Caustic Minds – Black Oil For A Soul

Jul29

With a rather potent reputation in tow courtesy of their highly energetic live performances, alternative rock outfit Caustic Minds has a certain buzz brewing up around them and one sure to be only accelerated by the recent release of the band’s debut EP. Five tracks strong, Black Oil For A Soul is quite simply an encounter which makes you just stop and pay attention.

Formed in Germany in 2007, Berlin based Caustic Minds has a background as rich as their sound. Vocalist Laura Jiménez Alvarez comes from Mexico City, while guitarist Daniel Viseras Calvache is Granada in Spain hailing. With bassist Michiel Sybers born in Antwerpen, Belgium and drummer Chris Crabtree British/German bred, it is a cosmopolitan mix as flavoursome as the blend of hard rock and indie enticement they conjure up between them. Over time the band has had references to the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age, The Dead Weather, Arctic Monkeys, and Black Sabbath shared upon their sound though for our ears Black Oil For A Soul tantalises and captivates like a hybrid fusion of Karn8 and My Baby.

Persistently compelling in its enterprise and bold in its character, the EP immediately had ears and imagination enslaved with opener Eyes On Fire. Never relinquishing its favourite track grip from its first escapade, the song instantly harries and tempts with a stalking fusion of stabbing beats and siren scythes of guitar. Instantly magnetic, the track only escalates its lures as a swagger breaks out in a sure stroll ridden by the similarly captivating tones of Alvarez. With a groove which infests hips without invitation and an instinctive roar that demands unity, the imagination soaked track easily gripped body and appetite.

Though for personal tastes the release never quite reached those major heights again, its presence and enterprise is a lofty adventure that continues to beguile, next up Baby Doll providing a fiery blaze of punk shaped rock ‘n’ roll with progressive breath to its winds as melodic seduction fuels its great unpredictability.

Similarly Destroyer teased and taunted the imagination; its immediate launch part prowl part strut and all fascination. Intoxicating in its bluesy charm and eye balling in its attitude, the temptress of a song proved another irresistible holler which never fed expectations before Blacklist brought its own beguiling lures to the party. Rising on spirals of sonic and melodic heat, the track is another which teases as it tempts. Like flames in a fire stirring thoughts and gripping attention as its spellbinding hold sprung creative shapes the song simply flirted with the imagination as vocals and individual enterprise trapped ears.

The EP closes up with Carry On, another moment within the EP that enthralled with ease as its seductive moves and shameless grooves toyed alongside the ever compelling barracuda toned bass of Sybers. As each track and the EP as a whole, the closer is all sensuous bait and steamy endeavour honed into rock ‘n’ roll that shamelessly and skilfully entices and firmly attracts.

Black Oil For A Soul more than suggests that the boisterous murmur around Caustic Minds is sound and about to boil over beyond the German borders the band is already putting under their spell and as a bonus ‘name your own price’ release on the band’s Bandcamp site, it is one encounter no one should be ignoring.

Black Oil For A Soul is available now @ https://causticminds.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/causticminds/

Pete RingMaster 29/07/2019

Das Fluff – Anxiety Dreams

Aug24

Though last year we came to the third album from Das Fluff late, we devoured the temptations within Flower With Knife last year like a kid in a candy store. Released in 2016, it introduced an artist who had an instinctive agility in grabbing attention and ears whilst seducing the imagination. It also sparked keen intrigue and anticipation for the full-length’s successor which the band was beginning to breed at the time we discovered the release. Now we stand poised on the lip of the release of Anxiety Dreams and all we can say is if you were wrapped up in the pleasures of Flower With Knife and its predecessors you really have only been dipping your toes in the post punk electro rock filth fuelled delights of Das Fluff.

Das Fluff is the creation of Berlin/London-based vocalist/writer/producer/rhythm guitarist Dawn Lintern, an artist who like the band’s sound just evolves and grows as an artist by the record. Alongside her is long-time collaborator Christian Ruland, a similarly magnetic presence with his electronic and visual art prowess. 2011 saw the release of debut album Would You Die for Me? with Meditation And Violence following two years later. Both encounters awoke ears and attention to the dance and drama loaded enterprise of the project though it is fair to say that it was the acclaimed Flower With Knife which really awoke a whole new wave of recognition and fans. With lead guitarist Joe Dochtermann alongside the pair, Anxiety Dreams can be expected to ignite even greater and broader awareness amidst a tide of plaudits the way of the band with its every breath, layer, and shadow echoing the intimation of its title.

