Monday, April 8, 2013
Worm Ouroboros
Closing out the W's is Bay Area band Worm Ouroboros. The band plays what could be described as Atmospheric/Doom/Shoegaze metal. A trio by nature the band is comprised of members of Ludicra and Agalloch. Led by two females in Bassist/Keyboardist, Lorranie Rath and Vocalist/Guitarist Jessica Way, the band is rounded out by former Ludicra and current Agalloch drummer Aesop Dekker. Released in 2012 'Come The Thaw' is a solid album, but not one that's for everyone. This is a bit more turned down, dark and deeper metal you wanna throw on during a dark night. While dark and somewhat mysterious, the songs are quite lengthy but still manage to keep you listening intently without being bored senseless. Worth a listen if you're looking to expand your listening pleasures.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Woods Of Ypres
From Sweden we venture to the great white north of Canada for the next post here. Woods Of Ypres were a Melodic/Doom Death Metal band that hailed from Canada. Having somewhat of a reputation in the underground, drawing comparisons to bands like Agalloch, Fen and Ulver, the band released five albums in a decade before the tragic death of frontman David Gold. Each album possess its own unique sound a vibe and sometimes a tongue in cheek song or two. But the foreshadowing on the final album 'Woods 5: Grey Skies And Electric Light' may have been a bit to eerie. Songs like 'Career Suicide (Is Not Real Suicide)' and 'Kiss My Ashes (Goodbye)' remain the standout tracks on the album. David's passing was unexpected and tragic and unfortunately meant the end of the band. However tribute shows and a forthcoming tribute album keep his memory alive. Note this is the advance copy of the album that was released by Earache Records shortly after David's passing.
I got into this band not long before David's passing. I found the comparisons to Agalloch to hard to ignore and after a few listens to 'Woods 4: The Green Album' I was hooked. Songs like 'Wet Leather' and 'I Was Buried In Mount Pleasent Cemetery' were both tongue in cheek and epic all at once.I'm not sure a lot of people got this band, but the stories about what a great guy David was are all too much to ignore. Truly a great band that sadly ended before they reached their full potential.
I got into this band not long before David's passing. I found the comparisons to Agalloch to hard to ignore and after a few listens to 'Woods 4: The Green Album' I was hooked. Songs like 'Wet Leather' and 'I Was Buried In Mount Pleasent Cemetery' were both tongue in cheek and epic all at once.I'm not sure a lot of people got this band, but the stories about what a great guy David was are all too much to ignore. Truly a great band that sadly ended before they reached their full potential.
Witchery
Time to speed things up with some Blackened Thrash Metal from Sweden. Witchery has been somewhat of a cult metal band since the late 90's. Formed out of the ashes of Satanic Slaughter and featuring members of The Haunted and Mercyful Fate, the band plays what can be best described at a Blackened Thrash approach to Metal. Releasing five albums and an EP since 98, the bands latter release have been years apart, with their last effort 'Witchkrieg' released in 2010. The band had a pretty solid lineup until recently with a drummer replacement and two vocalist changes, the band rarely preforms live. Legend has it though the early shows were really intense. The albums have always been fairly solid and featuring numerous guests musicians along the likes of Hank Shermann (Mercyful Fate), Kerry King (Slayer) and Gary Holt (Exodus), the band continues to remain a cult favorite. I decided to go with the EP here though. 'Witchburner' is a short and sweet EP featured four covers songs from Accept, WASP, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest in addition to a few original tracks. This EP is what sold me on the band. From the opening scream in 'Fast As A Shark' to the last shrieks of 'Witchburner' this album is 25 minutes of pure metal worthy of your time.
Witchery were actually one of the first extreme metal bands I got into. I had heard some material off their record 'Dead, Hot And Ready' and really dug it. From there I got into The Haunted and and I was already into Mercyful Fate and the more darker side of Metal. Funny story about the band though. I actually own the shirt for 'Dead, Hot And Ready' and it's a somewhat obscene shirt. For those not familiar with the cover art go Google it. The back of the shirt says "Dead Hot And Ready" in large letters. I happened to be out in LA at the time visiting the Natural History Museum of all place when I had a school teacher with a group of prolly 5th grader come up to me and compliment the shirt. I walked off laughing, she seemed sincere about it too. Anyways it's a shame this band never got real big. The reviews are always great and we always want something new from them.
Witchery were actually one of the first extreme metal bands I got into. I had heard some material off their record 'Dead, Hot And Ready' and really dug it. From there I got into The Haunted and and I was already into Mercyful Fate and the more darker side of Metal. Funny story about the band though. I actually own the shirt for 'Dead, Hot And Ready' and it's a somewhat obscene shirt. For those not familiar with the cover art go Google it. The back of the shirt says "Dead Hot And Ready" in large letters. I happened to be out in LA at the time visiting the Natural History Museum of all place when I had a school teacher with a group of prolly 5th grader come up to me and compliment the shirt. I walked off laughing, she seemed sincere about it too. Anyways it's a shame this band never got real big. The reviews are always great and we always want something new from them.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Steve Winwood
A while back I did a post that featured the band Traffic. Well this post can be seen as somewhat of a continuation of that previous post, as this one will focus of the Traffic frontman Steve Winwood. Maybe best known for his work in the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith or even his solo career, Steve Winwood remains one of rocks legendary vocalists. While as a student he would back blues greats when they toured the UK and by 14 he was a member of The Spencer Davis Group. After leaving the group in 67 Winwood formed Traffic and became somewhat more well known across the pond. In addition to playing in some great rock groups he's also played with some other well known musicians on some famous records. Playing with the likes of Jimi Hendrix ('Electric Ladyland'), Marianne Faithfull ('Broken English'), and George Harrison's self titled album. It's hard to solo out any one album he's done or played on, so thankfully there's the '20th Century Masters: Best Of Steve Winwood'. While this focuses mainly on his work in The Spencer Davis Group and Traffic, it highlights some of his best work.
Traffic for me still remains as one of my favorite bands of all time. That's one band I can throw any record on from them and just relax or jam out to. I've had the pleasure to see Winwood twice now, once with Eric Clapton and once solo with his band. Both shows have been nothing short of amazing. It's rare to see someone who's been in the music business for so long still continue to perform at such a high level and continue to tour year after year. Sure it happens occasionally but rarely is it ever on this level.
Traffic for me still remains as one of my favorite bands of all time. That's one band I can throw any record on from them and just relax or jam out to. I've had the pleasure to see Winwood twice now, once with Eric Clapton and once solo with his band. Both shows have been nothing short of amazing. It's rare to see someone who's been in the music business for so long still continue to perform at such a high level and continue to tour year after year. Sure it happens occasionally but rarely is it ever on this level.
Soulville
Time to move into the W bands this week and I'm behind so here's what to expect, a lot of interesting material. Starting off the W's with some Jazz though. Ben Webster was one of the early influential Tenor Saxophonists to come out of the Jazz scene. Nicknamed 'The Brute' and 'Frog' Webster along with Coleman Hawkins was considered to be one of the giants in the swing tenors. Early in Webster's career he played along side such legends as Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Cab Calloway before landing a gig playing with Duke Ellington. While he continued to play through the 40's and 50's, Webster eventually settled down and called Denmark home. He died in 73 follow a cerebral hemorrhage. While revered in America, in Denmark the Ben Webster foundation is dedicated to spreading the Jazz throughout the country. One of his biggest albums came in 57 with his Quintet. 'Soulville' is a recording of a session with the Oscar Peterson Trio. Regarded as one of his finer albums through his golden run in the 50's, this album remains a fan favorite.
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