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Interview With BIZAR BAZAR: Mix Of Metal, Rock And Folk With A Touch Of Insanity

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 22, 2014
Posted in: Int. News, Interviews. Tagged: , , , . 1 Comment

BizarBazar-promo1

Interview by Dylan Raine

BIZAR BAZAR is a mix of Metal, Rock and Folk with a touch of insanity. Their recent release ‘Circus Metal Maniac’ is an exceptional show of talent, unique sequences, expressive guitars, and powerful vocals to mix up everything we once thought was real. I caught up with founding member and musician Fabian Vestod for a few thoughts about his ideas, dreams, and how he perceives the music as a whole.

Hello and welcome to Metal Shock Finland, I’m Dylan Raine and recently reviewed your ‘CIRCUS METAL MANIAC’ album.

Hello Dylan, first of all, thanks for making this possible. I also liked your review very much; your ears and imagination captured the soul of the record, my best compliments.

Can you introduce yourselves and tell me more about the concept of the CIRCUS METAL MANIAC?

My name is Fabian Vestod, artist, musician and magick lover. Along with other projects, mainly  I do play guitar and sing for Bizar Bazar, back to the “Circus metal Maniac” recording sessions I did take care of the drums as well, Snake Green produced and mixed the whole thing, also tracking the bass, now as  official band, mr top hat Simone Merlenghi took the throne behind the drums, then Alice ‘Cecilia’ Lane on bass and Raedon Mac (from the UK band Control the Storm) on accordion. 3 gingers in the band! (Cecila dyes her hair in black).  Circus Metal Maniac was the culmination of travels, life experiences and visions translated out of music. Like reality meets dreams.  Circus as chaotic, gypsy, nomad, misunderstood – Metal as the main musical influence – and Maniac as the behaviour your need to break artistic boundaries.

Fabian Vestod

Fabian Vestod

How would you say this album stylises your musical influences within it?  

Musically I was influenced by many different bands, you can hear the 70s the 80s and the 90s I guess… but it is also through visualisation that I came across this record. Everything has a shape then a sound or vice versa. This is pretty much what the song “lost inside the bazaar” is about.  Focus on visions and let them talk through your instrument, or play your instrument to shape an upcoming vision.

Who influences you most as a band and individually?

Well, if we go back in the day, when I was just a kid, Mr. Mustaine is the one who influenced me the most. He was a ginger like me, he was angry and very talented, alone against many, unique guitar style, song writing and voice. I’m sure he used to hit people with a slingshot laughing at them…Then fortunately I have opened my mind to almost every genre of music. Still, mostly, I do appreciate music that sounds like flash and bones.  Over producing your music feels like having sex with your clothes on…

What would you say was the most fun part about making the album and which parts (if any) did you want to shout and scream through annoyance?

Scream through annoyance none. A great memory, apart from having friends and musicians stopping by and in somehow getting involved in the recordings, is when I went to North Beach in SF at the old music shop to get the marching band bass drum, huge man. No way to put it in a car or a cab. So I started walking down the street towards the bart station carrying that fat drum on my back. Every Italian in the hood of course knew me, ‘cause I was working there,  and they were all like ‘minchia vai’, then when I got to the studio in Berkeley, after another long walk, Snake Green (producer and loyal friend) looked at me and gave me that smile “you are one crazy mother fucker”.

If you had the opportunity to do it again would you? and if you could include any real, or imaginary characteristic to the feel what would it be?

Oh, of course.. I already did. Let me reveal something:  through the years I did record a lot of music with different producers… Snake Green, Juan Urtega, Dario Mollo and just recently with wizard Russ Russell… So I have material worth 3 or 4 records!   As imaginary about Bizar Bazar, first record was attached more to the city life style even if I gave it a theatrical feel and look, next record is going to be mystic, shamanic, same character who experiences forests and deserts instead in door places such as theatres, brothels or alcoholocausting parties.

Fabian and Russ Russell in the studio

Fabian and Russ Russell in the studio

Can you tell me what it was like working with Russ Russell?

Working with Russ, even for the first time, was like going back home to visit one of your best friends. He’s a very welcoming person; he made the entire band feel at home. Everyone within the band was extremely happy and looking forward to work with him again. He does what he does for passion more than for business. After a massive day of recordings, he didn’t go to bed, to celebrate he stayed up until 4am to share drinks. Next day we were flying home he was going masked to the roller coaster. On the other hand he’s highly professional, relaxed and talented in his job, can you get more than that?

Has the public response to the CIRCUS METAL MANIAC been as you expected or hoped for?

