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July / August 2005White Lion | Incrust | Carbomb | Shrine of Scars | Greenlawn Abbey | Astarte | Cherry St. | Harkonen | Opera IX | Project Failing Flesh | Ghastly | World of Lies | Masami Akita & Russell | The Glasspack | Abyss | Dark Mass | Slumber | Sotosoundz | Kryoburn | Sliter | Mi Amore | Negator | Hermano | Evergrey | Infidel? / Castro! | Dog Faced Gods | Joe Perry | Milkweed | Figure H8 | F.I.M.C. Comp | Totally F_cking Gay | Angelfire | Monarch | Axel Rudi Pell | Nihilist | On the Outside | Divinity Destroyed | The First Born | James D. Gilmore | Slugnut | Disgorge | Allhelluja | Moonshine | Xashthur | Beyond the Flesh | Hell Hound | Quell | Raging Speedhorn | Through You | Mi Amore | Nocturne | The PB Army | Bambix | Burden of Grief | Rubbermilk Orchestra | Mike Comfort | Jacobs Dream | Skullflower | Lynch Mob | Big B | VNV Nation Hell Hound "Take a turn off the beaten path, 52 east out of hogene town, a curvy ass road up the mountain side, when you get to the top that's where we preside, we're the hillbilly's from hell, give a rebel yell, we're the hillbilly's from hell" Yep, that's right! Heavy metal hillbilly's. straight from the heart of Tennessee. Leather, spandex and plenty of make-up. Kiss style of make-up. Apparently Hell Hound have quite a following on the touring circuit. For what I hear they have one hell of a live show. They bring back the glory days of metal. If I remember the glory days of metal, which wasn't very long ago, the bands for the most part had some talent. Now Hell Hound are playing descent. But gees,,, it sounds like The Mentors meets Kiss with some Ronnie Lee Keel with a Poison tempo done by ninth graders. These guys are not a style or sound for this reviewer. If there is any interest for you, check out the links below. Good luck guys. Quell I'm really not in the mood for something like this. Quell sounds like a hardcore band trying to be a death metal band. It just doesn't cut it for me. Some people might dig this. But, I can't stomach it. The music is pretty cool. At times, I thought it was pretty basic stuff, nothing special. But, they do have a moment or two where they're actually quite brilliant. What kills it for me are the vocals. Let me tell you something...I went through a window when I was younger and I had glass in my throat, fucked me all up. I couldn't sing a solid note to save my life. However, I could "sing" as well as Quell's vocalist. I could do that shit and I wouldn't have to be drunk to do it. So, why would I wanna listen to something like that? Hell, why would anybody wanna listen to something like that? I know there's a large audience out there who will appreciate this release. I don't understand it and I have no interest in trying to figure it out either. If you're someone who would dig this release...more power to you. http://www.goodfellowrecords.com Raging Speedhorn So these guys are suppose to be the UK's best kept secret? Well I will say they are pretty damn good. But nothing real new and exciting here. The disk starts off very Superjoint Ritual style. Extreme and a bit catchy. "Consider a strange brew of Black Sabbath, Clutch, Eyehategod, Mastodon, Iron Monkey, et al" is a qoute from the promo sheet. One cool thing, and it is also done a lot , is the dual vocal attack of John Loughlin, and Frank Regan. Their sound blends well together. Now don't get me wrong on this one folks. I'm glad to see Raging Speedhorn starting to make it's trek over here in the states. This, their third release is very well worth the dollars if you're into some extreme, stoner metal. They got some pretty cool mosh-pit parts too. 'How The Great Have Fallen' is highly encouraged. For fans of bands such as Superjoint Ritual, 3 Inches of Blood, Mi Amore, The Black Dahlia Murder. http://www.ragingspeedhorn.co.uk Through You "Silhouette" is a six song release with a running time that's under half an hour. When it comes to throwin' out an EP, it's usually a hit or miss. You try to make your point in a short amount of time. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Through You was able to make it work...and they made it work rather well. I'll be honest with you, I wasn't expecting to hear this much variety coming from a six song release. The band has a style that's part rock, part punk, a little hardcore with a hip hop flavor and a metal edge. On top of that, they've got an excellent production, which makes each song stand out even more. I don't know too much about the band and I assume this is their first release. If that's the case, it's one hell of a way to get the ball rolling because they sound like a seasoned pro. Ah, man...I can't begin to tell you. Some people work their whole lives to put out something as good as this. To accomplish that right off the bat is fuckin' amazing. Seriously, this is a band that's going somewhere. There's no doubt about that. If they put out a full length release that's equal to or better than "Silhouette," damn...they're gonna be huge. Mi Amore Well from what I have dug up on these Canadian extreme punkers, it's fairly mixed. This is either a love 'em or hate 'em. This all depends on how deep you want to get into them for a review. Sometimes it's good to, but just to rip a