These Armes Are Snakes - Tail Swallower and Dove

For some reason These Arms Are Snakes (TAAS) have not 'grabbed' me like many bands out there, but they are certainly unique for the genre they are often pinned down into. The brand of post-hardcore / metal they create comes from a well developed, unoriginal pool of lackluster bands, but TAAS have a certain flare in their stylings - it could be in the abrasive vocals, the thick synth like basslines or the overwhelmingly heavy guitars but there is just something that when im in the mood for, ill blast it.

Ambitiously titled Tail Swallower and Dove is their third (i think)...or is it fourth full length from this American act, their first EP was nothing short of brutal and their first long play effort 'Oxeneer' for short was an amalgamation of the vocals and instruments described above and since then TAAS have evolved their sound, not dramatically, but enough to keep a casual listener interested.

The album itself has some 'heavy as fuck' moments and they still utilize their signature rhythmic danceable basslines to maximum affect however they seem to be combining these with a much more focused and cleanly recorded dynamic. The guitars meld together beautifully, the bass drives the songs and the vocals eshrew sheer intensity.

The album starts off with a start stop heavy number which ahlf way through changes direction to conclude with a powerful heavy guitar crescendo and this sets the tone for what this album is going to entail. The only request that i ask of TAAS is that they stay away from 3 minute songs - the only one on the record 'Prince Squid' tends to annoy me with its drum and vocal only intro and seems daft and uninspired - but this detrimental sphere gives rise to TAAS's heralding stregths - they know how to write an epic. "Ethric Double" and "Seven Curtains" surpass the five minute mark and encompass everythign from gigantic buildups, elongated metal jams and sprawling synths that amalgamate all that is perfect aobut this band into one sitting.

Yes, this album has flaws, but the strengths far outweigh what is a generally solid album.

Closure in Moscow - First Temple

Oh hey! A decent local band - not too many of these in Australia. Closure in Moscow come from good old Melbourne - when they were living here they toured frequently with shitty scene bands and that is probably one of the main reasons why i have not heard of them until yesterday...

Moving to America and signing to Equal Vision Records was a very good move - a lot of equal vision bands are bland and uninspired - but this is one of their very few exceptions (bear vs shark [RIP], moros eros [RIP] and the Kinison [RIP]) - oh shit....hopefully these guys have a longer span than those fabulous bands.

The music? it's fast, powerful and frenetic post-hardcore. Very technical guitars and soaring vocals - the vocals simply are amazing and make this album what it is - lead singer *enter name here* has a great range and knows how to belt out a tune - and htis only makes the music better. Opening Kissing Cousins is catchy as hell while vanguard is an all out assault of powerful guitars and thundering drums. Album highlight is A Night at the Spleen - motherfucking catchy as hell and id be lying if i was not turned on aurally during this song...

Unfortunately the second half of the album does die down abit - but hey i cut them some slack coz it's their first full length. Well done indeed.

Bars of Gold - First Live Show (bootleg)

So i haven't even listened to this yet but ima post it for ya'll anyway. For those of you who are familiar - the man who looks like he is possessed in the photo above is Marc Paffi (formerly of the illustrious band Bear Vs Shark). Yes, this is the new band that has risen form the ashes of the much beloved aforementioned...so check this bootleg out, it's their first show and i am expecting good things...

Tracklist:
01. Intro 1
02. Born a Cannibal
03. Intro 2
04. Up Up Up
05. Intro 3
06. Doctors and Lawyers
07. Intro 4
08. Cars Asleep
09. Intro 5
10. Birds

Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice

My love affair with Minus the Bear started when i picked up their Menos el Oso album 3 years ago. I brought it home and listened to it while a friend dyed my hair - i was going through a phase with my music - an exciting one which would lead me to greater things. The same could not be said for my hair that night...

Planet of Ice feels like an icy album - an album that you put on when the rain is hitting hard against the windscreen of your car. I also get this sense of sexual passion, i know weird right? But it is like Minus the Bear have sexually matured - ageing from adolescence to men - and it shows in the lyrics of songs like White Mystery and Patiently waiting (if you have the aussie release).

Lotus is a huge trip of prog greatness while the images of drinking warm sake on a cold Japanese night could not be pulled off any better in the alluring song Part 2.

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions Feature Artist

You can tell by the photo above that this is no ordinary Japanese jazz band - these guys are quite possibly the most fun, neergetic and downright awesome band i have come accross in the last year or so. I mean, they have a member who takes on the role of 'the agitator' at live shows - basically requiring him to agitate the crowd and get them ready to dance the night away.

Soil & "pimp" Sessions were formed from the tiring disco scene in Japan - they yearned for something fun to dance to, something fast, hectic and sweaty. What has arisen from this dull era is amazing and must be heard to be believed. Self-described as 'death jazz' the band is an onslaught of blistering horn sections, an astonishing drumming section (the guy does nto let up) and the added element of classy piano. It is fresh, it is danceable, and it'll keep you awake at night wanting more.

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions - Pimp Master (2005)


Soil & "Pimp" Sessions - Planet Pimp

RX Bandits - ...And the Battle begun

So after a bit of a musical lull of sorts i have made a concious decision tof inally check these guys out. And damnit im glad i did - there's something irresistable for me about reggae/ska stuff, but i'd never listen to a whole album of the stuff. Enter RX Bandits - a what most people now would call a progressive rock band with elements of reggae and ska music - true to their early form.

