Sunday, November 20, 2011

Cracked Core - "90h[FiLU]" [2011]

Artist: Cracked Core
Title: 90h[FiLU]
Genre: IDM/Ambient/Industrial
Country: Russia
Release date: 2011

Track List:
  1. Freedom in Lost Underground [(Project) Ritual Noise Mix]
  2. The Restored Signatures
  3. Freedom in Lost Underground
  4. Summer Technology [feat. Mechanic Fist]
  5. Freedom in Lost Underground [Rmx by Kazdalevsky]
  6. Split Effect
  7. Freedom in Lost Underground [Threshold Mix By Synroc]
  8. Infinity Despair [cut edit]
  9. Freedom in Lost Underground [airplay mix]
  10. Hijack [DNB Rmx by Doctor Doomstep]
This release isn't actually a new album, rather a maxi-single containing mostly remixes of old CC's tracks made in collaboration with several Russian, Moldovan and Azeri electronic projects (including Mechanic Fist), + a couple of new tracks. Despite that, it's probably the best release from Cracked Core up to date, and I'd definitely recommend to try it first, if you aren't familiar with CC's music. BTW, CC's new album called "darkyouverymuch" is already finished and about to be released. Of course I'll review it here too ;)

Uzbeks - "Goggles and Flipflops" [2010]

Artist: Uzbeks
Title: Goggles and Flipflops
Genre: Punk
Country: Israel
Release date: 2010

Track List:
  1. Electro Man & Highschool
  2. El Vampiro
  3. Apocalypse
  4. Scapegoat
  5. Skin And Bones
  6. Alice DIY
  7. Satanic Bible
  8. Sodom And Gomorrah
  9. Wolf Attack
  10. Mossad
  11. Two Rats
  12. Get A Gun
  13. The Truth Within
  14. Pills

Despite the name, this band is from Israel, and they're playing very energetic punk rock with tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Definitely recommended to any fan of good classic punk.

Download

Thursday, November 17, 2011

SMZB - "Wuhanpunk" [2001]

Artist: SMZB
Title: Wuhanpunk
Genre: Punk
Country: China
Release date: 2001

Track List:
  1. Chinese Musik
  2. Save Indite Association
  3. Pornographic War
  4. Gamecock

SMZB are the first well-known Chinese punk band, and definitely one of the best (however, there aren't that many punk bands in China at all... good or bad). As you know, I'm not a big fan of "classic" punk, but i really liked this EP.

Download

The Doltish - "Pogo Has Started" [2010]

Artist: The Doltish
Title: Pogo Has Started
Genre: Punk/Oi!
Country: Nepal
Release date: 2010

Track List:
  1. Pogo Has Started
  2. Yestai Cha Paapi Samaj
  3. Kasailai Ni Maan Parena
  4. If The Kids Are United (Sham 69 Cover)
  5. Fuck Politicians
It appears like the Nepalese punk scene isn't limited only to Tank Girl and Rai Ko Ris. Maybe this EP is average by Western standards, but it's good to see that the Nepalese punks are trying their best. The politics of nowadays Nepal are quite interesting, and I expect a lot of good political bands to come from there.

Stra-TG - "Kau Mutiara Segalanya" [1992]

Artist: Stra-TG
Title: Kau Mutiara Segalanya
Genre: Melodic Rock
Country: Malaysia
Release date: 1992

Track List:
  1. Kau Mutiara Segalanya
  2. Anak Malaya
  3. Semua Rasa
  4. Rentak Mat Metal
  5. Berilusi
Before hearing this release, I had no idea of how good Malaysian rock can be. Excellent melodies, catchy refrains, nice vocals (although someone may dislike such high-pitched male voice), good quality of recording... what else to wish? Unfortunately it's the short version of the album, with only 5 tracks. The full version contains 11 tracks, but I was unable to find it anywhere.


Kembang Kuburan / Past the Line / Ice Queen - "Dream Inside" [2009]

Artist: Kembang Kuburan / Past the Line / Ice Queen
Title: Dream Inside
Genre: Gothic Rock / Symphonic Metal
Country: Indonesia
Release date: 2009

Track List:
  1. Kembang Kuburan - Sesal Tiada Arti
  2. Past the Line - Tepian Mimpi
  3. Ice Queen - Impian Hampa
  4. Kembang Kuburan - Keindahan Semu
  5. Past the Line - Detik Terakhir
  6. Ice Queen - Hati Sunyi
  7. Kembang Kuburan - Merindukan Gelap
  8. Past the Line - Kenapa Terpilih
  9. Ice Queen - Hitamnya Mimpiku

Another "exotic" release - this time from Indonesia, featuring only female-fronted metal bands. Yes, the quality of production is (understandably) far from perfect, but I liked this release better than any album from nightwish, for example. The best band on this split, I think, are Kembang Kuburan (which means something like "Grave Flowers"... am I right?)

Download

Nightmare / Nyi Nyi Htwe / Devils In The Dark - split [2007]

Artist: Devils In The Dark / Nightmare / Nyi Nyi Htwe
Title: 3-way split
Genre: Death Metal
Country: Myanmar
Release date: 2007

Track List:
  1. Devils in the Dark - Kyar Nay Ya
  2. Devils in the Dark - Mae Lite San
  3. Devils in the Dark - Sote Pyat That Thwar
  4. Nightmare - A Mhaung Yae Taphat Chan
  5. Nightmare - Fight
  6. Nightmare - Lawka Apyin Min Pyay Htwat Mae Nay
  7. Nyi Nyi Htwe - A Ywae Thone Par
  8. Nyi Nyi Htwe - Danger 13
  9. Nyi Nyi Htwe - Kya Naw Hnit Main Ma

It's the first time I hear about Burmese metal... of course the quality of production is Tasnim-like, but it was expected. According to the "Not For Sale" mark on the cover, this release is distibuted freely.

Download

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Crane's Dreams - "August Fogs" [2011]

Artist: Crane's Dreams
Title: August Fogs
Genre: Dark Ambient
Country: Russia
Release date: 2011

Track List:
  1. Clouds
  2. Time
  3. Letters In August
  4. Disturbing Dream
  5. The Distant Sky
  6. In Waves
  7. Open Spaces
  8. Back To The Distant Sky
I don't know much about this project, but it's really good - nature-inspired ambient made in the way how it should be. This album fits my current mood very well, and if I'll decide to make ambient music by myself, I'll choose very similar kind of sound and atmosphere.