Clandestine Cuts #10 - Feat. Crimson Blue, De Profvndis Clamati, Fractalline, Helsott, Isolation In Infamy, Ogen, Weapon
| Written by: | Doc G., Ivor, Troy Killjoy, X-Ray Rod, Ag Fox, Thryce |
| Published: | July 01, 2011 |
Clandestine Cuts #10
Demo/EP Spotlight
Just because it's slightly pale, rotting of decay, and turned over in a gutter doesn't mean it's dead. Defying all expectations, Clandestine Cuts has successfully lived until it's 10th issue, so happy birthday CC! Here's to another couple dozen!
In case your new at this, you still got time to go back and give our previous issues a listen:
Clandestine Cuts #5
Clandestine Cuts #6
Clandestine Cuts #7
Clandestine Cuts #8
Clandestine Cuts #9
Voting Closed on January 10, 2012
| Crimson Blue - Iceland http://www.myspace.com/crimsonbluelab/music Nu Art Metal, you say? Heh, what else is nu around here? Jokes aside, though, this might be one hell of a début album in the making. What you will hear is a female fronted prog. That's already something as there are not that many or enough around, I'd say. But besides that the genre label is quite an accurate one. The band is drawing influences all around, from Tool to Dream Theater to To-Mera, and, yes, adding bits of nu metal along the lines of Korn. Listening to this demo you'll hear various moments that you know so painfully well from the best of the scene, and yet the band blend it together and make it their own and interesting. Not as aggressive and edgy as you'd guess from the description but undoubtedly beautiful. As this is a demo, some songs suffer quality-wise but if the ideas and direction stay and make it on the début album, that'll be one big treat! by Ivor |  |
 | De Profvndis Clamati - In Between Passionate Minnuendos http://www.myspace.com/deprofvndisclamati Funeral doom can be one of two things, both of which can be executed well or poorly. One form of funeral doom is the calming, harmonious, seemingly enchanting escape into a fantasy world that all but leaves behind the stresses of the daily grind. Another form is the murky, low-fi aggressive form of funeral doom that all but makes your life seem less distressing than the soul-crushing music coming through your speakers. De Profvndis Clamati belong to the former variety, burying your hopes and dreams in a field of desolation, only to replace it with a glimmering portal that leads to beautiful parallel universe. The ethereal melodies make for an easy transition into the cloudless wonder beyond, with an instrumental introduction featuring a seductive piano and an uplifting symphony that is all but obliterated by the monstrous growls in the EP's concluding second track. Enjoy floating above the rest of us while we watch from an ever-growing distance... by Troy Gallant |
| Fractalline - Infinite Entropy http://www.myspace.com/fractalline Fractalline is the kind of death metal outfit your mom would describe as that weird band where someone screams a lot. In case a broken rhythm pattern falls under your definition of technical, then you can also call them technical. In my solar system we just call it technical for the sake of being technical. The five-tracker has its moments though. Especially when they drop the whole "weedily-weedily" gimmick and get more straightforward on your ass. Then you'll instantly mosh your way into a concrete wall. Ideal as a tasty in-between snack. by Thryce |  |
 | Helsott - Folkvangr http://www.myspace.com/helsott Pagan Metal! You know...the Viking imagery...by Americans? Whether it's authentic or not, I guess Helsott sort of got the spirit correct with some added sugar, but the music still leaves a lot to be desired. It's evident that they are skilled with their instruments whilst both the clean female vocals and harsh male ones are not bad either, but what's lacking here is a correct production and songwriting abilities. As much as I love cheesy keyboard-drenched metal, the ones here present on this EP really irk me in two ways. Firstly, it's overwhelming despite its "veiled"/clogged up sound. You know, like someone speaking with their fingers pinching both of their nostrils but still loud enough for the whole room to hear. Secondly, intros aside, the keys tend to play the exact same melody as the guitars. Had there been a separate line of melody for it that actually compliments the music rather than just being there for the sake of adding an extra layer that smothers everything else, it would have been considerably more enjoyable. As for now, those diabetic towards melodic keyboards and clean female vocals better start monitoring their blood glucose levels. by Ag Fox |
