Monthly Archives maj 2012

Posted in Cd Reviews

Massacre/Sound Pollution

Israelian progressive death force PREY FOR NOTHING releases their second album. Drummer Iftah Levi, bass player Amir Salomon and guitarist Yaniv Aboudy had been in one of PAUL DI`ANNO´s may backing bands around the world. After a tour they decided on disbanding their old unit, DAMNATION, and become more faithful to their mutual musical taste. Completed by vocalist Yotam “Defiler” Avni the quartet debuted with “Violence Divine” in 2008. To follow suit with DEATH and TESTAMENT the band was joined by second guitarist Tal Behar and toured Israel. Massive hitters with metallic brilliance are promised, and they can appeal to fans of both OPETH and BEHEMOTH according to the info.

The vocals are not over the top, and their mix of prog and melodic death metal light...

Posted in Cd Reviews

DKS Music/BAM Finland

Finnish band ANCARA has lots of eighties touch, not least the pedigree of the musicians. The band debuted in 2008 with “The Dawn”, followed by an EP, “The World”, which reached the top ten singles chart in Finland. Second attempt, “Beyond the Dark” was yet again a native hit in 2007, and now we get a third album, somewhat belated album.

The un-eighties sound of “We Paint December” fills my head. The chorus is big enough but there is no clear decade bound sound, as promised. The slight hit feeling of “Far from Grace” is not bad either, but… There is an overuse of pop/rock in some tracks and the feeling of fillers sometimes appears, as in the closing track “Farewell” and the somewhat off “Nicole”...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Eugene Twist is a singer/songwriter/musician from Glasgow. On this his debut album, he not only wrote the songs, but sings them as well as playing guitar, drums and various other instruments. It’s not totally a one-man show though – he does have a group of musicians playing other instruments – bass, keyboards, violin, clarinet, saxophone, cello and extra guitars.

The music is a kind of easy-going relaxed pop music, which is really pleasant and enjoyable to listen to. Whereas many singer/songwriter/musicians seem to go for more of a busking style with the sound really being dominated by a guitar and the vocals, Eugene Twist has produced an album with a richer more varied sound – having those extra musicians involved has really paid dividends.

Brief comments on a couple of songs…

The albu...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Dead Belgian are a band from Liverpool who play the songs of Jacques Brel. For most people in the UK, Jacques Brel is an unfamiliar name – he was best known in France and his home country of Belgium. Born in 1929, he was a Belgian singer and actor and died in 1978, and this is where the band take their name from – he’s a Dead Belgian singer. Most of his songs were recorded in French, but his songs were translated and performed by performers including Ray Charles, John Denver, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, Andy Williams and more. With artists of that calibre performing his songs you get the idea that he’s obviously a very talented songwriter.

The four members of the band each rought their own influences to the band, from European folk to prog rock...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Cyclone Empire/Sound Pollution

Spanish band DARKNESS BY OATH hasn´t really impressed me n the past. Since their formation in 2002 they have been addicts to the Gothenburg sound, even featured on a tribute to AT THE GATES. The first demo came in 2005, their debut followed a year later and a second assault in 2009. Slightly rearranged the band now consists of vocalist Aritz Nabarro, guitarists Tristan Iniguez and Alain Castano, bass player Gorka Otero, and drummer Asier Bilbao. Guests on the album are Anders Björler of AT THE GATES and Mario Iliopoulos of the excellent NIGHTRAGE.

Openers are a wicked thing, this one is windy, at first acoustic and slowly transgressing into an electric upstart of a song that is only in its first stages...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Cyclone Empire/Sound Pollution

Formerly known as DEVASTATOR, this straightforward band admits to being in for a rocky ride by naming themselves after being in a BLESSED CURSE situation. The trio of Tyler Satterlee, guitars/vocals, Derek Bean, bass, and Patrick Hamby, drums have been at it since 2001, first as ATROSITY, well, well, and now as a descriptive title. Two EP´s, two demos, the latter two reused here and recorded with Juan Urteaga of EXODUS and HEATHEN fame. For fans of a.o. TESTAMENT and DEATH ANGEL says the info, sounds promising…

Gaaaah! “Bleeding Cross” sets the pace right from the start. Riffs galore and a fine solo go straight for the throat, lovely. The grooves are always there, they may hail from California but the tag Bay Area is inevitable...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Inner Wound/Sound Pollution

Swedish quintet ANDROMEDA dates back to 1999. Six albums and one DVD later they are well-known in Scandinavia and Europe. They have played ProgPOwer USA and Slottsskogen Goes Progressive, and this is said to be their most mature effort so far.

This might be over the wall even in prog circles. Opener “Preemptive Strike”is a piece of advanced musical gymnastics, and quite heavy for its kind. “Lies´r´Us” heads down the same path, twisted even to the limit of not being engaging. They get away far better with the compelling “Stay Unaware” and the rather cozy “Survival of the Richest”. A tad of heedless thrash is probably present in the stomping “False Flag” but everything pales in comparison with the chanting “Chosen by God”...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Lion Music/Border

Fellow Swedes of long running melodic progressive hard rockers HOUSE OF SHAKIRA are back, now slightly revamped. Originating from 1991 the band has released nine albums, all in all, and a live DVD. Named after a bordello the band are serious enough, and have revised their situation 2007, when their previous full-length album came out. New to the band are drummer Martin Larsson, bass man Basse Blyberg and vocalist Andreas Novak, ex MIND´S EYE. The info says that necessary changes were made prior to begin recording their new album, more focused than ever. Let´s check them out.

The band has changed substantially since last time around. I think the new refrain orientation is very positive. “Opener Brick Wall Falling” has a fine refrain but is not an extravagant opener...

Posted in Interviews

Ahead of this years Cambridge Folk festival, Festivalphoto spoke to the festival organiser Eddie Barcan to ask him a few questions about the festival and what people thinking of going can expect:

Festivalphoto: First of all can you introduce yourself to the readers and explain your role in the festival?

Eddie: My name is Eddie Barcan, I programme and manage the Festival.

Festivalphoto: How long has Cambridge been hosting its annual folk festival?

Eddie: 48 years young this year!

Festivalphoto: Can you tell us a little bit about what people can expect when visiting the festival for the first time?

Eddie: That festival’s don’t have to be hard work and some brilliant music. It’s not too big but there’s more than enough to stop you getting bored. Good facilities. Very friendly people...

Posted in Cd Reviews

Former Housemartin and Beautiful South main man Paul Heaton will be on tour in July with his Soul Opera, The 8th. To tie in with this stage performance, the songs have been recorded in the studio and are being released on a CD/DVD package. The album includes performances from the full original The 8th cast, The Southside Sinnaires featuring: Reg E Cathey from US hit series The Wire, Mercury music prize nominee King Creosote, Ivor Novello winning artist Cherry Ghost, ex Beautiful South singer Jacqui Abbott, as well as sweet soul singer Wayne Gidden, Scottish singer songwriter Aaron Wright, The Earlies Christian Madden, Hull country & western singer Mike Greaves and the wonderful Yvonne Shelton.
The 8th – given a theatrical narrative by award-winning playwright Che Walker (Royal Court and ...