Kardashev - Alunea (Metal Blade Records)
Fourth album from 'deathgaze' pioneers Kardashev sees them getting proggy with a more experimental side, it's a continuation of their last album The Almanac, the second part of the concept explored on that record but taken further in all respects. Inspired by philosophy and responsibility this is high concept record that has the band refining what they do in every way.
They have recorded previous albums separately sending things across the internet to complete the records however this time they went into a studio together to feel that cohesion they have when they play live and delve further into their dynamics. This album controversially also has the band abandon real drums and real amplifiers for digital versions, leaving just the guitars and voices as the analogue components.
I suppose it gives them more freedom to do what they want on their albums and with the 'gaze' part of their sound now locked in, they have engaged the heaviness as they look to bands such as The Contortionist or Fallujah with the complex ferocity of Truth To Form. They still float through atmospherics on Reunion and Seed Of The Night, the latter with beautiful cleans which work in duality with the guttural roars that infect Edge Of Forever and We Could Fold The Stars.
Nico, Mark, Alex and Sean forge a proggier path on Alunea, cranking up the heaviness and the technicality while keeping their 'deathgaze' foundation. 8/10
Samantha Fish - Paper Doll (Rounder Records)
Fresh off her 2023 collaboration with Jesse Dayton, Death Wish Blues, Kansas City/New Orleans, blues rocker Samantha Fish, grabs her live band; Ron Johnson (bass), Jamie Douglass (drums), and Mickey Finn (keys) to record this new record Paper Doll.
Produced by Bobby Harlow (The Go) and Mick Collins, there's a sleaze street soul of Detroit that runs through a track such as Lose You, all gang vocals and long choruses while the organs add emotion to the slow burning Sweet Southern Sounds, a track which has searing guitar work to close it, though the Zeppelin-like title track doesn't skimp on it either.
If Paper Doll wasn't the title then this track could easily be, Samantha Fish excels at Southern Sounds, tales of being on the road, vulnerability, self expression and loss are all explored in the lyrics, filtered through studio recording sessions while on the road, Paper Doll is the sound of band locked and loaded, creation in the midst of a gruelling schedule.
Paper Doll is certainly the deepest Samantha Fish record, having the honesty of Susan Tedeschi with Off In The Blue and the Southern swampiness of Fortune Teller, she bares her soul with this record and because of that it's authentic and real. Her voice, her guitar, her heart and her spirit, there's no paper here, just an iron spirit and a rare talent. 8/10
Art Nation - The Ascendance (Frontiers Music Srl)
More Swedish melodic metal as Art Nation return with The Ascendance, another step towards the heavier end of melodic metal. They still lean on their AOR influences but now they flow through a more modern, powerful style.
Influenced in part by the way band such as Dynazty and others have made the melodic rock scene a decidedly heavier place, Art Nation then are a melodic metal band who wants to push themselves to be better with each album. It helps that vocalist Alexander Strandell and guitarist Christopher Borg are the driving force of the band, both with plenty of experience in how to make modern rock/metal music. Strandell one of the voices of Sweden, while Borg is an accomplished player and producer.
The duo joined by veteran bassist Richard Svärd, the mixture of their backgrounds allowing them to experiment a little while refining what has become their signature style. Set Me Free gallops setting pace in a power metal gallop as Thunderball is a fist pumper with a huge chorus as Halo brings more choruses against electronic pulses leading into more galloping on Runaways. The Ascendance is an album of Euro metal, though Julia is more Eurovision than anything else.
Straddling a few genre troupes Art Nation look to take their melodic metal outside of Scandinavia soon, The Ascendance to major players is complete. 7/10
Harem Scarem - Chasing Euphoria (Frontiers Music Srl)
Canadian hard rock band return after 5 years with their newest album Chasing Euphoria. They've been part of the AOR/melodic rock scene through the 90's and when they returned in 2013 they've been on a tear. Still led by the duo of vocalist/keyboardist Harry Hess and guitarist/bassist Pete Lesperance they are the creative force behind Harem Scarem even to this day.
Their last album a 30th anniversary version of their second album Mood Swings, but Chasing Euphoria is brand new material from band who have been around nearly 40 years. Harem Scarem also features drummer Creighton Doane and original drummer Darren Smith on backing and lead vocals and with this 16th album they still take a seat at the top table of the melodic rock meeting.
Hess' vocals are often imitated but never bettered, huge soulful hooks on the title track, a bit of choppy pace on Slow Burn and A Falling Knife, some swagger on Gotta Keep Your Head Up and In A Bad Way and of course a ballad or two. They may be a veteran act these days but there's no signs of slow down, Harem Scarem are still Chasing Euphoria. 7/10
No comments:
Post a Comment