SEAR BLISS - Eternal Recurrence

It's quite often when you get your hands to releases that really have something to say, and then you have to reconsider some of the stereotypes you have, and see things in a different perspective. The case of Sear Bliss is one of those, with the band existing since 1993, but never being established as the big name, or one of the first bands that comes in mind when something thinks of Black Metal. Although all those years we have heard various stuff, the guys here managed to gain our full attention right from the first moment. The most important, and the thing that draws the attention first, is the atmosphere of the album. Without moving on supersonic speeds, they manage to create an dark and suffocating atmosphere, imagine something like the feeling of the still air on a swamp. To achieve this, the vocals are sometimes slow and ritualistic, sometimes screaming, sometimes like coming from a well, but there are also enough melodies from keyboards and guitars. Besides the atmosphere, another thing that catches the ear is the clever use of the trumpet, an instrument not used in Metal in general, but used in such a way here, that fits perfectly, if not enhancing the whole result. The songs are very good, with enough ideas, excellent musicianship and more than enough variety for everyone. The production is very good also, clear as should be, but still preserving the melancholic feeling of the music. As a result we have a release that moves on high standards, and will please the fans of the band. Carefully written music, with lot's of surprises, and enough things to discover if you listen to it several times. Not exactly the kind of Black Metal you have in mind, but still an album with amazing atmosphere, that many bands that can play three times faster can only dream of.

9/10 

MY DYNAMITE - My Dynamite

This is the first album of the band, but despite that, I have the feeling that the Australian band has a long career ahead. The band is playing a mixture of Classic Rock with lots of Southern and Blues influences. From the first moment, the music screams 70's, with the first band that comes to mind being Black Crowes, but this is only a mere resemblance in style, since the band has a lot more to offer. Their music has a groovy and badass attitude, and is catchy enough, that all fans of the genre will love it. Most important ingredient here is the guitar riffs, which give a dirty feeling to the music, while the oldfashioned vocals enhance this feeling as much as possible. The songs are very good, well written, with tons of nice melodies, and some excellent ideas, and this is making the album even more interesting and fun to listen. As musicians they are all good and talented enough, and they manage to perform their music, always moving on the same high level. There's enough diversity in the music, and there are times where their music expands and touches from Blues come in, giving an extra layer to their sound, which is very good and leaves a nice feeling to the listener. With moods varying from uptempo party talking tunes, to slower and more personal stuff, show that the band has also done a good job in the lyric aspect. There are no less good moments here, and there are songs for every taste, and this makes this album one of those that you listen again and again. Despite the olschool nature of the music, the production is clear enough, but without destroying this feeling. Top class vocals, nice musicianship, a great bunch of songs, it's all you can find here. With no need for fancy or shinny stuff, this album has only the minimal a good rock album should have, and this is good music and soul. So, sit back, get yourselves a drink, relax, and enjoy the music.

8/10      

Lullacry - Bad Blood

Official video off their new album, Where Angels Fear. The album is due to be released in Canada and The U.S. on April 10th, 2012

THEATRES DES VAMPIRES - Moonlight Waltz Tour 2011 DVD + CD

The latest release of this odd and very interesting band from Italy is a pack that includes a DVD from their latest tour, plus a live album which includes an EP with three new songs, named Cult Of Lamia. The first thing that we notice is that the band justifies their name, with their theatrical appearances, and way of performing, but if you stay only on that, you miss the whole point of their music. Consisting on the eerie vocals of Sonya Scarlet, on clear male vocals and on choirs that enhance the whole result, the band creates a whole scenery, a dark place where the macabre and the grotesque are the most important elements. With lyrics talking about vampires and ghosts, with the unique style of Sonya's singing, and the use of enough melodies, the band creates a haunting atmosphere, and a fine Gothic Metal album. The music is catchy enough, well arranged, and has a pompous feeling that is enhanced as each song progresses. This is a live album, and the response of the audience is very good, although I would prefer the crowd to be more audible thus giving some of the energy of the live to the listeners as well. The production though, is very good, clear enough, preserves the atmosphere of the album and points out all the details of the music. Listening to this album is fun, and besides the quality of the music, what really impresses is the ability of the band to create the specific atmosphere, and to make the listener believe he's a part of it. If you are a fan of the band, or you happen to watch them live, then this is a unique chance to get some of the magic of the band, captured on a release.

9/10