CD Review: Alluvion - Reverberations (Melodic Metal/2016)

A hefty EP incorparting as many styles of the heavy genre as one could imagine.

Short Introduction

Alluvion are a metal band located at Fredericksburg, Virginia. They mix elements of metal, rock, prog-rock, and shoegaze into there own brand of music. Alluvion has been a band for about 10 years recording several albums and performing regionally. The "Reverberations" EP has been released in October 2016.

Alluvions's "Reverberations" EP cover, (c) by Alluvion, used with kind permission

Summary

This release surely speaks out to the one's being open to travel between various sounds.You can take this as a sign that the music never get's boring or one-dimensional throughout the whole duration. But there's even more variation in them.

What I'd like to say is that the EP changes it's mood without warning. While the EP starts up rather epicly with the longer track "Exodus" it cracks you down quickly already with the second song "Heel of the Boot". It feels as if you're sitting in a rollercoaster. At one moment it was all fine and good but just around the corner the heavyness just kicks straight into the face. The next round goes to the title track that provides you with a moment to take a breath just before another ride start's with "Drop It" but this time more midtempo. It's the song with the most positive note on the whole record. "Critters" gives you a massive "kick-me-out" feeling with it's heavyness once again. Anyway I guess many of you'll want to follow the band once they'v had taste of it.

The cool thing in the band's style is that they added some shoegaze to their typical metal sound. If you like that style but prefer it to not dominate the band's sound with it's typical slowness and multi-layered song structures but instead have more typical metal elements with the music I think Alluvion's "Reverberations" are the definite place for you to check out. Just check the songs "Exodus" and the ending of "Critters" for more details on this.

Purchase-Link and Album stream

The whole package comes free of charge. I'd like to ask you to give some bucks if you like it because making music ain't free. Artists have a lot of costs to cover just to entertain us the way they do so giving back is never a wrong thing.

Besides that this is the first download I came across that comes with MP4 files in them. Those nice goodies are short live video clips the band shared as preview items on their Facebook page. They show the live power and atmosphere of the band so they are a nice addition to the release and give a idea if you consider going to one of Alluvion's live shows (please do show up to give them your support).

On my Smartphone the cover as well as the lyrics were integrated into the mp3 files so they were displayed automatically upon selecting them with my player app. That was a cool surprise to me to have everything at hand with just one single click. The lyrics are rough and direct and speak clearly. If you want to have a message straight - this band provides it. Here's the EP stream for you to quickly check it out.


Contact Data

The band is up for contact on Facebook as well as on Youtube and Instagram.

A Light Within changes vocals with every lyric line

When you go through the various media forms in which music can be presented one thing has fascinated me for a long time now. It's the various effects that the choice of format can bring to the listener / viewer.

I can remember back in the very beginning there was little more than music on tapes I could listen to so my experience was limited to the audio content. It was great and I still enjoy listening to music and completly focussing on it these days.

The next step came when vinyl albums crossed my way. They made a different effect with their huge cover sleeves that were impressive. Iron Maiden's "Life After Death" was the best example. It contained a extra photo booklet that captured the monsterous stage set of the World Slavery Tour in impressive pictures. The vinyl needed special handling due to it's size and special care when dust had fallen on it.

Then there was a cut to digital media. CDs rushed in making handling easier and access to music faster. Sometimes it came in nice digipack formats that also could on rare occations feature a extra insert that could be unfolded by opening it. Few also came in a tin box.

Finally these days mp3s and streaming music through the internet have become a vital part of listening music. But what besides all the mentioned variations had the most impact on me was when videos came in. These days those clips are mostly put on Youtube and I think watching a video can take a lot of control of the listener. To me it's a massive difference if it comes with visuals or as audio alone. To me it is as if the music is far more touchable this way. It brings me closer to the artists performance.

Such a great example to prove this came along my way when post rock / post metal outfit A Light Within uploaded a vocal performace video for the track "No Charge" of their newest output "Body Matter".

I was already impressed by the vocals when I heard the audio but this video points out the intensity of the vocal performance so much more. It shows how much dedication the band put's into each and every aspect of the songs. This time it's the vocalist that change the mood and tonality with nearly every single lyric line. I've never before given such a idea that variations can have such a dramatic change to a song.


