Here is something for fans of sludge and doom metal. Introducing the American sludge/ doom metal duo Skeleton Screen. The band was formed last year by guitarist and vocalist Mark Johnston. Their debut EP ‘Conditions’ is out now and available from the Bandcamp page.
For more information visit:
https://skeletonscreen.bandcamp.com/releases
Cult Of Luna & Julie Christmas
Mariner
Released 08th April 2016
Post metal
Released via Indie Recordings
Well, ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is most certainly another Cult Of Luna album; the lonely soundscape of life crying out in the aftermath of some inconceivable apocalypse. Musically, they have never strayed far from their original sound, bleak and haunting in the most wonderful way. The addition of Julie Christmas on Mariner, however, makes this a stand-out release from their catalogue, and may well give rise to debate among long term fans.
On the one hand, it is strange and possibly uncomfortable for those less open-minded to hear the, dare I say, modern pop element that has been brought into play. Given the absolute roasting that Myrkur received in the not too distant past, it seems like there may be potential for some to start warming up their online flamethrowers on first contact. On the other hand, maybe that edge is now broken in metal, and the introduction of this alien instrument could be mostly welcomed for what it is; an extra floor in the crumbling tower of hopelessness that is COL.
I suppose there is a third set of characteristics at play here, though. Unlike Myrkur, COL are not black metal, part of the family tree which frequently displays cracks of intolerance and elitism. Nor is Christmas unfamiliar with the heavier end of the music pool. Whereas Amalie Bruun comes from what could be called a 90s pop-rock background, Christmas is more akin to someone rejected from Babes In Toyland for being ‘a bit too mental’.
It may feel like too much time has been spent here on discussing this one feature, but it really does make a significant difference to the COL sound, and I believe it’s a positive one. The end result is beautifully heavy music, which surpasses the band’s previous efforts in some ways, and true fans will no doubt grow to embrace it, even if they are initially unsure. Absolutely Cult Of Luna. Absolutely something new.
4/5
Paul Macmillan
Downfall Of Gaia have just announced the third and final leg of their European Tour 2013 – a tour that includes some countries they’ve never played before, some great festivals and six dates just in the UK. The band is really looking forward for this and as they are well known for their intense live shows, it should be something for all melodic sludge/post-metal fans not to miss.
Dates are as follows:
12-10-13 Linz (A) – Kapu
13-10-13 Ljubljana (SLO) – Tovarna Rog
14-10-13 TBA
15-10-13 Milan (I) – Lo Fi
16-10-13 Lyon (F) – tba
17-10-13 Barcelona (ESP) – tba
18-10-13 Madrid (ESP) – Wurlitzer
19-10-13 Porto (P) – Amplifest (Hard Club)
20-10-13 San Sebastian (ESP) – Mogambo
21-10-13 Bordeaux (F) – Heretic Club
22-10-13 Brest (F) – tba
23-10-13 Paris (F) – La Bouée
25-10-13 Bristol (UK) – Subvert Festival
26-10-13 Leeds (UK) – The Fenton
27-10-13 Glasgow (UK) – Audio
28-10-13 Gateshead (UK) – Pit Bull
29-10-13 Birmingham (UK) – Scruffy Murphy’s
30-10-13 London (UK) – The Unicorn
Downfall Of Gaia intend to start and finish this leg of the tour in their homecountry, Germany, on October 11th and November 2nd respectively, but haven’t found the right place for it yet. Same for Belgium and the Netherlands, on October 31st and November 1st, whose shows are yet to be announced.
Downfall Of Gaia online:
http://www.downfallofgaia.com
http://www.facebook.com/DownfallofGaia
http://www.myspace.com/downfallofgaia
http://downfallofgaia.bandcamp.com
http://www.youtube.com/downfallofgaiatv
Valkyrian Music 