Peace, love and death metal

Anathema - “A Simple Mistake”

Another brand new Anathema track that’ve been released by the band for free downloading. You can find the track in a zip file behind the link and there’s also lyrics and comments on the song at the website as well.

I don’t know is it just that Anathema uses Godspeed You! Black Emperor as their introductionary music on their shows or is it really so that they have got some postrock-esque elements in their new songs. These surely don’t fit in four-minute hit format: these songs breathe and live freely - quite an opposite to their 1998-’99 material but still the same band.

Au Pair - “Berliinin kansainväliset ajoneuvomessut” mp3 

Au Pa.ir gives information on the forthcoming, second Au Pair album. In short, it’s recorded and mixed. Mp3 that is linked above is taken from their debut album, released in early 2005.

Slayer - Christ Illusion clips

30 second clips from each song from the new Slayer album. There is also an alternative, censored version of the cover art released. Not a surprise.

The Complete Oral History of Slayer

Decibel Magazine’s August issue have a 16-page story on the history of Slayer. One third of the feature is now up at Decibel’s site. I received my copy of the issue some week ago, cost me $12 but was definitely worth it (foreign magazine’s cost that amount in the newstands anyway). It was my first issue of Decibel and I wasn’t disappointed. They should start making an European version (or just print it in Europe as well) just to give Terrorizer some serious competition.

Bootlegs at Bwilms.com

Pelican - June 13th 2006; Rogue Wave - June 16th 2006; Mastodon - May 7th 2005; Explosions In The Sky - 2003; Don Caballero - 2000

Tap Tap - “100 000 Thoughts” mp3

Taken from Tap Tap’s Lanzafame album on Catbirdseat. And it’s not Alec Ounsworth on vocals even if you think so. However, I couldn’t resist ordering this album, half because of the beautiful handmade limited edition version. I’ll let you know later how’s the rest of the album. At least this song have enjoyed attention from many blogs during last ten days or so.

Beirut - “Postcards From Italy” mp3

Taken from Beirut’s Gulag Orkestar album on Ba Da Bing!

Sometree - “Hands And Arrows” mp3

Taken from Sometree’s Bending The Willow album on Pias/ Populoud. And it’s not Thom Yorke on vocals even if you think so.

Kunek - “Coma” mp3

Taken from Kunek’s Flight of the Flynns album, which I think is self-released.

The Spherical Minds - “Cast Regret Aside” mp3

Taken from The Spherical Minds‘ Fern album on Carte Postale. Album’s title track is featuring the lyrics and vocals of Danny Cavanagh (Anathema), by the way.

Malummeh - “Room 66″ mp3

A recent Spinefarm signee Malummeh sticks out from the line of Finnish bands. They blend neo-thrash metal with metalcore in a way that is very much murderous. This style have been covered by numerous bands lately, but from the Finnish point of view Malummeh are original, I say, and the Finnish factor, isolation, is audible as well in their mix.

I received a promotional copy of their debut demo Turning Point earlier this year and it was good enough to convince me of their talent. They’re a young band, few of the members still being minors I think, so they have time to develop much further. I was surprised however that they’ve signed a major deal. Hopefully it won’t be a case of too much, too soon.

They’re second demo is available for free download at their site, as is the debut demo too.

Kenoma - “1913″ mp3

I know you all love to use instrumental rock to fill your empty days. Kenoma is just that - Greek for “emptiness” or “void”- but also with heavier kick in the face that you’re used to. This is taken from Translation Loss Records’ split release with Mouth Of The Architect. Highly recommended!

Giant - “Calvin” mp3

Giant are working on the Isis formula, at least that’s the easiest way to describe their music. This reminds me a lot of True Nature Unfolds -era Callisto as well. If you love it slow and crushing, you give these guys a listen. Aversion Online says it with more words and also giving out another mp3.

Cursive - “Dorothy at 40″ mp3
Cursive - “Bad Sects” mp3

First 15 seconds into the song and you’re asking yourself: “Is this really Cursive?” Then you suddenly recognize something familiar, relax and start to enjoy the damn tune. Anyway, Cursive are back. I can’t yet judge in what condition but they’re back and that is news on its own. The Ugly Organ’s follower Happy Hollow is out on August 22nd.

