The ever-dynamic outskirts of Oslo and their music scene always has something exciting to offer the deeper you explore, and the Norwegian rock unit MoE, which has been around since 2008, is one of them. Often described as Experimental and Noise-infused with avant-gardish Sludge undertones, they are bound to incorporate DIY approach in their creative process and present minimalist compositions in alternative and experimental ways. Well-known for involving challenging approaches in Rock and Noise settings, they aim to break boundaries in the stereotypical spectrums surrounding those two genres, aiming to provide their listeners a sonic experience laced in the depths of full-blown intensity.
Tag Archives: Avant-garde metal
ALBUM REVIEW: Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar
Innovative avant-garde trio Imperial Triumphant are back, and once again the sprawling metropolis of New York City provides the backdrop. Showing the opulence, greed and decadence of the rich and shameless as a stark contrast to the grime and squalor of the less privileged is something the band already has down to a fine art but sixth full-length studio release Goldstar (Century Media Records) manages to refine it even further.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Manic Abraxas – Skinformation
Exploding out of some cyberpunk world, Bangor, Maine Hard Rock three-piece Manic Abraxas have got their engines firing at full throttle, and on fourth album, Skinformation (Self-released), a petrol-fueled cloud of dirty Rock n’ Roll and skuzzy, mind-warped Metal sees the trio blasting a hole through the fabric of this universe into dimensions unknown.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Botanist – Paleobotany
Green Metal like Black Metal … hammered dulcimers instead of guitars … gruff, growling vocals as well as clean singing, plus choral voices and symphonic passages. Yes, Botanist are “plant based”. Yes, Paleobotany (Prophecy Productions) is heavy and proggy. And yes, it’s very different, in a good way. Continue reading
New Music Friday Rock and Metal New Album Releases 7-21-23
Check out our preview of the new metal and rock releases coming out this week for New Music Friday 7-21-23!
ALBUM REVIEW: Liturgy – 93696
When it comes to describing 93696 (Thrill Jockey), the latest album by Liturgy, one could just as well start by describing what this album is not. It is not a record to easily put on in the background and definitely not a go-to if you want to reduce your anxiety. Pretty much the opposite is true. This is a record screaming in your ears for attention, that induces anxiety all along the way.
CONCERT REVIEW: Vile Creature – Ragana – Sunrot Live at Saint Vitus Bar
01/6/23, St Vitus, Brooklyn NY
If you’re unfamiliar with Sunrot, you need to change that! Holy shit! This in-your-face, power sludge\crust band filled the stage and kicked off the three-band bill right with immediate and intense energy and the best kind of noise.
ALBUM REVIEW: Bekor Qilish – Throes Of Death From The Dreamed Nihilism
As though transmitted from a parallel dimension, Throes Of Death From The Dreamed Nihilism (I, Voidhanger Records) – the debut record by Bekor Qilish – is a strange and magnificent avant-garde metal beast. The brainchild of Italian vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Andrea Bruzzone, Bekor Qilish is a solo project, aided by a smattering of key collaborators — who add colour to Bruzzone’s already mesmeric creation. Whether the term “extreme” or “avant-garde” fits better, Throes Of Death From The Dreamed Nihilism is a whirlwind of creativity and impressive technicality.
CONCERT REVIEW: Today Is The Day – The Obsessed – Somnuri – Prostitution: Live at Market Hotel
There are few lineups that conjure up the magic of underground metal like the twin pairing of Today Is The Day and The Obsessed. Both groups have had an outsized influence on the underground and it’s hard not to be enamored with what they have done for this scene. With their charismatic frontmen, Steve Austin and Wino respectively, this lineup came together as a sort of minor miracle, celebrating the magic of the new Today is the Day record at a release show that reminded those of us in attendance exactly why these guys are viewed as the true masters of noise metal. Riffs and heavy vibes abounded on the Brooklyn faithful, and after a heady warmup set from Prostitution and then punishing riffage from Somnuri, we were ready for the main events! Continue reading
Vreid- Lifehunger
Anyone who thinks that Black Metal is a conservative and formulaic sound need only look at (amongst the plethora of progressive and avant-garde entities) Norwegian’s Vreid and how have incorporated outside and wider aspects into their black metal fabric. Whilst that more typical black metal sound is firmly at the band’s core, their willingness to bring in the sounds of Hard Rock and sixties and seventies influence has afforded them the “Black n’ Roll” moniker and thus helps them stand out in some capacity to many of their peers. Following on in this trend, eighth album, and first on Season Of Mist, Lifehunger is not only one of their strongest to date, but possibly the easiest of their catalogue to break into.Continue reading