This article was featured in RVAMag #22: Fall 2015.
This article was featured in RVAMag #22: Fall 2015. You can read all of issue #22 here or pick it up at local shops around RVA right now.
Author & Punisher
Melk En Honing
(Housecore)
Tristan Shone’s one-man project is a genuinely compelling mix of industrial music and doom metal that doesn’t incorporate traditional rock instrumentation. Rather, Shone makes his own vocal-altering masks, and other “drone machines.” While some tracks include new vocal nuances, the dub-influenced songs and balladic moments of previous albums are missing, resulting in a release that drags. (CE)
Clever Girl
Shelf Life
Some aggressive, emotionally-driven pop-punk here from a band that features multiple members of This Is Your Life, and picks up where that band and fellow sadly departed RVA pop-punkers Hold Tight left off. Heartfelt lyrics and catchy choruses sit overtop of chunky, powerful riffs and speedy drumming. Sure to inspire. (AN)
Czarface
Every Hero Needs a Villain
(Brick)
Wu-Tang alumni Inspectah Deck plus Army of the Pharaohs subgroup Esoteric & 7L comprise the lineup for this lyrically dense, supervillain-flavored hip-hop romp. Deck and Eso’s tag-teaming flows keep things fun and funny, with 7L laying down some fairly traditional hip-hop beats, replete with old movie and cartoon samples. Fittingly, MF DOOM makes an appearance. (CE)
The Devil Wears Prada
Space EP
(Rise)
TWDP continues to excel in the concentrated EP format, as they return to the formula that made their 2010 Zombie EP so celebrated amongst their fans. Here, they explore the ambitious subject matter with a much more spacious take on the genre that features just as many bold tonal developments as it does true headbanging moments. (DN)
The Diamond Center
Crystals From The Brass Empire
(Funny Not Funny/Egghunt/Steady Sounds)
I’m sure I’m not the only Diamond Center fan overjoyed to have this LP–finally, a full-length document of what we’ve been hearing live from this band for years. Their hazy, lysergic psych sound captures that late-60s stoned California desert sound better than anything this side of early Mazzy Star. Put it on and bliss out. (AN)
Failure
The Heart is a Monster
(INresidence)
Nineteen years between full-lengths is a long time. Failure’s sound is rooted in 90’s alt rock, and this album’s ambient segues call back to 1996’s Fantastic Planet, providing a bit of an easter egg for old fans. Heart sounds sharp, but not over-produced. It also has accessible hooks, but a running time that makes it more for dedicated fans. (CE)
HeCTA
The Diet
(Merge)
Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner is back with this new, exciting group that seamlessly continues the soul of Lambchop while exploring a new sonic plane. While the music screams house from the get-go, there’s ton of other melodic ideas to discover as you sign yourself to Wagner’s curated musical diet, however errant it may be. (DN)
L’Orange & Kool Keith
Time? Astonishing!
(Mello Music Group)
Kool Keith’s fascination with old-school sci-fi, along with his bizarre word choice, unique sense of humor and distinct flow have established him as one of hip-hop’s biggest weirdos over the years. While not as exuberant as his earlier material, Time? finds Keith continuing his interstellar journey, with L’Orange providing, dreamy, kooky, boom bap-flavored accompaniment. (CE)
