Kraton – Monolith

When an album’s opening lines are “My spirit is broken”, growled in the most gut-wrenching way imagineable, you know you’re in for a ride. Five years after Unto Arcadia, which I somehow completely forgot to review back then, Kratonare back with their first full-length album, titled Monolith, and are, metaphorically, wearing a different set of clothes. So let’s dive into this one, but be warned: it might get uncomfortable for you.

First off, the quintet has changed their sonic direction quite a bit, opting for a much more doom-orientated and atmospheric approach, and they also chose to go into a professional studio this time around, rather than following the DIY route as on previous releases. And, long story short: both decisions were the best ones they could have made. While there was nothing wrong with the way Kraton sounded before, this new genre sets them much further apart from the other bands in the local landscape, and therefore makes them stand out more. And the higher production value really makes this record hit that much harder.

I would say that the switch is most noticeable in the instrumental part of the music, since most songs are hovering in the mid-tempo range and blast-beats are practically no longer to be found. The songwriting of both the guitars and drums is centered more around building a soul-crushing atmosphere, that usually ends in a crescendo toward the end of the song.

Lyrically, these eight tracks pack some real gut punches, with the most depressing views on the human experience that I’ve read in a long time. Coupled with the most despair-filled screams and animalistic growls that Boerdi has delivered during his time in the music scene, making this by far my favorite performance of his…so far. To underline that, make sure to watch the video for Curse This Mortal Coil below, because it showcases the raw emotion perfectly, and it is a very good visual representation of it, as well.

There is absolutely no sign of happiness or hope in the entire thirty-nine minute runtime of Monolith, and the cheeriest thing about it are the three owls on the cover. However, it is also a very rewarding record, because it will make you feel things that you might not have felt in a long time, or even want to feel. This Saturday, at Rockhal, the band will host a release show for their new masterpiece, and in the meantime you can head over to their Facebook page to stay up to date with them.

UltraNothing – UltraNothing

Generally speaking, whenever life closes one door, it opens another one. While that is not always a good thing, because the new option might be worse than the initial one, such is not the case with today’s band. UltraNothing rose from the ashes of Office Of Weird and just like a phoenix, the result is brilliant and full of energy! So let’s dive into their self-titled debut EP which is set to be released this Saturday, October 26th.

The trio plays post-punk with hints of noise rock mixed in, along with a healthy dose of melancholy, resulting in a new genre, as the band calls it: melancho-punk! If you are skeptical while reading this, think again, because the mix works really well and there are enough intricate details during these thirteen minutes to make you come back to it again and again.

The drums create an absolute barrage of sound with the ceaseless fast-paced drumming and the several more groove-orientated parts, providing an excellent backdrop for the bass and the guitar to interlock completely. While the former trucks along quite steadily with its really thick sound, the latter surprises anew on each of the four tracks with its playfulness and melodic astuteness.

The vocals are very heavily reverbed and place themselves on the same sonic level as the guitar, by choice it seems, because they round off the aural spectrum perfectly. Lyrically, the EP deals with loss and self-doubt, as well as general anger toward the (current) state of the world in a, dare I say, poetic way.

All in all, I am happy to report that UltraNothing’s debut is a very solid first entry in a hopefully long and prosperous band catalogue! If you want to get an impression of their sound, check out the song below and head to their Facebook page for more information. They will have a release show at MK Bar in Esch-Belval this Saturday, so if you like what you hear, be sure to head over there!

Cat Piss Potion – Millenial Breakdown

A couple of weeks I mentioned that writing reviews about the same band can be repetitive, unless the band changes their style drastically. While I’ve never written about Cat Piss Potion, I have reviewed two other projects with the same singer: Godmorgon and Venlafvckscene. Despite those two projects being in different genres, they featured quite a few similarities, which cannot be said about this third one, however. So, get comfortable and let’s dive into Millenial Breakdown!

First off, the name alone made me interested in the band, before even hearing a single song. But when I did end up hearing the first single, I was immediately sold, because it was the polar opposite of what I had expected: clean vocals and way less aggressive guitars! The band refers to themselves as “riot grrrl grunge” and that pretty much hits the nail on the head.

The instrumentals are kept a bit more on the simple side, which makes some of the riffs stand out that much more because of their catchy nature, with the intro of Still Here being a very good example of this. The drums always serve the song and gel really well with the stringed instruments.

