|
|
January / February 2004Conspiracy | Legen Beltza | Bernie Torme & The Electric Gypsies | Khanate | Drawn and Quartered | Law of the Plague | Leslie Mills | Forge | Mighty Sideshow | Chicklet | Crown 10 | "Hell at Last: A Tribute To Slayer" | St. Madness | Mushroomhead | Van Helsing's Curse | Asterius | Trivium | King Prawn | YOB | Havochate | SPF 1000 | MXPX | Twisted Method | Omen | Tartharia | Sludge | Vader | Pure Sweet Hell | Living Colour | Andreas Lantz | harmful | Jack Starr's Guardians of the Flame | Life of Agony | Queensryche | U.D.O. | KMFDM | Deadsoul Tribe | Apartment 26 | The Rising | Eddi | Dirtwater | Christopher | Edguy | Starless | Ricky Warwick | Devil May Care | Dead Cell | Acumen Nation | Burial Ground | Swarm of the Lotus | Phil Naro | Green Carnation | Triumph Apartment 26 Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler has a son. He's in this band. Now that we got the obvious name drop out of the way, let's take a look at this release. Actually, let's ponder the word rock for a moment. What kind of rock music is floating around out there? We have hard, pop, alternative, retro, punk, college radio, garage, glam, space and classic rock. Also, we can't forget rock and roll. The point is, there's a million different terms we use to describe this style of music and just when you think it's safe to say that we can't come up with any more, Apartment 26 comes up with a new one. The only problem is, I have no idea what that term is. To simply call them a rock band doesn't begin to do the band justice because they're so much more than that. You might be able to throw in one of the above mentioned terms as well but, again, that wouldn't do the band justice because they're not any of those styles. You may hear elements of, oh, I don't know, classic rock, alternative rock, whatever. But, that's not where you'd wanna place Apartment 26 in the musical food chain. I'd hate to work in a music store and have to be the one to put this release on the shelf because I wouldn't have a clue as to where I'd put it. This one would need a shelf away from everything else because there's just so much going on within their music. I mean, you start picking out the certain styles and you're gonna have more music than your local record store. I've got about 5,000 plus albums in my music collection and there's not one CD, be it national or independent, that I can pull out and say, "This is what Apartment 26 reminds me of." Hell, they remind me of my entire CD collection as a whole. That's how I would describe them. Take everything in your music collection, put it all together and then you'll have an idea of what Apartment 26 sounds like. I'm totally into music like this. When you can take an endless amount of styles and throw it all together and make it sound good, you've got something really special going on. That's what this album's all about. The Rising I like this release. It's a radio friendly rock album, plain and simple. Can't say that there's anything special about it. I mean, it's not like the band is breaking any new ground here. But, they manage to deliver eleven, well written songs with a number one tune in here somewhere. My vote would either be for "Gone Again" or "Cradle," maybe even "Lie To Me." If they don't make it to the number one spot, they should at least make it to the top ten because, well, first of all, they've got a good sound. Second, there's at least some quality to these tunes, which is more than I can say for a lot of the stuff that you hear on the radio these days. It's not something that's gonna jump out and grab you by the throat. But, if you hear any of these tunes at least once, they'll stick with you and when you hear 'em again, you'll find yourself singing along to 'em. In other words, it's something that will grow on you. So, the next time you hear a song on the radio and you think to yourself, yeah, that sounded pretty cool, I wonder who it is. Well, chances are it will be The Rising and, to find out more about 'em, check out the website. Eddi Eddi is actually Pete Crotty, the man behind the music on this demo. It's three songs, "Scab", "Recreational Therapy", and "Dissolution" (and some samples), all rather short, the longest one being just under three minutes. Crotty is a capable enough guitarist and has done a fairly good job on all three songs. All his music is acoustic/unplugged with a raw, punkish edge to it. Reminded of REM's "Blister In The Sun", or an unplugged Sonic Youth, something in that vein. As I said, the man does have talent and is doing something a bit different from what's big these days, so I give him credit for that. The songs could do with being a bit longer though. Maybe when he puts out a full length album. Someone to watch out for if this is your cup. Dirtwater This band sounds a hell of a lot like Creed! And more Creed wannabees need not apply to today's music scene! All three songs on this disc are damn near completely