| Isolation In Infamy - Isolation In Infamy http://www.myspace.com/isolationininfamy Isolation In Infamy plays technical death metal... That is all. ...Unfortunately I have to try a little harder and not write just one sentence, but seriously guys... You've heard this before. Forming in 2007 with a demo from 2008 and this self-titled EP, this American band plays this kind of technical death metal with some melodic leads here and there that has been done a gazillion times before and better. They sure as hell know how to use their instruments though since there's enough variation of riffs and there's just the right amount of blastbeats. I can see how this might be interesting for someone who has never listened to this kind of music before but for all the metalheads and their moms around the globe, this isn't news. If I have to name one positive aspect is the low amount of needless wankery that is so abundant within this kind of music but it's the lack passion and feeling of déjà vu that damages my opinion of this EP. by Mr. Doctor |  |
 | Ogen - Black Metal Undound http://www.myspace.com/ogenblackmetal Bold claim there Ogen, bold claim. Black metal unbound? Hardly. Quite the contrary, actually. It sounds like atmospheric brand black metal completely bound in a safe little comfort zone, occasionally wriggling toward something with a little more ingenuity, but falling flat. In fact, this is so typical 90% of the time a title like Black Metal Unbound seems almost self-mocking in a way. The only thing that doesn't make this a generic EP in it's entirety is the occasional Enslaved worship. Without a doubt someone will find some value in this, as there is a tendency to worship anything that strafes even slightly out of complete blandness. All I'm hearing is "Yeah, we play generic black metal, but sometimes we have clean vocals!" by Doc Godin |
| Weapon Of Choice - The Rebellion http://www.myspace.com/weaponofchoicekills/music As if they were in a hurry to put their skills to the test, the Canadian assault that is Weapon Of Choice begins their tight EP with "Descent". Giving us one fast and aggressive thrash riff after another with very vicious vocals. Pissed as all hell, this band brings us a cool formula of thrash with touches of hardcore, death metal and a good sense of groove from time to time. Think something reminiscent of The Haunted and add some details of good deathroll riffs a la Entombed to spice things up a little bit and you'll have an idea about what this band will present you. Here we have a band that promises us a fair deal of nice things. It's not very original or complicated (this style of metal is hardly any of those things) but the performance, passion and overall coolness of this band is highly appreciated by yours truly. by Mr. Doctor |  |
Comments
Comments: 20
Visited by: 131 users
| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374  |
Gonna listen to the rest of the bunch soon. Just want to say that I'm really glad with Weapon Of Choice. Really vicious music. Long time since I've heard this kind of metal sounding so autentic and fun. Really diggin the vocals too. The first track "Descent" is pretty damn cool. EDIT: Shit, guys edit the myspace of WoC asap. This is the real one http://www.myspace.com/weaponofchoicekills
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Staff Posts: 9718  |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 01.07.2011 at 11:42 Speaking of Weapon Of Choice...The link we have there (which either Troy found himself, or you gave Troy), is the incorrect one. In the midst of fixing it. In the meantime, I believe this is the right link: http://www.myspace.com/weaponofchoicekills/music
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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| BloodTears ANA-thema Elite Posts: 11835  |
I'm interested in the proggy stuff for now. I'll listen to that and maybe some others.