Make sure to see the band live their next date is set for

Wednesday, 9. March 2016 21:00h (CST)
miniBar
3810 Broadway St, Kansas City 64111

Theirs a unique show flyer that the band has put out for this event.

The flyer for the next show of  A Light Within, (c) by A Light Within, used with kind permission

Finally keep track on their music by following A Light Within through Facebook or go to Bandcamp to pick up their excellent EPs.

Fins a Luminous share haunting Double A side single

This brand new digital single released by UK based band Fins A Luminous shows that you can also work with fine electronic elements to create a deep and intense atmosphere. I think it's the idea that stands behind the music and how detailed it's worked out that decides if it touches the listener.

The cover of the Double A side single, (c) by Fins A Luminous, used with kind permission

This said the single starts out rather soft and silent with "Setting Souls". The song is styled in a minimalistic way but once you let it sink in you'll discover what this simpleness will do for you. It's this easy toned style that helps to concentrate on the music itself. This track that will take you away from your everyday life and lead over to a more relaxed state of mind. Enjoy some refreshing of your soul while listening to it.

The second number "Funeral Shake" gives things a more raw and powerfull tonality featuring elements of drone and shoegaze in it. While it still creates landscapes of imaginations through the music it definitely goes a bit deeper and works with various sound layers to create it's atmosphere. The lyrics are inspired by the Twin Peaks series.

If you enjoy what you hear don't hesitate to go to Bandcamp and pick a copy of this release. While the band has been so kind to give it away for free please consider giving at least a few bucks back on a donation basis to help them creating more atmospheric and refreshing tunes for you.

Follow the band through their social accounts on Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date about all the upcoming works of Fins A Luminous. You can also visit Soundcloud for more tunes of the band.

CD Review: June 1974 - Atlantide (2014)

I've seldomely ever heard that someone managed to change between various styles in such a cool way. But this instrumental one man project of Federico Romano really gives me hope that breaking barriers between various genres isn't that hard to get by. Read now what I've found out while listening to the "Atlantide" EP.

Short Introduction

June 1974 is the musical project created in late 2009 by Federico Romano,an underground writer of poems and short stories.His kind of music is indefinable because every song embraces different styles from dance to rock to classic/ hip hop  music. So June 1974 is 360 music degree only for open mind listeners.Till now June 1974, has published more than 250 songs(singles+ep+albums) available on all digital stores worldwide thanks to Visionaire Records (his record label) .

Atlantide is the title of this EP published in November 2014 that cointains two songs in rock electro classic post shoegaze style mastered in Iceland by Birgir Jon Birgisson at his Sundlaugin studios ( Sigur Ros / Alcest / Mum ) available on all digital stores worldwide by Visionaire Records. Meanwhile June 1974 has published other singles in 2015 and now is working hard on the new album that will be avalaible in middle of 2016.

Cover artwork by Soey Milk (c) by June 1974, used with kind permission

Summary

The EP is a cool surprise item if you're looking for a gift to someone you know that is completly open to all sorts of music or just yourselves if you like to listen to all possible styles of music. This said it's sure that this release contains a good potion or Rock music with slightly heavier parts in it as well as soft parts of the more ambient direction.

But it's far more than that. You'll listen to pop elements as well as have your ear on some nice electronic elffects in it. Some sounds give a ghostly feeling while others sound very experimental and it's hard to say how that effect might have come together. Sounds like the composer tries out effect stuff and various set-up's while creating his music. Some melodies will stay in your mind for some time due to it's strangeness or typical melody.

EP Overview

The record starts with the slower and soundwise softer "Follia". It starts out slow but just wait a little and the track moves on and starts to evolve through it's duration. You may not think that it will be very different throughout the whole track but just relax and enjoy. Have you ever listened to something similar like this? I love people who create such soundscapes for all of us.

The second number "Atlantide" is of the more abrassive way of music. It comes with more distortion. You'll easily point it out as a rocking track. It has less of it's haunting moments but takes it's energy more of the heavier riffs that are built in. The rhythm patterns are also chosen in a much heavier way. Nevertheless it has also a outworked song structure which let's us discover various moods throughout the musical journey so it's not just a Rock song all the while.