indistinguishable from Creed! Singer Mike Meadows sounds just like Scoot Stapp, the guitar playing is all Creed style power chords (which aren't very powerful in my opinion) Everything on this disc sounds like it was photocopied from a Creed album! As musicians this band are really only mediocre. Nothing special that's for sure! Did I mention that there are already too many Creed copycats around today? Doesn't anyone know how to be just a little original anymore? Christopher Christopher is a multi talented individual who did every-damn-thing on this album (his debut as a solo artist-he's been in other bands before), and it's quite an interesting piece of work. It is unique and different, if a little self indulgent at times. The whole CD is almost eighty minutes long, and three songs on it are also quite lengthy, those being opening track "Nokturne" (over seventeen minutes), "Waiting for Pussy...willow" (over fourteen minutes), and "What's Your Threshold" (over ten minutes). This made the CD a bit of a chore to listen to, but an interesting chore nonetheless. Christopher has taken industrial, goth, electronica, metal, added touches of classical, new age, and world music, thrown in some very unusual things (like playing a girl's belly! And literally singing like a girl in many places! Throughout the album there are many female vocals...but they're not female, they're his!) and has created an interesting and different form of music here. There is a lot of influence from bands like Depeche Mode, the Cure, and NIN, and many other bands and styles of music, too many to list, although electronic/industrial/Goth does seem to be a dominant musical force here. The music is dark and heavy at times, haunting at others, with operatic, wailing vocals (all his, as I said), and can even be lilting and peaceful. Every extreme is explored by Christopher! The bulk of the music is instrumental, with just the wailing vocals, but he does sing on a few of the songs. His vocals are in the Depeche Mode/Cure vein, low, dark, and cryptic, with even a bit of Right Said Fred! This album takes the listener on a unique and thrilling musical journey, that's up and down, dark and light, scary and fun! As I said, it's a bit long, but still very intriguing. Christopher is certainly a very talented and artistic individual who is doing something original and different here, and he does deserve props for that! Included with the CD is a CD ROM press kit, that contains all kinds of info about Christopher (bio, pictures, the story behind the album, info on the band's live show, etc.). Check this out if you're in the mood for something different! Edguy Edguy, a band that have become largely popular on the power metal scene over the past few years, have released this slobberknocker of a live album, a double disc set recorded on their last tour. Edguy play classic style, dual axe power metal, influenced by the usual suspects-Maiden, Priest, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Hammerfall, Savatage, Stratovarius, Nocturnal Rites, Manowar, Virgin Steele, etc., with a touch of progressive/Dream Theater to their music. They are a very talented band whose playing and songwriting are excellent, even outstanding, head and shoulders above many other metal bands. While heavily influenced by the aforementioned power masters, Edguy are by no means copycats, and have a style that, while definitely in the classic power metal vein, is distinctly their own. Their music is powerful, melodic, and sophisticated, but also has an edge to it, and the fact that this is live recording adds to that edge, giving the music a raw and pure feeling. The band sound great live, going full steam all the way! Vocalist Tobias Sammit has a strong and powerful voice, with influence from Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske, Joacim Cans, and Kai Hansen. Guitarists Jens Lugwig and Dirk Sauer are a dynamic axe duo, while bassist Tobias Exxel and drummer Felix Bohnke make up an amazing rhythm section, Exxel seeming to have a lot of Steve Harris influence. The whole band is a mighty, well oiled metal machine that sounds killer in a live setting. The music radiates, giving the feeling of being there. Most of the songs are full throttle power metal tunes. However, they do throw in a couple of ballads, those being "Land Of The Miracle" and "Inside", the latter played entirely on acoustic guitar. They even seem to have a sense of humor that shows on the song "Save Us Now", which appears to be an ode to the Energizer Bunny! (High speed alien drum bunny?!?!). Silly lyrics (intentionally, I think) but still a kicking tune! We also have a drum solo from Felix, titled "Solitary Bunny", which thankfully is not too long. Felix is a great drummer, but much of the time, drum solos on live albums tend to be overextended. These guys, however, know when to stop. There is also a fifteen minute long epic tune, titled "Pharaoh", which is comparable to