BallBusterHardMusic.com - Online Metal Journal

February / March 2006

DAVID EARL LEWIS
"Back In LA"
Self Released
by Chris Forbes

This is a guitar based boogie and David is quite the guitar player and he can write some nifty little tunes. The tunes are rock n roll with hooks and some great guitar playing by David. Sort of reminds me of Huey Lewis and The News and some rockabilly thrown in for good measure. All the tunes are catchy rock n roll numbers that I really liked.

9600
Quartz Ave
Chatsworth, CA 91311

Wet Animal
"Wet Animal"
(Escapi Music)
By, Travis Bain

Chicago's Wet Animal delivers a straight forward rock 'n' roll album which is few and far between today. However, this is the only positive thing I can say. I am not feeling this bands' shabby recording production and songs that do not transcend nor leave the listener with a memorable idea at all. Simple guitar riffs, drum beats, and vocals that are boring and mediocre. The only song I admire is "Left Behind," an acoustic song that broke the monotony with a clever vocal melody line and a catchy guitar progression. I was not able to understand what Wet Animal is trying to accomplish. Their songs and sound is out of date and not captivating whatsoever. Over the hill musicians who lost touch with themselves and their musical direction. If you do not like the first couple of songs then you will not sit through the whole album. I cannot recommend this band.

THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND
"Synchestra"
Inside Out Music
by Chris Forbes

14 tracks of some weird, warped out progressive metal music. The songs are long and not boring though. The singer reminds me of Dream Threatre, but the music is more complex and a bit heaver and the band thrash out in some parts. They actually go into some weird hillybilly parts and then whip into progressive metal parts. It is cool as you never know what is coming next. Well worth it and you will be listening to this release over and over. Info: http://www.insideoutmusic.com

Nostradamus 0014
"Glass Series"
(Overcome Records)
By: Paul Autry

This four track EP is unlike anything you've ever heard before. Their musical style is a psychotic combination of metal, hardcore and noise. I think there was a little bit jazz thrown into the mix as well. Fuck, man...you don't need to use drugs to mess your mind up. Just pop this disc into your CD player and crank it up. That'll do the trick. Have you ever had a really bad headache? Well...if you could plug your brain into your CD player when your head is pounding away at your skull...this is probably what it would sound like. Music such as this doesn't go over too well on a large scale because, let's be honest, there's a very specific audience who would get off on something like this...and I'm sure there's a limit to how much even they could take. Maybe that's why this disc features four tunes with a total running time of 15 minutes. Hit your audience with a short blast of insanity and give 'em a lot of time to recover. I know people who would enjoy something like this. Since I gave this disc a listen...and once was enough for me...I'm gonna pass it on to them. It's got a good sound for what it is. So, I'm sure they'll get more pleasure out of it than I will.

http://www.nostradamus0014.com

DEGREE ABSOLUTE
Self Titled
(Sensory Records)
by Chris Forbes

thrash thrown in from time to time. The music is balls heavy with lots of backbone and the tunes don't fly over your head. The vocals are clean, but powerful. Of the 9 tracks not a boring one was to be found. If your into heavy or progressive stuff, here is your band.

ERIC GALES
"Crystal Vision"
Blues Bureau International
by Chris Forbes

This wasn't bad as it reminded me a bit of Living Colour with a bit more of a guitar edge. Eric can play and can let rip some tasteful solos along with some monster riffs. His vocals are cool and soft and fit the music well. The music is blues style rock and isn't bad as the songs didn't bore me nor was there a bad song in the bunch. Solid production too.

HEADRUSH
Self Titled
(Frontiers Records)
by Chris Forbes

Some nice AOR rock from this band. Emotional vocals and some nice hard rock music from these guys is what you will find. It is like a combo of Dream Theatre meeting Journey meeting Angel. I love the vocals as the guy have a fantastic voice and the songs just plain rock. You can feel and hear the emotions as this plays on. The riffs and hooked, hooked me and kept me there till the last note dropped. A fantastic release. Info: http://www.locomotivemusic.com

1/2 Mad Poet
"4 Song Sampler"
By: Paul Autry

I hardly know anything about this band and all I have to judge them by is this four song sampler. I usually need to hear more from a band before I can form an honest opinion. But, I was so impressed with these tunes, I figured I might as well go on record with my thoughts. Opening track, "Run," is a straight forward hard rock song that has a killer groove. This tune brought back memories of another Chicago band that I was really into back in the 90's, Shelivade. Track two, "I'm Not The One," is kind of the same...although the upbeat energy of the song makes me wanna throw the word punk into the mix somewhere. "More Than That" is a mellow tune with a lot of power, especially when you get to the middle of the song when they kick it up a notch. "Imbroglio" sounds like they were tryin' to create a fan favorite here because this tune sticks with you once you hear it. I'd have to say that this is probably the tune they would use to end a gig with. You know, when they're ready to call it a night and they wanna give the audience one more song to take with 'em...this would be it. If not, it should be. It was a great way to end the disc. Leaves you with a real high feeling...like you just got through listening to something special. Anyway...bottom line...1/2 Mad Poet is a band to keep you eye on.

