This third album by Canadian outfit Harrow is a very interesting affair. Although principally pitched as a hybrid of black and folk metal, the resultant sounds on their 2015 release stretch much further than just those musical touchstones. Taking in acoustic and even shoegazy moods, it could be said that Harrow’s take on folk metal doesn’t always the most obvious route.
Category Archives: Album & EP Reviews
MATS INGVARSSON – Hope
Bassist Mats Ingvarsson is somewhat of a fixture on the Swedish jazz scene. Over the course of several years he’s released a string of albums, sometimes as a member of Un-x-pected Pleasure, sometimes solo, but often via the specialist label Kopasetic Productions. His 2014 release ‘Hope’ enlists the talents of labelmate Maggi Olin on the grand piano and a pretty mean Fender Rhodes. Joining them, session drummer Daniel Fredrikssen and Magnus Lindberg ensure this is an impressive gathering.
ANXIETY JUNKIES – Self-Sabotage
At the end of 2014, Anxiety Junkies, a DIY hardcore punk from Georgia (US), released their third demo. ‘Sorry’ comprised four numbers that put across the band’s intents in a very succinct and fuss-free fashion. It’s rough around the edges quality of the recording only heightened the intensity, but even so, the band made firm plans in the new year to enter the studio to make a more complete sounding recording. Their first full-length, the fifteen track ‘Self-Sabotage’ is the result.
PROGOCTOPUS – Transcendence EP
Progoctopus pull no punches on their self-released debut EP, ‘Transcendence’. By shamelessly including the word “prog” in their odd choice of band name, they instantly guarantee those listeners who come out in hives at the mere thought of Yes or Enchant or Dream Theater aren’t going to trouble them. This ensures the curious ears now left behind have a fair chance of loving their mix of classic prog rock, folk-rock and complex prog metal workouts right from first hearing.
OLD HOUSE PLAYGROUND – The Great Escape EP
Old House Playground come to you from a dark corner of Manchester (via Greece) bringing folk tales of heartbreak, dark premonition and woe. With a heavy mix of blues, rockabilly and dark twang, Their debut EP, ‘The Great Escape’, comes across as a hybrid of Tindersticks, Nick Cave and Tito & Tarantula, delivered with the sophistication of Chris Isaak (more specifically his classic ‘Baby Did a Bad Thing’). Frontman Tryfon Lazos combines and twists such influences into his own style throughout the four featured tracks, leaving behind a release that’s nothing short of wonderful.