Past and Present Webzine
Website: Email: [email protected]
Editor: Hans Jakup Eidisgard
Concent:
Words from the Editor
Interviews
Falconer / Red Aim / Silent Edge
Album of the month
P.O.D.
Album Reviews
Against Me / Curt Porter / Doc Holiday / Dogpound / Falconer / Far North / Fony / Forever Until October / FX 10243 / Gorerotted / Ill Nino / Imisi / Jeff Ball / KA / Michael Hirsch / Necrodeath / On The Might Of Princess / Sayit / Snake Charmer / Stu Dent / Sun Caged / Swallow The Sun / VA: A Reindeer Room Volume II / VA: Blackmore’s Castle – A Tribute To Deep Purple & Rainbow / VA: Boss Samplerage 4 / VA: Freddy vs. Jason / VA: Nik Weston Presents Sakura Aural Bliss / VA: Vintagechill – Volume 4. Winter / Wolverine
Single/EP of the Month
P.O.D.
Single/EP reviews
Collider / Inside / Kardia / La Motta / Ravage / Secrets She Kept / Spineshank / Unearthy Trance
Words From The Editor
Welcome to our sixteenth issue. As always we have a lot of reviews ready for you, and we’re covering lots of different stuff too: Reggae, indie, punk, nu-metal, industrial, lo-fi electronic, blues, black metal, lounge, hip hop, melodic metal, emo, Chill-out, AOR, well, you name it, most of it is there. Also make sure to check out our interviews with German stoners Red Aim, melodic metallers Falconer and progmetallers Silent Edge.
There will be some changes in the future. Not so much for the readers, but more for those who send us stuff for review. Past and Present Music is changing address. So all of you make sure to send your CD’s to the address below and not to the old one. However, if something has been sent out to he old address and will be sent out in December, no worries, it will still reach us, as it will be forwarded by those still living at Past and Present’s old address. The only problem is that it’ll take a little longer to reach us.
Our new address:
Hans J. Eidisgard
FO-470 Eidi
Faroe Islands
Via Denmark
Interviews:
5 quick ones for Falconer:
Geez, what are you guys supposed to be? A heavy metal version of Tolkien’s “Lord Of The Rings”? Like, the ring-bearers of metal or something?
Maybe we sound like that. We're just a bunch of lads from Sweden playing melodic metal. I'm not really trying to follow any “metal rules” when it comes to writing the music, I just do what I think is good. The Tolkien thing is already done too much so we'll leave that. The new album by Falconer is a concept album, though. It's based on a true Swedish story from the 14th century. A bit Macbethish.
Are you Tolkien fans?
“Lord of the rings” is the best book ever written, that most of us can agree with. A perfectly made up world, described in perfection.
Personally I still think your debut-album is your best one. Do you agree?
No way. But since we can never surprise people as we did on the first one, we can never get the same result.
How do you think the new album is different from previous albums?
The new one is so much more varied and interesting. More dramatic you could say. You get more surprised by the turns in the music than on the other albums. A lot more different styles and emotions are to be found on the new piece also.
Will we be hearing more of Falconer in the future?
Oh yes. We will probably do a small European tour this winter, and the writing process never ends for me, so I already have so plans and things done for the 4th album. But that's not the focus for me at this time. Now we'll just try to play a lot of concerts.
5 quick ones for Red Aim:
The album-cover on your new album looks kind of stupid. Care to comment on that?
What the hell is stupid on that cover artwork? It looks a little old-school, seventies trash style. If you don't like it, okay. We don't care...
Ok, if you're not too upset with me yet. What's up with those suits? Is it like a Red Aim thing, or, eh, what's the story there?
Yes it’s a Red Aim thing. No big story. We don't want be naked on the pics, so we dress in those suits...
So what has the label-change from People Like You to Metal Blade meant for the band?
It meant a lot to us. More support in every regard, we now have the possibility to make better records, more concerts, and we can reach more people. We now reach more Metal fans. Not only stoner rock fans. And of course: Metal Blade are really more rock' n' roll than People Like You... They now how to party...
You seem to be pretty busy people releasing a new album each year. Do you plan on keeping the tradition alive by releasing another album again next year?
