Steve Earles’ Book Reviews – April/May 2012 edition
Another edition of thought-provoking book reviews from our Irish based correspondent Steve Earles. Please enjoy!
Reviews
Untimely Demise/ Grand Master/ Mares of Thrace/ Agony Spawn @ Amigos, Saskatoon SK, May 4, 2012
Adrien Begrand reviews the May 4th Saskatoon performance by Untimely Demise, Grand Master, Mares of Thrace and Agony Spawn at Amigos.
Converge/ Burning Love/ Loma Prieta/ Vilipend @ the Mod Club, Toronto ON, April 6th 2012
“Converge are an overwhelming band to see live, vicious, visceral and breathtaking. The set quickly settled into a hard, driving rhythm, and the entire audience was carried along by it, compelled, possessed – taken. It can be difficult to talk about music and sexuality in a way that isn’t sensationalizing or reductive, but there is no question that the sheer aural force of Converge is an intense experience that borders on the erotic.”
Natalie Zed reviews the April 6th Toronto performance by Converge, Burning Love, Loma Prieta and Vilipend
Epica – Requiem for the Indifferent
Requiem for the Indifferent seems to focus more on the clean vocals of both Simone and Mark. Simone in particular seems to experiment and fully embrace more of her phenomenal vocal range on the new album. In respect to the instrumental aspects of the album, fans can anticipate to hear those familiar, brutal riffs and fantastic guitar solos.
High on Fire – De Vermis Mysteriis
Though I’m not nearly as devoted to them as I am to Matt Pike’s previous outfit, the recent output from High on Fire has been solid enough that a new record from them still lands on my “must-buy” list. (‘Specially when it comes out on my birthday, heh heh.)
Decibel Magazine Tour @ Rickshaw Theatre, Vancouver BC, April 21, 2012
“Decibel Magazine’s inaugural tour was a much-anticipated treat, bringing together as it did four well-respected bands from the darker side of the metal spectrum – something for the li’l devil in everyone, from the dark trad-metal stylings of In Solitude, the blood-and-‘70s-drenched occult rock of The Devil’s Blood, to the christkilling riproar of Watain and the triumphant return of the mighty Nergal and his unstoppable blackened-death machine Behemoth.”
Live review by Kyle Harcott; Concert photography by Ted Reckoning
AtomA – Skylight
Skylight is a science fiction concept album, a sonic escape from the end of the world. As any musical journey through space should be, AtomA’s debut is rich with spectral textures and dramatic development.
A tenebrous tetralogy: reviews of four recent black metal releases
As a neurotic and obsessive metal fan I struggle to cope with the number of magnificently malevolent black metal releases I’m missing out on. It’s a depressing thought—which I suppose is quite apt really. Such is the enigmatic nature of the underground scene, coupled with the fact that I am essentially a troglodyte, for every excellent black metal release I get to hear, five other worthy contenders pass me by. However, there are a few releases of late that I have been fortunate enough to hear and think deserve some praise-heavy wordage. Continuing my never-ending multi-album review series, this time I’m focusing on a few rough-edged gems (and one notably polished one) from black metal’s inhospitable climes.
Storm Corrosion – Storm Corrosion
So is Storm Corrosion the alpha and omega of progressive and ambient rock as many believe it to be? Call me a heretic, but I’m inclined to say no.
Three Inches of Blood – Long Live Heavy Metal album review and interview
Jason Wellwood reviews the brand new Three Inches of Blood album ‘Long Live Heavy Metal’ and also interviews their lead singer, Mr. Cam Pipes.