D’Virgilio, Morse & Jennings - Sophomore (InsideOut Music) [Manos Sideris]
If you are an easygoing music lover with an affinity for catchy melodies and multilayered vocal harmonies then this is probably one of the best albums of the year for you. Nick D’Virgilio, Neal Morse and Ross Jennings with their Sophomore album (too literal of a name) pick up exactly where they left off with their debut Troika.
The first two tracks ease you into the mood of the whole album. Tiny Little Fires comes next with its catchy intro theme in odd time signatures played in the xylophone among all things. Right Where You Should Be with its bendy guitar fills is reminiscent of a country ballad, probably composed by Neal Morse as one can guess. Neal’s songwriting, always a pleasure to be on the other side of your headphones be it NMB, Spock’s Beard, D’Virgilio-Morse-Jennings or anything else.
The first two tracks ease you into the mood of the whole album. Tiny Little Fires comes next with its catchy intro theme in odd time signatures played in the xylophone among all things. Right Where You Should Be with its bendy guitar fills is reminiscent of a country ballad, probably composed by Neal Morse as one can guess. Neal’s songwriting, always a pleasure to be on the other side of your headphones be it NMB, Spock’s Beard, D’Virgilio-Morse-Jennings or anything else.
The Weary One carries a chilling effect as Neal and the guys deliver this sad masterpiece powerfully. Mama, an anthem on the mothers of this world, cute and lovely as it is, it’s the first upbeat light rock song breaking the habit of all the acoustic guitar-driven tracks with its electric sounds and its catchy talk box guitar solos.
From the furthest reaches of rural Haverfordwest, Goat Major cause a noise inspired by their Celtic heritage, born of occult roots and long forgotten castles. It's heretical stoner/doom that dwells in the the sinister songwriting of it's triumvirate. Jammie Arnold (guitar), Simon Bonwick (drums) and Tom Shortt (bass).played as an instrumental trio before Shortt took on the role as vocalist too.
Vastum - Inward To Gethsemane (20 Buck Spin) [Erick Willand]
The first word that comes to mind with Vastum is sinister, in the strict definition of the word, “singularly evil or suggesting something evil is going to happen”. From the music produced, the lyrics written and the artwork gracing the covers, the atmosphere of evil that Vastum pushes is like a finely cultivated spice.
Love is on the forefront here people! I Am Not Afraid is a bold upbeat song that I happen to agree a lot with regarding its lyrics. A song for all people to hear! Weighs Me Down continues on the same pace but now the vocal harmonies are sometimes displaced rhythmically. That’s a neat trick.
Now it’s time to kick it up a notch and Walking On Water does exactly that after the previous two softer tracks. The beat is present and strong here and Ross Jennings’s voice is once again in the front. In the end the song goes out with its catch outro melody and the percussion in a fade out. I haven’t listened to songs ending this way in years but it is fitting enough for this one.
Anywhere The Wind Blows is the last original track of the record and probably has one of the best choruses if not the best and goes out in the same way as the previous song with a fade out. After this, Right Where You Should Be and The Weary One make their reprisal as alternate versions of the originals. The songs now are performed with only one acoustic guitar and the three voices.
Proof that in music sometimes things are simple and talent and musical ability sometimes go longer than production tricks and over-orchestrated songs that sometimes cannot be performed live. The rawness and sentimentality of the result here can give you the feeling that these three dudes just grabbed an acoustic guitar, sat around a microphone together and played these two songs one take with the tracks getting released without too much post production. One of the best things I have heard in while now.
Centered around simple but effective and mellow tunes, Sophomore provides a warm and relaxing massage in your ears and mind. Lyrics are upbeat and positive – a nice change from guys who sing about things they hate. Unfortunately there is a lot of that going around lately. This album is a reflection of the talent of those three guys who play all instruments by themselves and are excellent songwriters. A great record, very easy on the ears. These guys I feel they have still a lot to give. I do not know what the future holds for them but I would gladly listen to another D’Virgilio, Morse, Jennings album in the future. 9/10
Goat Major - Evil Eye (Ripple Music) [Matt Bladen]
Centered around simple but effective and mellow tunes, Sophomore provides a warm and relaxing massage in your ears and mind. Lyrics are upbeat and positive – a nice change from guys who sing about things they hate. Unfortunately there is a lot of that going around lately. This album is a reflection of the talent of those three guys who play all instruments by themselves and are excellent songwriters. A great record, very easy on the ears. These guys I feel they have still a lot to give. I do not know what the future holds for them but I would gladly listen to another D’Virgilio, Morse, Jennings album in the future. 9/10
Goat Major - Evil Eye (Ripple Music) [Matt Bladen]
From the furthest reaches of rural Haverfordwest, Goat Major cause a noise inspired by their Celtic heritage, born of occult roots and long forgotten castles. It's heretical stoner/doom that dwells in the the sinister songwriting of it's triumvirate. Jammie Arnold (guitar), Simon Bonwick (drums) and Tom Shortt (bass).played as an instrumental trio before Shortt took on the role as vocalist too.
