EP Review: Kilter - Sys (Instrumental Jazz Metal, 2021)

Some bands really dare to go new ways. That's what came to my mind as I heard the newest output of brooklyn-based band Kilter.

While the basics of the three tracks on this one source of solid groove taken of the Jazz genre, it's the build-up that opens my ears so wide. "Sentinent Robotics" for instance plays around with wild bass and saxophone riffing. The segments come out in little potions and evolve over the tracks duration. But what I love most to hear is that the elements talk between each other. It's going back and forth but never loses it's line so the music keeps track- and enjoyabile.

Most of all the sound adds to the experience. It's clear and direct. You can easily spot all elements and enjoy them. It's a variable release. "The Turing Test" is much slower creeping through your speakers but builds with every second passing. The middle part consists of fat grooves going hand in hand with the songs theme. Fine detail work towards the end.

"Mind-Body Problem" forms the last and longest one. Experimenting with saxophone noise the beginning already introduces a unusual song. It keeps going this way but adds a nice bass riff in the background to finally explode a little bit into a float of saxophone noise experimentation.

If you're open to something new and sounding so much different try Kilter. They don't serve the usual but wake your ears for fresh sound. The trailer has some snippets of the release that is expected to drop on June 25th 2021. 

Make sure to pre-order this gem through the Bandcamp page of Kilter or pre-save it to your Spotify library.

 

Single-Preview: The Lazlo Device - You stumble, I Fall (Post Rock, 2018)

This beautiful piece of Post Rock packs all the facettes such music is able to show into one compact track.

The cover of the new The Lazlo Device single "You stumble, I Fall". (c) by The Lazlo Device, used with kind permission

This new track of London-based post-rockers The Lazlo Device is going to be released this very friday 27th April 2018. It's the title tracks of the upcoming album of the same name. Heavy Metal Underdogs had a pre-listen to the new single and here's what came around:

Out of a misty intro the song beginns. "You stumble, I Fall" starts out as a harmonic, clear track. Everything is set in a balanced mood with straight vocals, drums and guitars. But as time goes by the song changes. The cymbals announce the change with their constant ringing. More rougher guitars slowly begin to fade in adding a more ghosty and moving note to the tune. Finally the rough notes start to take over bringing in a more harsh sound with distorted experimental sounds. The end comes shortly - a mixture of the more melodic and the rough parts melting together and bringing the single to an end.

I can share a little snippet of what's to come with all of you.

'You Stumble, I Fall' is set to drop on 27th April, with two more singles to follow before the release of the album later in the year.

You Stumble, I Fall album tracklisting:

1. These Eyes

2. Change

3. Sleep Till Summer

4. Beetle

5. Known To You

6. Blanket

7. Alderon

8. Mt Songo

9. I Don't Know

10. Fleeting Seconds

11. Fix Your Sights

12. You Stumble, I Fall

Keep a eye on the band through Twitter, Facebook or their Homepage. That's also the places where you'll surely will be notified of where to purchase the track once it's released. 

CD Review: God In A Cone - Earth my prison (Experimental, 2018)

This project has become a surprise bag for me everytime I look inside. You can never know what comes next - this time around it's more of the heavy side along with much positive vibes.

The front cover of God In A Cone's Earth my prison Artwork : Ble Logo : Daniel Goudelis, (c) by God In A Cone, used with kind permission

Summary
Nick Marinos is the head and creative force behind God In A Cone. He works constantly on new material and it sounds like he has a lot to say to the world. All the previous releases already proved that he is able to write material of very different kind of styles. It's his open-mind attempt that is biggest strength in my eyes.

For this round of songs the more slightly heavier side seems to have influenced Marinos songwriting. But the songpackage is also far more treated with good vibes than ever before. The cool thing is that the tracks remain to catch your ears so quickly that listening is a massive joy straight from the first minute.

Track-by-Track breakdown
The intro "Necrology" spreads irritation with it's spoken parts and few rhythm patterns but the second one "Relief" goes straight to the strong meat. It surprised me with it's gothic hard guitar attack and dark vocals.

Happily it also shows that the fine tradition of earcatchy refrains is not gone.  But you'll have to get on further to track two to get this clearer. From there on the record shows it's openess far more. Good vibes start to spread and give me a kick to start into the day.

"Sell a life" sounds like the first acoustic attempt from Marinos. I love to hear that. It's just great. It's not sadness but easyness coming along through my speakers.

Follow us "River Down" and have a party. This track invites you to have a good time. Light instruments touch you before some heavyness comes shining in. "XFool" will let you dance with it's pumping rhythm and light keyboards. The refrains want's you to sing along to it.

"Inside the globe" gives a slower to the end. You'll come down to this one without being let down. A great way to close and round out a great time - once again a slightly more heavy way like on the beginning of the disc and also the longest track.

Purchase-Link and Preview-Track
This release will come around for the first time on a Compact Disc. Make sure to have a eye on the God In A Cone Facebook page for the exact release date and where to order your copy.

This is a release not to be missed - it's the soundtrack to your great summer of 2018. Well worth some bucks. Make sure to let your friends know about it.  

Music is pure positive power against worries and this record proves why.

God In A Cone turn the cube at the shore

Do you remember the Rubik's cube that came out in the 80's? It was a cube with small color fields at each side. The mission was to have every side in one single color.

Thinking back of this puzzle I often feel like the cube could be a symbol for life. Everyone tries to have the same fine and good color on each side (of their life) but no one really ever reaches that aim. Or in other words: everyone tries to have everything tuned fine in their life but there's always something left that doesn't fit.

The open experimental sound project God In A Cone seems to be of a similar opinion and has created a fine new video for the track "Obscurist" of the album "Parasitoid". Besides a cool car ride to the shore it also has the cube with it. I like the good light guitar and vocal feeling that this one features yet there is this slight heavyness at the end.

Make sure to follow God In A Cone on Facebook for everything new that is happening all the while. And there's a lot of stuff going on over there...