Hands - Give Me Rest

North Dakota natives Hands are taking everyone by surprise with the release of their new album Give Me Rest. Before listening to the album, I thought Hands were just going to be another metalcore remake with nothing to show. Man, was I wrong. Hands music is very powerful and combines elements of metal, post-rock and ambient. They are the first real spiritual band that I have reviewed and are dedicated and motivated enough to put a heartfelt message in their lyrics, such as "let there be light, to reveal everything we've become". Give Me Rest is a very positive record and that is one of the many great things about Hands' music. The music on Give Me Rest sounds a lot like a mix between Isis, Misery Signals, My Epic, Trenches and even Jimmy Eat World, but with more of a post-rock production. Ochsner's vocals switch between deep throaty growls to beautiful harmonies, while the atmospheric guitar work and hard-hitting percussion put the final touches on the tracks. The songs on Give Me Rest are very unconventional and the album opener 'I Will' proves this fact. A fast, hard-hitting drum beat starts the track, followed by Ochsner's screaming, which then leads into circling atmospheric guitar work. 'I Will' definitely starts the album off with a bang. Give Me Rest is a concept album about a man who is weary of the world and finds hope in God. 'Water' is a very aggressive and melodic track that really shows Ochsner's vocal potential. Most tracks on the album follow this approach, especially 'Cube', 'Here I Am', 'Jovian' and 'Northern Lights'. The track 'The Helix' moves through like a distorted freight-train while tracks '2005' and 'Restart' are rhythmic and follow a harmonic pattern. The album ends with 'Give Me Rest', which is the longest song on the album and the lyrics at the end of the song are breathtaking; "Here I sit among the clouds. I was wrong, You were right. Give me rest! Give me rest!" Overall, Hands' Give Me Rest is a heartfelt, emotional, and beautiful album. It is unlike anything you have heard before in this genre because it bends the boundaries of traditional song-writing. I really enjoyed this album and I hope you do just as much. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Hands Give Me Rest. You will not be disappointed.

Check out the track 'I Will' off of Hands Give Me Rest:

 

Exotic Animal Petting Zoo - I Have Made My Bed In Darkness

Exotic Animal Petting Zoo is an experimental and progressive rock band from Crown Point, Indiana. The band was formed in 2004 by brothers Brandon and Stephen Carr. Upon first hearing their 2008 album I Have Made My Bed In Darkness, I had little hope for this four-piece. To me, their music seemed like a rip-off of other so-called progressive acts trying to sound different. This was until I played the album again and realized that these guys are doing something completely different and have many great influences including The Smashing Pumpkins, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Deftones, Incubus, and experimental bands like Sigur Ros. Exotic Animal Petting Zoo is the type of band that could appeal to almost anyone because of their universal sound that combines math-rock, ambient, progressive, alternative, and atmospheric. The songs on I Have Made My Bed In Darkness include technical guitar riffs, down-tempo elements, and unique time changes. It takes a great amount of skill for a band to pull off a bizarre, all-over-the-place album like I Have Made My Bed In Darkness successfully. Thankfully, Exotic Animal Petting Zoo have this skill. Albums like I Have Made My Bed In Darkness can be very hit or miss (liked or disliked), due to the wide variety of elements. The success of the music all depends on the band's approach and effort, and Exotic Animal Petting Zoo has become very successful due to their hard work approach. They have created less of a record and more of a beautiful and unique experience with I Have Made My Bed In Darkness. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Exotic Animal Petting Zoo's I Have Made My Bed In Darkness.

Check out the track "A Balloon Enters Kyoto City" off of Exotic Animal Petting Zoo's I Have Made My Bed In Darkness:

Collapse Under The Empire & Mooncake - Black Moon Empire (2011)

On the 31st of July, post-rock legends Collapse Under The Empire from Germany and post-rock pioneers Mooncake from Russia will release their split EP entitled Black Moon Empire. For Germany, Collapse Under The Empire are one of the best known post-rock bands in the country. The same things goes for Mooncake in Russia. What happens when you mix the two bands on one EP? You get an EP full of surprises and complex, sonic textures. However, Black Moon Empire is not just any EP, it is a very special collection of songs from the two bands and the title track blends each of the bands' styles, creating a unique and unforgettable post-rock experience. Although the title track is the only track to be released prior to the 31st of July, the sound alone makes for quite the introduction. Black Moon Empire was worked on over numerous miles between the two bands, and took a period of months to create. This is pure, post-rock luxury and I am very impressed with the outcome of Black Moon Empire. I am anxiously awaiting the release of this EP on the 31st of July and highly recommend these two bands to anyone wanting to find good music.

Check out the title track 'Black Moon Empire' off of Collapse Under The Empire & Mooncake's Black Moon Empire:

MOTEK - Dragons (2010)

Belgian experimental quartet Motek are gaining more attention day by day in many Belgian communities as well as globally. Their music is a blend of post-rock, ambient, and pop sensibilities. Many critics have said that Motek are "the Belgian answer to Mogwai", but Motek does not agree with this, they question it. Although the musical structure that Motek uses is very similar to Mogwai's, they are definitely not Belgium's answer to Mogwai. The music on "Dragons" is composed of post-rock melodies and effects-laden guitars, with a dark-pop undertone and an indie fashion. Mogwai is relevant when describing Motek's "Dragons", but so is Depeche Mode, Battles, and Joy Division. Motek are Belgium's answer to great music and are one of the best bands to come out of the Belgian experimental music scene. Everyone should check out Motek's "Dragons". They will not be disappointed with the sounds that come from their speakers.

Check out the track 'Spender' off of Motek's "Dragons":

Spaces - Nothing Exists But Atoms And The Void (2011)

Brooklyn, New York's Spaces are an experimental/instrumental band that formed in 2008. The duo is comprised of Duke Ahrens and Franco Colon, two Florida natives that are now based out of Brooklyn. Since their formation in 2008, they have released two albums: 2008's "Voyage" and 2011's "Nothing Exists But Atoms And The Void". All of the music on "Nothing Exists But Atoms And The Void" is written and recorded by Ahrens and Colon. There are also a few different guest performers that provide occasional help on the album. Ahrens forms textural sonic qualities with his guitar work and Colon's drumming fills out this unique texture, while each of them provide celestial synths and keys. Themes such as violent star systems and lunar tranquility set the basic structure for the album, hence the name Spaces. Spaces takes the unconventional approach to music, like many instrumental bands, but furthered this unconventional approach even more by building a recording studio in a decommissioned ferryboat. The inspiration for the album came from Ahrens' and Colon's natural surroundings. The duo wanted to create music that reflects the many beauties and wonders of the Universe. "Nothing Exists But Atoms And The Void" is an ambitious and inspirational album that goes from intense rhythmic and melodic pieces to symphonic and orchestral pieces. Most post-rock today is very similar in structure and many bands follow the same approach. Spaces however, have created something extraordinary and beyond any post-rock that I have heard in recent years, making them one of my current favorites. Do yourself a favor and support Spaces by purchasing both of their albums. Similar bands include: Caspian, Pelican, and even Pink Floyd.

http://spaces.bandcamp.com/album/nothing-exists-but-atoms-and-the-void

Check out the fifth track 'The Crown Of The Sun' off of "Nothing Exists But Atoms And The Void" here: