Album Reviews !Underground Artists That Deserve more Popularity!

[Technicolour Dream (Sunny) 38]

Here I will be starting a thread for public use so that we can post reviews on Albums and Artists who most of us may not have heard of, or maybe we have, but never got to know them. That's right folks, here we are gonna shed some light on music from all backgrounds so that we may both help others find music they enjoy (new or old), and to spread awareness for maybe a certain genre or artist. Alright you lot, Lets get posting! 

 

(I would love to expand my music library mates!)

For our first review, I will be covering a personal favorite of mine from both a genre and artist who most of us may not know (hipster me eh mates?)


Genre: Dark Ambient / "Isolationism"
Artist/Band Name: Lull (One Artist: Mick Harris of napalm death, Scorn, and Painkiller)
Facts About the Artist/Band: Lull is a Dark Ambient side project of Napalm Death's Mick Harris in which he had created the genre known as "Isolationism". The side project had premiered in 1992 with the release of Lull's first album "Dreamt about dreaming". with this album being created, Isolationism was born.


Album: Cold Summer
Cover Art:

Track Listing:
1) Slow Fall Inward     23:55
2) Lonely Shelter        15:56
3) Long Way Home     23:38
4) Lost Sanctum         15:57


Review: 


(Mick Harris) Lull's "Cold Summer" (released in 1994)


At first glance, Cold Summer may seem boring and uneventful to the average listener of today's modern era. But if you are willing to "leave yourself behind" and simply listen, and then feel more than you listen, you may begin to feel the Soundscapes created by Mick Harris in this album, Cold Summer, wash you away and wear away at your soul.


The album, Cold Summer, is probably the best album ever released by Mick Harris under the recording name/handle "Lull". Among other Lull albums, Cold Summer continues to be the single most minimalistic and downright chilling album ever released by Lull.


The tracks consist mainly of a very deep Sub-Bass that in one track may come off as nearly deafening while in the next it is barely audible, coupled with small bits of isolated noise that you only seem to notice after they have either stopped, or while waiting in anticipation for it to repeat, Cold Summer creates a new form of isolationism that has still never been fully outclassed. The sheer amount of minimalism that was cleverly planned out by Mick Harris in Cold Summer makes it a very uncertain and mysterious"Fall Inward" as the listeners may find themselves discovering very "animalistic" and instinctual sides of themselves that introduce them to a brand new kind of fear. This fear consists greatly of feelings of helplessness, isolation, and confronting the unknown. In short, it is best to imagine that you are falling down and seeing the world fall away with you as you begin to wonder just how you began to fall to begin with. soon after the fear and realization that you fell kicks in, and the rush begins.


Each and every isolated sound beyond the Sub-Bass is like a sliver of light in the all consuming darkness that slips away, or even like the sensation of small cuts of steel on flesh. The sounds range from soothing to the mind, to mind crushingly terrifying on a level that to new listeners is guaranteed un-felt before. But to experienced dark ambient listeners, the horror is all too familiar, and because of this, all the more horrifying and potent. Thus making Cold Summer a fantastically terrifying trip through the mind that can be both enjoyed, and feared, by listeners of all kinds, over and over again.


The Beginning track (and my favorite track) "Slow Fall Inward" starts the listener off on their journey through wicked and broken soundscapes with a slow and gradual fall inwards toward madness and fear, covered by the sensation of sanity peeling away like paint from a wall. It may also be stated that this "wall" is much like the metaphorical wall that was displayed in Pink Floyd's "The Wall". The wall itself represents the purest isolation and fear. But this time, instead of "tearing down the wall", you will find yourself building 4 walls, no door, putting a roof on it, and sitting in the corner for the remainder of the album. During this time you may find yourself thinking deeply upon what exactly it is you are hearing and feeling. When the album is over and all is complete, you may afterwards begin to feel that life seems so much safer and clearer. After listening to this album for the first time, that is exactly how I felt.


Out of 5, I would rate "Cold Summer" a full 5 stars. The album hits the listener in sensitive places that never seem to be explored or delved upon without guidance. This album, Cold Summer, as well as many other Lull albums, is just the right kind of guide into those places in your mind.
 

 

Edited April 2, 2013 by Technicolour Dream (Sunny)

[Moog the Kvlt 1,460]

Alright then let's go for it

 

I'll put up this one right here:

 

Nails - Unsilent Death

 

Nails are a Grindcore band that definitely know what they are doing, the songs are violent, brutal, and extremely intense. This is probably the most intense Grindcore album that I've ever heard and enjoyed, Nails also have a new album that they released this year named Abandon All Life, so if you enjoyed Unsilent Death, then definitely take a listen to their newest album, as for me, I do prefer Unsilent Death over Abandon All Life.

[BronyWithRage 26]

Artist: Twiztid

Album: The Green Book (2003)

Genre: Hardcore hip-hop, horrorcore, rock, rock-rap

The Green Book could easily be Twiztid’s best album, which is saying a lot given how good all of their albums have been. Most of the music on here is based on hardcore hip-hop, although the last song, Darkness is one of Twiztid’s many rock songs.

The album begins with the intro song The Green Book. This is simply an intro skit, and therefore not really anything special.

The second track is known as On the Other End and sounds so similar to many songs from this era of Twiztid’s music, it’s alright.

The album really begins to start being great on the third track, White Trash with Tat-‘2s which is a somewhat comedic song with a good beat and an excellent chorus. One of the best songs on the album.

The fourth song is highly regarded as one of the best songs Twiztid ever created. Afraid of Me begins with a sampling of the chorus of the previous song and is a very personal song with good lyrics. They made a music video for this song.

Wondering Why? Is a brilliant follow up track to Afraid of Me. Again the lyricism on display here is extremely good, with a pretty good beat too.

Call Me is another skit.

The next song in the album, I’m the Only 1 features Shaggy 2 Dope from ICP. It’s an alright track, with a fairly average beat, although all verses are well performed.

Speculationz features E-40, who do an amazing job on this track, and really make it perfect.

The World is Hell features Esham. It’s a fairly good track, Esham does well, but it’s nothing special.

Nikateen is also another skit.

U Don’t Wanna B Like Me is a good track with a great beat and good lyricism. Again, nothing special.

The next song, Serial Killa, features Tech N9ne and is another standout. All verses are performed perfectly, and Tech N9ne really adds to the song. Great chorus.

Marsh Lagoon features Violent J of ICP and it is an excellent beat, with good lyrics. But the chorus is not the best.

Bobby’s Dead is a good track which features a guitar solo. Pretty good.

Hydro is a slow song about marijuana featuring Layzie Bone. A good song with an amazing beat.

Frankenstein is another fairly generic sounding track featuring Blaze Ya Dead Homie.

Everybody Diez is a track featuring Anybody Killa and Bushwick Bill. Nothing particularly special, and the featured artists don’t do too great either.

Fat Kidz is a comedic song about, well, fat people. It’s a fairly short and funny song.

The next track Hom-Sha-Bom is a real highlight. It has a great chorus and good lyricism and beats. Amazing song. It’s also pretty weird.

Darkness is the last song. It is a rock song and has amazing lyrics with good instrumentals. Great lyrics, great song.

Overall: A great album. One of Twiztid’s best. 9/10.

[Technicolour Dream (Sunny) 38]

Today I will be covering an album by a band that I like to call "The Rift Masters of Drone". This band certainly deserves more popularity, but unfortunately the style of music is considered on the "underground" spectrum.


Genre: Drone / Stoner Metal / Doom Metal
Artist/Band Name: Sunn O)))
Facts About the Artist/Band: Sunn O))) is named after the Sunn amplifier brand. The band itself was formed as a commemoration band of sorts for the inventors of Drone Metal, a band called "Earth" whom is often credited with being the inspiration that created Sunn O))). The band has two core members: Stephen O'Malley (also of Khanate and Burning Witch) and Greg Anderson (of Goatsnake and Engine Kid). On December 17, 2009, the song "Hunting & Gathering (Cydonia)" from the CD Monoliths & Dimensions was named the Heaviest Song of All-Time by Jason Ellis on The Jason Ellis Show on Sirius/XM. Greg Anderson then appeared on The Jason Ellis Show on January 12, 2010. 


Album: Monoliths & Dimensions
Cover Art: 

Track Listing:

1.   "Aghartha"                                                                                   17:34
2.   "Big Church [Megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért]"     9:43
3.   "Hunting & Gathering (Cydonia)"                                                   10:02
4.   "Alice"                                                                                           16:21 (best song on the album)
                                                                                         Total length: 53:00


Review: 


When people think heavy metal, it has come to my attention that they think of two common things. 1: Barbaric, loud, and music that would be considered both non-complex and un-artistic. 2: A singular sound that all bands have (All bands sound the same). This is SO not true, and in Sunn O)))'s case, it is the opposite. Another thing i need to touch up on first, is that people assume "Heavy" metal requires fast, melodic, and deafening music with no real theme. Sunn O))), however, Is also the exact opposite, and yet, still a HELL of alot heavier than any band I have ever heard that is still enjoyable to listen to.


Now, the review. Sunn O)))'s "Monoliths & Dimensions" is often considered to be Sunn O)))'s heaviest album, and all in all, i have to agree. Although I personally feel that their album "Iron Soul of Nothing (Featuring: 'Nurse With Wound')" is their best, Monoliths & Dimensions deserves ALOT of praise. The album takes drone to a whole new level of heavy, gritty, harshness that Sunn O))) is known for delivering.


Monoliths & Dimensions is an album for those listeners out there who are looking for both Heavy music, and slow, progressive art. Sunn O)))'s style inMonoliths & Dimensions can be explained as "an Artistic way of drilling into the brain, planting a bomb, and exploding your mind". As you listen to this album, keep this in mind: Try to listen to the songs for their "Texture" not their melody.

The Album starts off with a heavy, AND I MEAN HEAVY, song that jumps right into the grittiness of the track and fades out over the entirety of the song. It is like jumping into a bed of nails and managing to drown. The feeling and sensation is fantastic. The second track is a very nice example of artistic brain drilling. The track consists of a choir, heavy guitar coupled with lots of amplifier humming, slow, gritty vocal techniques, and a constant buzz. In short, it sounds like the choir of doom, and that is fantastic. As I said before, the third track was actually named the Heaviest Song of All-Time by Jason Ellis on The Jason Ellis Show on Sirius/XM. "Hunting & Gathering (Cydonia)", the third track, is indeed a VERY heavy track and has a very rad feel to it. If you like heaviness that you can feel vibrate off your skin that still sounds like ambience you could sleep too (albeit the night terrors), this song will have you hooked. Every minute is different from the last while staying true to the slow, steady, and subtle style of drone metal. The final song, "Alice", is dedicated to the jazz artist, Alice Coltrane. This song is very unique in many ways, but most of all, it is a unique style for Sunn O))). This track starts off with a very slow but crisp and alive feeling. As it progresses, the song will pick up static and fade into a melodic and heavenly symphonic tune. This song goes from, Thick, crisp, fresh, Sub-bass and guitar with static, to French horns, harps, strings, and the hole 9 yards of fairy tale sounding symphonies. I can not stress enough just how awesome this song is.

Overall, the general Motive or feel of this album is to get listeners to feel what they wanna feel, think about what you feel, and reflect upon it. This is a typical feel with Sunn O))), but this album tends to really stress the "Drilling into the brain" as well. While listening, it is advised to listen to every sound and not follow a singular sound or note. By doing this, I find it easiest to feel this reflexive mood that the album is supposed to impose upon the listeners. All of the tracks are very Solid and and challenging for the brain to fully register and label as "pleasant music". But with the right attitude, this music can become the most pleasant to the ears in the known musical world. And to me, Sunn O))) is the best band out there for this genre. This album in specific is the very album that got me into Sunn O))) in the first place. The first track by Sunn O))) I ever heard was "Big Church [Megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért]" (however you pronounce that).

Overall, I give this album a 4 of 5. The album was made over a 2 year period and i have to appreciate the time, effort and care that was placed ever so perfectly into the production of this album. A must have for any drone fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWt_Aot5Xtc

 

 

[Le Kvlt Dawn 2,364]

Ressurection of the Ancient Black Earth - Sadistic Intent

Genre: Death Metal

 

Awesome album by a really underrated band. The CD version comes with a cover of The Excorcist by Possessed.

[Soundgarden 2,758]

 

 

Artist:Pangea

Album: Release

Genre: Dubstep

 

Track listing:

 

 

01. Game
02. Release
03. Trouble
04. Majestic 12
05. Time Bomb
06. Middleman
07. Aware
08. High

 

 

After some releases with Hessle Studios, Pangea have finally released a real album of sort (actually a double EP). As his earlier single releases were godlike, I had high expectations for this one.

 

Did it live up to my expectations? Definitely! The album does start out pretty weak with "Game" and "Release" but then the whole album just goes up. This album got everything you'd expect and want from a Dubstep album: Intense bass, distorted sub-bass and the relaxing yet hyped sound. This album also have experiments with sampling and vocals. I do welcome the sampling experimentations, but the vocal ones aren't done all to greatly. 

 

To sum it up: Great album, got everything you'd want from a Dubstep album and a great start for Pangea

[Technicolour Dream (Sunny) 38]

Genre: Contemporary Indie / Indie Rock

Artist/Band Name: Snowmine

Facts About the Artist/Band: The band hails from Brooklyn. I don't know much else about the band, they haven't exactly done much.

