Holy Roar are easily one of favourite labels and paying the occasional trip to their website usually ends with me finding something I’ll enjoy. My latest discovery is ‘Holy Bermuda’ the debut release by the incredibly talented Rosa Valle.
A high speed confluence, of choppy, syncopated guitar, excitable screams and intricate math-rock composition, ‘Holy Bermuda’ is incredibly ambitious yet accomplished the band somehow managing to make the multitude of ideas, jostling for space in their songs blend together. Even more impressive is the fact that the EP came out only months after the band formed.
Listen: Rosa Valle - Mathemagician
Formed by members of various noise rock bands, the Italian quartet, Putiferio have come up with some joyfully deranged noise rock on their latest release ‘LovLovLov’.
Whilst their sound might seem chaotic from the outset beneath the surface are tightly intertwined guitar lines and a taut rhythm section which lends a suitable push to the urgent vocals.
‘Lovlovlov’ can be downloaded for free, from the bands bandcamp but if you’d like a cd they’re being distributed mancini records who are also currently offering three album deal including ‘Lovlovlov’ along with two other excellent records from the labels back catalog.
Listen: Putiferio - My Pitch Black Heart
The Master Musicians of Bukkake, have been plying their trade in collective ceremonial music for almost a decade however it’s only recently that I’ve taken the plunge and explored some of their back catalog.
Rather than starting at the beginning however I randomly picked up ‘Totem 3’ which, as it’s name suggests is the third release in the totem series. Released last year it reveals the group traversing a rich seam of middle eastern musical influences and chamber music to great effect.
Two years after the release of robotic funk of his Shobaleader one project and four years years after the release of his last studio album ‘Just a Souvenir’, IDM pioneer Tom Jenkinson returns with a new album under the square pusher moniker entitled ‘Unfabulum’.
Largely eschewing live instrumentation in favour of programming, Ufabulum, could be cited as a return to the the glitchy IDM territory of his early releases unleashing an array of energetic beats, cinematic synthesizer arrangements and dubstep esque bass wobbles on unsuspecting listeners. The additional degree of complexity on ‘Ufabulum’ can seem puzzling at first but subsequent listens reveal ‘Ufabulum’ as a particular fine, nuanced album and the brain-taxing compositions offers a glimpse of an artist with still, even after 11 albums, plenty to offer.
Listen: Squarepusher - 4001
Watch: Squarepusher - Dark Steering
Photo By coll993
“Fear of something is at the root of hate for others, and hate within will eventually destroy the hater. ” George Washington Carver
Kentucky folk singer songwriter Samuel Lockridge recently released his follow up to his 2010 album ‘Nomads, Pilgrims’ entitled ‘When I Rise’.
Evoking the beauty of his natural surroundings with a blend of autumnal instrumentals and blissful vocals, Lockridge also embellishes his sound with an assortment of unconventional instrumentation including broken clocks, dulcimers and harps.
Listen: Samuel Lockridge - Heart of Silk
The prolific Steve O’malley and london sound artist Peter Rehberg, have been releasing music under the KTL, moniker since 2007 and this year they released their fifth installment of the self titled KTL series.
Consisting of opening with cavernous ambiance the duo utilize their array experimental electronics and heavily manipulated guitar to create spellbinding, majestic drone.
Listen: KTL - Study A
Last scene creating stratospheric Post-metal under the guise of Jesu, this year has seen Justin K. Broadrick return with an entirely new project called JK Flesh.
Amidst the juddering industrial noise, distorted bass and skittery elecronic beats there is a definite, quite likely deliberate, nod to Godflesh, a band which he played a key role in and like Godflesh, JK Flesh reveals Broadrick reveling in the darkness, and a near palpable aural violence.
Listen: JK Flesh - Walk Away
With collaborations with Locrian, Volitgeurs and Pyramids already under their collective belt, Jenks Miller’s psychaedelic drone metal act Horseback have steadily been building a name for themselves as an avant metal act to watch.
Their latest release ‘Half Blood’ builds on their impressive contributions to the split LP released with Pyramids earlier this year with, seven tracks of dense, trance inducing black metal flecked drone.
Listen: Horseback - Ahriman
Released last year on the Sonic Pieces label, ‘Pan Tone’ featuring Hauschka & Hildur
Guðnadótti is an impressive blend of prepared piano and exquisite string led drone.
Based around a performance at King’s Place, London, ‘Pan Tone’ utilizes both musicians exceptional skills resulting in music that’s both dramatic and deeply evocative.
