Pyogenesis: A Silent Soul Screams Loud (AFM Records) [Paul Hutchings]
It shows how much music is out there that it’s only now that Stuttgart’s Pyogenesis reach the tomes of this blog. The band, who had a lengthy hiatus between 2002 and 2014, returned with A Century In The Curse Of Time in 2015 and 2017’s A Kingdom To Disappear. As they approach their 30th anniversary, album number eight, A Silent Soul Screams Loud completes the third and last part of their Steampunk trilogy. Originally part of the gothic metal movement, the band toured the UK in 1994 with Anathema and like the Liverpool outfit, have changed their style substantially through the years, morphing into the current melodic melancholic alternative rock that is possibly the best description for them today. A Silent Soul Screams Loud follows on from the two previous parts, dealing with the change of the society in the 19th century. Topics highlighted include Napoleon’s reign, Sigmund Freud, Frankenstein and Karl Marx. Not your usual demons and wizards! Musically, the band’s sound ranges between strong, crushing riffs, wider more melodic rock and even soaring symphonic elements. The album opens explosively, a blistering riff and pounding drums giving way to a more melodic style on the chorus which is upbeat and with a great hook.
It shows how much music is out there that it’s only now that Stuttgart’s Pyogenesis reach the tomes of this blog. The band, who had a lengthy hiatus between 2002 and 2014, returned with A Century In The Curse Of Time in 2015 and 2017’s A Kingdom To Disappear. As they approach their 30th anniversary, album number eight, A Silent Soul Screams Loud completes the third and last part of their Steampunk trilogy. Originally part of the gothic metal movement, the band toured the UK in 1994 with Anathema and like the Liverpool outfit, have changed their style substantially through the years, morphing into the current melodic melancholic alternative rock that is possibly the best description for them today. A Silent Soul Screams Loud follows on from the two previous parts, dealing with the change of the society in the 19th century. Topics highlighted include Napoleon’s reign, Sigmund Freud, Frankenstein and Karl Marx. Not your usual demons and wizards! Musically, the band’s sound ranges between strong, crushing riffs, wider more melodic rock and even soaring symphonic elements. The album opens explosively, a blistering riff and pounding drums giving way to a more melodic style on the chorus which is upbeat and with a great hook.
This Is Survival Of The Fittest, and a powerful opening song. Clean vocals and high-pitched harmonies give it a more AOR feel than is perhaps warranted Mother Bohemia strays into power metal territory, a high-paced opening giving way to a symphonic middle section before accelerating once more, echoes of Helloween flitting through the memory. Modern Prometheus also featuring a guest appearance from Lords of the Lost singer Chris Harms. With the first seven tracks all short in length, the album spirals toward the closing 14-minute opus, The Capital (A Silent Soul Screams Loud). Constructed in three movements and based on Marx’s Das Kapital. Impressive and challenging subject matter, the song is an interesting piece, gruff singing intertwines with the cleaner style of founder member Flo Schwarz.
The first movement a galloping power metal race, before things slow right down in a semi-acoustic segment reminiscent of Blind Guardian, the duel guitars and keyboards aided by subtle percussion and more high-pitched harmonies, a crisp guitar solo breaking through. Eventually the song moves to the third movement, building in intensity to reach what I found to be a slightly underwhelming finale. Whether it is a masterpiece or vastly overblown is a matter of opinion. I sit somewhere in the middle, with the pace never recovering and the song losing its direction somewhat. Stan W. Decker’s cover art is impressive, a detailed piece which is worth seeking out. The production is crisp and fresh. Pyogenesis certainly follow their own path, and for that they deserve credit. It is an album that is certainly worth a listen. 6/10
Orochen: Mechanical Eyes EP (Self Released) [Rich Oliver]
Mechanical Eyes is the second EP by Swedish post-rock outfit Orochen. Comprised of four songs Orochen are kind of a middle ground between post-rock and neofolk with touches of post-metal in their sound as well. Although influenced by bands such as Neurosis or fellow countrymen Cult Of Luna this is a far more relaxed sound rather than the sonic denseness of the aforementioned bands. Although there are heavy moments this release relies far more on creating atmosphere and soundscapes. The folk moments snugly fit in and go hand in hand with the aura created especially on the title track with the wonderful inclusion of banjo. The vocals by Jonas Mattsson are nicely understated yet highly effective being used to stunning emotional effect on Shiny String Of Lies. Mechanical Eyes is a very enjoyable little EP. Whilst not immediate this is great music to have on in the background and I think the more you listen to this release the more it will grow on you. 7/10
Mr. Bison & Spacetrucker: Turned To Stone Chapter 1 (Ripple Music) [Rich Oliver]
Turned To Stone Chapter 1 is a split release from Italian heavy psych band Mr. Bison and US stoner rockers Spacetrucker released through Ripple Music. Both bands I am wholly unfamiliar with each band has three songs each and both bands whilst in similar musical territories also have notable differences. Starting with the Mr. Bison half, we are offered up some psych rock with a mix of chilled stoner rock vibes and mellow psychedelic passages with some hints of prog rock. There is a part in The Stranger which sounds very Pink Floyd. These songs very much have a warm and organic feel to them and it is surprising to learn after listening that the band are minus a bass player being made up of two guitarists and a drummer. You wouldn’t know unless told as there is plenty of low end on display to make up for the lack of said bass player.