EARLY EMPIRE
"Resolutions And A Gun"
Self Released
by Chris Forbes

This was some modern punk rock style music and it wasn't too bad. The tunes were quick quirky numbers with some melody and a slight punkish edge. The vocals were sung in a punkish sort of way. This will appeal to fans of bands like Quicksand, Leeway, etc. Not bad. Info: http://www.myspace.com/earlyempire

American Dog
'Foamin' At The Mouth - Live'
(American Dog/Colonial Canine)
By John Haseltine

Well here's a pretty cool band. And one that is way too underrated. American Dog are a bad-ass band of Ohio-Outlaws. This veteran trio of rock monsters is comprised of Michael Hannon (Dangerous Toys/Hilljack/Salty Dog), Steve Theado and Keith Pickens. You may recall contributing tracks from Hilljack and American Dog on Ball-Buster's own Ball-One and Ball-One/Strike-Two released through Sinbad Productions. A compilation of various superstars of the underground music scene. These guys have a four other releases out and spew forth a show from August of 2005. This being their fifth album, they decided to do it live. The show was recorded in Columbus, Ohio. If you have not heard of American Dog before, this is your lucky day. You can either pick-up your own copy of Ball-One/Strike Two today, or head over to their website for some sound bytes. Take my word for it. One listen and you'll be hooked. Their gritty, beer swelling hard rock sound is something that doesn't always make it to the masses. A no holds barred, in your face collection of American Dog's finest. Well at least as much as would fit on one disk. For all you familiar with the band, the recording sounds really good and covers material from the early days. Track listing includes, "Another Lost Weekend, Workin' Man, Shitkicker, Barely Half Alive, Blame It On The Booze, D-N-F, Got You By A Chain, Too Damn Sober, Hear Me Howlin', Drank Too Much, I'll Drink To That, Bomber, Last Of A Dying Breed, D-N-D." For those of you who may be unfamiliar with American Dog, their sound will appeal to fans of Nashville Pussy, Junkyard, Motorhead and Superchrist. This is one live party/Cd you don't want to miss. To sum it all up with one word. Intoxicating.

http://www.americandog.us

Supermercado
"Scary Baby"
Darkstar Records 2005
by Becca Marshall

All right, I'll admit that I didn't have much hope for this cd when I first saw it. The chick on the cover looked like a b-rate porn star and the guys in the band all had a "trying too hard to look cool" style. However, Supermercado's album, Scary Baby wasn't as bad as I expected. Collectively they combine an element of hard rock, a touch of some industrial production elements, ska, funk and even some rap (which they could totally do without). What you get with this combination is a unique sounding band but one that doesn't really have a defining style. While some of the songs have good hooks to them, like the album's name-sak e "Scary-Baby", there aren't too many songs on the album you while walk away remembering. The musicianship is good on the album and the production is very easily radio-quality. "Tried to Save You" is probably one of the standout songs on the album. It's poppy with enough of an edge to attract rock-radio listeners. Supermercado is an interesting band that at least deserves one listen. Since the sound is hard to explain, it's best to listen for yourself.

http://www.darkstarrecords.com

Deep Purple
'Rapture Of The Deep'
(Eagle Rock Entertainment)
By John Haseltine

One thing I've never understood about the radio stations today, is how the will only pay homage to the bands or a bands one song from 20 years ago. Some of the most influential artists in several genres have to rely on one song being played every now and then. Y & T fans know this all to well. As do many others. Too many to mention. Deep Purple is one of these bands. Everyone who listens to rock radio knows the lyrics to "Smoke On The Water " like the backs of their hands. It's every other release since then that will not get mentioned. The latest from Deep Purple is one that needs mentioned. One that needs played. How many rock/classic rock stations are out there today? If any of them are worth a damn, their program directors need to be adding a track or two from these gem of an instant classic rock album. Now I don't want to pigeon-hole this into the classic rock category as has a fresh, up-beat sound for many of today's younger rockers. Through the many years of existence and the many different line-up changes, one thing remains true. Deep Purple have been a driving force in the rock industry that maybe the bigwig record companies haven't noticed or rewarded them for, but the many musicians of whom the band has touched in many ways has. This album is no exception. Todays the Deep Purple line-up is just as strong as it ever was. Rejuvenated. Refreshed and ready to rock. Of course the stellar vocals are delivered by non other than the great Ian Gillan. Steve Morse is on the guitars with Don Airey - keyboards, Ian Paice - drums and Roger Glover - bass. 'Rapture Of The Deep' is not what I was expecting the first time I listened to it. And I'm not going to try and bullshit you here by talking about the lyrical content or the albums of the past. This is a new year, a new release and a new, yet familiar sound. The disc is filled with tons of heavy, hook rockin' beats with several twists throughout. Yes it has it's melancholic moments here and there. But these are pretty standard in the genre and are placed at just the right times. From the driving beats of the disc opener ," Money Talks to Don't Let Go to Junkyard Blues" , Deep Purple are going to make all the non believers do a double take. I know I did. And I can't tell you this is their greatest release, or that one of the tracks are the strongest they've ever done. I can't simply because I have not had the privilege to hear all they have to offer. What can I say? This is a great album. Gillan and Co. are here to show the world that great has not died, and that it never will. Taken from the title track, "We're all the same, but then again we're all quite different in our own peculiar ways. We've come so far and now we're going through another phase. But it's alright, we made it so far."

http://www.deep-purple.com
http://www.eaglerockent.com