Deaf Proof - (2014) Death Sounds Angry... and Hungry for More

The Band was formed in late 2006 by Pedro (d), Holger (b) and Fredo (v/g), later reinforced by Til (g). From that point of time they started jamming and working out their ideas. In autumn 2007 the band split up with guitar-player Til who was replaced by Phil. In early 2008 the band decided to substitute Holger and to search for a new bassplayer. But nevertheless Deaf Proof recorded their first demo that was released in April 2008. The bass on the demo was played by Phil. Deaf Proof found the new four stringer Angus in june 2008. In december the band unfortunately had to search for a new bassplayer again and in march 2009 JP joined the gang. Together they recorded a 2-track live-demo in july. The combo recorded the "Beyond the Orange Door Demo" from autumn 2009 till winter 2012 and released it in april 2013. In april Phil also left band, but Deaf Proof continue as three-piece.

Review

Ever since I first heard the first demo from this German stoner-psyche band back in 2011, and then with last years "Beyond the Orange Door" demo I've kept their name "Deaf Proof" in the back of my head. Hoping to hear something new from this 3-piece outfit. Well the wait was over a few weeks ago when I was sent this new offering.

Three tracks, clocking in at almost 35 minutes, and in those 35 minutes there's enough fuzz and gristle to choke a mountain lion. Along with a bombastic assault of Kyuss flavored desert rock, and heavy doom blues riffs. With just the right amount of chill factor to keep things moving from stem to proverbial stern.

Kick back, load the riff pipe and enjoy this musical endeavor. Deaf Proof have uploaded the whole thing with a "name your price" offering on their Bandcamp page. With the promise of a compact disc (digipack)in the coming weeks.

-Adam Walsh-

Ogre - (2014) The Last Neanderthal

I've spent many hours going backwards, looking towards the future when I could, again, sit down and take another journey with Ogre. Plague of the Planet was one of the best, if not the best recording of 2008 (for those of you who don’t have it, get it). They delivered on all levels with that album – quite simply it was a perfect piece of music. Fast forward six years, and here I am listening to the new release by Ogre. Pissed off, as I was when they decided to call it quits, imagine, to my surprise when I read that they were back together, and getting a new album ready, and what an album it is.

Where the last album was the introduction of the future to come, through the telling of a story, and musically slower, we don’t get that here. Is this bad? Certainly not. The band does a great job of mixing things up. From blistering paced heavy rockers to chemically induced (in my head) doom laden monsters, many times a fierce combination of both. Musically it is quite brilliant in parts, almost prog like, slowed down, then total chaos. There is no doubt they keep you thinking and quite interested throughout the album, as one is never sure what direction they will take a song. In particular the second half of this album just splits the mind apart. I can’t help but think this is some of the best music they have ever laid down on tape. Soulless Woman, Warpath (absolutely devastating), White Plume Mountain (I’m a sucker for a nice interlude) and finally The Hermit. Often dreaming of drifting through space, in a world inside my head, I've looked for that soundtrack that would ease my journey. The Hermit does just that. An absolute epic of a song. 

Ogre are back, and once again delivering the goods. Easily one of the best releases I've had the luxury of hearing this year. You would be sorry if you missed out on this album. Do yourself, your friends, everyone a favor and grab this album. You will not be disappointed. Doom, stoner rock, 70s hard rock, prog… it has it all. Fucking brilliant!  -Will Bissonette

WIS(H)KEY - (2013) Manifesto of New Standards

WIS(H)KEY was born as an idea in 2011, after spending more than 10 years on the road sharing the stage with the most varied musical groups, both domestic and international. The members, being huge fans of styles that do not monopolize the lists of the most successful in the metal panorama as the blues or rock'n'roll bands like CLUTCH, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY & DOWN. They decided to undertake this project just for fun. Thus, by mid-2011 had 13 songs that began recording in their studio in Barcelona ARTEGRAMA STUDIO. They began the recording sessions for what will be an overwhelming first album to be released on November 2011. After that, they decided to test the project, and initiate a publicity campaign for social networks, obtaining a very rewarding result, joining nearly 1000 fans in different social spots they’ve opened. Without further claim that play and play what they like, WIS(H)KEY has passed from being just an idea, to become more than a real thing, more than powerful and more than a simple band. 

Spain's Wis(H)key aren't just another band with a clever name. They are without question a group a talented musicians dead-set on taking the world by storm with their brand of southern groove metal. No, its not gonna blow your mind, but its damn refreshing to hear some good metal these days. Whis(h)key take their roots and hold on tight. Bands like Vision of Disorder, Exodus, Testament and all that bay area thrash stuff from the 80's is present underneath a more modern groove metal and southern metal collision course with Pantera and Machine Head. 

Manifesto of New Standards is full of double bass drum kicks and face melting guitar licks that would make Dimebag smile with black-tooth grin. There are a few lighter moments on the album "Alone (Unreal Loop)" and "Life Grows Wild" (which has an almost Alice in Chains vibe to it)that show the band is diverse and skilled enough to do more than just beat the listener over the head for nearly 50 minutes. Not that there's anything wrong with that.   

-Adam Walsh