I don’t often write this but I’ve been forced to eat my words when it comes to No Consequence. The band’s 2009 debut did nothing for me. I couldn’t deny the band’s instrumental ability but the two vocalist shtick seemed like a too obvious Sikth rip off and I considered them to be very much guilty of parts over songs. There just wasn’t really anything there that I couldn’t get better elsewhere so to a certain extent I kind of ignored the band thereafter. This track, from their upcoming new album ‘IO’ on Basick, isn’t so easy to ignore.
Come 2013 the band have shed a vocalist and become a much more exciting beast. There’s a real sense of energy and abandon running through their technical metal now. The band sound much more organic than many of their mechanical peers which is refreshing. Vocally as well the more hardcore aggressive vocals combined with those smooth clean vocals lends the band a more textured edge when compared with the over saturation of the technical scene currently. If the rest of ‘IO’ turns out to be like ‘Coerce:Conform’ then they’re onto a real winner here. Here’s hoping it’s not a one trick pony.
Click here to ‘like’ No Consequence on Facebook to be kept up to date on future shows and releases.
Dissipate are a mind fuck of a band. Not in the way a press release says a band are a mind fuck but an actual mind fuck. I still don’t really know how I feel about their debut release ‘Tectonics’. It’s wonderfully heavy, wildly creative and really not all that easy to listen to. But I keep listening to it. Again and again. And I still don’t know that I want to listen to it in the way that I want to listen to the classics but my iTunes playlist speaks for itself. There’s something special about this band and their colossal, brutal and textured sound. Don’t believe us? Check out the exclusive play through video for the track ‘Mech Fail’.
Impressive right? I bet you’re curious to find out all you can about Dissipate now aren’t you? Well aren’t you lucky because those of us here at Post-Blog As are so handsome and ahead of the game that we conducted an interview with the band’s guitarist Mike Gianelli to answer all those burning questions that you didn’t know you wanted to ask. You can even click the player below to stream the entire EP for FREE while you read from the ever wonderful Basick Records bandcamp page
PBA: First things first, thanks for taking the time to talk to us guys. How’s things been since the release of ‘Tectonics’? It was a bit of a face fuck of a record to start your career on.
Mike: First of all thanks for having us on and showing interest. It’s been going very well. We have been constantly keeping busy with the new EP. Were are currently writing the new record already. We have been very excited to finally get “Tectonics” into the ears of many. Ever since the release, the feedback has been very positive in many ways. The shows have been getting better and better. It’s great to see so many people who have already bought the record, but just all the positive feedback alone is amazing ! 2013 is looking promising for us.
PBA: When we reviewed it we called it ‘a cunt of a record’. We stand by that but it’s a cunt we find ourselves going back to again and again. It says something about the depth and texture of your sound. How much of that slow burn value is intentional ? because at first listen it seems Dissipate is all about the immediacy.
Mike: We took a lot of time writing this record. We really wanted to make that recipe that you kept coming back for. The members of the band really helped with that. When you have 3 other musicians that are professional in what they do and help collaborate, it really makes it easy to create something that will not fail, but also bring this machine called Dissipate to life. It was great to finally have a record that would marinate with our audience as well as it did.We wanted to be that band were you could not get the CD out of your stereo if you tried. Wanted to leave you with that taste you would come back for.
PBA: It’s a pretty technically accomplished record on all fronts. Is technicality a focus of the band’s writing or more a subconscious offshoot?
Mike: That’s a great question, it’s more of what we feel to be honest. Some songs are more technical than others. We try to write songs that will challenge the mind but more importantly be a soundtrack to somebody’s life in a real and unique way!We wanna motivate and kick you in the chest with pure raw emotions at the same time. Music is not what it used to be. We wanna stay true to ourselves on what, and how we write. We feel that the technical side of the band is something we always had in us, and did really well with. However it’s important to still know how to write a good soul filled song that’s technical yet comprehensible. Sometimes I feel that music has lost that today.
PBA: Is it difficult to translate the kind of technicality on the record across live and maintain that level of performance and ferocity as well?
Mike: Not at all. I would like to say we have the dream team as a band. Everybody in the band is professional at what they do.It makes it extremely easy for us to bring it live yet at the same time never miss a note or a beat. We play music, it’s what we love to do. Its something we have always taken very seriously. We recorded the songs with pure raw emotions but yet kept it clean and smooth just like it would be live, if you have ever seen “Dissipate”. We wanna make sure that anything we put down in the song , is going to make people hit the rewind button at all times.