Expectations? Take those out of your life; if you want to give yourself a headache, drink a couple bottles of wine, at least it’s a noble headache.   Just do the things you love with passion, devotion and everything will come together. I’m happy the album got reviewed worldwide after such long time it was recorded and been kept in the closet (my bad on that one)… reviews have been great so far! maybe more to come.  Then, to make a real fun base and strong followers you have to prove yourself on stage more than spend hrs online.

What is your best song to play live and what is it about the track that makes it great to play?

Not the best but the more fun to play I personally think is “Lost inside the bazaar”. So many up and down, it’s a roller coaster. My vocals are way stronger now and we made some instrumental changes through the song, drums are more dynamic and we added black metal fast guitar picking in two sections and an Arabic guitar solo at the end. I always look into people eyes when we do play that song and say I was on psychedelic drugs when I wrote it… Yeah!

As a lead guitarist myself I absolutely love some of the intense solos in the album, and I’m sure there will be a few of us asking how you created them, what was going through your mind whilst building the music?

As far as “guitar solos”, it wasn’t me. It was Alessandro Gaza aka Joey Tassello who flew from Italy to California to track those crazy solos… I thought about him while I was recording my guitars. He’s a terrific guitar player; he also helped me to put the band together when I first got back to Italy. Current line up is different though. We took two different paths during the first steps of the band so he’s no longer with us. We wish him the best.  We are now looking for a lead guitarist.

BizarBazar-promo2

CIRCUS METAL MANIAC contains some very interesting sequences from what we would see as a traditional fun fair or circus,  where were these recorded?

At the legendary Different Fur studios in San Francisco and at Mojo Studios (hail mojo!) in Berkeley.

Do you have any plans on another album, videos, or any demos that may be popping up very soon?

Absolutely, we are about to release an official video for a song we recorded with producer Russ Russell in the UK which is Megadeth’s “Sweating bullets”, a cover yes. Russ is an incredible character, he has all the qualities a wizard would have, and he’s funny as hell and bringer of wisdom; looking forward to work with him again. It was perfect timing to pay tribute to Mr.Mustaine and Co. Then I already written a new album, actually two, I’m practicing the songs with Simone at the moment and starting pre production in a few days.  Can’t wait to enter the studio with the band for the real thing, hopefully this time supported by a label!

Do you have any shows/tours planned?

We are talking to get ready to tour actually… Possibly a lot.  After releasing the video will start looking for a lead guitarist. So, any management, booking agency or whatever able to sort this out with us, please get in touch with Bizar Bazar.  The band must tour! Its rock and roll bro, even if helpful to use internet to promote yourself, the dust and mud from the road tastes much better.

Can you provide us with some links to your music?

Still debating on some distribution deals, for now…
https://www.facebook.com/bizarbazarmusic1?ref=tn_tnmn
http://www.reverbnation.com/bizarbazar4
https://twitter.com/BizarBazar

Review: GRENOUER “Blood On The Face ” 2013

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 12, 2014
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Blood On The FaceReview by Dylan Raine

Artist: GRENOUER
Album: Blood On The Face
Label: MAUSOLEUM RECORDS
Release Date(s): May 10th in Europe, and July 9th in North America.

Tracklist:
1. Intro: Thunder Phase
2. Blood On The Face
3. Sands Of Silence
4. Midday Show
5. Golden Years
6. Rejected
7. Fix Your Life / A Few Miles From Paradise
8. The Taste Of Misery
9. Brain Fever
10. See No Sun
11. Last Stop
12. All In The Suit That You Wear

Founded in 1992 by vocalist Andrey Ind and guitarist Alexander Motor, Grenouer signed with the legendary Mausoleum Records label late 2012. “Blood On The Face” (GRENOUER’s seventh album) was produced by Dualized & Eddy Cavazza (Mnemic), Anssi Kippo (Children Of Bodom) and Joonas Koto, this team – assisted by Grenouer themselves – forged the band’s outstanding musicianship into 12 mighty slabs of hard modern metal, expertly mastered by Mika Jussila at the Finnvox Studio.

Into the album from the inset you are introduced to extreme blasts of Korn-esq/(early)Pitchshifter melodies and obscurities, whilst maintaining a wonderful Opeth feel to it. The harmonies between the soundscapes and vocal effects are pleasantly attractive and take you on an interesting journey into the minds of GRENOUER and their dreams. Mixing up the sounds can be confusing in places but none-the-less the album has interesting points to take the listener on an expansive journey.

