Hard Announcements

METAL TO THE BONE!

"The Forbes Critique"
September / October 2008
All Reviews by Chris Forbes

BLATANT FINGER
Eight For The Road
(89 Records)

This is a neat little punk rock band. The band write some mean riffs and the production has that garage band feel, which I liked. The singer has a clean, but aggressive style voice that I quite liked as well. The tunes are catchy heavy numbers that are in with a more modern feel to them, but to me a good tune is a good tune and this disc had plenty of them. Info: http://www.myspace.com/blatantfinger

GRAYCEON
The Grand Show
(Vendlus Records)

This was mega boring to my ears and having those opera female vocals didn't help any. The songs just dragged on and I do like a good doom band when I hear one and this wasn't one of those times. The tunes had no meat and no substance and the vocals were beyond bad and if you want something to put you to sleep really fast, here ya go. Info: http://www.myspace.com/grayceon

METAL CHURCH
This Present Wasteland
(SPV USA)

I didn't know what to expect with this as I had not heard the band in quite a long time and I was pleasantly surprised. This really kicked ass. The singer has a great voice and he sounds great on this and fits in perfectly. The music is a mix of metal with touches of power metal added to it. The band get a perfect guitar sound on this and each song will have your neck doing a workout it hasn't seen in a long time. This offers up plenty of power and is one of the best releases I have heard in 2008 so far. The church is back and back in a big way. Info: http://www.myspace.com/spvusa

TIME HAS COME
White Fuzz
(Regain Records)

This isn't bad as the band churn out some decent death/grind metal I just don't like the vocals. They are those screamed death metal vocals that sound like somebody is singing through a bullhorm and the clean vocals are worthless. The music is decent fast death metal with bits and pieces of grind. The production isn't bad, but those vocals got to go. Musicwise I dug it. Info: http://www.regainrecords.com

LEVEL C
Self Titled
(Locomotive Records)

This is an all girl metal band and they write some killer tunes, but I hate the clean/death growl vocal approach. I don't mind when she sings clean, but kinda aggressive, but the clean spots that had me ripping my hair out. The death metal vocals are awesome and you wouldn't even know it is a female, but those clean vocal spots have to go as they are just so overdone in metal now. The music is metal with plenty of power, hate and aggression and I can overlook some of the vocal parts when music is this damn good. Worth more than a passing listen. Info: http://www.locomotiverecords.com

TEENAGE JESUS AND THE JERKS
Beirut Slump
(MVD Audio)

This was so awful it is easily one of the worst CDs I have reviewed for Ballbuster. The girl singer is one of the worst singers I have ever heard and her voice will get on your nerves in mere seconds. The music is badly played punk rock with no power and just bad songs. This isn't even worth a second of your time as it is that bad. Info: http://www.mvdb2b.com

THE UNDERWATER
Forces
(Megaforce Records)

This was some decent modern rock n roll from this band. The band have their chops down as the songs were pretty catchy and I wasn't bored much with this. The band remind me of like a hard rock version of Maroon 5. Some may cringe at that, but that is what my ears hear. The production is good and the singer has a good voice for the style of music the band is playing and this is one of the better new rocks bands making the rounds these days. Info: http://www.megaforcerecords.com

QUADRIVIUM
Adversus
(Soulseller Records)/p>

Boring heard it all doom/death metal with generic riffs, not so great singing and songs that had me wanting to go to sleep by song # 3. The songs are just tired, recycled riffs that did nothing for me. The singer just growls through the tunes with little passion. The songs just didn't click with me as this got old really quick. I just found nothing of value here at all. Info: http://www.soulsellerecords.com

SVARTAHRID
Malicious Pride
(Soulseller Records)

Really good black metal here. The band rip and shred through 10 tunes of mostly fast black metal, but they also slow it down and have a sense of melody within the songs and not one tune was a bad one. The vocals are killer black metal as the guy screams and belts out the tunes with pure hate and fury. The songs just fly by and the fast parts are wickedly cool. The production is not overproduced and it right where it needs to be. This is a solid release that everybody I think would enjoy. Info: http://www.soulsellerrecords.com

TRAPT
Only Through The Pain
(Eleven Seven Music)

This is a modern rock band and a pretty damn good one. The band write and play catchy tunes with a heavy end feel and the songs just had my feet tapping and I could easily follow the vocals lines. The singer has a good, crisp voice and he fits the music well. The band don't rely on tired jump metal riffs and just write crafty, catchy tunes that also had my neck bobbing to the music. The band also cross over into the metal side a bit as the guitar sound quite thick and heavy. Easily one of the best modern rock bands I have heard in quite some time. Info: http://www.onlythroughthepain.com