PBA: Ahead of the release of Tectonics press releases were dropping comparisons to Deftones in your sound much to the sneer of a lot of the Internet community. Once you hear the record some of those influences in the melodies and grooves are obvious. How much influence does music outside of the the ilk of Dissipate play on the sound or is it more an outlet for those heavier tastes?
Mike: I would say both. We have a lot of influences that are not even in the realms of metal. I think we have always tried to keep a fresh mind on how we write and what we bring to the table. Its fun to bring different styles into the mix and especially when it hasn’t been done before. It leaves a good taste for a refreshing sound. I think people need it now a days. We always wanna push the boundaries as much as possible and challenge us as musicians.
PBA: You’re working your way towards a full length. We can obviously expect a mind fuck but it is a mind fuck in terms of evolution or just in terms of intensity? That’s to say is it a musical step forward or just a fine tune of tectonics?
Mike: We are writing this record on a whole new level. Everything you heard from “Tectonics” is just a taste of what the fans are about to witness. We are extremely picky when we write each riff , beat, lyric etc. We want to be as perfect as we can be. We push ourselves more and more as we achieve new goals. The fans deserve something fresh but more importantly, something real that they can take from it. It’s going to be a challenge to top “Tectonics ” I must say, but that challenge we except and take motivation from.It can only make our sound that much heavier and make this machine stronger .
PBA: Is this going to be another self-produced effort are are outside influences more of a factor now you’ve found a fan base?
Mike: This will be another self produced record. I think its very important to trust yourself as a musician and be true to your sound. You always have to evolve. If not, you fail at making a masterpiece. There are too many bands out there that sound the exact same, we have always tried to steer away from that as best as possible. The sound of the 8 string has allowed us to take on new obstacles as a band but also have the sound we have always wanted.
PBA: Is the aim with Disspiate to become a full time touring band or just to write, record, play and make the most of what you have? Obviously the state of the industry is uncertain these days that not everybody is after ‘the dream’ anymore.
Mike: We absoluetly plan on touring with “Tectconics”. We should be on the road this summer.We can’t wait to get out there, and share the love with the fans. Like I said, the anticipation online from the fans has been overwhelming. There have been so many requests to hit the States, it’s a great feeling to feel welcome like that. Incredibly stoked to get out there again. Going to be a great year for us.
PBA: That said what attracted you guys to working with our good buddies over at Basick Records to release your material?
Mike: We are very honored that Basick took a chance in us and saw the sound we are going for. They get it. We always have had faith in Basick becuase of how diverse they are with their bands. They have a great roster but also a great work ethic.I must say they are very smart in the way they choose their bands. We’re very excited in what the future holds for Dissipate and being part of such an awesome family! Nothing more exciting and pleasing to see a label finally pick up bands that do not sound like every band on their roster. It keeps it fresh in the world of heavy music.
PBA: Anybody else you guys find yourselves really excited about musically just now? The underground world wide is a pretty exciting place just now if you know where to look so help us look.
Mike:I love finding new bands that are pushing the boundaries of the style today. Very excited about Intervals. It seems to me that every riff that is in there, keeps you coming back wanting more. When I listen to it, it’s like I’m watching a movie with an amazing soundtrack of great leads. The Contortionist is another band that keeps you on your feet. Bought the cd and ever since then I cannot put it down for the life of me! We’re huge fans of bands that are not afraid to steer away from the norm. Such as Animals as Leaders, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon, Deftones and many more !
PBA: Anything you’d like to add before we leave you get back to working on the new cunt?
Thank you to all the fans and anybody that has supported us through the years and stuck with us.The help truly means a lot and helps us make this dream possible. We’re incredibly excited to show everybody the new record when it’s done. We highly doubt that you will be disappointed , you guys deserve the absolute best and the best you shall receive.
Big thanks to Basick Records, Lisa at Hold Tight! PR , the guys over at Metal Hammer Magazine and Hails and Horns who have thrown their weight behind us full force and this interview right here. Your help means the world to us. Thank you !
Click here to ‘like’ Dissipate on Facebook to be kept up to date with future shows and releases.
