What I've Been Listening To - November 2017

This year has been a pretty strong year for music. Especially for the alternative scene. The number of bands releasing absolute belters is growing every week, with some bands unleashing what some may consider the best album of their careers. I've been doing a lot of travelling this month, which has given me plenty of time to listen to a ton of new records as well as indulge in some long forgotten ones. Although apparently it hasn't given me plenty of time to write any posts. Erm. Oops. Consider this a sort of written warning to myself, and I'm going to try and get straight back on the reviews in December. Anyway, I digress. This is some of the stuff that's been getting a regular spin on my numerous audio devices (not bragging, I'm just a hoarder).

Like Moths To Flames - Dark Divine

I've been a fan of these guys for a long time, and was fashionably late to the party. At least that's what I call it. Most would just say I didn't pay attention early enough. But at least I'm at the party now, right? I fell in love with their last album The Dying Things We Live For, and this album serves as a natural and obvious next step for them. It boasts radio friendly bangers such as the lead single Nowhere Left To Sink, and still packs heavy and thunderous tracks like New Plagues and Mischief Managed. There's always space at the party for more if you haven't seen your invite yet. Consider this your invite. Get involved.

Polaris - The Mortal Coil

These are a relatively new find for me, but I've been seeing their name popping up everywhere on social media recently. This usually means that they either have tonnes of money and are awful or have label backing and are finally getting the push they deserve. Luckily enough, it's the latter. This album is a modern metalcore banger. Just go onto YouTube and check out the video for Lucid. If that doesn't pull you in, what's wrong with you my dude? They were on the most recent Never Say Die Tour alongside heavyweights Emmure, Chelsea Grin and Deez Nuts, and from what I've seen in reviews they absolutely killed it every night. I highly recommend you remember their name, as you're probably going to be seeing it around a hell of a lot soon.

Converge - The Dusk In Us

Absolute chaos from the band that arguably invented the genre they sit at the top of. Back when they first emerged there was nobody like them, and this record proves there still isn't. I Can Tell You About Pain is classic Converge, soaked in feedback and completely bursting with energy and unpredictability. Arkhipov Calm is strangely catchy despite the absolute madness that develops throughout, which can also be said about Murk & Marrow. But one of the stand out tracks is the title track The Dusk In Us, which is a dark and brooding monster that grows and warps into a variety of different beasts throughout. If you're into bands like Norma Jean and The Chariot and you don't know about Converge, educate yourself. They probably wouldn't exist if it wasn't for this band.

Protest The Hero - Fortress

I discovered these guys on Myspace (yes, I know, I'm old) during their touring cycle for their debut album Kezia. At the time I was into technical music that I had no hope in hell of being able to play, and as a result I latched onto this band very quickly. I mean, I still have no hope of playing anything they've ever written, but at the time it was even less likely. When they dropped Fortress it completely set a new bar for everything else I was listening to at the time, and became one of those records I'd have on repeat over and over again. Absolute mosh anthems like Bloodmeat and Wretch still sound just as mental today. Limb From Limb is still just as catchy, and the video is still hilarious. Palms Read has never stopped being my favourite song on the record, and Sequoia Throne is forever going to be one of those songs I wish I'd written. They recently announced they're doing a 10 year anniversary tour of this album, and I'm praying that it comes to the UK. If any of the band are reading this PLEASE BRING THE ANNIVERSARY TOUR TO THE UK. 10 tracks of catchy, technical gold.

Every Time I Die - New Junk Aesthetic

Every Time I Die are my favourite band of all time. Just sayin'. In my opinion, no band comes close. Like there's no competition. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada. This isn't my favourite record of theirs, but I've been spinning it recently for the riffs. Which, without needing to provide too much information, are enormous. I dare you to listen to For The Record and White Smoke and not pummel anything within reach into dust. I dare you to check out Wanderlust and not pick up your air guitar to pretend-strum those licks. I challenge you to listen to Organ Grinder and After One Quarter Of A Revolution and not fight your twitching limbs, eager to join a pit. Keith Buckley (vocals) hates this album because he had writers block for a large portion of the recording process, but his lyrics are still more thought provoking and intelligent than the majority of bands in the scene today. I most certainly don't hate this record, and if you haven't heard this yet, I doubt you will either.

