Outside The Coma – ‘The Battle Of Being’ [Review]

Remember science class? Man, it was boring. Stuck staring at a textbook or a blackboard while the world’s most monotonic teacher droned on and on about everything from leaves to light.

You were interested in light, at least. Sunlight. The light from the sun shining outside, while you were kept out of it.

But one day, you got to experience something even cooler than escaping. You gathered around the teacher’s table with your friends, to watch a series of substances with arcane names go up in flames. Blinding lights; miniature explosions; the world’s most compact firework display.

After all the sleepy gloom that came before it, that lesson was imprinted on your memory forever. Even when it was over, you were still buzzing. Excited.

The Battle Of Being is just like that lesson. Read more…

Posted on 27 September 2015

Nothing But Thieves – ‘Nothing But Thieves’ [Review]

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Word of advice: You’ll need a pair of headphones handy when listening to this album. There are so many deep-in-the-mix layers and subtle touches in there, and you don’t want to miss out on a single one.

Nothing But Thieves have come a long way over the past few years, and are on the edge of exploding. When it happens, it will be entirely deserved – and for proof, look no further than this album. Nothing But Thieves is consistently massive in terms of ambition and flawless in execution, not to mention sensual, emotive, and breathtaking – often all at once.

Excuse Me‘s polite title conceals a slow-burning opener, lulling the curious into a false sense of security before erupting in Read more…

Posted on 24 September 2015

Scale The Summit – ‘V’ [Review]

On V, their fifth album (and third long-player since 2009’s career-skyrocketing Carving Desert Canyons), Scale The Summit have sought to further expand their already considerable repertoire of instru-mental pieces. Heavy on the heaviness, equally shred-happy and melodically restrained, and fond of harmonic complexity, Scale The Summit remain in a class of their own here.

After ticking off almost every item an instrumental progressive metal act could stick on their wish list (tours with everyone from Dream Theater and Devin Townsend to Yes, Periphery, and Between The Buried And Me; ecstatic levels of praise from all corners; even a Billboard-charting album in 2013’s The Migration), Scale The Summit could be forgiven for resting on their laurels – Read more…

Posted on 23 September 2015

Metal Allegiance – ‘Metal Allegiance’ [Review]

As a celebration of modern metal’s sense of brotherhood and community spirit, this album hits the sweet (or, more accurately, sour) spot. A collection of none-more-black tracks featuring “house band” Mike Portnoy (drums), Dave Ellefson (bass), and Alex Skolnick (guitars) alongside a host of metal’s biggest and brightest stars, it goes without saying that musicianship-wise, the level of talent on display here goes way beyond world-class. It’s the kind of album that metalheads dream about when they go to sleep at night, trudge to work during the day, and wax poetic about their passions over trays of Jägerbombs in the evening.

Whatever your taste in metal, you’re likely to find something to satisfy you in here. There’s a definite focus on hard-gurning grooves on Metal Allegiance, with that peerless rhythm section leading listeners toward Neckbraceland at every opportunity Read more…

Posted on 20 September 2015

Dorje – ‘Catalyst’ [Single Track Review]

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This track is so immense, my mind has actually gone blank. Is there a single word that could possibly convey how stunned I am right now? I’ve scanned my dictionary, mined my thesaurus, even braved the depths of Urban Dictionary. But nothing really works.

I will say this, though: if you consider yourself a serious rock / metal fan, you HAVE to check these guys out. According to one of their t-shirts, Dorje are “Hench as fuck” – and it’s true, but still Read more…

Posted on 19 September 2015

Press To MECO – ‘Good Intent’ [Review]

Tired. Old. Worn-out. Worthless.

Press To MECO’s ideas do not match any of those descriptions.

Family Ties ties together pop-punk’s signature let’s-drink-ten-Red-Bulls-and-have-a-star-jump-competition energy with hooks twisted into time-pretzels via multi-meter manipulations that are nothing short of genius. Then Diffusion Of Responsibility kicks into a fat head-bobbing riff that could spark off a circle pit at a funeral. By the time that super-tasty second track is through, we’re Read more…

Posted on 17 September 2015

For Astronauts And Satellites – ‘Then, By The Light Of Our Own Creation’ [Review]

Originality is rare in music – but For Astronauts And Satellites have it in spades. These guys are gradually carving out a global-scale niche of their own, merging chiptuned electronica with gritty and epic post-rock and winning fans across the world in the process.

Then, By The Light Of Our Own Creation takes retro gaming soundtrack tones, drops them into syncopated rhythmic layers, and adds more than a few tasty (and often mixed-meter) grooves. It is challenging, but also rewarding – music made for those who crave Read more…

Posted on 16 September 2015

Teramaze – ‘Out Of Subconscious’ [Review]

In order for someone to become world-class at a particular skill, research indicates that at least 10,000 hours of practice are required. The individual members of Teramaze have clearly put in way more than that. They represent progressive metal at its most engaging, immersive, and addictive – a tough peak to hit considering the competition.

Out Of Subconscious sounds like Symphony X jamming with Dream Theater and Karnivool. Read more…

Posted on 15 September 2015

DNKL – ‘Otherside’ [Review]

Strutting urbanized beats. Smoothly flowing synth melodies. Spacious and epic vibes. Sparsely and perfectly placed vocals. Music tailor-made for long city walks, laser-lit clubs, and bouncing beach parties on idyllic islands.

Sound like your thing?

Then Read more…

Posted on 15 September 2015

Submotion Orchestra – ‘III’ [Review]

Since the release of third album Alium last year, Submotion Orchestra have become firm TMMP favourites. Their expensive-sounding and ultra-modern combination of dub, jazz, classical, soul, and electronic elements has soothed, calmed, stirred, and inspired an evangelical fanbase for the past six years. On this instrumental EP, a set of three precision-honed tracks, Submotion Orchestra show no signs of slowing down or holding back.

Whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool muso, casually curious passer-by, or just Read more…

Posted on 13 September 2015