Player & Purchase-Link

The EP consists of two tracks. That seems not to be much but please keep in mind that those tracks come along with a duration of 24 minutes alltogether. The download costs 2 Euro for the whole EP on Bandcamp but looking at the whole diversity and big musical bandwith it covers should be a good pick for fans of various genres. Enjoy the stream to find out if the EP meets your taste of music.

 

Contact Data

If you enjoyed the music make sure to see the other releases of June 1974 on Bandcamp and make sure to keep a eye on the Facebook page of Visionaire Records for all the upcoming info on this project.

CD Review: A Light Within - Body Matter

Note:  If you have a own band or project that you think might fit in well here for a review or as a presentation / introduction please drop me a line or two in a E-Mail. Please see my profile for my E-Mail adress. I appreciate new suggestions very much so don't hesitate to contact me. I'm also interested in band news / updates / tourdates so keep the stuff coming. Thanks!

If you're having troubles writing in English please send me a E-Mail in your preferred language or use the free Google Translator to transfer your message to English. I also use that tool, it's of course not perfect but I think it will mostly likely work out for our purposes.


Short Introduction

A Light Within are a Post Rock/ Post Metal/ ShoeGaze band located at Kansas City, MO. Their first release has been the "Preface" EP which came out in 2013 and featured three tracks. The band created a sound full of atmosphere and emotions along with a lyrical concept which talked about a person whose life fades away. The songs were labeled with track names and side numbers like in a book.

Having released the record the band played continually shows in the area of their hometown and did send a sign every here and there about what happened on their Facebook page. That's also the place where the band began to speak about their second EP. People who followed them could get insights into the recording process by checking out the Youtube videos. A Light Within posted scenes from the studio along with song snippets.

The first single the band released of that record was entitled "Between Shores". A little later a proper video showing a decent visual exposure of the music was released on Youtube.

This coming Saturday May the 15th 2015 will see the band playing a CD celebration show at the recordbar. You'll be able to buy a hand numbered limited edition with extra special packaging of the "Body Matter" EP so don't miss out this very special show. The flyer below should hold all the information you need.

(c) by A Light Within, used with kind permission

If you can't make it to the show you don't need to be sad, there's still a chance to get your hands on one of the "normal" CDs but those are limited, too. Just head over to Bandcamp to otder your copy.

The digital version of "Body Matter" will be released via Static Tension Recordings on July 7th 2015.

Summary / Purchase Link / Player

The EP is a absolute blast! Having heard the single "Between Shores" I had some hopes but never expected this in my wildest dreams. Every song is different and it forms together a great diversity.

Most of all the band has gone through a form of progress which is hard to find anywhere else. While the band happily kept all the trademarks intact they also managed to make progress on each and every point possible. This means that each and every bandmember has tried out new ways on "Body Matter". For instance the vocals show now a much more diverse range of emotions and expressions. The bass guitar pushes the songs more forward and even the drums vary more than on "Preface". All in all it feels as if the new songs move more forwards in a more harder and pushing direction.

(c) by A Light Within, used with kind permission

If you're into hard but also very atmospheric music with a darker haunting vibe you should give this record and band a listen. As for me it's one of the best records in 2015 so far. It's music taking one far beyond and I totally love it for being that way. It's outstanding and takes the listener to another world in a positive way.

A hand numbered limited edition with extra special packaging of the "Body Matter" EP can be bought at the CD celebration show I mentioned above (Saturday 15th May 2015).

Purchase Links

Update 2015/07/28: Finally the digital version of Body Matter can be purchased at the Bandcamp page of A Light Within for only five dollar. The standard CD for 7 dollar is still available,too. Meanwhile the tin-box version is sold out.

If you prefer to use the itunes store for buying music digitally then here is the proper link to purchase the new A Light Within EP. 

Update 2015/05/18: The band has revealed the extra special edition of the EP as a tin-boxed CD that comes with a booklet and is handnumbered. Only 24 of those were made. You can get one of those from the Bandcamp page for the price of 10 Dollar plus shipping and handling.

The "standard" version of the CD is limited to 75 copies and can be bought at the Bandcamp page of A Light Within for 7 Dollar plus shipping and handling.

The digital release is set for 7th July 2015. Make sure to see the band's Bandcamp page around that time. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to pick it up there. I'll also update this review with more info once I have it.

