| MUSIC REVIEWS October 2005 |
| AIDEN - NIGHTMARE ANATOMY (11 song CD) VICTORY RECORDS From the fog of Seattle, Wa. comes this young Punk band named AIDEN. These guys melt together elements of Punk, Hardcore & Goth Metal to create their sound. This si the bands second CD, but their first for VICTORY. The music has a cool old school Punk sound mixed with new school Punk vocals. They do toss in some more aggressive & dark sounds & in the vocals as well. This is where the Hardcore & Goth influences come into play. This is another VICTORY band that will lead the pack of the style they play! Another good signing by VICTORY RECORDS!!! www.AIDEN.org |
| BEIJING TANK - NO BODIES KNOWS (6 song CD) WARD69 RECORDS Wow! These guys have improved immensely. These guys rear their ugly heads from Australia in one intensely angry ball of energy. The music is done in a Death Metal style with touches of Grindcore all through out. Their music just plows you right over & never lets up. There are a few breakdowns here & there, but there isn't much breathing time, before you get pummeled again. The vocals are done in a harsh screaming Death/Grindcore crossover style. This disc blows away their previous efforts, which was hard, because thier last disc ripped! A highly recommended release!!! - P.O. BOX 1426 CAPALBA / QLD AUSTRALIA 4157 www.BEIJINGTANK.com |
| BLACK CRUCIFIXION - THE FALLEN ONE OF FLAMES (5 song CD) PARAGON RECORDS This is a re-release CD of BLACK CRUCIFIXION's demo of the same name originally released in 1991. This band features members of the band BEHERIT. These guys no longer exist, but their music lives on. They play cold & dark Black Metal music. There is a cold & eerie war like atmosphere through their songs. The vocals are a haunting Black Metal style, which has an echo on it. This is one that most old school Black Metal fans would want to pick up!!! |
| BLOODRIDE - CARNAGE AWAITING (2 song CD) Self Released Emerging from the pits of darkness in Sweden comes BLOODRIDE. These guys play extreme Death Metal music with lots of touches of Black Metal music mixed in. They only use old school Black Metal harshness & intensity mixed with heavy brutal new school Death Metal. These guys are super tight & very aggressive. The vocals are done in a harsh Death Metal growl that almost crosses over into Black Metal. These two songs weren't enough, thye just left me wanting more. I want a full length of this great band!!! SNACKGRADSV. 14 / 621 55 VISBY / SWEDEN gutniska_lekar@hotmail.com / www.BLOODRIDE.tk |
| CUM SOCK - SELF TITLED (13 song CD) Self Released Here we have the new CD from Canada's very own CUM SOCK. This band plays Experimental / Noise music with some elements of Grindcore tossed into the mix. The music is very chaotic & crazy sounding. The vocals are done in a very harsh & screaming style of Experimental Grindcore. There are low & high pitched vocals. These guys reminded me of ANAL CUNT a lot. If this is your thing, then check these crazies out!!! CUMSOCK@hotmail.com |
| DROWNIG INTO SORROW - VOLUME 1 (12 song CD) PARADISE NOISE RECORDS This is the first volume in this CD compilation series from PARADISE NOISE RECORDS. The compilation comes in a DVD case format, but is just a music CD. There are 12 songs & 12 bands featured. The bands play in the Death, Doom, Black Metal, Grindcore & Noise forms of music. I've never heard any of these bands before, so it was a nice exposure to some great bands. Some of the bands include OCEAN, LIFE'S DECAY, HORION, SOY BOMB, SIRAFEX, CENTRIFUGE & 6 others. To check out this compilation hit the website for more information!!! http://paradisenoiserecords.free.fr |
| EDEN PARK - THE______ALBUM (14 song CD) POORBOY RECORDS This is the advanced promo copy of the bands new album. These guys play a mix of Hardcore & Metal type music. The music is pretty hard hitting music with a lot of drive. The music has a Hardcore aggressive type vibe, but is full of Metal type elements. There are some good grooves & beats all through out. The vocals are a mix of female & male vocals done in a Hardcore/Metal crossover style. they reminded me of a mutation version of the LUNACHICKS & D.R.I. with a little bit of THE BOUNCING SOULS tossed in. Check 'em out!!! |
