Chino Moreno has never been shy at exploring his mellower side away from Deftones, and over the years has dipped into the Post-Rock, Shoegaze and Trip-Hop genres providing us with some highly refined music by way of projects such as Team Sleep and Palms, his collaboration with three former members of Post-Metal kings Isis. Continue reading
Rock n’ roll has been around for over sixty years, yet has evolved so much in this decade alone that the sub-genres are hard to keep track of. Sure, computers have made it easier for musicians to explore new techniques but not all have been successful at mastering it. Thrice burst out in the scene in the early 2000s when the OC metalcore scene was at its prime. A lot of those bands are still around today sounding the same as no time has ever gone by with different members. Dustin Kensrue, Teppei Teranishi and brother’s Riley and Eddie Breckenridge are celebrating twenty years and their tenth album overall with their first for Epitaph, Palms. The Orange County, Calif. natives have progressed and evolved to an impressive quartet, keeping fans satisfied.Continue reading
Hex Inverter is streaming “The Mission Statement” off of their self titled debut here. The album was recorded by the band’s own Mick Mullin (Intronaut, Woe) and mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, Palms). The record’s stunning layout and design was created by artist Brian Azer (Sun Kil Moon, Jesu). The band has upcoming tour dates with Kayo Dot and Giant Squid.
Track listing:
01: Led to This Place
02: Even for No One
03: The Mission Statement
04: Bruise
05: Into the Hills
06: Beneath the Weeds
07: Lamb
08: Something It’s Not
HEX INVERTER tour dates:
May 20: BAR New Haven – New Haven, CT (w/ Kayo Dot)
May 21: The Paper Box – Brooklyn, NY (w/ Kayo Dot)
Jun 24: TBA – New Haven, CT
Jun 25: Lucky 13 Saloon – Brooklyn, NY (June 24-27 w/ Giant Squid)
Jun 26: Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA (June 24-27 w/ Giant Squid)
Jun 27: Machines with Magnets – Pawtucket, RI
Palms (Deftones, ISIS) has started writing and recording new material and have posted a teaser of a new songs they are working on.
Spylacopa, the side project of Candiria guitarist John LaMacchia, has released their Steve Perlmaster directed new music video for “Hexes,” which can be viewed below. This is the project that also features Jeff Caxide of Palms/Isis fame and Julie Christmas (ex-Made Out Of Babies, etc.) Their new album Parallels will be released on March 31, 2015 via Rising Pulse Records.
Spylacopa, the musical brainchild of Candiria guitarist John LaMacchia, is releasing their long awaited debut full length record Parallels on March 31, 2015 via Rising Pulse Records. The album was produced by LaMacchia, mixed by Ken Schalk (Candiria) and mastered by Julian Silva at On Air Mastering. This is their first new release since their 2008 debut self titled EP, and features members of ISIS, Mister Sparx, Palms, Candiria, Made Out Of Babies, Slow Parade and Julie Christmas.
The delay of the album was partly due to the untimely and tragic murder of drummer Troy Young, who was killed in his Brooklyn apartment in December 2009 following an attempted robbery.
LaMacchia comments:
“Troy Young Tracked the drums for all the original material that made up the debut EP and most of what makes up this full length which is a huge reason why this record is being released. These are some of the last recordings of Troy Young tracking drums in a professional setting. After meeting Troy’s family during the trial of his murder, I felt somewhat obligated to get this record out. Troy would have wanted this record to come out and I feel that this is a way of helping to keep him active and present. He was such a talented young guy who was just getting a foothold in New York City as a working and functioning musician when he was killed.”
In the world of post-rock, there are a lot of pretenders to the throne, but few worthy of the crown. The holy trinity of the genre in the USA falls to Russian Circles, Junius and, Pelican. As they have once before in their career, Pelican have teamed up with Allan Epley (Shiner, The Life And Times) to add his vocal prowess to their new EP, The Cliff (Southern Lord). On paper what looks like just a good match, becomes an exquisite exercise in songcraft, self-restraint, and true talent.
The main track ‘The Cliff’ has the best of Pelican’s breed working for it. Quietly epic, building slowly and entrancing you with each cadence. Hypnotic drums fall and rise in time with your breathing and brain patterns. Beating out a compelling rhythm that beckons to you follow like a spirit. The layers of guitars, a Pelican trademark, spinning motifs and head crushing waves. Added to this expert mix is Epley’s vocals which as a much an instrument as the band. If you are unfamiliar with his work, Epley has a voice not unlike a young Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees/Mad Season). Somber, but full of gravitas and character, Epley’s powerful tones weigh so heavy, it contrasts beautifully with the sunny (for a Pelican song) final stanza.
The other original song on the EP has been termed a leftover from Forever Becoming (also Southern Lord). However, it’s a track so deep and triumphant, I kind of wished they saved it for their next album. It’s like the soundtrack to sports movie, but only for the final montage part. The other two tracks are remixes of ‘The Cliff’. One remix, by Mr. Justin K. Brodrick (Godflesh/JK Flesh) is sans vocals, but enhances the dream-scape aspect of the guitars with synths and adds a heavier bass mix. Their is also an echo effect on the drums that give a surreal sleep-walking feeling to the listener as well. It definitely takes a killer track to the next level. The other track is remixed by Palms (Aaron Harris & Bryant Clifford Meyer). This track revs up the beat quotient, and adds more a dynamic flow than before. The vocals have a great delay loop on them, and some sick backwards guitars too. This release (digital or vinyl) should be enough of a morsel to tide you over until the next full-length.
8.5/10
KEITH CHACHKES
Chicago instrumentalists Pelican is set to release a new EP via Southern Lord in February 24, 2015 around new reimaginings of “The Cliff,” off their 2013 Forever Becoming album.
The four track EP includes remixes from Justin Broadrick (of Godflesh, Jesu), Aaron Harris and Bryant Clifford Meyer of ISIS/Palms, and, for only the second time in their fourteen year career, vocals. Allen Epley (Shiner, The Life and Times) will be contributing his voice once again. He previously contributed to “Final Breath” on 2009’s What We All Come To Need. Listen to “The Cliff” (vocal version) here.
The Cliff Track Listing:
1. The Cliff (Vocal Version)
2. The Cliff (Justin K. Broadrick remix)
3. The Cliff (AH & BCM remix)
4. The Wait
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As the unrelenting march of the festival season continues it is impossible not to have sinewy tingles singing out their excitement at this time of year especially with the likes of Bloodstock still on the near horizon, though the loss of Hevyfest for this year dampens the atmosphere a little. Surrounding these occasions metal still continues to surprise, impress, and at times disappoint with its latest releases whilst keeping us on our toes with its latest twists and turns such as with Vikernes Continue reading
One of the most anticipated albums of this years is the collaboration between members of ISIS and Chino Moreno of Deftones, forming the group Palms. Their self-titled debut is out on Ipecac records and Bryant Clifford Meyer (guitars, keyboards), Jeff Caxide (bass, keyboards), Aaron Harris (drums, electronics), continued more their work together from their classic run from one of post-metal’s most celebrated bands. The album is as good as advertised and Ghost Cult caught up with Cliff Meyer to learn how this band came together, how the album was made and what the future holds for them.Continue reading