It’s no problem for us to write new stuff. We got so many ideas for new songs, so I think that we can keep the "tradition" of releasing an album every
year...
Tell me, what happens in the Red Aim camp now?
Right at the moment, we rehearsal the new stuff for upcoming shows and we got to do a lot of promotion for the new album. - el davide, Red Aim.
5 quick ones for Silent Edge:
What is your goal as a band?
Make music the way we want to make. That's the vision.
Do you see yourselves giving Dream Theater a run for their money anytime soon?
A run for their money? Dunno, do they have money?
What's your favorite Johnny Cash song?
“Painkiller” by far! Or is that a song from Britney Spears? I keep mixing things up and such a thing everything!
How about next time you plan on making a record, you make it a Johnny Cash cover-album?
Who can tell what the future brings. If we would do a Johnny Cash cover-album? You be surprised if we did. I'm sure I'm going to use my new Gibsel frying V Stratoblaster with a Freud Nose Vibro stick run through a Peavox Nibble rectifier Dork IV C+. I guess it sounds cool: nibbble, nibble, nibble. Maybe I would do the vocals too, I would beat Eilert P. for sure! It would be a great album. The title would be something like this: "Probablemente uno de los últimos de los veinte y cinco monos a culo azul suecos de la niñera del carnicero extranjero." If your Spanish isn't that good, I have a translation for you here: "Probablement un des derniers des vingt-cinq singes au cul bleu suédois de la nounou du boucher étranger." I'm still working on the subtitle.
Ok, I always ask the wrong questions. Stupid ones too, I guess. So why don't you just tell me something that you really want to share and we'll all be off each other's backs?
Okay, if your French sucks too, I will translate the title of the album again: "Probably one of the last of the twenty-five forgotten Swedish blue butt monkeys of the foreign butcher's nanny.”
One fnnuy tnhig to csloe tihs asbotule fulbouas itntierevw. It denos't mtaetr if you sepll wrdos the rghit way, jsut be srue to pcale the frsrt and lsat lteetr rhgit and eevyrnoe kowns waht you maen. See? It was on tsveloeiin lsat nghit: dsiorvecy cenhanl, or Smaese sretet, I keep mniixg tgihns up!
Check us out at www.silentedge.com. You can download the song “Through Different Eyes.” Buckle up and get ready for some serious and no-nonesense prog metal! Thanks for your time and catch you late. - Emo, Silent Edge
Album Of The Month:
P.O.D.; Payable On Death
Atlantic/Warner
This is perhaps the only release this year that I’ve actually looked forward to hearing. Ever since I heard the “Sleeping Awake” single from the Matrix Reloaded soundtrack, I just knew that this was going to rock, and “My Will” – the first single from this album – just made me look more forward to hearing it. Of course, it also had something to do with the fact that “Satellite” was one of the best nu-metal releases of last year. “Payable On Death” might not be filled with radio-hits such as “Alive”, “Youth of the Nation”, “Boom” and “Satellite”, although “Will You” and “Sleeping Awake” have already made a few waves. So if your thing is a polished nu-metal album with lots of dynamics and atmosphere combined with some fine reggae-moments, then this is it. P.O.D. just might be the only major nu-metal band that still really matters (ok, System of a Down do to, but not everyone likes to hear them labeled as nu-metal). Oh, and by the way, no one will ever notice that Marcus isn’t part of the band anymore, because Jason Truby (former living Sacrifice guitarist) kicks major butt on this thing.
Albums Reviews:
Against Me; As The Eternal Cowboy
Fat Wreck Chords
Against Me is definitely adding some variety to the Fat Wreck family. Not that I was complaining before or anything, but I think it’s nice with different things coming from them. Against Me bring a cool mix of folk, blues and Americana dressed in punk to the table and do it with style. Interesting.
