Music Monday: Dear Euphoria

Dear Euphoria is the name of a Swedish folk pop band started by Elina Johansson. She produces very simple and minimalistic but clear and fluid thought-out melodies driven by softly sweet voice.  If you like female vocalist driven soft piano pop, Dear Euphoria is a lovely listen.

Music Monday: Crossfaith

Formed in 2006, Japanese Christian Techno-Metal band is making a name for themselves.  Having toured with such giants as The Used, Alesana, and Bless the Fall, and featured on various places (such as rapper Manafest’s “No Plan B”), the young band is working diligently, crafting their hardcore brutality with aesthetic electronics.  They weave a technical web of guttural guitars, driving drums, and spacey synths to form powerful solos and barbaric, yet futuristic, breakdowns.  All of this divides them from the typical hardcore scene, giving them huge amounts of potential.  Definitely check them out.

Crossfaith on MySpace Music

Recommendations: Pompeii

Soft, sweet, and melodious, Pompei provides simple but engaging melodies sweetened with  strings. This here is  lovely sunny blue skied-day indie rock.  Clear innocent vocals and soft instrumentation saturate their songs. For fans of Deas Vail.

http://www.myspace.com/pompeii

Recommendations: Abney Park

Abney Park displays a quirky aspect of music often overlooked by the general public.  They create a conceptual blend of industrial electronica infused with steam and airships.

Steampunk has some popularity as a style of design and cinema, but the music genre is far more underground; Abney Park takes it and conveys its essence beautifully.  The instrumentation, harmonies, and songwriting are transforming, capturing one and moving him into a world of gears and steam.  Songs like “Until the Day You Die” and “Airship Pirate” are enchanting with their sepia themed tones, crying violins, and pulsing percussion; in short,  Abney Park is worth a listen (and a look for that matter).

Abney Park on MySpace Music

Recommendation: Pomegranates

Indie band Pomegranates creates such a lovely, floating work of art in  musical form.  Light, dreamy, and fun, the band creates energetic sound infused with such a fullness and honest depth.  Songs like “Everybody, Come Outside!” and “Beachcomber” have such a heart-warming sound to them, filling the air with a gentle streams of pulsing, breathing waves of sunlight.

Pomegranates on Myspace

Within Temptation announces new album and tour.

After releasing acoustic material and their single Utopia, Within Temptation has announced news of new material set to be released in 2011. The band also promises another European tour to promote their new recording. Whether Within Temptation continues on it’s new “symphonic rock” style or returns to their heavier roots remains to be heard.

Anberlin Reveals New Album Art

Anberlin has released the album artwork for their new album, Dark is a Way, Light is a Place.

ABSOLUTExclusive

Ivoryline “Vessels” Album Stream

Ivoryline’s new album, Vessels, is streaming on their MySpace.  Check it out!  Don’t forget, the album will be available July 26, so be sure to pick it up!

Ivoryline on MySpace

Anberlin Album Track-Listing

Anberlin has released the track list for their new album, “Dark is a Way, Light is a Place.” Who’s excited?

Anberlin – Dark is a Way, Light is a Place
1. We Owe This To Ourselves
2. Impossible
3. Take Me (As You Found Me)
4. Closer
5. You Belong to Me
6. Pray Tell
7. Art of War
8. To the Wolves
9. Down
10. Depraved

New UnderOath Album Due for October

UnderOath’s new record has been recorded, and according to guitarist Tim McTague, should be released sometime in September or October.  Interview can be found here:

Tim McTague Interview