2006: Maltese Music
by Toni Sant
2006 was undoubtedly one of the most interesting years for music in Malta. The alternative scene saw a reunion for The Rifffs and the release of a relatively large number of albums, including the amazing Is-CD tal-iXtruppaw. Concert goers had a glut of local shows. The less adventurous were rewarded with great gigs by Sting, Roger Waters, Alan Parsons Project (at what used to be the Malta Jazz Festival) and Andrea Boccelli. Krokus finally played in Malta in 2006. Everyone else followed the ups and downs of Malta's entry to the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, which managed to attract the lowest number of points ever for a Maltese song at this event.
The albums released this year made an impact on the scene because it seemed like there were more of them than in any other year. Many of these albums were debut releases, such as Ignite by Fire,
Skaccomatto by The I-Skandal, Unorthodox by Frenzy Mono, The Dream is Dead by Knockturn Alley, Slit's Ode To Silence and Erosion of Our Liberty by X-Vandals. Others were by bands who have been around for a while, like Winter Moods (Ordinary Men is their 4th album), BNI (On and On is their 3rd album) and Subculture (A Lifetime of Disappointment is their 2nd album). Tribali delighted many with their debut album of what was once dubbed World Music, while electronica fans were overjoyed with Toby's Digi Kinda Life and The Dark Journal by Kemic-Al. My personal pick for 2006 has to be Xtuppaw's debut album Is-CD tal-iXtruppaw, which is not only unlike anything else ever released anywere, but is also a sign that there's hope for anyone who craves for a truly Maltese alternative sound.
The singles and EPs came in abundance too. Newcomer Nikki Vukovic released 4 singles this year: more than enough for an EP, and certainly enough to get started on next
year's debut album. X-Tend came back with Conclusion this year along with the promise of an album that, to my knowledge, has not been finished. The Rifffs tantalized us with Life of Crime and an album, which also seems to have been stalled. Scream Daisy, Scar, and Bitterside all had new singles that received considerable local airplay. Newcomers Larissa and Salt released excellently produced CD singles in Brand New Start and Q&A respectively, while Rising Sunset debut with their EP Rhema. Farsons rewarded Freddie Portelli fans with a promotional EP entitled Rock 'n Ale featuring a new version of the classic Ħallini. My personal pick for 2006 is Chasing Pandora's debut EP Feel the Rain, which makes me yearn for their debut LP in 2007.
MySpace was the place to be in 2006 for new internet-only releases by the likes of Grimaud who returned on the scene with You've Been On My Mind. I was very pleased to hear tracks from Mathematikal and Black Aura, but especially Bleed by Tears of Revenge, which has an unexplainable special something for me.
I should also mention two record labels for their remarkable output in 2006. Reciprocal Records continues to release CDs by bands like Xtruppaw, The I-Skandal and BNI. The alternative rock scene is blessed by this record label. Pinkpube is an internet-only label, so their overheads are lower, of course. Their catalogue is most impressive. They've released no fewer than 11 collections by electronic artists like Hagen, Brian James, Melchior Sultana and Danjeli. Tickety-boo is also worth mentioning for their input on the output by Tribali and Chasing Pandora. Meanwhile, Chris D'Alfonso became the first Maltese artist to release his music on iTunes in 2006. His album Blueprints is now available from the iTunes Music Store. I'm sure more will follow in 2007.
Although I've mentioned quite a large number of LPs, EPs, singles and internet releases, I know I've left out a substantial number of acts who were fairly active in 2006. New bands like Żiżża Ensemble, Brikkuni, 8 Ugly, White Crimson and Putrid Birth, and singers like Carrie immediately come to mind. My feeling is that they'll remain active in 2007 and we'll be hearing new recordings from them. I will undoubtedly feature such recordings on my weekly podcast Mużika Mod Ieħor.
In looking back at 2006, we should not forget Maltese artists who live abroad. Marc Storace's Krokus released their new album Hellraiser and finally played live in Malta. In Australia, Andre Camilleri now has a new band and 2006 saw the release of their debut album. Joe Camilleri returned with The Black Sorrows and a new album entitled Roarin' Town. Paris-based jazz guitarist Sandro Zerafa released the White Russian sessions, while his mate, bassist Oliver Degabriele, continues to play with the Julien Diain Quintet between gigs with others, including Sandro Zerafa.
In a parallel universe to the one I've been describing above, lives a phenomenon called the Eurovision Song Contest. Finnish monster rock band Lordi shook the Eurovision from its foundations this year when they nabbed the trophy that so many Maltese pop music lovers covet. I was not disappointed in my visit to Athens - made possible by Hamilton Travel and Vodafone-Malta - for what remains the largest worldwide music-releated television event, even if no one has ever disappointed Malta as Fabrizio Faniello did with his song I Do. It's a shame he had to suffer this because Malta has presented less exciting acts at the Eurovision in previous years. My only real disappointment for 2006 is that Claire Tonna decided to no longer sing with Particle Blue. Luckily I saw them live at Naasha's in March.
If 2007 is half as fertile as 2006 I'm sure there will be more than enough material to feature on Mużika Mod Ieħor every week and to write about on my blog.
