PLINI "SWEET NOTHINGS" EP REVIEW

Australia's 21-year-old musical genius, Plini, is back to pleasantli please us with yet another amazing release entitled "Sweet Nothings". And believe me, it's sweet! "Sweet Nothings" is the second part of a trilogy of EPs Plini's been working on and editing over the past two years. The trilogy is entitled "Other Things" just like it's first release that this EP follows up.

 
The very first track, simply titled "Opening", immediately leads to a dreamland filled with serenity and lightness of an ethereal nature. This music is literally like a therapy or a brain massage if you will. It's able to make you feel so careless and forget about all of the crap happening around you. Instead, you can simpli enjoy these opening minutes of relaxation and mental levitation. There's an amazing gem included on this track - the last guitar solo of the song was performed by Piotrek "Gru" Gruszka and my god it is brilliant! "Opening" is probably the most "proggy" track of the EP and it works perfectly as an introduction. It not only gives you an idea of what you're getting into, it switches off your brain and lets you float into what comes next.

Now that your mind is prepped for travel, it will find something more catchy and uplifting. The second track entitled "Tarred & Feathered" is somewhat reminiscent of the song "Heart" (featured previousli on Plini's "Other Things") with it's amazing use of rhythmic acoustic guitar with soft and memorable sounds and riffs. Towards the end, the orchestral elements will make it one of the most epic instrumental songs you'll hear in 2013.

Next step is called "Away". Combining thin and refined guitar patchwork and wisely detailed riffage, both layered with intelligent and amazing synths, Plini has made another unquestionably inspiring song. It packs the same "proggy" approach heard in the first track, but with more of a catchy take on the guitar work which makes it less atmospheric and more ear popping in some ways.

 
Perfectly balanced musical ideas appear in the final song "Sweet Nothings", especially in the beginning and in the epic ending. A simple lead brings you to an ending in which guitar gets heavier but sill not aggressive. Between low end riffage and an amazing solo emerges an epic and surprising finale in which the synths play the same riff of the beloved song "Heart" (the previously mentioned opener of "Other Things"). This definiteli finishes things in the best way possible (or maybe even better!). You should also focus on the brilliant piano details, performed in this track by Luke Martin, pushing the whole song to a higher level.

This is a damn near perfect EP, touching and delighting in it's allure. "Sweet Nothings" is therapy for the mind, body, and soul. You need to listen to this, repeatedly. The world around you will look much better and you will feel much better. It packs memorable guitar work that manages to be progressive and even jazzy without being foolishly complex. Instead it's amazingly simple and catchy despite  being original and uncanny. There isn't really much more to say when you're in front of the best instrumental EP of the year. Amazing.

- MATTIA

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp // Merch

WIDEK "AURORA BOREALIS" EP REVIEW (FREE MUSIC!)

I just sat down and listened to Widek's newest EP "Aurora Borealis". Before this I had only heard of him through his dealings with beastly guitar virtuoso Gru. He actually shares a good bit in common with Gru. There seems to be an upcoming circle of ridiculous virtuoso style players with a spacey style and tasty delivery appearing across the world including the two mentioned, Sithu Aye and Plini (of Halcyon) among others. And when they get together, crazy shit happens. Every shredder mentioned above makes an appearance on this whirlwind EP. Just to give you an idea of the awesome moments packed into this one.

Coming out of Poland, Widek makes impressive music with a precise blend of creativity, technicality, heaviness and melody. Essentially, he drives an Instrumental, Progressive Metal project with original thinking and some experimental influence. "Aurora Borealis" is a grand showcase of an artist intent on pushing and improving his musical ability.

The content of this EP is solid. "Emission Line Spectrum" opens up the release with an eerie progression only to smack you with the edge of down tuned guitar work. It does this for a little while before fading into atmosphere to transition into the title track. "Aurora Borealis" provides some interesting rhythmic work and atmospheric ideas. However, the best part of this song are the contributions from guitarists Sithu Aye and Plini to close out the track. "Dark Matter" makes for one of the heaviest segments of the release. With a djenty backbone and tight playing, it makes for a winner. "Binary Stars" is easily one of the most melodic additions to the track list. It brings forth some creative musical ideas and a phenomenal guitar solo from fellow Polish countryman, Gru. "Skylight" is easily my favorite song off the release. Featuring intense emotion, intelligent composition, and another cameo from the amazing Gru - it makes for a great way to close things out.

