“Niiiiiice”, says Louis Balfour – you know, the jazz critic in The Fast Show comedy sketches. Well, Soen’s Memorial (Silver Lining Music) is niiiiiice – a decidedly serious sandwich full of delights, earworms, and all-around expertise.
Tag Archives: prog
ALBUM REVIEW: Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra – Postcards from The Asylum
It’s only been two years since the release of the first album from Saigon Kick’s guitarist, Jason Bieler. Containing an eccentric mix of music accompanied by a star-studded cast of other musicians, Bieler created an experimental medley of rock and progressive sounds. Now Bieler is back with the rest of The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra to do it again and delve even further into the peculiar sounds previously explored. While the debut dipped its toes into the eccentricity, it seems the band are looking to fully submerge. The main question lingers, whether it is odd for art’s sake or just odd for odd’s sake.
NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Rock and Metal Album Releases 7-28-23
Check out our preview of the new metal and rock releases coming out this week for New Music Friday 7-28-23!
PREVIEW: New Music Friday Rock and Metal New Album Releases Preview 7-28-23
Check out our preview of the new metal and rock releases coming out this week for New Music Friday 7-28-23!
INTERVIEW: Luke Fabian of Pupil Slicer Talks “Blossom” and The Pressure That Comes with Success
(Note to fans: we had some issues with the video quality on this one, so it is our interview with some visuals only. Sorry.)
Luke Fabian and of rising Death Metal band Pupil Slicer just released their new album Blossom via Prosthetic Records! The band has been making a name for themselves for years in the underground, with Blossom being one of 2023’s most-anticipated albums. Luke chatted about the last few years for the band, if they felt pressure to make this new album following their debut Mirrors, the shocking effect of hearing their name out loud, and the high cost of touring. Continue reading
New Music Friday Rock and Metal New Album Releases 6-16-2023
PREVIEW: New Music Friday Rock and Metal New Album Releases 6-16-23
ALBUM REVIEW: Pupil Slicer – Blossom
Pupil Slicer announced themselves in style with a sea of aggression, when their debut album Mirrors landed in 2021, and they immediately found themselves at home in the UKs thriving post-pandemic underground Metal scene, which saw them hitting the road the following year on a salivating and high-profile tour with Rolo Tomassi and Heriot. Mirrors was an accomplished debut performance of relentless raw energy and anger, with Pupil Slicer hinting at their full potential on the album’s final song ‘Collective Unconscious’, which was deeper and slower in pace, showing a maturity in their song-writing that extended beyond the abrasive math/deathcore on the rest of the record.
ALBUM REVIEW: Yes – Mirror To The Sky
Mirror To The Sky (Inside Out Music) is Yes’ 23rd album and sees them in somewhat of a productive patch, coming just two years after the previous offering The Quest. Steve Howe is on production duties and is the only surviving member from the band’s heyday after the sad passing of longtime drummer Alan White last year. Despite this Mirror… is undeniably Yes, from the punchy bass lines, fantastical lyrics, and soaring vocals to the dramatic orchestration, long Prog Rock epics, and the obligatory Roger Dean artwork.
CONCERT REVIEW: Covet – ScaryPoolParty – Alto Palo Live at The Crescent Ballroom
Covet’s latest American tour in support of their latest album Catharsis, started in April in Portland, OR, and recently came to a successful close this May in Santa Cruz, CA. I was able to experience Covet for the first time along with supporting acts ScaryPoolParty and Alto Palo in Phoenix, AZ, during which I was excited and curious to see how each of these bands would blend together.