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by Doc G. on 01.07.2011 at 11:47 I just posted that on the box a few minutes ago. Is it possible that you or someone else can edit it? o___o
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Staff Posts: 9718 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 01.07.2011 at 11:49 PM'd. Being taken care of ASAP.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62014  |
Visial look , I just look to all covers and Ogen would be my vote if I wont listen and (even I know this italian band before) it was so hard to choose between De Profvndis Clamati and Ogen .....so in end because I like doom lil better I vote for De Profvndis Clamati, but Ogen might win my best album artworek price in 2011 ..... other bands not worth to try IMO
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Hopefully it won't be arrogant to vote for my own write-up but I seriously think that Weapon Of Choice was the best one here  A great amount of energy, groovy moments, cool vocals and there's no really a filler on that EP. Solid music.Found the others totally forgetable and some quite terrible tbh. Didn't dig the first one AT ALL 
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Ivor Staff Posts: 5492  |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 01.07.2011 at 23:08 That's kinda your problem, innit, doom-kid?  I.
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by Ivor on 01.07.2011 at 23:45 The music was actually pretty good but the vocals were like... well.. bad.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Ivor Staff Posts: 5492 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 02.07.2011 at 00:00 And there I was thinking I could call you Little-Marcel next.  I don't know what have you got against her vocals, they are more than just good, tad unpolished but still very good.I.
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by Ivor on 02.07.2011 at 00:04 What band am I listening to? I hear no female vocals on Crimson Blue.... I think you have the wrong link buddy
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Ivor Staff Posts: 5492 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 02.07.2011 at 00:10 Umm.... now there's a misshap.  http://www.myspace.com/crimsonbluelab. Gotta fix this, I don't know how Luke messed it up.I.
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| Ivor Staff Posts: 5492 |
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| Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Staff Posts: 9718 |
Written by Ivor on 02.07.2011 at 00:31 I was just copying what I was given.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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| qlacs "The Quaker" Posts: 1547  |
I've heard Fractalline's EP a few times, not bad actually.
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| Susan Smeghead Elite Posts: 6941  |
-Crimson Blue is quite impressive. Love the prominent bass on some of the songs, especially on Flax which has a nice kind of sludgey feeling. And in the band pic... SHE HAS A KEYTAR! I think I'm in love. One thing that does make me cautious about Crimson Blue is that judging from the songs on myspace they are pretty inconsistent. With each song they sort of jump around between a few styles. It never really comes together in one song, instead each song is a new "side" of them. If they could blend a bit more it would be magic but as it stands now, it's like they aren't sure what they want to do yet. -Helsott was nice. They do what they do well, and their integration of several sub-genres was also nice. This was never "fun" viking metal or anything too cheesy, instead it incorporated some nice bits of black metal and varied tempo enough to stay interesting. I agree with Ag 100% though that, "but what's lacking here is a correct production and songwriting abilities." Maybe a better production would improve my imagination but as much as I like the music I can't help but feel like I'm listening to some awesome local band who is happy to be opening for a real tour. Definite potential though.. I'll keep my eye out for them. -Weapon of Choice... I'm not necessarily a thrash fan but these guys really have their shit together. At this stage of the game, that's huge. Maybe I should BECOME a thrash fan, this is quite decent. -Let's not forget the lovely and beautiful De Profvndis Clamati. Good issue this month! I still haven't decided who to vote for. 
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by Susan on 05.07.2011 at 19:11 I'm far from being a thrash fan as well. I only like a very small amount of bands so you can imagine I was surprised with this stuff. They really got their shit together and the EP is very tight and with the filler amount at minimun. Love the more hardcore-inspired vocals he do (specially the crazy screams on the first track), they add a little more. The groove riffs also helped a lot. In all the previous CC I usually voted for the most original band but in this case I found too much passion in this guys to not vote for them.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| WeaponofChoice Posts: 1 |
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by WeaponofChoice on 08.07.2011 at 00:52 I highly appreciate your kind words. Wish you guys the best luck for your debut as I will wait for it and I'm curious about what you can do. As long as you guys can keep the passion and energy in the music, any changes will be welcome  Cheers!
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Ag Fox Angel No More Elite Posts: 4774  |
Finally got around to check all of them out. Weapon Of Choice just had that extra bite to edge an otherwise pretty enjoyable Fractalline
---- loves 小巫
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