Glass Cloud ‘The Royal Thousand’ (Basick Records 2012)
Glass Cloud ‘All Along’ – Lyrics by Travis Skyes
I am no lover
I am no faultless man
Carry me closer
To where we once began
Because the days now burn
Like fresh lit cigarettes
You pull me closer
With perfect spinerettes
I feel the seams about to split
But you’re wide-eyed and bushy-tailed
I won’t be here forever
And I can feel it
Your eyes like rapid rivers
Move over me
Searching me
Like I can deal with it
Like I can take it
And lose you too
(I know you can)
I am no fucking lover
I am just a burning bridge
These holy rollers
They just don’t stand a chance
Because you speak so slow
In secret alphabets
You walk so tall now
On slender minarets
I am just a ghost
‘All Along’ isn’t that remarkable a song musically. It has a straight ahead structure and groove and does the modern metalcore aesthetic of heavy section into melodic section. That said given the incredible caliber of the musicians involved it is executed with a damn sight more flare than other modern metal band with similar aesthetics could manage. Even vocally the song is somewhat unremarkable. The screams sound angry and the melodic parts are suitably plaintive. What makes ‘All Along’ a track that I’ve come back to time and time again then? Currently the track is starting to close in on one hundred plays on my iTunes because those factors I’ve previously mentioned all of a sudden light up because of the song’s lyrics.
Not to say that these lyrics are ground breaking. The subject matter certainly smacks of something resembling a relationship struggle, be that friendship or something less platonic is somewhat more vague. So far, so metalcore. The amount of middle class white kids in the western world who seem to relate to and write about the subject of relationships falling apart, whatever the relationship is, as if it was the collapse of their entire world is seemingly limitless. The subject isn’t ground breaking, and admittedly at one point or another it is painfully relevant to all of us. This easy accessibility of ‘All Along’ is given an edgier twist by the way in which it’s presented.
‘Because the days now burn
Like fresh lit cigarettes’
Those two lines are where for me the lyrics really start to come to life. The idea of burning days is somewhat dramatic but the idea of a burn also perfectly describes the fallout from any kind of relationship collapse. That this metaphor is further explored with reference to the cigarette is a beautiful twist. The dark romance and drama that still to an extent surrounds smoking from years of film, music, art and celebrity culture is undeniable.You could even argue given modern views on smoking, that it is a)dangerous and b) entirely disgusting the image becomes all the more effective. It adds something unique as an image that the lyrics that tend to follow this kind of music doesn’t: a romantic (in a literary sense that is) sense of tragedy. That is a far more frightening and mature subject to explore than anger.
The allusions towards grace throughout the lyrics further this more convincing lyrical content. The references to ‘perfect spinerettes‘ and then later ‘slender minerettes’ lend an air of grace, femininity and smooth sensuality to the imagery throughout the song. When those particular lyrics are combined with the caustic vocal delivery it makes for an incredibly effective contrast of delivery and meaning. The mirroring of the first line of the first verse in the second line of the second verse as well, but with the addition of some wonderful gratuitous swearing, serves to first mirror and then escalate the idea. Albeit in a very obvious way. This sense of repetition and reinforcement is exactly what makes the song so effective however. As I’m about to demonstrate with the real beauty at the heart of this song. These lines:
‘Your eyes like rapid rivers move over me
Searching me
Like I can deal with it
Like I can take it’
If I need to explain to you quite why that’s almost heart wrenching then I can’t help you. But trust me it is. It’s somewhat dark and certainly powerfully emotive. When you combine that kind of plaintive and entirely genuine sentiment with the aforementioned dark tragedy of the rest of the song you’re left with something that has so much more impact as the sum than as any of its individual parts. The snide sense of self-awareness in ‘Like I can deal with it’ and ‘Like I can take it’ provide a further underpinning of maturity that helps to stop the whole thing from falling into over dramatic teenage angst, like so many songs of this ilk do.
‘All Along’ really is something special. It’s probably a shame that a lot of people won’t pay attention to its literary and emotional impact and will instead to chose to focus on its more muscular and knuckle-headed musical moments. Don’t get me wrong, I think Glass Cloud are great and they execute those moments with such ferocity and conviction, but to the kind of pretentious and artistic soul that I am, the music isn’t half as heavy as the sentiment here.
Click here to ‘like’ Glass Cloud on Facebook to be kept up to date on future releases and shows.
Noisy shit is fucking great. Frontierer are about as noisy as they come. Not only that but its one of those awesome modern day inter-Continental collabrations things. Those are pretty cool right? Damn right.
Frontierer are Pedram Valiani of Scottish angry noisy tech metal bruisers Sectioned and Chad Kapper from the American progressive metal band A Dark Orbit. Both those bands rip so that Frontierer rip isn’t that much of a surprise really but just how visceral and aggressive this is somewhat surprising. It’s fuck you in the face and then call you a cunt afterwards kinda angry. Check it out but brace yourself.
If that doesn’t get your dick hard for the EP I can only assume you have a vagina. In which case it probably is at least a little bit moist. If it isn’t…then I am out of sexual assumptions.
Alongside Frontierer both Sectioned and A Dark Orbit are set to drop releases this year. Sectioned will be a self release while A Dark Orbit are set to release via Basick Records.
