Fate - Odyssey (Best of/Compilation)

Genre : Experimental Brutal Death Metal

Country : France

OMFG DEATH METAL BAND WITH A DJ!!

Well, that pretty much sums up why this band is labelled 'Experimental'. But I must add the scratches are added tastefully and not overdone so it merges with the riffs and does not stick out like a sore thumb. This is a compilation and the Dj was only for one album so don't expect scratches on every track.

As far as the BDM part goes, there's nothing ground breaking happening here. The riffs sound similar to say Devourement and Dying Fetus but they do pull off quite a few surprised by doing so. The vocals are quite strong and mainly grind influenced. Get this album if you'd like to hear something new that hasn't been done bad.

Enjoy!

Akphaezya - Anthology II: Links from the Dead Trinity

Genre : Avant-garde Gothic/Progressive Metal with Jazz and World Fusion influences.

Country : France

Hailing from the highly innovative French Metal scene is Akphaezya combining Progressive Metal with some very enjoyable soft Jazz, samples of instruments from across the world and some harsh vocals for aggression and packing it all tight into one album. The album almost effortlessly shifts genres, be it piano driven easy listen jazz to distorted guitars with harsh vocals and back, every track on this album has something new to offer.
One of the reasons why this album is so interesting is the vocalist and painist Nehl Aëlin who can pull of growls, extemely fast high pitched singing, operatic yet non sopranoish vocals, broadway vocals, eastern tone and whispers and utilizing them at precisely right time to perfectly complement the music played.
As far as the music goes, at some points your not quite sure which instrument is being played and the transitions between some bass and drum thumping to a sweeping melody with piano and guitars to a very catchy chorus is executed flawlessly. The inclusion of samples from various cultures to their music has not been overdone and is an added advantage to their music. Well fitted and memorable solos, a very clear bass tone, joyful piano and complementing drums make this album a memorable listen.
Approach with an open mind and you should love this.

Enjoy!

Afterlives - A Ticking Clock I Couldn't Stop

Genre : Ambient/Rock/Experimental

Coming from the eccentric ENEMIES LIST HOME RECORDINGS label, this project appears to be a mellower expansion of the more ambient tracks from Have A Nice Life. Combining acoustics with some noise influenced ambiance and sorrowful vocals and by adding some drony atmospheres and psychedelic components, this album leaves you gloomy and oddly refreshed at the same time.
The album is mainly driven by seemingly loose, lazy strumming but when combined with some percussive beats and other added effects,this album gives much more for the listener to divulge in. Best enjoyed on a cloudy day when everything around appears to be moving at a lower pace than it should.

Enjoy!