| HERESY - ADVANCE 2005 (10 song CD) ALKEMIST FANATIX HERESY hails from Italy & plays fully charged Thrash Metal music. They have a classic Thrash sound that melts with new school technical Thrash Metal. There is a lot of heavy guitar shredding & great thundering drum sounds. The music goes from high speed Thrash into grooving Thrash, back into high speed Thrash. There is great arrangements all through out the songs. The vocals are done in a mid to high ranged harsh Thrash vocal style. These guys are a must for any fan of classic Thrash greats like EXODUS, KREATOR, ANTHRAX & ARMORED SAINT!!! www.metal-HERESY.com |
| ILLOGO - ISTERESI (4 song CD) ALKEMIST FANATIX This is an Italian Metal band that is quite unusual. They have a very different & unique sound. The music is very good & catchy, but there are lots of strange change ups & grooves all through out. They blend many elements of Metal, Grind, Noise, Jazz & Experimental all together to create their sound. The vocals are done in a harsh almost screaming Grindcore style. These guys are pretty cool. Some people won't really get into them, but they should give them a try, cause they might get hooked!!! info@ILLOGO.net / www.ILLOGO.net |
| JOHNNY HERO - SMALL TOWN EP (5 song CD) POOR BOY RECORDS JOHNNY HERO is from my home state of Pennsylvania & plays some accoustic Punk Rock sounding music. The music is done with mostly just an accoustic guitar & Johnny singing. I didn't think I was going to like this, bit I enjoyed it a lot. The music is a bit up beat & grooving, with some stop & start parts & changes. The vocals are done in a melodic Punk & Rock crossover mix. This is a great change from a lot of the stuff I get & a cool disc! Check it!!! P.O. BOX 75 / BOILING SPRINGS, PA. 17007 www.myspace.com/JOHNNYHEROmusic |
| LOCKDOWN - FOR TODAY (9 song CD) SPASM RECORDS / AKOM PRODUCTIONS LOCKDOWN unleashes their first CD filled with melodic Skate-core music. The music is a blend of Punk & Hardcore with lots of melodicness. The music is very driven & aggressive sounding. There are some really good grooves, breakdowns & change ups all through out. The vocals are done in a mid ranged melodic Punk/Hardcore crossover style. The band features x-members of BURNING FLAGS, MORE OR LESS & NO WAY! This is a must for fans of NOFX, PENNYWISE & SATANIC SURFERS!!! The CD includes a PC video track as well!!! LOCKDOWN@hotmail.it / www.LOCKDOWNhc.com |
| LOSERS AND KINGS - ROCK N ROLL REVOLUTION (12 song CD) POOR BOY RECORDS LOSERS AND KINGS hail from my home state of Pennsylvania & play some really cool Rock N Roll music. Their music is in an old school Rock N Roll style with elements of Punk Rock & Rockabilly mixed in. I loved the driving beat that their music has, it just keeps pushing you forward. They have a cool angst vibe happening as well. The vocals are done in a mid ranged old school type Punk Rock style. I loved this disc & this band a lot! If you took parts of GREEN DAY, RANCID, THE CLASH, STRAY CATS & REVEREND HORTON HEAT. You'd get a good idea of what LOSERS AND KINGS are like! Check these guys out! P.O. BOX 75 / BOILING SPRINGS, PA. 17007 / www.LOSERSANDKINGS.com |
| MUCULORDS - CARPE DIEM (27 song CD) COOT BLOOD RECORDS / AKOM PRODUCTIONS MUCULORDS is a violent force of aggression, anger & high volume intensity. These psychos blend together elements of Death & Grind mixed with lots of gore & sadistci humor. These guys will shred your brain to bits with their onslaught of musical mayhem. The music is hyper fast, heavy as hell & never lets up. The vocals are low end muffled Grindcore growls. These guys are definately not for the weak & if you feel you can handle it, pick up this Grind-gore splatter fest!!! MUCULORDS@adhoc.net / www.MUCULORDS.com |
