I’m severely backed up on reviews, and my inbox is full. I’m also starting to think about the year-end TPM Awards, so it’s time for some multifeatures. This one contains five interesting releases that are all worth your time.

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There’s just something about Von that I like. The band comes from the UK, and they play an eccentric sort of alternative rock. I would say that they cite prog rock here and there, too. The band consists of Sam Poole, Charlie Jones, Joe Rotchell, and James Corley.

What do I like about them? They have personality. I like how groovy their bass is, how energetic their vocals are, and how distorted their guitars can be. I like how they have clever choruses that will wake you right up, and I like how fresh and youthful they sound. I also like cats and I happen to own a black cat, so I love the cover art.

What are my favorite tracks? “Pieces” is the best song here, without a doubt, and that’s because it is a slice of incredibly catchy, deeply groovy music. Even my kids’ ears perked up at it, and they added it to their playlists. Another great one is “Satanlike”, which is almost as groovy, but I also like the instrumental fireworks and slight irreverence of the whole song. The entire EP is fun, and I hope you will check out their work.

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Tempus hail from Latvia, and I’ll admit that I almost didn’t listen to their album. I’m not a big fan of “math-rock”, and so that label on their message didn’t excite me. However, that label is deceptive here. The band consists of Nauris Zeltiņš on guitar and Lauris Polis on drums. Guests include Uldis Veigurs on saxophone and Rachel Maia Malveira on vocals.

This album is a rip-roaring, intense instrumental journey—there are vocals on one track. This is definitely progressive metal of some sort, but it leans towards post-metal with its abstractions and post-rock with its crescendos, but neither of those labels really fit, either. It is technical, yes, but with a burning sense of urgency and passion, not with showy clichés. There is blood and sweat in their sound, and yet they also know how to space out for a bit, to relax and exude atmosphere.

There are lots of great tracks on here, so I’ll highlight a few. The opener “Red Flag” is a driving, burning piece that will leave you feeling frazzled. It is brilliant. “Grey Matter” contrasts this heavy sound with saxophone, and it feels amazing; I love how stylish and atmospheric it is. “Greenhorn” is similar to “Red Flag” is how strong its drive is, and I specifically love the drumming on that one. “Golden Rule” is a beautiful piece with emotional vocals and a distinct post-rock/shoegaze vibe. That might be my favorite for how harmonious it sounds. Finally, “Blue Moon” is the chill out song, and it is spacious and beautiful and melodic. And the whole album deserves your time—play it loud and fade away with it.

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ÊTRE comes to us from Denmark. They are in the process of releasing a trilogy of EPs, and Humane is the second one. I honestly can’t find a list of the name of the band members, so this is a pretty reserved group.

Their music is anything but reserved, though. This is progressive metal with lots of technical guitar work. It leans into metalcore somewhat, I would say, but not too much. Despite the heaviness, there are strong and clear notes on guitar and keys, and so the music is beautiful. I’m especially drawn to the vocals—I think the vocalist’s name is Freja—because her tone is not typical for this style. I like how melodic and deep her voice is, and how she elevates the music.

My favorites here are “Pandora” with its great chorus and vocal work, in addition to some very attractive guitar. “Apricity” is a sweet track with its swirling second half. And “Refraction” is my favorite overall with its climactic song structure that makes use of both the softer and heavier sides of the band. It is a gorgeous and eventful piece. I’m curious to go back and listen to the band’s first EP now, and am looking forward to their end of the trilogy.

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Stream of Passion probably doesn’t need as much of an introduction as the other bands here. This project began almost 20 years with Arjen Anthony Lucassen onboard. The project continued without him after first record, and has produced three more since then. The current lineup is reuniting for this Beautiful Warrior EP, since it has been almost ten years since the last album; the lineup includes Johan van Stratum on bass, Marcela Bovio on vocals and violin, Eric Hazebroek and Stephan Schultz on guitars, Jeffrey Revet on keyboards, and Martijn Peters on drums.

The band plays something between Gothic, progressive, and symphonic metal. It isn’t as over-the-top as other symphonic bands, it isn’t as technical as other prog metal groups, and it isn’t as dark as other Gothic bands. It has a little bit of each sprinkled here and there. The band’s major highlight for me is Marcela’s incomparable voice, and she has only gotten better with time. She sings her heart out on this release.

The EP has five tracks, and they are all good to great. I’ll admit that the first two tracks are probably the weakest; “The Hunter” is a little stilted in its presentation, but it smooths out as the track progresses. “Tonight” features some great vocals, and yet still feels like it is getting us ready for something else. “Chasing a Ghost” arrives, though, and absolutely wows me every time; I love the cinematic and theatrical qualities. The song feels towering and epic, and it really leaves an impression.

The last two tracks follow suit. “The End is the Beginning” has some great guitar soloing and the main riff is terrific. “The Promise” really delivers, too, with its ballad-like first half where Marcela shines, but the metal returns for the finale which is satisfying. The EP is a promise for the future, I hope, that the band will return in their full glory. We’ll have to wait and see.

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I don’t know much about Bishop. He’s from Germany and he is a metalhead and loves 80s pop. His earlier works were about the original Alien movie. His name is Marcel Rotermund.

Bishop is an electronic project. Marcel takes 80s flair and mixes it with metallic edge, but all in electronic form. His synth is searing and colorful, and that was what initially drew me to his music. It is catchy, gritty, and eccentric all at once.

I would love to hear more. This EP has four songs, and I would to hear Marcel bring us something more substantial and also more developed. However, I see the deep potential here. Two of the songs have vocals—guests being Rabengott and Matt Kirby, and they are interesting. “Halo” is my favorite of the two because it is so much like a metal song; it even has harsh vox. “Slowdrive” is exactly how it sounds; atmospheric and slow, but certainly beautiful.

I also really like the two instrumental tracks, “Golden” with its crystal clear synth and groovy beat and ambient keys. That one is a lot of fun. “Towards the Sun” is also interesting with its acoustic guitar rhythms and sparkling electronica. There are so many ideas here, and I think Marcel has what it takes to produce something major.

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Find these bands online:

Von Facebook

Von Bandcamp

Tempus Facebook

Tempus Bandcamp

Etre Facebook

Etre Bandcamp

Stream of Passion Facebook

Stream of Passion Bandcamp

Bishop Instagram

Bishop Bandcamp

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