To send new material for consideration by Toni Sant on Mużika Mod Ieħor please contact him directly via his website.
by Toni Sant
2006 was undoubtedly one of the most interesting years for music in Malta. The alternative scene saw a reunion for The Rifffs and the release of a relatively large number of albums, including the amazing Is-CD tal-iXtruppaw. Concert goers had a glut of local shows. The less adventurous were rewarded with great gigs by Sting, Roger Waters, Alan Parsons Project (at what used to be the Malta Jazz Festival) and Andrea Boccelli. Krokus finally played in Malta in 2006. Everyone else followed the ups and downs of Malta's entry to the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, which managed to attract the lowest number of points ever for a Maltese song at this event.
The albums released this year made an impact on the scene because it seemed like there were more of them than in any other year. Many of these albums were debut releases, such as Ignite by Fire,
Skaccomatto by The I-Skandal, Unorthodox by Frenzy Mono, The Dream is Dead by Knockturn Alley, Slit's Ode To Silence and Erosion of Our Liberty by X-Vandals. Others were by bands who have been around for a while, like Winter Moods (Ordinary Men is their 4th album), BNI (On and On is their 3rd album) and Subculture (A Lifetime of Disappointment is their 2nd album). Tribali delighted many with their debut album of what was once dubbed World Music, while electronica fans were overjoyed with Toby's Digi Kinda Life and The Dark Journal by Kemic-Al. My personal pick for 2006 has to be Xtuppaw's debut album Is-CD tal-iXtruppaw, which is not only unlike anything else ever released anywere, but is also a sign that there's hope for anyone who craves for a truly Maltese alternative sound.The singles and EPs came in abundance too. Newcomer Nikki Vukovic released 4 singles this year: more than enough for an EP, and certainly enough to get started on next
year's debut album. X-Tend came back with Conclusion this year along with the promise of an album that, to my knowledge, has not been finished. The Rifffs tantalized us with Life of Crime and an album, which also seems to have been stalled. Scream Daisy, Scar, and Bitterside all had new singles that received considerable local airplay. Newcomers Larissa and Salt released excellently produced CD singles in Brand New Start and Q&A respectively, while Rising Sunset debut with their EP Rhema. Farsons rewarded Freddie Portelli fans with a promotional EP entitled Rock 'n Ale featuring a new version of the classic Ħallini. My personal pick for 2006 is Chasing Pandora's debut EP Feel the Rain, which makes me yearn for their debut LP in 2007.MySpace was the place to be in 2006 for new internet-only releases by the likes of Grimaud who returned on the scene with You've Been On My Mind. I was very pleased to hear tracks from Mathematikal and Black Aura, but especially Bleed by Tears of Revenge, which has an unexplainable special something for me.
I should also mention two record labels for their remarkable output in 2006. Reciprocal Records continues to release CDs by bands like Xtruppaw, The I-Skandal and BNI. The alternative rock scene is blessed by this record label. Pinkpube is an internet-only label, so their overheads are lower, of course. Their catalogue is most impressive. They've released no fewer than 11 collections by electronic artists like Hagen, Brian James, Melchior Sultana and Danjeli. Tickety-boo is also worth mentioning for their input on the output by Tribali and Chasing Pandora. Meanwhile, Chris D'Alfonso became the first Maltese artist to release his music on iTunes in 2006. His album Blueprints is now available from the iTunes Music Store. I'm sure more will follow in 2007.
Although I've mentioned quite a large number of LPs, EPs, singles and internet releases, I know I've left out a substantial number of acts who were fairly active in 2006. New bands like Żiżża Ensemble, Brikkuni, 8 Ugly, White Crimson and Putrid Birth, and singers like Carrie immediately come to mind. My feeling is that they'll remain active in 2007 and we'll be hearing new recordings from them. I will undoubtedly feature such recordings on my weekly podcast Mużika Mod Ieħor.
In looking back at 2006, we should not forget Maltese artists who live abroad. Marc Storace's Krokus released their new album Hellraiser and finally played live in Malta. In Australia, Andre Camilleri now has a new band and 2006 saw the release of their debut album. Joe Camilleri returned with The Black Sorrows and a new album entitled Roarin' Town. Paris-based jazz guitarist Sandro Zerafa released the White Russian sessions, while his mate, bassist Oliver Degabriele, continues to play with the Julien Diain Quintet between gigs with others, including Sandro Zerafa.
In a parallel universe to the one I've been describing above, lives a phenomenon called the Eurovision Song Contest. Finnish monster rock band Lordi shook the Eurovision from its foundations this year when they nabbed the trophy that so many Maltese pop music lovers covet. I was not disappointed in my visit to Athens - made possible by Hamilton Travel and Vodafone-Malta - for what remains the largest worldwide music-releated television event, even if no one has ever disappointed Malta as Fabrizio Faniello did with his song I Do. It's a shame he had to suffer this because Malta has presented less exciting acts at the Eurovision in previous years. My only real disappointment for 2006 is that Claire Tonna decided to no longer sing with Particle Blue. Luckily I saw them live at Naasha's in March.
If 2007 is half as fertile as 2006 I'm sure there will be more than enough material to feature on Mużika Mod Ieħor every week and to write about on my blog.
To send new material for consideration by Toni Sant on Mużika Mod Ieħor please contact him directly via his website.