Wednesday 25 March 2015

Reviews: Samothrace / Norilsk / Zig Zags

Samothrace - Live at Roadburn 2014
Featuring performances of both cuts from 2012's Reverence to Stone along with "Awkward Hearts", from their debut Life's Trade, this set portrays Samothrace to be every bit as enveloping and awe-inspiring on stage as I would have hoped. The vocals are noticeably less prominent than they are on the studio albums, but that makes the guitars soar even higher and provides a bit of a different feel that those familiar with the songs can sink into. Unlike many concert recordings, in which both the impact of the live setting and the quality of the music can be completely lost, the majesty and power of Samothrace comes across in full here, which is a testament to both the band and the Roadburn team. I wish I had been there to see this.

Live it here.

Norilsk - The Idea of North
Norilsk offer up an album of death/doom/metal that combines the cold and morose with the upbeat and melodic. The music creates an expansive and foreboding landscape that is broken up intermittently by atmospheric guitar lines that build tension and trudging rhythms that propel some fairly infectious doom riffs (often overlaid with tremolo picking). Morne and Paradise Lost influences are apparent. Being from Quebec, the band uses French lyrics, delivered through both death growls and whispers, which adds a point of interest. Although The Idea of North is produced more sharply than I normally go for, it is still compelling.

Listen here.

Zig Zags - S/T
Blasting out of an isolated garage stuck in the middle of a vast post-apocalyptic wasteland, Zig Zags hoist high a (black) flag rallying the punks, rockers and thrashers to keep the party alive. Absorbing the blood of The Stooges, The Ramones, The Misfits, Black Sabbath and old Metallica through their tongues, they spit their influences back out as twisted skate rock: something like a more nostalgic, lo-fi bastard sibling of The Shrine. Part Easy Rider, part Return of the Living Dead, all catchy as fuck.

Listen here.

lxp

Wednesday 18 March 2015

Unkle K's Bands of the Week

Lizzard Wizzard
A new 7” from Brisbane’s Lizzard Wizzard to follow up from 2013’s excellent S/T tape. Another quality QLD stoner/doom outfit along with Frown and Zodiac. Song title of the month: "The Ghost of Randy Savage".
Bandcamp

Holy Serpent
Only one track to go on so far from this very promising Melbourne outfit's forthcoming release, Shroom Doom, out in May on Riding Easy Records. This is heavy, catchy and the singer has a killer set of pipes. Melbourne is pumping out quality doom at the moment with Horsehunter, Watchtower and Holy Serpent all making a massive impression on me.
Bandcamp

Elite Suppressor
Old mate Kevin (Geeheeb), formerly of The Oily Menace has just torn my face off with his new project Elite Suppressor. Short nasty, noisy, punky grind turned up to the max. Vocals sound like a Japanese Man is the Bastard x10. Not for Opeth fans.
Bandcamp

Gig of the Week
Melbourne’s Horsehunter and South Oz’s Space Bong team up for this killer tour. Canberra show is Thursday 19 March at the Phoenix.

Playlist: Unkle K
1. Elite Supressor - 2015 Demo
2. Lizzard Wizzard - S/T
3. Grief - Alive
4. Dystopia - The Aftermath
5. Motorhead - Ace of Spades

Playlist: lxp
1. Elder - Lore
2. Brothers of the Sonic Cloth - S/T
3. War on Women - S/T
4. Torche - Restarter
5. V/A - Back from the Grave Vol. 9 and 10
6. Nux Vomica - A Civilized World
7. Gay Kiss - Preservation Measures
8. Burlap - Demo

Unkle K