EDGAR BROUGHTON BAND
At Rockpalast
(Inakustik)

This a live CD and not a very good one. There is a brief bio on the back of the CD that says this band plays punk rock. Punk rock? I highly doubt it. This is just bad rock n roll with some bad vocals and songs that will not have you doing anything except reaching for the stop or mute button. The songs lack any substance and they just dragged on and there wasn't one riff I could remember after each song was done. This is like some really awful almost stoner rock at times and though the band sounds tight, the singing and songs are just plain awful. The singer sounds like a really bad Ozzy. Info: http://www.in-akustik.com

SIC FUCKS
The Bowery Collection
(MVD Audio)

This is another live CBGB's audio CD and this is some killer Mass hardcore. The band rip through 12 tunes with great sound and the band rip through the tunes with a fury too. The band do a cool cover of Blitzkrieg Bob originally done by The Ramones. So far I have enjoyed every release MVD has put out from the CBGB's collection as that venue did host a ton of great shows and this is another one you should add to your collection. Info: http://www.mvdaudio.com

CESSATION OF LIFE
Path Of Totality
(Self Released)

I got a one song single here and this is old school raw thrash. I enjoyed the one tune as it had some killer riffs and that old school thrash vibe that I of course love. The vocals are just a pure thrash delight and I for one can't wait to hear if this rest of the CD is as good as the 1 song I heard. Info: http://www.myspace.com/cessationoflife

THE DIRTY HEADS
Any Port In A Storm
(Self Released)

I am not a fan of this style of music, reggae, hip hop, and a bit of rock, but this isn't bad for what it is. The songs flow rather well and I can see why people would like this. This is something to listen to while relaxing or reading the paper. The production allows everything to be heard cleanly and the singer has a voice that fits this music perfectly. This might not be for everybody, but this is something I would listen more than once and I am sure some tunes are on their page below so you can judge for yourself. Info: http://www.myspace.com/dirtyheads

BLACK LIGHT BURNS
Cover Your Heart
(I Am Wolfpack)

This is industrial metal with a touch of techno in it. At first I thought this wasn't bad, but after the 1st time, this went downhill fast. The tunes just plodded along and the singer just screamed and growled on as the techno metal stuff played behind him. The tunes had no power or substance to them and after each song was over I was left with nothing. This also comes with a DVD, but I only got the CD. They also ruin Duran Duran's Hungry Like The Wolf" as they butcher it and is completely worthless. Sorry no contact info was provided. Shame huh.

WALLS OF JERICHO
The American Dream
(Trustkill Records)

This is one of those nu metal bands and this band mix in some thrash metal. I have mixed feelings on this as there are parts that totally crush and kill and there are others, such as some of the jump metal riffs, that had me cringing. For the most part the band do crush and they write some killer riffs and I bet they totally crush live. The vocals are growls with a mix of death and thrash metal vocals. The production is thick as hell and the guitar crunch is second to none and doesn't have to take a backseat to anybody. Some of the nu metal stuff I could do without, but this is easily one of the best bands doing this style hands down. Info: http://www.trustkill.com

END THE CENTURY
Hammer And The Anvil
(Self Released)

Oh my god is this band so generic in so many spots. The band play dancy groove metal with death metal vocals also mixed in with clean vocals. The vocal thing with the 2 sets of vocals is so overdone and the music is that nu metal crap that has been done by 1000's of other bands and this just sounds like every one of them. The vocals are awful and the death metal vocals are so bad they are even worse than the clean ones. This CD pretty much sucked in my eyes. Info: Guys it might be kinda wise to put your contact info inside the CD booklet or in the bio that was provided, but of course no band contact info was provided.

