Hope Drone
Self Titled
OSCL (2013)
Heading over to their Last.fm account, the light hearted description ‘Australian for Deafheaven’ doesn’t exactly seem to serve as an appropriate designation for Brisbane based black metal troupe Hope Drone. Sure, the atypical approach towards standard genre fare is evident, and the lush, wide production on this 4 track release certainly draws parallels. Though it is likely more of a disservice to compare what they are trying to achieve here with the efforts of the highly divisive San-Francisco outfit. Straying away from the saccharine post-whatever trending the genre today, Hope Drone’s self-titled achieves in marrying the existential, woe-filled black metal vertebrae with an interesting interpretation of what some elitists might refer to as a desecration of the genre - though there is no such desecration here. Hope Drone typifies its approach towards convention with no emphasis upon innovation. Rather, this release focuses on further segmenting and stylising the, at times, flourishing Australian black metal scene. ‘Advent’ starts off interestingly enough; with the first two minutes being dedicated to a certain atmospheric feedback / tom beat fuse length. Come time of detonation, the styling is that of undoubtedly typical black metal convention – though there’s no doubt it works effectively. The … Read more
Papermoons
No Love
Deep Elm (2013)
The press blurb that accompanies Texas-based indie folk duo Papermoons' sophomore album No Love claims that "the idea that you … Read more
Steve Adamyk Band
Third
Dirtnap (2013)
Sometimes calling something the “[insert record label]” sound is meant in a derisive way. Before the clichés came home, however, … Read more
Frank Turner
Tape Deck Heart
Interscope (2013)
Tape Deck Heart is a transition album for Frank Turner. Not only for his music career, but it seems like … Read more
