Hard Announcements

METAL TO THE BONE!

"The Forbes Critique"
August / September 2007
All Reviews by Chris Forbes

AT WAR WITH SELF
Acts Of God
(Sluggo's Goon Music)

You better have an open mind listening to this. This is off the wall, crazy, nuts, weird, and just plain wacked out. This is an instrumental release that will take you on a series of ups and downs. The band mix in jazz, progressive, metal, rock and anything else you can think of. The production is right on the money and there is some singing here and there, but this band just kicks out the jams and you don't know what is coming and this was a very original and enjoyable release. Info: http://www.sluggosgoodmusic.com

BOKOR
Anomia1
(Scarlet Music)

This was modern metal with some groove overtones and clean vocals. This just sounded like too many of these other modern metal bands for me to get into this. The riffs are boring, the singing was bad and the songs lacked any quality. The 6 tunes on here, none of them left any lasting impression on me at all. Info: http://www.scarletrecords.it

DEVIOUS
Domain
(Deity Down Records)

This was some pretty good death metal I must say. The band write some nice riffs and the playing is tight and the band is fast and the music is very powerful. The vocals are death metal all the way and the guy sings with some passion and emotion. The band remind me of Immolation in spots, which isn't a bad thing at all. The production is nice and thick and heavy and the guitar sound shines. A winner. Info: http://www.deitydownrecords.com

MICHAEL ABDOW
2006 Demo
(Self Released)
by Chris Forbes

This is a 3 song sampler from an upcoming album. The 3 songs here shred as this guy can play let me tell ya. Just instead of just playing, he can crank out the riffs and the solos and make it tasteful and not just fast playing. The production is good and thick and I am not a big fan of these guitar albums, but this is one I'd like to hear. This guy crushes. Info: http://www.michaelabdow.com

EVE TO ADAM
Queens To Eden
(KDS Music Group)
by Chris Forbes

This is kick ass rock n roll with tons of hooks, great songs and some awesome vocals. The songs sucked me in with the great riffs and melodies and the singer has a great style of voice for this music. The production is good as everything can be heard nice and clear. There is not many good rock n roll bands left, but I just found one. Info: http://www.evetoadam.com

WENSDAY
Torch Rock
(Desert Dream Records)

This is like a country release with a female singer. I am not a fan of country music at all and this didn't do a thing for me. This was good for what it is as the girl has a really good voice and the music is pretty decent I guess for being country, but why they would send this to David is beyond. Info: http://www.desertdreamslic.com

VALERIAN
Guerilla Fighting Method
(City Canyons Records)

This band mixes in metal with a bit of rock n roll sound. The tunes are pretty good as the band write some melodic riffs with a hard edge and thank god there is no groove to be found and no tough guy vocals to be found. The production is good as everything can be heard and this like one of the above bands, play good solid rock n roll with a metal edge. Good release. Info: http://www.citycanyons.com

REVOLUTION MOTHER
Glory Bound
(Revolution/Mother Music)

This bands takes off where Guns and Roses left off. This is just ass kicking rock n roll with style, rawness and just plain ass kickin music. The singer has a raspy Axl like voice that is perfect for this style of music. This is like Guns and Roses meeting Alice Cooper meets Motorhead. The production isn't over produced and it is right where it needs to be. There is some great rock bands making the waves these days and here is another worth checking out. Info: http://www.revolutionmother.com

PROJECT FAILING FLESH
The Conjoined
(Burning Star Records)

This is modern death metal with a touch of groove to it. The vocals are those 'At The Gates style, which to me is overdone. The music is mixed with some faster and slower parts. The riffs aren't badly played and the songs are pretty good. The production is nice and thick and the band get a good guitar sound. If they can work on their songs and maybe lose a bit on the vocals they could go from being a good band to a really great one. Info: http://www.projectfailingflesh.com

FALL OF EDEN
Dawn Of A New Age
(Sonic Wave)

This too much was just an OK band. The band play death metal with a melodic edge, but the songs were kinda just there and the vocals are just screamed and just lacked that killer intensity. The music is OK, the band don't go for the throat all the time and that is OK, but the melodic parts kinda bored me and didn't suck me in. The production isn't bad, but this just didn't do it for me. Info: http://www.fallofedenrock.com

