| MUSIC REVIEWS (July 2008) |
BLIND RACE - SEEING RED
(11 track CD) Self Released
BLIND RACE play a crossover style of Modern Rock & Metal music. These guys draw from a
wide variety of influences. There are some raw acoustic sounding parts on songs mixed with
some Prog Metal & straight forward Heavy Metal elements. They have some Thrash & Speed
Metal parts that are mostly present in the guitars. The vocals also follow the path of the music
itself. Some vocals are done in a smooth clean melodic style while others are done in a raw
aggressive screaming way. These guys really mix it up & do a great job at it also. A blend of
bands like ALICE IN CHAINS, PANTERA, STONE SOUR, GODSMACK & OZZY!
www.BLINDRACE.net
(11 track CD) Self Released
BLIND RACE play a crossover style of Modern Rock & Metal music. These guys draw from a
wide variety of influences. There are some raw acoustic sounding parts on songs mixed with
some Prog Metal & straight forward Heavy Metal elements. They have some Thrash & Speed
Metal parts that are mostly present in the guitars. The vocals also follow the path of the music
itself. Some vocals are done in a smooth clean melodic style while others are done in a raw
aggressive screaming way. These guys really mix it up & do a great job at it also. A blend of
bands like ALICE IN CHAINS, PANTERA, STONE SOUR, GODSMACK & OZZY!
www.BLINDRACE.net
BLOODBATH - THE WACKEN CARNAGE
(13 track CD/DVD) PEACEVILLE RECORDS
BLOODBATH is a Death Metal music group that is formed by members of KATATONIA &
OPETH. These guys create some of the best old school styled Swedish Death Metal out there.
This new release is a deluxe CD/DVD set that captures the bands live performance from the
Wacken Open Air in Germany on August 5th, 2005. These guys are by far one of the best
bands out there that just destroy with their unrelenting force of great Death Metal music. Many
of us unlucky bastards never get to see them live, so this is the next best thing. A must for any
fan of these guys.
www.BLOODBATH.biz
(13 track CD/DVD) PEACEVILLE RECORDS
BLOODBATH is a Death Metal music group that is formed by members of KATATONIA &
OPETH. These guys create some of the best old school styled Swedish Death Metal out there.
This new release is a deluxe CD/DVD set that captures the bands live performance from the
Wacken Open Air in Germany on August 5th, 2005. These guys are by far one of the best
bands out there that just destroy with their unrelenting force of great Death Metal music. Many
of us unlucky bastards never get to see them live, so this is the next best thing. A must for any
fan of these guys.
www.BLOODBATH.biz
CANVAS SOLARIS - THE ATOMIZED DREAM
(8 track CD) SENSORY RECORDS
THE ATOMIZED DREAM is the newest offering from this Prog Metal band. These guys
play a warped & trippy style to it that kind of takes you on a twisted journey through their
music. There THE ATOMIZED DREAM is the newest offering from this Prog Metal band.
These guys play a is a bit of a 70's Metal vibe happening as well. There are no vocals on this
release, but they would very intricate style of Prog Metal that has lots of involved song
structures. The music has a really probably only take away from this amazing musicianship
rather then compliment it. If your a very open minded fan of Metal then this would be
something you'd want to check out. The music is some of the best written, structured & played
Prog Metal out there today!
(8 track CD) SENSORY RECORDS
THE ATOMIZED DREAM is the newest offering from this Prog Metal band. These guys
play a warped & trippy style to it that kind of takes you on a twisted journey through their
music. There THE ATOMIZED DREAM is the newest offering from this Prog Metal band.
These guys play a is a bit of a 70's Metal vibe happening as well. There are no vocals on this
release, but they would very intricate style of Prog Metal that has lots of involved song
structures. The music has a really probably only take away from this amazing musicianship
rather then compliment it. If your a very open minded fan of Metal then this would be
something you'd want to check out. The music is some of the best written, structured & played
Prog Metal out there today!
COPREMESIS - MUAY THAI LADYBOYS
(10 track CD) PARAGON RECORDS
This is the debut CD release from this omni sexual Death Grind band out of New York City!
This band is like nothing I have heard before. They play a very low ended style of Death Metal
music that is smashed together with guttural Grindcore music. The music is really aggressive &
fast paced with lots of blasts & high speed riffing. I really dig the music a lot, but I couldn't get
into the because I really dig the music a lot I was able to enjoy these guys a lot. If your into this
type of sickness then you'll love this band!
www.myspace.com/COPREMESIS
(10 track CD) PARAGON RECORDS
This is the debut CD release from this omni sexual Death Grind band out of New York City!
