Acrania - An Uncertain Collision

For about two years now, I've been waiting for a band that combines my favorite sub-genre (Death Metal) with my favorite woodwind (Saxophone).  That band has finally arrived.  Acrania are actually a diverse Metal/Jazz hybrid with influnces reaching far back into Mexico's ethnic history as well as modern Metal that most of us grew up with.  This isn't just a regular Death Metal band with some sax solos (although that would be pretty sweet).  An Uncertain Collision is primarily driven by Jazz and latino rhythm styles that create a very loose feel, almost danceable.  The multi-layered drumming is also incredible, so good that it slightly overshadows the rest of the band.  But that's ok, as I'm sure we've all heard enough metronomic blast-beats to last us the rest of our lives.  Not just some nerdy white guy talking about "exotic" far away cultures that he's only read about, Acrania are the real deal, showcasing their own musical heritage.

it's in the trees, it's coming!

Ephel Duath - The Painter's Pallette

It'd quite strange that I never listened to this band until today.  Usually I go apeshit for super-proggy metal like this.  Jazzier than the usual prog stuff I post, but still has enough impact and structure to satisfy me.  Surprising that the former singer of the Nu Metal band Crisis (that I'm sure none of you are fans of) has recently joined this band.  Sonically, I would say this sounds like a pretty even mix of Alamaailman Vasarat and Ihsahn.  Go for it.

 

 

duath-ity of man

Alamaailman Vasarat - Käärmelautakunta

Man, where to start with this band?  Combining Klezmer, Jazz, Metal, Prog Rock, and even funeral dirges is such a tall task, it's no wonder no one has tried it before.  Hardly anyone is audacious enough to bring such far-separated genres together, and there are probably just as few people who really "get it" and enjoy this sort of thing.  Trying to do so without the use of guitars or vocals makes things even harder... or easier? (I don't know).  I just know that Alamaailman Vasara seem to have succeeded.  As you might expect from the stylistic combo, the speed, heaviness, and mood vary greatly, but that level of drama is necessary to keep things interesting in an instrumental setting.  Like the "typical" stuff I post here, there's still plenty of power; it's just that the chugging riffs are coming from cellos and the screams are coming from blaring horns.  It's true that I would prefer more distortion on the strings and some blast-beats, but these guys aren't trying to be John Zorn.  What's on offer here is much more balanced and tonal than that, while still being original and challenging.  

cello puddin'

Merkabah - Lyonesse

Here's something very unusual coming from me; a modern fusion band of sorts.  I'm not exactly sure what to call this: jazzcore, post-rock, fusion, punk jazz...  but I do know it's good.  Even with all the jazz influence, rhythmically, they're still a rock band.  You still got a heavy-handed drummer and a solid riff-oriented base.  What really gives this album it's jazz feel is the pulsing and fluttering alto saxophone; and what a sweet tone it has.  As a cohesive unit, the band is rock solid, all playing off each other and allowing equal space for all instruments.  There's also a great feel going on here, as this album was recorded live.  You can think of this as a much more listenable and structured alternative to noisier Jazzcore bands like Painkiller and Zu.  People into a more traditional jazz sound might not like this (especially with the lack of bass), but I think this is the perfect vision for what modern fusion should be: the hard beat and riff-driven structure of rock, with the instrumentation and trance-like improvisational leads of jazz. 

They've put this up themselves for free legal download below.  You'll be impressed by this band, I promise.

http://merkabahpl.bandcamp.com/