Album Review: Nytt Land – Odal

Mouth harp and throat-singing lovers, welcome. Even for the ears which are used to it, Nytt Land and its frontal approach may sound unsettling at first. There is something intriguing in the way they use unusually rough yet natural sounds as a canvas to their musical landscapes like on "Darraðarljóð / The Song of the … Continue reading Album Review: Nytt Land – Odal

EP Review: Equinox (UK) – Bloodstock sampler

Continuing to dig through the pile of CDs I got at Bloodstock, here's one especially pressed for the occasion. Equinox UK (the "UK" isn't part of their name, but they mention it a lot so I assume it's to avoid confusion) thrust this 3-track effort into my hands at some point over the long weekend … Continue reading EP Review: Equinox (UK) – Bloodstock sampler

Gig Review: Q5 – Bannermans, Edinburgh (29th August 2018)

Tonight I get to see a band I have been into since 1984 for the first time, the one and only Q5 from Seattle. The band started in 1983 and had in its initial line-up was the one and only Floyd D. Rose, inventor of the locking tremolo system on guitar. Their first studio album, … Continue reading Gig Review: Q5 – Bannermans, Edinburgh (29th August 2018)

Album Review: The Vintage Caravan – Gateways

The great thing about classic rock is it can come in so many forms. With The Vintage Caravan, it’s found to be more fuzzy and psychedelic but they ensure things are kept heavy enough for good measure. It’s been quite some time since the last album from them (as they recently celebrated, it’s been a … Continue reading Album Review: The Vintage Caravan – Gateways

ArcTanGent Festival 2018 Review – Thursday

Situated in Mendip, near Bristol, ArcTanGent Festival played host to yet another excellent weekend's math/post-rocking, this year with the added bonus of not terrible weather. Limited to 5,000 attendees and with nearly 80 acts spread over three days and four stages, ArcTanGent is small enough to get between stages easily but has enough space to … Continue reading ArcTanGent Festival 2018 Review – Thursday

EP Review: Luke Appleton – How Does It Feel To Be Alive?

Continuing our brief series of "it was shoved in my hands at a festival so I'm reviewing it" releases, is this 4-track offering from Luke Appleton. Many may know him from Iced Earth and Fury UK (he plays bass in both), and Absolva where he stretches to six strings, but Luke's had a side project … Continue reading EP Review: Luke Appleton – How Does It Feel To Be Alive?