EP Review: Final Coil - 1994 (2026, Grunge)

One of the reasons why I love listening to releases by this band is that you never know what comes next.

In recent years Final Coil became well know for the progressive sounds mixed with thoughtful and in-depth lyrics. But between the full albums the band always found time to put together smaller albums that were different of the usual sound.

It has been like this with Somnambulant as well as with the Somnambulant II mini-albums and now we have the 1994 EP in front of us. It's a love-letter to the grunge era of the 1990s. What I love so much about the four songs is the direct sound. It feels like they were done direct at the rehearsal space by the input of all of the band members. No time has been wasted but the band recorded the feeling and spontanity that has been hanging in the air on the recording sessions.

This feels great to me in a time of over-thinking and the "need" to be perfect. I love that it's so raw and not running around trying to archive something. Instead it gives me the feeling of hanging with the band and listening and watching them perform the songs of the EP.  If you've ever been at such a place you surely know what I'm speaking about. It's Grunge like Grunge has been meant to be. Direct and in your face. Nothing else.

Since it's such a great journey back to 90s I recommend to pick up the cassette or CD digipack edition or better the Cassette /CD bundle that are available of the band's Bandcamp page. The tape comes in a coloured case with a NFC chip inside. The Compact Disc has been put into a 4-panel-digipack with liner notes by Phil Stiles. 

Back in those days there was a need to visit a record store in the occassion of such a release but those stores have become rare. It would be great to see a copy of this in a record store anyway.   

Wax Mekanix returns with special vocal performance on new single

This artist has put a lasting impression on me. Having heard him first with his "Mobocracy" EP some time ago made it all clear to me. His mixture of straight rocking tunes along with those leaving you with your thoughts of the world behind were enough to yearn for more.

Wax Mekanix at the set for the video shoot of 420. 

Wax Mekanix released already more music in the meantime but I rarely found the time to write about it. Now he is back with new song material called "420". It's one of the more direct rocking tunes but along with all the groove and guitars comes something special - the vocals of Wax. They are of the kind that wants you to rock out, too. 

It's going easy like surfing a wave but at the same time you think of how to perform it properly since it doesn't seem to be too easy to get into that mood along with how to put the tonality the way he does. Listen closely - I think you can find out more with each round of turning your ears towards "420".

Just try out the music video for a quick check or stream and purchase it at this selection tree of various sources.  There's also a Instagram account available if you want to stick to all the further moves of Wax Mekanix.

Mist form a unique doom metal sound in anniversary video

Today a lot of videos and sounds are shared around the World Wide Web. But what I found in my inbox of slovenian all female doom metal band Mist really opened up my ears.

Mist are already around for ten years.

It's this in-depth sound that is composed of the direct sounding guitars, the constant pushing and permanent cymbal using drums in combination with the vocals that leave a mark, something that makes it stand out from all the others. The high vocals may sound a bit unusual but with every moment passing they fit in better.

I love the natural sounding production and the not-overloaded guitar sound. It's all constantly moving in a flow but at certain points leaves a moment to stop and take a breathe. The end is something even more special. The whole track changes it's pattern and also the visual presentation moves to a different point. Make sure to stay at the screen 'til the end.

»Altar Of You« is taken from the 2018 album »Free Me Of The Sun« (Soulseller Records). The album was recorded, produced and mixed by Benjamin Kic (Metalsteel) and mastered by Patrick W. Engel (Candlemass, Pentagram, Darkthrone, Exodus) at his Temple of Disharmony studio.  

Stream / order »Free Me Of The Sun« here:

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/free-me-of-the-sun

Make sure to keep in touch with the band on Facebook or Instagram.

Demo Single Review: A Light Within - Terraform (Post Rock, 2022)

I think the new A Light Within demo single is going to surprise people who followed the band this far. The new material the band is currently working on will be released piece by piece as singles marked as "demos".

A Light Within open a new chapter with a demo single release.

Don't let this fool you. The quality is top notch there is nothing sounding bad or not outworked in this.

As I listened to the first installment called "Terraform" things overwhelmed me. A Light Within were well known to me for sticking to subtle and fine-tuned Post Rock sounds. 

This new material comes around with brighter sound. It slightly blasts the ears with full sound tonality from the very start. I like the way the drums are presented this time. They are coming more to the point and sound thicker than before without destroying the structures.

But don't worry, the new noise isn't all just about change. It's also keeping tradition. It still has these vibe that incites your imagination. Sometimes it's a bit ghostly, other times it's a bit spacy. Other moments I had to think of space travel and maybe this is how things sound when you explore outer space.

Make sure to close your eyes once in a while and let your mind drift away. A Light Within have created sounds that help you to go to places unknown. 

The vocals come further to the front and take more space and volume than ever before. Same goes for the melodies. They prefer to travel through the whole track duration. At the same time things morph and change so in the end there's change. 

All in all it has become a more direct and content filled soundscape. Make sure to take a listen.