This band is like nothing I have heard before. They play a very low ended style of Death Metal
music that is smashed together with guttural Grindcore music. The music is really aggressive &
fast paced with lots of blasts & high speed riffing. I really dig the music a lot, but I couldn't get
into the because I really dig the music a lot I was able to enjoy these guys a lot. If your into this
type of sickness then you'll love this band!
www.myspace.com/COPREMESIS
DELIRIO OCCULTO - SELF TITLED
(5 track CD) Self Released
This is an older release from this Italian band that came out in 2006, but was just recently sent
in for review. These guys play an old school style of Black Metal music. Their music has a
really dark & raw edge to it that really brings back the vibe of some of the original Black Metal
bands that started this style. There are some Thrash Metal elements present in some of the
guitar work as well. The vocals are done in a an old school style as well. There are long drawn
out & groggy sounding Black Metal vocals mixed with harsh raw growling ones as well. All old
school Black Metal hordes will definitely want to check these guys out!
(5 track CD) Self Released
This is an older release from this Italian band that came out in 2006, but was just recently sent
in for review. These guys play an old school style of Black Metal music. Their music has a
really dark & raw edge to it that really brings back the vibe of some of the original Black Metal
bands that started this style. There are some Thrash Metal elements present in some of the
guitar work as well. The vocals are done in a an old school style as well. There are long drawn
out & groggy sounding Black Metal vocals mixed with harsh raw growling ones as well. All old
school Black Metal hordes will definitely want to check these guys out!
GRENOUER - LIFE LONG DAYS
(11 track CD) LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS
GRENOUER was formed in the mid 90's & comes to us from Russia. These guys started out as
a pure Death Metal band but with each new album infuse their music with other styles of music
as well. This new album sees the band adding in lots of flavors of Modern Metal, Hardcore,
Rock &Progressive styles. The music is very intricate & has a lot of good transitions from one
style to the next. The vocals also follow the same pattern as the music. These guys were great
back in the day & I feel even better now. You can really hear the growth & progression of a great
band with each new album. This is one for fans of FEAR FACTORY, MESHUGGAH, DARK
TRANQUILITY & others like these bands!
(11 track CD) LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS
GRENOUER was formed in the mid 90's & comes to us from Russia. These guys started out as
a pure Death Metal band but with each new album infuse their music with other styles of music
as well. This new album sees the band adding in lots of flavors of Modern Metal, Hardcore,
Rock &Progressive styles. The music is very intricate & has a lot of good transitions from one
style to the next. The vocals also follow the same pattern as the music. These guys were great
back in the day & I feel even better now. You can really hear the growth & progression of a great
band with each new album. This is one for fans of FEAR FACTORY, MESHUGGAH, DARK
TRANQUILITY & others like these bands!
(HED) P.E. - THE DIY GUYS
(13 track CD/DVD) SUBURBAN NOIZE
This is a CD/DVD release from California's Hardcore/Hip Hop band that has been cranking out
their blend of music for over a decade. This is the bands first live album. The live CD is from
their show @ Hollywood's Key Club. There is a great blend of their classic tracks as well as
stuff from their newest release. There are also 3 new tracks featured on the CD. The DVD is 13
live tracks plus music videos, behind the scenes, interviews & more. These guys take Hardcore
music in tons on a major label & forced to go in certain directions. Now it's anything goes!
www.myspace.com/HEDPE
(13 track CD/DVD) SUBURBAN NOIZE
This is a CD/DVD release from California's Hardcore/Hip Hop band that has been cranking out
their blend of music for over a decade. This is the bands first live album. The live CD is from
their show @ Hollywood's Key Club. There is a great blend of their classic tracks as well as
stuff from their newest release. There are also 3 new tracks featured on the CD. The DVD is 13
live tracks plus music videos, behind the scenes, interviews & more. These guys take Hardcore
music in tons on a major label & forced to go in certain directions. Now it's anything goes!
www.myspace.com/HEDPE
MICHELLE DARKNESS - BRAND NEW DRUG
(12 track CD) LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS
I wasn't sure what to expect from this band, but I was really digging what I heard. They play a
kind of Gothic influenced Metal style of music. The music has a lot of darkness engulfing it,
which I liked a lot. There is a bit of a classic New Wave Gothic style from the 80's mixed with
modern Metal music. The music has a soothing comforting almost like accepting death feel to it.