About half of the ten songs are more in the realm of Sprechgesang, while the other ones feature more melody-orientated singing, with Dandelion Girl being the standout track in that department, I would say. No matter which singing style: these twenty-eight minutes are filled with socially critical and tongue in cheek lyrics. While the themes are similar to the other two projects, I think that the absence of harsh vocals make them a bit more accessible to the average listener, which is a very positive aspect, since they are still as relevant.

All in all, Cat Piss Potion has a refreshing sound that managed to draw me back in with each listen and I would recommend giving the album a shot! Plus, the last song is a beautiful homage to an all-time classic, and might hit home for quite a few of us. The release is this Thursday and you can find more information on the band’s Facebook page! 

Asathor – Quenta Mir: Sangwa

It’s hard to believe that five years have gone by since the last, and first, Asathor record. A lot of things have changed, as has the band’s lineup, but that did not stop the quintet from releasing a new collection of songs, titled Quenta Mir: Sangwa a bit more than two weeks ago.

I reckon it’s safe to say that thematically and musically the band has returned to its roots, with the music being more in the realm of black metal and the concept of these five songs dealing with nerd shit again. I kid, I kid: it’s about Middle Earth, but more specically some of the earlier stories described in the Silmarillion, that happen long before the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books.

The bigger focus on the black metal aspect also leads to the songs being longer and more atmospheric, but therefore also more repetitive, which I don’t even mean in a negative way. It’s just a different experience than before. The riffs, however, are still filled with as much despair and hopelessness and they make diving into these twenty-four minutes very easy.

It has been a while since I listened to the predecessor but the drums feel a lot more technical and intricate this time around, with a lot of little fills left and right, and yet again they build a truly solid foundation for the stringed instruments to shine. Also turning out to be the secret star is the bass, with some of the bass lines standing out as more than just small accents.

The biggest change are the vocals though: at some point during these five years, Asathor split ways with their previous singer and recruited the singer from the remnants of a now defunct band. I made it clear last time that I absolutely adored the previous singer’s performance and I must admit that I was saddened when I heard about his departure, but the new vocals not only do him justice, but they bring a completely new aspect to the band’s sound: theatrics!

The agony-filled screams and moans during the closing track, Anfauglith, are enough to give me goosebumps. But of course the singer also masters regular screams and the typical black metal vocals, which create an overall very well rounded-off performance.

All in all, Quenta Mir: Sangwa, while quite different is a very worthy follow-up album and it’s almost good enough to make me pick up the Silmarillion again after abondoning it out of sheer boredom…but only almost. Either way, you should give the album a listen yourself and you can do so below. For more information about the band and to keep up to date, head over to their Facebook page.

Blanket Hill – The Ash That Shall Remain

You know, writing reviews can sometimes be difficult, especially when you write about a band you’ve already written about in the past. Because, unless they completely change their style, you run the risk of repeating yourself and the more I think about it, the less I think that it’s necessarily a bad thing. Since there are only so many words in the English language to describe a good thing, without using unnecessarily pompous words, I’d argue that it means that the band has found their comfort zone and sticks to it. A good example for this is today’s album: The Ash That Shall Remain by local hardcore heroes Blanket Hill.

The previous record had already improved on all the critique that I had towards the one before that and while the opening paragraph might make you think that the band stagnated, that is absolutely not the case. First off, the quintet has recruited a new full time drummer, who brings a slightly different approach to the table that I would call more hardcore-orientated than before; focussing less on complexity and speed, but therefore more on groove and good ole heaviness.

Secondly, the “new” (on the previous record) guitarist now also took up backup vocals that deliver a nice contrast to the main vocals by covering the spectrum of growls and higher pitched screams. A good example of this dynamic can be heard below in the, dare I say, instant classic Let The Hammer Swing.

Just as on The Courage Of Hopelesness, the guitar work is just this delicious riff soup that will satiate every type of lover of the six strings. There’s classic open note chugging to bang your head to; then you have your much more technical riffs that are bordering on feeling out of place at times, yet the band manages to tie them perfectly into the music; and last but not least there are some, for lack of a better word, melancholic riffs that would feel right at home in a black metal song.

The main vocals have remained mostly the same, with the go-to vocal style being the Sprechgesang, but also featuring a bit more melodic lines than previously. However, this time around the band has quite a few features in tow: the Luxembourgish rapper Marone, Mike Rodrigues of local heavy-hitters Deathlane, Matt Howson of UK-based Overpower and Masa of the Japanese View From The Soyuz. While they would not have been necessary to spruce up these thirty-nine minutes, they are a very nice addition. Oh, and the final track holds another surprise that I won’t spoil in this review.