| POOR BOY RECORDS - 2005 SUMMER SAMPLER (8 song CD) POOR BOY RECORDS This is an 8 song CD sampler for POOR BOY RECORDS. The Cd features four of thier bands doing 2 songs each. The first 2 songs are from EDEN PARK. These guys play Punk music with a little Hardcore tossed in. They reminded me of THE BOUNCING SOULS a lot. The next 2 tracks come from LOSERS AND KINGS. These guys play a fast paced old school style of Punk Rock music, but they reminded me of RANCID & BAD RELIGION. THE SMEEGALS play a more Rock style of music with a Punk feel. They also have an old school vibe to their music too. The last two tracks come from JOHNNY HERO. This band plays accoustic styled Punk Rock music. They sound like a lot of bands played on the radio now. Check out this compilation at the site!!! www.POORBOY-RECORDS.com |
| RINGWORM - JUSTICE REPLACED BY REVENGE (13 song CD) VICTORY RECORDS This is one disc I've been waiting for, for a long time. It's been awhile since 2001's "BIRTH IS PAIN" CD, but they are back & heavier than before. These Cleveland, Oh. natives play a highly intense Metal Hardcore crossover style of music. There are many elements of both of these styles present all through out as well as some Punk & Thrash elements too. There is much anger & strength pouring out of this band. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Metal Hardcore type scream. This is a must for fans of HATEBREED, EARTH CRISIS & DARKEST HOUR!!! www.RINGWORM13.com |
| SAMMOHAN - SAINT OF BLASPHEMY (5 song CD) Self Released Emerging out of Finland with a new disc is SAMMOHAN. These guys play a good hybrid style of Thrash & Black Metal music. The music has a great old school Thrash feel with Black Metal covering it. I loved how they mixed these styles together. The vocals are done in a combined style of harsh mid ranged Thrash vocals with some Black Metal screams. If you ever wondered what VENOM meets SLAYER would sound like, you need to get this CD! SAMMOHAN@jippii.fi / www.SAMMOHAN.cjb.net |
| SCARS OF TOMORROW - THE HORROR OF REALIZATION (11 song CD) VICTORY RECORDS Southern California's SCARS OF TOMORROW are back with a new album & highly intense one at that. This disc leaves their last album (which was amazing) in the dust. These guys play a fierce & aggressive style of Metal & Hardcore all packed into one. This new CD is a bit more up beat faster tempo & more emotional sounding. The vocals are a mid ranged harsh Hardcore scream & a mid ranged more melodic Metal style. Any fan of Hardcore & or Metal will love this band. They possess all the elements that make a great band of either style & compress it into one hell of a band! This is highly recommended!!! infinit413@aol.com / xladyluckx@aol.com / www.SCARSOFTOMORROW.net |
| SECOND CLASS CITIZEN - CONSPIRACY OF TRUTH (11 song CD) Self Released This is the newest CD from Conneticut's own Hardcore band SECOND CLASS CITIZEN. These guys play a very strong aggressive old school style of Hardcore music. they have an almost New York Hardcore feel to their music. The music is fast paced & right in your face. The vocals are harsh aggressive & angry Hardcore screams. If you merged these three bands together: SICK OF IT ALL, SHEER TERROR & BIOHAZARD, you'd get a good idea of what this band would be like. This is a cool comparison to me, if you think so as well pick up this great CD!!! je138@aol.com / www.SECONDCLASSCITIZEN.4t.com |
| SINOCENCE - BLACK STILL LIFE POSE (12 song CD) Self Released Based in North Ireland & unleashing their new effort comes SINOCENCE. These guys play a great blend of Thrash metal, Death Metal & some small amounts of Nu-Metal. The music is very tight, clean & aggressive sounding. I loved the all out Thrash metal shredding parts the most. thier music has some cool change ups & grooves all through out. There is a good drive to their music. The vocals are done in a mid ranged Death/Thrash style that sometimes gets higher & lower. These guys remind me of a mix between SOULFLY, DISTURBED, SLIPKNOT & SEPULTURA. This is a great mixture to me. 11 CAMDEN STREET (FLAT 4) / BELFAST / BT9 6AT / NORTHERN IRELAND SINOCENCE13@hotmail.com / www.SINOCENCE.co.uk |
