Der Prosector – Egregious EP

Oct25

Examining every inch of the senses and psyche as it throws you round the dance-floor is the Egregious EP, the debut release from UK/US industrial cyberpunks Der Prosector. Unleashed through UK indie label Armalyte Industries, the infestation of sound and emotional irritation is a ravenous often rabid tempest of industrial punk sure to instil a real hunger for more in a great many.

Almondbury hailing Der Prosector consists of Ged Denton (Cyber-tec Project), Digby Denton (Frogs of War), Jules Seifert (The Sepia), and Neil Hester (Downcast, The Sepia). Together the quartet dive head first into the tempestuous explorations of themes such as “sex and death, ever eroding freedoms, wilful mind control and the continued brutalization of the innocent” within Egregious, conjuring sounds and sonic trespasses to match the intensity of word and emotion. It pulls no punches from its first breath, each track an abrasing and bracing confrontation withering the senses as it incites feet and body to rampage.

The EP starts up with Sun Dogs, its initial atmospheric coaxing already fraught with threat and intrigue which only escalates as the track rises up with infection fuelled lures and flirtatious rhythms. As the vocals of Ged Denton spring their attitude lined invitation, synths and guitar weave an invasively catchy web as beats thump with matching contagion. At times like a raw fusion of Prong and Rabbit Junk, the song continues to impose and incite as it devours body and spirit.

Strangled brings a new visceral air and tone next up, its prowling beats and stalking sonic probing an interrogation with its own compelling contagion. Second by second, its touch and breath intensifies, its irritancy breeding greater enmity yet it never lessens its infectious persuasion on hips and spirit. There is a touch of Pitchshifter to its punk causticity which is even more pronounced within the following virus of The Instrument though it is fair to say that the song and its companions are all firmly stamped Der Prosector. The third track stomps around with exasperation; vex soaking every note and syllable as its industrial punk exploits brews a maelstrom of creative enmity before the inescapably addictive Subject 7 imposes its specific contagion with punk bred, industrial brewed enterprise and threat.

The rapacious energy and unbridled catchiness of MotherHack, a track which bubbles with lava-esque determination, brings things to a mighty conclusion though the digital release of Egregious comes with the treat of three remixes of Sun Dogs; each of the 2Bit Heroes edit, DigitalMetal mix, and Sere Remix revealing distinctly individual alter egos of the song to complete the pleasure and fascination nurtured by the EP.

Though each of its members has experienced acclaim and success with their previous projects, Der Prosector is a whole new ball game which the Egregious EP suggests has the potential to out do anything before.

The Egregious EP is out now through Armalyte Industries and available @ https://armalyte.bandcamp.com/album/der-prosector-egregious-ep digitally and on Ltd Ed blood splattered vinyl.

https://www.derprosector.com/ https://www.facebook.com/derprosector

Pete RingMaster 24/10/2017

Gutslit – Amputheatre

Oct25

As a great many, our passion for brutal ravenous metal was given a real treat with the debut Gutslit album Skewered in the Sewer back in 2013. It was a raw and insatiable introduction to the India hailing outfit instantly stirring up global attention. We can declare now though that it was just the prelude to something bigger, bolder, and even more barbarous now savaging the senses in the shape its successor Amputheatre. Embracing the uncompromising rabidity of grind into their already distinct death metal nurtured sound, Amputheatre not only reinforces Gutslit’s presence in world metal but puts it on a whole new plateau.

From the moment the album’s title track sets the darkening scene and blood strewn atmosphere intrigue is hooked and attention grasped, than ruptured by the invasive surge of Brazen Bull. Sizing things up initially, it charges head first through ears, the incessant riffs and swinging grooves of Prateek Rajagopal leading the way closely followed by the scything attack of drummer Aaron Pinto. New member in vocalist Kaushal LS (Godless) impressively roars from the midst of the tempest, his diverse attack as riveting and stirring as the predatory sounds around him. With the heavy invasive groove of Gurdip Singh Narang’s bass completing the irresistible animus, the album swiftly hits the sweet spot as it instantly reveals a thicker and bolder adventure in the Gutslit trespass.