It is an extremely impressive amalgamation of ska/reggae and progressive experimental rock ala The Sound of Animals Fighting - you can really hear in these songs how Matt Embree influenced that band. It is this ecclectic nature of the music that keeps you coming back. From the finger clicking tangent that 1980 takes you on to the hard hitting rock of To Our Unborn Daughters it is an absolute trip. And i cannot get past the awesome slower songs on this record - showcased by apparition and only for the night - technical and catchy and it's great.

メリー - Modern Garde

Part One
Part Two

Merry's first real effort into the musical world is permeated with punk/pop sensibility's while adding flare with jazzy rhythms and intriguing vocal styles to rope the listener in for a whole 40 something minutes. I bought this record in Japan and have enjoyed it ever since.

Merry teater on the edge of emotional boundaries and artistic creativity which in essence makes this album the perfect record to feel guilty for listening to it, but at the same time to not care about what you're listneing to and just enjoy it. The drumming is fast and hectic while the lead guitar jangles in and around the vocalists unique singing style, while nifty basswork holds the whole thing tightly together.

Moros Eros - I Saw The Devil Last Night And Now The Sun Shines Bright

Moros Eros exploded into my world mid last year and have spent the majority of my time rocking my ears for the most part of 2008. I picked this record up purely because of the sticker on the cover art citing Mars Volta, Modest Mouse and some other band as influences. Do they sound like these bands? No. Are they any good? Yes they are.

Moros Eros have this awesome energy driven by the rhythm section of the band. Much like The Kinison or Bear Vs Shark - this rhythm section never fails to hit the spot and hold everything tightly together. Pair these dynamics up with quite an energetic and interesting vocalist and punchy guitar riffs from all sorts of angles and you get the lovable, danceable and sing at the top of your lungs music that this album shines with. Perfect for driving or rocking in your room - i havn't found a reason to not listen to these guys yet.

The drumming on When I Wake is superb and lfows from speaker to speaker with clarity and depth while the catchy chorus of Satan Has A Heart of Gold could go on forever in your head. If i were to be picky, the album would be a little to short at just under 40 mintues, but maybe that's why the thing is so darn good from start to finish....

Acoustic Ladyland - Skinny Grin

This English trio tend to spazz out alot - at times the instrumentation can be harsh and make your ears bleed - but i think that's what these men are trying to do to you while playing their sax's, drums and guitars as frenetically as they possibly can. The album does have it's slower more....sensual moments which gives me a little time to relax while a collect myself after the hectic nature of their faster tracks. My favourite slice would have to be Cuts and Lies. Built around a funky guitar and bass dual the female vocalist sounds sexy and sassy all over this track - and when the saxaphone kicks in your ready for aural sitmulation of no other kind :)

1000 Visitors - The Offspring - Ignition

So with this, my self-indulging commemorative 1000th visit post. Wow that was a mouthfull. I will bring you an album that while may be considered by many to be insignificant or uncool - is considered by me to have shaped my love affair with music itself. No, Ignition by The Offspring did not push boundaries, and no it didn't make dents in the music world - but it has quite a place in my heart.

There is this unbridled energy to this record that makes me keep going back to it's punk riffs, pounding drums, driving bass and Dexter's unmistakable vocals. The album kicks off with 'Session' - an energetic a straight forward rock against the shitty girlfriend tune - great for those fight nights! From then on 1992's Ignition takes you on a journey through some very awesome tunes including Kick Him When He's Down and the undoubtedly favoured Offspring fan song - Dirty Magic.

Often overlooked because of their next release 'Smash' - which im sure you know has sold the most copies ever on an independant label - Ignition is where i believe Offspring really let themselves go and throw caution to the wind - unparalled punk energy full of vigour and determination - Rock On.

Dir en Grey - Kisou

Long before Dir en Grey sort of sold out to the tidal wave of nu-metal lingered a dark, disturbing yet delicate visual kei band - straddling the line between metal, melodic punk, and beautiful pop balladry. It was from Gauze to (and i am hesitant to say so) Vulgar did Dir en Grey own the j-rock arena - producing interesting, forward thinking rock music for the masses who ate it up gleefully.

And why wouldn't they? With a pulsing drummer, off-kilter and menacing guitar work with a bass that would rattle your walls. The real selling point of the band however lies in Kyo's rather intriguing vocals. He is a nutter, to say the least - utilising his voice to maximum capacity with an emotive singing voice, harsh screams, and noises that i would describe as out of this world.

What is great about this album is it's diversity - Dir en Grey stretch their imagination from the hard hitting punk opener Kigan to the electronica driven beats of Shinsou. Standout ballads are also apparent with the beautiful 24 Cylinders and the harrowingly painful Mushi.

The Kinison - What Are You Listneing To?

Permeated with crunching guitars this album by now defunct The Kinison is an intense journey into the then emerging punk/hardcore seen of 2004. What stands out about this album is the cathartic rhythm section which just begs you to get up in your room, out of your chair and dance till your legs fall off. It's fun hardcore that makes you wanna groove - and who would pass that up?