From there they have relentlessly honed their sound with a plethora of gigs at least of which has been covered here. Set to release their full length debut in 2024 on Ripple Music, Evil Eye is a three track 19 minute intro to anyone who isn't based in South Wales or the South West and want a piece of the Goat Major action.
The atmospheric drums of Bonwick beckon you to the dinghy fuzz of the title track, echoed vocals that add to the haunting witchery, huge amounts of organs come on Turn To Dust which increases the pace, Arnold and Shortt riffing like bastards on another Sabbath rocker. Closing out these three heavy hitters is the eight minute Mountains Of Madness which revels in dark psychedelia, swirling guitars and frothing ardor.
Distorted Sabbath inspired riffs that come at you from moment one, this is the sort of music you want to Ghost to still make but if you're a fan of Green Lung, Uncle Acid et al you'll want to be in the line of sight of this Evil Eye. 8/10
The first word that comes to mind with Vastum is sinister, in the strict definition of the word, “singularly evil or suggesting something evil is going to happen”. From the music produced, the lyrics written and the artwork gracing the covers, the atmosphere of evil that Vastum pushes is like a finely cultivated spice.
Like spices, just the right amount can make a meal absolutely shine, too much can muddy the flavor beyond edible. Over the course of 4 previous albums Vastum has cooked up a very fine spice line, some would say to perfection, so now with a new menu I’m going to loosen the belt and get stuck in. Let's eat.
First course served on Inward To Gethsemane is In Bed With Death and it’s a fork full of swirling raw swampy weirdness that sets the tone of the rest of this meal nicely. The haunting droned out ending is creepy in all the right ways and quietly drags you to your next serving of Priapic Chasms. Rhythmic drums crammed into a sausage skin of riffs that rumble like a hot dog in a pot of boiling water.
First course served on Inward To Gethsemane is In Bed With Death and it’s a fork full of swirling raw swampy weirdness that sets the tone of the rest of this meal nicely. The haunting droned out ending is creepy in all the right ways and quietly drags you to your next serving of Priapic Chasms. Rhythmic drums crammed into a sausage skin of riffs that rumble like a hot dog in a pot of boiling water.
Even boiling a hot dog can result in over cooking if you don’t pay attention and that is clearly what has happened here, 6 minutes and 29 seconds...that dog is split open and rubbery dude. I’m still at the table though and still hungry so I’m ready for Stillborn Eternity as it’s served hot and steaming.
A proper Vastum helping with just hints of Disma added for extra flavor to the pounding yet eerie vibe that swirls with menace. It’s tasty but again the helpings are a bit too much and cross that 6 minute time slot without so much as a belch. It’s good then that we’re given a brief repass in Judas, a mostly instrumental interlude just long enough to get a refill on that free water.
Indwelling Archon comes with some real speed thunder and a side of haunting gravel coated vocals. Condensed evil at a proper serving size for this kind of dish, high marks for ripping guitar work here. Vomitus keeps the dead cold servings coming with the most interesting use of two vocalists yet, combined with top shelf drum l work for my favorite combo platter yet.
For the final course we’re given a slow start with some creepy spoken word and straight forward galloping drums joined by swirling guitars and dueling vocals. Tighter prep work clearly went into this dish as every element feels like it just fits together correctly. This is what talented chefs can craft when not pulling against each other and it is the best track on this album despite creeping over the plate's edge at almost 8 minutes.
Vastum have history and talent to spare and have clearly influenced the current crop of new cookers on the scene. And they can absolutely still craft a heady meal of sinister intent, thunderous vibes and severe guitar blasts that will fill you up to the point of bursting even if some of these dishes were a bit over cooked.
Finally, the menu’s cover art is tight with the band's now very recognizable cross like symbol on display amid a stark black on white display. Anyway, I’ve undone my pants and I’m heading for a nap. Vastum cleans plates at 7/10
Lower 13 – Deception (Self Released) [Kira Louise Hughes]
Deception is the latest release from Lower 13 including 5 absolute bangers! Each track has a deep intriguing title individually, but altogether already telling us a story. Kicking off the EP More misleads us with funky techno before a raging scream and bold bashful banging drums take you by surprise.
Lower 13 – Deception (Self Released) [Kira Louise Hughes]
Deception is the latest release from Lower 13 including 5 absolute bangers! Each track has a deep intriguing title individually, but altogether already telling us a story. Kicking off the EP More misleads us with funky techno before a raging scream and bold bashful banging drums take you by surprise.
Following on Your Love’s A Curse has got a Pantera/Sepultura vibe. Extremely heavy with a gorgeous guitar riff and slide. The One To Blame starts with an energetic guitar riff creating a lively bounce with the drumbeat following suit. The vocals are explored more on this track with powerful singing and harmonies mixed in with ferocious growls and screams.
The vocals within Holding On To Misery definitely sound Anthrax-inspired, expressing quite an operatic metal vocal range in the spirit of 80’s thrash. The track that plays us out You Just Left Her starts with an extremely dark tone and a deep chuggy guitar riff to kickstart it, before hitting hard and heavy! A great song to end the EP on! 6/10