Hotel Neon "Self Titled" Cassette EP Review

Hotel Neon “Self Titled” Cassette EP

 Baltimore Maryland’s Hotel Neon, ( which is comprised of  twin brothers Michael and Andrew Tasselmyer), came together to record this 7 song album of hypnotic and inspiring drones that draws the listener in, with a variety of sounds and melodies all created with various guitars and effects. When I listened to this the first time, all I could imagine was sitting on a mountain inhaling fresh air, taken away from the chaos of the modern world. I felt very much at peace when I listened to this album. It’s beautiful and majestic, but it also has a very melancholy sound, depending on how you perceive it from listening. I could definitely see this being played in the back drop for various scenes, from the dark galaxy of space, to the illuminating skies shinning on mountain tops. To all the drone and ambient enthusiasts, definitely recommend this for you…

Naked City " Torture Garden" LP Review

Been enjoying my break so far,here is the review for Oct 2014

Naked City “Torture Garden” LP

 This classic thrash jazz ensemble, led by renowned composer/saxophonist, John Zorn, came together to put this schizophrenic, yet inspiring, masterpiece known as “Torture Garden”. This 42 song opus definitely breaks the boundaries of genre bending by switching up musical styles every few measures.  The mix goes from grind and hardcore punk to lounge jazz and swing. The titles match the weirdness of the music, such as “Eat shit Jazz Snob”, “Perfume of a Critics Burning Flesh” and  “ Osaka Bondage” . Zorn and company, along with crazed vocalist, Yamasuka Eye, definitely know what they were doing when they created this masterpiece. As confusing as it might be to some, it makes perfect sense for others. An open mind is recommended upon checking out this avant garde masterpiece.

Until Nov Happy Samhain...

Mohican " Honest Red" EP Review

Been a busy few months,but things will be slowing down here soon.. Here is the review for Sept!!!

Enjoy!!!!!

Mohican “Honest Red” EP

 Philadelphia's Mohican debut EP “Honest Red” is a perfect blend of instrumental post rock and shoegaze that speaks to the listener with emotions, bleeding through esoteric sound. The beauty of instrumental music is that you can gather your own meaning, whether it is on the lighter context or more on the darker side. The one thing I love about this record is all three of these musicians work really well together and no one tries to over shadow the other. These 5 tracks are all amazing in their own way, the perfect blend of ghostly melodies and hypnotic heaviness. Mohican stands out from a lot of the newer up and coming bands, mainly for the fact that they are just three guys doing what they love, while at the same time gaining an audience and putting out memorable material. I believe they will continue to attract listeners for years to come. I recommend this for fans of Mogwai, Red Sparrows, Explosions in the Sky and Pelican.

Mass Control "Raven in Reactor's Shadow" Tape Review

Here is my review for Aug 2014,I'm currently working on reviews for Sept and Oct but for now enjoy this one...

August 2014 Review:

Mass Control “Ravens in Reactor's Shadow” Tape Release

  
  Gainesville’s Mass Control, which is the sole and I believe, main endeavor of Nicholas David (Monolith Transmission No 13, Pathetic Sex and Styrofoam Swamp), recently put out this tape release that I believe deserves recognition. Side A, which is called the Mask Side, delivers a composition that is very dark, and almost seems to creep up on you as you listen to it. It really reminds me of being locked up in an Alaskan Bunker while the harsh winter engulfs you ever so near to the fate of death. Side B, on the other hand, which is called the Map Side, delivers an audio hypnotism that slowly evolves as the composition continues to form. Nicholas has taken the modular synth sound to a whole new level and has put out an exceptional release that I recommend every fan of the dark ambient, noise and power electronics genres to check out.

July Review Mogwai "Hardcore will never die, but you will" LP Review

So as of this month I will be posting one review per month finishing out the year as far as reviews go, which will follow with me concentrating on other writings that I have been harboring on for the past year and have yet to put into effect. For now here is my July Review which is for the post rock group Mogwai's 2011 opus "Hardcore will never die, but you will".

Mogwai “Hardcore will never die, but you will” LP

Scottish post rock legends have been putting out sonic masterpieces for the past two decades that will deliver different feelings depending on the listener. Every time I listen to this record, it puts me in the best mood and makes me feel like its never too late. Mogwai paints intense portraits, with their audio pallet that breaths forth guitar driven pieces accompanied with various electronic elements, clean solid bass lines, and intense drumming that drives you to move along with the beat. Pieces like “Mexican Grand Prix”, "San Pedro”, “George Square Thatcher Death Party”, “White Noise”, and my personal favorite, “How to be a Werewolf” definitely help the band shine out in the post rock movement. There are minimal amounts of vocals on this record, but this is an album that needs no vocals or lyrics because the music itself tells a story. Mogwai continues to release new albums, but this particular one will always have a place in my heart!!

Have another review written for Aug which will be up soon until then stay tuned....

May/June Issue Posted and Major Update

Alright here is the last and final issue of Cryptic Inscriptions!!! Hope everyone enjoys!! When I mean last and final issue I mean in this format. I'll be exclusively using this site to promote my writings i.e short stories, poems and the occasional review that I decide to post. My biggest goal is to start writing my first collection of memoirs that will be on random subjects and thoughts that I think of on a daily basis added with other ideas. I'll have more on this soon don't want to reveal to much and either not deliver due to time constraints ,but anyway for your reading pleasure here is the issue and what it features:

Reviews:

Excruciating Terror "Expression of Pain" LP, Breached Hull "Into the Black" EP, and Swans "Cop"LP

Enjoy....

Swans "Cop" LP Review

Swans “Cop” LP

   Since the early 80s noise rock purveyors, Swans, have been decimating listeners from the get go, still continuing to push the boundaries of experimental music to this day. I decided to go to the beginning in the early years with this particular album “Cop”. This album, I’d have to say, is seriously one of the heaviest things I’ve heard recently.  It puts you under a sort of “hypnosis,” with its crushing dual bass, heavy guitar, droning drums, and the signature voice of front man and mastermind, Michael Gira.  The songs, for the most part, are one or two riffs continually played at droning slow speeds, making way for the twisted lyrical assault of Gira. If you’re looking for hooks or traditional structured music, this release isn’t for you. Swans paved the wave for many bands, and it’s good to see they’re still kicking it today.