BLIND RACE
Seeing Red
(Self Released)

Really cool release by this band. They mix in a modern metal sound with some thrash and I love the singer as he pours his heart and soul into every tune. This is like a mix of Metallica meets Alice in Chains to a point. The music to me, is very original and the tunes are full of energy and hate. The production is right were it needs to be and the band sound good to these ears. 11 tunes and not a bad one in the bunch. Worth getting. Info: http://www.myspace.com/blindraceinc

EVERLAST
Love, War, And The Ghost Of Whitey Ford
(Martyr Inc)

This I didn't like much at all. This is like a combo of rap and metal and I don't like rap metal mixed in with metal and that is what this was. Track 2 almost sounded like "Jump Around" that song from a few yrs back by House of Pain and this guy was in that band at the time. The tunes had that hip hop feel and the vocals almost that feel as well. There might be a lot of people who go ga ga over this, cause this style of metal is in, but for me this is just a waste of time. Info: http://www.martyr-inc.com

THIEVES AND VILLAINS
Movements
(Victory Records)

This is one of those modern rock bands that have a touch of punk in them sort of like Good Charlotte and bands of that nature. This I didn't like as the music just sounded like any modern rock band I can hear on my local rock station. This band didn't do anything different and to me are just another faceless rock band right down to the vocals and the music. There was nothing of value here that is what my ears are telling me. Info: http://www.victoryrecords.com

OMNI
Ghosts
(Self Released)

This was another modern rock band, but these guys have a dark side to them and I enjoyed the tunes and the mood they put me in. This took me on a rollercoaster ride and even though the songs were deep and dark, they still have a sense of melody to them and they didn't sound like ever radio band out there. The singer really gets into the lyrics and the band set up a mood and sucked me in and I was more than happy to go along for the ride. Production is like being down a dark alley. This is something I can easily listen to over and over and not get bored. Info: http://www.myspace.com/omniband.com

YIGAEL'S WALL
Requiem For The Living
(Reign Records)

This band really surprised me as this is raw as hell thrash metal with a touch of death metal mixed in. The band have that really raw, but killer, sound sort of like Autopsy did back in the day. The music is old school thrash metal with some old school death metal mixed in. The vocals are a pure delight sort of like Chuck from Death (rip) and the riffs will have your neck moving in no time. The band to me are very original and just play a style and have a sound that is seldom used today and you also get 4 bonus tracks and this gets horns up from me. Info: http://www.myspace.com/yigael39swall

ANIMO
Blood In The Water
(Radicles Records)

This is a power pop punk band and they were decent I thought. The band play well crafted tunes with plenty of hooks and they aren't too fast, but they also aren't wimpy. The singer has a perfect voice for the style of music the band is playing. This isn't something I would put on every day, but this to me is better than all these nu metal jump bands releasing records. This is good for what it is. Info: http://www.myspace.com/animorocks

4 LYN
Hello
(Rodeo Star Records)

This is another band that isn't bad for the style of music they play. This band to my ears are like a rock/techno band with a pinch of metal added into the mix. The singer has a good voice for the style and the songs are up tempo catchy tunes with some melody added as well. The production is right where it should be and the tunes are catchy, but still heavy at the same time. Again this isn't something I would put on everyday, but this is worth more than a passing listen. One of the better bands doing this sort of thing. Info: http://www.rodeostar.de

OVERTHRONE
Declarations Of Secession
(Self Released)

This mix in the sounds of black metal meets Megadeth. I read that in the band's bio and they are 100% right. This is not some typical pick riffing black metal band with screaming vocals neither. The band mix up the tempo of their songs and they will keep you guessing as to what riff or song structure is coming next. The songs are complex at times and force you to think and it is cool in my book. The band sound very original and this is the type of band that you have to listen to a few times to really appreciate. This was something different, refreshing, and if this band doesn't get a record deal off this CD, something is very, very wrong. Info: http://www.myspace.com/overthroneband

CHRIS LETCHER
Harmonium
(2 Feet Music)

This was like folk music with a mid tempo part here and there and I didn't like it at all. Now I like jazz, ballads, and mellow music when it sounds good, but this was about to put me to sleep. The vocals weren't bad, but the music bored me and the songs were flat and went nowhere. I didn't like this at all and it isn't even good for what it is. Info: http://www.2feetmusic.com

JAMESON
Down For The Count
(Self Released)

Just what we need another jump metal band with the throaty death metal vocals that has been done to death by 100's of other bands I have heard and probably 1000's more that I haven't heard. The same style jump metal groove riffs with the throaty death metal vocals that have been done to death and to me this is just too generic and sounds like every other band doing this thing. The only thing I found of value was the production, but other than that, this was a case of heard it all before. Info: http://www.jamesontheband.com

THE OSWALD EFFECT
Love And Sabotage
(Self Released)

Very good modern rock band here. The band can write some fantastic tunes that had my head bobbing to the music. The singer has a very good voice, it is strong and powerful and he fits the music well. They remind me a bit of the Foo Fighters musicwise. The production is solid and I love the guitar sound and like I said the songs just plain kick ass. One of the better new bands making the rounds these days. Info: http://www.myspace.com/theoswaldeffect