The album roars into life with Millennial, a track which instantly had appetite and imagination on red alert as fluid electronic squirts align with inescapably coaxing beats while electro punk tendencies gather. In no time it breaks into its infectious stroll with Dawn’s melodic tones as mercurial in expression and attitude as the sounds around her. It is a rousing start to the album, a magnificent trespass of temptation and multi spiced sound seeing lips being licked for what is to follow.

The album’s title track is next up providing a prowling enticement with a matching vocal intent from Dawn as rhythms pulsate. Its electro post punk swells remind of Fad Gadget, an inherent catchiness which lines every dark breath and flirtation within the excellent seduction before Bleed Me Dry brings its own almost tenebrific yet radiant climate to immerse within. There is a far heavier tone and intent to the song compared to the previous one, an imposing threat cast by determined rhythms, the brooding bass of guest Wendy Solomon, and a gothic lined tone which is defiant and bold in its attitude.

Next up is Ringmaster, already a favourite offering from the band here. Released as a single and teaser earlier this year, it is a song which we have a natural connection with not only through its name but in the fact we somehow managed to be a part of its inspiration or rather our review of Flower With Knife was. A richly alluring serenade with a lively energy and pulse, the track rises from a sonic sigh and melodic caress with the ever magnetic presence and tones of Dawn leading the way. Immediately there is a drama to sound and voice; words emulating the theatre as the song’s sawdust earthiness colludes with melancholy lit but elegantly seductive harmonics. As burlesque nurtured shadows continue to envelop the darksome heart of the encounter, a Stevie Nicks-esque hue tinting the vocals, intimate shivers breed at the lure of the crepuscular but starry romance.

Through the irresistible strains of the rather outstanding Animal, a punk bred slice of rapacious electro rock with a deviously manipulative swing and imagination and the predacious almost vaudeville like antics of Freaks, the album evolves yet another shade of adventure and invention. The first of the two manages to be simultaneously hypnotic and feral, Dawn coming over like an especially magnetic Siouxsie Sioux within The Creatures like heart of the track while its successor probes and teases with feline grace within a dark visceral captivation as untamed as it is seductive.

The apocalyptic shuffle of Obey is a web of samples and stirring enterprise where dark predatory clouds and sonic winds trespass the psyche amidst melodic viscera and vocal dynamics. As its rhythmic incitement invades hips, the track invades thoughts and fears with devastation in its dust. As the previous track and Ringmaster, the song sees additional guitars from Stefan Missfeld to add to imposing drama so easy to devour though it still gets firmly overshadowed by the simply glorious affair that is The Cure. Smouldering surf kissed strokes of guitar are the first seduction on offer, Dawn’s melodic prowess the second with both undiluted seduction from the start. There is an intimacy to the album’s best song which feels like you are the focus of its intent while a sixties glaze just adds to its beauty, Dawn like a bewitching blend of Susan Maughan and Chantal Claret but as unique as the music hugging the senses.

The final pair of Rise and Supervolcano ensures that Anxiety Dreams leaves with a lingering touch and tempting. The former also has sixties pop colouring to its much more intense dynamics and suggestiveness nurtured by conspicuous imagination and equally lays blossoming seeds in thoughts for best song honours with the latter matching its fascination through its climacteric breath and inevitable destiny built upon portentous temptation and shamanic beguiling.

Anxiety Dreams is a release with so much in its intrigue carrying layers and diverse depths that each outing is a fresh adventure. We were already locked in an on-going affair with Flower With Knife but quite simply its successor leaves it trapped in its shadows as Das Fluff treads a whole new plateau of creative sorcery.

Anxiety Dreams will be released September 20^th via Sohappymusic.

