GardensTale

Will be destroying crappy nu-metal and praising crappy prog until the sky dies.

Katla – Embryo Review

By GardensTale on October 13, 2016 in 2016, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Svart Records, Swedish Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, 35 comments

“Ah, the seventies. An excellent decade for wanton sex, drug abuse and consequently, psychedelic music. In the common mindset, the foremost psychedelic band is of course Pink Floyd, and with good reason. But another influential band that tends to get overlooked, is Hawkwind, who had a bit more oomph than the aforementioned space rock colossus, using experimental timbres and textures to accentuate their otherwise fairly straightforward proto-metal. The influence of Hawkwind (who, amazingly, are still around) is clear on the debut of the trippy Swedish quartet Katla.” A might (Hawk)wind blows.

Kremlin – Kremlin Review

By GardensTale on October 11, 2016 in 2016, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Svart Records, Stoner Metal, 12 comments

“One of the best ways to catch my attention with a promo blurb is to compare yourself to Clutch. Not only are the Marylanders among my all-time favorites, their instantly recognizable sound – courtesy of a host of imaginative rock ‘n roll riffs and the amazing throat and lyrics of Neil Fallon – hasn’t inspired a horde of imitators. Finland-based Kremlin had only this magical name listed as an influence on the promo, so it was with ample anticipation that I first fired up their self-titled debut.” Those who invoke Clutch had best be clutch.

Allegaeon – Proponent for Sentience Review

By GardensTale on September 23, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Death Metal, Metal Blade, Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 163 comments

“If you look at the top of this page, you will find a reference to the old adage “less is more.” The phrase came from the minimalist art movement and is still a common saying in many areas of art and design. In music, it usually describes how an album can be improved by removing songs or song sections that don’t add anything to the album as a whole, leaving the bloat on the cutting room floor. Here at Angry Metal Guy Universal Enterprises, we’re big fans of the principle; we don’t have a 45 Minute Rule for nothing. Allegaeon, being top-class musicians, of course know all about such basic rules of composition. They just don’t give a fuck.” When is more actually more?

Bloodnut – Blues from the Red Sons Review

By GardensTale on September 9, 2016 in 2016, New Zealand Metal, Revaulting Records, Reviews, Sludge, Stoner Rock, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, 31 comments

“I’m a big supporter of not taking yourself too seriously. From bands like Gloryhammer to movies like Tucker and Dale vs Evil, a little tongue in cheek, self deprecating humor can get you a lot of sympathy. Case in point: Bloodnut is Australian slang for redhead and the whole band pride themselves on being gingers all around. They don’t take themselves too seriously either.” Red is the new black.

Oddland – Origin Review

By GardensTale on September 2, 2016 in 2016, Finnish Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sensory Records, Djent, Progressive Metal, 33 comments

“Popular music has had a shadow looming over it for years: talent shows, where thousands of contenders come to have their hopes and dreams shattered, burned and the ashes spread to the winds. Apparently the practice has also come to unpopular music; in 2011, Century Media crowned proggers Oddland the winners of the Suomi Metal Star contest. Those last three words make me gag, but at least Oddland got a record deal out of it, with Dan “The Man” Swanö as their mix and mastering bonus.” It’s not every day you get to win a Swanö.

Howling Giant – Black Hole Space Wizard (Pt. 1) Review

By GardensTale on August 16, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Stoner Rock, 29 comments

“Stoner metal, moreso than other metal subgenres, stands and falls with the power of The Riff. Crushing, churning, buzzing like a particularly eloquent chainsaw, The Riff can lift a band out of stoner mediocrity and into the realms of the Gods. But a limp and forgetful riff will ensure the music passes through your head like a breath of wind through torn sails. Howling Giant play stoner metal. Black Hole Space Wizard Part 1 is only their second four song EP, so they haven’t been around for very long yet. So do these Nashville greenhorns possess the power of The Riff?” Into the giant hole!