Voivod: The Wake (Century Media) [Paul S]
The Wake is Voivods 14th album, it comes 2 years after the Post Society EP and 5 years after the last Voivod album Target Earth. Voivod have had several different sounds during their career, so I was intrigued as to what was on offer from the Canadians. What we have is a fairly long (56 minutes), fairly progressive metal album. The album sounds great, really good production where you can hear proper separation between the instruments. The production is simple, very clear and this lets the songs shine through.
One of the first things that hits you about this album is the guitar. The sound is a little cleaner than you’d expect from your average metal album (this is not an average metal album), the riffs are so good, so full of energy, taught and tuneful. First track Obsolete Beings kicks the album off in great style, at times coming close to a thrash tempo, and as with all of the album melodic and brilliantly catchy. I’ve found that this is an album that gets into your head, I’ve spent the last 5 days humming pretty much all of this album. The vocals are very good as well, Snake sings, growls, screams and over the course of the whole album sound like 3 or 4 different people. As this is Voivod you have to expect a few curve balls. The use of strings on the tracks Inconspiracy and Sonic Mycelium, was a surprise, but a very pleasant one, adding a lovely melodious element to the album. Some of the guitar solos have a neo-classical feel to them, which again was unexpected, but works very well. It’s not all uptempo though, the track Spherical Perspective has a slower, slightly more mussing feel to it, which ends up being an enjoyable relaxed interlude.
I have really enjoyed this album. For a band that has been going this long, and produced the amount of material that Voivod have, to still be producing creative, innovative work like this is amazing. Even though the album is called The Wake, and considering the tragedy that this band have experienced, this album feels joyful. There is something uplifting and positive about it. I could have got this completely wrong, I might have misinterpreted it, but it makes me feel happy. I can’t think of a better recommendation than that. 8/10
Pig Destroyer: Head Cage (Relapse Records) [Paul S]
“We will not be held responsible for any hearing impairments or damage caused to you from excessive exposure to this sound” So says a posh English lady at the beginning of the intro (Tunnel Under The Tracks) to Head Cage, before it descends into a maelstrom of Alarms, Screaming and Industrial Noise. As a statement of intent to start an album, this takes some beating. In many ways it feels like a warning about the sonic nastiness that the band have in store for their listeners.
Over the course of their career Pig Destroyer have had several different iterations. There is the Pig Destroyer that does crushingly aggressive grindcore, there is the Pig Destroyer that does sickeningly heavy sludge, and not to forget the Pig Destroyer that dabbles in industrial. Pig Destroyer’s last album 2012’s Book Burner was straight down the line grindcore, this pleased the fans of the band that want them to keep on re-recording their classic album Prowler In The Yard. However, I get the feeling that the band found the reaction to Book Burner a little restrictive, and this album is a reaction to that. Head Cage is an aggressive, oppressive mix of all of Pig Destroyers different sounds. First track Dark Train is a minute long blast of furious grindcore, batters that crap out of you, and then immediately disappears. Circle River is a mid paced, aggressive sludgy hardcore workout. Circle River starts with a blast of electronic noise, before settling down to an angry industrial sound. Concrete Beast has a guest appearance from Agoraphobic Nosebleed’s Kat Katz on vocals. The track is a lurching monster of a sludge song, incredibly unpleasant and with an off kilter rhythm that seems to be designed to put the listener on edge. Last track House Of Snakes is a 6 and a half minute, slow, angry crescendo to the album.
Head Cage is not an easy album. This seems to be an album from a band that is refusing to be told which direction to go in. There are places on this album where there are so many different riffs, it feels like the song is continually transitioning from one riff to another. It’s like the band don’t want the audience to settle or feel comfortable with whats going on. But, if you give this album time, it will make sense, and it does become more palatable. Pig Destroyer are treating music as an art form, they are experimenting, and this is a great thing. The band is challenging it’s audience, if you just want them to repeat Prowler In The Yard, then you are not up to the challenge. Difficult, but brilliant. 8/10
Our Divinity: Paralysis (Self Released) [Matt]
Our Divinity are alternative metal band oozing with modern coolness fronted by the feisty Zara the three songs on this record are fully formed future live favourites the best being the title track which has a huge defiant hook and melodic guitars over layered synths and punchy rock rhythms. This five piece have a knack of writing catchy rock music that reminds me of the early Noughties bringing electronic metalcore (without the screams) together with catchy pop melodies, they were originally a pop punk band before evolving into Our Divinity, it means they are sort of like Lzzy Hale fronting Linkin Park capable of pulling off big heartfelt moments but also starting swirling pits. Displaying a maturity beyond their years, there's a lot to look forward to from Our Divinity. 7/10
Dishonour The Crown: The English Way (Self Released) [Matt]
Hey kids do you like crossover thrash metal that sounds like it has a problem with you personally? You do? Great stick on The English Way by Dishonour The Crown and get ready to have the ear bashing of your life! The band was formed by Ron D (Romeo Must Die) guitar and Tom 'Kingsize' Hennessy (Kingsize Blues), the idea was born out of frustration for what was happening in the world and this debut album is filled with rage and bile aimed at politicians and those in power, just listen to Contradictions which is an anti-austerity anthem that sees Tom barking at the injustice. It's not a record you will see Theresa May bopping too, in fact that's probably the last thing Dishonour The Crown would want. Chocked full of razor sharp thrash riffs and staccato guitars power tracks like Weakened To The Bone, ferocious thrash cuts like a blade on New Ways To Heal while towering the grooves of DTC take no prisoners. A band is never more dangerous when they have a message or an ideal and Dishonour The Crown are as dangerous as they come, fight the power and let anarchy reign. 7/10
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