Upcoming das Fluff Live Shows:

September 14 – The Railway Hotel / Southend

September 20 – Monster Ronsons / Berlin (DE album launch)

October 26 – Paper Dress / London (UK album launch)

October 27 – The Railway Hotel / Southend

November 2 to 25 Asia Tour: Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam including 23-25 November The Quest Festival, Hanoi, Vietnam

http://www.dasfluff.com https://www.facebook.com/dasfluff/ https://twitter.com/dasflufftwit

Pete RingMaster24/08/2018

Das Fluff – Ringmaster

May9

As writers, we are constantly inspired by the sounds and records we cover; words sparked and imagination stoked by the craft and invention of others. It is a rare honour to return the favour but that is exactly what we have managed to do. Last year we introduced ourselves to electro/art rock outfit Das Fluff, the brainchild and creative vehicle of Berlin/London-based vocalist/writer/producer Dawn Lintern, through firstly the single Far Gone and in turn the band’s current album Flower With Knife. It was our review of the latter which seemingly sparked the imagination of Dawn into writing a new track. That song has now become the band’s new single, Ringmaster, and even without the bias of our lucky involvement it has to be said it is one mesmeric seduction of a proposition.

The single comes ahead of a fourth album the band is currently working on, the magnetic tones and lyrical agility of Dawn uniting with the electronic experimentation of Christian Ruland. It is a proposition among fans and media alike for which anticipation is full and one sure to be escalated after the release of Ringmaster.

The song opens with a melodic sigh swiftly joined by the caress of guitar and throb of rhythmic shadow. Just as quickly the alluring voice of Dawn slowly swings from their textures, her tones writhing around the sounds like a sultry dancer whilst coaxing ears and imagination with seductive intimation. There is a dark carnival meets shadowed burlesque breath to the track, an alluring glaze which adds further colour and shape to its instinctive romance and darksome heart.

Haunting and transfixing, like a flirtatious sunset lined with melancholic beauty, the song is pure captivation and alone more than enough reason to get excited about the band’s forthcoming full-length. Ringmaster is a track which outshone even our pride spun hopes and comes with a stunning video which you can see on our Video Selector page, another pleasure from Das Fluff.

Upcoming Das Fluff live shows:

May 25 – Petersburg Art Space / Berlin

June 2 – Electrowerkz / London

June 9 – Stigmata / Glasgow

June 16 – Zosch / Berlin

http://www.dasfluff.com https://www.facebook.com/dasfluff/ https://twitter.com/DasFluffTwit

Pete RingMaster 09/05/2018

Das Fluff – Far Gone

Aug22

There is no denying we are suckers for a touch of creative theatre when it comes to music and you certainly get that and more within the new single from electro rockers Das Fluff, a dramatic almost psychotic web of temptation and suggestion which has the imagination as busy as ears and body.

Based within Berlin and London, Das Fluff is the brainchild of vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Dawn Lintern supported by guitarist Stefan ‘Misty’ Missfeld and live electronics/visuals caster Christian Ruland. Ahead of an eight date tour of Japan in October and following the recent release on vinyl of last album Flower With Knife, its successor being recorded as you read, Das Fluff tease and tempt for all with Far Gone. Taken from that last album, the track imposes itself with style and imagination nagging enterprise, every second a memorable and relentlessly hungry lure.

As its shaker of electronic coaxing raises the curtain, strings like lures scythe across the senses quickly being joined by Lintern’s equally beguiling vocals. A darker bass tone rumbles in the fore ground, a great distraction soon losing its central grip as more and more hues add to the adventurous story being unveiled. Robustly pungent beats throb as those strings weave sinister suggestion, their rich bait adding to the surges of incessant probing which fire up the senses even more.

With its theme an observation on “society’s addiction to its own misery”, every second is a rousing exploration of the imagination in sound and word with Lintern majestically centring it all with a touch of Lydia Lunch to her presence. More like an intimate play than something cinematic, and just as impacting, Far Gone is an irresistible proposal for the body and imagination to dance to and more than a thick convincing that the next offering from Das Fluff, and their acclaimed last for newcomers, should be highly anticipated.

