Issue #10 – June 2003

 

Album of the month:

 

Elliott; Songs in the Air

Revelation Records

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

At first listen I didn’t get this CD at all, but I figured that it was a CD that was supposed to grow on me. Luckily, after giving it a few more spins, I found out that I was right. It’s actually quite hard to describe Elliott’s music as a band, although people would argue that Elliott’s song-formula has been overused by their peers for a long time. Still with “Songs in the Air”, Elliott take a fresh approach on the indie and particularly math-rock genre. Elliott’s songs are filled with atmosphere and whether it is cello’s and violins, math-like drum-patterns or noisy guitar-layers, it’s all working in favor of a great record. At times Elliott moves you with emotional songstructures dripping of melancholic beauty, at others, while still beautifully, they just rock n’ roll in a way that would make The Edge (U2) proud. I had actually made up my mind on choosing NOFX’s new album as the “album of the month,” but as this one kept growing on me, I just had to clear the space. Check it out. (JJJJJJ)    

 

The Rest of this month’s albums

 

Bob Catley; When Empires Burn

Frontiers Records

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

Bob Catley is probably best known for his involvement with AOR-heroes Magnum, but as a solo-artist he has also proven himself as a truly great singer. “When Empires Burn” is his third solo-album and a throughout enjoyable affair. Fans of 80’s inspired melodic hard rock will find it impossible not to sing along to “When Empires Burn,” which, of course, is great. So now I am kind of forced to reach deep down in my pocket (that’s where I keep them, you know) and bringing forth 4 happy-faces. Timeless. (JJJJJJ)

 

Broker/Dealer; Initial Public Offering

Asphodel

(Provided by Rooftop Promotion)

This is by far the most melodic album that I’ve heard from Asphodel, or at least while reviewing for Past and Present Music. Anyway, this is surely also one of the most enjoyable Asphodel releases lately. However, when I say that this is melodic, I am not saying that this is exactly what you’re likely to hear in the most popular clubs in town. You should, but you probably won’t. It doesn’t have that broad appeal to it, as it still has quite a bit of an underground feel to it, but it’s still quite danceable and listenable, especially if you’re into pop-music heavy on synths in a marriage with ambient dreamscapes gathering in a trance-like manner. If I was a DJ I’d play this. (JJJJJJ)     

 

Callenish Circle; My Passion // Your Pain

Metal Blade

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

After changing record-labels a lot throughout their career, Callenish Circle now seem to have found a stabile home for themselves and their music in Metal Blade. At least Metal Blade has signed them for a four-album deal of which this is the second release. I reviewed the first one when it came out, and even though I didn’t go out of my way in order to praising it, I did mention the bands ability to write guitar-riffs that are catchy as Hell. On “My Passion // Your Pain” the band continues writing the same kind of mega-heavy and catchy guitar-riffs, while adding Swedish-inspired melodic metal to the mix as well as a few modern hooks here and there, and it all comes out as a really enjoyable affair. Oh, I almost forgot: their record-label labels them as “death/thrash on LSD” – whatever that means? Anyway, fans of death metal and thrash: get this. LSD-heads are welcome to get it as well. (JJJJJJ) 

 

Charger; Confessions Of A Man (Mad Enough To Live Among Beasts)

Peaceville

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

If we were to choose an album-title of the month, then, without a doubt, Charger would win it. On the music-side Charger have from the beginning been receiving rave reviews in the British press, and even the charismatic Amen-frontman, Casey Chaos, saw something in the band’s music, which lead to Charger being invited to play alongside Raging Speedhorn and Amen on their Kerrang-tour. So, ultimately, I wanted to be cool with the cool and like this album, and while I don’t really dislike it, I can’t say that this has gotten under my skin after receiving this a few weeks back. “Confessions Of A Man…” specialized in sludgy and punky metal that comes across as EyeHateGod challenging Neurosis. And with that in mind, it is funny that Billy Anderson, who has produced both previously mentioned bands in the past, also produces this. (JJJJJJ) 

 

