Spanish doom metallers Ikarie are back with new sophomore opus. The six piece doom/post metallers’ second opus is out with Avantgarde Music. As the band states this is continuation of the story told on their debut album ‘Cuerpos En Sombra’ two years ago. But, this one speaks thematically of anger, burning rage, victims burning metaphysically and literally fire and starting from new beginnings, whether not knowing or knowing they are in fact victims. This opus contains ten songs, with couple of them serving as instrumental intermezzos, preparing for the next storm ahead. Music of Ikarie is rawer and dirtier version of doom metal with thundering distorted bass, raw guitars, sludgy atmosphere and raw, anguished vocals bordering on death growls. But, there are couple of excursions into post metal waters, especially in guitar department, but there are also couple of melancholic great melodies to emphasize anguish and despair, like in fantastic ‘La Sed’ which is, along with ‘Surcos(Cituat Morta)’ and ‘Santa Sangre’ my personal favorite on this opus. I would love to hear this one performed live, I am sure these guys deliver wall of despair and guitar doom that makes goosebumps upon my skin. Great second opus by Spaniards.
The Lancasters are hailing from mighty Italian underground scene and this is their new full length opus with Retro Vox Records. This one contains thirteen songs and is it a concept album? Well, yes and no! Songs are arranged like a presentation of wild and strange family with thirteen members from more normal, depending on the eye of the beholder to more weird and eerie members. So, it is basically a concept album, but also it’s not. Music is basically heavy rock with some prog elements, garage punk even in some songs, desert rock and not toname all those subgenres right now, I will say, it is only rock n roll but I like it! Some songs sound to me like The Hellacopters with Black Sabbath in same blender with garage rock. I like more melodic songs like for example ‘Little Suzie’ which I listened two or three times over and over. There are tempo changes and songs vary from mid tempo to more faster, straightforward stuff, but the energy is touchable throughout the whole album. I also love song called ‘Pancho, the Brave’ which was cleverly chosen as a single. Vocals have that effect on it, so I would like more if there were more clean, but hey that is only me, for this type of music they fit perfectly. Between others, I also choose ‘Liza’ and ‘Odessa’ as my personal favorite family members. Go listen if you like your rock.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 