TesseracT – ‘Polaris’ [Review]

Tesseract - 'Polaris'

Since 2003, TesseracT have been busy building a monolithic name for themselves in the progressive metal world. Ranked alongside the likes of Periphery and Karnivool and hailed as djent pioneers, it’s safe to say that each and every move they make is made under the joint pressures of sky-high expectations and feverish global-scale anticipation.

The burning question, then, is simple: Is Polaris any good, or have the legends lost their touch?

The short answers are:

A) Yes, of course it fucking is; and

B) No, don’t be ridiculous.

If you’re a TesseracT hater looking for mean words, you’ve Read more…

Posted on 10 August 2015

2000 Trees 2015 [Festival Review]

2000 Trees

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Few things in life feel as good as immersing yourself in something you love. Diving deep into awesomeness, allowing the world’s worries to slip away, replacing baggage with better things. Escaping.

Of all the modern world’s escape hatches, music remains one of the most enigmatic and rewarding options. However, everyday life offers few opportunities for extended periods of musical immersion. You can walk down the street under headphones, spend a lazy Sunday in the company of your sound system with the curtains drawn, or spend an evening at a top-class venue taking in a few bands – but for many music fanatics, such experiences still don’t go deep enough.

2000 Trees certainly does. Situated on an out-of-the-way Gloucestershire farm in a 3G-free dead zone, the Trees site is an ideal location for digital disconnection, and reconnection with simpler things. The feeling of sun on your face, wind on your skin, and pure live music vibrating every cell in your body.

Arcane Roots’ (95%) set was the perfect reward for an Read more…

Posted on 15 July 2015

Hacktivist [Interview]

Hacktivist

In the final instalment of TMMP’s 2000 Trees interview series, Hacktivist talk Korn cameos, influential gigs, and the foundations of political change…

You’re set to lay waste to 2000 Trees 2015. Do you have anything special planned for your set?

I think as a band, we treat each show the same no matter where we are or who is watching. We believe every H show is special! So yeah, we do have something special: a Hacktivist set!

What’s the craziest occurrence that’s ever taken place during a Hacktivist set?

When we toured with Korn, the fans started screaming so fucking loud out of nowhere. I was on stage waving my arms side to side with the crowd, and realised Fieldy was right next to me doing the same with his bass! Considering I’ve been listening to them since I was like 11, that was definitely a crazy moment in my life.

Hacktivist lyrics tend toward the political. What life experiences first sparked your political passions?

Like any kids, initially we were oblivious to so much that was going on in the world around us. It’s so easy to get so trapped in the cycle of the system that you don’t see anything other than Read more…

Posted on 08 July 2015

Maxi Curnow – ‘Transition’ [Review]

Maxi Curnow Transition

Last year, Maxi Curnow dropped STEM – TMMP’s #2 EP of the year – and it earned that lofty ranking for good reason. This guy is a one-of-a-kind talent – a genius, as overused as that term is today – and when it comes to instrumental skill, compositional nous, and punch-to-the-gut songcraft, Maxi Curnow possesses a perspective all his own. STEM was a unique display of musical Jedi skills, a twenty-minute epic crammed with twists, turns, and tangents – and it fucking blew my mind.

Transition is a different proposition. With this album, Maxi Curnow has everything he needs to go as far as he damn well pleases.

On Transition, the influence of virtuosi as diverse as Tesseract and Guthrie Govan merge with nods in the direction of electronic experimentalist extraordinaire Björk and a lack of trepidation in embracing Read more…

Posted on 27 June 2015

2000 Trees 2015 [Festival Preview]

2000 Trees

Since 2007, 2000 Trees has evolved into one of the UK alternative music scene’s most treasured institutions. Combining a fiercely independent ethos with a super-positive DIY attitude and the backing of many brilliant musicians, this festival is not one to miss. For TMMP, the lineup alone is absolutely mouth-watering.

Eclectically-minded music buffs are guaranteed to find themselves satiated at 2000 Trees. Diversity is key at big events, and Read more…

Posted on 16 June 2015

Exist Immortal – ‘Darkness Of An Age (Deluxe Edition)’ [Review]

exist immortal darkness deluxeSometimes a band’s endorsements say it all. Exist Immortal affiliates Chapman Guitars have made a name for themselves as supporters of a new generation of fresh-thinking musicians – and so it comes as no surprise that this tech-heavy album stands as a prime example of that generation’s capabilities.

Exist Immortal do with their influences what this guy does with everything from iPhones to hockey pucks. Meshuggah. Fear Factory. Devin Townsend. Will they blend? Apparently so – and further than that, they Read more…

Posted on 01 April 2015

Karnivool / Monuments [Live Review – The Roundhouse, Camden, 28/3/2015]

Screen shot 2015-03-29 at 14.16.57On the way to this show, I was propositioned by a prostitute; had a guy try to sell me a bible; and was challenged to a fight by a homeless man.

All in the same McDonald’s.

Thanks to my quest to avoid bruises, black eyes, STIs, and religion, I wound up Read more…

Posted on 29 March 2015

Cambion – ‘Virus (Extended Edition)’ [Review]

unnamedKatana-sharp guitar tones, throat-scarring vocals, über-polished production, one-click kicks, punchy nut-tight polyrhythms and searing solos – all are present and correct on Virus, an eight-stage set of immense tech-metal tracks. It’s unlikely your grandmother will warm to Read more…

Posted on 28 March 2015

Takedown Festival 2015 [Festival Review]

TD-23-01-15-ANNOUNCEMENTbThe first thing that needs to be said is this: Takedown Festival 2015 was really well-run. Organising an event that takes in over 40 bands across five stages, runs to schedule, and delivers a smooth, hassle-free and fun experience for punters is a serious ask – but the Takedown crew rose to the challenge and did an awesome job. Even the security were nice guys. Or maybe paid actors.

The second thing that needs to be said? Fuck Read more…

Posted on 11 March 2015

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