Chinchilla; Madtropolis

Metal Blade

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

Reading through some magazines and webzines the last month or so, I’ve come across quite a few reviews of this new Chinchilla release, and as it has turned out the reviews have been quite mixed. Some reviewers have said this album to be totally irrelevant for today’s power metal fans, while others have claims that this is some of the best stuff the power metal scene has to offer right now. Personally, I wouldn’t agree with either of those statements. I’d much rather place myself somewhere between the two camps, while still leaning a little more towards the positive side of things. I liked Chinchilla’s last album “The Last Millennium “ – it didn’t blow me away, but it was still a pretty good record. And I have kind of the same feelings towards the new album “Madtropolis”, even though if I were to choose one of the two, I’d probably say that “Madtropolis” is the better one, even if it’s just a little bit. All this said, I still think that the semi-ballad “Satellite” is pretty damn brilliantly catchy and something every fan of 80’s heavy metal should hear. (JJJJJJ)  

 

Christafari; Gravity

Lion Of Zion

A friend of mine once told me that he had heard Christafari live in Atlanta and that they were da bomb live. Well, I’ve been hearing some of their songs lately on some Lion Of Zion samplers, a label that, if I am not mistaken, is actually owned by Christafari, and I can honestly say that I haven’t been getting into them much. I like reggae and all that, but most of the songs I’ve heard from Christafari in the past have been too anonymous, going along in a mid-tempo kind of way without a whole lot happening. On “Gravity” I must say that I am getting the same feeling. After listening to the album, I can’t really remember what the songs sounded like, so I have to try again… No matter what, Christafari is actually the most popular reggae band within Christian music-circles, which I have a hard time understanding. Overall, “Gravity” doesn’t suck, it’s just that it tends to get a little boring, and therefore 22 tracks seem to be going slightly overboard. (JJJJJJ) 

 

Circle Of Dead Children; Human Harvest

Displeased Records

Since last time we heard them, Circle Of Dead Children have went from being a five-piece to a trio with only two of the original members left, and, honestly, there’s no bassist in the band at this point. Anyway, for some reason I must admit that I haven’t really gotten in the right mood when listening to a lot of the latest grindcore records – I guess a lot of it is just too fast, brutal, one-dimensional and frekain’ insane for me. Of course, when Circle Of Dead Children get going it isn’t any Sunday picnic. They’re as fast and brutal as any grindcore acts out there, but unlike a lot of their contemporaries they actually have a pretty good way of putting some cool tempo-changes in there in order to keep things interested. Grindcore fans will love this, but metal-fans in general can’t go all wrong by getting this either. Oh, and someone told me that Circle Of Dead Children actually sing about their politic convictions and not about corpses and blood as, well, a few others tend to do. I don’t know, I guess I am too lazy to read the lyrics. One thing is certain I don’t understand one word of what’s being sung - or whatever to call it. (JJJJJJ)

 

CrashFour; Crashfour

Self-released

One thing that can’t be said about Crashfour, is that they’re trying break new ground on their self-titled and self-released debut-album. But then again, who does anymore, anyway? Crashfour sound like pretty much any American acoustic-based guitar pop-rock group you’re likely to hear on modern pop-rock radio. Thanks to some well-done vocal-arrangements and some violin-moments, though, I must say that Jars Of Clay is the band that perhaps comes most often to mind when listening to this album. For the most part Crashfour do things strictly by the book, but when, on one occasion, they decide to head for new adventures by using electric guitars and rap-vocals it almost sounds strange. (JJJJJJ)

 

Cryptopsy; None So Live

Century Media

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

There’s n doubt about that Cryptopsy, even though they’ve been forced to change singers a lot, is a great death metal band. However, this live-album is not one to set them apart from the rest of their death metal piers as something unique. The whole “None So Live” affair just seems to come across a little too “we’re going to release a new album soon, so why don’t we release a live-album to raise the anticipation.” To me this just sounds like another live-show. Not bad, but definitely something you’d have to experience live to fully get into. This was recorded in their hometown Montreal, Canada, and there fore when speaking between songs it’s done in French a lot, which doesn’t make it any more exciting for someone who lives in Denmark and doesn’t understand French. (JJJJJJ)

 

