Terminatryx: Patrick, Sonja, Paul, Ronnie Photo by Dr-Benway
If different genres were different drugs, metal would be heroin. You either end there by mistake or because the plunge made more sense than anything else. Its subscribers found the world on abrasive terms with its roots in technical Jazz and rock and roll and metal remains one of the few guitar genres still pushing the boundaries further, deeper, darker into the oily belly of its own self.
Despite having the most talented and obsessed musicians, who are often stubborn for change, having gone to extremes, metal is undoubtedly one of the least commercially viable genres in Southern Africa.
Which makes Terminatryx’s new video for Virus an anomaly with export quality production; the international metal world can and should take notice. In addition to Virus, Terminatryx are also working on a video for Siek+Sat an Afrikaans song, and they’re in pre-production for a video of one of the tracks which will be on the forthcoming remix album of their release, Remyx v1.0. Produced by Flamedrop Production, the album is to be released by ENT Entertainment after July 2011.
Remixes are not uncommon, but a rarity for bands (especially from SA) to have the entire album worked over. This is also an intercontinental project with remixers from 5 different parts of the globe, giving each song an individual take.
International remixers are: Martin Degville from Sigue Sigue Sputnik with Lloyd Price (UK); Industriezone (Austria); Sheep On Drugs (UK); Modern-e-Quartet (Greece) and The Awakening (USA / RSA).
Local remixers include: Battery 9, Nul, Axxon, and Mr Sakitumi.
Check www.TERMINATRYX.com
Blk Jks
The only black band white folks care to hear and see, Blk Jks, are heading to Mali to record their next release. Not that interesting, I know. However word on the internet is they might collaborate with jazz marvel trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer and singer Hugh Masekela. Now say oooh and aaah.
The most famous unknown band, which featured in last issue’s Muse, The Brother Moves On, has finished a video for Rainbow Child. The video as the name of the studio, No Budget Productions, suggests, is cheap. However it somehow catches the song brilliantly. They get my vote for unknown act to play at Oppikoppi.
Looking for New Music:
John McDonnell of The Guardian called Brokencyde “the worst thing to happen to music.” The band are singled out in crunk-core, a genre that combines R ‘n B and screamo. Listen to: Freaxxx.
Kanivool a hard rock outfit who have distinct South African sound, despite being from Australia. They have been active since 1997 and have won several awards touring the world over. www.karnivool.com.au
The LA’s. A forgotten treasure of the nineties. Fronted by indecisive enigma Lee Mavers, who made his riches from the song, There She Goes – famously covered by Sixth Spence Non the Richer. Lee wanted to originally record the album on a Dictaphone and only ever managed to make one. A pop-masterpiece nonetheless. Listen to: Looking Glass, I.O.U (alternative version) and Son of a Gun.
Ard Mathews (pic by: Deborah Rossouw)
New and Upcoming Releases:
Gazelle are currently mixing and mastering their second album, The Rise and Fall of an Empire, at Dreamspace. The Merseystate owned and run studio are also recording Joshua Grierson’s latest and Ard Matthews’ solo debut. Ard has made the first recorded track Fire Within available on his website www.ardmatthews.com. It doesn’t sound a thing like Just Jinjer and leans heavily on electronic backing.
After a four month hiatus, and quitting V.O.L, Kevin Rule has started new metal act With Dawn who are currently working on a yet-to-be-named EP. He just couldn’t resist a comeback.
Durban indie-pop sensation, The Otherwise, are currently planning their second album and a tour to Cape Town in July. Watch this space for more details.
Chris Chameleon has released As Jy Weer Skryf, an album that sets Ingrid Jonker poems to music. The album is available on Rhythm Records.
The Otherwise
The Wild Eyes have finally completed a follow up to their 2006 debut, Our Love has a Special Violence. The much anticipated EP is called Swastique. No surprises there. But expect this one to be plenty different.
Mr. Cat and the Jackal are presently filming puppets for the video of Bad Man He Comin. The video will be produced by Yesterfang Productions who are also working on a video for Captain Stu’s Tempo which should be ready in the next two months.
The Dirty Skirts’ new album Lost in the Fall is due for release in June 2011 [see our interview with the Skirts on Pg’s. 24 & 25]. According to Skirt’s guitarist David Moffatt “the sonic has changed on this album. We are closer to the experience that we’ve envisaged. We have deliberately preserved the grittiness of our pre-studio recordings. Some of the material is dark and hard, but there is loads of beauty and heart too.” Lost in The Fall is co-produced by The Dirty Skirts and Neal Snyman and engineered by Brendan Rossouw.
Weird-but-revered-duo Witness to Wolves are currently busy with their debut called Porcelain, recorded between Down South and Frozen Heart studios. Only a limited edition of copies will be printed, but the entire album will be available for download. The group also plan to embark on a nationwide tour for a series of unusual shows.
Pete Doherty
Ex-Libertines frontman and most famous junkie on earth, Pete Doherty, has been sentenced to six months in prison. In March 2009, Doherty was one of four people taken into custody after 27-year-old filmmaker Robin Whitehead died from a suspected overdose in January 2009 . Doherty was charged with possession of cocaine and has pleaded guilty. This will be his third time in jail. To add insult to injury, his former lover Kate Moss is getting married to Kills singer Jamie Hince. The supermodel is also reported to have lined-up Snoop Dogg for her wedding.
Mick Jagger has started a new super-group called Super Heavy. With him in the band are Joss Stone, Damian Marley, Eurhythmics’ Dave Stewart and Indian musician A.R. Rahman. The band is rumoured to be in discussions for a major record deal.
Notorious B.I.G is to be marketed as a product. The rapper’s estate has done a deal with Brand Sense Partners who are planning to churn out a range of products bearing the rapper’s name.
Written By : Johann Smith
