STACK #137 Mar 2016

REVIEWS MUSIC

Avantasia Ghostlights Having stunned the power metal world with the first Avantasia album back in 2001, Tobias Sammet continues to dig into what has become a rich mine. His goal of working with a cast of the genre’s biggest names was a hit, creating a trend that continues to this day. Despite the competition, Avantasia remains ahead of the pack due to Sammet’s songwriting skills and his devotion to melodic metal/hard rock. Ghostlights consists of another stellar cast – a list too numerous to mention here – and as expected, is another slick collection of songs built on powerful choruses and massive hooks. (Nuclear Blast/Caroline) Simon Lukic

Hands Like Houses Dissonants Rise Records are presently one of the biggest heavy labels in the world, seemingly able to identify the acts which will fill arenas in years to come. So it’s a fairly massive deal when a band from Canberra are swiftly signed to their stable. And if there are arenas begging to be filled with slick, polished, melodic hardcore and the young, enthused throngs it attracts, then HLH are the ones to do it. Ambient interludes and shuddering breakdowns abound atop Americanised vocals. Dissonants is fairly safe in its approach to modern metal but it’s undeniable in its appeal. (UNFD/Rise Records) Emily Kelly

Iggy Pop Post Pop Depression The much-lauded collaboration of Sir Iggy and Master Homme is here. It’s not what you expect, however. A Queens album with Iggy on vocal duties? Well, kinda – but far more. Gardenia sums up the underlying mood perfectly as any Igster aficionado will attest; he’s just as cheesy and cool as he is brutal and punky. A jazzy freestyle groove

through fancy-pants beats and cheeky quips, you can picture them as the house band for an unsuspecting high school prom. This isn’t a bad thing, mind. German Days is straight off a b-side to Like Clockwork , a swirling kaleidoscope of metaphor and restrained epicness with trademark Homme stamped all over it; yet Iggy fits into the groove with such ease and grandeur you can’t help but swim alongside the outlandish floats. This won’t set the world alight, that’s for sure, but neither did Pop’s Avenue B or Apres – both of which you should own immediately. Unsure? Ask the kind assistant in the store to play you Sunday – no, demand it. This militant off-beat '70s/'80s NY disco club underscore to Iggy waxing lyrical is a f-cking joy. Sold!? Of course you are. (Caroline) Chris Murray

MUSIC

Voivod Post Society While fans wait patiently for Voivod’s new studio album – it’s scheduled for a late 2016/early 2017 release – the band has decided to tide the devoted over with an EP. Post Society is a neat five-track package that builds on the ideas explored on 2013’s Target Earth . Guitarist Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain continues to prove his worth as the perfect replacement for the late Denis “Piggy” D’Amour, giving his all without alienating D’Amour’s legacy. While an altogether brief excursion, Post Society is another unique take on heavy metal, with all the post apocalyptic/futurist imagery Voivod are known for. (Century Media/EMI) Simon Lukic

Kim Salmon My Script

Kim Salmon was the first person I knew to use the word “grunge.” Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore calls him “an inspiration and direct influence on his generation." Salmon – founder of The Scientists, Beasts of Bourbon and the Surrealists – has always written his own script. This, his first “real” solo album, is an idiosyncratic mix of garage rock, acoustic guitar tracks and twisted instrumentals. There’s even a collaboration with Waleed Aly, who co-wrote and contributed lead guitar to Client JGT683 , a savage swipe at Australia’s refugee policies. Kim Salmon remains compelling. It’s time he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. (Guilt Free Records) Jeff Jenkins

Hilltop Hoods Drinking From The Sun, Walking Under Stars Restrung At worst melodic, and at best romantic, Hilltop Hoods’ new album is restrung and quite well-hung. Rereleasing a few of their old tracks as well as recording some newies, the Hoods have joined forces with the 32-piece Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the 20-piece Adelaide Chamber

Singers Choir for Restrung . Under composer Jamie Messenger the group have truly brought the best of the best of their two previous double- platinum albums into this new compilation. There’s something implicitly relaxing about hearing timeless tunes like Cosby Sweater and I Love It as if for the first time, re-rendered with new stringy accompaniments that’ll leave you questioning why they weren’t included in the original recording. New track 1955 takes you back to the days of wireless radios and Fallout - esque door salesmen, and Higher bounces with inherent Hilltop vibes and tempo; next to the re-presented oldies you're getting a superbly balanced compilation from the South Australian crew. And how can you go past tracks that mention Hadoukens? Don’t forget to catch ‘em on tour in April. (Universal) Alesha Kolbe

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