Far Gone is out now, see the video on our Video Selector page with Flower With Knife available @ http://www.dasfluff.com

https://www.facebook.com/dasfluff/ https://twitter.com/DasFluffTwit https://dasfluff.bandcamp.com/

Pete RingMaster 22/08/2017

In Isolation – A Certain Fractal Light

Dec16

In Isolation_RingMaster Review

Amongst the gifts you hopefully receive this Christmas Day, we suggest you drop big hints that one of them should be the new single from UK band In Isolation. Released on the 25^th, Parlance is a riveting post punk/new wave inspired anthem for ears and emotions taken from the band’s upcoming debut album A Certain Fractal Light. To kill two birds with one stone, we are going to dive into the full-length right now, a release showing that the single is no flash in the pan in great nostalgia seeded sound and fresh imagination.

Hailing from Nottingham, In Isolation emerged in 2009 openly drawing on inspirations found within eighties post-punk and new wave. Equally though, their sound has seeds in the indie flavours of the following decade and more, with influences on the trio’s invention found in artists ranging from The Smiths, Buzzcocks, and David Bowie to Killing Joke, Editors, and Bloc Party. The years have already seen In Isolation stir strong attention, their well-received singles Film Noir Scandal and Berlin making potent impressions with the latter appearing in the 2013 Steve Best directed movie Zombie Hood alongside the track The Wrong Girl, which In Isolation performed as themselves in the opening club scene of the film. A host of other appearances for their music in movie and TV productions followed whilst live the past years have seen the band share stages with the likes of Republica, Spear Of Destiny, The Chapman Family, and Trailer Trash Traceys amongst a great many and play festivals like Out The Box with Jake Bugg and DV8 alongside Gary Numan.

Parlance cover_RingMaster Review Having spent fair amount of 2015 writing and creating A Certain Fractal Light, In Isolation is poised to prod even bigger spotlights and appetites with their excellent Gavin Monaghan (Editors, Babes In Toyland, Paolo Nutini) recorded album and before that through Parlance, the second single from and opener to its striking adventure. The song opens with sultry caresses of guitar quickly joined by a great throaty bass tone which quickly reveals an irresistible hook all of its own. Its appearance in turn sparks the guitars to spring new zeal and colour in their enterprise; it all framed by the hypnotic beats and percussion of drummer Tony Ghost. As the vocals of Ryan Swift join the mix, his and John Berry’s guitars still casting a tangy web of temptation, there is a great feel of The Teardrop Explodes to the song but equally a pungent scent of something fresh and solely imaginative to the band with the perpetually snarling bassline the added cream.

The outstanding start makes way for the album’s title track and a similarly potent seducing of ears and appetite. Keys and guitars lay the initial tempting, warm melodies kissing the senses with a China Crisis meets Spandau Ballet like elegance as darker hues bring greater depth to the track through the bass and atmospheric shadows, both skilfully tempering the glow of the song. It is hard not to be swiftly bewitched by the familiar yet unique proposal and further excited by its successors Not Noticing and Truth Or Dare. The first of the two enters on an electronic prowl but with a bold saunter to its gait which is quickly wrapped in a siren-esque harmony. The ever delicious gnarly tone of the bass is there tempting in quick time too, offering its raw bait amongst the just as magnetic hooks of guitar and voice as exotic hues add to the great drama and contagion of the encounter. There is plenty going on to be grabbed by including an electro suggestiveness which perfectly colludes with the dark theatre of guitar and bass in a persuasion lying somewhere between The The and US band Post Adolescence.

From one striking track to another as Truth Or Dare, the first single from the album released a few weeks back, takes over to reveal a body similar to that of the track A Certain Fractal Light but one soon casting its own emotive charm and melodic imagination to swiftly seduce and enlist eager participation from the listener before Elder Statesman engages ears with another imaginative fusion of dark and light soaked textures. As all songs within the album, familiar hues and influences are bold but woven into an evocative proposition creating its own unique character, The Letter straight after, with its rawer tenacious rock ‘n’ roll heart and enveloping virulence, providing another aspect to the potent variety within the post punk inspired melodic tapestry of the album.

Strange Thoughts keeps ears inflamed next with its catchy intent and richly textured romance, female vocals reappearing to add to the resourcefully captivating song. Keys and bass alone make the broadest contrasts as they stand side by side, their union wrapped in the excellent blend of vocals and sonic flames that spring from the pen and invention of In Isolation with compelling ease.

