Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Review: Infinitum Obscure "Sub Artis Caelis"

Tijuana’s own, Infinitum Obscure, has finally released their aggressive, unrelenting sophomore album “Sub Atris Caelis” on DeathGasm Records. This album definitely sparks the inner burning chaotic flame within and it is in special thanks, not only to the band, but also to the production done by the legendary Bill Metoyer (early Slayer, Morbid Angel). And it shows, especially when it comes to the drums. On their previous outing, the production was lacking. This cannot be said this time around.

The album starts off as if you were watching the mouth of a never ending night swallow all of humanity. Then, the “Death Metal Darkness” unfolds bleak and haunting solos, riffs, and tempo changes that are perfect for the soundtrack of the end of all times. “Seeding Darkness,” the opening track, wounds your mortal soul and Roberto Lizarraga’s vocals, reminiscent of a Mexican Chuck Schuldine’s, punishes what remains of your hearing. “Towards the Eternal Dark,” the next track, shines on the drums and the double bass sounds as if there is no stopping this ever closing mouth from swallowing the rest of your family and friends.

The album ends on a dismal, yet serene note, like it’s the last breath of a dying and forgotten God. It will give you the chills or an erection, especially if you are a fan of nihilism or the bands Death and Dissection. This is old school Death Metal at its finest. Worship and obey Infinitum Obscure.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Idiosyncracy Review soon to be published in Lynt Magazine

Have you ever felt like you were lost in a demented playground set in the fifties? Or have you ever taken a tab of acid in a graveyard just to see what happens? Or have you ever felt like going hellbent down highway 46 in a silver Porsche 550 Spyder? If you have, it would have been none other than the Central Coast’s own Idiosyncracy providing the soundtrack to your demise, with their eerie guitars, pummeling bass lines, and fast paced drums, as you crash head on into a diesel truck.

Formed in early 2007, Idiosyncracy has had their fair share of troubles, as every band has, but this progressive Psychobilly band continues to get better and better with time and the occasional lineup change. Lynt Magazine recently sat in on a practice session with the band, as they were cranking out new tunes to go into the studio with, to find out what their music is all about.

The leader of the band is Nick Darway. He has unusually tall, blonde hair that sticks straight up over the top of his stand up bass. He not only has a good look going for him, he can also slap the shit out of his bass as he belts out the lead vocals. The rest of the current lineup is rounded out by the finger picking, killer guitar player and backup vocalist, Eric Swason, and Ryan Nickell, who is a phenomenal and incredibly young drummer. Together they form a new band that is, as Nick told Lynt, “trying to do something different.” They are doing so by incorporating different musical styles and genres into a genre that has, according to Eric, “gotten kind of stagnant.”

The band blends influences of post punk, dark new wave, psychedelic elements, and country music with obscure lyrics that are as Nick, who is the primary writer, states, “are more so about life and life experiences.” Some examples include his anxiety problems, problems with drug addiction, slight nudges at Christianity, relationships gone sour, and also Norse paganism. If these topics don’t appeal to you, well, that’s tough shit. The real reasons why these talented musicians make music in the first place is to make what they want to hear because, as Nick put it, “I’m tired of hearing what I don’t like.”

If you are a fan of other Psychobilly bands such as The Quakes and Batmobile, or an old Alternative Punk band like The Gun Club, then Lynt Magazine definitely recommends you to check out Idiosyncracy immediately. It would only make you ears have an orgasm to give these down to earth musicians a listen. They will not disappoint, especially if you get a chance to see them live. Eric told us they love playing live shows and “will play anywhere, it doesn’t matter.” Now if that is not any indication to book them to play your bris milah or quinceanera or grandmother’s 103rd birthday, then it will be the drugs, alcohol, pools of blood, and good times, which are a standard at their shows, that will have them at the top of your list to perform for your next celebration. So do yourself and your community a favor and support local musical acts like Idiosyncracy and purchase their music. You can check them out on their Myspace page.

www.myspace.com/idiosyncracy1