And So I Watch You From Afar - And So I Watch You From Afar (2009)

Explosive, threatening, hypnotic; there are many words to describe the sound of "And So I Watch You From Afar ", but predictable certainly is not one of them. On their self-titled debut album the Northern Irish instrumental rock quartet delivers pure creative genius. Somewhere between slow-grinding viciousness and manic outbursts, they manage to build impressive walls of sound. Though clearly inspired by 80's punk and hardcore as well as classic stadium rock and metal, their music is so diverse and playful that it hardly fits into any common idea of genre. Exciting with a capital E!

1.) Set Guitars To Kill

2.) A Little Bit Of Solidarity Goes Along The Way

3.) Clench Fists, Grit Teeth...Go!

4.) I Capture Castles

5.) Start A Band

6.) Tip Of The Hat, Punch In The Face

7.) If It Ain't Broke, Break It!

8.) TheseRiotsAreJustTheBeginning

9.) Don't Waste Time Doing Things You Hate

10.) The Voiceless

11.) Eat The City, Eat It Whole

 

Yakuza - Way of the Dead (2002)

Yakuza's 2002 debut sounds like something Mike Patton and the Dillinger Escape Plan might record during a crystal meth binge. Vicious thrashing and grinding parts alternate with free jazz saxophone (!) solos and calm,  ambient moments. On top of it all floats vocalist Bruce Lamont's incredible voice. Lamont hums, sings, and goes ballistic, while the band takes its time to built complex, almost mathematical structures, just to finally collapse into raw chaos and apocalyptic breakdowns.  

1.) Vergasso

2.) Miami Device

3.) Yama

4.) Signal 2.42

5.) T.M.S.

6.) Chicago Typewriter

7.) Obscurity

8.) 01000011110011