Whilst not a style I am wholly convinced by this was an enjoyable first half of the split although the three songs don’t really stand out from each other. The Spacetrucker half is far more in your face being a far more riff driven affair. Dirty fuzz over pulsating bass and some pounding drums, this is very much 90’s stoner rock worship. Two of the songs are very blunt and straightforward rockers whilst the other is a more loose instrumental. The rockers are the most effective for me though the instrumental Distant Earth does have some sweet moments. This is a very nice split EP with a good bunch of bands from two bands who have similar but also opposing styles. Stoner and psych freaks will 100% enjoy this split. 7/10
Märvel: Märvellous (Sign Records) [Paul Hutchings]
With little information to go on I took a punt on this EP to review. If follows their 2019 album Guilty Pleasures reviewed by Alex in these very pages in April last year. Although there is nothing special about Märvellous, repeated plays do worm their way into the external acoustic meatus, the catchy hooks and pleasing melodies forcing their way in deep. Formed in Sweden in 2002 when John Steen (The King), Ulrik Bostedt (Speedo) and Tony Samuelsson (The Vicar) spent a high school exchange year in Colorado, USA, the band has subsequently released several albums, playing garage rock n’ roll. From what I’ve read, they’ve avoided lawsuits from Marvel comics as a result of a well-placed umlaut.
This EP is drenched with classic 1970s KISS style, from the undulating bass lines, the shiny guitar work and the harmonies on the choruses. Now, as I love early KISS this works well from me. From opener Amaze-O-Digi to the high school stomp of Public School, this is rooted deep in 1975. Following the footsteps of Swedish rockers Turbonegro and the Hellacopters, Märvel bring a sound which when done right is addictive. A mix of hard rock and pop, this EP is enjoyable to say the least, Oh, and apparently, they play in face masks and have stupid names. 6/10
Orochen: Mechanical Eyes EP (Self Released) [Rich Oliver]
Mechanical Eyes is the second EP by Swedish post-rock outfit Orochen. Comprised of four songs Orochen are kind of a middle ground between post-rock and neofolk with touches of post-metal in their sound as well. Although influenced by bands such as Neurosis or fellow countrymen Cult Of Luna this is a far more relaxed sound rather than the sonic denseness of the aforementioned bands. Although there are heavy moments this release relies far more on creating atmosphere and soundscapes. The folk moments snugly fit in and go hand in hand with the aura created especially on the title track with the wonderful inclusion of banjo. The vocals by Jonas Mattsson are nicely understated yet highly effective being used to stunning emotional effect on Shiny String Of Lies. Mechanical Eyes is a very enjoyable little EP. Whilst not immediate this is great music to have on in the background and I think the more you listen to this release the more it will grow on you. 7/10
Mr. Bison & Spacetrucker: Turned To Stone Chapter 1 (Ripple Music) [Rich Oliver]
Turned To Stone Chapter 1 is a split release from Italian heavy psych band Mr. Bison and US stoner rockers Spacetrucker released through Ripple Music. Both bands I am wholly unfamiliar with each band has three songs each and both bands whilst in similar musical territories also have notable differences. Starting with the Mr. Bison half, we are offered up some psych rock with a mix of chilled stoner rock vibes and mellow psychedelic passages with some hints of prog rock. There is a part in The Stranger which sounds very Pink Floyd. These songs very much have a warm and organic feel to them and it is surprising to learn after listening that the band are minus a bass player being made up of two guitarists and a drummer. You wouldn’t know unless told as there is plenty of low end on display to make up for the lack of said bass player.
Whilst not a style I am wholly convinced by this was an enjoyable first half of the split although the three songs don’t really stand out from each other. The Spacetrucker half is far more in your face being a far more riff driven affair. Dirty fuzz over pulsating bass and some pounding drums, this is very much 90’s stoner rock worship. Two of the songs are very blunt and straightforward rockers whilst the other is a more loose instrumental. The rockers are the most effective for me though the instrumental Distant Earth does have some sweet moments. This is a very nice split EP with a good bunch of bands from two bands who have similar but also opposing styles. Stoner and psych freaks will 100% enjoy this split. 7/10
Märvel: Märvellous (Sign Records) [Paul Hutchings]
With little information to go on I took a punt on this EP to review. If follows their 2019 album Guilty Pleasures reviewed by Alex in these very pages in April last year. Although there is nothing special about Märvellous, repeated plays do worm their way into the external acoustic meatus, the catchy hooks and pleasing melodies forcing their way in deep. Formed in Sweden in 2002 when John Steen (The King), Ulrik Bostedt (Speedo) and Tony Samuelsson (The Vicar) spent a high school exchange year in Colorado, USA, the band has subsequently released several albums, playing garage rock n’ roll. From what I’ve read, they’ve avoided lawsuits from Marvel comics as a result of a well-placed umlaut.
This EP is drenched with classic 1970s KISS style, from the undulating bass lines, the shiny guitar work and the harmonies on the choruses. Now, as I love early KISS this works well from me. From opener Amaze-O-Digi to the high school stomp of Public School, this is rooted deep in 1975. Following the footsteps of Swedish rockers Turbonegro and the Hellacopters, Märvel bring a sound which when done right is addictive. A mix of hard rock and pop, this EP is enjoyable to say the least, Oh, and apparently, they play in face masks and have stupid names. 6/10