UN-reason - interview

Check out this interview with UN-reason band at http://industrialrock.net/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=491

Excerpt:

NINa: Is it more enjoyable when things one desires are difficult to obtain and hold? Does frustration stir up creativity?
Elio: You must work to get good results and when the results come and are good you feel gratified. Instant gratification is fleeting and it is, as the word itself suggests, very short lived. If you work hard to obtain something eventually you will also have built some strong foundation to start working on something else afterwards. The harder you work, the more skills you acquire and the more daring your future projects may become.

Conducted by Fabryka Music Magazine

UN-reason - UN-reason

UN-reason - UN-reason |Patetico Recordings, 2012| 5/5

1. A Place Of Truth, 2. Blinks, 3. Run Back, 4. Under, 5. Too Deep, 6. Twisted Metal, 7. Kids Hurting Kids, 8. Our Special Way, 9. Open, 10. This Is Not My Fear, 11. Waves

UN-reason hails from Savona, Italy and was founded in 2010. This relatively new project was formed by experienced musicians who were previously involved in such bands as Twenty One Crows, Pushkins, Fallen Tears, F.E.M. or The Sense.

Their eponymous debut album mastered by Reza Udhin (Inertia, Killing Joke) brings 11 songs - a mix of post-rock, post-punk and industrial. The compositions sound emotional and touching. Extremely well elaborated, lyrical arrangements are built upon harmonious tunes with peaceful moments found throughout the release. The overall mood on UN-reason is based on non-invasive contrasts.

If you study the lyrics a bit closer, you'll also find out that there's a bit of frustration due to disappointment, unwanted changes and unrealized needs usually referring to one's love life. Elio Isaia (voice, guitars) with Jacques Pedretti (a guest song writer) wrote poetical lyrics that match the music very well. Various figurative expressions speak almost as visually as paintings (for instance: "I stole her love and melt it, and buried it on the Moon, I bathed at night in her cool blue room" /"Run Back"/).
Elio's voice is instantly recognizable, which is always beneficial for a singer. It's rather high-pitched (between tenor and baritone) and makes a good match with the music. Elio fits within all the songs and never goes out of tune. He also occasionally uses voice effects, adding a rough industrial overlay to songs such as "Blinks", "This Is Not My Fear" and "Kids Hurting Kids".

The musicians express their know-how by tuning in through truly skillful, cooperative play. Jon Griffin (guitar) places accents or puts up noisy walls of sound wherever it's necessary ("A Place of Truth", "Under") while Jan Maio (synths, virtual orchestra, guitar) builds intriguing sonic backgrounds ("A Place Of Truth", "Blinks", "Kids Hurting Kids", "Open").
The rhythm section adds a refined vibe to the compositions. The bass (Giorgio Bormida - guitar, bass, piano) sounds range from murky, quite characteristic for gothic rock ("Blinks", "This Is Not My Fear", "Waves") to warm ("Twisted Metal"). The drums played by Lorenzo Bartolini feel just right and work really well with the bass. The interplay between both instruments really shines in more emotional tunes like "Run Back", "Our Special Way", "Too Deep", or "Waves". As a side note, the drums in "Open" were manned by a renown guest from the scene - Martin Atkins (PIL, Killing Joke, Nine Inch Nails, Pigface).

My favorite songs are "Our Special Way", for the gentle "guitar versus bass" arrangements (as known from the 80s Bauhaus or New Model Army songs); "Run Back", which could be the main theme of a movie; and "Blinks", thanks to its edgy industrial rock vibe.

All tracks on UN-reason album are memorable through their verses and choruses, but also little dirty (and a little dreamy) guitar vibes coloured with bits of sampling. Regardless of the typical chorus/verse repetitions there’s little to no boredom to be found on this album.

When it comes to the album concept, it aims in bringing back the interest in true creativity and inspiration, against the global trends, slowly drowning the world in rather nonspiritual ideas and populist consumerism for the last two decades. It's also about the importance of freedom - leaving the system and mass behind and becoming a unique human being integrated with and expressing one’s own soul again. As articulated in "Kids Hurting Kids": "We have been plugged, we've been drugged at home, our life is a box, a prison we pay, only when I close my eyes this distance is gone".

The band’s comprehensive and well designed official website should encourage you to visit often. Make sure you follow the band on their active social profiles. Moreover, if you like visual arts, you should pay attention to Giorgio's personal website presenting his dark designs. And don’t forget that he also remixed a few tracks for known industrial bands such as Pigface and 16volt.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, July 15th, 2013. Proofreading: Mike 'Vesper' Dziewoński)

This review on Fabryka Magazine: http://industrialrock.net/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=490

Official | Label | SoundCloud | Facebook | ReverbNation | Myspace | PureVolume | YouTube

Buy on: Amazon | ReverbNation


Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine

Celestial Fury - We All Float Down Here Pt. 1

Celestial Fury - We All Float Down Here Pt. 1 (song review) |self-released, single, 2013| 5/5

Djent is a relatively new music genre, derived from metal. The music scene needs a variety of genres not just to categorize bands and market songs but also to form new subcultures. These new subcultures will often speak for an entire generation, its interests and dislikes. The Djent style may grow to the size of Grunge (which to me was the last meaningful and well tagged landmark of a Rock subculture) or may be left only in hands of those passionate about it. However, it's undoubtedly one of the most intense styles of music locked within usually instrumental, experimental arrangements, characterized by polyphonic rhythm and performed with low tuned 6, 7 or even 8-string guitars.