Curt Porter; Blues For Beginners
Self-released
This CD had been ranking pretty high on smother.net for a while, and smother.net is one of my favorite webzines out there, so it should definitely be interesting, right. Well, it is. Really, it is, but it’s not cool to realize that J-Sin, the editor of smother.net and by far their coolest reviewer, actually co-produced this album and then reviewed it and chose it as “Editors Pick.” I mean, that’s just not cool. But otherwise I’ve only good things to say about Curt Porter and his “Blues For Beginners.” It’s just not your typical blues- folk-rock album. This is a man with more on his heart than most of his contemporaries. And if you’re one of those Nintendo-freaks who always dreamt about getting to hear a few beeps and bleeps from Super Mario in your favorite modern blues-folk song, then you have the chance on “Blues For Beginners.” Cool stuff.
Doc Holliday; Good Time Music
MTM Music
(Provided by Target Distribution)
Doc Holliday were pretty popular in the early 80’s, actually one of the most popular southern rock acts around, but as it often is, they decided to call their quits after a while. Then they got back together, then they split up again and so on. Now, after 10 years, they’re back at it. Not that they’re desperately needed or anything. I mean, this has all been done before in the past. I am not saying that they don’t know their business, but when there is as long between the highlights as on “Good Time Music”, I can’t see why they bother. A band like this shouldn’t return unless they had something truly unique to offer, and Doc Holliday doesn’t.
Dogpound; The Hellburn
Lion Music
When I got this CD, I had never even heard about this band before, but when I saw their name, I instantly thought that this had to be a band digging all things Doug Pinnick. I mean, Doug usually likes to call himself Dawg and his solo-project is called Poundhound, so I jumped to conclusions right away. But get that thought out of the head right away, because this has nothing to do with the soulful and groovy sound of Doug Pinnick. This is melodic hard rock/heavy metal, just like they played it in the eighties. And the funny thing is, it doesn’t even sound like a blast from the past, but like something that is still relevant today. Of course there are some songs that aren’t quite hitting it home, but most of this stuff is pretty good. If I didn’t own like a zillion CD’s I’d listen to it again.
Falconer; The Sceptre Of Deception
Metal Blade
(Provided by Target Distribution)
Falconer is a great, innovative band, but in the end I think that it’s unfortunate for them to have started at the top, because who knows if they’ll ever climb that high again. Oh, no, I am not talking about the top of the charts or anything like that, but about their debut-album being an artistic masterpiece. Their second album was also really good, but not quite as good as the debut, and now their third album is out. Of course, it’s the same great folk-like epic power metal as before, and again it’s really good, but I don’t think it lives quite up to the previous two efforts, although being a lot better than most power metal these days.
Far North; What ?!
MTM Classix
(Provided by Target Distribution)
I have no idea how well this album by this Swedish band did when it was originally released in 1994. Probably not too well. But I know one thing, if it would have been released in the 80’s it would have made ok. Or at least it should have if I had anything to say about the matter. I mean, a song like “Why Are The Children Dying” would just have been all over adult oriented melodic rock radio. I like this.
Fony; Circles
Copro Records
With last years “Routine Irregular” British Fony more than made a name for themselves within British rock/metal circles. Magazines had positive things to say, and even extreme metal magazine, Terrorizer, jumped on the wagon. And, “Circles”, the sophomore album, should not get any other treatment. Sure, they might not be the most original band on the block, but their British type of nu-metal/post-hardcore is, on a longer sight, definitely more appealable than another series of Linkin Park wannabe’s. This is probably a blast live too.
Forever Until October; Forever Until October
Copro Records
With a sound not too unlike that of Further Seems Forever and a name that only adds more to the already existing confusion come new British emo-hopefuls. Already making a name for themselves all over, these guys surely won’t need my stamp of approval, but they’re gonna get it anyhow. They might not blow Brand New (reviewed last month) out of the water, but surely Forever Until October is one of the more accessible emo-bands these days, and quite a lot of it has to do with the fabulous voice of Phil Darroch.
FX 10243; D.I.Y. P.O.P. E.P.
Self-released
The title on this thing is both very telling and then everything but. I mean, the lo-fi electronic music on here is very DIY (do it yourself), but we’re hardly talking pop-music and this is by no means an EP as there are well over 20 tracks featured. Personally I think it’s crap, but that’s just me I guess. It sounds like a bunch of guys decided to mess around with their computer while testing their one-finger piano-playing knowledge. Overall, I’d say this is so repetitive that it makes “The Bold And The Beautiful” seem like the most exciting thing ever, and that should say enough about how I feel about this release.
