Just in case you wanted to know - The Vitruvian Man is a drawing
created by Leonardo da Vinci circa 1490. It is accompanied by notes based on
the work of the architect Vitruvius.
Very little is known about
Vitruvian Men – (the band)apart
from they are all around 17/18 come from the Wirral and are more mature than
most kids their age. It has taken me since October to review this as I just
kept putting the task off, but I have now risen to the challenge and tried to be
as constructive as I can.
OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark’s) Andy McCluskey’s son plays
bass in the band, and although never been a big fan of OMD, Vitruvian Men is far removed from the
sound of OMD in every way possible, but at least it shows that Vitruvian Men
have followed their own goals and not just copied a trend of the 80’s.
There is nothing about the guys contained within their album, no names, no instruments, and it
is just as sparse as the music contained within it.
There is no denying that they can play their instruments, however I am far
removed from my comfort zone and know very little about their brand of music, and to me find it rather repetitive in places, although I know a lot of people enjoyed
their set at the Zanzibar on the 25th October. I however wasn’t one
of the chosen few.
The guys themselves appeared more than confident off stage and even
more so on stage considering their young ages.
But, their album for me just doesn’t push all the right buttons. Their music almost seems too mature for
them. The vocals from Thomas seems
nonchalantly ‘matter of fact’ with no emotion attached to it, although the
guitars are quite striking in some places, but after listening to all nine
tracks find there is nothing really compelling to jump up and down about on
this album.
However, no doubt their particular brand of music will be
appreciated by many whose interests include Alternative Rock, but I just prefer
my music to be less matter of fact and possess some meat on its bones.
“Female fronted progressive metal with classical elements, from
Manchester, UK. The unsuspecting city of
Manchester certainly has its fair share of great underground rock and metal
bands to choose from, and no exception to this are Collibus - a band that firmly stands high up in the ranks. The
progressive nature of the music, accentuated by symphonic string arrangements,
combined with dynamic female vocals, gives Collibus
a strong and unique versatility. They possess the ability to transform their
sound seamlessly from heavy in-your-face riffage, to face-melting technical
sections, to thought provoking melodic passages.
Since the conception of Collibus
in 2004, through years of experience and moulding their craft, they have
finally evolved into something much bigger than ever anticipated. Like many
other bands, they have soldiered on through line-up changes, breaks, and
set-backs, yet the music always remained passionate and true. Circulating the
local UK metal scene for best part of a decade, and reaching fans from further
afield through EP sales and airplay alone, has earned Collibus their reputation of being a force to be reckoned with”
Whenever I hear the name Collibus
I immediately think of DamageScape and vice versa, mainly because of Stephen
Platt (Guitar) and Gemma Fox (Vocals) the two talented members from both
bands. I saw DamageScape at Deathwave
some time back now and was simply blown away with their live performance and
although I have never had the pleasure of witnessing Collibus live am grateful for getting to hear the tracks to the band’s new
debut album.
Lie in Wait
Stealing the attention this incendiary device literally explodes
into a dramatic, melodic teasing that sadly finishes just as it is building and
so never really reaches its expected climax.
Leave It All Behind
Pummelling supreme and reinforced with melodic temptation, is a
truly bristling encounter of towering rhythms fused together with Gemma’s
strong and compelling vocal edge.
The Fallen
Instantly coaxes with an intense and engaging passion. Outstanding delivery of searing guitars and
persuasive vocal. This will leave the
most hardest of metal heads shell shocked.
Thoughts in Vain
Rapturous rhythms bubble with sheer intensity and burst with a
searing melody that simply engages. Surrounded by a haunting ambiance, that quickly
turns savage and yet holds an extreme alluring presence.
Burn Out
Holding a darker edge that is hungry for malevolence – the
progressive intervention holds rich and tempting rhythms of exciting tones that
compel with Gemma’s vocal capacity surpassing the boundaries of emotion here.
Break the Silence
Beautifully melodic as it is engaging. Soft undertones of serious
passion ignite with a sophistication and just beneath the surface a bristling
epic potency can be felt.
