"Five For Friday" with Kevin Monahan of Kromo

Kromo is the stellar recording project of musician Kevin Monahan. His guitar and synth based pieces are a beautiful combination of hypnotic and ethereal sounds that follow in the footsteps of artists like Tangerine Dream, Mike Oldfield and Aphex Twin. Kevin shares his insight on some of his favorite artists in this weeks edition of "Five For Friday".

Caspar Brotzmann

Not for the faint of heart. Caspar Brotzmann plays some of the most insane, crushing guitar sounds I’ve heard to date. At times, I am completely dumbfounded with his technique. Sonic, booming low end sounds, with razor blade high end, played over a tight bass/drum rhythm with off-kilter time signatures. He generally keeps the construct to a simple three piece, stripped down to guitar, bass and drums. There’s no doubt in my mind that Caspar was definitely supplied with the ‘free jazz gene’ from his father Peter Brotzmann! But either way, he’s doing his own unique style. This is a track off his 5th album entitled “Home.” I’d highly recommend checking out the entire studio album from 1994 on the label Our Choice.

Iceburn

This band spawned during a time when crossover shows existed. It didn’t matter if a straight edge hardcore band played with a noise rock band, or a band with a metal sound played with an indie sounding band. Everything was just kind of called ‘punk’, and shows were mixed with a wide diversity of music. In my opinion, Iceburn is the epitome of this time frame. Coming from hardcore backgrounds, but mixing jazz structures with distorted guitar riffs, and extremely tight time signatures, founder, Gentry Densley (guitar) developed a following that still exists to this day. He still remains on top of the scene with his current band Eagle Twin. This track is from the 1993 album Hephasteus.

Kosmicher Laufer

Secret hypnotic music of the East German Olympic Program!! Okay, it sounds kind of far-fetched, I agree! Either way, whoever wrote these killer kraut rock instrumentals earned their gold medal. These songs are full of perfectly created synth sequences, pads, and strong rhythm patterns with driving bass lines. Released recently in limited pressings (Volume 1 and Volume 2), and claiming to be unearthed from a vault from the 1970s. I haven’t found any proof of this, but the sounds are definitely the kind of synth tones heard on early Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk LPs. So grab your warm up suit, and pump Kosmischer Laufer through your headphones. You’ll be increasing your broad jump in no time. This one is from Volume 1, entitled Sandtrommel.

Ufomammut

The Italian band Ufomammut simply blows me away. A healthy slab of psychedelic sounds mixed with enormous riffing, all wrapped up in a 3 piece package, that has a mind bending effect to the listener. Masters of taking a repetitive riff or drone, and then creating an atmospheric layer out of it, and by the end you’re trying to figure out how the hell that happened!!?? These guys have been at it for quite some time, and it seems their music just progressively gets better. All of their albums are pretty much one piece of music, and can be quite addictive. This is a link to their 2012 album Oro: Opus Alter.

Umberto

Evidently, this is a one man studio band. Matt Hill is the mastermind behind the project called Umberto. Fans of Fabio Frizzi, Goblin and Zombi, add this one to your list! Yep, that’s right, horror soundtracks done with eerie, heavy synth sounds over 70s style bass grooves! My understanding is that Matt Hill composed and played everything on his own in the studio. After an interest developed, he later assembled a band to perform these tracks live. This is Running Blade on “From the Grave” LP, from Burka for Everybody Records.

6 Records CMM Wants You To Know

Blare "Meant Well" LP (blare.us)

The debut album from Blare is an exquisite combination of fuzz pop, shoegaze, post rock and experimental sounds. Opening track "A Simulated Sportslike Experience" is a high energy number that echoes "Your Living All Over Me" era Dinosaur Jr. "Meant Well For Nothing" could have easily found it's way into a film like "The Doom Generation". "Vacant" is a short acoustic track that contains a sample of a man asking people to really think about what life is all about and what brings a person joy adding a nice sound collage element to it. "Mush" has a laid back feel that features some beautiful guitar work and washy vocals that make me think of Butthole Surfers while the cover of Modern English "Melt With You" has mountains of distortion and atmosphere adding a new spin to the classic cut. The album ends with "Where Were You When We Landed On The Moon" which is the most experimental piece of the album as a orchestral like drone is surrounded by what sounds like lost transmissions from billions of miles away. "Meant Well" will certainly sit well next to your collection of 90's alterna-rock gems.

California Carpool "I Only Look At You/Pleasure" Single (livingendprojects.bandcamp.com)

Two excellent tracks from this new artist out of London. The light jazzy beats in "I Only Look At You" set the pace for a roller coaster ride down a foggy track. A distant vocal and looming bass line sway underneath the other worldly like electronic tones that lull the listener into a euphoric trance only to be woken up with a short blast of sonic noise. "Pleasure" is in the same vein but more upbeat and a bit more mysterious. Think The Cure's "Siamese Twins" or "Heaven Up Here" era Echo & The Bunnymen. An impressive offering of psychedelic pop with a gloomy twist. These two tracks will be available as a limited edition 7" from Living End Projects soon.

Hyla "The Thousand" Single (hyla.bandcamp.com)

Chilling shoegaze sounds from Perth Australia. I really enjoyed Hyla's E.P. from last year and this new single picks up where they left off. "The Thousands" is a hook filled wash of shimmering dream pop. Heavy on the effects pedals the guitars play off each other beautifully and the spacey vocals shine like the first ray of light on an early morning. There's a surreal type vibe though out the song that's truly blissful. Certainly one of my favorite new tracks of 2015.

Lestrade S/T E.P. (wearelestrade.bandcamp.com)

What draws me to French instrumental band Lestrade is their ability to combine cagey guitar sounds that are also melodic and dreamy and full of power. "Galore" has tons of energy as the track moves from one mood to the next showcasing a collection of top notch intricate riffs. It's technical, inviting and intense. "Eastern Leaves" starts out rather moody before giving way to full on distortion backed by a pounding beat. The track pounces back and forth between left of center darkness and driving angst. A stellar release indeed.

Seasonal "Loneliness Manuel" LP (seasonalmusic.bandcamp.com)

Based in Poland, Seasonal is the musical project of Maciej Sochoń. Recorded under the influence of daily observations this eleven track album is simply beautiful. Each piece is highly atmospheric and incredibly textured. "Fading Spark" is an ambient opener with hints of "Darkside" era Pink Floyd while the guitar driven tracks "Deserted Bus Stop" and "Loop" are like lost sections from the Mike Oldfield classic "Tubular Bells". "Experience" has an underlying ode to Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade Of Pale" and "Orchard Of Rotten Apples" is relaxing and warm. The albums only song with vocals "To Chase A Dream" features Piotr Trypus who's voice has a liking to Morrissey in a "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" way. A stellar album that's perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Wizards "SDRAZIW" LP (wizardmusic.bandcamp.com)

Can't say enough good things about this band out of Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada. "SDRAZIW" is a charming album with ten very distinct songs that showcase the bands wide combination of influences. "Journeybone" opens the record with it's galloping rhythm and surfy guitars that break into a noise guitar orchestra along with distorted vocals that lie low in the mix. "Holy Smoke" reminds me of a modern take on classic groups like The Buffalo Springfield and The Band, while "Purple House" has a very Velvet Underground flavor to it. "Life Is Elsewhere" builds on the Velvets vibe but add's in a crushing Mascis like fuzz tone, pushing the envelope a little further. "Manikewan Ocean Dreams" has that stomping garage rock beat taking a page out of The Cramps hand book and adding a Mary Chain machine gun guitar tone and vocal that makes for an infectious dark psych anthem. Highly Recommended.

Six Records CMM Wants you To Know

Ampersand "The Purplest Patch" E.P. (bandampersand.bandcamp.com)

The pulsating synths of "The Purplest Patch" set the coordinates for the jump to light speed. Once you reach your destination a powerful almost trance inducing vocal begins. Welcome to the world of Ampersand. If there is such a thing as psychedelic crooner music this is it as the intoxicating sounds set the listener in motion alongside soothing tropical like electronics. "If It Sleeps It's Alive" adds elements of guitar and a percussive chime that's followed by a huge sounding vocal tone, full of ethereal happiness. Truly unique, positive and uplifting sounds.

Holy Monitor S/T E.P. (holymonitor.bandcamp.com)

Premium psychedelic rock n roll here out of Athens Greece. These guys lay on the thick fuzz and tremolo alongside a driving yet laid back beat. "The Way Out" reminds me of "Recurring" era Spaceman 3 but at a way quicker pace. "Golden Light" and "Cacti' have that Stooges "Funhouse" type vibe that evokes a spirit of mystery and suspense. This E.P. may be best heard at top volume blazing in high gear on an open desert highway. Looking forward to hearing more from these hypnotic space rockers.

Middle Red Piece S/T E.P. (middleredpiece.bandcamp.com)

Excellent debut E.P. from this French noise rock unit. The tracks have tons of energy and intricate guitar work that channels the spirit of Yo La Tengo, Fugazi and Drive Like Jehu, matched with spot on thunderous like drumming. Stand out tracks "In My Thoughts" and "Yulia" have a bit of menace to them that I have not heard since Girls Against Boys "Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby". Add in the swagger of their matter of fact style vocal stance and you've got a very impressive release that leaves me wanting more.

Patkus "The Gospel Book Of Archbishop Ebbo" E.P. (patkus.bandcamp.com)

Three tracks of lo-fi guitar driven ambient sounds that are quite beautiful. "Cunegonde" goes through several movements ranging from swirling backwards drones, to more rhythmic based grooves before locking into a melodic pattern on the verge of feedback that finally leads to a lullaby like slumber. "Free Hyka" is peaceful, eerie and meditative all at once, while the title track echoes the classic new age sounds of composer Mike Oldfield. Clocking in at over twenty minutes this E.P. is a substantial release to satisfy your need for captivating experimental soundscapes.

The Poetry Book (Demo E.P.) (thepoetrybook.bandcamp.com)

Gritty noise pop that brings to mind The Lightning Seeds, early Jesus And Mary Chain and The Psychedelic Furs. The lo-fi drum machine and single note filled guitar parts give "Bruises" a lot of charm. "Empty" is a much darker track delving further into the realms of noise while "Solaris (Love Dies At Dawn)" puts an evil spin on textbook Spector like girl group songs as the track has an underlying menace that's matched by few. I love the overall feel of this E.P. As dark as it is there's an immense feeling of hope and determination throughout.

The Waking Life "Child Of Bliss" E.P. (walkinglifenc.bandcamp.com)

Some truly haunting sounds make up this three track E.P. from this Wilmington North Carolina experimental artist. "Sachi (Child Of Bliss"), sounds like something out of a John Carpenter film while "Instant Beauty for Dirt Cheap" makes me think of giant machines working in the dead of night on a long lost industrial planet. The E.P. closes with "The Kingdom Of The Gold And The Rose" which is more of an improve piece, full of guitar strangulation and grinding tones. Highly recommended for fans of dark, ambient experimental soundtrack work. Have a listen and become a believer.