Rock Around The World: Part One (Mexico, France, Japan, Australia)

I'm back! Sorry about the lack of posts these last few weeks, but I've been really busy organising a band night at my college! I would post more details, but I don't want to inadvertently give away the name of my Sixth Form... let's just say that the concert took a LOT of planning; it went ahead the other day and it was fantastic! And now that it's over, I have a bit more time on my hands to write articles here. So without any further ado, here's an article that I've been thinking about writing for a while now...

Everyone knows that the biggest rock and metal bands are generally from Britain and America. There are exceptions, of course - Rammstein, Nightwish and Sabaton are a few that come to mind. But on the whole, music from countries outside of the UK/America gets ignored by radio stations, magazines and other forms of music media. Here's my contribution to reversing that trend. Welcome to the first part (of two) of my 'Rock Around The World' feature, in which I review tracks by artists from all 7 continents of the globe.

#1 - Mexico, North America

First off, we're in Mexico, where the post-hardcore band Words can be found. Their track 'We Are The Coldest' was released last year, and quite frankly it's awesome. The band blends killer guitar riffs, screaming, melodic singing and powerful metal drumming effortlessly, creating material that seems like it would sound perfect on a live stage. Like all good metal tracks, 'We Are The Coldest' has a heavy and powerful pulse throughout which makes headbanging irresistible, and mosh pitting highly likely! If you're a fan of bands like Rise to Remain, (early) We Are The Ocean and Bullet For My Valentine then you should definitely give these guys a listen.

You can check them out at www.youtube.com/user/wordstheband and www.facebook.com/wordstheband

#2 - France, Europe

And now we travel about 5,700 miles to France; the home nation of singer Florent Mothe. You probably won't have heard of him if you live outside of France, but he has quite a following in his home country. He started his career by composing and playing his own rock and metal tracks, before becoming famous for appearing in the musical Mozart l'Opera Rock. More recently he has released his electro-pop debut solo single 'Je Ne Sais Pas' from the album 'Rock In Chair', which is due to be released next month. His career spans many genres - metal fans should check out his early songs 'Goodbye' and 'Walk The Line', in which his voice sounds similar to those of classic metal singers like Bruce Dickinson, but with the unique edge that has made his career such a success to date. Fans of musicals definitely need to listen to 'Le Bien Qui Fait Mal' and 'Vivre à en Crever' from Mozart l'Opera Rock, because they are powerful, passionate and catchy as heck! And more mainstream pop fans should have a listen to his latest single - 'Je Ne Sais Pas' is one of those songs that you'll listen to once, and then you'll be singing it in your head for the next two weeks.

In fact, here it is, embedded into the blog so you can listen to it right here and right now! Be prepared, this song is as addictive as 'Gangnam Style'...



#3 - Japan, Asia

And now for another metal group; this time from Japan. Lynch. is a five-piece metal band, who have released 6 albums and 11 singles (the first of which is entitled 'A Grateful Shit'... I'll let you come to your own conclusions on what that song is about...) since their formation in 2004. One of those tracks is 'Liberation Chord' - a two-minute-and-fifty-second romp through basically every aspect of the metal genre. There are quiet moments, with acoustic guitars and solemn singing. There are loud, aggressive moments with screaming vocals, screaming guitars and drums that have been hit as hard as Europe was by the recession. There are moments that sit comfortably between these two polar opposites. And even better, all of these sounds work together; the song sounds completely connected throughout, connected by a single thread, the single sound that makes Lynch. unique. The only problem with this track is that the end comes much too soon; but you can't blame Lynch. for purposely leaving their fans wanting more.

#4 - Australia, Oceania

Single artwork, © Silverchair

 Scrolling through a playlist of songs by Australian artists, something about 'Straight Lines' by the chart-topping alternative rockers 'Silverchair' (who are now on hiatus, sadly) caught my attention. I can't really put my finger on why - maybe it's the singer's very individual, androgynous and above all talented voice. Maybe it's the band's genre mash-up - their music is slightly reminiscent of Coldplay, as they take elements of indie music in the general laid-back feel of 'Straight Lines', elements of classic rock in their guitar tones and elements of electronica in their use of keyboards throughout. There's even something funk-like about the basic but complex-sounding rhythms played by their drummer. Whatever it is, I like 'Silverchair's sound. It's easy to listen to, relaxed and above all it just sounds new - and that's why 'Straight Lines' made me stop and listen. It sounds fresh.

'Straight Lines' is available to listen to on the band's Myspace page, over at www.myspace.com/silverchair

Stay tuned to the blog, because soon I'll be posting Rock Around The World: Part Two, in which I'll review material from South America, Africa and Antarctica! Until then, check out Words, Florent Mothe, Lynch. and Silverchair, and leave a comment on my blog saying what you think of them!

Rock on,
PsyD