Marcy – Backwoods

Today I have the great pleasure of writing about a genre that is severely underrepresented in our local music scene, at least to the best of my knowledge: alt-pop! Marcy has been around for about three years but in that short amount of time she has managed to hit quite a few milestones, with the next big one being the release of her debut EP, Backwoods, which is scheduled for October 30th.

Right off the bat, the one aspect that fascinates me the most about the eight tracks as a whole, is their diversity on one hand, but most of all their, for lack of a better word, ripeness, on the other. Every song is thought through from start to finish, and every single layer adds more depth. On top of that, there is not a single song that feels out of place or like a filler song that was written as an afterthought to fill the EP.

And yet these twenty-two minutes manage to never repeat themselves either, with every song having a clear and distinct personality and sound. The aforementioned layers play a major role in that, because loads of hidden tiny details in the instrumentation round off the package very nicely and even after my tenth playthrough I felt like I discovered new ones.

The same goes for the vocals that just hit the exact right spot on their own, but are enhanced with occasional minor vocal effects and harmonies to make certain melodies pop even more. There is also a vocal feature by Trouble In Paradize on the song Valentine, that did nothing for me on my first listen…but I must say that it grew on me over time and I must say that it pushes the song to the next level.

Lyrically, I would say that while the wheel is not being reinvented, it is very nicely polished: they present a maturity and eloquence that make them ever so important and relevant. The standout being the song Ida that has German lyrics and might feature my favorite chorus on here, along with being an extremely catchy song in the first place.

All in all, Backwoods is a brilliant (first) entry into a very promising new artist, and I for one am looking forward to what the future holds for Marcy. As mentioned in the beginning, the EP will be released tomorrow along with a concert at Rockhal. For more information, head to her Instagram page and be sure to watch the video for Black Paint below.

Abstract Rapture – Ascension To Downfall

Believe it or not, but this time around it only took six years instead of eight for Abstract Rapture to release a new album! But rest assured, just as last time, it was worth the wait! Ascension To Downfall is going to be released this Saturday, October 18th, and I had the opportunity to spend a bit of time with it beforehand.

The quintet’s line-up remains unchanged from the predecessor and it can be noticeably felt, because everything just sounds that extra five percent tighter, which results in ten perfectly fine-tuned songs that might be my favorite material since the first full-length, Democadencia.

The biggest feat, to me, is the fact that the entire album is chock-full with different ideas and parts, but the guys manage to make them all flow into each other flawlessly. Even the two songs that exceed the six minute mark never made me lose my attention. The guitar magicians, there really is no other word for them, definitely worked overtime during the songwriting.

I believe this is my sixth or seventh time of writing about him, so I am obviously repeating myself, but the man with the sticks delivers another relentless performance during these fifty minutes.

The vocal performance is interesting to me, because it is as per usual on a high level, but it also goes in a few directions that I hadn’t expected, on one track in particular. Toward the middle of the album, there is a chorus that has, at least to my knowledge, the first harmonies on an AR song since their inception…and they work so well. Another aspect that surprised me is the fact that not every song has a classic chorus, but by clever use of vocal melodies each one has a part that imprints itself on your eardrums.

All in all, Abstract bring us one of their strongest albums since their first release twenty (!?) years ago, not counting the demo, with Ascension To Downfall and I for one am looking forward to 2031 for their next album. The band is going to play a release show in Arlon at l’Entrepôt, so be sure to head to their Facebook page to find more information about that.

Argon – Vigor Sorority Decay

I like to think that I am fairly in touch with what is going on in the non-mainstream music scene here in Luxembourg, but when I first read about Argon around five months ago, I was completely unaware of their existence. But it turns out that they have been around for nearly a decade without ever getting on my radar…shame on me. Better late than never, I say, and that is why I have the immense pleasure of talking about their first full-length Vigor Sorority Decay today!

Not knowing anything about the trio, the first thing that caught my attention was that they were labelled post-hardcore, since it is one of my, if not the, favorite genres out there and there are barely local bands (left) that make that music. The second thing that stood out to me was the fact that all the songtitles are in Luxembourgish, which made me raise an eyebrow because I then wondered if they would also sing in the same language; which they do, but more on that a bit later.