Album: Laminate Pet Animal

Cover Art:

Track Listing:

1) Beast in Air, Beast in Water          5:22

2) Penny                                           3:20

3) The Hill                                         3:44

4) Danger in the Snow!                    4:22

5) Let Me In                                      3:34

6) Piece of Your Pie                         4:34

7) Trial and Error                             4:51

8) This One                                      3:29

9) Hologram                                     6:01

                                 Total Length: 39:22

 

 

 

Review:

 

Snowmine's "Laminate Pet Animal" (Released May 3rd, 2011)

 

Now, Snowmine, the 5 piece band from brooklyn, hasn't exactly done much since 2011. A few singles have been released and a decent amount of live shows have been played, but this is their only full sized album to date, and a smaller album at that. However, needless to say, this album is possibly the single most amazing and fresh sounding piece of bliss I have heard in years.

 

Snowmine is often praised by fans for having a very "Clean and natural sound" and this album truly is a perfect example to back these claims. Laminate Pet Animal starts with the track "Beast in Air, Beast in Water" and while the track is typically what anyone could expect of modern indie groups, the other tracks on the album (especially "Penny", "This One", and "Hologram") have a very distinct clarity and smooth natural feel to them that is unlike any other.

 

Each track of the album is memorable and catchy while keeping the underground sound ubiquitous to  most modern indie bands of the decade. The sound that Snowmine creates in this album is unique to the rest however. Snowmine seems to flawlessly emanate a sort of cool and refreshing feel no matter what mood the listener is in. I have sat feeling downright like total shit and after listening to any song of this album I immediately start feelin' good about myself again. 

 

The instruments and soundscapes (although sondscapes are minor) are played it near perfection with one another so that there is no discernible difference in the feeling of one song to another, but making sure that each song sounds different. 

 

Out of 5, Laminate Pet Animal gets a 4 stars rating from me. I just can't get over how great this sounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Soundgarden 2,758]

Alright, let's do another one:

 

 

Artist: USAO

Album: Kicks for Liberation 3

Genre: Hardstyle, Dubstyle, Hardcore, Jumpstyle

 

 

 

1 Intro
2 Circuit
3 Idlers
4 Square Sky
5 Icy Ground
6 Nuit Blanche (DJ Nanashi Remix)
7 Switch (DJ Nanashi Remix)
8 Switch (DJ Shandy Kubota Remix)

 

 

USAO's third album and the best one in my opinion. It's really one of the most jumpy and melodically satisfying Hardstyle albums I've ever heard. The transition between the melodic parts and the first "Hard Dance" parts are done with perfection, especially in "Icy Ground" which sums up the album the best. The perfectly composed beat makes it incredibly difficult for me to stand still, it always make me jumpy and full of life and emotion

 

 

To sum it up: A great mix of melodic goodness and raw Hard Dance, the best of two worlds. If you are a melodic addict when it comes to Hardcore Techno genres, do not look any further

[Thunderchild 875]

Here's one that's a little mellower:

 

 

 

This is the title track, obviously. The band was started by Steven Wilson-similar to Trent Reznor, he was the only member for a while-until the music started taking off and he needed to tour. He even went so far as to make up band members and their bios initially.

 

Really well known in Prog circles, and well worth checking out if you haven't already. This album was and is intended to be a ghost story-and is,I believe still slated to be made into a movie at some point. 

 

Other examples from them are In Absentia and Fear Of A Blank Planet-with the latest release being 'The Incident.' There's earlier stuff, but these are heavier albums, and better imo.

[Soundgarden 2,758]

I feel like doing another one

 

 

Artist: Various Production

Album: The World Is Gone

Genre: Dubstep, Folktronica

 

 

I wont be posting the cover art, due to light nsfw content. It's almost nothing, but I'm not taking the risk

 

Track List

 

Thunnk
Circle of Sorrow
Don’t Ask
Hater
Soho
Lost
Sir
Sweetness
Deadman
Today
The World is Gone
Fly

 

 

This is one of the more darker Dubstep albums in recent memories, but it doesn't only contain Dubstep, but also Folktronica (which aren't dark at all). I can say that it's a great mix of both genres, and it offers variety, rather than only wobbling bass tracks that makes your head explode.

 

 

To sum it up: If you're looking for a dark Dubstep album mixed with Folktronica, listen to this album this very instant, definitely a notable album

Edited May 21, 2013 by Soundgarden