Iron Maiden's "Powerslave" (the song), both musically and lyrically. All in all, this is a great live album by a killer band, with a lot of talent, who definitely deserve some major props! If you're a fan of traditional/power/progressive metal, Edguy are a must! Power metal greatness! Starless Maybe it's me. But, I just don't get it. I'm reading through the press material that came with this release and, okay, I'm still drawing a blank. About the fourth paragraph down, I see my problem. It states that you have to work to uncover the essence of this release. Is this a musical recording or a job? I mean, come on, I don't listen to music to think or to figure something out. I listen to music because I enjoy it and, well, it's entertainment. You can make a point without putting my brain cells to work. I know it's a bad example to use here, but, take "Master Of Puppets" by Metallica. Great song, it's about drug abuse. I got the point the first time I heard the song. I didn't have to think about it, know what I mean? I think my problem with this release is that the way it was presented was way too serious for me. Oh, don't get me wrong, it's a good album. It's got a sound that I would describe as radio friendly rock 'n' roll with a touch of pop. They're not doing anything that I haven't already heard. But, the fact of the matter is, I can throw this in the CD player and, while it's not something I'd really get bored with, I'd pretty much have to be in the mood to listen to it. I'm sitting here listening to it right now as I'm typing this up and it's not like I feel the need to hurry up and finish writing so I can take it out of the CD player. The musicianship is pretty good, production is pretty good, it's nice to listen to. But, that's about all I'm gonna do. I'm not gonna sit here and pour over the lyrical concept to find out what kind of point they're trying to make. Life's too short to worry about that stuff. Mellow out and have a good time, that's what I say. And, yes, I know there's some people out there who look for something a bit more in the music they choose to listen to. If that's you, well, hey, you'll find it on this release. If you're like me and you simply enjoy good music, well, you'll find that here as well. Like I said, it's not a bad album. I guess you'll just have to listen to it for yourself and form your own opinion. So, check it out and see what you think. Before I leave you, I should mention that I thought track ten, "Automobile," was pretty cool. I like their use of samples, sound bites, whatever you wanna call 'em. That was kind of neat. Ricky Warwick Some interesting details here. Ricky Warwick is a former member of the British punk/hard rock band The Almighty and this, his debut solo release, was produced by Def Leppard vocalist Joe Elliott and Ronan McHugh. I should also mention that his influences include Johnny Cash, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty and Steve Earle to name a few. Those few items should be enough to make you at least a little curious as to what this album's all about. Well, I wouldn't bother with a label because it doesn't really matter what you call it...good music is good music. It's got an upbeat, radio friendly singer/songwriter vibe with a rock/pop edge. It's an amazing album that caught me by suprise. It's a solid release that's exceptionally well written. You can tell that a lot of time and effort went into these tunes because they all pretty much stand out. All meat and no fat...and it's not often where an artist can pull that off. "Tattoos And Alibis" is a fourteen song release for those of you who can appreciate good music. 'Nuff said. Devil May Care I just got done listening to this release and I have but one question. Why hasn't someone been intelligent enough to sign this band? If I had a record label, I would pick up Devil May Care without thinking twice. They've got a great sound, a nice package, well written tunes and, while they might not be doing anything new in terms of musical style, this album sounds fresh and original and it simply screams for attention. Hell, the first track on the album, "Wide Open," has hit song written all over it. Throw this tune on a few radio stations that matter and watch how fast it makes it to the number one spot. Or how about "Disappearing," which has the right amount of emotion and heaviness. I was really impressed with "Why Would I," which is just a damn cool song. It slowly reaches out and pulls you in...it's almost magical. I don't want to throw a label on this band because, really, you should simply give them a listen and let the music take control of your opinion. But, since some people need something familiar to make their mind work, I guess I'd have to say that Devil May Care is a combination of rock and pop and the entire album is like a breath of fresh air. I've been listening to this release pretty much non-stop since it came across my desk and, to be honest with