GOLLUM
Lesser Traveled Waters
(Self Released)

I thought this was going to be some gore/grind band, but I was way off base. This is band has some of the modern death metal tones to their music, but they are much more than that. The band add some atmosphere and industrial overtones to their brand of music and it may not seem like it would work, but it does. The production is thick and heavy and the tunes crush. There are no vocals, but little hints of some voices here and there. This is for the open minded fan and even with the lack of vocals I liked this. Info: http://www.myspace.com/gollum

DAEMOS
Surface
(Self Produced)

This was death metal with a bit of industrial thrown in to boot. The music just didn't floor me and the vocals were just average, as the guy just screamed and lacked the passion and emotion. I just didn't feel it from him. The music is just average death metal and the songs just fell flat to me and just didn't do a thing for me. The songs just plodded along with the gruff vocals. Not for me. Info: http://www.daemos.com

CRIMSON ORCHID
Chapter XIII
(Self Released)

This was a bit different from what I was expecting. This band plays some melodic death metal and unlike the other band, this style works for them. The music is quite good and even though it is melodic at times, it is still heavy and brutal. The vocals are more clean in some parts and I could do without some of the tough guy vocals, but the music won me over. Nice production too and this band is headed down the right path so to speak. Info: http://www.myspace.com/crimsonorchidband

SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE
Anima
(Sensory Records)

This was some nifty progressive metal with some parts of power metal thrown in the mix. The band mix things up quite nicely as one moment they are whipping you into a break neck speed part and then go off into a progressive metal direction. This is the album Dream Theater should have made after 'Images and Words' my friends. The production is flawless and perfect and the guitar sound is as good as it gets. The singer sings with a passion and really can belt out the words when need be and he fits the band perfect. This is one of the best releases of 2007 so far and well worth your money. Simply godly. Info: http://www.lasercd.com

CANVAS
Solaris
(Sensory Records)

This was more progressive metal with touches of power metal thrown in for good measure. Even with the lack of vocals, which usually turns me off after a couple tunes, this kept my attention throughout the disc. The musicianship is top notch and each tune will have you on a rollercoaster ride that you don't want to get off. The tunes, while in a progressive nature, never went over my head and were quite catchy. The tunes are all heavy and speedy at times too. This isn't some generic wanna be progressive band that copies Dream Theater neither. Very solid release from these guys and they should be proud of this puppy. Info: http://www.lasersedgroup.com

SCOTT MARROW
For All The Time You Spend Losing...You Better Enjoy Your Failures
(White Room Records)

This is just not my cup of tea. This is almost like folk music and it is just not my thing. This is a one man project and Scott is good at what he does, but it is not for me. Info: http://www.myspace.com/scottmarrow

PAUL EPIC
South Of Heaven, North Of Hell
(Sacred Flow Productions

This didn't do a thing for me. To me this was boring rock n roll that had no feeling or passion to it and the songs just plodded along with no direction. The vocals were flat and the songs had nothing to hook me and keep me there. I listened to about 5 tunes hoping that one would knock me off my feet, but they just bored me. The singer has an ok voice, but the songs just didn't jump out at me and with rock I need that killer hook and I didn't get it. Info: http://www.paulepic.com

EPITAPH
Remember The Daze
(MVD Audio)

This was like an alternative rock band and a pretty good one at that. The songs flowed freely and they had hooks and the vocals sucked me in. The production was right where it needed to be and I am a sucker for songs with hooks and this had plenty of them. This is the bands 1st release in over 20 years and I remember this band I think from way back and I will say this don't lump this in with all those MTV bands. This is way better than that stuff and the bottom line is this band write good songs and deserve to be heard. Info: http://www.mvdb2b.com

