Tropical Fuck Storm : "Deep States"

Time to hear if this band is more than just their name. I never stopped to check this band out as I made all sorts of assumptions from their name. They are not the punk band I thought they were. The good news and band news about their sound is that they sound like a happy version of Xiu Xiu. The happy part being the bad news. The second song is poppier , almost more like the Gorillaz, but that works better as the happiness is able to be shone through a more effective filter. Things are a half shade darker on "Blue Beam Baby". The bass line takes up most of the space in a jazz like slink. "Suburbiopia" seems to have less form and function as the female singer takes over in this boozy affair. 

"Bumma Sanger" is about Co-vid, which I suppose many of these songs are reflections on the past year, I do appreciate that lyrically they are not picking a political side. It does lose focus and veers off into a bizarre left turn that has nothing to do with the where they started. The boozy foolishness goes a step further on "the Donkey" which wants to be Tom Waits in some ways, they try to rock out a little more but , it does not really save the song as the singing is somewhat out of key. I am beginning to feel thankful that I only have to make it through three more songs. 

Intentionally shitty production for the intent of creating a more abrasive sound might work when you are writing songs that are good enough to stand on their own. That is not the case. It builds up a little but is just obnoxious more often than not. "New Romeo Agent' is more polished and sung by the woman , but it is also boring. 'Legal Ghost" is plagued by some of the same problems, expect for the fact the dude is singing. Perhaps I need to go give their older shit a listen , but aside from one of the chicks in this band being hot it really is not my thing I do like weird indie rock , but this is not dark enough and they are no where near the musicians that say Minus the Bear or Pinback are, who are two weird indie bands I like though both of them are darker than this I will give it a 6.5,  

King Woman : "Celestial Blues"

I have been looking forward to the follow up to "Created in the Image of Suffering" . Not a bluesy in terms of the guitar riffs, but it does have a heavier emotional weight. The riffs them selves feel depressing at times, which I of course love since darkness and sonic heaviness are what I seek out in music. For an opener the title track is more introspective in it's ambiance, though there are punchy sludge ridden dynamics. The bulk of my favorite album's also have some diabolic undertones to them so "Morning Star" which is her "Sympathy for the Devil" checks off this box. The drumming is outstanding on this song.  I am even more impressed by when she adds grit to her voice on "Boghz" . One of the album's heaviest songs that is more metal in it's intentions than the first two songs. 

The intensity is trading for a more familiar brooding on "Galgotha" though this time around it is more refined than what we have previously heard from this band in the past , though a little more melodic and wandering in places. The bass line to "Coil" creates a more post punk tension, that they explode out of with a snarling aggression in the vocals. It is fair to say she is much more pissed this time around. The most drastic shift of dynamics might be found at the end of the morose journey you are taken on with "Entwined" . It starts off with sparse almost post rock sounding riff, then builds up in a grungy manner until they explode in the end with blast beats. Her vocals to have the haunting moan to them but the lyrics are easier to make out than on the first full length. 

There is a darker creepier feel to "Psychic Wound" that at first reminds me a little of Rasputina. This too builds , though more so with the vocals that rise into a scream. The condemning lyrics of "Ruse" are perhaps the heaviest thing about the song, and very real to any one who has been in a dysfunctional relationship. For a heavier album it ends on a very sedate note with "Paradise Lost" The melodies are sp fragile , that it takes a few listens to sink in. Not as compelling as the bulk of the album, but you can not blame them for exploring the entire sonic scope. It takes about two and a half minutes for the song to warm into something my ears latch onto as the minimalism is so thick. I will give this album a 9.5 as the last song is well as I just described it and while I can not fault them for it not something  I am going to wear out like the rest of this.  

Boss Keloid : " Family the Smiling Thrush"

 Prog for heshers. Prog is not a far step away from stoner rock depending on the flavor , but here it is done in a angular yet ballsy manner than flirts with metal. The grooves are formed from odd times. The vocals are more blues based perhaps not as commanding as Clutch , but cut from a somewhat similar cloth. The guitar tone is weird it sounds to be harmonizing with synths on "Gentle Clovis". I do like how ballsy the vocals are. If opens up into a more melodic section where they off timed melody brings Frank Zappa to mind.  The math of their slithering grooves is impressive when it comes to "Hats the Mandrill" it feels like the vocals are just kind of bellowing over the riff rather than grooving with it. They remind me of the weird direction some metal bands went in during the alternative time of the 90s. They were too proggy to be grunge but not aggressive enough to be metal.  

These guys are talented as hell, the bass player and drummer work as a sick machine together. There is more of a less complex rock groove to "Smiling Thrush" . The vocal melodies have that off time quality that 70s Zappa did until they go into a cleanly strummed guitar section, that is not a chorus , but is not the verse. With repeat listens this one does grow on me, They do kick into a cool heavier part with a fair amount of angular dissonance to it midway in. While most bands that get called progressive never write songs that go anywhere and end up just wanking in one place, these guys to explore. This song even manages to find a hook of sorts. "Cecil Succulent" does expand more in the Zappa direction as it has a great deal of jazz influence. The vocals chill a little and bellow less allowing the melody to flourish. The bellow comes with the dynamic kick in the pants. 