The following From One Ear To Another is equally as uncompromising and compelling, its ravenous assault a web of grooved invention and merciless antipathy again headed by Kaushal’s outstanding onslaught. That new found imagination in the band’s sound is swiftly exposed in its individuality as the song flips from its brutality into a surging rock ‘n’ roll charge and then a technically mesmeric tango, the cycle repeating without in any second ever losing its instinctive animosity. The track is immense almost reason enough to check out Amputheatre and soon backed in might by the belligerently savage Necktie Party. It too surges through a clutch of unpredictable and inventive twists which are maybe not as bold as in its predecessor, though its melodic detour is fascinating, but just as captivating and thrilling as the song preys on the senses.

Album artwork – Eliran Kantor

Blood Eagle is a carnivorous infestation, grooves and rhythms as toxic as they are seductive and ridden by the viral antics of vocal predation. Rajagopal’s melodic enterprise wraps this unrestrained and violently catchy malevolence, his strings equally adept at conjuring extremes and skilfully matched by the malicious yet vibrant antics of Narang’s bass. It is a tapestry which simply lights up appetite and imagination, success just as easily and mightily nurtured by the incessant quarrel of Brodequin and the ruthless animus cast by Maraschino Eyeballs. Both tracks are as bloodthirsty as they are openly infectious; their webs of wiry grooves and murderous rhythms bound in often acidic but perpetually beguiling enterprise.

Arguably the most truculent offering within Amputheatre is provided by Scaphism, a sadistic immersion of the senses but again one as ridiculously catchy as it is brutally cruel before the album is brought to a close by Death Hammer. Instantly you can sense the band are going to push their instincts and imagination further; something about its entrance and building confrontation which suggests the venturous almost schizophrenic tapestry of idea and sound eventually realised. Soaked in Gutslit’s renowned and expected brutality and accomplished craft, the closing trespass enthrals and excites whilst creating another seriously striking moment within the release.

Amputheatre is superb, a real standout treat in a year of potent ravenous metal encounters from a band deserving as much attention as possible.

Amputheatre is out now through Transcending Obscurity India and available @ https://gutslitindia.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gutslit/

Pete RingMaster 24/10/2017

Coburg -The Enchantress

Oct24

If a title ever fitted an album and its lead protagonist then it is The Enchantress. The debut album from UK hailing symphonic rock outfit Coburg, the release is a riveting cauldron of adventure fuelled sound and melodic seduction; a fascination of imagination with a bite in its jaws and theatre in its flirtatious trespass.

Coburg is the creation of and led by singer songwriter/guitarist/actress/model Anastasia Coburg, an artist who has previously gripped attention through previous guise Jet Noir and as part of Naked Lunch. The London based band is completed by synth player Dean Baker and bassist Mark Spencer both of Galahad and Twelfth Night, rhythm guitarist Sarah Sanford, and drummer Pietro Coburg. Musically, Coburg embraces the gothic rock tones of Jet Noir into its grander and bolder symphonic rock soundscapes; a blending which simultaneously feels intimate and worldly around the emotively woven heart and expressively delivered lyrics of each individual adventure.

Straight away The Enchantress beguiles ears and thoughts, a tempting which only escalates track by track for a seriously potent lure starting from the first breaths of opener A Cold Day In Hell. As soon as the resonating touch of bass and keys fingers the senses the song, which was born in Anastasia’s Jet Noir exploits, has submission in its grasp. Swiftly, you can hear the growth and maturity which has blossomed in the song since its first impressive days a couple of years back, a new sense of drama and intensity fuelling stalking riffs and rhythms as Anastasia’s striking tones step forward. Erupting throughout with melodic flames, the song continues to prowl as that drama intensifies note by note. Apocalyptic in air, darkly romancing in character, the song is immense and unafraid to twist through unpredictable discord lined detours.

Its Middle Eastern spices are even richer within the following and equally exceptional Echoes In The Night. They emerge from the initial shadows of the song, dark corners and provocative ecclesiastical chants enticing as they are soon in union with the wiry tendrils of guitar. With Blancmange like qualities, those cosmopolitan essences dance seductively on the ear, keys and guitar weaving an entrancing beckon before the grittier tones of Anastasia walk the eager stroll. Her lead guitar prowess teases around and alongside too while rhythms share their excitable shuffle in a proposal which has the body as lustfully involved as the imagination.