To sum things up, Widek did a great job creating "Aurora Borealis". It is a quality musical venture from this upcoming talent. What makes it even better is the fact that "Aurora Borealis" is FREE! That's a steal and a half for some full price quality music! Go ahead, listen to some tracks above and grab the EP right here.

Rumor has it, Widek has some new music in the works for a possible 2013 release. You better keep an eye out for this guy. He has serious potential to do more big things in the future.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Bandcamp

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2010 - RECAP

In the weeks leading up to the end of the year and our top 10 list of 2012, we're giving credit to the past couple years too. Here's the top ten albums of 2010, no shits given about whiny elitist opinions. Also have a look back at 2009.

   1   
PERIPHERY - SELF TITLED

Periphery's debut was more than just an album, it was the the trigger of the entire modern tech-metal movement. Love it or hate it, this is what largely popularized the "djent" tone. That aside, the album itself is just plain incredible. It offers such a diverse variety of music from the lighter end on "Jetpacks Was Yes!" and "All New Materials" to the heavy chaos of "Zyglrox" and "The Walk" along with everything in between. Every track had something unique and genius to offer. Other great examples are "Icarus Lives!" and the 15 minute epic "Racecar". Add it all up and you get the top album of 2010. This is a metal classic through and through.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   2   
RINGS OF SATURN - EMBRYONIC ANOMALY

Rings of Saturn writes music on an apocalyptic scale. This is massive, crushing, tech death centered around the xenocide of the human race \m/ The band could be described as The Faceless on crack. The Rings of Saturn debut was an absolutely world crushing experience. "Embryonic Anomaly" is fast, focused, and coldly calculated with a great deal of complete insanity in the mix. When you get down to it, this record is scary good. Stand out tracks include "Seized and Devoured", "Abducted", and the title track among many other greats. If you consider yourself a fan of Tech Death, "Embryonic Anomaly" is a must. Aliens man, aliens.

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp // iTunes 

   3   
GRU - COSMOGENESIS

Easily described as an alternative to Animals As Leaders, Poland's very own Gru aka Piotrek Gruszka is an amazing artist in his own right. His debut "Cosmogeneis" is a mind blowing, virtuosic ride across the universe and back again. This record comes across as genius level art in every way. From the intro to the amazing "Zeta Reticuli", the album is an awe-inspiring musical experience. There are several other classics such as the explosive opener "Nebula", aural giant "Stellar", and the galactic pleasures of "Andromeda". "Cosmogenesis" is filled to the brim with tasty, intellectual ear candy. This record is highly recommended!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp

   4   
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - OPTION PARALYSIS

It would be a crime not to include The Dillinger Escape Plan's fourth studio album on this list. The anger, paranoia, anxiousness, expressed on "Option Paralysis" are far beyond most anything you're accustomed to hearing. As to be expected, they bring the heavy, off-time chaos and creativity and excel at doing so. This record is a trip into complete insanity. The drumming, guitar, and bass work are psychotically good as the vocals seethe with raw, unchecked emotion. "Farewell, Mona Lisa", "Gold Teeth on a Bum", "Good Neighbor", "Crystal Morning" and "Widower" are several reasons why this record is a Mathcore classic.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   5   
THE CONTORTIONIST - EXOPLANET

The Contortionist's huge debut "Exoplanet" certainly caused quite a commotion as it spread through space and every corner of the metal underground. This isn't an album, it's an interstellar adventure. The excellent balance between extreme heaviness and beautiful melodic segments on this record is undeniable. And the musicianship displayed by the band from song to song is phenomenal. Tracks like "Flourish", "Primal Directive", "Oscillator", and the three epic parts of the title track stood out especially. "Exoplanet" is a brilliant album with a brilliant concept behind it, putting The Contortionist on the map in a big way.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   6   
CLOUDKICKER - BEACONS