‘Golden Years’ has one of the “Familiar” opening lines which makes you feel like you’ve heard this before, yet keeps a unique touch to it. The mix of effects and ethereal sequences is really pleasing throughout.

As the album continues I found no real difference between the tracks and at times you can get lost in the album (good or bad). ‘Fix Your Life (A Few Miles From Paradise)’ is a good solid rock/metal track which keeps the album flowing but feels like everything else. It’s hard not to discredit the album as the band certainly are talented but I feel as a lot of the tracks are just repeating themselves, like that of ‘Brain Fever’ and ‘Last Stop’. The music would be great to relax to regardless of your day or on a long drive.

For fans of Ethereal Metal full of expressive soundscapes, impressive harmonies, and beautiful melodies! Let us not forget the raw, heavy, progressive full bodied sounds thrown at you from all directions.

Rrating 5/10

Lineup:

  • Motor – Guitars
  • Ind – Vocals
  • “Coroner” -Drums
  • “Buzzy” – Guitars
  • Danny – Drums

GRENOUER

Review: BIZAR BAZAR “Circus Metal Maniac” (2013)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 11, 2014
Posted in: Int. News, Reviews. Tagged: , . 2 Comments

Reviewed by Dylan Raine

BizarBazar-coverArtist: Bizar Bazar
Album: Circus Metal Maniac
Label: Independent (Self Released)
Year: 2013

Tracklist:
1. At the Doors of the Bazar
2. Big Party
3. Rolling Across the World
4. Lost Inside the Bazar
5. Under Your Shoes
6. Jump in the Dark
7. A Pill to Think
8. Punching to the Wall
9. Bitter Poison
10. Mr. F
11. Metropolitan Animals
12. Mocassino
13. Finizo

Bizar Bazar is a mix of Metal, Rock and Folk with a touch of insanity, and the insantiy is fully present throughout this album.

Circus Metal Maniac originally heavily reminded me of White Zombie’s ‘Astro Creep 2000’. Full of high octane music crammed with little niches that keep it above the rest; combining traditional folk, with all the wonderful instruments and textures you would expect, yet there is something a little special hidden in the background waiting to impale you. In terms of musical expression, every time you think you’ve got a ounce of a clue what’s to come you get a total shock like in the mid-section to ‘Lost Inside The Bazar’ which is very Greenday/Korn but on acid. I love the accordion mixed with metal, totally strange, but really fun.

The album combines elements of Groove metal, Thrash, Gothic Metal, Folk, Melodic metal, Hard Rock and a few Black Metal examples. The additions of the spoken increments really make you wish you were in the studios watching this in the making.

With the dreamy, psychedelic ‘A Pill to Think’ introduction you start losing yourself to the lights and sounds BIZAR BAZAR are putting in your head. Powerful lyrics and Opeth-esq melodies, this is one of the most defining tracks on the album.

Another exceptional track is ‘Punching to the Wall’ with the energetic music dragging you around the room. Heavy guitars, fast powered drums, and vocals that demand attention. Track by track you get something new to tease you into delving further into the insanity being given to you… it’s worth it.

Overall, ‘Circus Metal Maniac’ is an exceptionally well crafted, fun album, absolutely full to the brim of metal… No, ‘REAL’ metal. With mixes of OPETH, MARILYN MANSON, PRIMUS, WHITE ZOMBIE, SOAD, (early) BLACK SABBATH, and many, many more.

I loved it. It suited my sense of humour, and musical understandings.

(rating 9/10)

…Remember ‘You don’t want sleep’…

BizarBazarLineup:

Fabian Vestod – vocals, guitar, drums
Alessandro Gaza – lead guitar                                                                                                Snake Green – bass
Jason Cocol – bandoneon

Web Links
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/bizarbazarmusic1
Bandpage – https://www.bandpage.com/bizarbazarmusic1
Twitter – https://twitter.com/BizarBazar
Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/bizarrebazaarmusic

Review: DRAGONHAMMER “The X Experiment” (2013)

Posted by Dylan Raine on January 9, 2014
Posted in: Int. News, Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Reviewed by Dylan Raine

Dragonhammer_coverArtist: DRAGONHAMMER
Title: The X Experiment
Label: My Kingdom Music
Style: Progressive Power Metal
Release Date: December 2nd, 2013
Country: Italy

1. It’s Beginning
2. The End Of The World
3. Seek In The Ice
4. The X Experiment
5. Escape
6. My Destiny
7. The Others
8. Follow Your Star
9. Last Solution

Entering DRAGONHAMMER‘s fourth album to date, and after a nine year gap the album can very easily be defined a mix of Power, Epic and Progressive Metal, both traditionally and stylistically used time and time again by varying bands such as Eldritch, Eluveitie, Dream Theatre, Silent Force and perhaps some Luca Turilli (with or without Rhapsody Of Fire).

