Review: Steve Hackett - Out of the Tunnel's Mouth

Out of the Tunnel’s Mouth, the most recent solo release from ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, is a prime example of something being “worth the wait.” An album that had to be put on hold due to some legal troubles, fans eagerly awaited Mr. Hackett’s return to progressive music since 2006’s Wild Orchids. And while Tunnel’s Mouth isn’t usually regarded as his best work to date, it still manages to hold its own.

 

The album opens, pretty slowly, with “Fire on the Moon.” The interesting thing about this track is the absolutely contrasting changes it makes. While it starts off, much like a lullaby, with bells, very light, clean guitar, and soft vocals, it breaks into a much more intense chorus section, and eventually by the end, the two sounds are blended to create something rather chilling.

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Review: Osada Vida - Uninvited Dreams

I had high expectations for Osada Vida’s third full length album Uninvited Dreams. A progressive rock act from Poland, their career is already well established, with their first release, Critical Moment, back in 2000. But how does Uninvited Dreams hold up on its own?

 

Opening with its title track, a more musically inclined listener might notice some unusual note rhythms in places, most often in the intro. I wouldn’t call this a mistake, but at the same time, it can come across as one, because it sounds like the timing was milliseconds off. Other than that, it’s pretty together. I’ll admit, lyrically, I don’t feel as Osada Vida is living up to their full potential here. I do like the addition of the female vocals in the chorus, although the balance could be better, and the very interesting funk-like after-chorus is very cool.

 

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Review: Black Bonzo - Guillotine Drama

Upon hearing Black Bonzo, a progressive hard rock act from Sweden, listeners tend to draw similarities between their music and bands we now know to be classic rock. And with Operations Manual: The Guillotine Model Drama, their third release, there is no exception.

 

Most prominent of these comparisons are bands like Uriah Heep and Deep Purple. But to say their entirely retro in sound isn't entirely true. The immediate hard hitting rock of “Because I Love You” and even more “Guillotine Drama” both also brought to mind a more progressively styled Priestess. They both featured a nice, distinctly dirty guitar tone and recognizable riffs that perfectly blend hard rock and progressive. I'd also point out that the guitar work in Guillotine Drama is very cool, with a nicely harmonized dual guitar solo. 

 

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Review: Glass Delirium - Thanks to a Monster's Many Heads

Glass Delirium is one of the most unique bands I’ve heard in a long time. Debuting with Thanks to a Monster’s Many Heads, they’ve executed their classically tinged progressive hard rock with near perfection.

 

Immediately noticeable in the intro track “Seeing Double”, among other things, is the dual lead vocals. The thing about this track that from the word go, it’s compelling, even for a short intro track such as this. The chemistry between the vocalists is apparent, creating something absolutely haunting with the electronic backing and chilling piano. It leads right into “Beside Myself”, which starts out as something like a lullaby. Don’t be fooled though, after ten seconds, the listener is hit with a quick heavy riff that might surprise someone who didn’t know what they were in for. I’d like to point out that despite the dark, mostly heavy nature of the song, even the clean guitar work fits perfectly. The female vocals are dominant in this track, but even still, the offset male vocals continue to work well.

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Review: Distant Lights - Simulacrum

I've always found progressive music to maintain certain exclusivity. Often, I find people who believe it's pretentious in nature, which at times may be understandable, given its tendency to push limits. But when I heard Simulacrum, the debut release from Distant Lights, I found no reason for anyone to continue with these misconceptions.

 

Simulacrum is the kind of album that a listener really needs to allow to sink in. Multiple listens are actually best, given that this is incredibly multidimensional, and would be near impossible to for one to take in on first listen...

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Review: St. Madness - Saintanic

Upon first glance at the members in St. Madness, to assume they're a Norwegian black metal act wouldn't be that far off. Adorning what looks like the typical corpse paint of said genre, this band has branded themselves “carnimetal.” Kind of gimmicky, it would seem, but after listening to Saintanic, the band's most recent release, I've come to the conclusion, they know what they're doing.

 

To be honest, I was expecting a campy kind of “fun but only the first time” release. Opening with the audio of, what sounds like an old war movie in “The Art of Terror,” leading straight into a distinct chugging riff, my assumptions were immediately swept aside...

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FYI: Obviously the date in the original article is a typo, that was meant to say 2010. Still adjusting :P

Review: Engineers - Three Fact Fader

Engineers managed to build an impressive fan-base, given the success of their self-titled debut album. Do they continue to live up to it in the followup Three Fact Fader, or was it just beginners luck?

 

The music can be classified as part of the newly revived shoegaze movement. With their spacey characteristics and odd, droning riffs, they seem to be making less of an album, and instead creating a whole new atmosphere for the listener. “Clean Colored Wire” is a prime example: the dreamy vocals paired with futuristic instrumental work create an alien-like quality, which is sure to catch the attention of a listener.

 

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News: Soundgarden Reunion CONFIRMED

Chris Cornell... I can now forgive you for Scream. Just please never do that again.

As a big fan of, well, the vast majority of Chris Cornell's work, especially his earliest work, rumors of a Soundgarden reunion would always strike me with a certain amount of excitement, as well as an equal amount of skepticism. Between Cornell's statements of a reunion being unlikely as of June, possible as of July, and given that they have all been seen together as of October, it's slowly edging toward imminent. But it's the internet, and you should always believe what you read. Including the short-lived Wikipedia edit I made about Tomas Kalnoky being a god.

But it would seem that, as the ball dropped in Times Square, marking not only a New Year, but a new decade, Mr. Cornell had his own new era to start. A simultaneous Twitter and Facebook post, for fans, read as follows:

"The 12 year break is over & school is back in session. Sign up now. Knights of the Soundtable ride again!"

There was then a link to the apparently new www.soundgardenworld.com with the same short message, a place for name, email address, and optional mobile number, for future updates and additional information.

Upon reading this for myself, I really couldn't believe it. I mean, Cornell himself said it wasn't likely it would ever happen. But there it was, in plain sight, and being the Facebook addict I am, I was one of the first to know about it.  Shows how I spend "major" events, but that's neither here nor there.

No details have been released new music or potential upcoming tours, but I"m pretty sure it's safe to say that anyone who never had the chance to see them live, will finally have that opportunity. Between this, and the announcement of the Warped Tour bands (although not nearly as good as last year, but include one of my favorite third wave ska bands), among lots of releases rumored and confirmed for this year, I think it's safe to say 2010 is going to be a good year in music.

Happy New Year Everyone!