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Showing posts with the label progressive metal

Review: Kong - Merchants Of Air (2012)

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Formed back in '88 & still going strong; KONG. With their experimental take on prog & spaced out rock/metal, this Amsterdam-based band has to be one of the most intense and challenging instrumental formations coming from the Netherlands. Their distinct sound is quite indescribable. But if you love a refreshing, intelligent & hard hitting musical journey, this one is for you. Think Monkey3 & Mother-Unit (ex 35007) & add a crazy unique industrial twist. Ever since picking up their previous album , Kong has always been one of my hidden favorites. Although this band made some wonderful albums in the past, I'm an absolute fan of their current, evolved sound. It's spacy, heavy, epic, refreshing, atmospheric & unique. This is the kind of instrumental music I adore. Overwhelming at first, but each listen comes with new discoveries. 2012's "Merchants Of Air" is a highly enjoyable trip in experimental & heavy instrumental music. Take this ...

Such Hawks Such Hounds (2008)

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A special treat for you all. By request and need to share unbiased knowledge to inspire all music fans & beginning artists out there. "Such Hawks Such Hounds"; Grab it, support the makers & spread the word... This movie has to be the best visual representation of the genres we all love & embrace. It documents the visions & philosophies of (American) bands like High On Fire, Dead Meadow, Nebula, Ufomammut, OM, Acid King & many more... Absolutely essential! "Such Hawks Such Hounds explores the music and musicians of the American hard rock underground circa 1970-2007, focusing on the psychedelic and '70s proto-metal-derived styles that have in recent years formed a rich body of unclassifiable sounds." IMDB Physical needs: suchhawkssuchhounds.com Download (DVD rip/ AVI/ 998 MB) -------------------------------------------- 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 or 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7

Kosmograd - Kosmograd (2011)

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Unique post-sludge with proggy & psychedelic elements. What I love about 'Kosmograd' is the raw yet thick production & the highly instrumental focus (think Omega Massif, Russian Circles, Jakob, Pelican,..). Quite a surprise when the vocals kick in on the second track. Not exactly my cup of tea after the fantastic opener, but it's executed with the right moderation in the layered & dynamic sound this band has to offer. Another highly recommended (free) Bandcamp release! "Toronto post-metal band creates the perfect winter music, moving at the pace of a snow drift, crushing heaviness & girth pull themselves forward. Slow distortion blistered guitar riffs, crackle and break through walls of cymbal hits, as they form their own wall of drone that washes over everything only easing up as we reach the calm in the storm., Quiet post-rock guitar artistry, builds on itself free of the chains & weight of distortion. Building back into the distortion laden caust...

Omega Massif - Karpatia (2011)

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Omega Massif has to be one of my favorite bands when it comes to instrumental /post-metal. These guys are masters in creating a unique, natural atmosphere through their instrumentals. Heavy as a mountain, while staying fresh & dramatic. This is a band that redefines the intelligent & instrumental sound of heaviness; It's massive, relentless & devastating. Breeding a vast, gloom-filled atmosphere. I think 'Karpatia' follows in the footsteps of it's predecessor and acts more as a direct sequel to Geisterstadt . This is the Omega Massif we know in it's purest & heaviest form. Another highly recommended release! omegamassif.de myspace.com/omegamassif Physical needs: Denovali Records MP3@320Kbps Download or Download 2

Tombs - Path Of Totality (2011)

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Recently got my hands on this one after reading some great reviews . And I was quite unfamiliar with this obscure band, until now.. I would highly recommend this release to anyone that is into extreme (& rather progressive) metal. Tombs is a one of a kind band, influenced by many things. On here, you'll find Sludge, Doom, Grindcore, Post-, Black & Death Metal mixed into one apocalyptic wall of sound. Path Of Totality has to be one of the most hard hitting, original & conceptual metal releases of 2011. Get this on Vinyl if you can! myspace.com/tombsbklyn Tombs on Relapse Records. Physical needs: her e/ older stuff here . MP3@320Kbps Download or Download 2 Scans Download

Kurouma - 3 (2011)

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'Kurouma' from Jyväskylä, Finland. Solid post-/sludge metal in the vein of Isis, Cult Of Luna, Neurosis, Mouth Of The Architect,... It's done before (and alot), but these guys pull it off quite nicely. '3' is an interesting, progressive & atmospheric album in a great production, like we would expect from a genre like this. I love the guitar work & layered structures on here. Not sure about some of the vocal parts, but these are just backing up the instrumentals really (which are damn great at some parts). So here we have a rather classic, traditional approach to a genre we all know & love. It has that same 'epic' feeling, tempo changes, atmospheric interludes & lots of heavy riffs with a touch of doom & sludge. Tracks like 'To Dust' & 'Through the Darkness' will certainly keep me coming back for more enlightening post-metal needs.. Thanks to Jussi/Kurouma for another great contribution! kuroumaband.bandcamp.com myspace...

Jack And The Bearded Fishermen - Places To Hide (2011)

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'Following their formation in 2005, these gentle, not-so-hairy fishermen have sailed the East coast of France under the undisputed authority of their captain Jack. Though the crew of this intruiging ship may have changed slightly at their last few ports of call, they are currently docked in Besançon, their helm still fixed firmly in the same direction. Taking into their itinery the nehanderthal blues, they will cross through troubled waters and musical fury. They will navigate between melody and impatience, skirting still pools of tension and waves of explosion...' Another great request from France. These guys play the heavy/ alternative stoner rock. An epic, fresh & influenced sound in the likes of Dozer, QOTSA,.. hard to describe actually, I noticed there are some interesting patterns in some of the tracks. Some post-metal (think Isis, Pelican) came to mind, take the mighty instrumental conclusion of the second track for example. All in all this is a great album in a sol...

Kylesa - Spiral Shadow (2010)

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Here's a quick personal rip from the limited Digipak edition, comes with a nice 50min 'making of' DVD & holographic artwork. Released through Season Of Mist . Another killer album from a constantly evolving band. Highly recommended! Listen & support; Reviews here & here . myspace.com/kylesa MP3@320Kbps Download or Download 2

Kong - What It Seems Is What You Get (2009)

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Found this little gem at my local music store, thought I'd share it here.. A little history: Kong is a progressive/ experimental group from Amsterdam, formed in 1988 by guitarist/synth programmer Dirk de Vries, guitarist Aldo Sprenger, bassist/synth programmer Mark Drillich, and drummer Rob Smits. They play a fully instrumental & distinctive mix of genres, from electronic-industrial to more heavy riff oriented rock. From wikipedia: 'The band is perhaps most notable for the quadrophonic approach to their shows: live performances are played in a quadraphonical live set-up, an idea that came from one of Kong’s very first gigs. On the opening-night of an art exhibition in a squatted Amsterdam bathhouse there was too little space for the band to play together, so each band member took his/her own independent stage and P.A.-stack by his/her side to one corner of the club. It proved an interesting set-up for the band and created a strange experience for the audience.'...