I haven't had the opportunity to talk about some new songs that have come out recently, but there are some very interesting things to take a look at. Here's a few of them:
Katatonia - Lacquer & Behind The Blood
After celebrating an album anniversary and taking some time off, Katatonia is finally following up "The Fall Of Hearts", and the early indications are not good. "Lacquer" is an alectronic song that sounds nothing like Katatonia, and is too far removed from their usual sound for me. "Behind The Blood" is better, but a pale imitation of their best work. The commonality between the two is that, regardless of the instrumentals the band plays with, the melodies are flat, boring, and uninspired. There is no hook or gravity to them, and both songs are entirely forgettable. Katatonia is always depressive, but this music is depressing.
Illumishade - World's End, Rise, & Crystal Silence
This new band, on the other hand, has been doing everything right. Featuring Fabienne Erni of Eluveite, this project is a theatrical/symphonic brand of heavy metal that has plenty of crunch, and fabulous melodies and vocals. "Crystal Silence" is the short and sweet typical single, pairing angelic vocals with seven-string guitar sounds. "World's End" is more dramatic, and shows the scope of the coming concept album. Fabienne does more great work on that one, but hits her height on "Rise", the sweeping ballad that is a stirring rush of drama. The band has much in common with The Dark Element, and these songs are pointing to a record perhaps even better than we say from Anette's group last year. This is one to seek out.
Blues Pills - Proud Woman
A great debut album was followed by a shift in style and tone I didn't enjoy much, and this first taste of album three seems to be trying to split the difference. They are rocking more than on "Lady In Gold", but without the timeless quality of their debut. Elin is still a magnificent singer, but once again she fails to give herself a good enough melody. This doesn't sound like the same band that wrote "Jupiter" or "Astral Plane". I'm sensing another disappointment coming.
Skarlett Riot - Human
I liked their album, "Regenerate", a good deal. It was a record that nicely straddled rock and metal, with Skarlett's vocals setting a very interesting tone. This is the first taste of their upcoming next record, and it finds the band picking right up where they left off. The production is heavy and incredibly modern, and the song colored with both piano notes and growled vocals. It's aggressive while still being melodic, and it's a highly engaging take on the up-to-the-minute trends. Skarlett Riot is very, very good.
Motive Black - Broken
The first single from this new band is one that caught my interest. Very much like the recent album from Stitched Up Heart, this is heavy mainstream rock that has plenty of crunch, and great melodies and vocals from ____. She has enough snarl to make the song sound heavy, but soars when she needs to. That chorus is pure radio fodder, and quickly got caught in my head. Word has it an EP is coming sometime this year, and you can count me in on it. I'd love to hear more of us.
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