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A few more recent releases.
Hold on a bit. Why not an acapella version since the tounge twisting and throat tickling easily compares to the best of the lettrists or dada sound poetry? Only three tracks so far, they need to do moar. The demo is more articulated and original than the promo.
The album begins as metal, not bad nor really something one remembers. Then comes three bonus tracks with a whole new twist, synth and ambient. The last track in particular stands out with its excellent mix and slow flow through a landscape.
The spatial left-right jump cut typical of metal mixing might as well be experienced as a jump in depth by aligning your listening position with the speakers. Try it for yourself, rebrand left and right channels as near and distant. This was something I discovered while listening to this project Trout. Fast, technical, virtuoso, and sometimes jazzy with a clean guitar sound. But, of course, one may wonder, what's the point of playing like a precision robot when you are in fact human? And also, why not take the step beyond humanly performable music while you're at it? Regardless, this is a short, intense, and brilliant album.
The compelling open sound, not compressed into soundsausage, has been almost forgotten. Maybe it's just because this is a demo that it hasn't been mastered by a steam roller. The playing also has some unforced ease that is missing in many bands who try to be fast, tight & visceral.
How do you tell it's progressive? Fast, inhumanly precise timing (so, whence their band name?), sharp corners. This would still be cool if played on didgeridoo and banjo. I hope someone does.
Education is a sorely missing topic in most metal bands, but this act fills the void with a short EP. Some bizarre sound montages and concentrated miniatures.
As the title says, this is the gate of eternal suffering and death. The demo, however, doesn't last forever, only for too long. The undistorted guitar parts are exploring an alternative tuning, don't know which one, and the distorted parts are trying to induce a hearing loss. There's also some vocals somewhere there, and even drums although well hidden. Three truly disgusting tracks, and something to learn from in mixing: you don't have to have audible drums!
Harmonies and violin chops like another Vivaldi in the hands of Yngwie Malmsteen, well, this artist does put the label neoclassical on his metal for a good reason. An easily enjoyable album, not too serious and on the verge of kitsch, it brings back the 80's to the present.
Swirling and itching riffs in complex overlayered arrangements and grunts with a distinctly Brazilian feel. One could almost get lost in the thicket.
Razor sharp guitars and muffled, thundering drums played with the freedom of a Ringo Starr, somehow reminiscent of some early metal before things became extreme. Guitar solos are kept brief, they are like glimpses into a rodeo with all tricks the mad horse has learnt to do. The vocals are just comprehensible, but don't worry, they're unpitched. Compelling album in every way, full of catchy tunes.
Watch this space for updates, I might add more reviews.