EP Review: Chipper - Reality Check (Stoner Rock,2023)

Music has the power to overcome many bad things. Chipper, a band out of Greece had to face many troubles but they made it through. The Reality Check EP as a result hands the power further to the listener.

Chippers new EP comes with a gloomy artwork.

What I like so much is the combination of heavy power riffing mixed up with a lot of groove portions and easier parts putting in a lot of fine work on the instruments showing the talent of the four musicians. You can quickly check this out for yourselves by the first full song "Terror 'n Fame". The vocals are rough and dirty but keep listening - there's far more to come.

But there's more than "only" heavyness to be found on the EP. Already it's next track "Remedy Light" comes in a lighter package and tonality. It changes it's format from verses with lighter guitar playing up to a heavier refrain that put's in more of the raw powered sounds. It's the working with so many different sounds and moods that makes this release stand out.

The "Oldschool Rocket Army" is a slightly faster and more harder number with great chorus that invites to rock along to it. I like the more open and clearer vocals in that section.

Finally "Under No Gods Cloud" closes the release with rough notes but lighter vocals. There's a section towards the end which plays around with sound possibilities - a fine way to give more life into the music.

Make sure to take a teaser with the player below. A digital copy is available for five Euro on Bandcamp which will help the band to create new and more music for you.  

Ways. focus on mood changes with new single

Time goes on and things never seem to stay the same. This goes more than ever for music which constantly moves forward.

The french metalcore formation Ways. has been present here on this blog some time ago. By that time it was a mixture of heavier sounds with a lot of silent notes flying in between.

Ways. move on to the next level.

The newest single that the band put out today called "Why do we fall?" is a massive move forward. The music has become more compact, gone to precise adjustment at the proper moments when the mood changes. All the musicians seem to have learned a lot on their instruments and use them in a more direct way.

A highlight is set by the vocals. They are a blast and show the full range of feelings humans are able to feel (good and bad). Back in the day they were already standing out but I never thought they would move on in this particular direction with a lot of brutal shouts but in a clear quality.

The end of the single release gives me redemption and let's me breathe through deeply. After all of the things the music put's you through (and maybe life, too) I think you will warmly welcome the ending.

Make sure to keep a eye on the band on Facebook for all the further activities to come.

EP Review: Wax Mekanix / Troll Teeth - Blunt Split EP (Rock, Exmerimentation 2021)

I like thie music direction that the songs spread that Wax Mekanix contributes to this digital only release.

The songs sound fresh. The music denies to be pressed into a single folder. Instead it always changes into the directions that fits to the mood of the moment.

This EP features songs "In Stereo" as the sign promises.

Already the opener "Head" will please all Rock fans out there that are open-minded. It rocks without any fears or negativity on the mind straight away. It's unusual refrain and message will stick in many heads for a long time. It even invites to dance to it in a typical rock club. The never ending lyrics give it a feeling of a wire that winds into the endless.

The second contribution "Manchester Strawberry Blonde" feels more like a intermission. It's more of vocals mixed up with a drum pattern. The voice sounds out of a total different direction and some female voice breaks in at the beginning. Finally it fades with the tonality of the beginning. Not my favorite but for sure a nice experiment.

My favorite after some re-listening sessions turned out to be "Freak Boutique". The hacked way the riff goes and stops always jumps into my ears. It invites to listen closer and just let yourselves join the good vibes this one spreads. Good rocking stuff with unusual structure that just makes me even more curious on what Wax Mekanix hopefully has to offer in the future. 

The songs that Troll Teeth recorded for this Split EP are of a total different direction. They belong to the total epic exerimentation field and didn't found my sympathy. I disliked all the high tonality and the raw and edgy sounds they present to the listener but it's for sure a highlight to those seeking something out of the ordinary music catalog.

The EP is available as a download for 5 USD on the Bandcamp page of Electric Talon Records.