In Ears - Summer 2016

Summer is a time, when you should keep your mind relaxed from daily stress and rely on your most favorite albums, during long journeys to the see with your friends or while reading, as sun is grilling you. On the other hand it's time be open to anything you get recommended or to cover albums you didn't have time for the whole busy spring. God damn it, I still didn't do my Pink Floyd marathon. Next summer! Until then, few after-summer tips. More tips coming very soon, as they would be outdated, if I included them in the August - September review.    

Dark Suns - Everchild
I follow this band for years and rarely you will find a band which is prog enough to progress so much over the years. It may serve crazy prog wankers, but at the same time, its the smooth jazzy romantic. It shows optimum taste, ideal skills and that tasteful voice. Sometimes it takes a role of a peaceful spokesperson, other time persuasive lovebird. In the end, as a proper prog material, it has both artistic wanking and sensitively beautiful choruses. Truly unique world of Dark Suns. I did my best with 2011's Orange, not only for the fact, I was searching for it for moths. But skip it, if you didn't have enough patience same as me. Go for 2008's Grave Human Genuine and the latest amazing album Everchild.

If These Trees Could Talk - The Bones of a Dying World
Sunshine reaching through the clouds, flowers fighting their way through ground - simply beauty coming through dust. If These Trees Could Talk are masters in building monuments out of nothing. Let the instruments start to talk among themselves, place one layer after another and step by step they reach a heaven. There are tons of post rock/metal bands, but only few as Sleepmakeswaves, Russian Circles or Long Distance Calling provide you those "pure beauty peaks". Yes, there is only one Barren Lands of The Modern Dinosaur and the album is not so compact as their previous releases, but still, it is an elite in post rock/metal.

Post rock greatness #2
Russian Circles - Guidance

No "Click" floor:

• Master's Hammer - Formulæ: These Czechs are considered one of the most respectful band in the world's underground circles. Well, they are rather a cult, but it's really not for everyone.
• Eric Clapton - I Still Do: I have respect for dinosaurs more than ever, but this was too dry compared to latest work of Bob Dylan or Tom Petty.
• Steve Vai - Passion and Warfare: Same respect for this legend and beekeeper, but simply not for me. I rather stick to my generation guitar heroes, like the one he recommends himself: Plini
• Lita Ford - The Best Of: Seriously, I don't get how come this woman got as many fans outside of MTV effect.
• Ziggy Marley - Ziggy Marley: Not in a mood, if you know what I mean? ;D

• Ambient electronics experiments - Based on the recommendation from Keshav Dhar of Skyharbor I tried these two pieces: Tycho - Awake and Telefon Tel Aviv - Immolate Yourself. Interesting experience, but nothing overwhelming. Let say compared to my obsession: The Black Queen. I gotta see those guys in Berlin this October!

Respect for the elders - Did you visit your grandmothers this summer? Good. Keep respecting the elders and visit/re-visit or discover these classics: Czech institution Lucie, Blues Pills's massive inspiration: Aretha Franklin, The Doors, Jeff Buckley, Death - Scream Bloody Gore

And finally, no Phil Collins this time. Enjoy the queen of the night, with whom I spent few weeks:
Chelsea Wolfe

Best of 2015 Part 1

Welcome to the list of Top 20 albums of 2015 - Part 1. Compared to the Part 1 and Part 2 of the previous year, I can only say it was another hell of a year. In the list you will find a spectrum of genres ranging from progressive rock, through dark ambient, till atmospheric rock. Enjoy the stable masters, but also new talents. I know it's a middle of April, but there were still plenty of albums to be digested. ;D

1. Leprous - The Congregation
Since the moment I heard the piece The Valleyfrom their 2013’s Coal album, it was one of those moments, when you listen to the song five days non-f*cking-stop. You then start checking the earlier works and when such a band releases a new album, you can say “They are getting with every album!” Latest The Congregation album proves it fully. Amazing band, breathtaking music and what a live show! I also invite you to join us in Indiegogo campaign for their Live Recording at Rockefeller, Oslo. Deluxe Edition CD+DVD – Signed, is on its way later this year. ;D

2. Royal Thunder - Crooked Doors
Absolutely incredible! I follow these guys since their first album, but with this release, true love has been established. Great musicianship, incredible singing of Mlny Parsons and heart reaching melodies, especially towards the end of the album. When I had to choose an album that makes me “air sing” like a little girl on the night walks, this is the one. I must say, I was seriously thinking to place them as number one, but no replies to interview requests, gave plenty more positive points to more personal and musically fantastic Leprous.

3. Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase
Progressive genius, musical prophet, amazing guest for an interview. Regarding his music, I can honestly say, I found a perfect music for train rides. Night or day, looks in a distance at your home land, with thoughts about your life. Sometimes even Way Out Of Here helps...

4. Clutch - Psychic Warfare
Dirty ZZ Top, black country and energy to the roof! Amazing successor of 2013 Earth Rocker. If they only sounded so great live...

5. Plini - The End Of Everything
One of the greatest discoveries I made in the past months. Plini is hell of a talented guitar player from Australia, who's purely instrumental songs speak to my soul. Also incredible for background music - IT experts prove it as well.

6. The Gathering - TG25 Live At Doornroosje
I will never forget the moment I heard On Most Surfaces from The Gathering for the first time. My dad just picked me up from a table tennis training and placed live album Superheat in, which he got from a friend. Since then, their music became absolute part of my life. I had a chance to see them live, especially Anneke solo shows multiple times (Barcelona, Rotterdam) and conduct few great interviews. This reunion show must have been a dream. Also check breathtaking live version of Travel.

7. Kylesa - Exhausting Fire
It's hard to believe, but these sludge masters are getting better with every album. No one works better with psychedelic metal...

8. Chelsea Wolfe - Abyss
I assume Chelsea would not not mind a tour with Kylesa. There are so many nice similarities, but she goes with electronics even deeper into dark atmosphere. I can finally call myself a fan.

9. Myrkur - M
We have very special relationship with Myrkur, based on the interview we did. Still, if I skip personal relationship, I have to say, her music is still quite impressive.

10. Klone - Here Come The Sun
Atmospherical is a new sense of direction for rare French masterpiece. I don't want to repeat myself, but another band, which is getting better with every album. I am just sorry we didn't manage to do an interview together. Last piece of communication between PR agency and the band, with me in the copy: "Guillaume, please take care of this finally!!" Hopefully, next time...

Music Discoveries – Dark Ambient 1

If you feel the hunger for a new music, same as I do, you get to come across various unique pieces of music all the time. In this series, I will share time to time, some unique music discoveries. The amount of new music is so huge that it's even hard to diggest. On the other hand, I covered great number of dark ambient records from bands as Amenra, Hail Spirit Noir, Moanaa, My Sleeping Karma, Winterfylleth etc. Here are some of tho most interesting ones. Btw Sunn O))) and black metal yoga is slightly higher level, which I'm not afraid to describe as work-in-progress. ;D

Om - Advaitic Songs

It is amazing, how much can be created by just combining drums and full range of bass effects. Add a guest cello, violin and a spectrum of vocals, from manly sludgy to a womanly gentle and you will get Om. Specific topic on its own, is a work with oriental atmosphere, where in slow tempo pieces, compared to heavy doomish pieces, they work tastefully with Middle Eastern, Arabic or even Hindu folk/religious music. In order to make the mix even more broad, they placed a portrait of John the Baptist on the cover. Need more positive reviews? Check here.  

"Why do people consider it depressive music?"

Chelsea Wolfe - Abyss

Really great discovery! I am aware, there is a legion of Chelsea suppo’ers, but seriously about a month ago, I never heard a bit from her heavy, dark beauty. I listen my ass off every day, since I was a teenager, but there is so much I haven’t heard yet and sometimes, I even freak out from the amounts of new music. I'm saving full discography of Pink Floyd for one summer vacation, but Chelsea Wolfe is so good for autumn, winter nights. Why do people consider it depressive music? It’s a cure for depression. You might feel miserable, but it’s just you in your small fucked world. Music floods the whole world in a compact, tasty shade, where you might feel even more scarred, but in general - safer.

Woods of Desolation - Torn Beyond Reason

Atmospheric black metal has absolutely unique characteristic. It may combine the heavenly beauties of post rock or ambient, mixed with the most mental, animalistic black metal straight from the Satan’s ass. I can imagine a scene from Big Lebowski with a flying carpet. All around, we can see a beautiful sunset, while on the carpet is sitting a sphere of compiled madness and anger. Btw, don't worry. Hearing voices is fine...

Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestite
Atmospherical albums, such as this prove, you can incorporate any story, feeling and visuals into music and let your mind lead the way. Tip - try it on long train journey. Btw it was voted The Best Ambient / Drone Album Of 2014 by metal storm.