Instrumentally, I would say that Argon are walking the fine line between aggression and melody, with elements of shoegaze being present as well. Just be warned: if you are looking for a ballad among these ten songs, you’re definitely in the wrong spot, but that doesn’t mean that it’s non-stop balls to the walls noise. Their music is fairly complex with a lot of fast-changing parts, especially the guitar work is very playful and has a lot of memorable riffs, spiced up with at times quite intricate licks.

This does not mean that the drums are any less well written, however. On the contrary: they have an almost hypnotic quality to them, where they manage to pull you in with, what feels to me like, always just the right amount of complexity and intensity without trying to steal the show. The bass also provides a very fitting backdrop for the more, for lack of a better word, noodly guitar parts and locks in well with the drums.

Now, coming back to what I mentioned a bit earlier: I haven’t timed it, but I would say that about twenty-five percent of the record’s thirty-five minutes is with vocals and the rest remains purely instrumental. And for the most part, the lyrics are indeed in Luxembourgish, but except for the gang shouts it is quite hard to make them out, and that is not a criticism; it just comes with the genre. Much like the entire production of the record, the vocals are not perfect, but therefore much more importantly: they are honest and real. Don’t get me wrong: nothing on here sounds bad, but it’s not sparkling clean and over-produced.

Vigor Sorority Decay really took me by surprise with every aspect it has to offer, and it is a truly great addition to the genre that every post-hardcore afficionado should check out. It will be available on Bandcamp on October 18th, along with a release party being held the same day at Rocas. So be sure to check it out and head to their Facebook page for more information.

Gofai – Safety, Always Off

Noise rock is among one of the genres that I have gotten into more recently, as in more or less five years ago, and it is definitely a gift that keeps on giving. Today’s band is a perfect exemple of what I like about the genre, and even of what I dislike about it. But enough yapping, it is time to talk about Gofai’s new record Safety, Always Off…so let’s dive in!

The moment you hit play, you notice that the quartet means business, because the opener immediately blasts you in the face with a barrage of sound. This very unapologetic approach pretty much remains the same all throughout these ten songs, which is exactly what I like about this record.

Another big reason for liking it, is the fact the bass plays a very big role in their sound and it has the necessary oomph to do so, too. I promise you tha the chunky riffs will immediately give you stank face when listening to them, that is a guarantee that I stand by.

The other major part in the band’s approach to music is the use of guitar effects to create a sort of permanent unease in the listener; at times I imagined that this is what it must feel like to have a manic episode, because the sheer sensory overload that some of the guitar riffs and effects manage to induce is fascinating.

But as well all know, every stringed instrument is only as good as the drums that give them their backdrop, and it goes without saying that the proverbial carpet matches the proverbial drapes. All throughout these thirty minutes, the man on the throne gives it his all and is the ideal partner in crime to the two men on the strings.

With those ingredients, Gofai would already be a band worth listening to, but they also have a vocalist that matches the intensity (in ten cities) of the instrumentals. His singing style reminds me quite a bit of the frontman of IDLES, and I would bet that he is among one of the inspirations, but I feel more, dare I say, despair here. The afore-mentioned dislike purely stems from the fact that, just as with many other noise projects, the vocals are slightly more buried in the mix than I would like them to be…which I know is part of the deal with the genre.

All in all, Safety, Always Off is a record that goes by in the blink of an eye and before you know it, you’ve pressed play again. It is highly enjoyable for fans of the genre, and I’m confident in saying that basically anyone that likes it a bit rough, musically, will get enjoyment out of it. The official release of the album is this Saturday, October 11th, at Rotondes and you can find more information on the band’s Instagram page. And make sure to listen to the song below if you want to get an idea of what awaits you!

Parity – Zero Sum Game

Here’s a sentence I rarely get to write out these days: it’s been a little over a year since the last release of today’s band and yet, they have a new one coming out in just three short days! I’ve had the pleasure of diving into Parity’s first full length album Zero Sum Game a bit ahead of time and I’m happy to share my thoughts on it with you below so buckle up and let’s dive in!

First off, I am very happy to report that my main gripe, the short duration, with the previous two releases is no more: we’re close to the forty-one minute mark of carefully crafted modern metal! While the previous EPs were not anticlimactic per se, Zero Sum Game just feels like the perfect ratio of build-up to a crescendo, before leading to a beautiful ending.

On an instrumental level, these ten songs feel even tighter and written with more, for lack of a better word, focus on being coherent while at the same time being much more technical. A good example is the instrumental track Multiverse Paradigm which could be straight off a Night Verses record, because it just takes you on a journey into another dimension while being straight-forward enough to grip you on your first listen.