you, I can't seem to get enough. I'm already dying to hear more material from Devil May Care. I can't praise them enough. We have a real winner here and if you're really into hearing good music, "Delicate" is an album that's well worth your time. Trust me, you can't live without this one. So, make sure you get a copy...you won't be disappointed! http://www.devilmaycare.org Dead Cell What is it with these three song releases? You know, I've got an exceptionally short attention span. But, I can still sit through more than three tunes, especially if the band has something to offer. Come on, get with the program people. Anyway, as I said in a previous review, three songs isn't enough to form a permanent opinion on a band. Use something like this as an introduction. Dead Cell, from what I heard, has a lot of potential. They come off as a heavy rock band and they do have their own style. But, the problem here is the production. It doesn't do 'em justice. These three...count 'em...three...songs are pretty cool. However, they sound a bit rough around the edges. I can dig 'em and I'm glad I had a chance to hear this material. I can't say that I'll listen to it again though. Touch up the sound a bit and throw a few more tunes on the album and I know I'd probably become a fan. The potential is here. So, make the most of it. http://www.rockworksproductions.com Acumen Nation I think I wrote something about this band back in the day. Can't remember. But, I do remember the name and, if I'm not mistaken, I didn't have anything bad to say about what I heard back then. Can't say that this release did much for me. Not that it's a bad album. I just can't seem to get into it. But, there's a lot about it that I can appreciate. I have a certain way I believe things should be done in this business. In the big picture, sure, I know my opinion doesn't mean jack. But, seeing as how I choose to write about this stuff, at least I can make a point every now and then and, when it comes to Acumen Nation, well, they're the perfect band to use to get my point across. To quote from their press material, "Acumen Nation embodies the DIY effort to the fullest: writing, performing and producing all their albums, as well as mastering and creating the artwork, website, promo materials, booking and day to day business of all their releases." Personally, I think a lot of other people should take it upon themselves to do that. After all, you're the artist, this is your creation and you should be in complete and total control of it. I've seen way too many talented people go belly up because they put their creation in the hand of someone else. BIG MISTAKE! Some people may say that all that additional work will cause the band to suffer. I don't think so and, if you listen to this release, well, they don't sound like they're suffering. For their chosen musical style, Acumen Nation is pretty good at what they do. Once again, to quote the press material, "Fusing heavy guitars, elements of drum n' bass and breakbeat, haunting synths and a pummeling rhythmn section, Acumen Nation infuse a dose of hardcore and emo into the mix of their sixth album," which would be the release we're now talking about. I quote the press material because that will give you a better idea of what this band is all about. If I were to just offer my opinion on what I heard, I would simply say they're an industrial metal band with a good sound. Plus, it's wrapped in a totally professional package and that deserves a mention because, remember, this is a band with the whole DIY attitude. So, it's clear to see that they care about what they're doing and they put some time and effort into making sure they deliver a top quality product. Who can't appreciate something like that? So, if you're into this style of music, Acumen Nation is a band you should check out. I don't think they'll disappoint you and I'm pretty sure you'll walk away from your listening experience totally satisfied. Burial Ground What we have here is a three song metal release that's kind of raw, aggressive and in your face. To be honest, it doesn't really turn me on because we've heard it all before. However, it doesn't turn me off either. I mean, I can listen to it. But, really, with three songs in ten minutes, I don't see myself pulling this out and playing it that often. Know what I mean? I view this release as something to get you interested in the band, an introduction so to speak. If you like what you hear, maybe it'll be enough to get you to check out future releases and, if you look at it that way, it's not a bad release. I don't think I would form a permanent opinion on this band with just three songs though and I wouldn't suggest doing that either. Listen to this, see what you think, see if you like it and, if you do, follow the band's progress, see how they improve on what they're doing and see what they have to offer down the road...and that's pretty much it. Swarm of the Lotus Swarm