| S.O.S. - A GUIDE TO BETTER LIVING (17 song CD) 3:16 PRODUCTIONS After nearly 4 years since their last release New York City's S.O.S. has come back fighting. They have a new drummer & some really good new songs. They have stayed with their raw Rock sound of past, but added more of a harder edge & more grooves all through out. The vocals are done in a mid ranged almost Punk meets Metal crossover style. This is by far the bands best release to date!!! www.SOSnyc.com |
| STRAYLIGHT RUN - PREPARE TO BE WRONG EP (9 song CD) VICTORY RECORDS This is a new EP from STRAYLIGHT RUN to hold fans over until their next full length album. There are 6 new songs & 3 taken from their debut releases. The music is a bit different than their debut. This album mixes electronic drum loops, experimental guitars & keyboard sounds & other accoustic instruments. The music has a very cold, emotional alternative Rock sound to it. It doesn't sound like anything you'd hear coming from VICTORY RECORDS. The vocals are done in a dragging, whiney Rock, Emo style. The one band that came to mind was COLDPLAY. If your a fan of them your gonna like these guys!!! www.STRAYLIGHTRUN.com |
| THE AUDITION - CONTROVERSY LOVES COMPANY (10 song CD) VICTORY RECORDS Coming out of the Chicago, Il. music scene is THE AUDITION. These guys play Punk Rock music, but add in elements of other styles as well to come up with their sound. You can hear influences from Dance, Pop, Emo & Hardcore all present in their music. On this, their debut for VICTORY you can hear all these styles molded into one. There are some really good up beat drum sounds mixed with low Emo sounding guitars. The vocals are done in an Emo/Punk style with a bit of Hardcore anger tossed in at times! VICTORY is snagging up all these new young bands to head the wave of bands for the future!!! www.THEAUDITIONrocks.com |
| THE TOSSERS - THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH (12 song CD) VICTORY RECORDS I was really happy when I popped this disc in. This South side Chicago based band play Punk Rock music merged with Celtic music. They toss in some mandolins, fiddles, tin whistle & banjo along with drums, bass & guitars. I love bands like this! These guys have a very fast paced Celtic music style that has been beaten up & joined by Punk Rock music. There is an up beat Irish sound, but with a harder edge. The vocals are done in Hardcore/Punk styles that's done like Irish drinking songs. If your a fan of DROPKICK MURPHY'S then you'll love these guys!!! www.THETOSSERS.com |
| UNDERGROUND ROT 2 - METAL COMPILATION (17 song CD) ROTTING RECORDS This is the second instalment in this compilation series put out by ROTTING RECORDS. All the bands here play Metal music in the forms of Black Metal, Thrash, Grindcore, Atmospheric & melodic. I was happy to get this disc, because I'm not familiar with any of the bands on this compilation. There are 17 songs & 17 bands featured. The bands here include DIVINE SYMHONY, MERCY, NOCTURNAL FAITH, FLESH ROT, CLEMENCY, BRUTAL SACRIFICE, SPIRITS BREEZE & 10 others. This is a very cool compilation well worth getting for any Metal fan!!! ROTRECORDS@yahoo.com / www.ROTTINGRECORDS.tk (Available through BEOWOLF PRODUCTIONS) |
| WITH HONOR - THIS IS OUR REVENGE (11 song CD) VICTORY RECORDS This is the second full legnth CD release from this Connecticut Hardcore band. These guys play a great style of old school Hardcore music. They are a fast energetic band that has a positive message. The music is really aggressive & powerful with lots of grooves, breakdowns & intensity all through out. There are some more melodic sounding parst as well. The vocals are done in a mid to high Hardcore type scream style. If you were to melt together MADBALL, H20, MINOR THREAT & CIV you'd get WITH HONOR. Now go get this disc!!! www.WITHHONOR.com |