02/23/2012

[MUSIC REVIEW] Spawn of Possession – Incurso

By lmpmagazine

SPAWN OF POSSESION
Incurso
[Relapse Records]
Verdict: 9.5/10
RIYL: Quality technical/progressive death metal

Tech-death is a really hit-or-miss genre, but it’s easy to tell those who are the masters and who are still the apprentices. Sweden’s own SPAWN OF POSSESSION have perfected their craft and with album number three, the third time is a charm. The album is the perfect antidote to what’s wrong with the genre. Instead of focusing on the intricacy of the riffs, it’s the songwriting that is so impressive. Employing progressive tendencies is the specialty of the album and what elevates this album way above the standard tech death fare. The band change time signatures like a pop star changes outfits on stage, and they have a secret weapon that is very underutlitzed: dynamics. Yes, you read that correctly. The album features moments of calm amidst the storm, which help make those furious outbursts that much more meaningful. It also helps that, while they don’t always go full-throttle, they are as technically proficient as anyone. The riffs come fast and furious, without the bad acting, and each instrument gets its own opportunity to shine. While most of the album finds the drums and guitar on full-display, “Servitude of Souls” allows the bass to have its moment in the sun, which is always appreciated. The other weapon the band’s arsenal (it’s unfair how much artillery the band really has) is its use of melody. While no one will confuse this with a DREAM THEATER album, there is ample melody to allow each song to have a unique presence. I think I have the first album that I can guarantee will be in my top 20 of the year. I want to find major faults with the album, but those attempts are in vain. This is a shining example of a band at the top of its genre. – by Nicholas Senior

Recommended Listening: “Where Angels Go Demons Follow” and “The Evangelist”
Release Date: March 13th, 2012
In Conclusion: Incurso is a shining example of a band on top of its genre. Fans of well done progressive/tech death will be in Heaven (or Hell, to be realistic) with the album.

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02/23/2012

[MUSIC REVIEW] Almedia – Fantastic Massacre

By lmpmagazine

ALMEIDA
Fantastic Massacre
[Lockjaw Records]
Verdict: 7/10
RIYL: A Wilhelm Scream, Propaghandi, early-era Avenged Sevenfold

England always seems to have a leg up on America as far as music. Whether its radio rock (Lostprophets), post-hardcore (Funeral for a Friend) or other genres, their artists often are just plain better than their American counterparts. Who knows the reason, but it’s a hypothesis that is often proven true. Enter in progressive hardcore group ALMEIDA. Their sound combines the progressive/technical hardcore of PROPAGHANDI with Waking the Fallen-era AVENGED SEVENFOLD (you know, back when they were a really really good band). This is their debut album, but it sounds like it is coming from a seasoned band. ALMEIDA has a well defined sound and executes it well. Songs like the title track showcase a band with technical proficiency, above-average songwriting skills, and enough heaviness to keep metal heads happy. In fact, there is more than a passing similarity to AVENGED SEVENFOLD here, as the guitar solos are flashy enough to be impressive, but not mere wank-fests. The seven minute-plus song sounds like what AVENGED SEVENFOLD would have sounded like if they embraced their inner prog fan after Waking the Fallen instead of going the radio rock route. The glaring problem with the album is that its hooks just don’t hold as well as they should. That doesn’t mean that these songs aren’t memorable, far from it. The issue is that with the solid execution of guitar solos, technicality, and hardcore energy, that the band would be absolutely huge if they could sharpen their hooks just a little bit more. However, the resulting product is still laudable as it is. – by Nicholas Senior

Recommended Listening: “Fantastic Massacre”
Release Date: December 3rd, 2011
In Conclusion: ALMEIDA have crafted a unique spin on progressive hardcore, and their debut album should garner them a solid fan base. If they can improve their hooks in the future, the band could become quite the English sensation.

