Romance

Mörglbl
Brutal_Romance
Label: Free Electric Sound

With a name like this, you may expect punishing death metal, but this is not that. Instead, this French instrumental trio blends a progressive energetic jazzy element with their hard rock and technical metal to create a tantalizing full flavored offering. Additionally, band members Christophe Godin (guitars), Ivan Rougny (bass), and Aurelian Ouzoulias (drums) are each also valued clinicians when not busy crushing and destroying the world as Mörglbl.

Mörglbl WebsiteMörglbl FacebookMörglbl Wiki

Baroness - Yellow & Green

Baroness - Yellow & Green

Baroness
Yellow & Green
Label: Relapse Records

This release has all the trappings of being a landmark, breakthrough album. It debuted at #30 on Billboard’s top 200 and sold over 12,500 records in its first week, making it the highest debut in Relapse Records history. Baroness really show off their vocal prowess and musical composition skills, here. Each song is masterfully crafted to compliment their progressive hard and heavy rock innovations. Bravo!

Baroness WebsiteBaroness FacebookBaroness Wiki

Philm - Harmonic

Philm - Harmonic

Philm
Harmonic
Label: Ipecac Records

Behold, another side project from legend/drummer extraordinaire, Dave Lombardo.  Although not even remotely as fever pitched as his Slayer days, this is still heavy and his beats are amazing. Overall, this release works best in the noteworthy experimental atmospheric interludes, but resides too often in forgettable post-hardcore or post-apocalyptic delirium. Thankfully, this release has multiple dynamic options. 

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Magnum - On The 13th Day

Magnum - On The 13th Day

Magnum
On The 13th Day
Label: SPV/Steamhammer

This isn’t a ride into virgin territory. In fact, after 34 years and 17 studio albums, this Birmingham-based melodic hard rock band is continuing to build their long lasting and impressive legacy. That said, this is a solid, highly listenable addition to their history and manages to largely avoid falling into the corny kitsch trap. 

Magnum WebsiteMagnum FacebookMagnum Wiki

Norska - Norska

Norska - Norska

Norska
Norska
Label: Brutal Panda Records

Tuned-down doom metal must be so fun to write. Loud, slow, huge, harsh, throbbing, epic, determined riffs and beats compliment the often harsh, but sometimes spacey vocals to produce a low end cacophony of dynamic delights. Contains members of and on tour with YOB this fall.

Norska WebsiteNorska Facebook

Unwoman - The Fires I Started

Unwoman - The Fires I Started

Unwoman
The Fires I Started
Label: self

Erica Mulkey is Unwoman, a popular and prolific San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter that spices up the strings with electronic beats and attitude. With seven self-produced solo albums and six successful Kickstarter campaigns under her belt, she is turning herself into a musical icon thanks to all the fans she accumulates at the steampunk, goth, and sci-fi-related events that she highlights. 

Unwoman WebsiteUnwoman FacebookUnwoman Wiki

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