Gorerotted; Only Tools And Corpses
Metal Blade
(Provided by Target Distribution)
These guys might be good at finding clever album-titles - “Zombie Graveyard Rape Bonanza” being one of them – but they’ve sure as Hell not found the most original name for their band. I mean, for a grindcore band, Gorerotted just must be the most cliché name to come up with. But let’s bury the hatches, as these guys have been around since 1997 and have had the name all along. Anyway, “Only Tools And Corpses” is these Londoners sophomore album, and quite a worthy one I suppose, although I can’t say that I’ve heard their debut. At least, this is one grindcore album I actually enjoyed listening to, although it probably won’t be a regular guest in my stereo. I liked the combination of Goreskin’s low vocals and Mr. Gore’s not quite so low vocals. Kind of insane.
Ill Nino; Confession
Roadrunner
(Provided by Bonnier Amigo Music)
I had no intension whatsoever of checking out Ill Nino before I heard them open for P.O.D. on their summer-tour last year. They were wicked for a nu-metal band. So as you can imagine, I was pretty excited when this, the follow-up album to the debut “Revolution Revolutión” landed in my mailbox. And just as “Revolution Revulutión” was a great debut, “Confession” is an amazing follow-up. Like P.O.D. mix their nu-metal brand with ragga and beyond, Ill Nino have a take on the Latin-beats and with super catchy melodic vocals alongside the nu-metal screaming and guitar-riffs and some tribal-drumming not too unlike Soulfly, Ill Nino have what it takes to set themselves apart from the soon to be crashing nu-metal scene. If you thought all nu-metal was crap – well, I suggest you check out Ill Nino.
Imisi; Visions Of The Father
Lion Of Zion Entertainment
It’s been a while since the last time I heard from Christafari’s Lion Of Zion label. Last time Past and Present was unimpressed by Christafari’s newest album “Gravity,” but fortunately Imisi’s “Visions Of The Father” is slightly more to our liking. Track one, “Superstar”, is the kind of song that if it was played on the radio once in a while it would have people humming it at work the next day. Other than that there really aren’t any hit-singles left on “Visions Of The Father”, but fans of reggae with vocals of urban quality will like it anyhow.
Jeff Ball; Songs Of Winter
Red Feather Music
“Songs of Winter” is a good title for this album, I think. This is instrumental music with flutes being the “main thing.” A lot of these are traditional songs, with quite a few even being Christmas songs (“Silent Night”, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, “O Holy Night” and “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”). It’s alright. I mean, it’s definitely not something I’d be listening to all day long, but I could put it on for Christmas or something. Best suited as relaxing background music, though.
KA: M2
Mentel Musik Productions
Electronic music without a lot of surprises. There isn’t enough variation to grab my attention either. In short, it’s too monotonous and repetitive, and it could’ve used some more vocals. It doesn’t get interesting until track 7 when hip-hop inspired vocals spice thing up a bit, but unfortunately after that it’s all over.
Michael Hirsch; Lo Fi Holiday
Self-released
This is a very ambition project indeed, although perhaps not quite as ambitious as the artist himself might think it is. It’s very nice to see that there still are people who’re bold enough to go against the flow of mainstream music, and if you think that lo-fi indie with keyboards behind the wheels rather than guitars is the way to go, then “Lo Fi Holiday” is probably your newest best friend. Just don’t expect Michael to be the greatest singer in the world.
Necrodeath; Tone(s) Of Hate
Scarlet
(Provided by Target Distribution)
These guys couldn’t have chosen a better album-cover to go with the album-title (someone holding a baby – or a doll actually – while some madman with something sharp in his hands stands ready in the background). Needless to say, I hate it. But the music is actually quite good. It turns out that Necrodeath was a cult-band in the 80’s that has been an inspiration for the likes of Cradle of Filth, At The Gates, The Haunted, Marduk, Mayhem, Immortal and more. This is their third album since the comeback in 2001, which is quite a lot. Vocally they’re full on black metal, but musically their blackish metal also gets treated with some serious thrash-riffage. Not quiet a band I would’ve thought had influenced some of the previously mentioned bands, but still quite a good one.