The vocals are done in a mid ranged clean style of vocals with a lower ended styled that
reminded me so much like Pete Steele of TYPE O NEGATIVE. These guys reminded me of
TYPE O a lot, but with not as slow drawn out style. If you throw in a little bit of older THE
CULT influences along with the TYPE O ones then you'd have a good idea of what this bands
sounds like.
(12 track CD) LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS
I wasn't sure what to expect from this band, but I was really digging what I heard. They play a
kind of Gothic influenced Metal style of music. The music has a lot of darkness engulfing it,
which I liked a lot. There is a bit of a classic New Wave Gothic style from the 80's mixed with
modern Metal music. The music has a soothing comforting almost like accepting death feel to it.
The vocals are done in a mid ranged clean style of vocals with a lower ended styled that
reminded me so much like Pete Steele of TYPE O NEGATIVE. These guys reminded me of
TYPE O a lot, but with not as slow drawn out style. If you throw in a little bit of older THE
CULT influences along with the TYPE O ones then you'd have a good idea of what this bands
sounds like.
NACHTMYSTIUM - ASSASSINS BLACK MEDDLE PT. 1
(10 track CD) CENTURY MEDIA
This is the CENTURY MEDIA debut for this Black Metal band. This Chicago based band has
been churning out some of the best old school influenced Black Metal for a while now & now
they are getting some of the long over due recognition they deserve. This album showcases the
bands skills with some well constructed songs that blend together raw aggressive attacks with
some ethereal atmospheric passages along with some dreary dark parts. The music takes you on
many different paths, while always keeping you in that darkened world they created. There are
even some creepy rocking Black Metal parts within songs too. The vocals are done in a mixture
of Black metal style as well. This is by far the bands best effort to date!
www.myspace.com/NACHTMYSTIUM
(10 track CD) CENTURY MEDIA
This is the CENTURY MEDIA debut for this Black Metal band. This Chicago based band has
been churning out some of the best old school influenced Black Metal for a while now & now
they are getting some of the long over due recognition they deserve. This album showcases the
bands skills with some well constructed songs that blend together raw aggressive attacks with
some ethereal atmospheric passages along with some dreary dark parts. The music takes you on
many different paths, while always keeping you in that darkened world they created. There are
even some creepy rocking Black Metal parts within songs too. The vocals are done in a mixture
of Black metal style as well. This is by far the bands best effort to date!
www.myspace.com/NACHTMYSTIUM
OFFSIDES - IT'S A STRUGGLE TO COMMUNICATE
(6track CD) GET OUTTA TOWN RECORDS
Straight out of Connecticut & into your face is this girl fronted Hardcore band. This band play
some very pissed off sounding new school Hardcore music. They do take a few old school
elements & mix them in with their sound as well. The music is fast paced filled with lots of
some male backing vocals accompanying the leads. I dig the killer grooves & breakdowns
placed all through out their songs a lot. There is a very big chance we will be hearing a lot of
buzz from OFFSIDES within in the Hardcore community in the near future!
www.myspace.com/OFFSIDESct
(6track CD) GET OUTTA TOWN RECORDS
Straight out of Connecticut & into your face is this girl fronted Hardcore band. This band play
some very pissed off sounding new school Hardcore music. They do take a few old school
elements & mix them in with their sound as well. The music is fast paced filled with lots of
some male backing vocals accompanying the leads. I dig the killer grooves & breakdowns
placed all through out their songs a lot. There is a very big chance we will be hearing a lot of
buzz from OFFSIDES within in the Hardcore community in the near future!
www.myspace.com/OFFSIDESct
TIME TO KILL - INSANITY
(11 track CD) TURKEY VULTURE RECORDS
TIME TO KILL is a female fronted Metal band. They play a mixture of older styles with some
more modern styles of Metal. The music has an old school almost Thrash metal style that's
blended in with some grooving Nu-Metal styles. There is a slow sludgy like vibe that is in their
sound as well. They do add in some faster parts with some break downs & change ups. The
vocals are where I kind of get thrown off. The vocals seem to be in front of the music instead of
within it at times. The female vocals reminded me of a mixture of L7 with HOLE & a little bit
of Punk but sung like the lead singe from OTEP! It was a different combination, which seemed
to work for the most part. If you want to hear something that puts a twist on Metal look no
further!