Album Stream

Since the release is still some days away there isn't a proper EP stream available yet. If a public stream should be set up I'll add it here. Please bookmark this page and check back or keep a eye on the Bandcamp page of A Light Within. In the meantime I've added the video for the full album version of "Between Shores" right here. The song gives a good idea of the style and sound of "Body Matter".

Update 2015/07/08: Finally here is the full stream of the EP for you to enjoy.

Update 2015/07/01: The full stream of the brand new EP premiered at Heavy Blog is Heavy. Don't wait any longer - click and discover a great piece of music in these warm summer days of 2015.

Update 2015/05/15: The album stream release date is currently set for July 7 through Static Tension Recordings (information taken from the Facebook page of the band).

Update 2015/05/22: a new track from the EP has premiered over at the Decibel Magazine. It's called "World through the window". Check it out along with some words from the band about the meaning of the lyrics.


Track-by-track review

1. Torn Page #21
This intro slowly takes you away from the world you know. It feels as if you can hear the sound of the sea breaking it's waves on the coast. Mixed in distorted guitars tell you that something new is to arrive near you....

2. Page #22 _No Charge
A soft opening touches in before a constant rhythm begins to play. You'll notice the strong bass guitar elements and much more variations in the drums on this one. The midtempo rhythm comes quite as a sort of surprise on the first listening. Excellent vocals along with fine guitars with the punching rhythm make this a remarkable track. Nearly every little section comes with a different vocal part, some are more decent some are more stretched but they all fit very well in here. The song builds up more and more before it returns to the structure of the beginning at the middle of the track just to begin building up again. A hard scream towards the end then some more of the song before a hard cut marks the end.

(c) by A Light Within, used with kind permission

3. Page #51 _Between Shores
This one builds up slowly, crawling towards you. The drums play a cool pattern fill and the full song theme and haunting melody unfolds towards the listener. The vocals take a darker and harder tone than on No Charge. The distorted guitars contribute to this heavier attitude. The second part of Between Shores cleans out the melody to give the drums and spoken vocals more room. It brings in some sort of silent and clearing effect to the listener. The small melody softly played to it gives it a calming effect. A dark and hard voice lifts up the track to a more moving piece of music again. The drums give it a harder punch towards the end which is a bit suprising before a clean yet abrupt ending comes in.

4. Page #29 _World Through the Window
Epic, long dark and hard guitar riffs blowing out on the beginning. Clean and direct vocals push in to straighter song. Much variations and direct drumming in here which were not too often audible on A Light Within songs before. A beautiful melody comes in towards the middle of World Through the Window before some crushing guitars step in with the clean vocals. Some hard pushing riffs to the end give this one a very heavy and groove-oriented feeling.

(c) by A Light Within, used with kind permission

5. Page #13 _To Have; To Hold
The shortest number on Body Matter gives you some time to breathe and relax with it's soft and feeling lost melody and soft vocals. A dreaming moment in the vast ocean of time we are all living in...

6. Page #47-48 _Glaso
A slow and very silent fade in at the beginning before a hard rhythm kicks in. Some more silent notes before the track changes to a pushing beat going back and forth while bringing in various vocal elements. The edgy guitars give it a special note like some sort of screams mixed in. The second half is filled with a even more punching beat giving the track a more direct note. Maybe the most direct song of the band so far. Some hard riffs at the end form a good outro and leave one behind with a smiling face.

A Light Within made it once again. A band I hope many people will listen to. They would surely miss out a lot otherwise...

A Light Within reveal cover and tracklist for upcoming EP 'Body Matter'

After being in the makings for some time A Light Within have finally announced the title and tracklist for the follow-up EP to the 2013 release "Preface".

The new record is entitled "Body Matter" and will see the digital release on July 7th, 2015 through Static Tension Recordings. It will feature six brand-new tracks from the Shoegaze/Post-Metal formation. Check out the full tracklist below:

1. Torn Page #21
2. Page #22 _No Charge
3. Page #51 _Between Shores
4. Page #29 _World Through the Window
5. Page #13 _To Have; To Hold
6. Page #47-48 _Glaso

The label along with the band gave a little insight on the new output with the following describtion on the labels website:

"(...) Step into the gloom, feel its warm embrace. Close your eyes and let the ambience wash over you, the music unfolding into a wave of shoegazing post-metal. Distant, pained clean vocals appear in the haze, drawing the words from pages in a diary and turning them into a catharsis. The guitars flip from fragile melodies to thundering riffs at a moment’s notice, and the bass accentuates the deeper recesses of this stellar - in every way - sound. You are experiencing A Light Within, who have an upcoming EP entitled 'Body Matter.'

