Reviews: Envy Of None, Evil Invaders, Hällas, Cobra Spell (Reviews By Matt Bladen)

Envy Of None - Envy Of None (Kscope Records)

"The new band of  Alex Lifeson" yeah, ok that was enough, just those first few words of the accompanying press release that came with this debut record was enough to make me want to listen to it. I'm a huge Rush fan (not as big as one of my friends and former colleagues of course!) but any band that features a founding member of the Canadian prog rock legends will gain my attention. Even more so when I press play and I'm drawn into a dark, dramatic world of shimmering alt-rock and art-prog that is more like Steven Wilson, Pure Reason Revolution, adding the electronics of Depeche Mode/Saint Etienne, as well as the more eclectic offerings of acts such as Bjork, Kate Bush with a massive helping of Eric Serra and Peter Gabriel.

Lifeson teamed up with fellow guitarist/producer/engineer Alfio Annibalini, bassist Coney Hatch and singer Maiah Wynne who became a muse for Lifeson in the creation of this album. Her vocals are ethereal, dreamlike and gorgeous so it's no surprise how taken Alex Lifeson was with it. Every time she opens her mouth you can feel the emotion pour out. As the atmospheric soundscapes on this record unfold you are drawn into to Envy Of None's, sinister, enigmatic, begiulling musical world. With the talent involved, Envy Of None was always going to be good, but great Geddy Lee, it's fantastic. Exactly the style of music that I love to listen to when I'm not being bombarded by blast beats.  

The dreamlike beauty of last song, Western Sunset, is the only one that doesn't have throbbing electronics and processed beats, just a reverbed guitar from Lifeson who pays tribute to his fallen comrade Neil Peart with this emotive final moment. However the rest of the album is just as impressive, Never Said I Love You a punching art rocker, Shadow more evocative and haunting as is Look Inside which bubbles in dream pop wonderment. All of the members of this band are multi-instrumentalists so there's a density to these songs that is hard to ignore. Even though it bears no resemblance to any Rush records, that Lifeson flourish can be heard on the solo of Spy House. 

To review this album I listened to it about 8 times, and I'll listen to is countless times in future I'm sure. The competition at the top of my AOTY list is getting very tough. 10/10

Evil Invaders - Shattering Reflection (Napalm Records)

Belgium metal foursome Evil Invaders bring back their trademark savagery on their third album Shattering Reflection, while also adding some new elements to their established sound. It's a record that sees Evil Invaders more focussed than ever streamlining and augmenting their musical output to make it the most impressive it has ever been. Shattered Reflection is a wild ride mixing the outright ragers of their last two records with some slower more deliberate efforts, that are crafted to punctuate the violence. 

The opening duo of Hissing In Crescendo and Die For Me are exactly what older fans will want, both tracks grab you by the shoulders and will have you pitting in your living room, the biting guitars of Joe and Max sounding like early Slayer records as Joe's vocals are conjured from the Mercyful Fate spell book. These King Diamondisms come through on the more Gothic sounding Forgotten Memories and The Circle. Sledgehammer Justice too is a thrashtastic offering all blistering riffs, galloping baselines and drumming that hammers your ear drums as is races towards the solo section. 

However on tracks such as In Deepest Black they display their more melodic side, as Eternal Darkness is a chugging, proggy number that has bassist Joeri and drummer Senne, switching the pace a few times for this progressive track as Aeon soars with tons of excellent guitar playing again adding those melodic touches that balance out the extreme assault of Evil Invaders' traditional style. Shattering Reflection is Evil Invaders evolving into the band they have been threatening to be for a long time. Play loud. Mosh hard. 8/10

Hällas - Isle Of Wisdom (Napalm Records)

So called 'adventure rock' band Hällas, come back with their latest exploration into the world of proto-metal, krautrock and psychedelic quirkiness, plugging their Hammond organs and back in for their third album Isle Of Wisdom, yet again focusing on yet more stories of the knight namesake, who will be again plunged into drama by the lyrics of these Swedish proggers. 

Hällas are a band that take influence from acts such as Camel, Jethro Tull and Caravan, the last song The Wind Carries The World brings out these Canterbury vibes perfectly, shifting from driving rock, galloping proto-metal, to jazz and even chamber music all wrapped up in one impressive finale. They recorded the album at Riksmixningsverket Studio, where ABBA famously recorded and were allowed to use their synths on this album. 

It means that Isles Of Wisdom is a synth heavy record, so for synth lovers like me, it's a great listen as the retro keys and electronics hark back to the more folksy sounds of the 70's prog/Canterbury scene. The Medieval concept works well on tracks such as The Inner Chamber which reminds me of Tudor court music building the synths on top of one another for a dynamic track where Nicklas Malmqvist's organs are met by the keening twin guitars of Alexander Moraitis and Marcus Petersson. Hällas build their songs brilliantly, crafting them to be direct but also full of technique and melody. 

Tommy Alexandersson's bass is the cornerstone of the 8 songs here, his voice too is soulful, recounting the tales of Hällas the knight with a touch of both Ian's (Anderson & Hunter), the drumming of Kasper Eriksson is wide and spacious on Gallivants (Of Space) but can also get the force that drives rockers like Advent Of Dawn. A thrilling story, technical but melodic music all played with a keen ear for the retro. Join in the Hällas quest, you won't regret it. 8/10   

Cobra Spell – Anthems Of The Night (Self Released) 

Anthems Of The Night is the second EP from Trad/speed metal band Cobra Spell, formed by Sonia Anubis of (ex-Crypta, ex-Burning Witches) the band is neck deep in 80’s sleaze and debauchery, delivering music that owes as much to Dokken as it does King Diamond. From the twin axe attack of Anubis and Esmée Van Sinderen, to the powerful rhythm section of Angelina Vehera (bass) and Léonard Cakolli (drums), rounded off with the histrionic vocal screams of Alexx Panza. 

Anthems Of The Night, and it’s opening salvo Addicted To The Night especially don’t break any new ground, re-treading those stepping stones set out by the NWOBHM and the glam metal scene forty odd years ago, but it’s entertaining nonetheless. Addicted To The Night has big chorus and those NWOBHM gallops while The Midnight Hour is dirtier with touches of Ratt and Poison in its bluesy riff, Steal My Heart Away keeps the radio rocking going as the final song Accelerate brings back that speed metal vibe.  

If you love music that is definitely stuck in the 80’s then I’d say to try Cobra Spell, however there are lot bands doing this, better. 6/10