Dance Gavin Dance - Mothership

One of my favourite records to be released last year, and most certainly my favourite record they've ever released. I held the Jonny Craig records in the highest regard, and didn't think they'd ever find a vocalist that could put on a performance that would trump what he did on the Downtown Battle Mountain albums. Enter Tillian Pearson, an actual angel in human form. His performances on Chucky vs. The Giant Tortoise and Inspire The Liars are impossible to hate. And that high note he hits in the chorus of Here Comes The Winner? It gives me goosebumps every single time. He's something else entirely. No one else has a voice that comes close. His control and range are incredible. AND he doesn't sell invisible Macbooks to kids on Twitter or take heroin. What a guy. Musically, too, this album is by far their most flamboyant and impressive. They're coming over to the UK next year with Veil Of Maya who have also recently released one of the best records of their career. Add it to your list of shows to attend. 

December already has a ton of music I'm excited to check out, including the new Glassjaw record that was released today. Expect a bunch more reviews in the coming weeks. I have a lot of catching up to do. As per usual, if there's anything you think I should be listening to, drop me a message! I'm always up for discovering new music. 

Right, I'm off to go and watch Stick To Your Guns in Birmingham. Peace out.

D.S

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Counterparts - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 14/11/17

I haven't attended a show in a while. I mean I KIND OF have, but at the same time, not really. All depends on your perspective. I toured with my band last month, but as I was performing I don't class that as attending at all. I was there because I had to be there, not because I chose to be. I mean I DID choose to be in the band, but I'm only there because of being in the band. Not to say I wouldn't go and watch us. I would. Erm. This got very confusing very quickly. I'll start again.



I haven't attended a show in a while, and I thought it was about time I showed my face and went to something. Seeing as I enjoyed the newest Counterparts record so much, it seemed like the perfect gig to attend. I even said in my review of the album (which you can find on this blog, not sorry for the shameless self plug) that I was intrigued to see how the new material came across live, so this was the perfect opportunity to do so. The last time I saw them was when they supported Architects and Every Time I Die a few years back, and I wasn't the biggest fan of them back then. That's very much not the case now. And I was pumped to attend this show.

Napoleon (Photography by Thomas Smith)

Naploeon kicked off the evening with their unique technical take on melodic hardcore. They were tight and precise as they always are, blazing their way through material off most recent album Newborn Mind as well as a new track and a couple of oldies. Despite their impressive musical display, the crowd just seemed to not respond at all other than with occasional appreciative head banging. This is the second time I've seen them get slept on live, and it completely baffles me. They're one of the best bands of their size in my opinion, I don't know why everybody else can't see what I see.

Polar (Photography by Thomas Smith)

Next to take the stage was London hardcore vets Polar. It's been a few years since I saw them perform, the last time being at my local pub in Derby to about 15 people. They've been working hard the last few years, and it was great to see them perform to a near full room in a much bigger venue than a pub. They managed to get some movement from the crowd too, quickly getting the audience on side and encouraging mass headbanging and the occasional bit of pitting. Their sound was huge too; this was definitely the most polished and professional performance I've seen from them. They nicely warmed the crowd up for what was about to happen.

Counterparts (Photography by Thomas Smith)

And finally, the main event. Counterparts. They took to the stage and immediately burst into Bouquet, and the pace didn't slow down for the entire show. Littered with plenty of material off the new record You're Not You Anymore alongside some golden oldies such as Choke, Burn and The Disconnect, their set was unrelenting and perfectly structured. They played Thieves too, which is one of the heaviest tracks off the new record, and it was the musical version of being punched in the face by a bear. And the bear had worked out. It was so heavy, and more importantly, it was so together. Musically they were unbelievably tight throughout the show, and yet still managed to convey a sense of rawness and ferocity at all times. They had a bit of banter with the crowd too, and looked like they were having fun throughout the show. I love seeing bands having a good time. And the crowd were lapping it up, as was I. This was one of those shows that makes you feel, as a musician, completely void of talent and ability. But, at the same time, it instills you with a desire to be as good as that. To have that exact same impact on others. To put it simply, they absolutely smashed it, and I've left the show an even bigger fan of the band than I entered.

