Dàmn, I lóve this band's most recent release...in fact, I dare even declare that it's one of those rare exceptional albums the seasoned voluntary (meaning: not paid for all his hard work) music journalist comes across, which entice him to continue to waddle through hundreds of middle-of-the-road and occasionally mediocre stuff. The thing that keeps him goin', what!? Okay, enough personal issues, let's get down to the business of presenting this ultra-fine band to you!
Upon A Burning Body's music is generally listed as Deathcore (with additional influences from Groove and Southern Metal), but quite honestly, I personally fail to see the difference with the original definition of the term Metalcore (= a blending of Hardcore music with elements of the “Metal” - be it Black or Death – genre). Ach, well...everybody's entitled to their own view, right, but what eventually should prevail, is how the musicians see themselves!
Udo Dirkschneider has been in the music business since 40 years, first with German metal band Accept, with whom he got his first success, afterwards with his own band, simply named after himself UDO. This is his fifteenth studio album so far, and while not a true concept album, it’s main theme is the decadency of nowadays life, especially by the rich and privileged part of our society.
Well, well...mysteries àre of this world, 'cause here's yet another relatively well-known Canadian Progressive Rock act (selling 1.6 million albums worldwide and achieving a #1 hit on the Canadian singles charts with “Heaven Coming Down” in 1999) on with no less than now 12 albums (among which a compilation and a live album, but also 8 releases through EMI Music Canada) to their name...and I'd never come across any of the trio's music! Until now, that is...but looking at the band's history, the latter two albums just might never have happened!
When I first heard the music of this band [and regrettably that was already a couple of months ago, but all kinds of elements – such as conditions at work (where I gather the extra info needed for my reviews) worsening, new batches of releases delivered to me by the editor-in-chief containing stuff taking priority, getting ill a couple of times, and generally having less time (again due to work conditions weighing thru') – have delayed my starting on this here article], I could not help, for some obscure reason, thinking of a somewhat raw version of UK's Amebix.
When I put this CD on, I had not looked at the info about this band yet. Upon hearing the first notes I said to myself : I have heard this voice before. And damn right I was, vocalist is none other than Urban breed (Tad Morose, Bloodbound, …). So I started looking through the other info.
Ach...Buster Shuffle, that delightful Ska Rock band from London (and just forget about the funny fact that their name abbreviates to BS, will you) centered around lead singer/ pianist Jet Baker...got acquainted with 'em through the Spring 2011 re-issue of their debut album Our Night Out by the German People Like You label, didn't I? What a whopper of a debut album that was indeed...I mean, I did, after all, put the album in my 2011 year-lists, didn't I (check the review, posted 07/05/2011)?
I almost thought I had put on a new Kamelot album, but it was the new album by Greek metal band Black Fate. This band started out in 1990, and despite great reviews on their first two demos in the Greek metal media, it was only in 2000 thet their first album was released on Secret Port Records.
Eschatonic Records are a label formed by members of Inhuman Remnants, and they take care of the release of Ashes, which is the first official recording by young Australian act Undermine The Supremacy.
I am always unhappily happy when Taake release a new album. I follow this project as from the release of Nattestid…, and each single album that did follow that magnificent debut was at least worth killing for. Kill! (it’s Kristmass-time, so I can’t help myself…)
