Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Stratovarius - Polaris
StratovariusPolaris
Label: Armoury Records
This first outing after the departure of former bandmaster Timo Tolkki finds this Finnish melodic power metal group revisioned and situated to continue their formidable musical legacy for many more years to come.
• Stratovarius Website • Stratovarius WikiVieux Farka Touré - Fondo
Vieux Farka TouréFondo
Label: Six Degrees Records
Standing firmly on his own merits, this son of legendary Malian bluesman Ali Farka Toure leads his musical charge with a graceful, majestic grandeur. The ancient and contemporary African instrumentation and rhythms fill a broader vision as well as purpose with all but one of these modern classics penned by Vieux himself.
• Vieux Farka Touré Website • Vieux Farka Touré WikiTYR - By The Light Of The Northern Star
TYRBy The Light Of The Northern Star
Label: Napalm/SPV
Viking Metal by actual Vikings! Named after the God of War and Justice, this inspiring Faroese quartet brings us pagan metal anthems/hymns galore! Their folk metal attack is awakened and filled with vibrant traditional harmonies while telling tales of the Viking struggle against the horrors of Christianity and it’s bloody Crusades that were forced upon them.
Valina - A tempo! A tempo!
ValinaA tempo! A tempo!
Label: Joyful Noise Recordings
The technical artsty rock that this Austrian trio purveys sways from booming and brain scratching mega riffs to experimental rock plateaus with indeterminate attitudes. Math rock produced by Chicago’s Steve Albini.
• Valina Website • Valina Wiki3 Inches Of Blood - Here Waits Thy Doom
3 Inches Of BloodHere Waits Thy Doom
Label: Century Media
Daredevil vocals riding on the unrelenting waves of an unabashed speed metal barrage. Vocalist Jamie Hooper notes of the album. “We are forging the steel that we’ll use to annihilate the heavy metal posers, and in every town we play, the streets will run red with their blood.” Nuff Said. Produced by Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison.
• 3 Inches Of Blood Website • 3 Inches Of Blood WikiAndreas Kisser - Hubris I & II
Andreas KisserHubris I & II
Label: Mascot Records
Sepultura’s lead guitarist and musical visionary brings us an opus broken into two discs, the first electric and second acoustic, exemplifying the songwriting skills and depth of this masterful artist who enmeshes his Brazilian rhythmic heritage into these diverse and gratifying contemporary compositions.
• Andreas Kisser Website • Andreas Kisser WikiDujalu - Dujalu
DujaluDujalu
Label: Self Released
Part English, part Australian and part Ecuadorian, this Wisconsin trio has corralled their various backgrounds to birth a raw and emotive musical force empowered by spirited female vocals in the context of a supercharged acoustic underbelly sprouted with unexpected rhythms and textures.
Jahdan Blakkamoore - Buzzrock Warrior
Jahdan BlakkamooreBuzzrock Warrior
Label: Gold Dust
A raw, innovative and intense blending of dancehall, roots, R&B, cumbia, hip hop and dub from this Guyana born but Brooklyn raised musical warrior. Teamed with fellow Dutty Artz members Matt Shadetek and DJ /rupture this release strikes hardest when Blakkamoore’s intense and diverse lyrics are melded to mighty dub and dancehall DJ beats.
• Jahdan Blakkamoore WebsiteHorse Meat Disco - Horse Meat Disco
Horse Meat DiscoHorse Meat Disco
Label: Strut Records
Get ready to move some bootay! This body bumpin’ double disc collection features London club founders James Hillard and Jim Stanton mixing up select disco era gems followed by a second disc of untouched disco ditties. Get to the dance floor already!
Dunkelbunt - Raindrops & Elephants
DunkelbuntRaindrops & Elephants
Label: Piranha Records
Constructing a fervent yet asymmetric upswing of global rhythms into a calliope of contemporary stylings, this intoxicating brew of Klezmer, reggae, jazz, funk, dub, and electronica has been finessed into an audio jungle of delight and satisfaction.
• Dunkelbunt WebsiteKepa Junkera & Melonious Quartet - Fandango
Kepa Junkera & Melonious QuartetFandango
Label: Hiri Records
Renowned folk ambassador from the Basque regions of Spain matches his impressive prowess on the trikitixa (Basque diatonic accordion) with the entrancing stringed offerings of the Melonious Quartet. These 14 instrumental compositions effortlessly float by as they integrate traditional with contemporary.
Putumayo Presents - Jazz Around The World
Putumayo PresentsJazz Around The World
Label: Putumayo World Music
Putumayo’s third jazz entry showcases jazz on a global perspective. Mali, France, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Canada are all represented on this fun venturing into the influences and inflections intoned on the musical journey through cultures, boarders and time.
• Putumayo Presents WebsiteView More
Viewing Page 6 - of 12