Review: Sardonis – 'III'

SARDONIS
'III'
CONSOULING SOUNDS

'III' is the third full-length release (obviously) from Belgian riff lords Sardonis. This two man atmospheric assault plays low and heavy doom that despite its stripped down construction is just as fat and fulfilling as any full size band could offer. The songs are all instrumental, but this doesn't detract from them at all. Instead there is a pure focus on the powerful riffs that is utterly compelling.

The tracks have a nice warm analogue sound that recalls the likes of classic acts Black Sabbath, Trouble, Saint Vitus, and Pentagram as well as modern luminaries such as Sleep, Electric Wizard, and Yob. The songs, despite never dropping below the six minute mark at their shortest are compelling from start to finish. Whether its slower numbers like 'Battering Ram' and 'Forward To The Abyss' or faster cuts such as 'The Coming Of Khan' and 'Ruined Decay' with their nice blast beats.

The album's finest track has to be the afore mentioned 'Forward To The Abyss' though with its sombre intro creating a beautifully mournful atmosphere with ease before erupting into a sludgy, bluesy trudge through misery with just a little hint of black metal added for good measure.

There is plenty of low-end to the band's sound and the production captures a certain rawness to the recording that gives it that classic feel. However it is crisp, clean and could easily hold its own alongside some of the big names in the genre.

This is a damn fine album. Sardonis are a refreshingly simple band that draw all of your focus to the interplay of their two instruments. They don't hide behind overly technical or progressive elements, and neither do they simply let the reverb do half the work for them. This is a doom riff master class from start to finish. There is no bullshit, or pretence. Just hard, heavy doom metal in it's purest distillation.  

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Review: Shiny Toy Guns - 'III'

SHINY TOY GUNS 

'III' 

FIVE SEVEN MUSIC 

Four years down the line from their slightly shambolic sophomore effort, 'Season Of Poison', Shiny Toy Guns return with original members back in the fold for the release of their appropriately titled third album, 'III'. The Los Angeles-based synth-pop quartet have gone back to what they do best – plenty of synths and grooving bass lines. However, the band may have healed its rift, but will this album ultimately recapture what they worked so hard to create on their first album?

'III' is a solid, hook laden expression of indie-infused synth-pop that feels on the one had very pop orientated, but at the same time a little off the wall. Huge electronic melodies come together with groove laden bass and dance beats to create some utterly compelling listening. While the dual male and female vocals courtesy of Carah Faye and Chad Petree give the somewhat superficial lyrics more depth and emotion. The album is obviously aiming its sights quite high, and why not considering the band's previous flirtations with mainstream success.

Musically songs like 'Somewhere To Hide', 'Waiting Alone' 'If I Lost You' and 'E V A Y' channel acts such as The Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, Peter Gabriel, Daft Punk and Giorgio Moroder with ease. Yet the likes of 'Speaking Japanese' and 'The Sun' show off the band's grittier, and arguably more satisfying side, recalling The Faint, Blondie and Depeche Mode to a certain extent.

However the album does feature one major failing and that's in the dirging ballad 'Take Me Back To Where I Was'. It's heavy use of piano and unfiltered vocals expose what is essentially a poorly written and performed song. Long-time fans who think the band can do no wrong will probably lap it up, but ultimately it is a disposable b-side at best.

'III' is a step in the right direction for a band hell bent on redemption. But there is some brilliant song-writing on display that unfortunately doesn't benefit from being associated with what is essentially a lot of filler. Yet the basics seem to have fallen back into place, which hints that the band still have so much more to offer.  

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