Afterlove - Copenhagen Closure (Prime Collective) [SJ]
Mirza (Siamese vocalist) is testing new waters with their solo project Afterlove with Rain City Drive’s Zack Baker and If Not For Me Zac Allen, breaking out of the comfortable and into the experimental.
Afterlove was born from “…the love of vocal hooks and a massive wall of guitars” with Issues and The Home Team as inspiration. I’ve been fortunate over the past few months to see Rain City Drive, The Home Team and Siamese (some of my favourite bands!) live so I was excited to see how all these influences melded in the Afterlove project.
Afterlove sets us up nicely with the distorted intro and synth influences displaying what’s to come from other tracks in the album, whilst still playing it quite safe by keeping to iconic Siamese elements and its addictive chorus. It made me chuckle a bit when you watch the music video as it’s a one take shot of Mirza enjoying a burrito and chips whilst nodding his head, ending it on a cheeky smile, contrasting the tone of the song.
Afterlove sets us up nicely with the distorted intro and synth influences displaying what’s to come from other tracks in the album, whilst still playing it quite safe by keeping to iconic Siamese elements and its addictive chorus. It made me chuckle a bit when you watch the music video as it’s a one take shot of Mirza enjoying a burrito and chips whilst nodding his head, ending it on a cheeky smile, contrasting the tone of the song.
Lyrically, Mirza expresses being in love but it not being what was expected “So let me know, why all of this has changed. It goes to show, we never were what we hoped for. Not a sanctuary…” It does lean into the heavier side in the breakdown easing us into what’s coming up from other tracks in the album.
Shape Of My Mind (ft. Bite Down) doesn’t stray too far from what Siamese does best and although I don’t particularly want to keep comparing this album to Siamese directly but with Mirza expressing this album is more experimental, I don’t feel it’s expanded too far from what we love Siamese for, yet (I love Siamese, so this isn’t necessarily a bad thing!).
Shape Of My Mind (ft. Bite Down) doesn’t stray too far from what Siamese does best and although I don’t particularly want to keep comparing this album to Siamese directly but with Mirza expressing this album is more experimental, I don’t feel it’s expanded too far from what we love Siamese for, yet (I love Siamese, so this isn’t necessarily a bad thing!).
There are DnB elements that ebb and flows throughout the track, especially at the pre chorus. This later beautifully morphs into when Bite Down tears it’s way into the song, providing a welcome and unexpected lean into the heavier sound. I would like to see more of this from Mirza.
House Of Glass is one of mine (and Mirza’s) favourite tracks from the album. I could feel Zac Bakers influence in the track, before I knew this was one he produced and wrote with Mirza.
House Of Glass is one of mine (and Mirza’s) favourite tracks from the album. I could feel Zac Bakers influence in the track, before I knew this was one he produced and wrote with Mirza.
Lyrically, I truly feel both Zac and Mirza were vulnerable “When I break, I hope it shows. Shows the truth that no-one knows. I can’t undo the things I did….” It’s energetic and catchy throughout, especially its chorus anchoring its riffs “Caught up in my hopeless ways.”
Then my favourite part, where I truly feel Mirza breaks boundaries is in the second half when it strips back, and pounds us with the drums. It grabs me, lures me in and then blasts with a sonic boom followed by the hard-hitting drums and record scratch sounds. It’s just a colossal and enduring sound that energises and hypes me up.
Industry Dreams. WOW what a twist! Something fresh and experimental for the shortest track on the album at 1 minute 30 seconds. Initially, I got Rob Zombie Living Dead Girl vibes with the drumbeat and guitar, but it does morph into its own character. It leans more into the industrial metal with its heavy guitar riffs and distorted lyrics “Industry Dreams turning nightmares into real.”
Industry Dreams. WOW what a twist! Something fresh and experimental for the shortest track on the album at 1 minute 30 seconds. Initially, I got Rob Zombie Living Dead Girl vibes with the drumbeat and guitar, but it does morph into its own character. It leans more into the industrial metal with its heavy guitar riffs and distorted lyrics “Industry Dreams turning nightmares into real.”
There’s an angry energy vibrating throughout the track and I wonder what this would have morphed into if it was a full-length track. The Humbling is another solid track powerful vocals from Mirza grabbing my attention with how he’s singing “Stone cold” and the “Woah.” Lyrically expressing someone giving their opinion on how they’re “You’re a little overrated… I just wanted you to know this is all about to go.” I do get Rain City Drive vibes from the track; it’s a good song but nothing that hooks me.
The Cure For Dying Alone takes a gentler approach instrumentally. It’s an emotional track that jointly emanates from Mirza’s vocals and the lyrics “If I went to heaven, I’d find a way to make it to hell alone.” It does cascade into a mini breakdown “No I can’t. No, I can’t. Show you who I am,” but we are then propelled into the chorus again before it fades out on Mirzas vocals.
The Cure For Dying Alone takes a gentler approach instrumentally. It’s an emotional track that jointly emanates from Mirza’s vocals and the lyrics “If I went to heaven, I’d find a way to make it to hell alone.” It does cascade into a mini breakdown “No I can’t. No, I can’t. Show you who I am,” but we are then propelled into the chorus again before it fades out on Mirzas vocals.
Musically, it’s what I would expect from Mirza, but it does have an aura of vulnerability shrouding the track. Løvehjerte the last track of the album, is a love letter “It’s all for you” and “I tell myself I’m doing this for you.” Musically, it’s quite melodic and stays within the lines as the lyrics take centre stage “In between the life I need and the life I love. I’m torn.” It’s a laid back and easy listening track.
Afterlove have accomplished what they set out to achieve “…to create a personal album, free of expectations without trying too hard.” It’s jam-packed with catchy hooks and choruses that will play on repeat in your head.
Afterlove have accomplished what they set out to achieve “…to create a personal album, free of expectations without trying too hard.” It’s jam-packed with catchy hooks and choruses that will play on repeat in your head.
It does dip its toes in experimenting with different sounds, hopefully inspiring future tracks that will highlight how versatile Mirza can be whilst refining what he does best, genre blending Dnb with metal and nailing expressive lyrics. 8/10
Tower - Let There Be Dark (Cruz Del Sur Music) [Matt Bladen]
What if after the 70's Heart adopted the NWOBHM as their influence rather than AOR and MTV well then they'd probably sound very similar to New York metal crew Tower! I've been following the band since their debut and they never fail to get my head nodding, their first two albums were raw, rock n roll records, with punch and rapid fire riffs.
With Let There Be Dark they've embraced the gothic tendencies of Unto Others by shifting towards the occult and the mystic. The change in sound is noticeable on the first track Under The Chapel has a Eastern feel inspired by a Yiddish lullaby, showcases the full frantic range of Sarabeth Linden who for me is the audio touchpad of Tower.
Her delivery is wild eyed and frenzied but with massive amounts of soulful histrionics, perhaps delivered with more maturity than before. The watchword for Let There Be Dark is maturity, this is not the young band who broke out of the NY scene back in 2016, nearly ten years later they're an all together more adult offering inspired by religion and the repeating use of the serpent imagery.
This is band who have been through ups and downs of the music industry and while it's still got lots of excitement and passion to it, there's a bit more reserve and focus with tracks such as Holy Water.
Tower - Let There Be Dark (Cruz Del Sur Music) [Matt Bladen]
What if after the 70's Heart adopted the NWOBHM as their influence rather than AOR and MTV well then they'd probably sound very similar to New York metal crew Tower! I've been following the band since their debut and they never fail to get my head nodding, their first two albums were raw, rock n roll records, with punch and rapid fire riffs.
With Let There Be Dark they've embraced the gothic tendencies of Unto Others by shifting towards the occult and the mystic. The change in sound is noticeable on the first track Under The Chapel has a Eastern feel inspired by a Yiddish lullaby, showcases the full frantic range of Sarabeth Linden who for me is the audio touchpad of Tower.
Her delivery is wild eyed and frenzied but with massive amounts of soulful histrionics, perhaps delivered with more maturity than before. The watchword for Let There Be Dark is maturity, this is not the young band who broke out of the NY scene back in 2016, nearly ten years later they're an all together more adult offering inspired by religion and the repeating use of the serpent imagery.
This is band who have been through ups and downs of the music industry and while it's still got lots of excitement and passion to it, there's a bit more reserve and focus with tracks such as Holy Water.
There's also been a sonic overhaul with Arthur Rizk (Sumerlands/Eternal Champion) brought in to produce/engineer, meaning that there's an analogue depth to the record with a track such as And I Cry, measured and cinematic, Don't You Say too is a brilliant slow burner that's got some luscious percussion.
The guitar interplay throughout like prime-era UFO, the acoustic interlude The Well Of Souls and Legion X Fretensis adding yet more new tricks to this bands repertoire and enforcing this shift towards a more adult sound.
The guitar interplay throughout like prime-era UFO, the acoustic interlude The Well Of Souls and Legion X Fretensis adding yet more new tricks to this bands repertoire and enforcing this shift towards a more adult sound.
Yes there's still highly influenced by NWOBHM but going deeper into other metal styles for their heaviest album yet both musically and emotionally. 9/10
Caboose - Left For Dust (Majestic Mountain Music) [Dan Sierras]
Formed in the frosty winter of Sweden in 2022, Caboose arose when four high school friends Dante Lindström (guitar/lead vocals), Olle Leppäniemi (guitar/backing vocals), Herman Serning (bass) and Oskar Bergman (drums) came together to form a band for a high school project and morphed into a high energy mix of fuzz driven, classic rock riffs.
“Listen To Me Now…” Armstrong screams in the excellent track Tomorrow Lied The Devil, and you have no choice but to. The guys sound like a cross between Murder By Death, Nite, Nick Cave, Therapy? Mclusky, and some dark 90s alt rock. Put it all in a blender, and you get this slab of awesome. Leave Me The Name is like if Tad listened to Bauhaus. I love it.
Caboose - Left For Dust (Majestic Mountain Music) [Dan Sierras]
Formed in the frosty winter of Sweden in 2022, Caboose arose when four high school friends Dante Lindström (guitar/lead vocals), Olle Leppäniemi (guitar/backing vocals), Herman Serning (bass) and Oskar Bergman (drums) came together to form a band for a high school project and morphed into a high energy mix of fuzz driven, classic rock riffs.
Coming in at just under 30 minutes with nine tracks, their debut album Left For Dust is a blast of youth infused stoner rock that will get you moving. The album is full fuzziness and grooves that would get a party started. One of my favourite tracks of the album is Cement Surfer a fast paced jam that starts off with a little cowbell (“I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell”) and has a great little guitar solo about two-thirds of the way through.
You can’t go wrong with any of the tracks on this debut album. Caboose definitely has a future in the scene, and I look forward to hearing more from these guys in the future. 8/10
Noisepicker - The Earth Will Swallow The Sun (Exile On Mainstream) [Rich Piva]
I had not heard of the band Noisepicker before but grabbed it to review on recommendation from the boss, who told me they were cool and that there is an Orange Goblin connection. So, yeah, of course I am in. Harry Armstrong, bass player for OG since 2021, (and is the singer of heavy rockers Blind River - Ed) is one half of this duo with drummer Kieran Murphy, and boy do these two rip it up.
Noisepicker - The Earth Will Swallow The Sun (Exile On Mainstream) [Rich Piva]
I had not heard of the band Noisepicker before but grabbed it to review on recommendation from the boss, who told me they were cool and that there is an Orange Goblin connection. So, yeah, of course I am in. Harry Armstrong, bass player for OG since 2021, (and is the singer of heavy rockers Blind River - Ed) is one half of this duo with drummer Kieran Murphy, and boy do these two rip it up.
This is not a heavy stoner rock band, just in case that is what you were looking for, since I mentioned Orange Goblin. This is more of a garage band from hell. A lo-fi heavy ass rock band with vocals from Nick Cave if he fronted an aggressive garage band with metal leanings.
“Listen To Me Now…” Armstrong screams in the excellent track Tomorrow Lied The Devil, and you have no choice but to. The guys sound like a cross between Murder By Death, Nite, Nick Cave, Therapy? Mclusky, and some dark 90s alt rock. Put it all in a blender, and you get this slab of awesome. Leave Me The Name is like if Tad listened to Bauhaus. I love it.
There is a sort of sexy creepiness to What Did You Think Was Going To Happen that you don’t really expect after the first few songs. Oh yeah it sounds like Led Zeppelin for a second too. Other standouts include Start The Flood that sounds like Lee Dorrian singing for Therapy? and the title track, which shows off Murphy’s skills while just overall melting your face off. There is not a bad track out of the ten, and the 32-minute run time is just perfect for this record.
This record rips, maybe not in the way you think it would given the connection, but it rips all the same. This is dirty-ass DIY heavy ass rock that is here to kick you into oblivion. Noisepicker certainly gives Harry Armstrong something to do now that OG is dead, and boy am I excited for it. 9/10
This record rips, maybe not in the way you think it would given the connection, but it rips all the same. This is dirty-ass DIY heavy ass rock that is here to kick you into oblivion. Noisepicker certainly gives Harry Armstrong something to do now that OG is dead, and boy am I excited for it. 9/10
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