band apart for some stupid crap like some little bit of Satanism, or some anti-Bush comments, well hey dumb-ass!!!! Mi Amore is a punk band. Anti this and anti that. Hate, hate, hate. Arrrgh,,,Fuck,,,,Kill!!! Mi Amore have a brutally intense, energetic sound. Very strong punk with some metal overtones. I highly doubt these guys are gonna go platinum with this one, but it has a cool sound to it. Angst is a good word to describe it. With a southern/doom twinge in the tweaks from time to time. They pull in a little help from some friends in Converge and Damnation AD. Gothic punk metal. Hey another genre. Just a reminder for some of you out there. This is 2005 punk. Not Hatebreed style hardcore. Yes they're separate now. So I would recommend Mi Amore for nothing more than they are refreshing, (to my cd player as of late), and are a good, heavy jamming band. http://www.fuckmiamore.comhttp://www.cyclop-online.com Nocturne I'm not gonna write a normal review here because, truth be told, I'm already familiar with their music and it's kind of an interesting story. So, I'm gonna share it with you. When I first heard the name Nocturne, I knew nothing about the band. Never heard their music. Truth be told...I didn't care either. I went to a King Diamond show and the only thought on my mind, of course, was getting to see King Diamond. I've been a fan since "Them" and this was the first time I would get to see him live. You couldn't get me to care about anything else if you tried. The only thing that stood in my way was the opening band...all three of 'em. I didn't pay too much attention to the stage during this time. Just enough to write a line or two about it. My main focus was to get drunk. I was working on that when Nocturne took the stage and there was something about 'em that caught my attention. I was blown away by their performance. So much, in fact, that I think I got into them more than I did King Diamond. Now that's saying a lot. Anyway, I was hooked. I wanted to pick up a disc. But, I spent most of my money on beer and what little bit I had left was gonna get me through the rest of the night. I was shit out of luck. However, a friend of mine, who came to the show with me, was curious enough to pick up their album. Talk about being bummed out. On the way home, he said that if he didn't like the album, he'd give it to me and, a week or so later, "Paradise Wasted" was in my possession. Needless to say, I was thrilled. The album became a favorite of mine from the moment I heard it and, to this day, I still crank it on a regular basis. It was weird because I really wasn't into their style of music, which is this heavy, dark, electronic, goth combination. I usually pitch stuff like that because it doesn't impress me. Not at all. But, Nocturne, like I said, there was just something about them. They were doing something right. So, when "Guide To Extinction" came floating across my desk, I was beyond excited and a bit curious I might add. From my previous experience, which also included an interview with vocalist Lacey Conner, I knew this was gonna be a great album. When a band can take a style of music that I'm not into and turn me into a fan, that says something to me. I figured if they could do it once, they sure as hell could do it again. I know they're not makin' music just to make me happy. But, I expected nothing but the best from this band and that's what they came up with. This is "Paradise Wasted" times ten. "Guide To Extinction" seems to be a stronger, more focused record. There's an equal amount of beauty and aggression, which I believe comes from Lacey Conner's vocal style, which is really unique. I've said it before and I'll say it again...at times...she reminds me of the late, great Wendy O. Williams, usually when she's being more aggressive in her delivery. Nocturne has found that perfect balance in everything they do. That's why they're such a great band. You might be able to slap a quick label on them. You call 'em this or that or whatever. I'd rather not limit them by trying to put them in a certain genre. I mean, come on, listen to the opening track, "Shallow." It's such a killer tune and there's so much going on. Second, third, fourth track...and so on and so forth...the music draws you in...you can't escape it. That's a good thing. Some of us will get this release. Others won't give it the time of day. We who get it will have a fantastic addition to our collection. Everyone else? Whatever. http://www.nocturne.cc The PB Army This Toledo, Ohio based band is sure to start making some waves in the music industry. This release has some very catchy riffs and melodies. They have a hard rockin, punk enraged ,stoner vibe. Make sense? No probably not. Just when you think you've found a familiarity in their sound, it changes up a bit. Very well done for this style of music. Formed in 2001, I hope to see The PB Army around for awhile. "Dying On The Starting Line, Viva Los Alamos, The Five Nines" are a couple tracks to look out for. As is the whole album. A must for those into the likes of Goatsnake, C.O.C., Clutch, Spirit Caravan and High On Fire. The PB Army is one to look out for in '05. http://www.thepbarmy.com Bambix Bambix currently has two new releases that you can sink your teeth into. "Club