Godsticks – ‘Emergence’ [Review]

Godsticks are fast becoming A Name in the prog world, and rightly so. Previous efforts Spiral Vendetta and The Envisage Conundrum have led the three-piece into the world of stages shared with the Aristocrats and the Mike Keneally Band, thanks to a double whammy of pristine musicianship and engaging compositional skill. Over time, Godsticks have edged closer and closer to the guitar-driven world of Fucking Badass Rock & Metal – and on Emergence, they’ve finally and firmly planted their flag left of that territory’s centre.

Emergence has a restless quality to it that reflects its creators’ recent evolution. Stylistically it feels uncertain, as if it’s not quite sure what it’s supposed to be – but at the same time, the musicianship on display is confident and self-assertive. Taken together, these aspects lend a nervous anxiety to Emergence‘s track listing – and if that was the point, then it’s fucking genius.

Below The Belt sets out Godsticks’ stall, with long and winding lyrical roads passing through Read more…

Posted on 14 August 2015

Dorje – ‘White Dove’ [Review]

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A common complaint amongst music fans is that new music sucks, because it all sounds the same as/lacks the passion and energy of music from decades past. The funny thing is, that kind of golden-age thinking is not new in itself. People thought the same way ten years ago, twenty years ago, even a century ago. Golden-age thinking just isn’t valid.

Technically, Dorje aren’t a “new” band. They’ve been around for a good few years, racking up hundreds of thousands of YouTube views for a single video (Aeromancy), and launching one of Indiegogo’s most successful crowdfunding campaigns back in 2012. But, they’re still new enough (and unfamiliar enough to those who only visit YouTube for cat videos) to fall under the banner of “new bands who suck because they’re new”.

Do Dorje suck because they’re new? No. The only downside to mention is Read more…

Posted on 11 August 2015

Joe Satriani – ‘Shockwave Supernova’ [Review]

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Shockwave Supernova is the definitive modern-day Joe Satriani album. Equal parts catharsis and cool, a seamless blend of contemporary and classic vibes, this is Satriani at his best. The instrumental guitar maestro continues to rule the roost after almost three decades at the top.

Those are big words – but this is a big album. Shockwave Supernova is made up of fifteen tracks, during which Satch never holds back. From a technique perspective, it may be relatively restrained – but in terms of raw, uncensored emotion…man. Sometimes it makes for difficult listening.

True artists, great musicians, communicate the sound of something welling up in the subconscious before finding Read more…

Posted on 24 July 2015

Between The Buried And Me – ‘Coma Ecliptic’ [Review]

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For prog-metal heavyweights Between The Buried And Me, less has never been more. They’ve built a solid career on expansive songs crammed with everything but the kitchen sink – and latest offering Coma Ecliptic sees BTBAM continue, appropriately enough, to progress.

The most immediate sign of forward movement on Coma Ecliptic is the crystal-clear Dream Theater influence that permeates the whole album from second track The Coma Machine onwards. From the clipped and spacious production job to periodically Petrucci-esque guitar work and nods in the direction of DT keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess, it’s clear that Read more…

Posted on 20 July 2015