On The Might Of Princess; Sirens
Revelation Records
(Provided by Target Distribution)
They might not have the coolest name around, but they sure as Hell are a fresh breath of air within the American post-hardcore genre. These guys drip with raw energy, aggressiveness and emotion. And they’re not really comparable to a lot of other bands these days, other than an occasional trip into At The Drive In and/or Glassjaw territory, which is a plus. These guys might never find themselves on modern-rock radio, but serious music-lovers are destined to go nuts over this.
Sayit; Louder
MTM Music
(Provided by Target Distribution)
Really, this is a Swedish guitarist and not a hip-hop group from Detroit. But this guy has to say it a lot louder (get it?) if he wants to get my attention. This is just standard hard-rock heard a thousand times before, and although it’s well-played and all, it’s just way to anonymous to go into history as anything memorable.
Stu Dent; Nephilim//AOG:1
Illect Recordings
First album on new-started Christian hip-hop label, Illect. And it’s a good one too. Stu Dent sounds kind of like a lot of the stuff I normally hear from Uprok Records, but I wouldn’t say that this guy is trying to copy any of his inspirations though. He’s got his own thing nailed down, and although this might not be the most original hip-hop album of 2003, it still won’t be drowning in the crowd. I’d say that this guy is on to something here. He’s got a nice flow going, and his lyrics aren’t half-bad either. And just to set the record straight, if you were thinking that this guy is a newcomer because of what I wrote – well, he isn’t. But I still think he’s on to something though.
Snake Charmer; Backyard Boogaloo
MTM Classix
(Provided by Target Distribution)
This album was originally only released in Japan in 1998, but after five years MTM have made up their mind about re-releasing it for the European marked. But to label this a classic would hardly be fare. I mean, for a Japanese release how well did it do? I don’t know, I am just asking, as I have a hard time seeing this as either a commercial or artistic success. Not bad, really, but not outstanding either. The first track, however, is really, really bad. It sounds like Mary Clarence and the other nuns in her choir (remember “Sister Act”, kids?) went AOR. Things lighten up a bit after that, but they never head for the sky, although this is a band of major players (I am telling you).
Sun Caged; Sun Caged
Lion Music
Not long ago we reviewed Marcel Coenen’s solo-album, and now it’s time for his band Sun Caged. Sun Caged is actually a pretty new band. Formed in 1999, but only as a studio-project at the time. However, after Marcel Coenen’s other band, Lemur Voice, broke up in 2000, Sun Caged became a full-time band, and here three years later is their debut-album. Sun Caged is a progressive metal band, combing their already complex song-structures with fusion, jazz and other musical arrangements. Overall, if I were to compare these guys to anyone, I’d say that the band that most often comes to mind while listening to this album is Dream Theater.
Swallow The Sun; The Morning Never Came
Firebox Records
There’s a lot going on in Finland musically. It has made no difference if it has been electronic music a la Bomfunk MC’s, modern rock a la The Rasmus, garage-punk a la Matchbox Romance – those Finns know how to do their shit. And Swallow The Sun do to. Only they’re not nearly in the same ball game as any of the previously mentioned. Instead this is dark and doomy death metal with tons of atmosphere as well as crushing brutality. These guys have only been together since 2000, so based on that they’re quite good, although they’re not quite ready to move up into the big leagues just yet, but they might be in, say, 2-3 years. Anyhow, this is a good enough debut.
Various Artists; A Reindeer Room Volume II
Kriztal Entertainment
Like last Christmas, Kriztal once again release a Christmas compilation for you, the chill-out lover, to be chilling over during the holidays. And, really, isn’t it what we all need? Some relaxing during those Christmas evenings after those stressful days running from one shop to another? You bet ya, and this definitely beats most of the typical Christmas cash-in compilations out there too. Not quite as good as Volume I, though, but still worthy of a few spins if you’re looking for something different in the Christmas-music department.