As a alternative you can also listen to "Terraform" on Spotify and maybe recommend it to your friends.

Follow the band's journey on socials such as Instagram or Twitter so you won't miss the next single releases.

Album Review: Herman Rarebell - Nip In The Bud (1981/2021 Hard Rock)

Did you know that Herman Rarebell (the longtime former drummer of The Scorpions) recorded a solo record 40 years ago ? Neither did I. The bigger was the fun of having the chance to listen to this gem in a remastered version of "Nip In The Bud" now.

The artwork was created by Storm Thorgerson’s team at Hipgnosis.

The sound on the album sticks to a compact yet pressure-filled structure. From the eleven tracks on offer "Rock your all" stands out with it's broken riff structures. It's a typical rocker going straight but the riffs present it a ear-splitting way. What a wild song!

"Triangle" follows on this route. It's a more rhythm-oriented number with drums being dominant and the guitar following a shredding way. The last third plays with effects. You won't get this out of your head too fast once listented to it.

"Slob" presents a wild and vicious voice rocking out a similar way Brian Johnson does in AC/DC. The instrumental side is more of a slightly inconstant drum pattern mixed with a direct riff attack. 

The journey continues with more of this. "Junk Funk" comes around put together in a jam session. You can feel the spontaneous vibe of the moment it may have been created. I love to hear such elements - it's hardly ever spotable on albums.

A typical stomper follows. This may be a track a bit closer to typical Scorpions songwriting so it's food that appeals to more people. It's still rude enough so don't think of any commercial song in here.

Track nine introduces more riff-fun all the way. I think it may have been done the direct and fast way, too. It's a no-pain track in three minutes duration spreading fun all the way.

Finally it's time to listen to "I'll say goodbye". As the name suggests it comes with a more hymm like format. It's not in a sad way. It's more of remembering good times in a "glad to have had it" style. The fade out keeps hope for a continue some other day.  

The remastered version will be available through Aviator Management on August 27th 2021. A pre-save link for the album is also available if you want to have it in your digital collection the day it comes out. Have a little pre-listen with the single "Rock you all" and keep in contact with Herman Rarebell through Facebook.

CD Review: Krokodil Dental Plan - Feed my Krokodil (Stoner, 2020)

The music of the french stoner combo gave me hope and power on a cloudy day. Which route does the band take? It's the mixture of direct riffs that leave the speakers a unpolished way to lay the foundation for dirty Rock 'n' Roll.

 

Next to go is that groove that pumps relentlessly and will keep you rockin' out to the music. It makes you want more of the same once you've had taste of it. The second track "Die A Million Times" brings this on point. 

Finally the vocals are rough and mixed more to the background but it's welcomed. I think it would ruin the sound if taken too much to the front.

The biggest strength however is the many faces the band shows during performing it's music. Each of the six tracks has been worked on in detail. While sure it's loud and rude music it's also that Krokodil Dental Plan fine-tuned each number on the EP. 

 

"Né Pour Perdre" for instance is keen on giving you the extra of rough guitar sounds. It centers well around those loud notes but doesn't have the groove monster under it "Die A Million Times" presents.

The title track itself seems to focus on speedy vocal performance but surprises with a softer jamming solo-section. The bass guitar rules "Hot Served Enemy", a straight Rocker with slightly guitar-driven variations. The last song "Old Man of Sorrow" closes the release with midtempo slower music but with the distinct sound that makes this band remarkable for me.

The EP is well worth the money for the many sides of Dirty Rock it provides. The CD is shipped out for 5 Euro plus shipping and handling while the download comes at the same price at Bandcamp.

 

Lords Of Salem spit fire in these silent times

In this time of no live shows it feels like water in the desert when you're able to see a artist perform at all.
 
I had a lot of fun as I checked out Lords Of Salems newest live recording. The  heavy Rock band seeds a heavy potion of power in the 25 minutes of the video duration. It reminded me a lot of a mixture between harder Alice Cooper songs and the abrasive vocals of Udo Dirkschneider.  

Besides that I warmly welcome the directness of the sound Lords Of Salem perform with. You can rock out straight to the music without need to dig in too deep into the sound. That's the fun we need in these times!
 
Besides that the video has a very professional presentation on a bigger stage with fine lightshow and fire effects and even a girl spitting some fire.
 
Make sure to purchase the first EP "Hell Over Salem" produced by Achim Köhler so the band can continue to spread more fun in the future.

Album Review: Leatherjacks - Extremly Dangerous (Rock, 2020)

The new record is by far better than the previous effort "The Lost Arks of Rock 'N Roll". What has changed so much?

The coverart invites to think about it's meaing, It was done by bandhead Mauro Cordeiro.

Sound
First of all it's the sound and production. It comes around much more clearer and sharper. This adds a lot to the pleasure of listening. All instruments rush loud and clear through my speakers. The vocals are set a bit louder on the overall mixing, that's something some people may not like that much.

