Town Portal – Chronopoly

‘Town Portal’ released ‘Chronopoly’ on the 4th of October 2012.

‘Town Portal’ are a trio that just ooze talent, each band member working together as a whole unit and each instrument given equal time in the spotlight.

At times sounding like some sort of ‘And So I Watch you from Afar’/’Russian Circles’ lovechild, taking the best elements from both these bands and improving on it.

Temple – On the Steps of the Temple

‘Temple’ released their album ‘On The Steps Of The Temple’ on the 3rd of August 2012

This 2 piece, Ryan on guitars and Rich on drums, bring a vast amount of noise. This album, for the most part, is a collection of slow, crushing behemoths.

‘Avarita’ is a 9 minute epic, featuring sluggish doom through to meandering guitar solos showing off Ryan’s talent, next Rich gets to show off with more fast paced and technical drumming then morphing into a soft ambient finish.

‘On The Steps Of The Temple’ is the closing song for the album. Timing in at just under 11 minutes it opens with what sounds like lightning cracking and is a direct representation of the building storm this band is about to unleash. The duo ruthlessly pummel you one last time before the album comes to a close.

If this is the sort of music they play at temples, I’ve found my new religion.

THRONEonMARS – Red Pyramid

‘Red Pyramid’ is the first EP released by ‘THRONEonMARS’ on the 9th of November 2012.

It is a 2 track epic with each song going the distance at around 10 minutes each.

‘Pathfinder’ starts off displaying a softer, post-metal infused introduction, the band bring out their doomier side at around the 4 minute mark. From here on in it sounds like there is a dual between post-metal and doom fighting it out till the last note.

‘Loss of the Axis’ is almost a mirror image of the first song as it begins with heavy post-metal mashed with doom eventually interluding into some softer post-metal/rock then smashing you again with their heavy post-metal doom fury.

Their EP is free at the moment so you have no excuse not to get it.

The Broderick, Agonhymn, Eagle Twin & Russian Circles – The Corner Hotel

Unfortunately I missed out on seeing ‘The Broderick’ but managed to see them when they supported ‘Rosetta’. They are a hardcore post-metal band and if what I’ve seen in the past is anything to go by, they bring a whole lot of fury and anger when they play live.

I didn’t know any music by ‘Agonhymn’ and ‘Eagle Twin’ before seeing them live. They both had moments of excellence during their sets but at other times everything seemed to fall apart.

‘Russian Circles’ took to the stage and quickly had everyone eating out of their hands. I couldn’t fault their set at all, their music works so well live and it makes it all the more impressive when the whole set feels like a jam session. When they started playing ‘Geneva’ the whole crowd couldn’t get enough bobbing along as if hypnotized.

Sorceress – Demo 2011

Its almost hard to believe that this is the first EP by ‘Sorceress’.

‘Denver’ the opening track starts with a ‘Conan the Barbarian’ quote ‘What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.’ I don’t know about the lamenting women but this Canadian three-piece definitely wants to crush you. This track is brilliant the way it builds and morphs then mutates in a whole new direction.

My favourite track would have to be ‘Glaive’ the way it progresses then half way through the song the guitarist keeps playing the same riff over and over, faster and louder each time.

These guys are seriously talented and I can’t wait for the next instalment.

Head over to their Bandcamp page where the EP is currently being sold for 1 Canadian dollar. I guarantee it will be best Canadian buck you will ever spend.

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Heirs – Hunter

‘Heirs’ are such a talented band. Their songs sound so beautifully natural as they slowly build from basic beginnings then have layers added to them as if the band is working as one unit.

It’s worth checking out ‘Heirs’ purely for the fact they make the theremin sound awesome. If you ever get the chance to see this band live, do it, this band can be best appreciated live as you actually see the band working together as they create these brilliant songs.

Its obvious why ‘Hunter’ is the title track here, it is ‘Heirs’ at their finest as they show off their skills at creating atmosphere then slowly adding and building to a climax.

I recommend checking out their EP ‘Fowl’ its also available on their bandcamp page.

In a word – Theremin