Yet another quick classic from our friends to the East in the form of a new split EP entitled Golden Dance Classics featuring Boris, this time paired with 9dw, an electro-jazz fusion band also from Japan. Once again Boris shines with bright and unrelenting tracks that feature washed-out guitar riffs over blasting drumwork and whip-crack electronics, while 9dw brings their best work to the table as well, stripping away the former band’s shoegaze elements in favor of a dancier, more techno sound that nonetheless doesn’t delve into the realm of kitsch and instead noodles into abstraction and experimentalism. Overall a very worthwhile and interesting EP, very bright and sunny compared to the split with Torche and an excellent addition for any Boris completionist (cough cough, including Cannibal Cheerleader faithful!). Check it:
On the Boris front, don’t forget the band will be contributing a sizable amount of music to Jim Jarmusch’s new flick The Limits of Control about a lone wolf criminal and his travels through Spain. The film will hopefully receive a wide-run (or at least a DVD release) soon so keep your eyes peeled and check out the trailer below until then!
Sludge-metal gods Boris have teamed up recently with alt-metal juggernauts Torche for some ear-sundering, metal castigation in the form of a brilliant new split EP entitled Chapter Ahead Being Fake (that’s the incredible cover art up there). Featuring a barn-burner of a Torche track called “King Beef” and one of the best Boris aural assaults in recent memory with the gripping twelve-plus minute “Luna”, the EP is certainly worth the cash if only for that sweet vinyl smell. Check out both tracks below but be sure and purchase it people – Satan is so watching you.
BORIS BLOWS AUSTIN AWAY It goes without saying that when it comes to metal, Japanese trio Boris remains in a completely different league than the majority of other ‘heavy’ bands working today. With a combination of sludge, drone, and stoner metal built on top of a framework of mind-blowing virtuosity by guitarist Wata, guitarist/vocalist/bassist Takeshi, and drummer Atsuo, one could expect the band to put on a live show that borders on perfection. Saturday here in Austin at the Mohawk, Boris did not disappoint. While opener Clouds experimented with melodic metal and Torche brought the requisite crunch-factor that metal-heads crave, the Boris experience was near mystical, as they whipped through tracks from their latest LP Smile as well as cuts from Pink with the help of master guitarist and special unannounced guest Michio Kurihara (who assisted the band on their Rainbow LP). As the smoke machine billowed around the band who played loose and free during their entire set, the audience quickly became mesmerized, only snapping from their metal-induced haze at the end of each extended cut, which was ultimately followed by rapturous applause. Starting slowly with “Flower Sun Rain”, Boris built up speed through the entire set before eventually settling on such fantastic cuts from Smile such as “My Neighbor Satan” and ending on a sublime note, leaving the audience begging for more. Ultimately Boris proved that metal can be an avant-garde art form, melodic and breathtaking in its head-banging fury, all while treating Austin to the heaviest show it might see this year. Here are a ton of pictures I took at Mohawk and a cut from their latest LP. Enjoy! Boris Wata Takeshi Atsuo Michio Kurihara Clouds Torche Boris – “My Neighbor Satan” ******************************************************************** GRAND OLE PARTY ON MTV2 It appears that our old friends from San Diego Grand Ole Party are tearing it up on MTV2, as their video for “Look Out Young Son”, a choice cut from their Humanimals LP is now in rotation according to the trio. Definitely keep an eye out for it and check the rad video below.
Grand Ole Party – “Look Out Young Son” ******************************************************************** HEADLIGHTS NEW DAYTROTTER SESSION Illinois-natives Headlights have just put up a new Daytrotter Session and it includes a great rendition of their hit from Some Racing, Some Stopping “Cherry Tulips”. According to the band’s Myspace:
“All these songs were re-invented for the Daytrotter sessions. We used all the great vintage gear — old keyboards and an upright bass, loop pedals and what not. They have really cool toys.”
Thanks everyone for readings and thanks to Treasure Mammal for stopping by my work yesterday even though I missed his show! He’s a really great guy so be sure and check him out! Any comments?
Yet another quick classic from our friends to the East in the form of a new split EP entitled Golden Dance Classics featuring Boris, this time paired with 9dw, an electro-jazz fusion band also from Japan. Once again Boris shines with bright and unrelenting tracks that feature washed-out guitar riffs over blasting drumwork and whip-crack electronics, while 9dw brings their best work to the table as well, stripping away the former band’s shoegaze elements in favor of a dancier, more techno sound that nonetheless doesn’t delve into the realm of kitsch and instead noodles into abstraction and experimentalism. Overall a very worthwhile and interesting EP, very bright and sunny compared to the split with Torche and an excellent addition for any Boris completionist (cough cough, including Cannibal Cheerleader faithful!). Check it:
