| ANALOG | INTERFACE |

A good compilation tape, like making a “dark horse” year-end list, is hard to do. You’ve got to kick off with a corker, to hold the attention. I started with “Ljúshtaeshrhendlhë Jecan Glézma” , but then realized that you might not get any further than track one, side one, if I delivered what you wanted straight away. It’s a long song too. So I placed it in the middle of side one.  And then you’ve got to up it a notch. And you can’t have raw music and bright music together, unless the raw music sounds like bright music, or the other way around. And you can’t have two tracks that are too aligned, unless you’ve done the whole thing in parts. And the order from start to finish should be correct, regardless if you split it in segments. And… oh, there are loads of rules.  So, here we go. No bands that are well appraised are included. People will listen to their records anyway.  Overture I: Summer barbecue music  ---- Cavernum – Born In A Cave  “What happens if you ref...

Despite how metal implementations have been maneuvering their way around jazz themes for more than two decades, few existing examples manage to present an approach equally concise to Mute Ocean’s Caravan . A record inspiring, unifying, as well as controversial to the beliefs of the few; or the many, depending on a random reader’s viewpoint. An in-depth review follows.  I seriously don’t like most lyrics. My elusive boredom may well reach a point when I’d rather sit all day watching the paint dry, than reading the actual verses of most songs I enjoy. Before anyone feels offended, lemme clarify here: I state this while I too used to be an awful lyricist back in the day. Especially, since the art of great lyricism rivals poetry; a tree that bears fruit, only when thoughts stretch the very fabric of reality.  Did that sound pretentious? Well, not really. See, myself, I function more like an old-school computer. Analytical, methodical, calculative, with a dry sense of humor on top ...

History confirms that the more network connections spread exponentially, the more its considerate users obtained the opportunity to study, comprehend and optimize vital elements of distinct cultures. While it’s accurate how most will now use it as an outlet for toxic negativity, there was indeed a time when it stood more as a useful tool, not long before the eventual “upgrading” of social media platforms. Of course, the way I navigate my focus nowadays, there are moments I can’t distinguish most of what is projected from the inner contents of a garbage can. It feels nearly inconceivable how its current pile of disposable data has so far assisted our societies on their very structural level.  That being said, art belongs among those aspects that managed to benefit more than any could hope for. After all, this is how I was granted my own chance to explore the further depths of Japanese extreme metal. I believe my first impressions were initially made, nearly a lifetime ago, by Loudne...

I always enjoy a good scavenger hunt. It’s tricky, spicy and refreshing in ways that contradict the mundanity of a busy city life. Same reason why I tend to avoid people who don’t like, or even appreciate, the first three chapters of the Indiana Jones film series. They lead lives of stolid mediocrity, yet shall revolt hastily when real change is imminent. They desire excitement, yet feel complacent in the safety of the norm. They don’t quite get it’s not the destination, but the journey itself, that broadens one’s horizon. Especially since everything could become the same bland fare, when provided to one a bit too freely.  All in all, Costa Rica’s Dusk do meet the said criteria of an exciting discovery waiting to be made. Especially when the vast majority of listeners either prefer to stick to the classics, or follow the bands others seem to enjoy. Certain metal labels also do pay attention to trends, or even a band’s country of origin, as their investment requires some ground fe...