‘The X Experiment’ is based on a futuristic concept, a modern fantastic story set in a post-nuclear world where the chaos reigns.

DragonHammer2014

The album features quite possibly some of the greatest double kick beats, thunderous riffings alongside beautifully crafted soloing and magical synths. This album is not only technically wonderful but harmonically pleasing throughout.

The combination of high power vocal harmonies really does keep the listener hooked and interested. With tracks such as ‘Seek In The Ice’, ‘Escape’, and the exceptional ‘My Destiny’ with “THAT” solo blew my head off (which I’m still desperately attempting to repair with the aid of super glue). The use of sweeping delays, effects and melodic phrasing throughout really shows how far DRAGONHAMMER have come since their 2004 release “TIME FOR EXPIATION”.

Occasionally you do find the odd harmony fall out of place like in ‘The Others’ but as it is very small and not really noticeable or annoying it can quite easily be smiled at and ignored. My favourite track so far, well, ALL of them are brilliant, but I really adore ‘Follow Your Star’ with the magical hypnotic use of gentle synths and enough beauty throughout to send you drifting off to a place somewhere you can only dream of. Let us not forget the explosive others which are unrelenting throughout the album though.

I would recommend this album to all that enjoy great, solid Power Metal, Heavy atypical synths and riffs, the most exciting soloing from both Keyboards and Guitars, and fully expressive technical layouts.

Very special guests are: Francesco Fareri (Jeff Loomis, Vitalij Kuprij, Virtual Mind) solo in “My Destiny”, Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth, A.P.D., Mangala Vallis, Ken Hensley’s Live Fire), Titta Tani (Ashent, Phoenix Rising, Takayoshi Ohmura, ex Dgm, drummer for Goblin), drummer David Folchitto (Stormlord, Screaming Banshee, Prophilax) who recorded the drums for the whole album.

(rating 9.5/10)

Lineup:
Max Aguzzi – Guitars, Vocals
Gae Amodio  – Bass Guitar
Giuseppe De Paolo – Lead Guitar
Giulio Cattivera – Keyboards

Website: http://www.dragonhammer.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dragonhammer.official

Review: Kamelot “Silverthorn” (2012)

Posted by Dylan Raine on April 1, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Reviewed by Loris Bergagnakamelotalbum

Artist: KAMELOT
Album: Silverthorn
Label: SPV/Steamhammer
Release Date: 29/10/2012

Tracklist:
1. Manus Dei
2. Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)
3. Ashes To Ashes
4. Torn
5. Song For Jolee
6. Veritas
7. My Confession
8. Silverthorn
9. Falling Like The Fahrenheit
10. Solitaire
11. Prodigal Son
– Part I: Funerale
– Part II: Burden Of Shame (The Branding)
– Part III: The Journey
12. Continuum

KAMELOT are a well-known American Symphonic/Power/Prog Metal band, from Tampa (Florida).
They have recorded nine successful studio albums (plus three live ones and a compilation) and this, “Silverthorn” is their tenth and the first one after the departure of their legendary front-man Roy Khan.
This is a concept album and the debut with KAMELOT for the new singer, Tommy
Karevik (Seventh Wonder).
“Manus Dei”, the opening track, is a sort of intro (good to be used to open their gigs) for the first single “Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife). “Sacrimony” is great song with good riffing, orchestrations, choirs, guitar and keys solos, plus the interesting contribution of Elize Ryd on female vocals.
In this platter – in fact – are Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) and Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist) as female singers, a sort of alter ego(s) for Jolee, the main character of the concept.
The third track “Ashes To Ashes” is a good power piece with nice guitar and keys work. A catchy song with some good prog ideas and some Arabian flavours!
“Torn”, one of the jewels of this release, is a mix of speed, anger, melody and complex structure. Its secret weapon is the beautiful chorus that will conquer every single listener out there.
“Song For Jolee” is a wonderful ballad in which the intensity of Karevik‘s voice sends shivers down your spine. The wonderful work provided by the Seventh Wonder’s singer gives “Song For Jolee” the possibility to be considered the best composition present on this album.
“Veritas”- the sixth song- is another power track, with fantastic backing vocals, in the vein of the previous “Ashes To Ashes”.
“My Confession”, a catchy-but not so interesting song, leads us to the title track,
“Silverthorn”, a track in which the orchestra and the metal band are entwined to form a good wall of sound! Mr. Thomas Youngblood shows us his skills between convincing riffing and well-shaped solos.
“Falling Like The Fahrenheit” has a nice refrain and a great contribution supported by Eklipse, a really great string quartet (especially live. I saw them in Milan opening for Nightwish and they were such a nice surprise).
The tenth track, “Solitaire”, is a weak song with nothing interesting to date but it works well as a prelude to “Prodigal Son”, a complex piece divided into three parts: a mix of intensity, melancholy, heavy riffing and prog ideas. A good old epic track that could be greater with a more homogeneous type of song writing like they provided for their older “epic tracks”!
“Continuum” is the haunting finale of this great release.
“Silverthorn” is a great release, heavily recommended to the lovers of the genre. In conclusion, Tommy Karevik is a fantastic singer….you won’t miss Mister Roy Khan the Great!