"Whether in the mournful dirge of 'World Through The Window' or the swell that engulfs the latter half of lead single 'Between Shores,' this Kansas City-based group embody the notion of emotionally charged music. Drawing comparisons to bands like Junius or Deftones,  they nevertheless carve out a niche that is wholly their own within ambient post-metal.(...)"

They also showed of the cover of "Body Matter" which is totally beautiful and shines like a diamond in my eyes:

(c) by A Light Within, used with kind permission

The band is going to do a couple of shows in the upcoming months, the next chance to see them live is already today. Here are the dates:

Apr 25 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO
May 08 Jackpot Music Hall Lawrence, KS
May 16 recordBar Kansas City, MO
Jun 19 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO

For more details about the band make sure to see the band's Facebook page.

If you still did not have the chance to listen to the first single of "Body Matter" I'll include the video for "Between Shores" right here. Besides the fine video with a outstanding visual exposure it features the full album version of the song.

Reverence Festival 2015 announces line-up and early bird tickets

Yeah, the Open Air season is drawing near. You can feel in my eyes that the emotions and feelings are getting better the more the sun shines and the more time you can spend outside.

So here's the info for the 2015 edition of the Reverence Festival for all the people living in Portugal or nearby to make this summer something special for you. Note that the early bird tickets can help you save some of your precious festival budget and a new feature the "Sunrise Psychedelic Jam" has been installed. There's also a new possibility for accommodation available if you need a bit of luxury at this point.

On August 27th, 28th and 29th Reverence festival returns to Valada, Portugal, to offer up another weekender of quality psychedelia. This monster line-up showcases acts from the stoner, grunge, shoegaze and doom scene, with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

Update 2015/07/06: If you want to have the quickest overview on this festival I suggest you to watch the video below. It presents the 2015 edition line-up along with some nice video impressions from the camping grounds, festival visitors, some stage impressions and the nice surroundings of the festival place in a short 2 minute video. A longer video showing a more detailed view on the 2014 edition can be found at the very end of this article (just scroll down to the end of the text).

Update 2015/07/02: The line-up still grows! This looks like it will be a massively valueable event to visit.
Recently added to the already diverse line-up is the cemented folk rock band Sean Riley & The Slow Riders, also performing will be heavy doom rockers, Samsara Blues Experiment, and legendary stalwarts The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, who continually push the line in experimentation.

Update 2015/05/21: New bands have been added to the line-up: UFOMAMMUT, BIZARRA LOCOMOTIVA, 10.000 RUSSOS, DEAD GHOSTS

(c) by Reverence Festival, used with kind permission

Reverence Festival is somewhat of a marathon, where hardcore fans can bask in Valada’s Summer heat as late as 6am. This year they’ll debut their ‘Sunrise Psychedelic Jam’ which will see members of various bands on the bill play together while the sun rises over the river.

UK psych breakthroughs The Horrors headline with Californian doom legends Sleep, at two ends of this hyperspecific spectrum, these giants of their genres perfectly summarise the Reverence sound pallet.

French post-rock heroes Alcest also star at the top of the bill next to Amon Düül II, the German outfit largely considered to be one of the founders of the Krautrock scene and a seminal influence on its development. It’s with bands like these that not only prove Reverence to be multi-cultural in their tastes, but also true to the scene in which they’ve mastered.

Ex Brian Jonestown Massacre, Joel Gion & The Primary Colours also head up the powerhouse weekender with transcendental psych soundscapes and blistering walls of feedback, whilst Ukrainian rockers Stoner Jesus dish up their own divine take on the genre.

The event takes place in the relaxed surroundings of Parque de Merendas, which runs along the banks of the Tejo river and includes a fluvial beach, picnic areas and coffee shops. Traditional Portuguese food and drinks including vegan and vegetarian will be available, as well as camping facilities adjacent to the festival site with toilets and showers.

