Djent never really took off as the next big thing, but it did spawn a few world-class bands that are probably more happy simply living under the Progressive Metal banner. And tonight London’s Shepherds Bush Empire hosts two of the scenes leading lights, Between the Buried and Me and TesseracT.Continue reading
Instrumental Rock, as a branch of post-Metal, can be such a tricky genre to pull off well. Many times it is about a balance that bands can miss. Too often bands miss that poignancy and enchanting quality that such material often needs and instead prove mechanical and disengaging in nature. Over three prior albums, Floridian act Set And Setting have showcased both a technical prowess in their sound and that difficult ingredient, heart, whilst continuously adapting their sound; a case which is proven once again on their latest effort, Tabula Rasa (Pelagic).Continue reading
Hailing from the windy city, Chicago, Cave drops their sixth full length album Allways (Drag City); an instrumental profusion and six songs and forty-one minutes of mind altering fare. Cave have been around since 2007 and have released a plethora of 7” and cassette tapes in addition to albums.Continue reading
It has never felt that God Is An Astronaut have gotten nearly as much love as they deserve. County Wicklow’s favourite sons have been a mainstay of the prog and post-rock scene for the better part of 20 years, and with one of the strongest and most consistent back catalogues you’re likely to delve into, it feels like there should be just as much praise for GIAA as there is for 65daysofstatic or Sleepmakeswaves. With Epitaph (Napalm), however, it seems that we’re getting a much more personal look into the artists behind the music, as they take you on a journey of grief and its many challenges.Continue reading
Former Chimaira/Dååth guitarist Emil Werstler has been pretty quiet since Chimaira disbanded back in 2014, but that’s all going to change very soon. Continue reading
Reactivated legends Blind Idiot God have shared a video for their track ‘Rollercoster’, from their cult classic 1989 album Undertow, reissued recently via Indivisible Music. The band is heading into the studio soon to make their long-awaited fifth album, due out later in 2018.Continue reading
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
Godspeed You Black Emperor promo 2010
Post-rock legends Godspeed You! Black Emperor have booked a US tour for next spring. The band will be touring in support of their amazing recent release Luciferian Towers (Constellation Records). The band is expected to tour heavily in 2018, includign a stop at Roadburn Festival. All US dates are below.Continue reading
In a modern-day climate ever shrouded in chaos, with the evils of the world seemingly ever rife and constant and a political landscape that spells doom and hardship; it seems only fitting that Godspeed You! Black Emperor, a band that has always prided and showcased their alternative, anti-capitalist political outlook, return with a new album after a long five years. One of the most adventurous and near abrasive yet beautiful components in post-rock, and a genuinely captivating and forward thinking outfit throughout their existence, a new release is very unlikely to disappoint; and Luciferian Towers (Constellation), a name that eerily matches the recent Grenfell Tower news in London, is a suitably matched soundtrack to today’s ever harrowing timeline.Continue reading
According to an old review by Metal Hammer’s James Gill, there are two types of people in the world; those who like instrumental metal albums, and those who don’t (and those who do obviously own at least nine guitars, each with an increasing number of strings).Continue reading