Caldon Glover "Metrophagy" (2024)

Here's one from the Dark Ambient vaults, a cinematic venture that's clearly driven by world building through its devastating atmospheres. This is no musical affair but a craft of sound design terror. Devoid of melody and rhythm, a textured layering of sounds brood unsettled tensions that tremor and quake with abandon. Hellishly cold and unforgiving, gentle swells of airy synths breed ambiguity over the creeks, groans and aches of its many murmuring lifeless voices. These are forlorn ghosts, desolate noises wandering an urban graveyard. Visions of an apocalyptic nightmare manifest in a post-life state, a technological nihilism of self-annihilation that's stripped this world of its habitability, leaving behind a scared wasteland of concrete, metal and electronics.

At least, that is the vision that arises for me, perhaps its cover art planted the seed of suggestion for a such a vision to manifest. I see a futuristic cyberpunk metropolis laid to ruins, with the sense of something evil lurking within but the evil is the place itself, like a densely radiated city-scape hostile to life itself, where a gush of wind could yield fatality. This one is hard to assess, enjoyment depends a lot on mood, Accelerated Decay and Liber Spiralis where the most powerful cuts. Paired with a visual movie matching this theme would be utterly intense! One can only dream of such shuddering cinematics.

Rating: 7/10

Moutain Realm "Frostfall" (2024)

 

A soft, recent fondness for Greyshadow Ruins had initial excitements lulled by the subdued nature of this tempered beast. Mountain Realm caught my ear for a shapely craft of Dungeon Synth venturing into the darker leanings of Fantasy themes with a meditative quality. Frostfall aptly achieves this again, yet to less fanfare with familiarity taking hold. This similarly structured set of short synth pieces is the quieter of the pair. Routinely drifting into glacial strides devoid of any urgency, a glum dankness steadies as its main thematic feeling, fit for the damp dark dungeon realms it clearly aspires to.

Stripped out are the moments of reprieve from a gloomy yet meditative nature. On the prior record, sparkly melodies would flux from ambiguities into focus, creating a sense of spectacle among these sullen tones. Here they are suppressed, present but drawn further into retreat. We trudge through fuzzy murmuring of ambling bass. Organ like synths drone with sombreness, even choral chants seems burdensome and lonely.

The whole record dials into its own shadow. Seemingly a negative, yet only when trying to focus on its present merits. Leave this on in the background and calmly, without notice, will it delicately transcend your surroundings, ascending to somewhere sequestered, cloudy and dead yet spiritually soothing and serine. Its an odd record to enjoy, brilliant in its own peculiar way, yet tired on these old ears for now.

Rating: 4/10

Aaron Cherof, Kumi Tanioka & Lena Raine "Minecraft: Tricky Trials (Original Game Soundtrack)" (2024)

 

As the Minecraft soundtrack series expands, its ability to have an impact on its own identity diminishes too. Three of our post-C418 musicians return for the lengthiest offering yet, delivering familiar tones and temperaments to their collective prior efforts. All new additions are welcome, yet only two tracks land with impact, meriting talking points. One fairly positive, the other dubiously negative. Both are record discs.

Aaron Cherof's contribution's are inline with the smooth sailing of Trails & Tails' breezy charisma. Once again we ride gentle currents, as lush instrumentation swells from lulls like subtle gusts of wind amassing from stillness. Featherfall's endearing bedtime warmth comes birthed from inconsequential melodies, gently rising into a nocturnal cradle-song illuminated by shimmering bells. Clearly the favorite of his for me.

Kumi Tanioka treads her line too, offering chilly, atmosphere minimalism through lonely piano pieces that unite with gentle murmuring synths. They carry an airy bass presence, enriching what little came before into an emotive ambiguity with a lack of boldness to latch onto. As such they pass by without keen distinction, fit for the games background but feeling quite inconsequential as melodies land without memorability.

Lena's bag is varied. Deeper throws back to the lurching menace of the Nether. Its distorted synth melody lurches between threatening percussive rattles and illusive melodies, rotating around its tense atmospheric swell. Eld Unkown swings from mystique to drama as its pacy baseline musters a sense of urgency. Endless dulls in its own aimless duration. A stiff, nostalgic dusty piano piece, plays into itself as meandering through the cobwebs of a sullen, empty, former home yield little. Its almost good but clearly lacking a sense of gratification from its own empty oddness.