They continue to weave their fluid dazzle of finger magic on " Grendle' which finds them conforming a little closer to a radio rock formula without dumbing it down too much . There is a exotic touch to the melody of the last song when it ebbs down. The vocals are still belted with a similar intensity. Much like every other element of this album the vocals are well produced with more layering than effects as there is dry sound to them. If I had to pick an MVP for this album it would be the drummer. His playing is tasteful for what they are ding he has every excuse to be over the top and serves the songs. I will give this one a 9.5 it's the prog album to beat this year.   

Family the Smiling Thrush by Boss Keloid

Psychic Hit : " Solutio"

 

This band did not just fall off a turnip truck in California, it's members come from the likes of Hawkwind and and Funeral Chant. They know how to tap into early 70s metal recalling even Judas Priest in the more metal moments on the song "Constellation". Their other heavy boogies pulls from Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper. Powerhouse vocalists, Ariana Jade as enough sass and sultry to her voice to feel like a legit proto metal front woman. All the players sound pretty capable , the bass player's melodic work fights it's way in the mix and impresses me, along with the more jammy direction the second song goes in. 

Where most retro metal tends to languish on recapturing a sound, they have the 70s warmth without getting lost in it . The hypnotic bass line into the psychedelic opening of "Orocovis" is an excellent example of this. It is not like they suddenly become Jefferson Airplane, when the verse kicks in they take back off in the harmonized guitar gallop. While they would not be totally out of the zip code of bands like the Devils Blood, who came out a decade ago. They are more metal in how the guitars attack. Most of these sort of bands tend to fall closer to doom, and that is not even hinted at until the third song. They have carved a pretty unique path for themselves. The more aggressive "Left for Dead' is perhaps the album's most overtly Judas Priest like moment. Thus making it the most metal thing so far.  

They dial things back with "Hand of Fate", when the song builds back up there is a more palm muted attack before the riffs start coming. The vocals begin to share a pattern by following the guitar more and perhaps being a less hooky than they were the first half of the album.  They close the album with the best riffing, it reminds me a little of Rainbow. The vocals however are less Dio and come across as a garnish rather than the meat of the matter. This album is a lot of fun while at times the influences are worn on their sleeves, they still have an identify of their own . I will give this album a 9 and see how it sits with me.       

Erdve : "Savigaila"

 

If you have found yourself complaining it is hard to find music that is heavy enough for you these days then this band has got you boo.  There is more to this than just punishing your ears, there are some layers of eerie atmosphere to set off the breakdowns. You can have music that is blisteringly heavy and still care about the songs and make it well yes, catchy. The band proves this on the sludge ridden riff to the second song that will have your neck moving with it's throb.  Another thing I like about this band is they go to show that tormented vocals do not have to be a one trick pony. There can be dynamics. There can also be drone which contrasts the in your face hyper aggression of the first two songs as heard on "Votis". Normally a droning piece like this might feel more like an interlude, but when used in context of the two previous songs it's languid dissonance is what the album needed.  That is not to say the album does not have other noisy interludes that are just harsh noise for the sake of it as it does this excursion s just more worthwhile. Granted in the context of an album not sure how it stands up on it\s own if it happens to pop up in shuffle mode. 

The snap back at your throat for the more hardcore pounding of " Betonas" . They do not stop there and bring a death metal heaviness to sit against their hardcore attitude on "Bendryste". They song after this is a little too indulgent in it's heaviness to the point of becoming grinding noise.  This is not a prefect album and some portions might need to grow on me, but I think for a band this heavy they are not overly encumbered by the weight of their sound. I really appreciate the shoegazey "Pragulous"" as it shows a much more melodic side with sung vocals. It is kinda like the sort of Deftone-ish thing my wife normally  listens to. They do not go as easy on you with the title track that follows, though even then they let up for a cleaner guitar tone ,midway in.

There is an impressive stomp to the last song. It hammer with a Meshuggah like bounce to the verse riff, but feels more like hard core. They throw a little more of a death metal vocal in and it holds up with the rest of the songs. These guys deserve a 9 for sure, this album was heavy as fuck but still a fun listen , it was not like I was just having my ears tortured but emotionally charged explosive songs. 

the Top 10 Albums of 2021 ...so Far

Normally I have this busted out before June is over, but life happens I got the metal one out earlier, it  has given me  more time to sit with these albums.  This list is not to say that the album's that were on the metal list do not hold their own against these, this list is just the top 10 albums that are not metal, you will see how they stack up against the metal ones in December when I make the overall top ten for the year and at this rate December will be here before we know it. What makes them the best is how much I actually listen to them. I guess we will see how these albums hold up over the course of the year.  I am posting links to the reviews if you want to check these albums out .