The equally fiery but energetically controlled Ghostburn, its body a close but unique enough design to that of its predecessor, and the classically shaped Gods both keep ears treated, the latter a reflective croon merging gothic overtones and provocative melancholy with poetic melodies. Each again show another facet to the In Isolation sound and invention, before Mist brings the album to a fine close with its own individual heart bred serenade built on a lively canvas of varying and contrasting elements.

Released in March 2016, A Certain Fractal Light is a glorious fusion of old and modern imagination, nostalgia and originality uniting for a highly enjoyable waltz of light and dark adventure. Treat yourself this Christmas with Parlance we say and then really go for it a few weeks later; the single will be a big enough persuasion for deciding on the latter anyway.

Parlance is released December 25^th with A Certain Fractal Light out March 2016, both via the band’s own imprint Aye Aye Records.

https://www.facebook.com/inisolationofficial http://inisolationofficial.tumblr.com http://twitter.com/InIsolation

Pete RingMaster 16/12/2015

For more exploration of the independent and promotional services check out http://www.zykotika.com/

Cornerstone – Somewhere In America

Oct18

The title of the new album from Austrian melodic rock band Cornerstone gives a strong hint as to their flowing female fronted AOR soft rock sound. The band openly wear their influences on their sleeve bringing an 80’s tinged rock sound that oozes essences of Berlin and Fleetwood Mac plus the musical flows of Journey amongst others. Impressive with natural melodies and well written guitars solos the creative Somewhere In America easily slips into the ear and even for those of us that wake up longing to be battering from pillar to post with rampaging riffs and threatening rhythms there is something inviting and satisfying within the album.

Cornerstone are no newcomers having formed in 1998 going through various line-up changes until they found the perfect formula in the current compliment. The band’s debut release came in 2008 with the album Head Over Heels released via Atom Records though it is fair to say it had a mixed response. Hard work being no stranger to the quartet brought a UK and a three week American tour and an appearance at the Z Rock Festival. Now with the release of Somewhere In America the band is ready to spread their melodic wings and swoop up a much greater amount of new fans with their extremely enjoyable rock pop.

The first noticeable and obvious thing about the album is the powerful flowing vocals of Patricia Hillinger. She expands each song with her confident and passionate voice bringing especially to the slower and more emotive songs an extra spice of feeling. The rest of the band more than ably work together to deliver music that engages and eagerly dances easily around the senses with the guitars of Steve Wachelhofer tight and succinct whilst the bass and drums of Michael Wachelhofer and Mike Pawlowitsch respectively, instil a firm and inviting framework to each track. They both bring an obvious skilled ability but allow the guitars and Hillinger’s endearing harmonies to shine.

‘Stay’ opens the album with a pulsating riff and throbbing bassline as the keyboards skills of Michael Wachelhofer subtlety sweep throughout the song. It is a strong opener that immediately shows a band with the skill to write and make music that brightens any state of mind. It has to be said that none of the songs within Somewhere In America are going to forge new directions for music or leave jaws on the floor but they will make the simple act of pressing play a very worthwhile thing.

Note that it is down to personal taste which words and comments appear in any review and here the following tracks which are all immaculate and very easy to sink into do not quite ignite anything deeper, though as the album lays down its final note it is the beautiful song ‘Breathing For You’ with its sleek vocal swells and mesmeric tones that for some reason remind of The Pretenders, which is the track that plays long after in this head. The song is amongst those that satisfy without inspiring but the evidence that is lingers long after is a sweet argument against that comment.

It is the maybe the obvious but certainly punchier pop rock songs that do make their mark more readily and quickly, the instantaneous delights of ‘Being Unaware’ and ‘Oblivious’ hard to resist and both seem the distinct entry point for a great many into the treasures of Cornerstone and the album. Both songs have again a Pretenders touch this time mixed with the 80’s pop hooks of The Photos and maybe even a hint of early No Doubt. Bright and vibrant they soon have limbs and voices joining in as does the song to complete a trio of pop rock tunes that grab hold and gets the pulse racing ‘High And Low’.

If you are looking for brutal and punishing riffs or venom dripping intensity Somewhere In America is not going to do the job but if smooth sunny melodies and passionate songs are on your menu than the easy but satisfying sounds of Cornerstone will certainly bring something extra to your day.

www.cornerstone.co.at/

RingMaster 18/10/2011