RATING: 8.5/10

BAND MEMBERS:
Thomas Youngblood – guitars
Casey Grillo – drums
Oliver Palotai – keyboards
Sean Tibbetts – bass
Tommy Karevik – vocals

BAND LINKS:
Website: www.kamelot.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/kamelotofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kamelotofficial

kamelotband

Review: Ash The Sky “This Is Reality” (2013)

Posted by Dylan Raine on March 21, 2013
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Reviewed by Dylan Raineash the sky this is reality

Artist: Ash the Sky
Album: This is Reality
Label: Independent (Self Released)
Date of Release: February 13, 2013

Tracklist

1. Poverty Of The Mind
2. Another Chance To Kill
3. Close My Eyes
4. No Mercy
5. Conflikt
6. This Is Reality
7. Let Freedom Ring
8. I Scream Vengeance
9. Truth, Lies, Reality
10. Wake Up

Following on from the 3 track EP released in 2012, Michael Felder’s “Ash the Sky” are back with their more “In your face”, more technical and more rounded metal album. Combining the strengths from the EP, we are given more examples of well-placed Phrasing, Shredding, Technical Progressions, and the most ‘Off the wall’ examples of harmonies one person could simply handle.

Starting off with the high-octane “Poverty Of The Mind”, we are thrown head first into the pure unrelenting progressions of gruff-vocal expressions not too distant from the great “Byron Davis”. Adding the speed of the drums and tonalities of the guitars, this is a great introduction to the album.
Bringing in the heaviness with “Another Chance To Kill” and the technicalities of “Close My Eyes” you really are left wanting more. The interesting combination of guitar harmonies and pure heaviness is not to be missed nor misunderstood. Introducing the beautiful rich intense solos and very well abused Whammy pedals and you feel a little smile creep on over.
Straight into the craziness of “No Mercy” and apart from the obvious “Testament” feeling, this track really does give the listener everything from Epic drums and choruses, to pure driven riffs and beautifully created solos. Possibly the greatest track on the album so far!
The intro to “Conflikt” is fantastic, very close to the Gothic horrors of the 20th century. This track has the ‘edge’ element which really takes the listener on an interesting journey inside the music and mind of Felder. Again, with the blasts of the kick drums and the Dethklok feel, this track is simply brilliant.

So, we’re half way through the album now and it only gets better as we progress.

Into the album track “This is Reality”, and as far as death metal goes, this is about as well-crafted as it gets. The mix between the growls and the heaviness in the guitars is sublime. Add to this the interestingly placed solo which slows the track down very slightly, with the double delay and echoes are really quite haunting. This is a great example of how far death metal has come over the years and how much further music, as a whole, has progressed.
Into “Let Freedom Ring” with the progressions and combinations of heaviness meets more heaviness is a great way start any track, however as you progress further you start to fall into the madness behind the track. The solo didn’t appeal to me on this track as it felt misplaced, but as a whole, the track is interesting.

Track after track this album just gets better and better, with the most technical and heavy phrasing combinations anyone could expect to hear. Mix up the songs and solos with Wah’s, Delay, and Harmony driven sequences and you really do have an amazing listening experience.

If you like Children of Bodom, Lamb of God, In Flames, At The Gates, God Forbid, Arch Enemy, then you’ll enjoy this album with all its technicalities and impressions.

10/10

Band Members:

Michael j Felder – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Chris Morgan – Bass

http://www.reverbnation.com/ashthesky
http://www.myspace.com/ashthesky
https://www.facebook.com/AshTheSky

ash the sky big