Click here to ‘like’ Frontierer on Facebook to be kept up to date on future shows and releases.
So 2012 has been a pretty phenomenal year so far as this site is concerned. We’ve interviewed a whole slew of heavy hitters in the shape of Dillinger Escape Plan, Jeff Loomis, the Algorithm and Basick Records among others and reviewed a tonne of great releases, and ignored a whole world more that aren’t so great. In truth, some ambitious ideas we aimed for never came to be but as a result we’re now much better placed to introduce them next year. It’s been a learning curve of a year in short. But curves are awesome so that’s all good. Here’s hoping 2013 brings more sexy curves.
That would be fucking sweet.
At this point I certainly need to take the time to thank all of you who have taken the time to check out this website, if only for a few seconds, because without that it would literally be nothing. Your support and interest literally means the world to me and I’m literally still amazed than anyone at all cares about this site or my opinion on the content of it. You’re amazing and I owe you all a drink. Except for those guys. Cause they’re cunts.
Thanks are also due to all the PR companies and artists we’ve worked with in 2o12 because without you we wouldn’t have a thing to write about and I’d probably still be slumped in a magnificently self involved depression staring at the wall. You’ve all been wonderful to work with you. Thank you.
As for the whole list thing…I found it really difficult to come up with a top ten for this year as I’ve not heard THAT many releases I can see myself still visiting regularly this time next year. I’ve also spent a lot of 2012 discovering older music and reconnecting with a lot of my roots so that probably didn’t help. Regardless, I did eventually wrestle myself into some sort of conclusion, albeit only 9 of them (I know I made the other guys do ten but I’m the editor so I HAVE THE POWER!) so for what it’s worth here are my top releases of 2012!
The Elijah ‘I Loved, I Hated, I Destroyed, I Created’
9. The Elijah ‘I Loved, I Hated, I Destroyed, I Created’
You mix an incredible sense of emotional dynamics with the best bits of cinematic orchestral music, post-rock and hardcore and you can get this stunning debut. Musically its more a new arrangement of previous ideas but it’s so devastatingly satisfying and climatic that if you don’t love it I think you’re a fool.
Alexisonfire ‘Death Letter’ EP
8. Alexisonfire ‘Death Letter’ EP
I miss Alexisonfire dearly. As far as post-hardcore goes they’re among the most exciting bands to ever have emerged from the scene and I cannot think of a better farewell release from them. It’s beautiful, dark, haunting and captivating. If all bands were this classy the world would be a much more satisfying place.
Devil Sold His Soul ‘Empire of Light’
7. Devil Sold His Soul ‘Empire of Light’
One of the UK’s most underrated bands finally start to gather the acclaim and attention they deserve. It takes everything the band have done before and takes it to the next level and sees them running on a new found sense of aggression. Dynamic, ferocious, tender and fucking wonderful.
Every Time I Die ‘Ex Lives’
6. Every Time I Die ‘Ex Lives’
Every Time I Die doing what they do best. Except faster. And Heavier. And Groovier. And Shoutier with more singing and groovy bits. It’s just straight up fucking awesome and the album the band have always threatened to make. It’s taken the immediacy of ‘Hot Damn’ fused it with the hooks of ‘Gutter Phenomenon’, the groove of ‘The Big Dirty’ and full throttle ferocity of ‘New Junk Aesthetic’. It’s a fucking winnner that’s what it fucking is.
Skyharbor ‘Blinding White Noise: Illusion and Chaos’
5. Skyharbor ‘Blinding White Noise: Illusion and Chaos’
A shining example as to just how lush and dynamic the modern strain of progressive metal can be. Featuring a stunning vocal performance from former TesseracT vocalist Daniel Tompkins throughout, this album was a magical journey through the potential creative pallet of metal and an example of just how exciting world spanning collaborations can be.
Devin Townsend Project ‘Epicloud’
4. Devin Townsend Project ‘Epicloud’
In my eyes the wonderful Mr Townsend can do no wrong. Epicloud was just another example of this. Heavy, bombastic and exhilarating pop tunes about love, life, relationships, the world and rocking the fuck out regardless of all of those things. How the fuck could you not like this album?
Deftones ‘Koi No Yokan’
3. Deftones ‘Koi No Yokan’
Deftones deliver another stunning album. Who is really surprised by that? It’s not as devastatingly heavy or immediate as ‘Diamond Eyes’ but it is a lusher and much more tender affair. It’s no ‘White Pony’ but it is a collection of beautifully sexy tunes so I guess that’ll do for now.
