MELECHESH EP Review

Melechesh – Mystics Of The Pillar II EP

Nuclear Blast, May 2012

8/10

Think of this EP as quality bonus tracks to follow up the 2010’s outstanding The Epigenesis album. This three-track, 25-minute EP features songs from the album in different forms. First up is “Mystics Of The Pillar”, featuring a drastically different, alternate ending than the album version. The final couple of minutes are faster, and sounds equally at home as the original. Next are instrumental versions of “Sacred Geometry” and “The Epigenesis”, also from The Epigenesis. These actually work great as instrumentals, so prepare to be pleasantly surprised at how well these sound. “The Epigenesis” works especially well without vocals, and really affords you the opportunity to appreciate the guitar solos and unusual instrumentation used throughout its 12 minutes. If you’re unfamiliar with Melechesh, this is actually a great way to check out this awesome thrash/black metal band on the cheap (it’s only $2.99 at iTunes, inexplicably it’s $8.99 at Amazon). Give credit to Nuclear Blast for not gouging fans by re-issuing a “special” or “tour” edition of The Epigenesis with these tracks, and allowing them to be purchased as a separate product.

Melechesh performs this Friday, October 19 at Station 4 in St. Paul as support to Septicflesh alongside Krisiun, Ex Deo, and Inquisition.

In Concert This Week - October 18, 2012

There’s a ton of great shows across a wide swath of metal, punk, and rock styles this week so do yourself a favor and get out to one of these shows!

It’s a night of rap metal at Station 4 in St. Paul tonight, Thursday, October 18 with (hed)pe, Sore, and Dopesic. Also tonight, alternative punk band Dinosaur Jr. and Shearwater play The Cabooze in Minneapolis.

Tomorrow, Friday, October 19 is an insane night with three wicked shows taking place. First, Greek symphonic black metal infidels Septicflesh return after over a year for a headlining show at Station 4 in St. Paul with Brazil’s insane thrashers Krisiun, Israeli/Dutch black/folk metal band Melechesh, Canada’s Ex Deo, and black metal band Inquisition from Seattle. Second, upstart doom metal bands Witch Mountain and Castle will level the Turf Club in St. Paul with Bisento, Leon Boots, and DJ John Henry. Lastly, Converge, Torche, Kvelertak, and Mourner will tear up the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis - this show is sold out!

Saturday, October 20 brings the return of Smashing Pumpkins for a sold out show at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul with special guest Anberlin. Not far from there, Station 4 in St. Paul has a local show that same night with Deretia, Daigoro, Eldergaad, and Compassion Dies.

Public Image Limited breaks a long hiatus to play Mill City Nights in Minneapolis on Monday, October 22.

Relapse’s thrash band Revocation plays Station 4 in St. Paul on Tuesday, October 23 with support from A Life Once Lost, Ken Mode, Deretia, and Hate Beast.

Industrial/techno band Deviant UK brings their show to the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on Wednesday, October 24 with support from Carved Souls, For All The Emptiness, and Thought Thieves. Punk and hardcore fans will want to get out to see Chicago’s Flatfoot 56 with locals In Defence and Hold The Throne at Station 4 in St. Paul on Wednesday, October 24.

To close the week, Christian rock band Classic Petra (the mid-80s version with singer Greg X. Volz) play at the Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park on Thursday, October 25 with Second Timothy. Guitarist Bob Hartman also tours with the current John Schlitt (ex-Head East) version of the band as Petra, so don’t be confused at what to expect at this show.

TORCHE Album Review

Torche - Harmonicraft

Volcom, April 2012

7/10

As a straight-ahead hard rock band Torche doesn’t fit into any trendy musical niche, and it’s hard not to like their no-nonsense songwriting. Large doses of distortion on the guitars lean their sound towards a stoner/doom metal band, but Torche is generally not that heavy. A notable exception is “In Pieces”, in which a bone-crunching riff thunders along with some pounding drums. “Letting Go” kicks Harmonicraft off in a catchy, rhythmic fashion, following by “Kicking”, which sounds poppy until the heavy riff slams in for the chorus. Some short bursts of fast, heavy tracks such as “Sky Trials” and “Walk It Out” mix up the pace of the album, which generally trends toward a slow to midpaced tempo throughout. Harmonicraft is generally an easy listen, with its 12 songs clocking in under 40 minutes. Despite all these admirable traits, the album tends to drag a bit in the second half but is saved by the interesting instrumental title track. The real strength of Torche is their ability to write short, impactful songs heavy enough to appeal to core stoner rock fans while retaining strong melodies and pop sensibilities to draw in the hipster crowd. Harmonicraft should continue to establish Torche as fresh alternative within the stoner rock scene. While the album isn’t a game-changer, it’s a solid effort that stands apart. Torche is every bit as good live, so get out and see them if you haven’t already.

Click on either picture to see more photos of Torche on October 5, 2010 while supporting High On Fire with Kylesa.

Torche will perform on Friday, October 19 at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis as main support to Converge with Kvelertak and Mourner.

CONVERGE Album Review

Converge – All We Love We Leave Behind

Epitaph, October 2012

5/10

For my tastes, Converge elicits the same yawn from me as Meshuggah. Both bands are highly acclaimed and widely loved, but I can’t get past certain misgivings about each. In the case of Converge, the chaotic, never-ending discordant noise that permeates their sound grates on these ears, and the vocals, which range from drunken, sloppy yells to hoarse screams, are problematic. A comparison in this regard can be made to Animosity-era Corrosion Of Conformity. It’s undeniable that almost no band can achieve such a raw, brutal, and fast sound. Nearly every song on this 40-minute whirlwind has some ripping thrash riffs, and I have to admit that these parts keep my attention. At times the music is so darn good that I want to keep listening just to see if my criticisms are misplaced. Frequently classified as metalcore, Converge isn’t about “groove” and predictable beatdowns, and they have more in common with classic thrash metal bands. Fan may be screaming at my review, but ultimately, though, All We Love We Leave Behind is a depressing listen and an album that I don’t expect to subject myself to again.

Converge performs this Friday, October 19 at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis with support from Torche, Kvelertak, and Mourner.

DORO EP Review

Doro – Raise Your Fist In The Air EP

Nuclear Blast, August 2012

7/10

After switching labels from AFM to Nuclear Blast, this four-song EP is a preview of the upcoming full length album, Raise Your Fist, from the German metal goddess. It adequately serves this purpose, but with the release of Raise Your Fist later this month it’s not an essential purchase. The first single, “Raise Your Fist In The Air” (watch the video below), an adequate, anthemic rocker, leads this off, but the next two tracks are far more interesting. “Victory” is a slower, chugging song that features a soaring chorus line, while “Engel” is somber, passionate ballad featuring pianos and strings that shines as the highlight of the EP. The only non-album song here is a French version of the title track (“Lève Ton Poing Vers Le Ciel”) that is more or less a throwaway. All of this points to yet another solid, respectable release from Doro, but the lack of any compelling non-album tracks means that you should just wait for Raise Your Fist to arrive on October 19.

Watch the official video for "Raise Your Fist In The Air".

Doro will perform on Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14 at Station 4 in St. Paul with support from Sister Sin.