Tracklist:
1. Hermit Dungeons
2. Beneath The Reaper Shadow
3. Shore Of Ancient Moons
4. Carved In Scars… Line-up:
Dmitriy K. – music, all instruments
Gjenfard – vocals
Vintrald – lyrics
Kladovest is a Slavic Neopagan concept signifying the “well of knowledge” that can be compared to the Akashic records in theosophy and related esoteric schools.
From the first note it lugs away into the deeps of melancholic canvas.
Imagination immediately creates the branches of the trees that have their leaves long lost. Dirty guitars vary with atmospheric clean ones, and sharp and fast riffs – changed by slow and stringy like a spider web, ones.
As “Shore of Ancient Moons” clean guitar parts are beaded on a lackluster thread of main black-metal riff. Embittered, collapsing on the verge vocal, gives the impression that the voice, reaching the edge, falls into the deep and disappears from the musical cloth. But it throws and shouts words till the end.
There is nothing original or new that Kladovest came up with, but together it turned out to be magical in its own desperation.
Tracklist:
1. Nihility
2. The Monolith
3. Artificial divination
4. Realm of solar darkness
5. Path to omniscience
Lineup:
Jan Medved (vocals, guitars)
Lovro Babič (bass)
Matija “Dole” Dolinar (guitars)
Darian Kocmur (drums)
The beginnings of the band date back to 2010 when three fans of sci-fi thrash metal were brought together and they started playing together. Soon they recorded their first demo, which was never released and after that in January 2011, there has been a change in the lineup of the band. Later that year they released a demo entitled “Galactic usurper”. In November 2013, the quartet released their second demo “Stellar damnation”. New Ep titled “Ascendance” was released in late 2016.
First, what catches an attention, it’s a description in preview – “Genre: Sci Fi Death/ Black Metal, Lyrics: Sci-fi, Space conquest”. Sounds intriguingly. Not a lot of bands who’s digging these themes deeply come to mind. Alien “Nihility” is an opening for the next four songs and prepare us for space conquests. But, on this “sci-fi” atmosphere unfortunately ends. Next tracks go smoothly after each other, material is quite easy to listen without heaped and extremely difficult elements, though it’s not primitive. Solos are in place and in harmony with rhythm, with inclusions of clean guitar sound, which gives more atmosphere to music canvas, like in the “Path to omniscience”, for instance. Vocal descends from the high-pitch screams to growl that cannot fail to please. Well, in the “Ascendance” feels band’s diligent work and EP may antedate a good album. Made on the same level, at least. EP “Ascendance” is self-released and available via band’s Bandcamp profile.
Courtesans are a four piece doom pop act hailing from London, UK. Their unique sound embraces many styles and subtleties to capture the best elements of each including grunge, alternative rock and electronic, which results in their genre bending and innovative sound. Following the release of their widely received debut album, ‘1917’ and their successful Pledge Music campaign in 2016, they aren’t holding back in any way and are ready to solidify their stamp in the scene further with their highly anticipated new E.P ‘Better Safe Than Sober’ out March 31st.
The EP kicks off with new video single, ‘Mesmerise’ which immediately masks us in an dark enthralling ambience, aided by the effects and isolated vocals, with resonant instruments to give extra oomph, and when it peaks at the crescendo you truly are taken under there mesmerising allure. The end is particularly powerful and defiant with more angsty vocals, leaving you hooked and ready for more… ‘Feel The Same’ keeps us guessing with a rap style intro, before a sweet melodic alternative pop chorus comes in, going between the transition between the two genres, which is excellently constructed and is highly effective. The talking sections get more emotive and bleak as it progresses with the instruments helping to reflect the tone. This is cleverly portraying a dark meets light sound. ‘John Doe’ sounds eerie and desolate, making an atmospheric start, with soft pleasant stripped back vocals to accompany. Again the beats and melodies grow effortlessly and seamlessly along. It possesses a strong presence that is soaring and all consuming, and the same can be said of all the tracks featured on the EP, making it easy to get lost in the diverse sounds. ‘Knowhere’ is instantly heavier sounding from the off, portraying their doom rock influences more so with catchy dark riffs all wrapped in a dance trance vibe, with great sonic sounds throughout.
Last song, ‘The Tide’ goes back to their trip-hop sound which comes off as vulnerable and helps add extra depth and complexity to their invigorating style. The structure and use of sounds is intelligible and immense, flowing like a calm ocean current, leading up to a full blown tidal wave. This is a very appropriate way to describe their immersive sound also.
This E.P toys with your musical expectations and senses in the greatest sense, defying what you know and creating something different and exciting. It is irresistibly dark and captivating and leaves you thirsty for more. Score: 5/5 ‘Better Safe Than Sober’ is released 31st March 2017.
Courtesans are:
Sinead La Bella – Vocals
Saffire Sanchez – Guitar
Agnes D. Jones – Bass
Vikki Frances – Drums
Dark Art Conspiracy 
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