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.

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.

 

Redwolves show positive apects of life in dark times

Besides the great melodies it's the lyrics in the music that always keep me coming back. If you take a closer look upon them you'll often spot thoughts and situations you've been in. It helps to know you're not alone. 

Sometimes there's advice on how to move on and this particular one of heavy psych rockers Redwolves from Denmark keeps rotating on my mind. Their record "Future becomes past" talks about the times of being down in life and what to make of it.

The band says: Even though many of the songs origin from this depressive state, one still senses a path towards the light in the music, and it is this adamant hope that the record will remind you of. As the good sides of life can put depression, hopelessness and contingency into perspective, the negation of life can also put perspective on joy and light: “Especially because we all will perish soon, we must insist on living, partying, loving and not to be conquered by darkness, hate and destruction.” The band explains. “And thus, we must necessarily seek to journey out of the dark again.”



The music the band offers has it's own tonality. It's hard to define but it comes around as if they've put together a own soundscape of dedicated guitar-playing to transport their message. Step by step you'll unfold what's inside so listening once more sheds a new light on the sounds heard already before.

After all keep in touch with Redwolves. The website offers all the info on just one site. It's recommended for a quick overview. Facebook helps to keep constantly updated on what's going on further.

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...

Jupiter Hollow reveal tourdates and send us Deep in Space

The release of the debut EP of the progressive duo Jupiter Hollow is drawing near. And as much as you (hopefully) are excited about the release as much I am looking forward to hear the final product.

As of today I can at least share one more video of the EP with you. It reveals one more track and shows how much diversity and feeling the two guys are able to transport with thir music to the listener. This time around it comes more to the rough and cutting side of the band but don't worry: there is still enough space for the melodies and big riffs to shine through the harder parts of the sound. Besides that it is also a perfect demonstration of how good the guys are when it comes to playing shows.

Shows is a good word: the band was able to confirm more dates in the meantime. Just check the column underneath the video to read all the details about the new tour dates.


Show Dates:
December 9 - Barrie, ON - Foxx Lounge
December 10 - Montreal, QC - Club Lambi
January 14 - Toronto, ON - Smiling Buddha (CD Release Show) - info

In the meantime pick up a free download of their track 'Ascending' available at http://www.grantmackenzie.ca/jupiterhollow

The prog duo Jupiter Hollow,
L-R- Grant MacKenzie (guitar, bass, synth), Kenny Parry (vocals, drums, synth/keys). Photo by Sandra Beatty 

The EP 'Odyssey' will drop on January 13th. The concept record will feature 5 tracks to introduce their ambient experimental progressive songwriting plus will act as a prelude to their planned full length 'AHDOMN'. Their sound is referred to as spacey, experimental and refreshing, reminding listeners of bands like Tool, Pink Floyd, A Perfect Circle, Tesseract, The Contortionists and Rush.

For more info make sure to see the band's homepage.

Solution Cycle to play second show at church in Germany

Last year I wrote about the Metal band Solution Cycle that played a show at a church in Nortrup (Germany). It was sort of a experiment. The local priest wanted to know if it is possible to mend elements of Heavy Metal music with the message and the content of a workship service.

This year will see the second installment of this event on 6. November 2015 at the Dorotheenkirche (located near Osnabrueck). Following the success of the last year the same band will contribute music again. But there will be a difference. This years edition will focus on a special topic - it's all about death. In the dark ages the death was represented by the reaper. He was dancing with helpless humans to lure them to hell.