Utopia Platafórmica

  Shoegazy Alternative I am old enough to have live through the Nu Metal era and see how it impacted on the global Music scene. As a young lad, one would despise many of the bands labelled as Nu Metal, and praise those that rebelled against it, putting out music that was even more brutal than what they did before, as a way to show a sort of “fear us, weaklings” attitude. Looking back at it, it made no sense, and it only showed a caveman behaviour one tends to associate with Heavy Metal. Today, I ignore what does not have an impact on me. I like it, I listen to it, I do not like it, I do not listen to it. Is it not simple? Indeed, it is… I did enjoy some of the bands that were “thrown” into the pit of emotionless and unclassy music, because they were – and still are – actually great musicians, that really never lived the scene, never rode that wave, per se. A band like the Deftones, for instance, one can consider them as being part of such scene to a certain extent, yes; however...

  Kire “Carta de Despedida” (La Plaga D.I.Y., 2024) I believe the first artist I heard, that sang in Spanish, was Julio Iglesias, a massive romantic singer that was, before becoming an artist, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper. Now that is one odd equation. Well, time went by, and I discovered a different band: Héroes del Silencio; and 90ies kids will definitely remember the name. I lived close to the boarder, so I had an almost constant contact with their music on TV and on the radio. They were never a favourite of mine, but it did open the way for me to appreciate music sang in Spanish, and that first record is good. Fast forward a bunch of years, and we have Kire and their “Carta de Despedida”. And this is a really cool and enthusiastic album! It has Punk, it has Pop melodies, it has a bit of that Spanish Punk sound, it has a bunch of elements that make a kick-ass release! It is all in the melodies the band puts out, all in the melodies. Spanish language does have a melodic side to i...

  Congruity “Inferno” (BoneSaw Entertainment, 2024)   Before jumping to the most recent one, allow me to recommend their previous, a split with Hate Disposal, where the band offers a fantastic example of their experience and quality, and where I first heard the band. It took me a while, I know… November 2024, and Congruity comes forward with a new release: “Inferno”. This 6-track EP was released by BoneSaw Entertainment, and it shows the band taking their Death Metal to higher levels. Blasting production, no doubt about it. All crystal clear and clean. And what this does, is giving the music a lot more power and energy! And all done by the band. Kudos to you, gentlemen. I dare say they had more Black Metal elements in their Split with Hate Disposal, but maybe I am mistaken. Victor’s vocals are overwhelming! They take over the music, making themselves shown and heard! Overall, Congruity’s Death Metal is all an Old School Death Metal fan needs, and requires, from a Death M...

  Thromdaar “NorthStorm Arrives” (Solistitium Records, 2000) 24 years ago, a band from Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme, Finland, released their full-length, “NorthStar Arrives”, on Solistitium Records (a label that is making a comeback). In its time, it was not seen as a massive release, but more of a standard record. And that is not bad at all. I like standard albums! So why did I jump into it? Well, I was checking some of the label’s releases from the Past, and Finland hit. If you are looking for Black Metal played the old way, you got it. This is a melodic release, and not an ultra-fast one! It has bits of Black Metal, of Heavy Metal, and even of Death Metal, in a fusion of genres and sounds. It is a pleasant release, and that is great. One of those records you put on and the sound is great, the guitars are really cool, the vocals are au-point, the drums are straightforward… all in all, the record is a solid one. And at times, this is exactly what I look for: solid and simplistic Bl...

  Traum “Demo 2024” (Torture Palace Productions) Just like Spiritual Disease, Torture Palace is helping in making US Black Metal majestic! We should not forget about Blood and Crescent, of course, but today’s focus is in yet another marvellous release by this quite recent label. Onyxblade and Noctis Bellum were the first releases I got acquainted with, and I cannot tell you how good they are. Every now and then some musicians pop up, and gift us with amazing art, and Torture Palace has been able to capture some of that magic and gather it, making it accessible to everyone. Well, “accessible” might not be the best word, considering how fast their releases disappear. This is Impurus’ first release under the moniker Traum, and what a magnificent piece of Black Metal it is. I dare say that this is perfection, with an Old School sound and atmosphere always present. The riffs are Nordic, the vocals are perfect, and the little details are overwhelming, leaving the listener craving for...

  Hardcore Short Reviews for the Instagram… Power! Now this is a very non-hype shit, right?! Living for social media?! Well, not living for social media, just spreading the Lord’s word on social media, which is very different. Now, who is the Lord?! Starting praise in a few moments… Inner Peace – “Floorbreaker” (2024) Now, what is this?! I was just checking Body Count’s most recent track yesterday, and when I head on over to check these guys from Indianapolis, Indiana, I get the same vibe, the same rage and anger! Thrashy Core I dare say. Like the vocals. Not harsh, not weak, just the necessary power for the music. I like it. Sounds old, with a capital O. Does that make sense to you? It should. 90ies Hardcore is alive and well, in 2024. Go check these guys, for their music is more than just punching and kicking the atmosphere around you. You Should Be With Us – “In Plain Sight” (Delayed Gratification Records, 2024) This is just what I like. Again, it sounds Old, but in ...