Neuroticfish - Limited Behaviour EP (2013)

Originating from Germany, Neuroticfish is an excellent future-pop/EBM, one man band. 

The four songs in this EP are very danceable, with strong beats and great melodies. The focus here is on danceable future-pop beats and all four songs are incredibly infectious.

I honestly can't wait for Neuroticfish to release the new album because if this is a sign of things to come it's going to be a killer.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

I Hear Sirens - Between Consciousness and Sleep (2013)

Originating from the United States, I Hear Sirens is a four piece band that creates beautiful landscapes with perfectly crafted post rock songs.

The songs are mostly contemplative and relaxing, with a few sparse moments of tension here and there. Unlike the heavy reliance on keyboards that seems to have become the norm of late, I Hear Sirens has a more classic post rock sound relying on guitars.

The album has the feeling of a film score and the music transmits a lot of emotion. The songs are built like stories and the arrangements are spot on.

I Hear Sirens doesn't break any new ground in the genre, but the songs are so perfectly crafted and executed that this EP is incredibly addictive.

You can purchase their EP at their Bandcamp page for $5 here

Rating: Good Vibrations

Skinny Puppy - Weapon (2013)

Canadian electro industrial legends Skinny Puppy are back again and after more than thirty years of career, they're still not only relevant, but in good form.

Weapon is a very solid album with no dead moments. This is the music of angry machines. Ogre's vocals are mostly clean but are also filtered and distorted to great effect when needed. The album opens with Worning (see the video below) a danceable track, with great melodies, hard beats, plenty of layers, abrasive sounds and a strong vintage electro industrial feel. 

In fact, the best thing in this album (at least for me) is that Skinny Puppy sounds modern and at the same time old. The production is modern and follows their more melodic danceable recent releases but it's darker and more industrial, sometimes going back to the sound of their early days. 

Listening to this album, it's easy to see why Skinny Puppy is such a legendary band and this album is an excellent addition to their discography.

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Timo Tolkki's Avalon - The Land of New Hope (2013)

When a living legend like Timo Tolkki, with such a long and successful career, decides to surround himself with talented musicians and singers contributing to a metal opera, it's fair to say that expectations are very, very high. I don't know if this album will become the stuff of legends but Tolkki and his collaborators deliver an outstanding album that is flawless.

The album opens with a blistering power metal song that is both inspired and memorable but just when you think that Tolkki is back to his best, the second track, A World Without Us starts and it's even better.

The album has no fillers and many stand outs. It features some of the best guitar work by Tolkki (who recorded all the guitars and bass) in many a year but is also very well supported by his guest musicians and singers. 

In terms of the vocals, Rob Rock and Russell Allen are solid in their parts. Tony Kakko from Sonata Arctica and Sharon Den Adel from Within Temptation both have a small cameo halfway through the album. Michael Kiske shines (as he always does) with an epic track to close the album. Will we hear more from them in part two and three? I certainly hope so. 

The clear highlight is Elize Ryd from Amaranthe, who is strong and emotive as the central character (and in comparison to the norm -yes, I'm pointing my finger to you Tobias Sammet-, it's so good to see a strong presence in a metal opera!).

The album doesn't break much new ground but the songs are heavy, melodic, and has their own personality; this is not a continuation of Stratovarius. Tolkki presents the best bunch of songs since his golden days back in the 90s and the album certainly leaves you wanting more. I can't wait for part two!

Rating: Heavy Rotation

Autodafeh - Blackout Scenario (2013)

Originating from Sweden Blackout Scenario is Autodafeh's fourth album. They describe themselves as making hard pumping EBM/Electronic music with glorious sing along lyrics and I certainly don't intend to argue with their words.

The album starts strong with Exercise Your Brain. The song is classic EBM at its best, with strong drums and percussion, vintage synth sounds and strong bass lines. In fact the song, sets the sound for the whole record and despite a couple of lower moments, the album never falters. 

Other highlights in the album include Getaway and Emerging Sadness, which follow Exercise Your Brain for a very powerful trio of songs right at the start. The Pain That We Feel, a slower, moodier tracks with simmering tension. The powerful, danceable, angry, and yet sing-a-long Lessons to Learn. And the energetic final two tracks that end the album on an absolute high.   

Personally, I love the classic EBM sound and always count Front 242 as one of my personal favourite bands (of all styles of music), so I really enjoyed this album. Does it reach the heights of Front 242's classics, no, but it's one hell of an album that Autodafeh have put together with some really outstanding tracks that have nothing to envy to the classics.

Rating: Good Vibrations

Serenity - War of Ages (2013)

Originating from Austria (and let's face it there aren't many bands I know from that country), Serenity is a band that stands out because of their polish and quality. Their music is a good balance of power and symphonic metal.

War of Ages presents enough variety in the songs to keep the listener interested. The guitars are generally sharp and melodic; the vocals, both male and female, are really strong and blend together perfectly; and the symphonic arrangements give the music an epic, bombastic feel without descending into a farce.

Serenity's strength are the guitar hooks and melody in general. This album delivers quite a few memorable moments and it's enjoyable all the way through consistently following on the previous album but somehow it doesn't reach the level of their previous record (or perhaps it's just that the surprise is now gone).

Very solid power/symphonic metal that will soon have you singing along.

Rating: Good Vibrations