alternative rock

(8/10) A colleague of mine mentioned Navarone quite a few times and I haven't done anything with this information - up till today. Things changed with getting the new album from Dutch-based rockers.

Navarone is the brainchild of singer Merijn van Haren and guitarist Kees Lewiszong. The guys started under the banner of Overthrow back in 2008. They got some attention from Dutch rock dinosaurs Golden Earring and it was their front man Barry Hay who came with the idea of renaming the band. The initial idea was to call the group The Guns Of Navarone based on a movie with the same title. For some reasons the name got a bit shorter and Navarone became the final header of this five-piece from Nijmegen.

The quintet released already two albums, of which the debut saw the light of day in 2012 followed by the sophomore ‘Vim and Vigor’ in 2014. 'Oscillation’ is the highly anticipated third longplayer that hit the stores a few days ago.

The opener 'Snake' is a good choice. It is a tune that is builds on a very solid rhythm foundation combined with some exciting vocals. A slower and dark verse interacts with a melodic chorus; both irresistible.

Song number two is the constant hammering "Lonely Night" with a heavy drum beat and an exciting chorus. Things get slightly faster with "Showtime" before "Free Together" acts as a counterpart. The acoustic track is belonging to the most emotional songs on this record and is a well-done melancholic ballad. Thumbs up for the silence.

But also grunge isn't unknown with Navarone. "Step by Step" includes some obvious Nirvana cross-references. Just to be clear, we're not talking about a copycat at all. Navarone weaves them into this song that's still 100% covering their own identity.

"Oscillation" is Navarone's third longplayer and it really rocks. The quintet bridges styles between alternative rock, grunge and rock which leads to pretty good songs. I finally understand why the band was recommended to me. This record is a modern and dynamic one that makes fun from beginning to end.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Snake
2. Lonely Nights
3. Showtime
4. Free Together
5. Soon I'll Be Home
6. Shadow
7. Step By Step
8. Chrome
9. Unmistakably Everything
10. Days of Yore
11. Don't Belong

Label: Rodeostar

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release Date EU: January 20th, 2017

(7/10) You're right, this album might not fully fit into a heavy music context. Lo Fat Orchestra is a trio from Switzerland and harsh riffs are something the guys definitely don't include in their sound.

The three guys are more into elektro rock that comes with a certain pop appeal and some alternative rock. Chris Schmid, Roman Staehli and Daniel Zimmermann recorded seven songs and put them on their new output called "Neon Lights". The foundation for each of these tunes is a solid groove. This leads, combined with a good sense for melodies, to songs that could become indie hits on the dancefloor. The range of songs goes from the uptempo "Stop Diggin' the Ground" to the slower-paced "Higher Tower", not to forget the John Lennon cover "Imagine" that got a new arrangement.

Lo Fat Orchestra's reminded me of Mando Diao meets electro meets indie rock. This is a mixture that per se doesn't fit to this blog. Anyhow, for whatever reason a liked what I heard and I thought it's worth to share it with you. In case you're interested in various musical styles, than, and only than, you should check out this album.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Neon Lights
2. Imagine
3. Stop Diggin the Ground
4. Higher Tower
5. Bankrupt Democracy
6. Hands are Tied
7. Te 230

Label: Sounds of Subterrania!

Genre: Elektro Indie Rock

Release Date EU: January 20^st, 2017

(9/10) If you follow my blog for a considerable time you recognized that there are some reviews spread out over the years, featuring bands or artists that might not directly fit into the context of metal. This pattern will not change in 2017 and here comes the first one.

Henning Wehland is a name some of you might know from his time with German crossover pioneers H-Bockx that welcomed quite some attention in the 90’s. Wehland was/is the shouter and frontman of this rock and metal outfit.

The fact that H-Blockx was very much into merging all kinds of musical styles shows Wehland’s passion for different sounds, something he emphasized by joining Söhne Mannheims, a project that’s more settled in pop and soul. Last but not least it's the German edition of "The Voice Kids" within which he was a coach for very young talents.

It was in 2000 when Wehland published his first solo album, a record that’s now followed by the sophomore one “Der Letzte an der Bar”.

This studio output contains fifteen songs, all with German lyrics. Wehland’s new disc has nothing to do with metal and also the crossover days don’t have a deeper impact. “Der Letzte an der Bar” is noit more, but also not less than an awesome rock album. Songs like “Der alten Mann und das Leergut”, a track about the social misbalance in society, reminds of Everlast. It’s a number that belongs to the highlights on an album that is filled with hits. The title track is a cool grooving piece of rock with a lot of intensity. “1001 Umdrehung” kicks of the album that ends with the excellent duet by Wehland with German singer Sarah Connor.