The music disc Creator is a bop. Bolder and bruising with an ensemble of classic, non electronic instruments, Lena forges cheeky melodies with a splash of Rock and foreign piazzas that is hard to deny. Lively and jiving, its perhaps not "minecrafty" but the Music Box counterpart version shapes its main melody into that blocky frame.

Precipice is also a bop. Feels like Mojang were after two lively animated songs to amp up the variety in record discs. This one however felt too little overproduced, a heavy assemble of noisy instruments bordering on the electricity Ive heard in modern Progressive Metal bands like Plini and Sithu Aye. A wildly colorful and adventurous song but lacking the guile and identity to tie it back to Minecraft in a meaningful way.

With artists now making second and third contributions, the games vast music could be accused of becoming bloated. The soundtrack doesn't hone in on something new and distinct to offer the game like the Nether Update soundtrack did. Its an extension of prior compositions which has been enjoyable yet doesn't say much about the Tricky Trials and interestingly none of the music plays specifically for the Trials Chambers, perhaps a missed opportunity for some Minecraft battle music, all tho goes completely against the philosophy of its incidental, disassociated sound design to being with.

Rating: 6/10

Paths Of The Eternal "Quest For The Sacred Blade" (2022)

 

Following up on Search Of True Ascendance, this next installment amends prior folly as a cohesive set of songs maintains an enchanting, spellbinding atmosphere throughout its stay. Steeped in mystique, a graceful venture through nostalgic realms teeters on spirituality as many melodies find moments of playful warmth intersecting with an Ethereal breeze. At its core, journey and adventure emote strongest, befitting of toned down VGM music, yet the Dungeon aesthetic and instrumental swells of curios composition lead these innocent tunes to grandiose themes.

Opening with A Light From A World Far From Ours opens, swiftly grabs ones attention. Its bold upright baseline takes a commanding presence among a brilliant thud and clatter of percussion. Mixed in sudden reverb, it illuminates the peculiar design. Icy cold drums that offer a familiar yet distinctive crumbling castle timbre. It sets a fine tone for the music to come. Songs explore with the same instrumentation, often venturing into swells of melodies guided by this charmed percussive force.

Only a touch of eeriness presides in this magical place. The Final Trial Of Will takes a strident plunge into the shadows as for one track the albums spirit is flipped to the dark side. Starting out on foreboding plains, the song pivots at the middle into a funeral gloom, turning occult as ritualistic chants elevate its darkness. Its a fantastic counterpoint to root its ancient sorcery in classic Dungeon Synth motifs.

Rating: 7/10

Justice "Hyperdrama" (2024)

Still lingering in the shadows cast by Woman, an eight year wait hasn't yielded much excitement. The Disco-Funk inspired French duo return crisp and clear with a tight production to dazzle with stunning aesthetic clarity. The record sounds utterly gorgeous, rich in texture and smoothness. Its samples croon and instruments strike with fidelity and groove. A sweet indulgence but that can only take it so far.

Front loading the album with its best leaves a mediocre trail of songs experimenting with overt influences. Thumping dancefloor Disco sensibility, jolting Funk grooves, flushes of Progressive Rock melody, Classical frameworks and 70s Electonic music intersect with modern synth tones just short of the finish line. Every song feels unique, charactered and interesting but lacks the claws to sink their grip in.

Hyperdrama's Merits lay in the voices that illuminate a handful of collaborations. They add a dimension sorely needed on its instrumental counterparts. Two unions with Tame Impala strikes chemistry perfection! Kevin Parker's cloud sailing voice a snug fit for their tone. He, Rimon, The Flints and Miguel are classy fits that finish off these fine instrumentals, sounding utterly fantastic with an array of tender performances.

I have no complaints, perhaps my taste right now wasn't apt for this nostalgia tinted offering. Enjoyable, yet lacking a deeper connection after a fair few spins. One instrumental that struck gold was Generator, a Dubstep reminiscent nightly assault of unhinged jagged synths colliding with a dramatic string section. Reminded me of Carpenter Brut. I find myself desiring to enjoy these tracks more than I do. Strange.