Businessman by day, polyrythmical genius by night, Cloudkicker aka Ben Sharp never fails to impress with his brand of complex music. Some would consider the record "Beacons" to be his best work to date. It's the first full-length in which he really began to move away from his "Melodic Meshuggah" sound in favor of a more progressive, ambient approach. And it yielded some amazing aural results. "Beacons" is filled with melodic tension and pure greatness from beginning to end. Must listens on this record include "Push It Way Up!", "We're Going In. We're Going Down.", and "It's Bad. We're Hit, Man, We Are Hit." Great titles, even better record.

  Links: Facebook // Bandcamp

   7   
AFTER THE BURIAL - IN DREAMS

While we agree with much of the metal community that After The Burial's follow up to the classic "Rareform" didn't quite compare, there's no denying that "In Dreams" is one helluva album. Not to mention it has the best album artwork ever made. "In Dreams" brought a big time groove with it, punishing the listeners ear with pure metal greatness from track to track \m/ There were huge stand outs like the vicious opener "My Frailty", "Bread Crumbs & White Stones", "Encased In Ice", the emotionally charged "To Carry You Away", and someone gets hit by a train in "Your Troubles Will Cease And Fortune Will Smile Upon You". Great stuff.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   8   
VEIL OF MAYA - [id]

Coming off the legendary "Common Man's Collapse", Veil of Maya made a very strong return with "[id]". This album is a heavy as hell journey through the human consciousness, pushing technicality to it's extreme limits. VoM also took the strangeness and creativity they're known for and went all out with them, making "[id]" anything but a linear musical experience. With synapse ripping tracks such as "Unbreakable", "Dark Passenger", "Mowgli", "Namaste" laced between some hard hitting interludes, there's a risk of permanent brain damage while listening to this record (in the best way possible \m/) Get with the Veil or get out of the pit.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   9   
DEFTONES - DIAMOND EYES

Deftones have been making top notch music for a long time now. And their sixth studio album "Diamond Eyes" lived up to their reputation 100%. This album is just as enjoyable today as it was back in 2010. Unique in it's fusion of rage and beauty, Deftones entwined Progressive Rock and Metal damn near perfectly on this album. There were no limitations as they experimented in several directions from track to track. Stand outs include the title track opener, "You've Seen The Butcher", "Beauty School", "Sextape", and the dangerous "Rocket Skates". "Diamond Eyes" flows seamlessly all the way through and leaves you wanting to listen again.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   10   
THE GHOST INSIDE - RETURNERS

There's a lot to say about this incredible record. The Ghost Inside's sophomore effort "Returners" is a staple of the modern day hardcore scene. Packing a heavy punch on every track, this album is filled with mosh worthy segments. There's also great use of melody in the mix. And it's hard to deny the powerfully uplifting lyrics from Johnathan Vigil. Tracks such as "Between The Lines", "Unspoken", "Greater Distance", "Chrono", and "Overlooked" are just plain strong and inspiring. This is a band that literally gives their all in everything they do. And they do it all for their fans. "Returners" is heavy music with meaning backing it.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

ARTIST TO WATCH OUT FOR - GRU

Coming from Poland, a solo project going by the guise of Gru released an incredible record "Cosmogenesis" in 2010. This musical project strikes me almost as an alternative Animals As Leaders, which is awesome cause AAL is easily one of my favorite groups. With a driving, instrumental, ambient, progressive metal style Gru takes you a trip across the universe with his music. This is truly impressive work. And you can listen to "Cosmogenesis" in it's entirety below for free. If you like this record as much as I do, you should consider supporting Gru and his art on Bandcamp.

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp

NEW PLAYLIST - THE PROG-LIST

 Check out our new Progressive Metal playlist - The Prog-list

Prog nerds feast your earholes here.

Playlist: The Prog-list