This instrumental improvement is also complemented by, what I believe is, a different approach to the writing of the vocal melodies and lyrics. Because the cohesiveness of those elements results in a lot more memorable hooks and choruses that grab your attention much quicker than before. Despite saying something very similar on my previous review, the entirety feels so much more mature and fleshed-out, truly reaching a substantially higher level.

I can’t end this review without talking about the vocals, of course. While I’ve been very much on-board from the get-go in 2020, the vocal performance on this new release is definitely something else, in the best sense of the expression. The clean vocals feel a lot fuller and more confident than previously and the screams have not lost a single millimeter of their edge. Another, as far as I can recall, new element in the vocals is the very occasional use of vocal effects to produce a slightly robotic sound, which always fit the songs quite well.

All in all, I am very happy to say that the wait for a real full length album was well worth it! Zero Sum Game is a powerful entry into the Luxembourgish metal scene and I truly hope that Parity will be able to ride the wave of success that this album will, undoubtedly, bring with it. If I managed to make you curious, be sure to check out the video below and head to the band’s Facebook page. And last but not least, move your sweet cheeks to Rockhal this Saturday for their release show!

Tardis – For A While They Lived Together In A Treehouse

Truth be told, I rarely revisit albums that I’ve reviewed, simply because I’ve usually listened to that record about thirty times in relatively quick succession and I need to move onto the next one. This also means that after a while I forget the details of an album or what I particularly liked about it, which I think is totally fine. However, this has the very nice side-effect of getting a warm and fuzzy feeling whenever I get a new release by a band that I’ve reviewed in the past: a sense of familiarity and of coming home. All this to say that Tardis’ new album, For A While They Lived Together In A Treehouse, gave me exactly that experience, so let’s dive in!

The Francoluxobelgian quartet has taken seven long years since their debut album, Machines Are Talking Behind Your Back, to be back with some new music and while that is definitely quite the wait, it was also more than worth it! (Edit: I am an idiot and completely missed their 2021 release Never Grow up, so it’s “only” been four years, sorry about that!) The fourteen songs are chock-full of character and will make anyone familiar with their music feel right at home. For me, their blend of indie rock somehow manages to push all the right buttons and gives me nostalgic feelings.

For anyone not familiar with their sound, this record is the perfect introduction, because it covers a wide range of their different sounds, from the more straight-forward songs, like the opener, How To Blow Up A Timeline, to their shoegaze-ish ones like Badlands, to finally rockier ballads like Band-Aids And Broken Legs. All three examples sound distinctively different yet are easily recognizeable as Tardis.

Similar to their debut album, this one also deals with socio-political issues and the joys (and perils) of growing older in today’s world, all the while maintaining a certain tongue-in-cheek approach. The one new aspect on FAWTLTIAT is that the bassist’s backing vocals are much more prominent this time around and her voice really adds a very enjoyable additional layer to these fifty-five minutes.

All in all, For A While They Lived Together In A Treehouse manages to surpass its predecessor in every aspect and is a really enjoyable ride through indie-land and I am already looking forward to getting the aforementioned fuzzy feeling again in the (hopefully nearer) future. For more information, you can head to the band’s Facebook page and be sure to check out their newest music video below.

Sublind – Metalmorphosis

This past decade has seen a massive surge in remakes, remasters, reboots and reimaginings in pretty much every artistic category, be it video games, movies, TV shows or music. While I, personally, don’t mind them at all, I know that a lot of people are annoyed by the lack of innovation across the different industries…which is why some might raise an eyebrow when they learn that the new Sublind EP, called Metalmorphosis, is a re-recording of more than half of the songs off their 2014 debut album Thrashing Delirium. However, I promise you that even the naysayers will change their mind immediately, once they hear the first note of these new old songs. So let’s dive in!

First off, the line-up has drastically changed in the decade since the release of the original songs, with only the vocals being the same on both the old and the new release. This can be immediately felt because the entire approach to playing is wildly different and the, very big airquotes new guys bring a ton of fresh energy to the table.

The difference can also be heard in the production which went from complete DIY in a rehearsal space to a professional studio, adding a ton of tightness and production value to these six songs. Add to that the fact that some songs, most notably the opener Thrash It, are played at a distinctively higher tempo and you’ve got an almost unrecognizable selection of songs.

