Advent Calendar 2014 English
Thou from Baton Rouge are the mightiest doom force on the planet for some time now, as their spotless, overwhelming discography impressivly proves. And still, 2014 will be remembered as a unprecedented peak in the bands history, with one stroke of genious after the other: 'Heathen' and 'The Sacrifice' and 'Released from Love', the first of two epic collaboration with The Body, which will find it's imposing continuation in 2015. And while a visit to Europe seems to remain a pipe dream for now, Thou do the honors and take care of day 24 in the Heavy Pop advent calendar: guitarist Andy Gibbs presents some of his albums of the year.
It is known that there might be up to six years between records by The Notwist; also that each and every second of waiting time between them is probably worth it. 'Close to the Glass' is another demonstration for this, by not only being a prime example for all their strenghts, but also being their most diverse and layered work to date. This isn’t the only thing that is nourishing for the next few years, The Notwist stay present even outside of their album: the so far limited edition only collection '[amazon_link id="B00QG15R6Y" target="_blank" ]The Messier Objects[/amazon_link]' gets a regular release soon, and on top of that there’s another tour pending (including a visit to Graz on March 25th 2015). Meanwhile, Markus Acher tells us his recommendations of the past months for the Heavy Pop advent calendar.
"We once were another band, and now we're a better one". That’s what it reads on Cult Leaders Facebook page. No empty words, as 'Nothing For Us Here' makes clear in merely 18 minutes. While the debut EP of the Salt Lake City four piece could have happened in the shadows of the almighty Gaza all too easily, the six songs effortlessly demonstrate that Cult Leader will have no troubles leaving the precursor band in the rearview mirror. So their first full length can't come soon enough. In the meanwhile Cult Leader told us which records left their peers in said mirror in this past year 2014 for the Heavy Pop advent calendar.
After the impressing EP marathon of the past years and a spontaneus detour into the business of brewing, Gnarwolves – probably the most outstanding hit machine on the gateway from pop to skate punk – let themselves be talked around to releasing their first full lenght. In our interview during their visit to Vienna, the Brighton three piece recommended us some records for the Heavy Pop advent calendar.
Melt-Banana did not promise too much: with 'Longhena' Gridlink released the best grind record of the year, and maybe also the last act of their peaking carreer. Jon Chang not only found the time to tell us about his favourite records of this past year 2014 for the Heavy Pop advent calender, he’s also giving out presents left and right: countless demos from all phases of Gridlink are on his Dropbox – and his Facebook page is always worth a look.
Toby Driver already has an idea where the next album will bring his band. Listening to their last album 'Coffins on Io', the most headstrong pop album of 2014, which Kayo Dot used to invent themselves anew, to expand their horizon over to spacestations floating trapped in an 80s timeloop, one hast o think: anything is possible. Until then Mr. Driver tells us which records accompanied him through the year 2014 – and we hope to see him and his band in Europe in 2015.
Back from the dancefloor they played four years ago, Die Sterne dip their pop-toes into psychedelic and souly waters on 'Flucht in die Flucht', but specifically tighten their rock-strings – and succeed in securing their spot as one of the most dependable bands of the german speaking area. On the 15th day oft he Heavy Pop advent calendar, vocalist Frank Spilker tells us, which songs impressed him the most in 2014.
Whoever thought Oozing Wound needed to regenerate after last years raging effort 'Retrash' could not have reckoned with the overflowing energy of the Chicago three-piece: not only did the jewel in the crown that is Thrill Jockey shine with an incredible split with Black Pus and a mean Adult Swim single, 2014 also saw an added ounce of heaviness behind the glorious Artwork of their second album 'Earth Suck'. Oozing Wound don’t leave much to be desired, except for maybe the one thing of being able to see them taking apart European stages.
„Bleed it out! Bleed it out! Bleed it out!“, truly: few other records in 2014 mistreaded their listeners as adamant as White Suns 'Totem', this unapologetic balancing-act between the extremes, that bestowed the California based label The Flenser with one of their most mercyless highlights of their year not poor in highlights. And with their third album being an exceptional case, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the list for the Heavy Pop advent calender by the Brooklyn three-piece is of the unorthodox kind.
2014 has been a great year for Metal in generel, and Doom specifically. With their debut on Napalm Records, 'Blood Eagle' Conan achieve their spot on the podium almost effortless, and edge out the qualities of the already fantastic 'Monnos': six songs, six kicks to the face, processed into the homogenic context of their depressingly spotless discography. On day 14 of the Heavy Pop advent calendar, the doom masters tell us what’s spinning on their record tables.