SCOTT & AIMEE
Sitting In A Tree
(Self Released)
by Chris Forbes

Beyond bad nu metal. This is another one of these nu metal band that have all these jump metal riffs and they have a clean female singer and then a guy who does the annoying growl death metal vocals. The band mix in some like industrial alternative stuff to the nu metal sound and it just sounds too much like any other band doing this style and the dual vocal thing is so way overdone and music like is like dime a dozen. Kids nowadays eat bands like this up, but for me it is just a bunch of garbage that sounds like every other band. I don't need the metal version of No Doubt ok. Info: http://www.scottandaimee.com

PAT TRAVERS
Boom Boom Out Go The Lights
(MVD Audio)

I have always had a special place in my heart for this man has his live album, 'Go For What You Know" is one of the greatest live albums ever. I also like a few others and when I got this I popped it right in and was smiling from note one to the last guitar lick. Pat redoes some of his classics including the album title and "Snortin Wiskey" and "Crash and Burn". There is also a bunch of covers does that he does and in his own way and some surprised me as he tackles songs by Aerosmith, "Last Child" and "Lights Out" by UFO. There are 13 songs total and not a bad one in the bunch and Pat sounds good as ever on vocals and on guitar his fingerwork is beyond godly and makes these cover tunes shine with his own blend of Travers music. A must have for any fan of the man or rock n roll. Info: http://www.mvdb2b.com

ERIK MONGRAIN
Fates
(MVD Audio)

This is an all acoustic release and yeah the guy can play, but this just isn't my cup of tea. I like jazz and can mellow out when the time need be, but this was just a bit too mellow for me. The guy can play and I can hear the feeling and the passion in these songs so if your into the folk acoustic thing I can't see why you would not like this as I have to respect a man for playing with feeling and passion and don't ask me to explain how I know he plays with feeling and passion as you can just hear it as he plays. Not my cup of tea, but maybe yours. Info: http://www.mvdb2b.com

POINT ONE
Unlucky Stars
(Adrenaline Records)

This is down and dirty rock n roll with an attitude to it. Not many bands are doing it like this and this band come across with a nasty attitude and the songs reflect that. The tunes are heavy and still catchy with a sense of melody to them. The tunes do go over in a metal direction at times, which was fine by me. The music is stripped down and the production is not over polished and the singer is great as his raspy voice fits the music perfectly. This is the album Guns and Roses should have done after their 1st album. Excellent release. Info: http://www.point1music.com

SYMPHONY X
Paradise Lost
(Inside Out Music)

I have heard of this band many times, but never actually heard their music until now and after a few tunes I am upset that I had not checked these guys out before. This is pure power metal fans dream. The music is progressive in spots, but carrier enough melody to appeal to the masses. God the riffs just crush and will force the head to want to bang. Each track comes up with a godly riff and some of the tunes even fall into the speed metal style, which was fine by these ears. The bio says of an experimental track, "Serpent's Kiss", which had a little bit of an orchestra part in it, which worked for me and the singer really sang this one with passion and feeling, not that he doesn't on all the tracks. This is easily a top 5 of the year so far for me and your a fool if you don't buy this. Info: http://www.insideoutmusic.com

HALESTORM
One And Done
(Self Released)

This was a live Ep from a band from Phila, PA. The band with a female singer play some decent to really good rock n roll with a touch of metal to the mix. The girl has a really strong voice and really gets into the tunes as she belts out the songs. The band sound pretty tight live and the crowd seems to be into what the band is playing and doing. The 5 tunes left me wanting to hear more and that is always a good thing. I don't live far from Phila so I may have to take a ride across the river soon. Info: http://www.halestormrocks.com

WE ARE I
Controlled Chaos
(Self Released)

The 6 songs found here did nothing for me and I felt the songs were weak and boring. After each tune the next one came about and sounded as forgettable as the last one. This band play modern rock that is no different from Nickelback or any of the other modern rock bands you hear on the radio. This band do nothing different except copy other popular bands and it made for one bad listening experience. Info: http://www.wearei.com

STILLPOINT
Bleed Every Note
(Southern Metal Records)

This is another band that had me bored quite quickly. With rock n roll you need catchy hooks and catchy melody lines to hook me in and this band had neither. Again as like the above band, each song ended and was quickly forgettable as the next. This band don't play modern like metal, but are of a more rock n roll band, but the songs lacked quality and that killer punch. They need to write more catchy riffs and work on their song writing. This was better than the above band, but again they were quickly forgotten as soon as the disc came off the CD player. Info: http://www.stillpoint.com

FREEVIL
3 Song Advance
(Self Released)

This band has members that used to be in Witchery, Satanic Slaughter and Seance. At 1st I didn't like this, but after a few repeated listens this really grew on me. The music is a combo of modern thrash and death metal and the vocals are very different and will be a love or hate thing with people. I personally like them. The production is good and the band write some really killer, catchy riffs which is what sucked me in after a few listens. The band also use some keyboards here and there, but don't take away from the band sound, which was quite good to these ears. If the rest of the release is like these 3 songs we have ourselves quite a release. Info: http://www.freevil.se

CONQUEST OF STEEL
Hammer & Fist
(Self Released)
by Chris Forbes

Get ready to dust off your denim jacket and get those spiked wrist bracelets out cause I have the perfect band for you. This band plays pure headbanging metal with no groove, no satan, no gimmicks, no goth or female vocals. This is just pure 100% headbanging metal that the scene needs more of. There is 10 tunes here and each one is a heavy metal delight. The band do sound like older Iron Maiden in spots and the singer belts out the tunes with a fury and passion and the production is right on the money too. This band is playing a style that is sadly not done enough of and is well worth you checking out. Raise the iron fist and this is the kind of release that makes you proud to be a metal fan. Info: http://www.conquestofsteel.co.uk

SUPERCHRIST
Back & Black
(Bestial Onslaught Productions)

This is down and dirty metal in the vein of Motorhead. The music and the vocals even sound like Lemmy, not that is a bad thing. The music is metal with an attitude. If you like Motorhead you will go nuts over this and it is a solid release of molten metal. info: http://www.bestialonslaught.com

CWAF/NOOSEBOMB
Same
(Bestial Onslaught Productions)

This is 2 grind bands and both are pretty good. CWAF offer up raw like grind with a touch of death metal with some nice vocals. Noosebomb are just as fast, but play with a more of an Autopsy feel at times, but when they kick it, they go a million miles an hour. The vocals here are not just a bunch of noise and the songs kick ass. Info: http://www.bestialonslaught.com

HIRUDINEA/WATCHMAKER
Split CD
(Bestial Onslaught Productions)

Hirudinea offer up blasting death metal with those snare blast beats I am not a big fan of. Thank god the vocals aren't the tough guy style and are decent to really good. The music is mostly fast newer style death metal, but for some reason I dug it. Probably being the vocals were good and there is no groove. Watchmaker to me was a wall of noise. It was a blast of just noise with just screaming and the production was so awful it wasn't funny. Not a band I liked very much, but Hirudinea was pretty good. Info: http://www.bestialonslaught.com

WITCHTOMB
Mocking Jehovah
(Bestial Onslaught Productions)

This is raw death/grind metal and is one of the best bands going this style I have heard in quite some time. The band's raw sound only adds to their sound not subtracts and it is not raw in the sense of the above band where they were just too raw. The band mix in some Autopsy and Disembowelment along with their fast death /grind sound. The vocals are just a bunch of screams, but are more in the death metal style and just crush. When this band goes for it, they go a million miles and hour and boy does it hurt. Info: http://www.bestialonslaught.com

EMBRYONIC CRYPTOPATHIA
Uterine Excretor Of Carcinovomit
(Bestial Onslaught Productions)

Sick grind in the vein of Carcass, General Surgery, etc. I am not a big fan of this style of vocals, but if you like this sort of thing, this is very good for what it is. The production is bottom end heavy and the guitar sound is thick and meaty. Plenty of tunes and there is like almost a dozen bonus tracks too. For the serious grind fan and very good for what it is. Info: http://www.bestialonslaught.com

« June / July 2007

Hard Announcements

METAL TO THE BONE!

"The Forbes Critique" August / September 2007 All Reviews by Chris Forbes

"The Forbes Critique"
August / September 2007
All Reviews by Chris Forbes