When I started these Brieviews series over a year ago, the initial idea is to empty my inbox by writing shorter reviews for EP's, reissues, singles and a few full length albums. Back then, I was talking about 900 unread emails. That amount has tripled since then and we're already at part 25. That's a lot of short reviews if you ask me. Anyway, here are some more Brieviews for your reading and listening enjoyment.
Vacuum Aeterna - Project:Darkscapes
dark ambient
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Italian newcomers Vacuum Aeterna deliver a deep, ritual and industrial debut, drenched in both ancient occult rituals and modern day soundscapism. The album title is clear, it tells you exactly what to expect from the whole thing: dark, atmospheric ambient, sometimes nudging towards the noise scene. In a way this album sounds like a mix between Raison D'Etre, Predominance and Tho-So-Aa. Obviously, this is stuff for the die-hard dark ambient fans among us. They will find a highly promising debut with nine deeply droning tracks and a haunting atmosphere. Recommended stuff...
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Power Theory - Something Old, Something New & Something LIVE!!! From Europe
heavy metal
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Speaking about titles that perfectly cover the load, here is the new EP by American heavy metal combo Power Theory. The EP consists of new single 'Brace for Impact', re-recorded versions of 'Axe to Grind' and 'Colossus', and live versions of 'Dark Eagle' and 'The Truth Shall Set You Free'. Inspired by bands like Accept, Saxon and Judas Priest, Power Theory delivers some good old fashioned heavy metal and they do it in a highly convincing way. This EP proves that heavy metal is far from dead and that exciting headbanging tunes are still being made today.
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Bewitcher - Bewitcher
black metal / thrash metal
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American horde Bewitcher take heavy metal a bit further into the extreme. Formed in 2013, Bewitcher blends old school heavy metal with old school thrash metal and old school black metal. So yes, in all aspects, this band takes you back to the very beginning of the most evil of all musical styles. You can find influences from Judas Priest, Venom, Celtic Frost and Bathory. But most of all, you can find nine irresistible metal songs, created for the soul intention of corrupting your soul and banging your head. This stuff surely is not suited for the weak, but comes highly recommend to anyone else.
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Gravita Silente - EP
post rock
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This album came to me with the message "I'm a person trying to make nice music" and basically, that was all I needed to know. That person is right too, this music is nice. It's a blend of vintage psychedelic rock and post rock, created with loops, soundscapes, guitars, bass and some great solos. This EP contains five tracks, each one being an excellent composition and simply a joy to discover. Perhaps I can compare the music with something between Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd and God Is An Astronaut. I think a lot of nostalgic music lovers will appreciate these tunes. So check 'm out...
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Sp3ct3rs - Sigils
drone / dark ambient
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Canadian drone ambient act Sp3ct3rs returns with 'Sigils', a four track EP that delves deep into the dark minimalistic scene. These four tracks are electronic, almost industrial soundscapes. They showcase feelings of isolation, despair and angst, even though they almost continuously remain on a subdued, slowly lingering level. 'Sigil 7', the second track, is my favorite on this EP but I enjoy the entire EP. I guess I can safely recommend this album best to all seasoned dark ambient and drone fans out there. They will undoubtedly appreciate these immersive audio journeys.
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The Fre3 Bastards - In Our World Of Bastards
stoner rock / hard rock
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Here is yet another excellent example of excellent vintage hard rock meets stoner rock from France. I have no idea what's in the waters in "la douce France" but somehow it makes people rock their asses off. The The Fre3 Bastards are no exception. They delivered a solid five-track EP, inspired by Queens Of The Stone Age, Fu Manchu and Led Zeppelin. With groovy guitar riffs, energetic drums and raw, raspy vocals, this trio can definitely rock. My favorite remains opener 'You Don't Know Me' but I think all the songs here can easily satisfy your rock 'n roll needs.
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Sinners Moon - Far Beyond The Stars
gothic metal / symphonic metal
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Slovakian gothic metal prodigies Sinners Moon return with an exciting new EP and for fans of the genre, that is an excellent reason to celebrate. With four new tracks, a 2009 demo track ('Dawn Of War') and a beautiful piano version of 'Far Beyond The Stars', this band recorded a mighty fine follow-up for their 'Atlantis' album. The music is mostly uptempo, laced with symphonic elements and strong female vocals, alternative with deep grunts. Fans of bands like Epica, After Forever, and Nightwish. So if you're nostalgic for the nineties goth-metal scene, mourn no more, Sinners Moon did an extremely good job with this EP.
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Satanize - Death Mass Execution
black metal
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There is a monster lurking in the Portuguese underground scene and it's name is Satanize. This EP is most chaotic, vile and tormenting one on this edition of Brieviews. The 7" contains three exclusive songs, each one out for nothing less than assaulting your senses and devouring your very soul. This is raw, obscure and intense black metal which even some true black metal adepts rather categorize as barbaric noise. So yes, I think this is one for the chosen few, the ones who crawl in the thick, muddy underground of the metal scene. For them, this is an absolute must-have.
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New Zero God - Under the Influence of Captain Pan Ikatac
post punk / gothic rock
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Greek dark rock combo New Zero God have been roaming in the gothic underground since 2006. Their music breathes the same gloomy air as bands like Killing Joke, The Ramones, Misfits, Virgin Prunes and Fields Of The Nephilim. At least, so do the first two songs, 'Hell Bet on Me to Lose' and my favorite here, 'Under the Radar'. The awesome 'Shadow of Wealth (Dark En Ciel mix)' then drags you to the gothic dancefloor. The last song, 'Shadow of Wealth' is a weird avant garde goth rock anthem, the most experimental one on this EP. In all, this is clearly a must have for nostalgic goth rockers.
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Grid - Human Collapse Syndrome
grindcore
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Formed in 2014, Swedish grindcore horde Grid demolishes venues and eardums far and wide. This EP, aptly named 'Human Collapse Syndrome' contains eight shorts but brutal d-beat driven grindcore tunes. Everything about this release is extreme, from the tempo to the growls. So obviously, this is perfect Tuesday evening music for fans of Napalm Death, Nasum, Rotten Sound and so on. My favorite track? I have no idea. After listening to the EP, I only feel like throwing massive rocks on passersby. So yeah, this is fierce, aggressive and brutal stuff. You'll love it...
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Serge