of the Lotus sound like their name: Surreal, massive, terrifying. From the overlapping waves of sonic terror on "Cherry Chocolate Salamander" to the Godflesh-like, mechanized tribalism of "Burn Autumn Burn" and "Stained Glass Oubliette", the Baltimore, MD-based Swarm, with names right out of a death industrial spinoff of The Waltons (Bob, John, Jon-John and Pete on guitars, bass, drums, and guitar/vokills, respectively) rampage through eleven songs on this, their debut album. The CD grips from the opening rush and never lets go, coming on like Godzilla on an ether binge and flattening out to more traditional grind/death structures -- shimmering open chords and piledriver rhythms -- while maintaining the drowning-victim ferocity with which Pete hurls forth the lyrics. SOTL already have the stuff to be a classic, with hints of free jazz a la Cephalic Carnage sharing space with a killing wallop. A truly impressive entrance. Phil Naro It's always a pleasure to recieve new material from Phil Naro because, in my opinion, he's one of the select few who's proud to carry the torch for rock 'n' roll. Styles may change. But, Phil Naro remains the same. Some people may look at it like, okay, he's been making the same style of music for years and he hasn't grown as an artist. Well, I hate to burst your bubble here, but, Phil Naro has grown as an artist. While he might not stray too far from his chosen musical style, with each new release and/or project he's involved in, he manages to create something fresh and exciting. The one thing I admire about this guy is the fact that he's remained true to his music, which is something a lot of musicians seem to forget about. I could name a band or two that started off with a really great sound only to throw it all away to embrace the current flavor of the month. Good music doesn't go out of style and a lot of people who are reading this should get a clue and keep that in mind. When it comes to Phil Naro, I don't even have to listen to his music to write about it. That's something I could do in my sleep. I know it's gonna be good and I know it's gonna be everything I expect it to be and then some. That's what happened with this release. I was blown away before I even got through the first half of the album. It's an instant classic. It's got a crisp, clear sound, it's solid and well written and Phil's voice is as strong as ever. It's radio ready rock 'n' roll with a lot of balls. Takes me back to a time when music actually meant something. It doesn't get much better than this and that's all there is to it. "Glass Mountain" is a must have addition to your collection. It's a Real Ball-Buster!! Green Carnation It's hard to believe that Green Carnation came into being as a death metal band. It's quite an interesting fact, especially when you hear their current release, "A Blessing In Disguise," which we'll get to in a moment. Before we do, I'd like to mention that my first experience with this band was their "Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness" release. Talk about an impressive album. They really went out on a limb with that one. The album was actually a single song that had a running time of an hour. It was a bold move that really paid off for the band. On "A Blessing In Disguise," the band goes in yet another direction. This time around, their sound can be described as heavy progressive rock. It's a strong release with a huge sound and there's a wealth of good material to be found here. It was the first track, "Crushed To Dust," that really caught my attention. Perfect way to start the album. It's the kind of song that you get hooked on as soon as you hear it. This album has recieved a hell of a lot of praise from all over the world. So, you know they must be doing something right. So, maybe it's time you check it out to see what all the fuss is about. Don't you think? Triumph TRC is apparently reissuing Triumph's whole back catalog, and this is the "greatest hits" collection that originally came out in 1989. I don't think Triumph, or any of these songs, need any introduction. Most fans of classic hard rock/metal are well and truly familiar with Triumph, who ruled the airwaves in the 80s with their Zeppelin/Rush influenced style of melodic, polished hard rock. All the big hits are on here..."Fight The Good Fight", "Lay It On The Line", "Rock And Roll Machine", "Magic Power", "Tears In The Rain", "World Of Fantasy", "Spellbound", etc. Triumph were a hard rocking band who had some talent. Singer/guitarist Rik Emmet could really shred, although his voice was a little high pitched! To a die hard fan who already has all the albums, "Classics" is not really necessary. However, to a casual fan who is satisfied with just owning Triumph's popular songs, or feel like waxing nostalgic back to the 80s when these songs were on the radio all the time, or even a new fan just getting in the band, this album would be a good addition to their collection. |
