Passcode: Locus (Universal Music LLC [Japan])
I'll get it out of the way; this is Kpop dressing up as metal. There are some obvious parallels to be made between Passcode and certain other Japanese Idol metal bands *cough*Babymetal*cough* there are also some rather jarring differences. I'll get the good out of the way; one member, Yuna Imada, provides some excellent and brutal screaming throughout each song, and it's a welcome breather from the overproduced and often (sometimes too often) autotuned vocals, and on first listen, you would be forgiven if you forget this is a four piece.
Musically, this is more than a rollercoaster ride. It's as if the rollercoaster was left unattended and you're launched full force through the entire fairground, taking a detour through the synth circus, a small loop through breakdown alley before crashing squarely into the arcade. I feel if they focused on one style, it'd work so much better. If you like Babymetal, it might be worth a shot, but this is messy, even for me. 6/10
The Choppy Bumpy Peaches: Sgt. Konfuzius & the Flowers of Venus (Self Released)
This is squarely a personal lesson in not judging a book by its cover. As soon as I saw the band name paired with that title, I thought "it's gonna be one of -those- bands" but what followed was a wonderfully surprising and very well put together slice of Neo-psychadelic space rock. Straight from the outset, Julia Lam's airy vocals and space-age synth work paired with the guitars of Julien Strasser, Julien Hübsch and Nick Dalscheid, wonderful bass work by Nina Bodry and varied drumming from Luca Bartringer all culminate in a beautifully, and often chilled first full release from this Luxembourg Sextet.
Two highlights of the album are Spacetravel, an aurally-kaleidoscopic song reminiscent of The Eagles' Journey Of The Sorcerer in places. Into Light is a slow, short, quiet song, perfectly placed to chill you out for Juaska which slowly builds on itself as the song progresses. While I don't often enjoy 'softer' rock, this is a wonderful album that sends you on a journey out of the stratosphere and sailing through the cosmos. Even if hard rock or psychedelic stuff isn't your jam, I'd certainly suggest you give this a listen. 9/10
Eagle Twin: The Thundering Heard (Southern Lord Recordings)
Straight from the outset, the only way to describe this band is sludgy as fuck; a voicebox made of sand after gargling gravel; as if molasses became sentient. Chunky percussion and even chunkier riffs, the blues inspiration is mixed thoroughly with the doom metal vocals of Gentry Densley, ending with a delicious stew of some of the heaviest southern rock I've heard in a while. Whereas opening track Quanah Un Rama has the definite blues feel, the second track Elk Wolfv Hymn showcases the doom side of Eagle Twin, the droning bass and gloomy riffs bringing to mind bands such as Saint Vitus and Pentagram. At 4 songs, the EP feels like it's over too soon, but with no song falling under 7 minutes long, it's a great journey through some South American folklore. If you like your doom with a good dose of blues, or you like your blues a bit more chunky, then Eagle Twin is definitely a band to have in your collection. 8/10
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