Another massive improvement, especially in direct comparison, can be found in the vocals. Because after more than a decade of taking these songs for a spin on stages around the world Europe, not only has the singer’s vocal prowess improved but also his, dare I say, showmanship. The theatrics in his vocal performance make me smile every time, with, again Thrash It, being a prime example.

All in all, these twenty-four minutes are the embodiment of a fresh coat of paint that you never knew you needed. While I’m sure there will at least be one elitist asshole calling the quintet lazy for not writing new material, the rest of us can enjoy these classics in a brilliant new way and we’ll bang our heads in unison. Metalmorphosis is an amazing start into 2025 and Sublind are here to stay! Check out their stupidly fun video for the title track below and visit their Facebook page for more information about their release show that is happening this Saturday, February 15th at the Schungfabrik in Tétange.

Top 10 2024 by Yannick

What a year it’s been! So many wonderful new releases of old bands, new bands, local bands, big bands, from across all genres…truly a plethora of great music across the board. Which naturally means that choosing a top ten this year was more difficult than ever before. However, it was made a little easier because I actually got to witness many of the bands in this list live this year, or I am about to see them in the course of the next year! So let’s dive right in and start with a band that I did not have on my radar!

#10 Four Year Strong – analysis paralysis

Four Year Strong is by no means a new band but they just completely went past me over the course of their existence. However, a friend recommended their latest release and I immediately fell in love with this banger of a record! If the cover art and name are not enough to lure you in, just put on the second song, bad habit and enjoy the ride!

#9 Kraton – Monolith

I’ve always really enjoyed Kraton’s music, but their newest release was not only such a massive step up, but also into a completely direction that just really grabbed me and didn’t let me go for quite a while. Coupled with the, hands down, best concert they ever played for the release of Monolith, this one just had to have a spot in my top ten!

#8 Bilmuri – AMERICAN MOTOR SPORTS

With this being the thirteenth (!) release in just six (!!) years by Bilmuri, you might think that the guy can’t come up with any more ideas, but this might just be the best record he’s put out. Chock full of massive anthems and catchy songs, this one is a must listen if you just want to smile! I also got to witness the band open for Sleep Token in a fairly large venue and they absolutely killed it!

#7 Better Lovers – Highly Irresponsible

I was very saddened when Every Time I Die called it quits 3 years ago, but most bad things have a silver lining: Better Lovers is one of two (technically three) bands that were born out of the ashes and together with Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato unleashed pure mayhem on Highly Irresponsible, as well as in the tiny two hundred people cap venue that I got to witness them at this year.

 #6 Linkin Park – From Zero

A sentence that I certainly didn’t have on my bingo card this year or anytime in the near future: Linkin Park are back with a record that has no skips. From Zero is a fantastic (re)tour de force and I am super excited for what Emily is going to bring to the table, and I am very much looking forward to finally seeing them live next year!

#5 Many Eyes – The Light Age

The second band that stems from the breakup of ETID, and is fronted by Keith Buckley is Many Eyes and for some reason I managed to completely miss the release of their debut album, however that same friend from #10 told me about it and I have been jamming it on repeat ever since.

#4 Knocked Loose – You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To

I would argue that no other band that sounds as extreme as Knocked Loose has managed to catapult itself as far as them. Their third full-length is a never-ending barrage of punches into your face and it never felt so good! Add to that the, dare I say, viral performance on American national TV and the fact that I’ll see them live next year and you’ve got a reason for my excitement.

#3 Slomosa – Tundra Rock

Slomosa’s follow-up to their brilliant debut record does in no way have to hide behind its precedessor and it was a big part of my rotation this year, along with seeing them twice, however it didn’t quite reach the same peak, for me, so it only lands on third place.

#2 Bring Me The Horizon – POST HUMAN: NeX GEn

Bring Me The Horizon continue to be at the forefront of innovating a genre that tends to go stale every few years, and the second release in their planned trilogy is filled with instant classics. I mean, it’s almost impossible to listen to the opening riff of YOUtopia without banging your head!

EP-Special

Blame The Others – Guilt To Last

Pest Control – Year Of The Pest

Greyhaven – Stereo Grief

Synestia – The Poetic Edda

Quick intermission for the EP special!