Various Artists; Blackmore’s Castle – A Tribute To Deep Purple & Rainbow
Lion Music
Oftentimes these tribute albums are everything but tributes to the artists in questions. More like a disgrace sometimes. This one is not too bad though. Actually Condition Red’s version of “Black Night” is quite good, and so are a number of other songs on this comp. Make sure you also check out Winterlong, Lars Eric Mattsson and Arabesque on your way out.
Various Artists; Boss Samplerage 4
Boss Tuneage
The best thing about compilations like this is that the fans get new music cheap. Music from a lot of bands they’ve never heard off before. “Boss Samplerage 4” is even cheaper than what labels usually release, as there’s more material crammed on this CD. Or double-CD actually. 56 tracks. Yeah, you read that right – 56 track with 56 different bands. And what surprises me the most is that there’s unbelievable how few songs suck on this thing. Of course, some stuff isn’t exactly life changing, but most of it’s pretty good. You’ll get to hear great music from bands like Reno Divorce, Benny, La Motta, Manifesto Jukebox and tons more. For fans of all things punk and garage-rock.
Various Artists; Freddy Vs. Jason
Roadrunner
(Provided by Bonnier Amigo Music)
I have never been the big “Helloween” or “Nightmare on Elm Street” fan, so the concept of Jason and Freddy in one and the same movie really doesn’t appeal to me. But the music on the soundtrack on the other hand does. Sure, considering the content of the movie, or at least what I imagine it to be, then I think that bands from Roadrunners early years like Obituary, Deicide and the likes probably would have made a more suiting soundtrack, but the truth is that I personally like many of the bands featured here better. And thankfully there’s no Nickelback here either. Mostly, though, this is modern metal – whatever that might be. You have the hardcore vs. melodic metal of Lamb of God and Killswitch Engage. You get nu-metal like Ill Nino, Spineshank, Stonesour, Slipknot and more. You get veterans like Sepultura and Mike Patton together in one song. You get hardcore from Hatebreed and melo-death from In Flames. Then there are bands like Type O Negative, Murderdolls, Powerman 500 and Mushroom Head. In short, there’s a little for everyone liking what’s hot within metal and hardcore right now.
Various Artists; Nik Weston Presents Sakura Aural Bliss
Kriztal Entertainment
US label Kriztal Entertainment really has a finger on the pulse when it comes to electronic underground music. They’ve brought us music from more or less all over the world, and here they introduce us to some of Japan’s finest electronic underground sounds. We get introduced to artist like Electric Sheep (good name), Speedometer, Takayuki Shiraishi, Watusi, United Future Organization and more, and they do their finest within the genres of Jazz, ambient, deep house, Brazilian, afro, hip-hop and more. My favorite cut is the hip-hop-ish and electronic “Voyage The Sky” by Grooveman Spot.
Various Artists; Vintagechill – Volume 4. Winter
Kriztal Entertainment
“Chill-Out” lovers, are you ready for the fourth chapter in this series? Well, you better be, because it’s here now screaming for your attention. You know what? It’s funny how popular it has gotten to release comps like this. I was reading through the review section of a popular music-magazine the other day and when I got to the compilation-section I realized that more than half the comps featured were chill-out/ambient/lounge/easy listening type of stuff. If you’re into that whole thing, this comp, just like the previous volumes, will do the trick. Stand out track: Ella Fitgerald’s “Wait ‘Til You See Him” here remixed by De-Phazz.
Wolverine; Cold Light Of Monday
Elitist Records
(Provided by Target Distribution)
Like Katatonia, Anathema and bands like that, these guys and girl started like a death metal band, but with time matured into a lot more. Something atmospheric, melancholic, melodic and beautiful. While not goth-rock like the aforementioned, but progrock still with a few grunts thrown in alongside the haunting, beautiful female vocals, this band is definitely on to big things within the moody, atmospheric rock-genre. Sweden has done it again.
Single/EP Of The Month:
P.O.D.; Will You
Atlantic/Warner
Most of you have probably heard this one by now. Killer track. One of P.O.D.’s finest, and it was a fine teaser for the album that is out now.