If you're reading this and you're based near any of the remaining dates, I fully recommend going to this show. Their level of musicianship is so high that it genuinely made me wonder why I even bother trying to make music. Even if you aren't into the supports that much, the ticket price is worth paying for Counterparts alone. Do the right thing. Go and do a bit of a mosh to some solid melodic hardcore from one of the best bands in the scene.

D.S

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Loathe - The Maze, Nottingham, 28/08/17

At the time of writing this post, it’s just turned midnight, I’ve had 4 pints of beer and I’ve just witnessed one of the best musical performances I’ve ever seen. I bought one of the beers because there was a picture of a sheep on the pump and it was called “Nah Then”. I obviously ordered the beer in an accent. “Nah then, I’ll ‘av a Nah Then”. But the beer doesn’t matter. I won’t talk about beer again in this whole post. This isn’t an account of how good the beer was, although it was lovely. I’m here to talk about the gig. I need to talk about it now whilst it’s fresh in my mind and I’m still buzzing from it. I’m here to talk about what I’ve come away from that show thinking. To talk about what I now know.

Loathe are one of the best, if not THE best metal band in the UK right now. Without question.

Let me backtrack, if I may, and start at the beginning. I’d been looking forward to this show for a while, because it was lining up to be an absolute mate-fest. My very good friends and recent touring partners The Cartographer were the opening band. Derby/Nottingham tech metallers and all round good guys Taken By The Tide were in the middle of the bill. And, last but not least, Loathe were top of the bill. Skies have played shows with Loathe in the past, around a year or so ago, and Shayne (Loathe bassist) used to be in a band called Fed To The Ocean who we have toured and played numerous shows with. Not only was the music going to be strong this evening, so was the company, and that is always a solid combination for a great gig.

I got to The Maze at about 6.20, roughly 20 or 30 minutes before the first band. It gave me time to get beer number one in (ok NOW I won't mention beer again) and an opportunity to socialise with some of my friends before the loud distorted noise kicked off. But when it did, it didn’t half slap me in the face and demand my attention. The Cartographer are hands down one of the most exciting and enjoyable bands in our local scene. They’ve been around a few years now, but looking at them now compared to when they first emerged, they’ve come on leaps and bounds. Their tone has got better. Their movement and stage presence has got better. Their solidarity and tightness as a musical unit has got better. They are constantly on the up, and I feel like every time I watch them, they improve. I’m very proud of the lads for continuously pushing forwards, allowing them to bag shows like this. Pallets were mentioned during the set, which I won’t delve into too far. But it’s a reference to our tour when a Scottish man living in Swansea wanted to take us to the beach and burn things. Long story.

Next up was Miscreant, who I hadn’t heard of before. Occasionally, I feel you can pre-empt how a band is going to sound based on what their logo looks like. Theirs was a sort of death metal esque logo, bordering on being difficult to make out. The sort of logo that, if it was any more elaborate, would've looked like a distorted and fuzzy optical illusion. What I expected compared to what I heard and saw were sort of accurate. Sort of. They had death elements. Blast beats, dirty low vocals, that kind of thing. But what I wasn’t expecting was how unpredictable they were. Breakdowns and slam sections would appear out of nowhere. I’d predict a chorus or a bridge of some form and be musically punched in the face by a low low tone and one of the snappiest snares of the evening. I was massively impressed by their drummer too, who turned out to be a fill in drummer which blew my mind because he was so locked in with the band. The set flowed so well, picking up pace and slowing down all in the right places, never losing any weight. They won the crowd over quickly, and the room was full of appreciative nodding heads. I’d watch these again, for sure.