Local nostalgia metalcore matadors Blame The Others released an EP that just tickles me in all the right spots, and deserves to be checked out by all fans of the early 2000s!

Fast-paced thrash metal from the UK that is just a pure blast to listen to from start to finish! If Pest Control are not on your list of bands to watch out for, put them on there asap!

Greyhaven has that chaotic yet cathartic sound that I look for in music and their newest EP Stereo Grief continues in that exact vein.

Technically, half of The Poetic Edda was already released last year but this year finally saw the unveiling of the msising two songs and they complete a beautiful deathcore masterpiece! Get on it!

#1 Eidola – Eviscerate

Ever since discovering Eidola eight years ago, they have been a big part of my musical journey and they’ve constantly evolved their sound and this year they announced the release of a double album, with Eviscerate being the first, heavier, one and even before finishing my first listening session, I knew that it would be my album of the year. So if you are into progressive post-hardcore, give this one a go!

2024 is going to be an absolutely crazy year with already sixteen planned concerts and so many probable album releases on the horizon! I am wishing you all as much fun as the end of the year allows and I hope you’ll have a great 2025! Read you soon.

Coldspine – Nullpunkt

I’d argue that some genres just feel more appropriate during specific seasons, and one of those is doom metal. It just fits these gloomy and cold days perfectly, and the weather just makes you appreciate the music even more. Which is why Coldspine‘s new album Nullpunkt is the ideal travel companion for December. Let me tell you why!

While the quartet can definitely be considered doom, I would actually call sludge metal the more fitting genre, since they put an emphasis on, and I mean this as a most positive aspect, dragging riffs and repetition to achieve a deeply unsettling atmosphere.

The nine songs are more or less equally split in two, one half being rather on the slower end of the tempo spectrum, while the other one is more fast-paced and groove-orientated. In both halves, the bass guitar adds a lot of the weight and the guitar accentuates the composition, creating a well-rounded riff fest.

The drums mostly stay in the mid-tempo lane and to me serve more as a backdrop to the guitars, steering away from any blast beats or similar techniques. Instead cutting away all the fluff and focusing on the most important part: the groove!

The vocals have minor effects on them and they are purposefully not too prominent in the mix, but rather serve as an additional instrument. Albeit, one that keeps punching you in the face repeatedly, with its relentless screams. While I feel like a bit wider variation in the cadence throughout the forty-six minutes would have enhanced the experience slightly, I still think that they achieve their goal of, and I know how this sounds, being heavy.

All in all, Coldspine’s first full length manages to captivate a very specific vibe that is underrepresented in the, extended, local scene and it is definitely worth a listen for fans of the genre or people who just want to feel a certain way during the winter months. Nullpunkt is going to be available this Friday the 13th and the band will play a show in Saarbrücken the day after. In order to keep up with what’s going on with them, head over to their Facebook and make sure to check out the song below.

Blame The Others – Guilt To Last

Today’s review is technically about a new band but most of its members have been, or still are, in bands before and it can be felt in every note. Blame The Others came onto the scene at the beginning of 2023 and, after releasing a few stand-alone singles, have decided to drop an EP, titled Guilt To Last, for their next cycle.

If you are familiar with that specific genre, you know that you can expect aggressive riffs to go hand in hand with highly melodic ones, before turning into an absolute feast for those that love to bang their heads.

In the rhythm department, I liked that the drummer likes to put in the occasional blast beat and nifty drum fill, but most of the time giving the guitars and vocals room to breathe, by serving the song. And, on another positive note: even with my bass-deaf ears, I managed to distinguish the bass lines most of the time!

At a playtime of fifteen minutes, the band manages to cram in a lot of different ideas, yet also make them feel absolutely fit each other perfectly. All this to say that the songwriting is very catchy and even on your first listen you are immediately involved.

To round off the metalcore package, all a band needs is a singer that can deliver screams as well as cleans, and BTO‘s frontman has his work cut out for him. Because his performance blends belting screams and really melodic parts seemlessly. I’d even argue that for these four tracks he has chosen a more melody-orientated approach than on his other projects.

Blame The Others recorded an EP that beautifully captures the charm of the old sound but also adding a touch of new ideas in there. Guilt To Last, kudos to whoever came up with that play on words by the way, is a must for fans of the genre and also a very solid introduction for people unfamiliar with it. For more information, head to the band’s Facebook page and be sure to check out the EP when it is released, this Friday.