Undone
A strong pulsating drum beat lunges forth along with some fierce
guitars here – this has rather urgent appeal that lingers through-out and
sets the ears ringing as it explodes into a delicious temptation of outstanding
rhythm.
Hollow
Has a more ambient feel to it.
Slowly meandering into a strong and hard to dismiss encounter. Gemma’s voice
suits the music so well and adds a blustery tension of raw power to the mix.
Dead Inside
Collibus Official Video - Dead Inside
This is rather a meaty track, holding a solid and powerful embrace.
Gemma’s vocals sounding so different from the previous track, proving she is no
‘one trick pony’ with her vocal talents. Musically intense and reinforced with
superb strong rampaging drumming and rapacious guitar rhythms with more than just a dash of keyboards adding more intensity to the mix - Delicious!
Insurrection
Bubbling with a metal vibrancy it rewards the listener with a superb
melodic teasing that never lets up for a second. Again, offers some serious urgency,
passion and labour intense - there is nothing missed out here what so ever!
Lifeblood
This track engages immediately with a deep sonic riff and malevolent
drum beat – it eats into a festering rhythm of potency, which goads the
listener to a gripping conclusion.
Spite
As the title would suggest this is rather scathing in raucous
rhythms that climb toward an ambient peak of urgency. Enjoyable as it is
imaginative and paints a vivid picture in the mind’s eye, offering ambiance
mixed with a sonic propulsion of rabid rhythms – simply stunning!
The Hunted
Immediately this track explodes with a compelling concoction of electric
riffs enhanced with vibrant beats, deep bass hooks and crafted vocal embrace.
Seduces the listener with a dark and thunderous rhythm that assaults and
inspires.
The False Awakening
Finishing with one of the most malevolent of tracks, Collibus never rest on their laurels. Predatory,
more than pleasurable on the ears. this really offers a kind of beauty and the
beast feel to it. Gemma’s vocals are tempered superbly with an angry riff that
explodes with toxic rabidity. Great track to finish on which will no doubt
leave you begging for more.
To Sum up:
This is one serious album that offers some of the most mesmerising riffs
and surly vocals ever heard in a progressive genre. Holding unending passion
and melodic lures that twist and embed themselves into a myriad of rhythms. Collibus have excelled the boundaries
with this album – fourteen powerful tracks of sheer blistering ferocity,
intense persuasion and ground breaking concentration and focus. Seizing control
as soon as you hit the play button and unleashes a serious lingering and
intimidating atmosphere from the word go.
Sometimes dark and sinister but always possessing that deep urgency
of demanding rhythms – this is one absorbing album, mesmeric, powerful and has
the intent of sheer manipulation with each track you listen to. It never loosens
its mighty grip for a second and I personally think Gemma has more than proved
she is a demon temptress that can possess the soul in an instant!
It is truly a progressive metal encounter, showing
true professionalism from a band that has worked hard to achieve their goals
and taken formidable steps in order to make things happen. Gaining momentum and admiration from not only
fans but other bands too and with very good reason.
This is truly sensational in every sense of the word and more than just
delivers – it smolders with intent!
Osmium Guillotine is a four piece heavy metal band from Essex. Debut album coming
2014 via MGR Records!
Osmium Guillotine have found their allies in NWOBHM band Kaine both being from the
same area of Essex and their brand of heavy metal is not dissimilar to Kaine’s
either in style but with a more tongue in cheek agenda.
Phobophobics - Osmium Guillotine
Phobophobia has been taken from the band’s forthcoming self-titled debut album. It possesses
a certain intensity and provocation, driven by an old school feel. The guitars
prey on the senses with stunning attack. They sound to me like early Maiden,
not only music wise but reinforced with a powerful vocal.
A great methodical swathe of riffs bring that spark to life, inspiring and simply goading the passion that flows through it. Enhanced with a rapacious rhythm, catchy lyrics and clearly accomplishing their goal of bringing an old school flavour of the 80’s into the 21st Century.