The lyrics are all with a meaning. Wehland addresses the current state of the world (“Anfang vom Ende der Welt”), the state of society (“Räuber und Gendarm” and “Der alten Mann und das Leergut”) and he talks about freedom too (“Frei”).

“Der Letzte an der Bar” is a gorgeous album of a musicians that has passion and dedication for music, combined with his great talent of embedding a message in well-done melodies. I can recommend this album to everybody who’s looking for good songs with a meaning and depth.

(9/10)

Tracklist:

1. 1001 Umdrehung
2. Der alte Mann und das Leergut
3. Anfang vom Ende der Welt
4. Der Affe und ich
5. Der Freund steckt im Detail
6. Mein Leben ist der Wahnsinn
7. Panzer
8. Der beste Beat der Welt
9. Geister
10. Zombie
11. Räuber und Gendarm
12. Frei
13. Tanz um dein leben (feat. LaBrassBanda)
14. Der Letzte an der Bar
15. Bonnie & Clyde (feat. Sarah Connor)

Label: Polydor/Island

Genre: Rock

Release Date EU: January 27^st, 2017

Der Elefant is a new metal outfit hailing from Stuttgart, Germany. It is Tieflader and Farmer Boy guitarist Alex Scholpp who started this project. The first 3-track EP was released a few days ago and it's interesting enough to get some more information around Der Elefant. Here they are:

Markus’ Heavy Music Blog: It’s great to have you for a short interview. You started a new project called Der Elefant. Can you tell us a bit about the background of the band? How did things start?

Alex Scholpp: I had some ideas for instrumentals and I had the intention of recording them. So, I teamed-up with Kevin and Timm. The three of us started a session that was based on some rough demos and also a general arrangement that was already done. We started jamming and arranging the songs up to the moment when things felt good. This is where the energy comes from and luckily enough things worked very well from the beginning. Last but not least we recorded the three tracks that made it on the EP. All in all it was a very spontaneous thing.

MHMB: How long have you known Kevin and Timm?

Alex: I know Kevin already since more than six years and we’re playing together quite often. It’s ten years that I know Timm, even though we didn’t play together that much over all these years.

MHMB: You decided to go for a German band name. Is there any special reason for this?

Alex: No, we just took five tickets in the ‘band naming lottery’ and that’s what came out of it J. But seriously, we kept it in German since there are quite some bands with ‘elephant’ in the name. And last but not least, it’s not any kind of elephant, it’s DER Elefant (in English: THE elephant). Der Elefant is also more than just a one-time thing. There’s one more video clip in the pipeline and we’re also working on additional songs. There definitely will be more from Der Elefant in 2017.

MHMB: Last but not least, a short question about Tieflader and Farmer Boys. Is there some news about these two bands? I read about Farmer Boys playing some shows and working on a new album.

Alex: Indeed. Farmer Boys are active again and we have planned shows in spring 2017. A new album is scheduled for later this year. When it comes to Tieflader I can tell you that we will enter the studio in January for recording the next record. The aim is to get it out into the record shops before summer.

(8/10) Some of the The Old Dead Tree members started a new band called Arkan back in 2005. A year later the first EP hit the shelves, followed by three longplayers.

"Kelem" is the newest record of this French metal outfit and it combines again metal and some oriental soundscapes, something that becomes already very obvious while listening to the well-done opener "Kafir". Arakan's sound is often described as melodic death metal and indeed, there are tracks that come with deep growls and mighty riffs. Songs like the brutal "The Call" and also parts of "Erhal" speak a clear language. But next to these heavy metal monsters the majority of the album focusses more on melodies and clean vocals rather than brutal death metal shouting.

Arkan adds a dark vibe to their sound. Well-crafted tunes such as "Just a Lie" , Nour" and "Kelem" that are good songs with the latter entering the fields of modern metal more than death metal. The embedded melancholy gives the numbers an emotional depth, something that makes the album to a more intense experience for the listener. And last but not least and not to forget the acosutic intermezzo named "Eib" that adds a moment of reflection to this release.

Arkan published with "Kelem" an album that is technically done very well, benefits from a proper production and features good songs that are more build on modern/alternative metal. The band could be interesting for fans of the current In Flames sound.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Kafir
2. Nour
3. The Call
4. Cub of the Caliphate
5. Erhal
6. Eib
7. Just a Lie
8. Beyond the Wall
9. Kelem
10. Capital City Burns
11. As A Salve
12. Jasmine Harvest

Label: Overpowered Records

Genre: Modern Metal

Release Date EU: November 25th, 2016

(7/10) Fatso Jetson is one of these bands that brings the desert closer to where you live.  Since the early 90's the band from California plays stoner rock that reminds more than once of Queens Of The Stone Age.

"Idle Hand" is the band's seventh album that features eleven songs, presenting a sound that exciting and special, all in one. Next to the mentioned Queens Of The Stone Age I had to think about Fu Mnachu, Kyuss and Lasters Of Reality while listening to "Idle Hand".

The album doesn't contain material that's easy to digest. Actually it's sometimes pretty confusing and chaotic. Just to mention one song of this category is "Portuguese Dream" which sounds like a freaky fever dream. It contains a lot of fascination, but it also belongs to this group of songs that gives you a hard time.

The counterpart to these wild antics is named "Seroquel" which is a six minutes long number that's kept more silent with a nice guitar melody - a song that feels like a sonic Fata Morgana that shimmers through the heat.

These two songs give you an idea of what to expect from this album. "Idle Hands" isn't containing music for the masses and is far away from mainstream. This longplayer features tracks that need to be explored step by step and only than they unveil there full beauty.

In case you're prepared for such an effort, than this is the album you should go for.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Wire Wheels and Robots
2. Portugese Dream
3. Royal Family
4. Nervous Eater
5. Seroquel
6. Idle Hands
7. Last of the Good Times
8. Then and Now
9. The Vincent Letter
10. 48 Hours
11. Dream Homes

Label: Heavy Psych Sounds

Genre: Stoner Rock

Release Date EU: October 7th, 2016

(7/10) "Elvis Didn't Do No Drugs" is the new album of German alternative rockers Purified Black. The guys from Konstanz started in 2010 with a first self-released EP named "I Can't Tell You Who I Am" that hit the shelfs in 2011. A second EP followed two years later with the current album being the first full-length record and the first one the guys did for Motor Entertainment.

The general vibe of these twelve songs is a dark one. Without drifting away into constant whining, melancholy and a certain sadness are dominant . The bandwidth of Purified Black's sound is handling silent fragile moments as well as noise eruptions that are part of tracks like "Step the Rats Down". Another song that belongs to the winners on this record is the opener "City of G.O.D." that contains actually all in one, melodic moments that are alternating with a riffing in the chorus all with a gloomy mood.

Some of the tracks might not work that well from the beginning, like the mid-paced "One Clear Thought", but in the end there is a lot of interesting stuff captured on "Elvis Didn't Do No Drugs" that should encourage fans of alternative rock music to listen to this release.

A real highlight is kept till the end. "Step Inside" is the final track and it's an eight minutes long piece of music. This exciting number is more multi-layered than some of the other songs, featuring well done vocals lines, a great melody, some bigger soundscapes and a nicely done hammond solo part. Towards the end the song builds up to a more a merciless rocker which marks the ending of an album that shows a band with quite some potential.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. City of G.O.D.
2. Follow Me
3. Liar
4. One Clear Thought
5. Step the Rats Down
6. Goldmine
7. Fat Boy
8. Why Try
9. Sorrows in Silence
10. Down and Out
11. Copy and Paste
12. Step Inside

Label: Motor Entertainment

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release Date EU: November 4th, 2016

This specific Wednesday was a day that included quite some bad and sad news and therefor it was even more important to also see the shining, open and colourful side of the USA. It was the Red Hot Chili Peppers that are currently on the road in Europe, bringing some brightness into the grey days which are dominated by darkness.

Before the legendary four-piece from California started it was Deerhoof that got the support slot. Actually there is no need to go further into details. The guys are into psychedelic rock music that was not a real burner. Normally it's not an easy thing for support bands of big acts like the Peppers. Fans come to see the main act and, with some exceptions, everything else is just better or worse entertainment to bridge the waiting time. Deerhoof got 40 minutes for a set that was OK, including a cover version of Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me" which was the worst one I've ever heard so far.

Anyhow, the clock kept on running and the beginning of the Red Hot Chili Peppers show came closer. The four-piece from California started with a jam intro done by Flea, Chad and Josh. These three guys made quite some wild noise which acted as a perfect starter for what was supposed to come. "Around the World", "Dani California" and "Scar Tissue" followed and were very much appreciated by the crowd.

Anthony Kiedis and Co. kept the energy level high. The guys played around 100 minutes, fully motivated and in constant motion. There wasn't any time during the show where the guys stood still and it's amazing how precise they play their instruments while jumping and running around all the time.

With "Hey" the guys added a new song on this year's tour setlist and the encore included with "War Pigs" a black Sabbath cover that was sang by Flea himself.

The big wins came without any doubt towards the end of the show. "Under the Bridge", "By the Way" and especially "Give it Away" are songs that must be on every Peppers setlist and it has been those tracks that rounded off a well-chosen set.

Next to all the mentioned the stage design was kept pretty clean and simple. There were the obligatory video screens behind the drum kit but for the rest there wasn't that much decoration. However, there was one exception which was the impressive light show. Half of the ceiling was covered with an installation of hundreds of light tubes and all of them could be moved individually which gave the whole set-up an almost endless flexibility of shapes and forms. On top of it the colours could be changed as well which added to the experience.

The Red Hot Chilli Peppers turned a dark day into a bright one, something I think is very important in these days.

Setlist:

1. Intro Jam
2. Around the World
3. Dani California
4. Scar Tissue
5. Dark Necessities
6. Hey
7. Me & My Friends
8. Go Robot
9. Califonication
10. Sick Love
11. Sir Psycho Sexy
12. They're Red Hot
13. Ethiopia
14. Magic Johnson
15. Suck My Kiss
16. Under the Bridge
17. By the Way
18. Anthem (Encore)
19. War Pigs (Encore)
20. Goodbye Angels (Encore)
21. Mommy, Where's Daddy? (Encore)
22. Give it away (Encore)

Location: Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Date: November 9th, 2016

(8/10) The title says it all. This album is the second part of the "Prayers For The Blessed" session. The first album was released in spring this year and volume 2 includes another 11 songs from this fruitful session. In case you think that this means throw-outs I can tell you right here and now that this isn't the case. The first release contained great modern metal music and the new one continues with this approach.

"Vol.2, Prayers For The Blessed" is full of outstanding songs that are much better than what you normally get offered in this segment of rock. It begins with the sound of this longplayer that is dynamic and modern, supporting each of the tracks with a real push. Secondly the tunes itself are all very well done. Sixx:A.M. stands for modernized rock music that is highly entertaining, open enough for a bigger audience while still being authentic and down-to-earth. Such a mix is pretty unique and makes to album to a treat for every listener.

"Barbarians" is a great start into this second round. The tune became surprisingly heavy and energetic. The next track in the bating order is "We Will Not Go Quietly" which you might know already, since it was the first single release from Vol.2. This track contains everything a well-done modern metal track needs to include. It comes with a hard-edged modern beat, sharp riffs and a catchy chorus. If you're looking for a blueprint of modern rock music, than you'll find at least some elements in this great track. This number has the potential to enter the charts, widening the Sixx:A.M. fan base.

But the band isn't looking purely for the quick wins. The album has enough substance by a wide range of songs that makes it exciting throughout. The slowly creeping "Wolf at Your Door", the mainstream-based "The Devil’s Coming" and "Riot in My Head" with its more silent sections, all of them are terrific modern rock songs.

"Suffocate" is a great alternative rocker that alternates between more moderate and heavy sounds, one of the best tracks on the album. In general I must say that the second part of "Prayers For the Blessed" doesn't come with any filler. It seems like the guys had a very productive songwriting session, resulting in an awesome portfolio of songs.

A sense of humor combined with serious soulfulness is "Without You". It's a cover of the 70's Badfinger song and I'm not sure why the band chose this song. However, Sixx:A.M. put ones stamp on it and developed the song to an emotional rock number that sounds pretty good.

Sixx:A.M. underlines with this release their status and impact when it comes to modern rock. This guys can grow to something really big. 

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Barbarians (Prayers for the Blessed)
2. We Will Not Go Quietly
3. Wolf at the Door
4. Maybe it's Time
5. The Devil's Coming
6. Catacombs
7. That's Gonna Leave a Scar
8. Without You
9. Suffocate
10. Riot in my Head
11. Helicopters

Label: Eleven Seven

Genre: Modern Metal

Release Date EU: November 18th, 2916

(7/10) Broken Hands are a UK-based band, playing rock music that fits somewhere between Britrock a la Oasis and alternative rock. “Turbulence” is the band’s debut that tries to enlighten our grey November days, an ambition that partly works in reality.

The guys are so far more known as being a very active live band, something that benefits this album. This longplayer features eleven tracks that should be checked out by fans of bands like Muse and Biffy Clyro. But also rock passionistas waiting for a new Oasis release will find some well-done tracks on this album.

A song that belongs to my personal faves is the intensive “747” with some noise-riffs that reminds of an 747 engine on full speed, combined with some silent parts which makes the heavy moments even louder.

