Author: UberAdmin

Pedro The Lion – ‘Phoenix’ (Big Scary Monsters/Polyvinyl)

‘Phoenix’ is a particularly notable release in the narrative of Pedro The Lion. While also being the first full-length since 2004’s cult favourite, ‘Achilles’ Heel’, it marks the end of David Bazan’s pilgrimage as a solo act, returning to the project that first made his name in the late nineties, and won many hearts over with its signature emo-laden, lo-fi alternative rock – or slowcore, if you will. Incidentally, this is the first Pedro release since David’s publicly announced disenchantment with the faith that was shared by so many of his early listeners.

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Evergrey – ‘The Atlantic’ (AFM)

Like all good progressive albums, ‘The Atlantic’ is big, pompous and melodramatic. It’s an hour of pristine Gothic histrionics that demands you set up a professional lighting rig at home; listening to it without lasers shooting everywhere and smoke machines billowing out thick clouds would be selling this record short. It’s also well-crafted, engrossing and one of Evergrey’s finest works in ages. It’s strong enough to attract Emerson, Lake And Palmer loving prog-aficionados at the same time as their Wacken-attending offspring and is a nice return to form for this seasoned act.

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Janne Westerlund – ‘Bell’ (Ektro)

Having covered one of Janne Westerlund’s band projects in the form of Pharoah Overlord, as well as being a fan of another, Circle, DJ Astrocreep must admit to having a certain idea of what to expect in his head before having his first listen and was actually quite surprised by the level of difference in his solo work to his band projects. That’s not, however, a negative mark, however much the big lad enjoy his other work.

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Vanir – ‘Allfather’ – (Mighty Music)

Formed in 2009, the Danish six-piece Vanir have returned for their fifth Viking metal raid ‘Allfather’. Taking on the genre of Viking metal and infusing it with elements of folk-metal as well as heavier stylings of black and death – metal, Vanir created a solid foundation for themselves appealing to a wide variety of metal fans. Predominately their music focuses upon Nordic myths, legends and histories as is typical of the Viking metal genre and ‘Allfather’ is no exception to this with the lyrics telling of Danish king Svend Tveskæg. With 11 tracks on offer with this release, what do Vanir plan to deliver?

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