Dark essences are never far from a Coburg song and coat the senses straight away as The Hall Of Ghosts steps forward next; its fiery and lively balladry a lithe saunter draped in flavourings hinting on the likes of Sisters Of Mercy, The Mission, and Vajra. Its melodies have a childlike innocence but encased in a dark tide of further melodic suggestion and raw power. With bewitching harmonies sealing the deal, the great track is matched in success by the tenebrous atmosphere of Into The Darkness. Gothic rock again flows openly through the symphonic nurtured tapestry of sound, bringing a noir lit intrigue and in turn virulent infectiousness to infest ear and imagination. As with every track, each listen reveals a new twist and layer, the song evolving and growing from its stirring introduction into another major moment within The Enchantress.

Each song also feels like an individual tale and fresh chapter in the album’s journey, Requiem no different as it romances ears next. Though not quite having the sparks of those before it, the track is a heated flame of melodic and lyrical invention which captivates with creative ease before the album’s title track spins its own crepuscular web woven with the fingering enterprise of synths and guitar around smouldering but direct vocals. With electro and progressive rock invention joining its drama, the song is an increasingly compelling proposition, an essence which applies to all songs to be honest as proven by next up Thy Dagger. Its union of intimidating scythes of guitar and electronic revelry instantly grabs full attention, a focus rewarded with vocal and melodic dexterity as the track blossoms note by note into a magnetic slice of cultured rock ‘n’ roll

A haunting realm of suggestion and sound brings Till The Bitter End into view, its shadowed melodic lighting and veiled threats encapsulating the intimate yet broad depths of song and words. Personal tastes did not take to the track as easily as with its companions within The Enchantress but instantly it nurtured a want to go deeper whilst embracing the siren like harmonies and undisguised imagination bringing it to life.

The album is completed by firstly Warrior’s Blood, a song with steel in its skeleton and rousing invention in its evolving character. There are moments which mix the bite of Otep with the melodic fire of Within Temptation but just flavoursome strains in the individual emprise of song and Coburg before Rise closes things with its inflamed hope graced ballad. As if further proof was needed, the song is an emotive declaration of Anastasia’s quality as a singer and songwriter as well as the band’s craft and individual imagination.

Song by song The Enchantress captivates and stirs, growing as mentioned with every listen into something even more impressive whilst announcing Coburg a striking addition to the European symphonic rock scene.

The Enchantress is released October 24^th via Evolve Or Die Records and available @ https://coburg.bandcamp.com/album/the-enchantress

http://coburgband.com/ https://www.facebook.com/COBURGtheband/ https://twitter.com/COBURGband http://www.anastasiacoburg.com/

Pete RingMaster 24/10/2017

Energy Alchemist – Reminder EP

Oct24

Adding to the list of fascinating proposals made this very year is the new EP from US quartet Energy Alchemist. It offers three tracks which within their electronic rock tagging embrace the essences and rich strains of metal, dubstep, and heavy and progressive rock amongst numerous flavours. It ensures each song is a tapestry of style and unpredictable enterprise delivered with a craft which together ensures that the release and Mendocino County, California based band stand out.

The brainchild of vocalist/guitarist/programmer Bill Hankins, Energy Alchemist is completed by vocalist/guitarist Julian Sterling, bassist Erik Koski, and drummer Matt Heath. Earlier this year they released their well-received album Ghost in the Machine, an encounter creating dramatic weaves of sound and styles upon a rhythmic adventure as bold and captivating as the imagination wrapping it; an adventure now built upon by the Reminder EP.

It opens up with its title track and instantly Reminder entangles ears with its electronically bred almost skittish beats and the tantalising tendrils of synths. As vocals join melody casting guitars in the blossoming track, a spicing akin to The Kennedy Soundtrack reinforces its lure. It is a tempting further increased by the brooding tones of bass and a scuzzier lining to keys with beats continuing to provide their hungrily persuasive and often unpredictable touch as the song twists and turns. It is a wholly magnetic affair which impresses more and more with every listen, revealing an entanglement of new creative hues and spices with UK outfit Axis Mundi brought forth at times as a hinting comparison to its electronic trance rock exploits.