www.TIMETOKILL.us
(11 track CD) TURKEY VULTURE RECORDS
TIME TO KILL is a female fronted Metal band. They play a mixture of older styles with some
more modern styles of Metal. The music has an old school almost Thrash metal style that's
blended in with some grooving Nu-Metal styles. There is a slow sludgy like vibe that is in their
sound as well. They do add in some faster parts with some break downs & change ups. The
vocals are where I kind of get thrown off. The vocals seem to be in front of the music instead of
within it at times. The female vocals reminded me of a mixture of L7 with HOLE & a little bit
of Punk but sung like the lead singe from OTEP! It was a different combination, which seemed
to work for the most part. If you want to hear something that puts a twist on Metal look no
further!
www.TIMETOKILL.us
TO THE BONE - AGAINST THE DEAD HAND
(11 track CD) ROSEMONT RECORDINGS
This is the second offering from TO THE BONE. These guys play a wide variety of musical
styles blended together to create a different sound. They mix together elements of Garage,
Experimental, Hard Rock & Progressive Metal. The music sometimes blends all styles into one
& in other parts go just for one of the styles altogether. There is a definite uniqueness to their
sound that I can't recall hearing before. It has a strong up yours to corporate mainstream music &
a real do what you want & who cares about everyone else. The vocals also run the same course
as the music. This band can't really be explained to well without hearing them cause I feel each
person will hear something completely different from the next listener!
www.myspace.com/TOTHEBONE
(11 track CD) ROSEMONT RECORDINGS
This is the second offering from TO THE BONE. These guys play a wide variety of musical
styles blended together to create a different sound. They mix together elements of Garage,
Experimental, Hard Rock & Progressive Metal. The music sometimes blends all styles into one
& in other parts go just for one of the styles altogether. There is a definite uniqueness to their
sound that I can't recall hearing before. It has a strong up yours to corporate mainstream music &
a real do what you want & who cares about everyone else. The vocals also run the same course
as the music. This band can't really be explained to well without hearing them cause I feel each
person will hear something completely different from the next listener!
www.myspace.com/TOTHEBONE
VADER - XXV
(26 track 2CD set) REGAIN RECORDS
This is a 2CD set that celebrates the bands long spanning career as one of the best Death Metal
bands ever. There are a total of 26 tracks re-recorded in 2008 exclusively for this release. The
songs are taken from the bands entire existence. There are rare demo tracks, unreleased stuff &
songs from the bands previous albums. VADER play some of the best Death Metal out there
from their beginnings straight up to today. I finally got to see these guys live last year & was
blown away. If your a fan of this band or never heard them before (which you should be highly
ashamed) then you really need to buy this album & crank it as loud as possible! LONG LIVE
VADER!
www.VADER.pl
(26 track 2CD set) REGAIN RECORDS
This is a 2CD set that celebrates the bands long spanning career as one of the best Death Metal
bands ever. There are a total of 26 tracks re-recorded in 2008 exclusively for this release. The
songs are taken from the bands entire existence. There are rare demo tracks, unreleased stuff &
songs from the bands previous albums. VADER play some of the best Death Metal out there
from their beginnings straight up to today. I finally got to see these guys live last year & was
blown away. If your a fan of this band or never heard them before (which you should be highly
ashamed) then you really need to buy this album & crank it as loud as possible! LONG LIVE
VADER!
www.VADER.pl
WORK OF ART - ARTWORK
(12 track CD) LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS
I have never heard these guys before & no nothing about them. They play a very radio friendly
Pop Rock style of music though. They do have some heavy influences of 80's Pop Rock music
with a bit of a modern twist on their sound. The music is well written & well performed, but it's
just not something that really grabbed me or hooked me in. The guitar work reminded me a little
bit of Billy Sheenan. The vocals are done in a melodic clean & powerful style with a bit of a
ballad style mixed within. The band as a whole could be compared to JOURNEY, but they
would be more like their younger siblings & not on the same level as JOURNEY. All in all
though, this is still a good comparison! Fans of 80's styled Rock like this will love these guys!
(12 track CD) LOCOMOTIVE RECORDS
I have never heard these guys before & no nothing about them. They play a very radio friendly
Pop Rock style of music though. They do have some heavy influences of 80's Pop Rock music
with a bit of a modern twist on their sound. The music is well written & well performed, but it's
just not something that really grabbed me or hooked me in. The guitar work reminded me a little
bit of Billy Sheenan. The vocals are done in a melodic clean & powerful style with a bit of a
ballad style mixed within. The band as a whole could be compared to JOURNEY, but they
would be more like their younger siblings & not on the same level as JOURNEY. All in all
though, this is still a good comparison! Fans of 80's styled Rock like this will love these guys!
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