Valada is a small picturesque village, in the heart of Cartaxo, famous for agriculture and wine production. Often considered the wine capital of Portugal, Reverence are celebrating by having the local produce available all weekend. Located approximately 60kms inland from Lisbon and 550km from Madrid, easily accessible via train from Lisbon where shuttle buses will be running from nearest station Reguengo to the festival site.

This year Reverence have teamed up with ‘Sleep Em All’, an up-market Portuguese camp accommodation company who specialise in tee-pees and luxury camping facilities. They will be taking over a one acre area of the fifteen acre campsite with luxury tents and caravans, which will be available for €11 to €17 per person per night.

3 DAY TICKETS:
€ 58 from February 13 - 30 June
€ 65 from 1 August - 26 August
€ 70 from 27 August

DAY TICKETS:
€ 35 from 13 February - 4 June
€ 30 from 1 August - 26 August
€ 45 from 27 August

THURSDAY TICKETS:
€ 10 from 13 February - 26 August
€ 27 in August

Tickets: www.blueticket.pt  www.ticketline.sapo.pt 
Reverence: http://www.reverencefestival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reverencevalada
Sleep Em All: http://www.sleep-em-all.com

If you would like to check out some of the highlights of Reverence Festival 2014 or just to see how things are set up there see the video below.

A Light Within present visual exposure of their music in new video

The Post Rock/ Post Metal/ ShoeGaze band A Light Within has finally found someone who they can team up with to have a decent exposure for their music. They teamed up with AngelLBeloved whose other stuff can also be showcased on their first Youtube channel and also on her second Youtube channel.

The band commented the video on Facebook with the words: "(...) As you watch this video for our album version single "Between Shores", we hope you can relate to some of the same metaphorical ideas that we have.(...)".

I think it wasn't that easy since their music comes with many layers and fine structures that makes them remarkeable. It also requires the listener to give the tracks several spins to take hold of the full stuff that is kept inside each and every track of the band.

The song is part of the new EP of the band called "Body Matter". Stay in touch with the band through Facebook to get to know the exact details on the release date, track list etc.

The band will play two shows in the upcoming time:

Middle of the Map Fest
The Riot Room in Kansas City
19:00 (CDT)

04/25/2015

recordBar in Kansas City
22:00 (CDT)
05/16/2015

A Light Within stream new single from the upcoming EP

So the clocks are mercyless ticking down the last hours of 2014...
What shall be done left before a new year will begin?

Don't miss out the chance to do something special on day number 365:
hear the new single from A Light Within already today! It will be released at the end of January 2015 but you can already listen to a stream of the full track "Between Shores" on the pages of Ragnarok Reviews. Very haunting and epic atmosphere on this one. Made my last day of 2014 a very special one...

The next show of the band will be on
Friday, 9th. January 2015 21:00 (CST) at the recordBar in Kansas City
If you would like to sneak a bit more into the upcoming EP don't miss out my article about the vocal recordings sessions as well as more clips from the recording process I posted some time ago.

Update 2015/01/17: The new song is available for streaming and download on the bandcamp page from A Light Within on a pay-what-you-want basis. Since it's such a great track I include the stream here as well. For me this track comes with a very haunting and blistering atmosphere. The intro perfectly rounds out this song which offers it's full bandwith and content only to those who listen to it several times...

A Light Within shows writing vocal session clip for upcoming EP

The Alt-Rock / Post-progressive band A Light Within is working on new material for the next EP. Having made their first step with the release of the "Preface" EP which can be heard in my review about the release the band is preparing the follow-up mini-album these days.

This snippet shows the process of writing vocals to a live instrumental take of "Between Shores". I've never seen such a teaser before, but it feels like it takes one directly into the creative working process the band is currently in.

Not one of the "usual" studio impressions though. Very cool vocals and I also like the style of the video that fits to the music. It feels a bit haunting and the atmosphere is very tight. I've also had a interview with the band a while ago so head over to find out more about this outstanding band.



The band will play two liveshows in the upcoming time:

Oct 23
The Riot Room
Kansas City, MO

Nov 08
with Various Hands and The Travel Guide
The Bay, Warrensburg MO 64903

Update 2014/11/07: The band has added two new snippets from the recording sessions to their Youtube channel. They used video in photoshop! Just click below to see them both plus all the other stuff that the band has uploaded so far.

A Light Within returns with snippet from the upcoming EP

A while ago we here at metalunderdogs had a interview with the Post/Progressive Alt Rock band "A Light Within". The band also gave a little info about what to expect from the upcoming EP the band was preparing at those days.