The following Way Too Late similarly has attention quickly held, the two prong vocal enticement of Hankins and Sterling a potent invitation into the brewing drama of sound where metal nurtured riffs and electronic endeavour unite with a funk lined tenacity. That steel edge continues throughout the song, often giving it a bite and intensity which its predecessor lacked to take the Energy Alchemist down a fresh avenue without losing their creative fingerprint. As the guitars and bass, keys explore a broadening canvas where progressive hues combine with rave/dubstep inspired electronica to infest the imagination and match the pleasure spawned by its companions.

It is a reward especially powerful with closing track Flush, the song an apocalyptic trespass aligning strains of industrial metal and predacious heavy rock with electronic suggestion. It is also a web of warm temptation and poetic melodies which skilfully contrasts the raw heart and frame of the song, an invention further exploited by the stringed seduction and vocal dynamics interspersed within the imaginative ventures of guitars and synths.

Taking best track honours, it brings the EP to a fine and rousing close. As the other pair, it suggests that the Energy Alchemist sound is far from being the finished article but such its potential locked into the band’s already open craft and imagination and their sublime fusion of varying styles, an appetite for the band’s music is increasingly unavoidable.

The Reminder EP is out now @ https://energyalchemist.bandcamp.com/album/reminder

https://www.energyalchemist.rocks/ https://www.facebook.com/energyalchemist1

Pete RingMaster 24/10/2017

The Vintage Calvinos – An Invitation To Infamy

Oct18

Being engulfed in fascination for something is one of life’s pleasures and stepping into the kaleidoscopic world of An Invitation To Infamy is certainly both. The debut album from The Vintage Calvinos is an absorbing tapestry of sound and suggestion loaded with observation, insight, and a creative devilment which just gets right under the skin.

The band is the creation of song writer/bassist/vocalist David Baird who lured in some of the finest Scottish musicians to the Aberdeen based project and indeed, in the case of backing singer Xavia, literally just passing by talent of drawn to the pied piper-esque sounds coming through the windows of The Anatomy Rooms where the band was rehearsing. Together they have created a web of temptation in skilfully conjured word and multi-flavoured music which has the body swaying and imagination swinging in joyful enterprise and contemplation. From pop to indie, rock to folk and a host of numerous other spices, An Invitation To Infamy is a beautiful collusion drawn from the hearts of a collective of musical adventurers.

The instantly compelling rub of drama soaked strings as Prelude leaps upon ears and imagination sets the scene and tone of things to come, its vocal compulsion subsequently slipping into a warm slow waltz with a flowing energy which soon has hips leaning to and fro as guitars and strings engage with the romancing keys in entwining dulled yet potent percussive beats. The forcibly engaging piece leads into the waiting arms of Last Tango which opens with melodic drama somewhat akin to War of The Worlds. Its rich strains soon twist into a rolling stroll with more infectiousness than a viral cold and a net of creative intrigue which has ears and thoughts enslaved. Baird’s great vocals are more than matched by the backing of Xavia, both wrapped in the melodic dexterity of Paul Davidson’s guitar. With a second never wasted on predictability, the track is superb, almost reason enough alone to accept An Invitation To Infamy.

So Many People follows, the buzz of life breeding a slow carnival march, one seemingly infusing the tiredness of perpetually imposing life with the joy of being. Brass blows with an enticing clamour as rhythms throb, a welcoming cacophony parting for the melancholic spicing of Baird’s vocals and the stirring scythes of strings and in turn uniting for a creative throng which just magnetises the senses. Like a sonic pagan scented Lowry composition with a broader outlook, the track utterly seduces before new single You Are Always on My Mind infests the psyche. The striking coaxing of Mitsuki Takayama’s violin instantly grips, a hold tightening as the song evolves into a sixties pop scented canter. There is no resistance to its teasing temptations and lively catchiness, the quickly involved antics of body and vocal chords swift evidence. Davidson’s wall of keys is just as irresistible along with the theatre of strings and the rhythmic saunter of Baird’s bass and Fraser Peterkin’s drum beats.

The indie seduction of This Handsome Boy absorbs attention next. It is a track with a touch of Lightning Seeds to it at certain moments and pure pop contagion throughout led by the golden tones of Iona Macdonald and warm surges of brass expelled by trumpeter Bill Thompson, trombonist Denis Webb, and saxophonist Dave Carter. Sometimes there is something about it which feels quite familiar yet for no obvious reason as it floods ears with instinctive pleasure.