It’s also worth noting that the band has yet again self-recorded these eleven songs and that the sound ticks all the boxes that I wish for in a heavy record: massive drums that don’t sound over-produced, biting guitars and vocals that are very present but not overwhelmingly in the foreground. More of this, please!

In closing, while Blanket Hill has not reinvented themselves on The Ash That Shall Remain, which was not necessary in the first place, the record is another very solid entry into their catalogue and whether you are into (classic) hardcore or not, I would absolutely recommend giving this one a listen because it covers a very broad spectrum. The album will be out this Friday, September 27th, accompanied by a release show at Rockhal and you can find more information on the band’s Facebook page.

Mindpatrol – Monster

It’s crazy, in a good way, to me that today’s band has been making music for over a decade now. I still remember getting early glimpses at their first record before it was even released and going to their first show and here we are, ten years later: their fifth release is on the horizon! While Mindpatrol has gone through a few line-up changes over the years, their musical approach has largely stayed the same, albeit become more refined since then. Their new EP Monster is going to be released this Friday, so let’s talk about it a bit!

Before we start: there are four tracks on it, but I will only be reviewing three of them, since the last one is a cover of System of a Down’s Aerials, which turned out quite nicely but it adds nothing to the record’s “soul”, in my opinion.

If you are not familiar with the band’s concept, let me briefely get you up to speed: all their records are concept albums that deal with a completely new story, and each one has an accompanying book, written by the singer, to go along with it. This allows the band to expand further on the story, that does not fit into the music and it’s worked quite well for them in the past. This time around, however, they chose to be inspired by someone else’s already existing work, in the form of the popular manga Monster by Naoki Urasawa.

Even though I am not, yet, familiar with the manga, the songs work really well for me on a lyrical level and the chosen topics round each other off quite nicely in the span of the nineteen minutes.

On a musical side, the band has pretty much stayed true to their roots of progressive metal but here they also enlisted a bit of extra help by Louis Viallet for orchestral arrangements, which really elevates the two songs he features on. Especially Magnificent Steiner might be my favorite Mindpatrol song so far, because every single aspects just works perfectly for me: the track is heavy where it needs to be, the chorus is super catchy and the orchestration gives it that extra majestic feel.

Vocally, the same can be repeated that I’ve said in every single one of my reviews of the band: evolution! The way every technique keeps improving between releases is alway a joy to me. Most of all, the clean vocals are peaking on these three tracks, especially on the above mentioned track’s chorus. But the band broke another tradition: there are guest vocals! The Hirsch Effekt’s singer makes a guest appearance on the final track, Nameless, and they make the track even more haunting than it already is. A great addition!

All in all, this EP definitely highlights all of the strengths of the band and if this is the direction Mindpatrol wants to go in the future, I am beyond excited! Do yourself a favor and check out the brilliant song below and head to the band’s Facebook page to stay updated about their plans.

Parity – Parity

Only last week I talked about how the Luxembourgish music scene seems to move a bit slower than others…and this week kind of proves my point: it’s been four, long long, years since Parity’s last release, but the wait is finally over and they’re back with a self-titled EP. Naturally I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity of listening to it early and I’ll share my thoughts with you.

First off, I’ll get the negative out of the way immediately: my only gripe is that it’s, yet again, too short! At just over twenty-one minutes, it is an entire two minutes longer than its predecessor…but that’s hardly enough to satisfy the hunger. Obviously, I’m (semi) joking: art can and should not be forced!

On the bright side: the good far outweighs the bad. These five songs, one of which is a very atmospherically dark instrumental track, sound a lot more mature than what we got on Ocean and the production is also a tad more enjoyable.

As I predicted in my previous review, the vocals have improved even further, with each vocal technique being perfected in every aspect. Case in point: there is generally a lot less reverb on them and they’re performed with a lot more confidence, which makes it a pure joy from start to finish. The demonic screams, as I referred to them, are of course still there but they feel a lot more sustainable and less erratic. The fact that the song Reboot enlists the help of Scarred & Kitshicker’s Yann Dalscheid on vocals, is another added bonus that heightens this EP to the next level; especially since his vocals gel very well with the singer’s.