Rating: 6/10

Chaosbay "The Way To Hell" (2024)

 

Hopefully paving the path to a new record, German outfit Chaosbay have been dropping singles, now wrapped into this three track EP. Showcasing the next iteration of their high-octane Djent Metalcore fusion, a familiar epic of soaring sharp vocal crescendo over the shimmer of dense guitar chords reigns supreme between some plunges of aggression. Money, a collaboration with We Are Pigs, is thee fruitful affair here. Effeminate vocals unite for a catchy chorus hook that predictably swings for the fences with its preceding dirty breakdown. Its swift looping structure and screamed conclusion quickly becomes an ear worm. A shared approach for two of the three.

Fast and snappy, the straightforward strikes each aim for lands firmly. Interwoven electronics, attention to detail and wall of sound production lights up relatively simplistic songs. Only the title track has a progressive structure, brooding its dreary theme to a crunchy conclusion with dirty, slamming guitar stunts. It too clocks in an easily digestible three minutes, a notable attribute as the band seem to shoot straight with imminently enjoyable and appealing ideas fleshed out for easy appeal.

Rating: 3/10

Paths Of The Eternal "Search Of True Ascendance" (2019)

 

The allure of Dungeon Synth has sunk in its claws again! Bestowed by the Spotify shuffle, Hidden Scriptures caught my ear. An esoteric passing spell, dream swept and hazy, its layering of mystic melodies keenly reminiscent of classic Trolldom had sucked me in for more. I'd actually passed on Paths Of The Eternal's first demo years back. I'm here now and adoring its meditative qualities, an ancient spooky synth with spiritual qualities that warmly arise from its nostalgic foundations. I have a particular fondness for its opening A Mystic Premonition that deploys virtual instruments distinctly similar to that used on my own Dungeon Synth project, Forgotten Conquest.

Bone Guardians toys with castly medieval magic. Horns shout triumphant, strong and proud, its clattering percussion hinting at the wheels of war yet retaining this cheerful warmth in its grasp. This animated, uplifting start gently gives way to esoteric magics and droning ambiences. The music mulls on its dulled mood, seeking solitary atmospheres over the flushes of melodies that defined its bright opening stint.

Its closing track, The Highest Chamber, seems to unite these ideas, returning elements of its colorful start to this secluded, lonesome stretch. Culminating with human voices, it lands its lengthy voyage with some finality. Search Of True Ascendance has been a riveting return to some classic Dungeon Synth vibes mixed with entrancing meditative qualities. That excitement wore off swiftly tho, the shift in tone and pace midway sadly not as enduring as its opening four songs were.

Rating: 6/10

Denzel Curry "Melt My Eyez See Your Future" (2022)

 

I've become fairly accustom with a side of Floridian rapper Denzel through Spotify's artist shuffle. Tilted to my tastes, I've heard my preferred tracks from many albums rotated extensively. Melt My Eyez is my first time getting stuck in with a full record. I'm struck by how broad a scope Curry strikes within the Hip Hop sphere. Often steered by his guest features, Denzel leans into the Trap, Mumble and Pop influenced tunes where his presence diminishes. An autotune drenched T-Pain on Troubles, a cast of feisty features on the following Ain't No Way, a youthful high pitched hook from 454 on Sanjuro. These tracks bridge into other territories to mixed results for this listener.

The bulk of this album is a curious balance of soulful Jazz Hop inspired beats venturing into animated alternative production styles. Denzel's raps are frequently the hook line and sinker, making these colorful instrumentals amount to much more. His verses delve swiftly into meaningful, emotional narratives. Both reflective and introspective, his commentaries, expressions and insights bleed on a variety of creative flows, cadences and rhyme schemes. Not exactly groundbreaking raps but they keep the pace interesting as its milestone tracks are frequently reached.

Ironically X-Wing was my favorite track. Leaning into darker vibes on a Trap percussive stint, Curry embraces modern flows where he would normally echos the 90s. Its catchy autotune hook has an uncanny resonance over swirling glossy pianos and a gray, morose string section. I think it simply encapsulated a gap in arrangement I'd not heard ventured into before. Alongside it, the colorful jazzy cuts and Denzel's emotive raps where the keen highlights for me on this fruitful album.