Matuchek," which was released by Go-Kart Records (http://www.gokartrecords.de) and "What's In A Name," which was released by Daemon Records...and this is the one that I'm gonna tell you about. Now, I'll be honest with you, this disc has been sittin' on my desk for a couple of weeks because I tend to get lazy when it comes to writing a review. Not a good thing...I know. But, it's funny because I end up "discovering" some great music that's been sittin' in front of me for God knows how long. So, one day, I'm tryin' to clean up the area around my desk and, lookin' for something to listen to, I pull this disc off my "need to review" pile and throw it in because I figure it's gonna take me some time to clean up and I really don't wanna be flippin' through CD's because, if I do that, I won't get anything done. Anyway, thanks to Bambix, my desk area is still a mess. By the time the second tune on the album kicked in, I was online checking out their website to find out more about the band because I was really into the music that was blasting out of my stereo speakers, much to the disgust of my neighbors for sure...especially after I turned it up a little bit more. Bambix is a female fronted punk band and, no, we're not talkin' about the sorry ass Green Day version of punk either. This is the real deal. Since I've got the album on right now as I'm typing this up, I'm trying to think of someone they remind me of in order to give you an idea of what to expect and, what came to mind, is a combination of Joan Jett and The Ramones. If you listen to this album long enough, I'm sure you can go beyond that simple description. But, I usually go with my first thought because I don't like to think too much because, for me, rock 'n' roll wasn't created to make you think. It was created to listen to and enjoy...and this is such a fun, high energy release, you don't wanna waste any time doing anything else. You just wanna jump around and have a great time listening to it. By the time I got to track nine and ten, "Butch" and "Andre," I didn't even wanna sit here and type anything up. I wanted to kick back, put my feet up and bop around in my chair and take it all in. I'm not sure what the concept behind this release is. But, every song title, with the exception of "Silly So Sorry," is someone's name. Okay, well, there's also a tune called "Loch Ness" and if you forget about the place and think about the creature...it's a name. What's in a name though? Ah...there we go...maybe that's it. The concept. Name each song after someone you know and the album becomes more like a group of close friends. After all, how many times have you heard a great song, but, you can't remember what it was called? You might forget a song title. But, you never forget your friends. Either I made my point or I'm just reading too much into it. I think maybe it's time to just give you the website links and let you discover this album for yourself. Here you go. http://www.bambix.org Burden Of Grief You know, just when I think there can't be another incredible band out there, low and behold another one comes along. Burden Of Grief are not new comers to the German thrash metal scene, but for some unknown reason are to myself. BOG go back to late '94. "Fields Of Salvation" is their 3rd full length release on a label. They have also release to self-released demos and have had a track on both a Metallica and Iron Maiden tribute release. BOG are very impressive. There blend of melodic brutally is at the top of the game. This is recommended for all. Fans of 3 Inches Of Blood, In Flames, Dark Tranquility this is a must. From start to finish great. Excellent guitar melodies reminiscent to some Maiden riffs. Yet the harshness of Children Of Bodom, or The Black Dahlia Murder is present. For those who know this band already, you're in for a real treat with this one. "Dead Soul Decline, Fields Of Salvation, Slowly Pass Out" are just three titles off this magnificent full length release. BOG needs to break through here in the states. So if there is anyone out there who is doubting the future of metal in the world, check out BOG. They are what the metal community needs and has been waiting for. http://www.magickrecords.com Rubbermiilk Orchestra Now, this is some strange shit. No kidding. The first thought that came into what little bit of my mind I have left was Weird Al Yakovic on crack, denouncing his parody side and playing punk rock in a garage while listening to the second best album Primus ever released. Yeah...it's almost like the band got together and forgot how to write a song. So, they plugged in and each member started to play whatever the hell they felt like playing and by some odd twist of fate, they all managed to arrive on the same page...although they were each reading a different paragraph. They're the musical version of a hyperactive kid who drank a case or two of Pepsi when their mommy wasn't looking. It's madness, I tell you...musical madness. Are these guys simply crankin' out noise or are they the Beethoven of punk garage rock? I don't think I could give an honest answer to that question and it's too late in the evening to put my thinkin' cap on in order to figure it out. So, hopefully, I've painted some sort of picture here for you, one which gives you an idea of what to expect from Rubbermiilk Orchestra. If not...well...too bad. I gave it my best shot and you're just gonna have to pick up the album, give it a listen and figure it out for yourself. If you decide to try it, I suggest you flip your dial to track three, "Fuck 'Em," because I think it's a damn cool song. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go unscramble my brain because I have other stuff I need to do and this release turned my normal thought into goo...and on that wonderful selling point...'nuff said! http://www.rubbermiilkorchestra.com Mike Comfort 1. Form a band. From what I read, that's the story behind this release. Or that's at least how we got to this point. Something like that. I guess it's true what they say about making the best out of a bad situation because this release is pretty good and, if Mike's former band hadn't called it a day, I probably wouldn't be talking about this album right now. Anyway, I like it. It's the kind of album that I would throw on when I'm not really sure what I wanna listen to. It's the kind of album you listen to from start to finish. A good, solid release. There's really not a weak song in the bunch. As for musical style, I'd probably call it radio friendly rock. That would sum it up for me. Bottom line...it's a keeper. Check it out. Jacobs Dream "Drama of the Ages" is their third album since they began in 2000 and proves every bit as powerful and dignified as their past work, only this time, they present a new vocalist, Chaz Bond, who joins the original four and takes the sound further into the traditional power metal / thrash terrain. Led by the heavy and melodic title track, the twelve overall are a varietal group that rise and fall in spirit and tone, stagger in pace, and present themselves much as we'd expect the bigger names in the ranks like an Iron Savior, Primal Fear or Iced Earth with more than a brief nod to classic era Priest with Maiden basslines. Bond's vocal range is sturdy and strong without stretching the stage light, not dissimilar to a Ripper Owens, but more akin to a James Rivera, while the rest of the band expectedly reels off challenging riffs and dueling guitar scales with bull-charging ferocity "Keeper of the Crown," "Stand or Fall," for starters, with "Forever Winter" letting the dogs loose at the onset with a three minute-plus jam combining the shred-elements of vintage Megadeth and Metal Church before Bond's boundary bending cry outs cut through as the rhythm rumbles. For the most part, JD spares us from any overindulgent eight or ten minute storybook work-through, though thematically, if one could assume, they tread through times past and present touching upon the meaning of life, questions of existence, tyranny, triumph, and first person excursions from the ground up. "Drama of Ages" is another respectable effort for Jacobs Dream who continues to solidify their name as one of true Metal's most reliable, particularly at a pivotal moment for them, changing vocalists and running with the ring, rising in kind with their spiritual beliefs toward the ultimate reward. Skullflower It's almost too easy to describe the output of "Orange Canyon Mind" and the wide array of filtered noise that flows through the channels. Noisy? Yes. Droning? Yes. Static? Electric? Dissonance? It's all there like one continuous feedback trail resulting from plucked strings and open chord strikes drenched in heavy echo. And yet there's more to the story. The UK's Skullflower has origins dating back 20 years entrenched in a post-punk drawl fed from an addiction for abstraction into areas of modern industrial and hi-tech noise core. It's a sound akin to the paint splattered on the page in an imperceptible mess and yet recognized as art. "Orange Canyon Mind" does its share of audio paint splattering while in between, typified in the eight minute opener, "Starry Wisdom" or the follow up title track, smoothes the rough patches to momentarily clear an obscure picture bringing to life a flood of emotions ranging from rage and irritation to mesmerizing mellowness. And yet there's something very historical about the hypnotic sounds produced that recall the very first days of instrumental music that it's almost an eerie throwback. "Orange Canyon Mind" is an enlightening if at times harrowing listening experience that's assuredly an acquired taste among its eight track hour-long foray into blinding white lights and dark colors suitably coating the mind's canvas between that which we embrace and that we can never understand. Lynch Mob There's usually a mixed reaction when an artist decides to update or change their classic material. Some people can pull it off. Some people can't. A good example of a bad album is Bon Jovi's "This Left Feels Right." There's no being nice about it...that one was pure garbage. Pointing out Bon Jovi's biggest mistake aside, an album such as this usually causes a mixed reaction from the fans. Some people like it. Some people don't. Some people even wonder why a band would waste time doing something like this when they could simply put out some new material. Example...Kiss...how many times are they gonna sell their audience the same tunes over and over again? Know what I mean? Anyway, for the most part, I dig this release. My major disappointment on here was "Kiss Of Death." The new version doesn't hold a candle to the original, which was a great tune. Should've left that one alone. "Tooth & Nail" was pretty cool. I still like the original. But, I will admit, the new version kicks it up a notch. "Breaking The Chains" is a whole new monster with a killer groove. "Paris Is Burning" has a lot of balls as well. I like this one. Okay, so, I'm sure you've noticed that I'm sticking with the Dokken tunes. That's because these are the songs I'm most familiar with. I haven't listened to Lynch Mob in ages. It's not that I don't like 'em. It's because cassette tapes suck and I have yet to pick up the CD's. Although I do like the new version of "Wicked Sensation." As for the rest of the album, I found it to be an entertaining listening experience. Then again, I was also rather fond of the "Smoke This" album, which I know a lot of people didn't like. So, how you view this album depends on your point of view. Other than the unnecessary version of "Kiss Of Death," I think most people will be able to sink their teeth into this one. So, check it out and decide for yourself. http://www.cleorecs.com Big B Ah, man...this is such a great album and I'm totally down with it. "White Trash Renegade" is a rock/hip hop record. I like this kind of music. Not everything that's out there though. It has to flow well and it needs a certain feel. I can't really explain what I'm talking about. Best example I can give you is the Limp Bizkit tune, "Rollin'," which is a great song. But, I hate everything else they do. Know what I mean? You hear that tune and you remember it. When it comes to this style of music, that's kind of what I look for, a song that will stick with you from the moment you hear it. You can have a great sound and you can lay down a killer beat...but...if the song doesn't stick with you, what's the point? I have a disc that someone gave me, a three song independent release. I have no idea why I still have it because the tunes go nowhere. There's no excitement or energy to it and the only thing it does for me is...well...it makes me wanna listen to something else. When it comes to "White Trash Renegade," Big B doesn't waste any time when it comes to droppin' the bomb. After the intro, you get two hard hittin' tracks, "Keep Goin'" and "White Trash Renegade," both of which you can listen to once and you won't be able to get 'em out of your head. "Blow My Mind" doesn't hit as hard, but, it's catchy as hell and, once you hear it, you wanna listen to it again. "The Underground," which features Daddy X from The Kottonmouth Kings...who sounds a lot like Easy E on this track...has a real old school feel. When Big B does a live show, I'm sure this is one of the tunes he uses to work up the audience. Another favorite track of mine is number nine, "Remember," which features D-Loc from The Kottonmouth Kings. Like "Blow My Mind," this one's catchy as hell too. Gotta love it. If I had the time, I could probably go through each track, one by one, and tell you what I think and why it's worth listening to. I won't do that though because I don't want you sittin' in front of your computer, wasting your time reading a long ass review. Just go check out the album, man. Once you get through a few songs, you're gonna be hooked. You're gonna be trippin' on this release and, if for some strange reason, it doesn't float your boat, it's your loss. I'd rather be down with Big B than a lot of the other artists that are floatin' around out there makin' music that people won't remember in a year or two. I'll be crankin' this one until my dying day...it's that good. http://www.feedbigb.com VNV Nation With origins dating back to 1990, the UK veterans were ahead of their time since they began, quickly becoming a trailblazing act in the Synth-Pop and EBM scene. On their fifth full length, Matter & Form, they continue forging ahead from where the stellar Future Perfect left off a few years earlier. VNV represents a higher form of music, which examines humanity from an omniscient viewpoint and beckons a brighter future amidst conscientious lyrics, sizzling synth-lines, and restless beats. The album's eleven tracks are a powerfully electric presence that at once rumbles the ground beneath, lights up the sky and burns the dance floor with well patterned yet unpredictable rhythmic changes and mood shifts. The hard charging character of "Chrome," gives way to the gentle contemplation of "Colours of Rain" or "Endless Skies," both of which flow easily into the listener subconscious, gracefully smooth and subtle, Ronan's voice echoing Peter Gabriel within an epicenter of emotion and cinematic acoustics; "Strata" and "Interceptor" traverse the stillness oft and again with flightier impulses, while "Homeward" is a stirring combination of slow and sudden that culminates in a typically classic Harris narrative on inner strength. "Lightwave" and "Perpetual" are closing tracks of a club-rousing kind, with the latter embracing the best of UK New Wave beneath propulsive bass beats and futuristic energy that peaks in a ray of never ending light. Matter & Form again finds VNV Nation in peak form, justifying the faith of their devoted following as they enter their fifteenth year of making music. |