The instrumental side has also improved quite a bit, with a lot more playfulness and technicality on all ends. The heavier guitar riffs reveal a more refined side, with small little details sprinkled in at every opportunity. Especially the track Infact has a part toward the end that I can’t get over and it brings me joy every single time I hear it, because it’s just an immediate headbang motivator.

All in all, the quintet did everything right their second release and I know at least one person who’s looking forward to what’s next: this guy. So give the EP a spin when it drops this Friday, March 1st, and if you have no weekend plans, head to Schungfabrik for the release show of Parity! For more information, you can head to their Facebook page and be sure to listen to the duet below.

Inhuman Rampage – Savage

I’ve mentioned it frequently on here that Luxembourgish bands very often operate on a much different schedule than any other country, because almost a full decade after their debut EP, Pathfinder, Inhuman Rampage have decided to grace us with their second release. This time around it is a full-fledged album, accurately titled Savage. I’ve had the opportunity to get quite a few listens in already ahead of time, so let’s dive in!

First off, you’ll notice that the quintet has changed its sound a bit and has decided to mostly move away from deathcore, into a more technical death metal direction. This decision can be felt in the songwriting which feels a lot more diversified than on its predecessor. While there is still the occasional chugging, the riffs err on the technical side most of the time. As an example: to me, every song after the title track has at least one riff that stood out to me.

The drums can only be described as a constant assault on the ears, and I mean that as a compliment. I very rarely had the feeling that they dropped under 200 BPM and when one blast beat ended, the next one took its place. This is not to say that it’s an endless barrage of fast playing, because there is a fair share of groove as well.  

The vocals also see a fairly major addition in the form of clean singing, which on my very first listen took me out because I was simply not expecting it at all. But on every subsequent time I pressed play, I appreciated them more and more. They add a completely new layer to these fifty-one minutes that makes the songs they’re used on, stand out. But I can’t forget to mention the overall improvement to the vocals, especially the growls, that took place over these past ten years! Definitely another great metal vocalist that can be added to the list of Luxembourgish singers.

My only criticism with these ten tracks, is that at times they felt unnecessarily long: almost every song exceeds the five minute mark and I’m willing to bet that a minute shaved off of the majority of them would have made the album a tad more dynamic. However, this does not deter from my overall enjoyment because the guys deliver exactly what they promise: pure savagery!

All in all, Inhuman Rampage managed to exceed all my expectations and then some! Savage is an album that has something in petto for all types of fans of (modern) metal and I highly recommend give it a listen. For more information, be sure to head to the band’s Facebook page and keep your eyes peeled for the official release on February 23rd, which is also accompanied by a release show over at L’Entrepôt in Arlon!

Top 10 2023 by Yannick

It’s that time of the year again where I reflect upon my favorite albums of the year! This one has been quite phenomenal, especially in terms of live performances that I got to witness! I finally completed the scene kid trifecta by seeing Panic! At The Disco and Fall Out Boy after seeing My Chemical Romance last year. I also got to see Pantera perform some of their biggest hits, and I finally saw Silent Planet, twice in a row in fact, after missing them three times in the past. But live music is only one component…without a daily dose of music it would have been hard(er) to get through the year. So here’s the ten albums that I either listened to the most or stood out to me the most!

#10 Fall Out Boy – So Much (For) Stardust

While FOB were never gone, I have to admit that I never gave their more recent albums a proper listen but their most recent one changed that for me and while the entirety is good, the title track alone is worth the price of admission and a reason why it deserves a spot in this list! What a chorus!

#9 Emarosa – Sting

I was pumped last year when it became clear that Emarosa were going to release a new record, and when they then announced that they were going to tour in Germany, my joy turned into ecstasy! A brilliant pop record and a charismatic live performance cements this one as an immediate classic for me.

#8 Beartooth – The Surface

I finally got to see Beartooth live for the first, and certainly not last, time this year and their new record just scratches that itch that I feel only they can reach! Aggressively catchy songs coupled with a truly energetic performance on stage make this band a member in my “bangers only” club!

#7 Periphery – Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre

Periphery were always just a name for me and I never really paid close attention to them, but this year I decided to change that and gave their new record a shot and it blew me away! The vocal performance, the songwriting, the riff fest…it’s all just too good! The closing track is an absolute masterpiece that has all the elements I need to be happy! Can’t wait to see them live in about a month!

 #6 Hail The Sun – Divine Inner Tension

Hail The Sun have, and always will be, a band I enjoy very much, and when Divine Inner Tension shaped up to be the closest to my favorite record of them, Wake, they’ve been in ten years, I was sold!