Jukes - “Wandering Star” mp3

“Toiset on luotuja kulkemaan”. My Finnish readers should remember. There are snippets at Jukes’ site and I think I could like this album.

Francis Mantis - “Mantis Rising” mp3
Francis Mantis - “Creation Sickness” mp3 

Kind of amplified emotions I like to get attached to. And guess what - they’re Swedish and a project band (with members of Division of Laura Lee and Frodus/Dechedron). I’d like to see the time when there wouldn’t be a new Swedish band coming my way every month. And with “new” I mean “good”.

Ulver - “Bergtatt” video

How bad can a video rip be? Kids, back in the days of tape trading, this could’ve be the reality. However, this must be the worstcase scenario, Ulver from early 90’s. I love it how someone says it at the comments that “y’know, when it’s completely messed up like this, it kinda fits with their new style”. Hell yes!

The Harvey Girls - “White Wedding (a Billy Idol cover)” mp3

The Harvey Girls‘ Our History Is Your Kitsch EP is all covers: Billy Idol, Blue Öyster Cult, The Flaming Lips, Bad Brains and more. And its free download.

Electric Monk - “Beautiful Illusion” mp3 

Electric Monk sent me a demo release which hippy aesthetics (though the sharp-shaped card box is kind of cool) hold me back for a week or so before I managed to put that cd-r into my cd player. Glad I did. Wake Up the Neighbours! is 18 minutes of energetic music perfect for summer time.

I’m not an expert with this style of rock music, but I’d say the influence from 60’s and early 70’s is evident. This is not pretending to be original, this simply just rocks. Good for the Monks that they have their act so well together; if this would be any less tight this would be worthless, I dare say. This band however seem to have graduated from the School of Rock with good grades. Plus vocalist Topias Jerkku have a cool rock n’ roll voice with enough dirt to keep it interesting.
I won’t be missing this tomorrow, but while listening to this, it’s pleasing - which is enough.

Electric Monks’ mp3s are available at Mikseri, including this 6-song release in its entirety.

Vastine - “Misfit Fireheart” mp3
Vastine - “Unknown Places” mp3

Fact is, Vastine from (somewhere southern) Finland rules. To say it just roughly. Their last year’s EP Midnight Trampolines stole my heart with its strong songs and performance. Finnish indie rock at its best, if you ask me. Thanks to Olli, an old time tape trading partner in crime, informed me about Vastine’s new tracks and - oh yeah - they are just as good.

The band is planning to release another EP called Misfit Fireheart later this year. All four new songs are available for streaming at their flash-heavy new site. I wish I could have these songs downloadable for portable listening purposes. Anyway - this is a release worth the wait, I dare say. Title track and “Unknown Places” (above) was found at Mikseri.net where also lot of their older songs are available.

Mazen Kerbaj - “Starry Night (excerpt)” mp3

It reads: “a minimalistic improvisation by: mazen kerbaj / trumpet - the israeli air force / bombs“.
More: “it is very rough and unmixed and badly recorded. and the problem of not being able to hear the huge silences over the 40 minutes is awful. i think it is the most important part. this fucking silence.”
and some more: “music and drawing are the only things keeping me going these days. i recorded two hours of bombs + trumpet from my balcony yesterday night. some bombs were really close (what kind of mouthpiece do the israeli pilots use to have this sound?). the tension you get in your playing is incredible… …but having regards for what is a good drawing or a good music track drives me crazy. i cannot stop saying after a bomb: “yeah, this one was huge. i’ll leave a long silence then make a small sound to balance the track. this is totally crazy!” via Kasa

Vader - “Warlords” mp3

Polish death metal long distance runners Vader will release their umpteenth album Impressions In Blood in September 4th. I’ve high appreciation to their early work, especially The Ultimate Incantation which is simply excellent. However Vader’s recent work lacks passion and it feels like they’re just driving on autopilot. With new song title (and video) “Helleluyah!!! (God is Dead)” one must hope that sometimes bands would have some idea what is good taste and what is not.