Single/EP Reviews:
Collider; We’re Collider… You’re Fucked
SonoBlast! Records
(Provided by ISL Public Relations)
When a band gets punk-legend Tommy Ramone to get back into producing after 15 years, and the same band has C.J. Ramone as a guest on the EP, while also being promoted by Ida S. Langsam of ISL PR who is known to have done great promotion for The Ramones among others, you just know that you’re about to listen to a good band. Everything else would just be too weird. And, yes, Collider are good. Really good. This six-track EP is just everything those pop-punks on MTV2 want to be doing, but don’t know how. This is power-pop and electro-punk so catchy and appealing that it will have you singing along even if you’re freakin’ tone-deaf. It’s been a while since I heard such a great underground act, and I am pretty sure I’ll be hearing more of them too. This would’ve been “Single/EP Of The Month” if it wasn’t for the new P.O.D. single (ok, Spineshank were also in consideration for that title).
Inside; I Can’t Scream
Self-released
(Provided by Kick Promotion Agency)
Inside is basically a power metal band taking in influences from the technical death metal-scene. “At The Gates”, the opening track, starts out like any other power metal band would have it with speedy arrangements, good melodic soloing and high-pitched vocals performed by this girl, Jessica. Later on the death-influences come more apparent and growling male vocals come a steady dose of the diet. These folks aren’t quite there yet, but in time I am sure they might be.
Kardia; Frammenti Di Violenza Controllata
Self-released
(Provided by Kick Promotion Agency)
Here we have less than thirty minutes of dark Italian music from this band that has been together since January 2001. During these six tracks these guys tough on genres like new wave, goth-rock and darkwave. According to the press release they’re influenced by bands such as Bauhaus, The Cure, Joy Division and Rammstein, which is believable as at least the three first ones are easily heard in the music of Kardia.
La Motta; Love California
Boss Tuneage
Formats: 5-track CD-EP / 3-track 7” vinyl
Yes, the title-track from this EP is also the one featured on this bands debut-album. You know, the one with that The Pixies member lending a helping hand on the guitars. The other songs are new, so if you thought this was just a fan rip-off, you were wrong. It’s good stuff, and especially if you’re into bands like Goo Goo Dolls and The Replacements. And if you like colors, then I suggest you get the vinyl-version with its’ shiny red/white colors. I spend all day just watching it.
Ravage; Curse Of Heaven
Self-released
The cover-art more than gives away what’s going to be on this disc. And sure enough, it’s melodic metal of the old school that’s coming out of the speakers as I put this on. It’s not bad, but it isn’t really all that great either. Your might say it’s a standard product.
Secrets She Kept; Symphonies Of Eternal Suffering And Damnation
Self-released
If I hadn’t seen the cover on this thing, I’d definitely think it was some new American emo-band because of the name. The cover, which you won’t be able to see here, suggests something different though – something dark and something that, in fact, is a little closer to what this band actually sounds like. This three tracker starts out pretty slow, scary and doomy, but quickly turns into black metal mayhem. Not bad, but not kings of the game either.
Spineshank; Smothered
Roadrunner
(Provided by Bonnier Amigo Music)
Oh, my God, how can it be that Spineshank aren’t million-selling nu-metal stars, just like Linkin Park and the likes? Ok, they might not be all that alike musically, but man have they created a good tune in form of “Smothered.” If this was released early last year alongside the newest P.O.D. and Linkin Park singles and with the right promotion and airplay it probably would have sold by the truck-loads (hopefully it will now). Believe me, this song is really, really catchy and one you’ll be liking at first listen for sure. Probably one of the best nu-metal songs all year.
Unearthy Trance; Season of Séance, Science of Silence
Rise Above
(Provided by Target Distribution)
Uh, a little playing with words there, huh? Sure, why not? Now to the music: Oh, my God, this is so heavy, so noisy – you won’t believe it. This is like the definition of doom metal or something. Let me repeat: so heavy, man. Put this on loudly and you’ll be enemy with your neighbors for, like, forever. I hear some Black Sabbath in there, but when the vocals are somewhat melodic, which they aren’t mostly, I am also reminded of Soundgarden at times. But this beast isn’t as easily tamed as that.