To Sum up:
Although this style of music has been accomplished early in the 80’s and nothing new these days, Osmium Guillotine, like Kaine, have managed to keep it alive with constant gigging and promotion and I sincerely hope they go on to achieve their goals once the new album has been released, feeling they have firmly acquired their place in the heavy metal market.
“The Day Will Come - A metal band based in Liverpool, UK. Formed at the back end of
2010. The band have already racked up a respectable amount of shows around the
country” and now working on a tour for February 2014.
Welcome to the edge of your seats folks! I say that because that is
where you will be when listening to this. It doesn’t get any better!
Ephemera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0n4kklUIdk
A haunting portrayal that turns more aggressive and toxic as it
unfolds. Adrenaline pumped and exhaustingly exhilarating this holds an
inventive rhythm that teases with a strong melodic vibrant attack simply
explodes and forgets to stop, continuing its rampage until the track is at its
close.
All Roads Lead To Her
Stunning cagey punishing rhythms and sonic beats fuelled to the hilt. Vocally scathing and raw with melodic riffs
engaged in malevolent hunger it swipes an intimidating finger in the eye as it
builds into one of the most fearsome of tracks.
Delusions
Breaking from its shackles this one is yet again a sonic caustic mix
of aggression holding unbridled emotional outpourings of total hatred as it
soars to the extreme, engaging in evil addictiveness, scathing vocal delivery
and equally punishing rhythms.
True Friends Stab You in the Front
Showing a diverse path it begins with a sinister gait that breaks
through its own boundaries and explodes into another savage onslaught of
festering madness, briefly slowing and then in cantankerous mode delivers the
final blow of arousing rhythmic savagery.
To Sum Up:
This is how metal should be solid, ferocious and scathingly raw as
it is brutal. “The day will come” is
essentially a live experience, however this brutal rampage of these four bitter
sweet tracks is simply mind-blowing. Eager to show off their musical combat is
what they do here make no mistake and is without a doubt one of the most
compelling E.P’s to have crossed my path in a while.
You can sample and own this E.P as it is up for grabs as a free
download and let’s face it who wouldn’t want this? A torrential downpour of
savagery, energetic, potent as well as addictive I think the day has finally
come! A truly earth shattering experience!
“Digiflesh is an independent music project from New Jersey, USA founded in
2013 by Rob G. Very secretive. Very under promoted”
Hybrid
Spiny rhythms ease you into a sense of foreboding and sinister realm
of quirky beauty. The drum beats are stark and stunted, undulating into a
potent mix of subtle grandeur.
Vortex
Well balanced and rhythmic, sweeping a tempestuous groove that
prompts strong responses. Beautiful as it is hypnotic voicing its strong passions
and laced with a bubbling vibrancy.
Radius
Eagerly unleashes a very tempting euphoric swagger of sumptuousness
and holds a superb infectious provocational rhythm that is steeped in intrigue
and licks the aural with a gentle teasing.
Vector
Sharp keyboard rhythms chew on the senses to produce an emotional
lunge into the unknown. Bold and commanding it sits on bubbly beats and reinforces
its seductive stance with an antagonistic vibe.
Apex
This track holds a rather primal imagination with a driving drum
beat that is regimented and flourishes into a well-defined tempting uniqueness.
Plasma
More stunted rhythms play out and expand the consciousness to the
best of its ability. Instantly magnetic and steers to a certain familiarity but
catchy and rhythmic none the less.
Axis
Creative and bristles with powerful intrigue. Smothered in a rich
elegant flair of enthralling presence. Powerfully engaging and thrilling.
Fusion
Is indeed fused with a malingering swagger of passionate embracing
rhythm and jaunty beats. Debatably one of the tracks that stand out on the
album.
Nexus
Fluid and seamless this track buzzes with a vibrant tendency to
paint a surly image onto the mind. Again engaging but this time with a more
ravenous intervention.
