Robin Staps’ (The Ocean) Recommendations

Every now and again we like to ask bands what music they really dig, with the idea of passing it on to you lovely people for your listening pleasure. You can expect more movement here in the next few months and our first feature in a while comes from none other than Robin Staps, guitarist of German metal band The Ocean who will be supporting Earthtone9 in their much anticipated UK tour. You should check out what Robin has to offer and if you don’t know too much about the band, maybe check out the interview we done with The Ocean a short while ago.

Breach – Kollapse

One of the most daring, progressive, groundbreaking and abrasive albums ever done. I still get all excited every time I put it on. There are few other bands covering such a wide sonic territory as this band with this album: from quiet acoustic moments to full-on outbreaks of noise and walls of guitars, and all with a unique vibe to it. Gotta love it.

Bloodlet – Ethneogen

I rediscovered this record recently while flipping through my record collection. The band broke up almost 10 years ago and only made it to Europe once. I had the luck to see them live in Florida, where they’re from, when I was 16, and was blown away. Bloodlet were a bunch of skilled jazz musicians playing heavy and dark, atmospheric music – not the mathcore/jazz approach that got so popular later. This album is full of driving riffs, groovy drumming and outstanding songwriting. The vocals take some getting used to in their monotony, but it doesn’t disturb me really.

The Bambi Molesters – Intensity

Croatian surf veterans The Bambi Molesters are a sight to behold live, when the guitarists with their scarred faces fall down on their knees and start talking to their guitars, and the hot blonde bass player Lada moves around like a hunting leopard… I bought their records after I first saw them live and fell in love with “Intensity”, which is one of my most-played records ever… it proves that melancholy and high energy are reconcilable. This is instrumental music at its very best.