AESMA
DAEVA - The Eros Of Frigid Beauty
One
of the Daevas, Aesma Daeva ('madness') is the demon of lust and anger,
wrath
and revenge
Classical
gothic ethereal metal with beautiful melodies, heavy guitar riffs and
a classical, operatic female voice. What more do you want?
The
songs are stronger this time around, than on predecessor, "Here
Lies One Whose Name Was Written In Water". The metal ante has been
upped, but the majesty and mysticism remains. This is a tremendous collection,
with the "In My Holy Time" being the standout in a sequence
if experimental, metal soundscapes. It's good to see that new ground
is still being broken in the world we call RAWK.
http://www.rootofallevil.com
SLOTERDIJK
- Beware The Charlatans (I Am The 4th Beast)
A
welcome return for Sloterdijk, Mike Burros spacerock project. With his
time currently being taken up by his One Eyed Bishops 60s r'n'b combo,
this may be the last we hear from him in this mode for some time.
As
on "Integration" and "Uranium Zone" Mike continues
to head down the Hawkwind inspired Space Rock we know and love Plenty
of heavy metallic rhythms, psych guitars and swirling keyboards.
Personal
favourites include "Philosopher's Disease", the heaviest song
on the disc and "Space Love", replete with 1960s organ sounds.
Things would obviously sound better with a decent budget, but Mikes
passion and talent more than makes up for any glitches in the overall
sound. Well worth it.
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/179/sloterdijk.html
DEVILCAKE
- I Can't Believe It's Not Satan
Oh
dear. Devilcake are back. Once again, metal nad humour are joined together
in finest Lawnmower Deth fashion. Since the last time they assailed
us they've swollent to a 7 piece lineup, when Nancy Roberts joined to
sing soprano and Steve Osmun turned up with a guitar, they've played
before Poison, Cinderella, Winger and Faster Pussycat, and now returned
to the studio for more mad metallic musings on the wonders (or not)
of food.
A
self proclaimed combination of Kiss (bad lyrics) meets Devo (cheap synths),
when it's funny,it's funny. And that would include the title track,
"Sacrificial Leg Of Lamb", "Flesh Feast" and the
epic "Shit Down Your Neck". If you really want to, you get
the whole album at mp3.com
http://artists.mp3s.com/albums/196/devilcake.html
And if you have a strong stomach you may wish to investigate the live
experience at;
http://twistedzen.com/devilcake/
FLIGHT-09
- "Rifflection"
Uzbekistan-
October 15, 2002
"Our band was formed precisely twenty years ago in Tashkent, the
capital of Uzbekistan (formerly USSR). Since 1986 we played exclusively
Progressive Metal. Recently however, we were forced to return to our
proto-progressive Hard Rock roots due to the unpopularity of complex
music in our hometown. Today we are very proud to announce that our
first 'international' CD, titled "Rifflection", was just released
by the US' Neurosis Records label managed by the well-known guitarist
and composer Rick Ray, whom we'd like to thank for his invaluable help
and support." (Igor Savitch & Flight-09 (taken from Vasily
Menshikov's ProgressoR web site- Vitaly also produces the album).
Igor
shouldn't apologise at all for the new direction of Flight-09 for this
is a most enjoyable collection of songs that will appeal to all lovers
of good music everywhere. A very Dire Straits kind of introduction likes
into a great AC/DC style riff with thumping bass and drums on 'I Pay'.
Some of the material on show here is up there with the best of the 'hard
rock' bands (like the irresistibly infectious 'Fallin' Down'). Maybe
you've heard some of the riffs before like on the first ballad 'She's
Dancing Alone' but this doesn't detract from the enjoyment and in no
way is Flight-09 plagiarist. (Didn't the first 2 tracks on AC/DC's best
know album 'Highway to Hell' owe more than a little to 'All Right Now'
and 'Nutbush City Limits'?)
The funky soul approach in the aforementioned 'Nutbush' finds an echo
in 'Bad Girl'. My favourite track though is the wistful 6 minute 'Memory'
with good work on piano (Nice little motif at the start and end!), electric
piano and guitar (very Knopfler like again) by Igor.
Sometimes Igor's voice sounds a bit strained as on the Dylan influenced
closing song 'Colour of My Pain' but the warmth and excellence of the
musicianship always shines through. The rousing guitar break at the
end is a fitting way to end a great album.
This is Neurosis' 25th release by the way. Happy silver anniversary
and all that!
Contact Rick Ray at hobbelshnimp@hotmail.com
(Neurosis Records)
(Phil
Jackson)
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