The album’s first single, No Room at The Inn released a couple of weeks ago, steps in to captivate straight after with its gentle stroll. Its proposal is low key, compared to other songs, but rich invitation into the album’s broadening musical and lyrical craft while Clouds smoulders with elegance and undiluted captivation. At times it sounds like a blend of Steely Dan and Weekend, a wistful seduction with intensity in its heart and an energetic adventure in its nature.

Through the haunting entrance and golden incestuous intimacy of Alice and the minimalistic but rich stirring of Lost, band and album continue to bewitch with adventurous diversity and creative revelry. Both tracks simply enthral whilst manipulating the body before Teardrops in My Eyes swaggers in with sorrowful melodies and sinful energy to reinforce the submission of ears and appetite before The Vintage Calvinos.

The dusky rock ‘n’ roll of Rock Dreams Part 2 is like a soundtrack to many of our musical upbringings and warm homage to its kings and quite irresistible as too after a magnetic instrumental reprise of No Room at The Inn, is closing track The Beautiful and the Damned. A shadow draped ballad to the lost and the lonely with the darkest outcome, the song is simply sultry aural beauty epitomising the craft and debut of The Vintage Calvinos.

With a host of other striking individual contributions involved in the collective creation of An Invitation To Infamy, all deserving recognition, the album is one of the year’s most essential encounters. The first listen is gold but only an appetizer to the delights and unbridled pleasures which follow with every subsequent union between ear and sound.

An Invitation To Infamy is released October 27^th on Stereogram Recordings with the single You Are Always On My Mind out October 20^th.

The album’s launch is to be held at Under The Hammer, North Silver Street, Aberdeen on Saturday 28th October 2017 from 2pm.

http://www.stereogramrecordings.co.uk/the-vintage-calvinos/ https://www.facebook.com/thevintagecalvinos/

Pete RingMaster 17/10/2017

Kings Will Fall – Thrash Force.One

Oct18

In a year of some particularly potent thrash bred onslaughts, the debut album from Kings Will Fall definitely stands out. It may have missed your attention as ours until now, being released earlier this year, but more than deserves devouring attention. Dealing ‘Thrash ‘n Death’ from the Alps since their emergence in 2013, the Italian quartet have hit the sweet spot with Thrash Force.One, a senses buffeting, appetite arousing onslaught which fuses old school thrash with death metal bred flavourings and individual ferocity.

Hailing from Sarntal in South Tyrol, Kings Will Fall consists of vocalist Fabian Jung, guitarist Rene Thaler, bassist Daniel Vanzo, and drummer Lukas Gross. 2015 saw the release of demo EP, Death Comes Early, a well-received appetiser for the attention grabbing release of Thrash Force.One. As its title suggests, the album is an unbridled rush on the senses, a forceful tempest of thrash metal driven in top gear from the first throes of Toxic War. This second track bursts forth from the atmospheric setting of opener In Dead & Mud & Misery, a sample laced war zone setting up the climate of things to come. Initially its successor stalks the listener, prowling with irritable intent before opening its jaws to unleash its storm. With the eager vocals of Jung surfing the tide of riffs, the track infests ears and imagination with ease, the inspirations of bands like Testament and Exodus proudly spicing the rush. Embracing fiery enterprise from Thaler too, the track simply grips body and pleasure.

Next up Shots for Glory swiftly stamps its own heavy authority on ears, sizing up its victim as bass and drums probe. It holds its restraint in place for a while as vocals and riffs harry the senses, relinquishing it a touch as new hunger hits grooves and rhythmic predation but never giving a free hand to aggression though everything about the song bites hard and relentlessly. Its infectious animosity is subsequently twisted with the band’s inventive imagination, the track an unpredictable and captivating fury before Burn All Fuel begins its determined trespass with nagging riffs and barbarous rhythms. Subsequently the track becomes a ravaging scourge with Jung’s caustic scowls magnetically backed by death bred growls, a masterful blend in the equally captivating and inhospitable contagion of sound. Vanzo’s bass is bestial, Gross swings delivered with bone splintering power and with the dexterous exploits of Thaler it all contributes to one glorious thrash roar.