#5 Silent Planet – Superbloom

As I mentioned in the intro, I finally got to see Silent Planet this year, in their original line-up, before they amicably parted ways with their bassist who also took care of clean vocals. At first I was a bit worried because the dynamic between both singers was always something that fascinated me, but I should have known that the band knew what they were doing. Superbloom is a very different record but it handles the transition perfectly!

#4 Sleep Token – Take Me Back To Eden

Honestly, at this point it feels redundant to even write about Sleep Token because rarely has one band made such huge leaps in terms of popularity in a span of only twelve months. I was also a latecomer to them and only discovered all three of their records this year…and I think that this year’s Take Me Back To Eden might be my favorite, simply for its sheer diversity.

#3 Off Road Minivan – May This Keep You Safe From Harm

This one almost completely missed my list because it was nowhere near my radar. But as fate would have it, I bumped into just two weeks ago and it’s been on repeat ever since. Off Road Minivan hits the exact spot between catchy and meaningful, dare I say deep? It’s very accessible alternative rock yet it isn’t bland in any way. This is the one record I would recommend you check out the most, even though it’s only my number three.

#2 Dwellings – Little Garden   

My top two picks really won’t come as a surprise, yet again, to those who know me. Dwellings already held the number one spot five years ago, because their fresh take on post-hardcore was so addictive to me that I couldn’t stop listening to it. Their sophomore is on the same level, with a slightly more refined sound. So clearly a keeper!

EP-Special

Spiritbox – The Fear Of Fear

Bugsy – Now I Spend All Of My Time Alone

Jamie’s Elsewhere – Paradise

Fusion Bomb – Fusion Bomb

Quick intermission for the EP special!

This year Spiritbox delivered a full-sized EP and they perfectly evolved both aspects of their sound, making The Fear Of Fear a 10/10 EP.

A very different type of music comes from Bugsy, whose second EP has that perfect blend of indie rock and a touch of grunge.

Probably the most unexpected comeback in metalcore, Jamie’s Elsewhere delivered a five track EP almost out of nowhere…and it caught every aspect of what made them great back in the day. More of this please.

Last but not least, despite not writing a proper review for it (sorry, guys!), the new EP by the local skinny jeans thrashers, Fusion Bomb, is a beautiful showcase of what the band may or may not sound like in the future! Either way, these four tracks are definitely worth checking out!

#1 Wolf & Bear – Bloodletter

I was a big of the band’s debut record six years ago, but this one easily blows it out of the water. Wolf & Bear just have that extra groove that makes every song a bop. The R&B elements in their music gel so well with the heavier parts that I can’t imagine how they could further improve their sound…but I’ll be here for it either way.

2023 was a really good year in terms of music and concerts for me, and I hope you all had at least a similar experience! Personally, I am already looking forward to a couple of very promising international and local live acts next year and it looks like both Dance Gavin Dance and Eidola will release new records…so I’m already a happy camper. I hope you can enjoy the coming days in whichever fashion you like and read you next year!

Venlafvckscene – Poetry

While I love writing reviews, there are instances where I’m not sure if there is a point to it. Not because the music is bad or anything, just because some releases are so short that the time invested in writing down my thoughts, is longer than just telling you to listen to it yourself. Which is why I set myself a time limit of twelve minutes today, which is exactly how long Venlafvckscene’s new EP Poetry is.

The German trio delivers eleven songs that each hover around the one-minute-mark, so of course there can only be one genre that we’re talking about today: bingo! Grindcore!

The instrumentals are fairly “standard”, and that is in no way meant in a bad sense: it’s just a lot of fast-paced bass riffs that perfectly gel together with a barrage of blast-beats. You read that right: there is no guitar here, only fuzzy (and distorted to hell) bass!

The vocals are purely demonic and I would bet that the band has had exorcists called to their practice space on frequent occasions. All joking aside: the lyrics are barked relentlessly and deal with all kinds of societal issues and injustices, especially toward women. Which is quite refreshing, because in my (admittedly limited) experience with grindcore, that is not the norm. The background vocals also add a nice extra layer of aggression.

All in all, Poetry is a perfect snack for lovers of grindcore and, dare I say, a fairly easy gateway drug for people who are not yet familiar with the genre but into heavier music already. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on the band’s Facebook page for more information! In the meantime, you can listen to their previous release on their Bandcamp page below, to which the new one will also be added on December 20th!