Also the slowly rolling opener “Spectrum” isn’t to underestimate and grows over time and in case you want some faster stuff I can recommend “Meteor” with a straight-forward approach. The title song is a great rocker that doesn’t re-define rock music, but shows the potential of the band.

“Turbulence” is a first studio album done by the guys from Kent which comes with freshly sounding rock music. Live experience and youthful energy comes together in one release which might be the start of something bigger.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Spectrum
2. Meteor
3. Should I
4. Impact
5. Turbulence
6. 747
7. Four
8. Who Sent You
9. Collide
10. Death Grip
11. W.T.L.L.

Label: SO Recordings

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release Date EU: November 4, 2016

(7/10) Heartbanger is a nice wordplay and it describes the music of this Barcelona-based project, very well. Xavi Mendez and his project is more about the heart than about headbanging. Instead of raw riffing the guy puts their focus on some nicely done melodies that aren’t all new but showing some potential.

After a short intro it’s "The Last Chance Night" that makes it clear from the beginning: Heartbanger is into AOR. Mendez and the other project members do a good job in a genre that doesn't leave a lot of space for experiments.

"You Came on Time" is the second number and it follows the same direction - of course. With some female vocals the song has a touch of Heart without reaching the extraordinary class of the Wilson sisters. However, it's a good one that’s followed by “Through the Dark”, the song Tony Mills enriches with his voice.

The title song comes with a more bombastic sound before "Always Remembered" has the appeal of a Foreigner ballad. In this case it's a melodic instrumental that's well-crafted - nothing more than that.

"Tierras de Libertad" brings more drama into the picture and "In Heaven" is more of an average track. The light-hearted "Night Drive", another instrumental, ends a longplayer that isn't too bad.

"Through the Dark" is an AOR record that comes with catchy melodies and good hooklines. Mendez and his fellows don't play in the first league (yet), but the album shows some potential that could lead to an exciting future. So far it's a seven point release.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. The Last Chance Night
3. You Came on Time
4. Through the Dark
5. Always Remembered
6. The Only Thing
7. Tierras de Libertad
8. In Heaven
9. Night Drive (Bonus)

(6/10) To be honest, I haven’t heard about Stiffy Jones before and I had to get myself up to speed when it comes to the outfit from Scandinavia. This four-piece band was founded in 2005 in Stockholm and it’s Johan Keskitalo (v/g), Calle Sällström(v/g), Patrik Hillerhag (d) and Janne Reijonen (b) that releases with “Narrow Road of Memories” their next album. It’s actually their second release after having had the debut in the record stores in 2012, followed by an EP in 2015.

The guys describe their music as mixture of rock music and punk rock. Influences from bands like Clash up to Foo Fighters are obvious, all embedded in songs that show enough individuality. Stiffy Jones doesn’t score with a very unique sound and they also don’t re-invent rock music. There biggest strength is passion and dedication for what they are doing which makes the album sounding fresh and vivid.

“Narrows Road of Memories” is probabaly not a ‘must have’, but it’s a solid piece of rock music with a certain ounk attitude that makes it to a well done soundtrack for a some good time moments.

(6/10)

Tracklist:

1. Once This Car Starts Moving...
2. Disconnect Me
3. Broken Bottles & Empty Hearts
4. Echoes
5. Drag Me Down
6. Ken Lee
7. Glasshouse
8. Last Night
9. Whatever
10. What If We Don´t
11. Shotgun
12. Circus

Label: Sound Pollution

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release Date EU: October 28th, 2016

(7/10) "La Curandera" is the newest output from Clutch and it features eight songs of this four-piece which have been released already earlier in time. It was in 2015 when this record hit the market, at that time being meant as a support for a beast cancer prevention campaign. 
However, detailism. The songs captured on this disc are cool stuff that's waiting for you to be checked out; in case you don't know the songs yet, since eaxch of them was already released earlier . 
The title track is a fantastic stoner rock song that makes the desert even glowing hotter. "Black Umbrella" is a well-done rock song that includes some roots of rock'n'roll and faster tracks like "Cyborg Bette", taken from "Earth Rocker", goes hand in hand with more midpace numbers. "Oh Isabella" belongs to the latter and is belonging to the best tracks on the special release. It's also the last strike before the live version of "The Dragonfly" closes this new chapter of Clutch. 
All in all "La Curandera" is an interesting Clutch record that comes as download and vinyl only.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Cypress Groove
2. La Curandera
3. Black Umbrella
4. Struck Down
5. Cyborg Bette
6. Night Hag
7. Oh Isabella
8. The Dragonfly (Live)

Label: Weathermaker Music

Genre: Stoner Rock

Release Date EU: October 7th, 2016