Songstructures
The next point are the far more easy soundstructures. In times of complexity and overload we're living in it's a pleasure to relax and rock out to something straight from the first listen. It helps to breathe fresh air into my soul. In many parts the straight material on the record feels like classic Rock tunes but with a far more finetuned level when it comes to playing the songs on guitars.

Also at times you may first think that some tracks like the title track "Extremly Dangerous" may be held in a way too simple style but beware. I had a look upon the preview video to the album on the Leatherjacks Facebook page and it revealed that a lot of skill is needed to fullfill the guitar parts used on this tune.

Fun-Factor
All tracks come with great hooklines and fine outworked melodies as well as decent placed riffs in them. The music never get's to one-dimensional or monotone, they it always moves onwards.

The songs never get boring but there is always this itch of wanting to listen to one more song. Not many records have this on board. I think this stems of the pleasure the artist is able to transport through the music over to the reviewer and hopefull you, too.

Purchase and Contact Link
Finally please support the brasilian band with a purchase. Artists are faced with many costs they need to pay in advance of album releases. It's not easy at all to get that money together. In the end your money can help a artist to be able to release new tunes that in the end give you fresh joy. I think it's more important than ever before in these uncertain times.

"Extremly Dangerous" is set for release on 10th April 2020. Proper information on how to pick up a copy will be spread the coming days on the official Leatherjacks Facebook page. 

Here are some snippets out of the new release.

CD Review: Reclvse - Restless One's (Doom Split-EP with Lucifer's Fall, 2018)

Directly from the instruments to the tape - that's how the newest Reclvse effort sounds like. Having checked out the two previous records of the doom band I can say that this one is the most ambitious and technical one to date.

The cover of the split release of Reclvse and Lucifer's Fall

Reclvse contribution
Released as a split single with Lucifer's Fall the song starts out slow just to move up to a more riff-ripping tune. It comes out clearly but the sound remains as direct as on the other band's releases so you'll be able to capture the music as if the band is standing in front of you performing the music. It forms out as one piece making it a more dynamic track.

The new more compact form of the drums adds along with the riffs the basic for this. I would go as far to say that the band put together a new dynamic form of their sound that has been enriched with few new elements. If you loved the previous Reclvse releases you should love this one, too.

Lucifer's Fall contribution is a more agressive and uptempo piece of sound. They keep it faster on their side while the sound recordingwise goes a similar direction like Reclvse. The mix is louder but sadly the drums miss the clearness. It would have been great to have that changed along with a overall less pushing sound. The vocals stand out a bit. They feel like expressing how it is to be "Trapped in Satan's Chains" and wanting to escape this.

Pick the digital split single release from Bandcamp page of Reclvse and have a listen directly in the player below. Join Reclvse on Facebook for further updates.

CD Review: Mike Milan Dedic - Mike Milan Dedic (Instrumental Guitar Rock)

This is one man and his guitar plus few other instrumentation. Is this enough to create a good record? It is! Come inside and find out how Mike Milan Dedic made something great out of few elements.

Short Introduction

Mike Milan Dedic comes from Toronto, Canada. He has released a album that consists of 5 instrumental guitar shred type of songs. (1. Energy, 2. Zoom, 3. Run!, 4. Launch, 5. Shall We Dance!). 

The front cover of Mike Milan Dedic's debut record, (c) by Mike Milan Dedic, used with kind permission

 

Summary

This album is quite a surprise to me. I've been a bit sceptic in the beginning. Is the performance of one guitar player suitable to completly fill the air with music enough to rock? The answer came quickly and blew me away. I expected the music to have a lot of solo content. Surely there are a lot of those elements in there. But the album is far more. It also has identifiable song structures with it. I mean those classic riff elements that everybody knows that is used to Rock and Metal music these days and that's a big plus as for me. It makes the songs much more understandable and gives them a structure that you can always follow.

Another good idea was to keep the tracks short. You will not be stressed out with endless songs that you will think should have been shorted to be better. The sound for sure is rough and loud so make sure to turn the volume level at a comfortable one - it helps to enjoy the music much more.

The song structures include besides the mentioned riffs a lot of classic shred guitar. Those are rounded out with particular modern soundwriting elements. This goes most notably for number three "Run!" which is my favorite of the record. The songs are easy to listen to. They are build up like a step by step path. For sure they need a re-listen to fully let sink in all the enjoyment that has been put inside but that's for sure much more a reason to buy this record to quickly have it at hand whenever you feel the need to listen to pure guitar music.

Purchase-Link and Song snippets

The album is available as a hardcopy via CD Baby or online retailers such as Amazon, itunes or GooglePlay. If you're into music of this style please consider to purchase a copy so artists like Mike Milan Dedic can create more music for people like you and me.

Here are some snippets of the album that Mike has uploaded to Youtube:

Contact Data
Make sure to hold the line to Mike via his personal Facebook account.