Black Elk - Always a Six, Never a Nine

Ever since the self-titled debut from Black Elk came out in ’06 I don’t think I’ve been recommended a band by people more so than them. I really don’t remember when I first got around to listening to their debut, but I know it took awhile. I’d have to dig through the archive of mixes because I know as soon as I did a song from it ended up on one of them. All of those people telling me about Black Elk were certainly right in the end.

Black Elk have returned this year with the release of their second album Always a Six, Never a Nine, which is once again being handled by Crucial Blast. Not straying too far from what made their debut such a successful one, the band once again delivers an ample amount of excellent noise-rock with a bit of a metal/mathy edge. It seems that they draw plenty of comparisons to bands like Jesus Lizard, Hammerhead, etc. While that definitely makes for the center of their sound, Black Elk definitely have a slicker and maybe more calculated style which goes from the music all the way to the production. While I am definitely not a fan of most things “clean”, Black Elk definitely still manage to dirty it up plenty on Always a Six, Never a Nine. The vocals in particular from singer Tom Glose end up being a very nice contrast to the bands more intricate and quicker guitar portions, as he manages to use his warbling style (when not screaming) of vocals to great effect. Overall, the album seems like a logical step for the band not changing things up dramatically while still managing to flesh out their songs some in process giving them room to display their songwriting abilities more.

Black Elk – She Pulled Machete [MP3]

For those interested in picking up Always a Six, Never a Nine then definitely head on over to Crucial Blast to do so, especially if any of you out there were into the first album at all. Enjoy!

Appollonia - Among Wolves

Appollonia are a three piece currently based out of Bourdeaux, France that have just self-released their first album titled Among Wolves. The album follows up a five song demo that the band recorded in 2006, and to their credit for being such a young and relatively new band Among Wolves is a pretty solid record. This is coming from someone who generally is a bit picky when it comes to bands that are molded around the post-rock/metal deal. However Appollonia, who have only been around roughly a couple or so years, are already pretty well ahead of the game.

On Among Wolves the band does an admirable job in avoiding some of the genres largest clichés by mixing in some hardcore elements that ultimately keeps the songs concise and the listeners on their toes. One of the things that makes Among Wolves stand on its own against the number of similarly styled releases out there right now is Appollonia’s refreshing dynamics throughout the record, which as mentioned before keeps things from falling victim to repetitiveness. For a debut, Among Wolves doesn’t fail to impress and there is definitely reason to believe that the best is ahead for the band. Fans of Year of No Light, Overmars, Cult of Luna, etc should and will likely find something to like about Appollonia’s debut.

Appollonia – Sunset Boulevard [MP3]

For those looking to pick up Among Wolves, head on over to the bands MySpace to do that and to check out some more tunes from the band. Enjoy!

Collapsar - Integers

Collapsar are easily one of my favorite instrumental metal bands that are currently active. So it’s with the utmost joy that I get to talk a bit about their new upcoming album for Escape Artist called Integers. The album will be out on November 20th and for those that were into the bands Self-Titled debut in 2005, well all I can say is that Integers will be a no brainer to pick up. It’s simply spectacular.

For those not familiar with Collapsar, the band was formed in 2002 in Lafayette, Louisiana by ex-Icepick Revival members Brett Judice (drums) and Stephen Sheppert (guitar). The band hooked up with Dave Graeff to fill another guitar slot and recorded their first album which also saw a release through Escape Artist. After a tour in support of the album Graeff departed from the band and his spot was filled by guitarist Adam Harris and recording began on their soon to be released second album Integers.

Two of my favorite bands to ever pull off the whole instru-metal math rock thing were Breadwinner and Bozart. It may well be time to start including Collapsar in that small list. It’s basically as if either of those bands fell face first into a gigantic pile of prog-rock records and emerged from it a whole new tech metal monstrosity simply known as Collapsar. With their new album Integers, they waste no time in kick starting the shred-fest on the nine minute album opener “Axiomatic Fragment”, which basically sets the tone for the rest of what is to come on Integers. One main thing I really enjoy about the album and really Collapsar’s music in general is that on top of all guitar wizardry taking place, they create songs that still manage to sound full and with plenty of texture. No, this isn’t your ordinary guitar and drums set up. It’s my kind of metal, no cheese, no lyrics, no solo wankery to be found…just sixty minutes chock full of riffs and technical guitar playing that even after that amount time will leave you wanting more. If that’s the case, go out and get the bands debut as well if it’s not already in your CD collection.

Collapsar – Drilling Holes Through Space [MP3]

Be sure to pick up Integers when it officially comes out on November 20th. However, for anyone that don’t think they can wait that long it looks as if you can hit up the band on their MySpace and they’ll sell the album early. They’ll also have it on tour with them, so if you manage to catch them live…buy it. Otherwise, keep checking Escape Artist as it will be available there come the end of November. I’m out for the weekend, everyone have a good one!

Today is the Day - Temple of the Morning Star

Well, I hope everyone found some way to make Valentines Day the least bit enjoyable. Me, I got some cupcakes out of the whole deal and that’s about it, however they were damn good cupcakes so I am pretty satisfied. The day wouldn’t have been complete however without a little bit of music to help celebrate this fine holiday. So, one of my first choices was Temple of the Morning Star by the renown Today is the Day. Honestly, nothing says “Happy Valentines Day” any better.

A truly terrifying album to those that aren’t familiar with the band and even to those that are this album is still pretty damn creepy. Today is the Day has always been, in whatever lineup configurations it’s went through, a band that continually pushes the limits in terms of being extreme and disturbing. Temple of the Morning Star is so oppressively dark that it’s almost hard to sit through in one listening. The continual running themes of depression, hatred, soured relationships, and alienation are truly close to the point of being overwhelming. Doesn’t sound the least bit redeeming, does it? Well, for whatever reason I break out this album every once and awhile and let it remind me that this is probably what rock bottom sounds like, oh and the songs are pretty top notch too.

While the album may be a wee bit on the dark side of things, it’s hard to not notice that the band is also pretty technically proficient and alongside of Steve Austin’s raspy screams is some pretty insane and impressive riffs. For Temple of the Morning Star and really Today is the Day’s music in general, the sound is heavy for completely different reasons. It’s heavy in such a way that it grabs the listener and places such a weighted burden on them that it feels almost impossible to get away from. It’s a sound that practically feels like it’s choking you. Temple of the Morning Star is one of those records that should only exist in the deepest darkest corners of the world, however has somehow been unleashed to terrorize us all. Again, what fits Valentine’s Day any better than that?

Today is the Day – High as the Sky [MP3]
Today is the Day – Rabid Lassie [MP3]
Today is the Day – My Life with You [MP3]

Relapse Records was awesome enough to have this album remastered and reissued this past year, so it’s still widely available. Pick it up over at Amazon. Enjoy!