Suche nach: ice t
First you may think: writing about Black Map of course means to write about Dredg, Far and The Trophy Fire, if only because „…And We Explode“ bears trademarks of the three other bands Mark Engles, Chris Robyn und Ben Flanagan are involved with. But it comes as a bit of a surprise, how effortless the three-headed powerhouse succeeds in combining the straight walk in direction of atmospheric alternative rock, the constant flirt with grounded stadium-sound and the steadfast traction of meaty hits. And yeah, in the end actually it works perfectly without even mentioning their other prominent playgrounds.
„Compared to his previous work, the album has very structurized pieces, but they lose nothing of their elusive magic“ Messer vocalist Hendrik Otremba told us, and hits the nail on the head. Not only has Damon McMahon – together with his bandmates Jordi Wheeler and Parker Kindred, as well as many guests like Efrim Menuck, Colin Stetson and Elias Bender Rønnenfelt – succeeded in making 'Love' their best Album so far, but a beautifully surreal, psychedelic masterpiece with timeless qualities.
"Im Vergleich zum bisherigen Werk von Amen Dunes findet man hier durchaus strukturierte Stücke, ihre Magie des Flüchtigen haben sie trotzdem nicht verloren." sagt Messer Sänger Hendrik Otremba und trifft den Nagel damit durchaus auf den Punkt. Tatsächlich ist Damon McMahon mithilfe von seinen Bandkollegen Jordi Wheeler, Parker Kindred und zahlreichen Gastmusikern wie Efrim Menuck, Colin Stetson und Elias Bender Rønnenfelt mit 'Love' nicht nur sein bisher bestes Album gelungen, sondern ein unwirklich-schönes, psychedelisch verschwommenes Meisterstück von zeitloser Klasse.
Their dynamic style of pop punk combined with fun, oldschool skate punk vibes make Gnarwolves one of the most interesting new bands the UK currently has to offer. On their first headline tour through Europe Thom (Guitar, Vocals) and Charlie (Bass, Vocals) met Heavy Pop at dasBach to talk about their debut album, skateboarding, and why their song 'Smoking Kills' isn’t really about smoking.
Waiting for the debut album of the Goodtime Boys felt like an eternity. And as it turns out it was worth waiting: 'Rain' not only keeps the promises a number of EPs made since 2011, but elevates tehir qualities onto the next level. With outstanding songs like ‘Wallflower‘, ‘Life Moves‘, ‘Cloudbursts‘ or ‘Downpour‘ and songwriting that succeeds in expressing aggressiveness without losing a keen sense for grand melodies, with a spacious sound that sets itself apart from the genres sameyness, and lyrics that crawl beneath the skin. Hardcore can be so beautiful.
2014 couldn’t have started better for KMPFSPRT: „Jugend Mutiert“ easily lived up to the high expectations euphoric concert reviews and the „Das ist doch kein Name für ‚ne Band“ EP were suggesting. Close to eleven months later, the albums punkr rock hits lost nothing of their pressure and vigor. It doesn’t surprise, thatt 2015 seems to be off to an equally good start: the split single with Boysetsfire is ready to go, looks amazing, and serves a good cause. For the time being, guitar player David gives off some recommendations for 2014.
Same procedure as every year: the Heavy Pop Advent calendar is a-knocking, viewing musical highlights of 2014 in the rearview-mirror. From Decmber 1st through December 24th, the musicians behind some of our favourite records of the year tell us about theirs.
After the two consecutive successes '‘Im Schwindel‘‘ and 'Die Unsichtbaren‘, 2014 had to be endured without a new album by Messer, but fortunately not without other releases: while Record Store Day ’14 showed the groups changeableness with 'TCM Tones‘, last months 'Ein Film ist zuende, nur ein Film‘ succeeded with its balancing act between art piece and driving rock improvisation. Either way: no Heavy Pop Advent calender without being kicked off by Messer!
Alle Jahre wieder....steht der Heavy Pop Adventskalender vor der Tür und lässt bereits jetzt zahlreiche musikalische Highlights der vergangenen Monate Revue passieren: von 01. bis 24. Dezember verraten uns an dieser Stelle abermals die Musiker hinter einigen unserer liebsten Platten wiederum ihre Favoriten des Jahres 2014.
Nach den beiden aufeinanderfolgenden Glanztaten 'Im Schwindel' und 'Die Unsichtbaren' musste 2014 zwar ohne neues Messer-Album auskommen, aber auch so tat sich genug bei den Münsteranern: die zum Quintett angewachsene Kombo reiste durch China, 'TCM Tones' führte zum Record Store Day einmal mehr die Wandelbarkeit der Gruppe vor und dem Hörspiel 'Ein Film war zuende, nur ein Film' gelang der Spagat zwischen Kunst-Expedition und treibender Rock-Improvisation fulminant. Aber sowieso: kein Heavy Pop Adventskalender ist komplett, wenn er nicht von Messer eröffnet wird.