Rating: 7/10

Spiritbox "The Fear Of Fear" (2023)

 

From the outset The Fear Of Fear expresses itself as a heavier incarnation, casting aside the delicate yet persuasive balance of intricate Etheral aesthetics that graced the moody lulls of its successor Eternal Blue. In what feels like two steps back, Spiritbox trade in their originality for trendy heavy tropes and poppy song structures that are all to familiar. When leaning into aggression and brutality, the sways of exuberant Djent abuse takes hold. Slams, breakdowns and stomps arrive throttled and ferocious but tend to swallow up the intricate details other instrumentation offers from the dense lurching shadows. When LaPlante gets to salivate on the throws of her melodic contributions, the tone shifts somewhat in the direction of Bring Me The Horizon's now mercilessly copied Pop Metal blueprint. A sore disappointment.

Despite many repetitious listens, this record couldn't grab me beyond the gravity of its darkest plunges into metallic weight. Sadly, that rhythmic assault has become an all to familiar formula forayed by many bands before them. The record is split about 50/50 between this beast and its lighter side tarnished by a heavier wall of sound tone. These stints of color didn't have the sparkle heard before either, its easy melodic lines and soft ascending singing seem to drift by on cruise control, competent yet oddly forgettable. Sadly, it seems the band lost that unique character they had last time out. At least they are not repeating themselves as artists and trying new things.

Rating: 4/10

Horsebeach "Things To Keep Alive" (2024)

 

Befitting of its mellow breezy aesthetic, Things To Keep Alive navigates through soothing, strolling tempos keen on a dissecting introspection of ones present situation. Direct and unambiguous, Kennedy's lyrics warms the heart ache and pains to the positive powers of reflection. Its felt instrumentally first, a steady current sails buoyant, soaked in the glow of effortless sunny skies. The tang of surfing guitar licks over simple drum grooves croons in gentle optimism. Whimsical melodies and softly Ethereal reverberations anchoring a little melancholic sour with the sanguine sweet.

Occasional chirpy synths and stiff 808s add an enjoyable quirky disposition to the dominant temperament, which across these ten tracks treads familiar footings. A couple of songs toy with subtle build ups, calmed climaxes and fuzzy distortions but mostly its an easy breezy affair to mercifully manipulate your mood. Pure Shores stood out, immediately giving me a sense of nostalgia. Convinced it was a cover, I was reminded of the All Saints hit I heard plenty times over in my youth. I liked that one but seems dulled in comparison to the life Horsebeach breathed into it.

Rating: 6/10

Spiritbox "Eternal Blue" (2021)

Somehow once deaf to their charm, I initially passed on Eternal Blue. Returning now a few years later, I've cracked what in retrospect seems so obvious. Music can be a mysterious beast at times but familiarity is often its remedy. Burning these songs into my consciousness, Singer Courtney LaPlante emerges the anchor. Her clean voice sails through turbulence, resolute and ascending. With a firm and graceful tone, she cuts through tensions with swooning melodies and hooks that shape up akin to Dream Pop. On the flip side, I found her throaty Hardcore leaning scream aesthetic less charming. Caught in the throws of timely aggression, its a fiery combo but whenever laid bare to its many calmer backdrops, the strained roar doesn't shape up to well.

Spiritbox's other strength is firmly rooted in aesthetic driven songwriting. Unlike other Metal bands, they are willing the dwell on calm Ethereal moods that flutter by on the wings of shimmering instrumentation, both electronic and acoustic intertwined. As a result, their aggressive Djent riffs play like a natural emergence from the climax of craftily brewed tensions. A reflexive jolt of force, less "riff" more feel. This approach lets the guitars drift in and out of focus, joining an ever morphing landscape of shadowy calms and gripping tensions that follow through on an emotive narrative.

I adore this atmospheric approach to Metal. Between the conventional surges of groove and aggression, Spiritbox shape up nightly mirages of warmth tinged in a dreamy ambiguity teetering on darkness. With a soothing voice, LePlante rescues its darkly direction, yet in another breath her pelted screams plunge us into that chaos. Exploring its ying-yang, both sides of the line are ventured, these songs brilliantly sway across. Picking a favorite among its twelve cuts is hard, a sturdy forty minutes that rarely falters. One of the best "new" Metal records I've heard for some time.

