This fall Maserati released their critically acclaimed album Maserati VII via Temporary Residence. Pitchfork said, "Their sense of dynamics and compositional flow is right in line withMogwai, Explosions in the Sky...it powers sleekly along on economical drumming, taut, delay-heavy riffs, and chugging bass, a little like Trans Am with more focus." Rock-A-Rolla raved, "Their heavy, unfaltering grooves are as potent as ever." Maserati has just announced a month-long European tour, their first in support of the release. The tour kicks off in Athens and will make stops all across Europe, with a number festival appearances including Roadburn, New Noise, Dunk!, and Out Of the Crowd. All dates are listed below.
When Jerry Fuchs joined Maserati in 2004, he initiated a complete overhaul of the group: old songs were dropped, tempos were drastically sped up, and the budding psych-rock impulses of guitarists Coley Dennis and Matt Cherry were given room to grow. Beginning with the electrifyingInventions For The New Season, Maserati were a better, faster, stronger beast.
That spirit shines bright on Maserati VII, their first album conceived since Fuchs' passing. Relix says Maserati VII is, "a platform to pay homage to their fallen comrade in the best way they know how; through flawless Moroder-cum-Motorik rhythm jams likes "Martin Rev" and "Solar Exudus that manifest Fuchs' ultimate vison of his main squeeze." Maserati has an uncanny ability to toggle time back and forth between the past, present, and future - often in the span of one song. On Maserati VII, they're grounded and driven by new drummer Mike Albanese (Cinemechanica), whose dexterity and stamina prove a perfect fit for Maserati's trademark relentless, driving rhythms and epic song lengths, anchored by bass badass, Chris "Coach" McNeal.
Recorded by Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket, Young Widows) at The Funeral Home in Louisville, KY, and mixed by Steve Moore (Zombi, Lovelock) in New York, Maserati VII perfectly captures the essence and evolution of Maserati as face-melting, bone-rattling, ass-shaking Moroder Metal.
Maserati European Tour 2013:
28.03.13 GR-Athens, AN Club
30.03.13 BE-Zottegem, Dunk! Festival
31.03.13 FR-Lyon, Sonic
01.04.13 FR-Toulouse, Dynamo
02.04.13 FR-Montpellier, The Black Sheep
03.04.13 FR-Limoges, La Fourmi
04.04.13 FR-Paris, FMR
05.04.13 FR-Metz, Trinitaires
06.04.13 CH-St. Gallen, Grabenhalle
07.04.13 CH-Lausanne, Le Romandie
08.04.13 CH-Zürich, Kinski
09.04.13 IT-Torino, Sapzio 211
10.04.13 IT-Roma, Circolo Degli Artisti
11.04.13 IT-Milano, Circolo Magnolia
12.04.13 IT-Ravenna, Bronson
13.04.13 AT-Graz, Forum Stadtpark
14.04.13 CZ-Praha, Divadlo Dobeska
15.04.13 DE-Würzburg, Cairo
16.04.13 DE-München, Orangehouse
17.04.13 DE-Oberhausen, Druckluft
18.04.13 NL-Tilburg, Roadburn Festival
19.04.13 DE-Bielefeld, AJZ
20.04.13 LUX-Esch/Alzette, Out Of The Crowd Festival
21.04.13 DE-Leipzig, tba.
22.04.13 DE-Berlin, Bi Nuu
23.04.13 FIN-Helsinki, Kuudes Linja
24.04.13 DE-Hamburg, Hafenklang
25.04.13 DE-Siegen, Vortex
26.04.13 DE-Karlsruhe, New Noise Festival
27.04.13 DE-Dresden, Chemiefabrik
Artaud Seth and his Merciful Nuns have, in a very short space of time, climbed back to the heights of his Garden Of Delight heyday. Already onto the band's forth full length release with three EPs and a live album in the discography, Seth isn't hanging about in projecting his musical and philosophical vision to the world any more. But is this a case of rushing in where angels fear to tread?
With the opener ‘Ars Goetia' slowly stirring into life and projecting a still, emptiness with great power it is immediately evident that this isn't the case. The band craft atmosphere around a solid rock core with ease and show that even the more progressive inclinations they have are well within their comfort zone.
There are plenty of standout songs on display here with ‘The Nazarene', ‘Temple At The Dome Of the Rock', ‘Kybalion', and ‘Saturn Calls' in particular harking back to the effective gothic rock of Seth's early career, showing why Merciful Nuns is billed as GOD's only legitimate successor.
One of the most notable points with any Merciful Nuns release though is the steady improvement in the production and mixes. Despite their fast schedule the album has been given plenty of time in order to get the right balance of sounds. Confidence has never been an issue for Seth and his cohorts, but Merciful Nuns still get stronger with every release. ‘Goetia IV' continues to walk the fine line between gothic rock and ambient atmospherics while still keeping to an impressively trim musical formula. There is no excess, just good song writing.
Album concept keywords: Kybalion, Theory Of All, Solomon’s Temple, Zion, Goetia, Kodesh Hakodasim, Ancient Astronauts, Annunaki, Tabernacle.
Note: Along with Goetia IV there will be another album called Goetia V which will be released in February 2013.
I am imbued these days by a distinct and pronounced conviction of having a real mission here on Earth. This may sound arrogant, but nonetheless I do believe to being close to the truth about the meaning behind our existence and its origins. What exactly is religion? And where does the desire for spirituality originate? And why do we seek to be close to God or the Gods? The more I delve into the multitude of different faiths, the clearer its core or source becomes. Everything has one common denominator: We have been visited and called this visitor: God. - Artaud Seth
HENKE will release their 2nd album, Maskenball der Nackten, on the first of March,
on the 8th of February, they will release the first single, 'Zeitmemory',
& on the 6th of April, they will perform together with Aroma di Amore & Dark Poem in Antwerp.
In anticipation of those events, HENKE has revealed the cover of this album !
Below the cover, you can also listen to the single, 'Zeitmemory'.
henkeband.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/maskenball-der-nackten-hat-ein-gesicht
Blutengel has released a new single You Walked Away. Another floorkiller and here's the video!
WORMZ is bringing you into the Cyberpunk with their new album EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM; turn on your neuralware and get braindanced with their harshstyle sound!
Be ready for nasty basslines, violent synths and futuristic lyrics that will blow up your mind!
One of the most aggressive and crossovered styles in today's music!
