The Sound of Steam

New Video from Finntroll!

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:02:11 GMT

So Ladies, Gents, and all else,

Finntroll, the band who made Pagan Metal as popular as it is today, released a video for their new single Solsagan, included below.

FINNTROLL - Solsagan (NEW VIDEO)

FINNTROLL [NEW VIDEO ONLINE] | MySpace Music Videos

Solsagan comes off their forthcoming album Nifelvind, the first in their new record deal with Century Media Records (Included in their ranks are Lacuna Coil, Dark Tranquility and many others)

As anyone who has heard me advocate for Steampunk Metal knows that the closest we've come so far is European Pagan Metal (With a heeping helping of occasional industrial metal as well). I'll have more on the roots of "Pagan Metal," and why one would consider it or various elements of it Steampunk later, but for now I will say that Finntroll first made this genre popular introducing Accordians and a Polka-vibe to death/black metal that main-stream listeners weren't prepared for.

As far as the song and video are concerned, Finntroll had moved only slightly further from their death metal roots on later albums like Nattfödd to find that sweet-spot between Finnish Folksy Polka and Death Metal but this song brings their sound right back to perspective. They've definitely taken what they've learned from experimenting and applied it to a more frenzied sound I missed from Jakten's Tid.

The video itself is simple, stunning, not terribly steampunk-oriented but a very folk style scene from a zombie movie.

I'm looking forward to the album, which comes out in Europe Feb. 22nd and in the US March 9th.

Visit their official site: www.finntroll.net/
Visit their myspace at: www.myspace.com/officialfinntroll

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The Good Doctor... Steel that is!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:55:16 GMT

For entry the second I thought I'd tackle the profile of one of the go-to Men of Steampunk. Dr. Steel. How does a maniacal genius from the age of the atom spread his message like tentacles across the world in this day and age?

Image lovingly stolen from http://worlddominationtoys.com

THE MUSIC

The answer is: take one part 90's era Tom Waits, an equal part hip-hop music, and liberally mix in giant robots and samples ranging from newsbroadcasts to the muppet show theme. Dr. Steel loves to use accordians, organs, and even an occasional theremin for that 1950s sci-fi horror movie apeal. As far as his vocals Dr. Phineas Woldolf Steel dances in between a Tom Waits style yelp, fast paced rhymes, and a heavy helping of bass crooning.

Thematically his Manifesto explains it all:

"Hello, my name is Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel and I'm crazy. At least that's what they tell me. It's a real load off of my mind too. I mean you can get away with pretty much anything if you're bonkers. It really relieves a lot of pressure and responsibility for me..."
For more on his VERY specific world view go here http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/about/manifesto.htm

From giant robots, to quantum physics, and even a sad longing for a time that was fun, nothing is off limits to Dr. Steel.

Image taken from http://www.mariolackner.com/DATA/steel/dr_steel2.jpg

THE CASE FOR DR. STEEL
(and to some extent diversifying Steampunk)

Dr. Steel and his toy soldiers are proudly taken into the "Steampunk," genre. That being said many Steampunk niegh-sayers have a habit of keeping the "If it didn't happen in the Victorian Era it's not Steampunk." or claim that "Well that's atomic punk," or "That's Diesel punk." To an extent they're right, Dr. Steel could be considered atomic/diesel punk. However a case for mad scientists suddenly stumbling upon the Atom, and the use of non-coal based transportation is not outside of the realm of possibility in a fantasy genre.

To say that the mad scientist inventor is not a part of Steampunk is to say we can't look at Mary Shelly or Robert Louis Stephenson for inspiration, and to say that "Diesel Punk," is outside of steamy possibilities is to say Full Metal Alchemist and Wild Wild West aren't a part of Steampunk.

I will make the case that Dr. Steel's musical intertwining of propaganda films, his goal to build a Utopian Playland of Fun, his diy mad science aesthetic, .

Image taken from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2696354812_172c5b127a_o.jpg

THE VERDICT
Tom Waits, Accordians, 1950s Sci Fi, Aggressivly Happy Hip Hop, and world domination. If any ONE of those causes your mouth to water you will not be dissapointed in Dr. Steel. Go ahead and buy if you haven't already.

IF YOU CAN ONLY LISTEN TO FIVE SONGS
Back And Fourth
Build The Robots
Marionette
Lullaby Bye
Planet X Marks The Spot

Image from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2696354812_172c5b127a_o.jpg

LINKS
Official Site
http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/enter.html

Official Store
http://www.worlddominationtoys.com/

Episode 1 of "the Dr. Steel Show."

Music Video for "Back and Fourth"

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RASPUTINA

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:14:33 GMT

To start I figured I’d cover a band that I’ve been listening to on and off for some time but have gotten re-acquainted with, Rasputina.

Image taken from: http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Rasputina-f02.jpg

THE SOUND:
When a band says that they are Cello Rock from the 1890s, my ears perk. Especially hearing that this cello rock band has had such people as Chris Vrenna (Ex Nine Inch Nails drummer) play and produce for them (How We Quit the Forest) and that they have opened for Marilyn Manson I take notice. Their sound is very eclectic but always beautiful and even in their more aggressive moments they sound oddly soothing. The essential band is Melora Creager consistently singing and playing first chair cello, and a mix of drummers and second chair cellists changing from album to album. At times on How We Quit The Forest and Frustration Plantation albums the band shows a love for distortion to a point one thinks they may be listening to an early 90s grunge/alternative album, as if Hole were being followed by gypsies. With the release of Oh Perilous World we hear a soundscape of woodwinds add further layers to the sound we’ve come to know and love, from the trio.
As far as visual aesthetic Rasputina claims on their website that “Although we began with strict rules of historical underwear and the color white only, we have since expanded to looser definitions. Most pieces are from flea markets and antique dealers. Vintage corsets are extremely small, and you don't often find them anyway.”

Image taken from: http://www.rasputina.com/images/per_picGroupCOL01.jpg

THE VERDICT:
What makes this band Steampunk, is everything from their love for anachronism, to their DIY jewelry, their second-hand/upcycling wardrobe, and even the idea that Melora, the band’s lead singer, ships the specialty items herself! Fans of folk music but wish it were a lot more aggressive, Cello enthusiests, slower Apocolyptica, and 90's singer songwriter Poe, will love Rasputina.

5 songs to listen to:
Draconian Crackdown
The Olde Headboard
Endomorph
Transylvania Concubine
If Your Kisses Can’t Hold The Man You Love

THE LINKS:
Official Website
http://www.rasputina.com

MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/rasputina

Merch
http://www.rasputina.com/merch.html

Video for "The Old Headboard," on Youtube through Sony Music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IqHUhDkMXI

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