By now the songwriting and recording process made some progress and the band recently revealed a first short, but in my eyes very cool teaser so we can have a idea of what's going on. Just sit back and enjoy the little preview below.

If you want to stay up to date about further developments just make sure to pick the RSS feed featured on the top of this blog or have a look at the bands Facebook page or the bands presence on Bandcamp.

Update 2014/07/25: I oversaw that there's another teaser for the track "Glaso" online so I added it here today.

CD Review: A Light Within - Preface

Note: If you have a own band or project that you think might fit in well here for a review or as a presentation / introduction please do drop me a line or two here in the comments section or please see my profile for my E-Mail adress. I do appreciate new suggestions very much!

If you're having troubles writing in English please send me a E-Mail in your preferred language or use the free Google Translator to transfer your message to English. I also use that tool, it's of course not perfect but I think it will mostly likely work out for our purposes.

Short introduction

A Light Within are a  Post/Progressive Alt Rock band from Kansas City, MO USA. The band started as did so many other bands before, from the demise of the band members previous bands. With no planned direction, a bond was formed and a voice/sound began to develop and be defined. The first EP “Preface “ was recorded by the band in 2012 and was mixed by Kyle Brandt and released in 2013.

The EP is a concept based upon a reflection of one’s life as the end draws near. “Aged eyes gaze upon the vast ocean through the window in the living room. Attempts to recollect life start with what little is known of birth. As these memories strive to keep the lungs breathing, and the heart beating, they slowly trickle from the mind one by one; releasing the will of existence. As questions of life arise, so do questions of death; for the first has been experienced and the latter may be welcome.”. (These notebook pages contain substance of a persons mind, body, and soul while their time was spent on earth.)

Short Summary / Player / Download Link

The band has a beautiful sound, it's very spheric music letting you drift to a very outstanding and unique experience. It's well worth a listen and I did so many times and every time I find out more details that I think I missed out before. If you like bands like Pink Floyd or Deftones I think you'll love the very dedicated music the band creates. Listen to this one in a relaxed surrounding with eyes closed then it comes it's best giving you imaginations unknown.

The concept of the record is also very well worth taking a look, not so many albums come with that. The lyrics can be found directly on the Bandcamp page, so have a look at them if you're interested in finding out more about this. I think it perfectly fits to the sounds the band provides at the album.

"Preface" comes for 3 Dollar as a download from the band's bandcamp page but you can also order a physical CD for only 5 Dollar plus shipping and handling. Check out the stream right here and read my track by track review to find out if it meet's your taste.
If you'd like to stay in touch with the band head on over to Facebook and give their site a like click.

Track by Track Review

1. Page # 32 (Morning)
The song starts very slow. Yes, it feels like you've just been woken up. The epic dimensions of the album can be felt straight from the start of the EP. Vocals come in slowly, distorted vocal lines mix in with a lot of melody and reverb. Some drums come in towards the end of the song, giving it a slight movement forward. It's overall a very spheric sounding world you softly are introduced to. Fits perfectly to the concept of the record.

2. Page # 18 (Grin)
A clock wakes us with a monotone signal. Softly a melody rushes in and soft tone but clear vocals add a lot to the feelings. The song then changes a bit more towards a edgy piece of sound, few drums and much distortion can be heard giving it a raw note before some softness gives you a breath. A climatic end gives some good feelings to the mid of the song. The vocals are a bit streched giving it a bit more good vibe to it. Very ghostly ending with much echos towards the end of it. Some strange words, very distorted bring the track to the end fading out towards the final track of this recording. Page # 18 (Grin) is my favorite track of the EP.

3. Page # 66 (Sixes)
The most moving song of the package. Starts with some guitars and clear guitars in the beginning, then we fastly go over to some experimental keyboards. Hard to take, few silence before the hard and very distorted part rushes in back again. Again with some distorted vocals giving the track it's very own charm.  The end comes in very heavy, very powerfull - giving it a heavy feel to it. A last raw line spoken by the voice, before a soft tone melody guitar riff fades the track to it's end. Let's hope for more to come to continue the conecpt. I surely would love to know how the next step turns out. How will it sound, how will it feel? Let's keep an eye on this...