10- Dinosaur Jr - "Sweep it Into Space" 

Decades later these guys continue to defend their sonic legacy. This goes to show you do not have to fuck with what works and can still not put out the same album each time. 

Abysmal Hymns: Dinosaur Jr : "Sweep It into Space"

9- Cold Cave- "Fate in Seven Lessons"

It's been 10 years since the last full length from this "band" , so we will take what ever we can get. The opening track leads you to believe we are one step further in this progression into darkness chronicled in the 2018 ep . 

Abysmal Hymns: Cold Cave: "Fate In Seven Lessons"

 8-Rome - " Parlez- vous Hate" 

Long time fans might feel the neo folk project is selling out by not making the kind of bleakly obtuse that put them in line for Death in June's throne. It does seem like these songs were written with breaking through in the America. There is even a song that kind of parodies Bruce Springteen's "Born in the USA" But all the above works for me 

Abysmal Hymns: Rome : "Parlez-vous Hate"

7-St. Vincent-"Daddy's Home" 

A drastic change for her. The angular Bowie like guitar is missing and has been replaced for a more soulful Prince like vibe. It takes multiple listens for this to fully sink in for me. If you think about it I guess this might be her Young Americans album.

Abysmal Hymns: St. Vincent : " Daddy's Home"

6-Perturbator- "Lustful Sacraments" 

Things have changed for this French synth wave project. It has been a logical progression from album to album. But this marks the first time I have thought now this is a cool song. Much like a great deal of the current crop of synth wave the largely instrumental sub genre tended to focus on capturing synth sounds of yester year and melding them into something not unlike the " Blade Runner" soundtrack .

Abysmal Hymns: Perturbator : "Lustful Sacraments"

5-Justin Bieber - "Justice" 

Here is an album that I did not review for this blog as the Weeknd and Post Malone have been where I have drawn the line with pop, which might be unfair to the Biebs, because there is not really much of a difference between them. This is a great pop record and he is proving himself a better songwriter than those two with this one , if I keep the suspension of disbelief that there was not an army of producers on this one.  

 

4-Gary Numan - "Intruder" 

 At 63  who would have guessed Numan would be making some of the best music of his career at this late in the game. I really liked his last album "Savage" it was less future pop and more industrial. The same can be said of this one , but the mood is darker and compositions more lushly colored.  His voice sounds great, granted he using a more nuanced and softer approach. 

Abysmal Hymns: Gary Numan : "Intruder"

3-The Pretty Reckless - "Death By Rock n Roll" 

After 12 years at this they have perfected their craft and created a cool smoky slab of blues cooked rock songs with plenty of hooks to them

Abysmal Hymns: the Pretty Reckless : "Death By Rock N Roll"

2-Pale Waves - " Who Am I?  " 

I still listen to their last album "My Mind Makes Noises" , and have been looking forward to this one. From the singles leading up to this albums release I was beginning to hear some 90s radio influence . When I actually put the album on it flows much closer to we heard from them without being redundant and still showing growth.

Abysmal Hymns: Pale Waves : "Who Am I"

1- Amigo the Devil -"Born Against" 

After "Everything's Fine" the bar is pretty high going into this one. It opens with a bigger slicker production sound which along with strings and a more ballad like mood is the biggest change. The first song shifts into more of a rock dynamic when it builds. His voice has really improved here as well.

Abysmal Hymns: Amigo the Devil : "Born Against"

Thyrfing : "Vanagandr"

 This Swedish band has been kicking around the black metal scene since the mid 90s.  This is their 7th album, so not as prolific as some. Only two original members are intact their bassist who started a the drummer and the guitarist. To their credit they do not cling to closely to the Dissection legacy of Swedish black metal , they have more in common with them than some of their other country men due to the highly highly melodic nature of what they do. They have a very big sound, and the album is very well produced. The title track has more of a "pagan" touch to their sound. Which along with great drumming helps form their identity on this album.

The clean guitar tones work well to help distance themselves from sounding like every one else.    I also like the fact you can hear the bass. Often the gallop has a more power metal thrashiness to it that is off set by the scowl of the vocals. More accessible than their earlier more black metal albums for sure. While I do like the sounds they are layering on "Jamhand" I do not feel it is as well written as the previous song. But this is only marginal and your average metal head might not even notice. There is a more theatrical flare to "Hag och minne " for a;; the LARPing they might try to do, if it was not for the riffs there would be nothing to play Viking with. The spoken parts are not my favorite but the overall  feeling of the song works. The sung vocals are layered in the background.  I believe these guys are more closely related to Vikings than Amon Amarth. Regardless, what I learned from this song is the drummer is great. 

A few blast beats show up here and there, but they are contrasted by a wide breadth of sounds so it never sounds like they are just falling back on them.  However it is when they slow things down to a more deliberate pace on the last song that they become more interesting and melodic while still brooding ,dark and heavy. Sure this is a Dungeons & Dragons feeling album, but it is still really well done and heavier than most, black metal for people who normally like power metal, I will give it a 9.