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02/23/2012

[MUSIC REVEW] Beak – Eyrie

By lmpmagazine

BEAK
Eyrie
[Someoddpilot]
Verdict: 8.5/10
RIYL: Cult of Luna, Neurosis, Isis

Post-metal is a tough genre to “get”. It features the song structures of post-rock with the occasional outbursts of progressive metal, and it’s not usually full of sing-a-long choruses. What draws listeners to the genre is often different for each individual, but most often post-metal songs marry the beauty of post-rock with the brutality of metal. The songs are often moving and captivating. Chicago’s own BEAK is ready to lay their claim as the next great post-metal band. While there aren’t a ton of “new” or “ground-breaking” ideas on this, their debut EP, the product BEAK has released will easily serve as a testament to the talent and songwriting prowess the band has. Each song is carefully crafted to maximize the highs and the lows, and the listener is appreciative of that fact. And while there are no clean vocals, there is enough melody to differentiate each song from the other. At only five songs and twenty-five minutes, the short duration is the biggest complaint about the album. The beautiful cover art and the quality songwriting are heavily in the band’s favor. For those that like the genre that was created by bands like CULT OF LUNA, NEUROSIS, and ISIS, there will be a lot to love about this EP. If the band is able to carry this momentum to their next release, it is possible that BEAK may be mentioned with new post-metal legends ROSETTA as a group that is carrying on the sound. – by Nicholas Senior

Recommended Listening: “Hands Collide” and “Men at Arms”
Release Date: April 3rd, 2012
In Conclusion: Fans of thought-provoking metal will find a lot to enjoy about this debut EP by post-metal band BEAK.

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02/23/2012

[MUSIC REVIEW] Beneath the Massacre – Incongruous

By lmpmagazine

BENEATH THE MASSACRE
Incongruous
[Prosthetic Records]
Verdict: 6.5/10
RIYL: Technical death metal

BENEATH THE MASSACRE is here to play their damn instruments. These Quebecois have presented some of the most impressive musical displays you are likely to hear all year. Each of these eleven tracks features neck-snapping guitar work and drumming that makes the listener sorry for the drummer. The album is also overbearingly heavy, with enough chugging to slightly separate each of the fret fireworks. The problem with Incongruous is the problem that pervades all technical death metal. Since each song is played at maximum speed and volume, sometimes songwriting is sacrificed for the sake of technical proficiency. While bands like OBSCURA and SPAWN OF POSSESSION are masters at technicality and songwriting, bands like BRAIN DRILL feature unnecessary wankery. Luckily for the listener, BENEATH THE MASSACRE falls somewhere in between the two extremes. There are a number of tracks that have some minor semblance of melody, which help tie the songs together. Mostly, however, the band falls trap to the desire to sound as technical as possible. The good thing about that fact is that while it doesn’t have the lasting impression, Incongruous is a lot of fun while it plays. The band certainly can improve on future albums, but for fans of tech-death, this will be an album of the year candidate. For those who like a little more from their metal than endless riffs and wankery, there is still enjoyment to be had. – by Nicholas Senior

Recommended Listening: “Unheard” and “Symptoms”
Release Date: February 14th, 2012
In Conclusion: Fans of tech-death will drool all over themselves while listening to this album, but those who like a little more from their metal will find it lacks a lasting impression.

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02/21/2012

[MUSIC REVIEW] Bedroom – Toys EP

By lmpmagazine

BEDROOM

Toys EP
Unsigned
Verdict: 9 out of 10
RIYL: chill, calming, and dreamy indie

One day I was browsing through artists tagged as “chillwave” on bandcamp when I discovered Bedroom. Chillwave is something that most people aren’t too familiar with, but it’s basically music that uses synthesizers, looping, sampling, filtered vocals, and simple melodic lines. I feel that it’s very easy to listen to because the music is usually very upbeat and simple at the same time so it sounds pleasant to the ears. Bedroom is the solo project of Nashville’s Noah Kittinger and it just so happens that every song on the Toys EP was recorded in Noah’s Bedroom hence the name Bedroom. The Toys EP only has 5 songs, but those 5 songs make up an EP that’s 21 minutes long. I was lucky and had the opportunity to download Toys for free, but if you go to Bedroom’s bandcamp it’s only $1.50 and in my opinion it would be a $1.50 well spent.  The first track “Opening/Intro” hooked me in right away with the upbeat beats and the almost harmonic sounding guitar and the occasional hum like chants Noah does. The next song “Forest” is my favorite song on the whole EP. Forest features actual vocals and my favorite line being “walk out to the forest, spark up a cigarette.” the lyrics and the basic sound of Bedroom is very simplistic, but it still tells a story and manages to have a certain feel to it. Noah stated that The Toys EP was made during a time he was experiencing depression and that making these songs helped him get through it. Being written during a stage of depression the songs have a nostalgic feel to them, but it sounds somewhat hopeful at the same time. — by Katie Hermann
>> Recommended Tracks: “Forest”, “You’ll See”
>> Release Date: February 13, 2012
>> In Conclusion: Overall this a phenominal selfmade EP by a young man with lots of potential

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