Converge ‘All We Love We Leave Behind’
2. Converge ‘All We Love We Leave Behind’
Converge have always been better than most bands. This is just another case in point. As devastatingly heavy as it is tender and torn. I love this album. It’s nearly another ‘Jane Doe’. Most bands never manage one of them, never mind a near second.
Analogue of the Sun ‘Eardstapa’
1. Analogue of the Sun ‘Eardstapa’
It’s awkward, brilliant delicate, crushing and textured. I love it. It’s been worth the wait that’s for sure. If you’re fan of experimental heavy music then you need to listen to this.
As for singles 2012 delivered these five belters that I constantly find on repeat on my iPod
5. Shadowboxer ‘April’
4.Carley Ray Jepsen ‘Call Me Maybe’
3.Marmozets ‘Good Days’
2. Mixhell ‘Exit Wound’
1. Circles ‘Another Me’
And as for my favorite video of the year it has to be this one. Pig Destroyer nailed it with ‘Book Burner’ and nailed it all the more with this video:
My sincerest thanks to all of you who have supported me through this site once again. Here’s to 2013. Drinks on me.
I really like Alaya. Admittedly I have only heard the one song but its’ pretty awesome. There’s a wee bit of prog metal ( or djent if you want to be THAT guy), a wee bit of post-hardcore and a whole lot of big sexy melody. I’m pretty sold on that. Aren’t you? Perhaps you should check out the track as it sounds much better than all the sentences I’ve written today.
There’s a couple of really cool things about Alaya that strike me off the bat. Firstly they seem as if they’re a band with progressive leanings more focused on songs than a whole bunch of cool parts strung together. Neither approach is ‘better’ than the other but I guess I often appreciate the former more. The band also don’t sound much like their progressive peers from a production standpoint, there are of course obvious similarities, but the production isn’t as homogeneous as it is across a lot of bands who have emerged from the ‘scene’ sounding as it does a lot more organic and raw, something which again draws that post-hardcore comparison . That the band are a three-piece is also awesome because I just like three pieces. Power trios FTW. That and the whole three guitar players or two guitar players with backing tracks is now so common place that only have one guitar is something of a revelation. Who saw that coming?
There is another aspect of the band that in reality probably shouldn’t really matter but it probably does: they’re not entirely unhandsome men. traditionally this is not a strong point for technical and progressive metal, or metal at all really. It’s no secret that metal, and the progressive end of the spectrum in particular is a bit of a sausage fest. The reasons for this are many fold: ignorant attitudes from both sexes, sexism, a sense of detachment from a male dominated scene that has traditionally poorly treated women, a lot of girls just don’t dig technical progressive music and there’s far too many really fat hairy dudes in over sized band t-shirts. That’s only scrapping the surface and there’s clearly a whole world of complex sociological reasons for metal being an old boy’s club but to an extent it is slowly getting better. Band’s that incorporate vast swathes of melody alongside their bludgeon do traditionally enjoy more of a female fan base. Make of that what you will but it is clearly the case. The entirety of the evolution of the early 00’s progressive post-hardcore scene proves this. Bands like Thrice, Thursday and Poison The Well and even bands as out there as Dillinger and Botch (also all bands who don’t shy away from having ‘looks’ even if it isn’t premeditated) have always enjoyed a wider fan base when it comes to genres than metal typically has. Given those obvious factors in the sound of Alaya and the fact they’re not so bad on the eyes they could well prove to be a gate way band to breaking a scene of some really exciting music to a wider audience.
Not to try to put pressure on them but that would be a fucking excellent thing.
Now that I’ve waxed lyrical from the mount about the band it’s probably time other people did. First off Basick Records head man on his reasons for signing the band:
‘One of the best things about this job is discovering hidden talent that you know will immediately resonate with open minded music fans worldwide. Alaya are one of the most exciting and forward-thinking bands I’ve come across, showcasing incredible levels of musicianship and as a team, we’re genuinely excited to be bringing you their debut album next year.’
And secondly the band’s vocalist/Guitarist Evan Graham Dunn:
‘It’s surreal – signing to a label that supports bands I’ve been a fan of for some time. Uneven Structure especially has been in my deck since “8” was released. As a band, we’ve waited for our entire career for someone to give us this chance, and we’re going to do everything we can to make the most of it. We can’t wait to hit the ground running and continue to work our collective asses off knowing now that Basick Records has got our back.’
Alaya’s debut will be released via Basick in 2013. We’ll keep you posted on stuff as we hear it. And keep ranting in excitement in the mean time.
Click here to ‘like’ Alaya on Facebook to be kept up to date on future shows and releases.
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