Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Magnum - On The 13th Day
MagnumOn The 13th Day
Label: SPV/Steamhammer
This isn’t a ride into virgin territory. In fact, after 34 years and 17 studio albums, this Birmingham-based melodic hard rock band is continuing to build their long lasting and impressive legacy. That said, this is a solid, highly listenable addition to their history and manages to largely avoid falling into the corny kitsch trap.
• Magnum Website • Magnum Facebook • Magnum WikiNorska - Norska
NorskaNorska
Label: Brutal Panda Records
Tuned-down doom metal must be so fun to write. Loud, slow, huge, harsh, throbbing, epic, determined riffs and beats compliment the often harsh, but sometimes spacey vocals to produce a low end cacophony of dynamic delights. Contains members of and on tour with YOB this fall.
• Norska Website • Norska FacebookAnalog Players Society - Hurricane Season in Brooklyn
Analog Players SocietyHurricane Season in Brooklyn
Label: Studio Brooklyn
The percussionist, producer, and visionary known simply as Amon is the creative force behind this release, which utilizes top-notch studio musicians to bring ska, Afrobeat, hip hop and a few tangential classic covers together into a fun, funky groove rich experience.
• Analog Players Society Website • Analog Players Society FacebookBeats Antique - Contraption Vol. II
Beats AntiqueContraption Vol. II
Label: Antique Records
I’m pretty smitten with this prolific (7 releases in 5 years!) group. Dreamy alluring Middle Eastern and Gypsy melodies are married to equally intriguing electronic infusions. Add in violin, belly dancing, live drums and special DJ Pizazz, and viola! Brilliance.
• Beats Antique Website • Beats Antique Facebook • Beats Antique WikiGovinda - Resonance
GovindaResonance
Label: self
An EP of sensual electronic explorations through mysterious Middle Eastern beats woven into a tapestry of tantalizing female vocals, signature violin overlays and world-bass beats. Delicate, dark and delicious.
• Govinda Website • Govinda FacebookHidria Spacefolk - Astronautica
Hidria SpacefolkAstronautica
Label: Hidria Records
Psychedelic space rock never sounded so good! Born out of a hippie commune in Finland and taking their cue from Ozric Tentacles, this non vocal Moog-a-delic experience will sweep you off on a stellar journey to dimensions unknown in the wink of a riff. See ya there!
• Hidria Spacefolk Website • Hidria Spacefolk Facebook • Hidria Spacefolk WikiUnwoman - The Fires I Started
UnwomanThe Fires I Started
Label: self
Erica Mulkey is Unwoman, a popular and prolific San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter that spices up the strings with electronic beats and attitude. With seven self-produced solo albums and six successful Kickstarter campaigns under her belt, she is turning herself into a musical icon thanks to all the fans she accumulates at the steampunk, goth, and sci-fi-related events that she highlights.
• Unwoman Website • Unwoman Facebook • Unwoman WikiWookiefoot - Ready or Not
WookiefootReady or Not
Label: Wookiefoot (self)
Wookiefoot (one of my all time favorite bands!) continues on their cosmic musical consciousness exploration journey by offering another ever-evolving excursion into anthemic New Age-ish euphemisms gone hippy pop reggae bluegrass jam funk. Will they be the Shangri La for your soul too? Don’t miss their tour this fall!
• Wookiefoot Website • Wookiefoot FacebookLacrimosa - Revolution
LacrimosaRevolution
Label: End of the Light Records
These pioneers of German Symphonic-Metal return for their 11th studio album filled with trademark German lyrics, dramatic atmospheric passages interrupted by terse industrial gothic beats, all crossed by orchestras, choirs and a stellar guest lineup. Since their inception in 1990, they have toured the world, worked with the world famous London Symphony Orchesta, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, and have topped the charts in over 25 countries worldwide. Bravo!
• Lacrimosa Website • Lacrimosa Facebook • Lacrimosa WikiSeven Kingdoms - The Fire Is Mine
Seven KingdomsThe Fire Is Mine
Label: Nightmare / Sony / RED
Furious melodic progressive thrash metal with epic choirs is the order of the day for the third release from this Florida group. Led by the amazing female vocals of Sabrina Valentine and recorded at Morrisound Studios by legendary producer Jim Morris (Iced Earth, Obituary, etc) this release has the backbone to explode onto the metal scene and do some serious damage.
• Seven Kingdoms Website • Seven Kingdoms Facebook • Seven Kingdoms WikiTusmørke - Underjordisk Tusmørke
TusmørkeUnderjordisk Tusmørke
Label: Termo Records
Immediate flashbacks to early Jethro Tull flooded my senses on first listen, only to give way to other obvious influences from Gong, Can, Caravan, etc. While their name means twilight in Norwegian, their retro prog-psych music is twisted with a dark dose of Nordic folk and folk magic while being played out in atmospheric analog format thanks to the antique equipment that was used for its making.
• Tusmørke FacebookFalcon Punch - Falcon Punch
Falcon PunchFalcon Punch
Label: Stainless Manchu Records
Quirky, atmospheric and odd-tempo electronica from Toronto. These experimental compositions swing through jazzy, mathy rhythms as easily as spacey soundscapes with strategic samples and brain scratching soundbites.
• Falcon Punch Website • Falcon Punch FacebookView More
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