Endless Pain quickly infests its riffs sculpted entrance with imagination and unpredictable revelry, the thrash bred heart of the song littered with Kings Will Fall nurtured character but never wandering from its rabid genre instincts while Damage Crown is two minutes of bullish, almost punk scented maniacal metal and quite superb. It borders on schizophrenic as it sets a new pinnacle in the lofty heights of the album, at times stomping around with Anthrax meets Biohazard like bedlam to steal the passions and trample their lustful submission under further devilment.

As mighty as both songs are, Buster soon grabs best track honours with its predatory yet addictively flirtatious savagery. Kings Will Fall again goes for the jugular but with a flair and flourish which exhilarates as they show further evidence of their own imagination and creative boldness. It’s maelstrom of grooves and riffs are pure addiction, its rhythmic assault welcomingly vicious and combined pure manna for the thrash hungry heart.

The sultry twang bringing Gängster 1948 into view is a deceptive lure but a scent of the rock ‘n’ roll lining the metallic animosity of the track. As it ventures deeper into its soul and heavy rock instincts, song and band get more adventurous and tempting, opening up a whole new aspect to their thrash personality. There are definite essences of Motörhead within the track and there is no surprise when the album closes with a fine cover of the band’s We Are Motörhead which has limbs and pleasure bouncing with raw energy.

It is a riotous end to an album which commands a swift return time and time again. Certainly Thrash Force.One is not the most unique proposition at times yet every moment has a personality all Kings Will Fall which is as fresh and adventurous as anything out there. As we said 2017 has been a great year for thrash bred exploits, Thrash Force.One one big reason why.

Thrash Force.One is out now @ https://kingswillfall.bandcamp.com/album/thrash-force-one

https://www.facebook.com/kings.will.fall.metal/ https://twitter.com/kingswillfall_

Pete RingMaster 17/10/2017

SixTwoSeven – Some Other’s Day EP

Oct18

You cannot just make up real rock ‘n’ roll; it is in the heart as evidenced by Seattle alternative rock outfit SixTwoSeven. You just know it is an instinct in the quartet as their debut EP, Some Other’s Day rumbles through ears to arouse the spirit across four riotous tracks.

Formed in 2016, SixTwoSeven consists of vocalist/lead guitarist Greg “illfunk” Bilderback, his brothers in drummer Matt aka “the Machine” and guitarist Jason aka “J Danger”, and longtime friend Mike “MK Ultra” Knapp. This line-up was actually completed during the recording of Some Other’s Day with producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden) at Soundhouse Studios, Matt coming in for backing vocals and leaving as a fully-fledged member of SixTwoSeven.

The EP itself opens up with One Single Night, instantly luring ears with a dirty riff soon joined by Greg’s grumbling tones. Bass and drums quickly add their moody touches as infectiousness infests all aspects of the emerging track. The song’s swagger is right there grabbing body and spirit, the creative flames of guitar luring the imagination deeper into its own increasingly magnetic prowess. Altogether it is a masterful persuasion and quickly matched by successor Wreckless Soul. It too has a certain confidence in its gait and swing, vocals a lighter invitation in the grungier nature of the song but loaded with the same catchiness as the hooks and riffs flirting boldly alongside.

Joshua’s Song has a calmer personality which its melodic imagination exploits with emotion and invention. The harmonic blend across the band brings extra light to the song and the SixTwoSeven sound, the band showing the variety in their creativity. Admittedly, the song did not quite light the excitement as its companions but it certainly left a strong air of satisfaction before the EP’s best track brings things to a mighty close.

An aggressive slice of punk fuelled rock ‘n’ roll, Top of the World is a virulently contagious incitement which has body and emotions bouncing in quick time. It snarls and entices, prowls and stomps with attitude and zeal ensuring listener involvement is hooked in no time. One of the reasons maybe that the band has been compared to the Weezer and Foo Fighters, the track alone makes SixTwoSeven a prospect to keep a close ear upon; a thought more than reinforced by Some Other’s Day as a whole.

Some Other’s Day is available now @ https://sixtwoseven.bandcamp.com/album/some-others-day

https://www.dubsevenrecords.com/ https://www.facebook.com/SixTwoSeven627

Pete RingMaster 17/10/2017