Rating: 8/10

Mountain Realm "Greyshadow Ruins" (2023)

Imbued by the powers of thematic suggestion, Greyshadow Ruins' sleeve artwork and track titling aptly fits the dusky, seldom mood that awaits within. An array of Casio and Korg akin keyboard synths greets us, whispering cautious tales of what once lurked in this now abandoned place. Dressed in glum, dusty aesthetics, each of these brief stints ventures upon forgotten tales and mythic settings to fulfill its titles promise.

Mountain Realm takes an even handed approach, an acute balance of mystic synth tones, edging towards a minimalist design at times. I most adored this eerie, curious magical glistening sound that emerged from blurry shadows on tracks like Crystal Pool, Goblin Cave, Pyre & Mana Flask. Its other half, a more traditional castly vibe, conjures familiar nostalgia's with a smidge of Wizzards and Orcs battle fever.

Dungeon Synth has been thoroughly explored by this traveler, not much surprises me now. Competent executions of familiar inspirations like this are enjoyable but leaves me stumped when it comes to finding words. I end up repeating myself, as does a fair bit of this record in terms of retreading territory. There is potential here, yet currently it fits well within the confines of expectation from a genre I adore but lacks progression.

Rating: 5/10

Wargasm "Venom" (2023)

 

With refined stylistic focus, Wargasm return, honing in on their own antagonizing identity. With additional ferocity, the spirit of a Nu Metal revival is in the air. With Venom, a consistent streak of Gold Cobra era Wes Borland guitar riffs guides their Electro-Punk mania to gratifying bursts of aggression. The duo strip out the genres tired downtrodden spirit, infusing it with obnoxious club drums, dizzying studio manipulations and generalized chaos. Underpinned by an enthused energy fit for the stage, most these cuts play with visions of them tearing it up in front of a lively crowd.

Fred Durst shows up for a massive, bouncy collaboration, making influences clear and known. Its a fantastic endorsement. These big riff songs tend to be the standouts. A string of early tracks lacked these guitar elements and it didn't land the same. When the unhinged rage and jilted grooves collide, this pair are in their element. Later in the record the metallic side gets explored in varying intensities to great enjoyment. I've enjoyed Venom immensely but I'm keen to see them mature and take these ideas further.

Rating: 7/10

Black Rob "Life Story" (2000)

 

Sad to say, but this debut has been a major disappointment. Bad Boy records seems to save its best for Puff 's records. I Love You Baby was a fantastic introduction, a tense, dramatic song, built up by mafioso string sections and Rob's gritty story telling. This song sharing also happened with Mase, here it features three years later!

Life Story has weak production. Sounding like left over cuts from prior records, similar Bad Boy tones emerge, subdued by there mediocrity. Soulful croons, trendy repetitive groove beats, mafioso theatrics and rubbing shoulders with R&B singers, it all feels a couple years behind the mark. With more care this might have gone somewhere.

Without lively backing from instrumentals, It becomes obvious Rob's aesthetic and temperament isn't all too exciting on its own. Gloomy moods are common and his story's often lean on the depressive side. Without that much needed musical relief from the brevity of expression, these songs frequently lull into a dull drone.

Thug Story is the one track of merit beside the aforementioned. Rapping over Slick Rick's classic Children's Story, the liveliness illuminates Rob and elevates his performance. His take on the original rhymes are decent, repurposing its tale for his own. These two tracks were all I found among this unfortunate misfire.

 

Rating: 3/10

Applefish "Luminous" (2023)

 

This third of three leaves me with less to remark but Applefish has caught my attention and made it onto my coveted Temporal Focus playlist. Luminous is a lighter companion, less suggestive of its theme despite the track titling signaling intent. Lofty ruminations suspend animation and linger within a sparkling display of apt synths and familiar ambiguities. Each song is a flavor of calm, occasionally drifting into serenity.

 A couple of tracks offer some curiosity and mystique but nothing dramatic. The opening Star Trails is my favorite, taking the slow elongated swell of these synth arrangements and gracing them with a looping melody that drags the soundscape reluctantly over a powerful yet subtly delivered chord arrangement. This level of craft seemed lacking elsewhere but each song works with a different energy.

Rating: 5/10