To Sum Up:
Superb album! Rob has certainly hit the spot here with a majestic journey
that rides on some of the most ear catching rhythms and powerful sonic enthused
beats possible.
This album ventures into a realm of subtle and yet not so subtle
imagination. It holds a stunning and essential essence that warrants further
investigation into its magical craft.
Slabs of rampaging rhythms lick the aural into submission so much so
that it leaves the lungs empty - heightened with a dash of intrigue – really loving
this.
Digiflesh is just no nonsense rhythmical electronica played at its very best
and very easy to get embroiled into its stunning elements and irresistible
twists. Although there are no vocals on the Digiflesh album the music it
explores does not need this intervention and would most definitely remove some
of the intrigue if this was added – what you get here is one essential album
that offers you irresistible rhythms and spiky beats that is just impossible
to ignore.
If there were ever two clowns that could create a riot it’s Petrol Bastard! Well you do know that
to be insane means you are treading a fine line to genius - it is but a hairs
breadth away. Sadly these two guys are fuckin’ shit and in no way genii! Or so
I try to keep telling myself, however, I have come to the conclusion it is the
rest of the world that is insane and Petrol
Bastard are normal, and yes I am somewhat confused right now. What is
normal? Oh dear I appear to have a ‘Terrible
Problem’
I spent my money on Tentacle
Porn
As I delve into the crazy world of Petrol Bastard I start to question my own sanity. I question it
because I am told these clown aren’t very good, in fact they are fuckin’ shit –
however I am clearly enjoying this crazed ensemble of noises and shouty
madness. It sounds a bit like The Sex Pistols meet a poor man’s Prodigy.
If you die in Batley, do you
die in real life?
To that question I have no answer at all as I live in Liverpool
although some would say that you don’t actually have a life at all in
Liverpool, you simply exist! Batley sounds idyllic according to this track. At
least the accent is believable! – Ah yeah they actually speak like that in real
life or is it perhaps they are corpses pretending. You know I can actually hear
the Prodigy singing this!
FCCKKCKKFFCCFFKKCZ
Hang on I need to get totally pissed here to say that title and
as I don’t drink it seems I have another ‘Terrible Problem’ I think it is ok
it’s just more sweary techno punk noises
Betrol Pastard relaxing!
Fred Foster
Some twiddly synth and yet more sweary, shouty vocals done in a
style of well Petrol Bastard really!
Hey this one is quite trancy, dancy and I am loving those effects – I think!
Fiat Multipla
Someone is having a good time on that drum machine although I
don’t think Jonathan is – he certainly sounds pissed off about something.
White Star Adventuraaaaaaaaar
Subsonic goings on amid some plinky keys with loads of sweary
nonsense – oh dear I think this is starting to make sense now – I am doomed!
Fly a plane into a Londis
Am I in the real world or have I been transported to another
realm nobody has discovered yet? Hang on I shall just nip into this phone box
and check out the dials I may have arrived on another planet without
realising...
The 90’s were shit (I shat in
a Gameboy)
To finish, we have some melodic synth and some relatively good
drumming – back in the real world – or is it? I really don’t know anymore but
who cares?
To Sum Up:
Well that was one hell of a journey into the unknown but
anything can happen when you listen to Petrol
Bastard. Things become really distorted and sometimes they make sense – who
am I trying to kid? Petrol Bastard
still remain fuckin’ shit hot! This ‘Terrible Problem’ ain’t gonna go
away any time soon. I still like Jihad Trombone - but that’s my other terrible
problem I seem to be stuck in a time warp!
9/10
Track List:
I spent my money on Tentacle Porn
If you die in Batley, do you die in real life?
FCCKKCKKFFCCFFKKCZ
Fred Foster
Fiat Multipla
White Star Adventuraaaaaaaaar
Fly a plane into a Londis
The 90’s were shit (I shat in a Gameboy)
Members:
Ben Atomgrinder- Frontman/ Producer of the musics/ Occasional
Lyric Writer
Jon Tetsuo- Frontman/ Chief Lyric Writer/ Occasional Producer of
da moozix