Taken By The Tide were the third band of the evening. Probably the most technically proficient band of the evening, playing around with time signatures like a childs toy, they were an undeniable force, as always. The last time I saw them perform, they only had one guitarist, Eric, who is an absolute musical genius and is one of those guys that’s annoyingly good at everything. I never considered what it’d be like to watch them with two guitarists. But that’s exactly what I was treated to tonight, and I have one thing to say. Flippin’ ‘eck. The extra guitar adds so much depth to their sound and tone, and the trade offs between guitars during particular sections completely adds to the impact of their set. Phil (vocalist) did a great job as always lurking across the stage and spitting venom at anyone brave enough to look him in the eye. As always, they were as tight as tight can be. The guitar work made me a little bit depressed inside because I’m not as good as either of the guitarists, the bassist has a 7 string bass and actually uses the entire range, and they displayed pure anger and attitude, which everyone in the room completely absorbed. They never let me down.

Harbinger were next up. I’d heard a lot about these guys from both social media and one of my house mates, Luke, who only likes his music if it’s low tuned and makes him want to fold in half when he hears it. Social media showed me they were going to be a very destructive force. An absolute powerhouse of a band. Luke told me that they were going to be heavy and tight and if I spent too much time watching the guitarists I’d get sad. Luke was also in attendance tonight, and ensured me this would be the case. I didn’t really know what to expect. But. All of it was accurate. From the very first chords and blast beats, I could tell that this was going to blow me away. And it did. Their stage presence was menacing, their musical technicalities were mind numbing (especially the solos, most of which made me want to go home and set fire to all of my guitars), the vocals were disgustingly good, and some of the breakdowns were so dirty that they turned Luke into a polar ice cap and he started to melt. If Luke was a trifle, his head was the cream, his torso was the custard, and 100% his legs were the jelly. They reminded me of a cross between Lamb Of God, Pantera and The Acacia Strain. Pulsing, musically impressive, punishing metal. Impressed isn’t really a strong enough word.

Last, and very not least, Loathe. I literally don’t really know how to verbally explain what I witnessed. I’ve seen Loathe before when we’ve played with them, and they were all about the atmosphere. They used to have two guys stand on stage with them, completely motionless in dirty t-shirts with their hands firmly clasped in front of them and with pillow cases/sacks covering their heads, completely oblivious to the chaos happening around them. Both visually and musically they were a sight to behold a year ago. But the band I saw tonight was not the same band. Not in the slightest. What I saw tonight was leaps and bounds not just above what I saw a year ago, but above the vast majority of the UK metal scene as a whole. The two pillowcase operatives (not their official title) had been replaced by TV screens, which had a movie playing that synced with the entire set. The lights had been programmed to be red and red only. The mask that Kadeem (vocalist) used to don was only used during the bands approach to the stage. Before they even played one note, I could tell this wasn’t just going to be any old show. A couple of songs into the set I was completely speechless. I felt like I was nervous, which I wasn’t, I just had adrenaline coursing through me. They were flawless. Everything was perfect. The vocals, both sung and screamed, were performed with ease and accuracy. The guitar tone for both guitars complimented each other, and complete with the bass created an enormous wall of aggression. The drummer was basically a robot. It was like watching them record the album, that’s how tight it was. As for the show they put on, they were more energetic than bands I’ve paid more than twice as much to see. I can’t name one single fault of their performance. Not a single fault. Nothing. The set ended and I was left hungry. I’d told myself I wasn’t going to buy any merch because I need to save money, but you know what? They earned my money. They deserved it. I haven’t watched a show that’s made me feel like that in a long time. Especially not a show in a venue that small. I’ve come away completely inspired and astounded. I also left wanting to give up on music a little bit because I don’t think I’ll ever be that good, but I'm hoping the positives I've left with outweigh that in the long run. Loathe are completely in a league of their own right now, and if they don’t blow up soon I’ll be very surprised.

If you haven’t checked Loathe out before, go and check out The Cold Sun, which is available in all the usual online places, as well as HMV in the good old faithful metal section. Check out the Prepare Consume Proceed EP too. Both absolutely SLAY and are so worth your time. Combine Slipknot and your favourite horror movie, and you’re sort of on your way to picturing how Loathe sound.

Nottingham was day 6 of their tour with Harbinger. If you were considering attending one of the remaining dates, stop considering. Go. You need to see this. You won’t regret it.

D.S
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