As a part of the early djent movement of bedroom projects that also birthed the likes of TesseracT, the multinational Skyharbor, despite gaining a decent critical reception, almost feel like the forgotten sons in comparison to many of their peers. Two excellent albums in Blinding White Noise and Guiding Lights (both Basick) saw a particularly innovative approach within that sphere, with increasing progressive influences throughout, yet didn’t see them quite reach the heights of the likes of the aforementioned TesseracT or Monuments. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Djent
Hyvmine – Fight or Flight
To Djent or not to djent, that is the question. In the brief decade since the rise of the style named for the onomatopoeia of Meshuggah’s guitar tone became the genre du- jour for while in heavy music and folded back into prog again. We still don’t know the answer. In the meantime, prog heads are content to jam their favorites and occasionally take note of supreme new talent on the scene. Right now, the new hot, super awesome talent is Al Joseph, and his project is Hyvmnie.Continue reading
Bury Tomorrow – Black Flame
It has been a slow but steady build for Southampton metalcore band Bury Tomorrow. They have been around for longer than most people might actually think, releasing debut album Portraits (Basick) way back in 2009 and they have always been just behind the forefront of the scene in the UK and indeed mainland Europe, where they have a sizeable following but never quite breaking through into that next echelon. Last album Earthbound (Nuclear Blast) was somewhat of a turning point ensuring a lot more eyes are now trained on them.Continue reading
Bad Wolves – Disobey
Whether you like it or not, Bad Wolves aren’t the next big thing. That’s because they’re already the current new big thing in metal. Thrust into the spotlight by a set of serendipitous circumstances surrounding their recording of The Cranberries ‘Zombie’, a version that Dolores O’Riordan herself was scheduled to record vocals for the week that she passed as part of her endorsement of the song, Disobey (Eleven Seven) is a multi-faceted contemporary, very heavy, yet commercial album that does a whole lot more than the frankly excellent cover version might suggest you should expect.Continue reading
TesseracT- Sonder
Over the course of three full-length albums plus numerous EP releases and reworked pieces, UK progressive metallers TesseracT have shown a propensity for continued change in their music. Making a firm impact on their first full release One, spearheading the then emerging Djent scene, even then they seemed on a different plain of thinking to their brethren and quickly began to branch out. The follow-up Altered State (both Century Media) saw more expansive structures and reduced before Polaris (Kscope) brought refinement, melodic and immediate songs; all throughout retaining enough core to still be recognisable.Continue reading
Meshuggah’s Obzen Turns Ten Years Old
Ten years ago this week, Meshuggah released their sixth album Obzen, via Nuclear Blast, and simultaneously re-affirmed their status as one of the greatest bands ever, but also released a work of music that has become a modern masterpiece. After the experimentation of their EP catch-thirty three, Obzen was back to basics, if such a thing exists for this band. On every level, this album trumps nearly every prior notion the band created in terms of capability. From the music, the concept, the incredible artwork, it was inventing a new language musically for us to learn. By returning to their roots slightly, while still carving a path forward creatively, Meshuggah broke through to a global audience, leaving the underground behind forever. Continue reading
Tesseract Books European Tour, New Album Due Next Month
UK progressive metal giants Tesseract have booked a European tour for later in 2018 to go along with their previously announced slate of US tour dates and summer festival shows. These new dates will come with support from Between The Buried And Me and Plini. All dates will support their new album, Sonder, releasing on April 20th via Kscope Music. Tickets go on sale 9th March at 9am GMT / 10am CET at the link below.
Letters From The Colony – Vignette
With the Progressive and Tech Metal climate being so crowded and, at times, stagnant, any new breed of band has the unenviable task of trying to stand out from the hordes by bringing in any resemblance of freshness or innovation. Whilst there is undoubtedly an abundance of quality talents out there, all too often acts fail to leave much of an impression in comparison to many of their peers.Continue reading
Dyscarnate – With All Their Might
Though it was conceived elsewhere, the UK can boast some real pedigree when it comes to Death Metal. From classic acts such as Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower, and Akercocke to more recent acts such as Mithras, The King is Blind, and Venom Prison, there’s no shortage of quality. And 2017 sees the return of Dyscarnate.Continue reading
Schiermann – Schiermann
Despite this being a début release, the name Schiermann is highly regarded in the contemporary progressive metal/djent community. At the helm is guitarist Chris Schiermann, who over the course of a decade of recording and writing music has befriended many titans in the genre, with the likes of Animals As Leaders, DispersE and TesseracT, and has taken inspiration from a wide range of influences and styles from such contemporary metal maestros to the virtuoso guitar players, most notably like Randy Rhoads. A wide palette that is abundantly clear on his début solo project release Schiermann (Purple Sun), which includes a plethora of guest appearances from such alumni as mentioned and thus offers a vibrant mix and character.Continue reading