"We All Float Down Here Pt. 1" is a song drawing on Djent roots. The idea is based on two musical themes. One covers a Post-Rock intro, arranged for gentle sounding guitars. There are traditional folk music influences weaved into acoustic guitar sections. Alasdair Cooper, who wrote, performed and produced the track has been living in the Scottish Highlands.
The other line creates the core rhythm, brought by a low tuned 8-string guitar and drums. It is further enriched with a few solos as well. Both cleverly interlace the composition throughout it’s 5 minutes duration.

A collision of soothing Post-Rock with distorted sounds, Djent may seem to stay in sharp contrast but in fact the one underlines values of the other. Such an amount of digitally processed, syncopated riffs may sound overwhelming but they become riveting when broken with lighter (but by no means melodic!) parts. Moreover, it may be not difficult for some to make Djent, but it's hard to say if there's any limit where an experimental composition should end. Such is the case with "We All Float Down Here Pt. 1" a new section based on polyphonic tunes could be easily added to the track as long as it's kept far from being tedious.

However both Djent and its close neighbour, Progressive Metal need skilled guitar players to make it significant. Alasdair, 20 year old guitar player from Glasgow, UK sounds like the one, judging by the way the composition evolves it’s many peaks and bridges. The guitar roars, spins and cries in his hands. Having spent over 8 years playing the instrument, this self-taught musician should definitely stick with this career path. His favorite bands include Opeth and Meshuggah but also Periphery, Uneven Structure and Vildhjarta. If you enjoy these, you should also listen to Alasdair Cooper.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, May 13th, 2013. Proofreading: SanDeE)

YouTube | SoundCloud | Blog
Buy on: Bandcamp

Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine

Closure - Closure EP

Closure - Closure EP |self-released, 2012| 4/5

01. Assertion, 02. Tonight, 03. Untitled I, 04. Untitled II, 05. Aspect Deletion - Per Year (Closure RMX)

What is it that describes natural beauty the best? There are many features you would list, but undoubtedly it's an intriguing balance with simplicity hidden behind the appeal and grace of a first impression. This description is exactly the feeling you may experience while listening to the debut EP by a one man German post-rock project named Closure that was founded by Carl Albrecht in 2010.

The most important thing about an average human brain is that it likes simple, repetitive tunes. Although, if they're too simple, the ears get bored. Therefore, a musician's ability to create unique atmospheres means a lot. These aspects will influence the way a listener perceives a selection of tunes as well as the harmonic or dis-harmonic melodies it's made from. Closure ventured towards composing hallucinatory music which will interact with your natural brainwaves very well. The debut EP was released in 2012. It includes four instrumental songs recorded, programed and arranged by Carl as well as a remix he did for the band Aspect Deletion. Although Carl is the sole recording artist on the EP, he plans to include a live bassist and drummer to perform the music of Closure in concert.

The opening song, "Assertion" initially brings challenging, yet soothing moods. After a while, it gains more passion due to repetitive arrangements based on dirty guitars, drums and bass. The overall atmosphere which advances with a bit of a tension may put a listener into an unexpected, addictive trance.

"Tonight" reflects the composer's view on a type of night many of us are familiar with: dreamy, harmonious, peaceful and sensual. It's usually like that unless you deal with a sleep disorder, tooth ache or generally speaking, got sick. The track doesn't miss dense accents though, many of which were expressed by rhythmic, grungy guitar riffs similar to those from "Assertion", but definitely heavier.

When it comes to "Untitled I" which is the third track on the album, the main vibe behind the meaning of the song is repetition. Carl gains much of his influence from bands like Godflesh as well as their post-rock project, Jesu, who base the foundation of their music on the repetition of hook driven rhythms as well as the characterization of arrangements that rely on the raw power of an intelligently used drum machine. Your joy depends on how long you can forbear the same repetitive guitar arrangements including those in the higher octave ranges. Having 3:41 minutes to utilize within a composition could have led to an achievement of a more outstanding delivery of effects. However, the sound of "Untitled I" does become addictive at some point and includes nice contrasts between pitched and low guitar riffs that are layered along the track.

The following song called "Untitled II" begins with languorous guitars supported by matching, slow drum beats. You'll also hear a bit of light synths accompanying the two. The song sounds relaxing. It may be a good idea to listen to it when you feel the need to dream or meditate.

"Aspect Deletion - Per Year (Closure RMX)" finishes the Closure EP. Its repetitions and overall "nowhere to rush" atmosphere make it a neat non-rock track that is a good match to pubs and clubs where patrons chill out while having regular meetings with friends.

Some bands create original songs when they reach their artistic limit in structure and complexity throughout their compositions, but only if the arrangements are thought out and performed very well. Others, like Closure prefer to focus on building their instrumental songs through simplified songwriting with enchanting moods. All of the songs on this EP bring simple, repetitive schemes, however the sound is extremely captivating. That's the natural beauty as I mentioned above and the track "Assertion" illustrates it the best.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, January 18th, 2013. Proofreading: Scott M. Owens)

SoundCloud | Google +
Buy this EP: Bandcamp
Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine