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liquorworks psychosoundwaves
Artist: Liquorworks
Title: Psycho Soundwaves
Genre: Progressive / Experimental Metal
Release Date: 18th October 2016
Label: Unsigned / Independent


Album Review

Expand your mind and explore a multitude of sounds, both heavy and funky, alluring and gripping, driving and tripping. These thoughts come to mind as we listen to ‘Psycho Soundwaves’, the latest album by LIQUORWORKS, released digitally in October.

Who are LIQUORWORKS and what can you expect from their album? LIQUORWORKS are an independent Finnish metal project who have been around for a while. The duo, Kosti Aho and Panu-Pekka Rauhala, concentrate not only on progressive metal but add more experimental layers by using different kinds of samples, sounds, and schemes. Influenced by bands such as DREAM THEATER, MESHUGGAH, or OPETH, ‘Psycho Soundwaves’ presents a variation of styles, including progressive and djent metal as well as electronic elements. Clear piano tunes blend with various keyboard patterns while speed and rhythm change and intertwine. Heavy guitar sounds played by Kosti Aho drive us into the rich music waiting for eager ears. The opener ‘Nicotine’ starts heavy while teasing us with a beautiful piano, before increasing speed and pulling us into a phenomenal world of chords and sounds and slowly dissolving into the haunting sound of a bell and the buzzing of a fly.

If you have listened to the first track intently, you probably have an idea how experimental and versatile LIQUORWORKS sounds. Every single song opens the door to new dimensions of sound and composing, almost telling stories – and without any vocals whatsoever. While ‘Then to Hell with You’ comes across dark and heavy and emotional, we are moved yet again with the next song, ‘Hostile Inspector’, a bass-driven piece of art that combines rich guitar riffs with almost excessive synth sounds while gaining speed. If you feel the sudden urge to run and hide from an invisible threat and too curious eyes, we do understand you. But because LIQUORWORKS enjoy variety and alternation, you may want to relax when ‘Lubrificante Intimi’ starts. It is slower and heavier, intimate at times and yet enthralling, and emphasizes the musical range of this amazingly experimental album. Songs like ‘Pain Owns You’ and the very short ‘Sounds Like a Plan’ almost rush into your brain with elaborate rhythm changes and irresistible guitar riffs. To top off the versatility, LIQUORWORKS add a good pinch of funk with ‘Where’s My Railotron?’ with a twanging and twitching bass and a rhythm that invites us to dance and enjoy ourselves.

‘Psycho Soundwaves’ gives us nine dynamic and highly fascinating songs with a runtime of forty-one minutes. Expect some very surprising twists; they may be common for progressive music but their impact is even greater as we are speaking of instrumental songs without distracting vocals. ‘Then to Hell with You’ and ‘Stories from the Toxic Journey’ are the longest tracks, both running over seven minutes and covering techniques we should simply enjoy with our ears, our minds, and our hearts. If you are into crossing barriers and borders and if you even want to get your mind blown, then you might find what you are looking for with LIQUORWORKS.


Tracklist

01. Nicotine
02. Then to Hell with You
03. Hostile Inspector
04. Lubrificante Intimi
05. Pain Owns You
06. Erotic Chaos
07. Sounds Like a Plan
08. Where’s My Railotron? (Funky Business)
09. Stories from the Toxic Journey


Line-up

Kosti Aho – Guitars / Programming / Composing
Panu-Pekka Rauhala – Keyboards / Composing / Programming


Websites

http://www.mikseri.net/artists/liquorworks.31290.php / https://www.facebook.com/Liquorworks/ 


Cover Picture

liquorworks psychosoundwaves


Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Total: 8 / 10



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