THROW THE FIGHT
In Pursuit Of Tommorow
(Cordless Recordings)

This is another one of those modern rock bands that have a punk edge to them. This sound like every other band playing this style as they play music with a groove and have a little punky edge to them. This to me is no different that Good Charlotte, Sub 42, etc. The band just sound like any of these modern punk rock bands that are making the rounds these days. Info: http://www.myspace.com/throwthefight

RED I CLAN
Killohead
(Self Released)

Oh just what I want, a metal band with a singer that raps. The music is just awful and the guy siging and rapping is just beyond bad. The tunes are flat and yeah there is a couple riffs here and there that weren't bad, but the singing rapping away the lyrics just ruins this for me. Beyond bad and the music is like rock/groove metal with rap singing. Info: http://www.myspace.com/rediclan

DROPCLUTCH
Self Titled
(Self Released)

Another generic groove metal band with those clean and screamcore vocals that are so annoying. The band also throw in some death metal vocals to boot. The music is tired, boring and so done to death. This sounds like a million other jump metal bands around and offers nothing new, exciting, or anything even noteworthy. Another case of heard it all before. Info: http://www.dropclutch.com

THE COTTON SOETERBOEK BAND
Twisted
(Car Fine Records)

I had no idea what to expect when I popped this in and I must say this was a pleasant surprise. The band play rock n roll with a metal edge to it sort of like Deep Purple at times. The singer has a great soulful voice as he really fit the music well. The production and the songs just flowed rather well and as this played on, the more I was sucked in and by song # 4 I was a fan and couldn't get enough of it. Track # 5 is where this singer signs as he sings this song with such a passion and emotion not matched by many. This was such a great pleasure to review and this was an awesome band and please do your ears a favor and check them out. Info: http://www.cottonsoeterboekband.com

ARCHER
Doomsday Profits
(Self Released)

This was another pleasant surprise. This band plays metal in a straight forward vein. The band even have said this came out in 1985 and I would not have been surprised. The music is catchy metal played with plenty of power and melody with a singer who has a strong clean voice. All the tunes on this kicked ass and if I had to compare a band I would say Megadeth wouldn't be far off, but this more than stands on its own. The production is flawless and this is just ass kickin metal that we need more of. Info: http://www.myspace.com/archer

SUZY CALLAHAN
My Own Personal Watermelon
(Sacred Guy Music)

This was almost like folk music at times and this isn't something I would listen to on say a regular basis, but it wasn't bad for what it is. Suzy has quite a nice voice and she fits the music rather well almost sounding like Sheryl Crow in spots. The music is almost soft rock meets folk and the tunes aren't boring and her vocals help win me over so to speak. If your into folk music or something along those lines, here ya go. Info: http://www.suzycallahan.com

ZEBRAHEAD
Phoenix
(Icon Music)

This is some killer music on this disc. The band mix in a bit of modern metal with sole elements of thrash metal and it turns out this is quite a lethal combo. The band may sound cheesy to some, but to me the band just struck the right nerve with me. The band inject almost a 50/50 dose of nu metal with thrash metal and like I said for this band it works. The singer has a killer voice and he reminds me of the guy from Rage Against The Machine and his voice just fits the music and the band also write some killer riffs and this has me grinning from ear to ear. Also comes with a bonus DVD as well. Info: http://www.myspace.com/zebrahead

H20/Live August 19, 2002
The Bowery Collection
(MVD Audio)

The band rip and crush through a 17 song set of sweat, blood and energy that will leave you drained by the last note. CBGB'S was always known for their great sound and on this disc it is no exception. The band sound tight as hell and they just rip through a set of hardcore the way it was meant to be. It is loud, fast, and pulverizing to the ground. This is blistering no frills hardcore at its finest. Info: http://www.mvdaudio.com

CHINGALERA
Dose
(Pacific Recordings)

I am not a big fan of stoner rock and that is what this was. The songs just dragged on and there is no melody or hook to keep me interested. The songs drag on like a snail and the singer has a terrible voice. The songs are heavy, but heavy does not a good song make. This was just not good in my book and I was bored to death by song 3. Info: http://www.myspace.com/chingalera

« June / July 2008

Hard Announcements

METAL TO THE BONE!

"The Forbes Critique" September / October 2008 All Reviews by Chris Forbes

"The Forbes Critique"
September / October 2008
All Reviews by Chris Forbes