CYU; Free To Fly

Self-released

CYU is actually more of a Christian “out-reach” ministry than a band. It probably wouldn’t take you very long to realize that even if you didn’t have the inlay-card to this album, because the lyrics would definitely give these folks away. Of course, that is also what they would want. However, we’re not talking straight-ahead evangelical preaching all the way through tough, even though it’s most certainly there. There’s also a lot of praise and worship going on as well as some Christian story-telling” kind of lyrics. Musically CYA start out pretty well with a lot of emotion and power, but after a while it seems like there’s not a whole lot of air left inside the balloon. Overall “Free To Fly” won’t go into history as the most original release ever, or let us put it this way: “There is nothing new under the sun” on “Free To Fly” – and that was a quote straight from the Bible, dude. (JJJJJJ)

 

Darkest Hour; Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation

Victory Records

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

I know that I’ve said DeadToFall to be the heaviest metal band on Victory Records, but that was just because I never heard Darkest Hour’s previous work, because they’re easily the purest and heaviest metal band Victory has ever signed (not that there have been too many of those, though). “Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation” is supposedly the first American metal-album to be recorded in the ever so popular Swedish music-studio Studio Fredman, and it comes as no surprise as the whole album reeks of Swedish melodic death/thrash from start to finish, making the band come across like the foreign cousin of At The Gates, Arch Enemy or The Haunted and like the big brother of label-mates DeadToFall. Fans of melodic metal must try this out. (JJJJJJ) 

 

Derek Sherinian; Black Utopia

InsideOut

(Provided by Nordic Metal)
People who’ve read my reviews of Derek Sherinian’s previous releases probably know, that I’ve never been a big fan of his music. So you can imagine that getting his new album “Black Utopia” didn’t exactly spark a fire in me. However, when finally putting the damn thing in, I found myself enjoying it quite a bit. For some reason, Derek has decided to make this album more guitar-oriented than previously, and for the occasion (and I don’t just mean the guitar-part, but the whole album…) he has brought in the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather, Billy Sheehan, Simon Philips and more. But getting the best players to play on your album doesn’t necessarily mean that the album will be any good, a lot of artists have proven that in the past. But even though Derek Sherinian, in my opinion, has missed the target a few times in the past, this time he more than makes up for past failures. If all this hasn’t convinced you off getting “Black Utopia”, then the fact that Yngwie Malmsteen and Zakk Wylde actually play together on “”Axis Of Evil” ought to. (JJJJJJ) 

 

Ditch; Puttin’ Stuff In The Barn

Self-released

My guess is that these guys have spent a lot of time listening to System of A Down lately. At least that’s what it sounds like when listening to “Puttin’ Stuff In The Barn.” Unfortunately, though, that’s where the comparisons end, because where Systen Of A Down is one of the most original bands around, Ditch just come across as a bunch of clowns playing around. Actually, they sound kind of like a bad version of Green Jelly’s “Three Little Pigs” and that, at least, should scare off most of you. Anyway, if you’re still interested you can check them out at www.go.to/ditch. Me, I’ll put this one in the barn. (JJJJJJ)

 

Freax; Freax

Self-released

Keith Caputo of Life of Agony fame is in a new band and they’re a bunch of ‘effin’in freaks, or at least the brain behind the project, Lou Ferreira, claims that there’s a freak in everyone. As it seems Freax just as much a sexual thing as it is a musical thing with its’ fetish, latex and S&M overtones. Musically Freax must be considered to be a cyber-instustrial band with their marriage of metallic guitar-driven songstructures and synth-fixated machinery, and they’re one of the better ones to come around in some time, actually. Not as scary as early Manson, but scary enough for a nightmare or two. (JJJJJJ)

 

Frenzal Rhomb; Sans Souci

Fat Wreck Chords

“Don’t get a million dollars for getting out of bed. Don’t get a million fucks when punching blokes in the head. But even if we never get a Billboard top ten hit – at least we know that Russell Crowe’s Band’s a fucking pile of shit.” Such are the opening words of the song “Russell Crowe’s Band.” Hilarious aren’t they. Well, “Sans Souci” is both funny and a really good round of melodic punk rock. I really enjoyed their previous album “Shut Your Mouth”, which was full of charming Aussie accent, as the band hails from Sidney, and while they’re still as Australian as they were back there, I don’t hear the Aussie-isms as much on this release, which probably is my only complaint. They sound too American at times. But overall, this is a great punk-record, and those who were won over by “Shut Your Mouth” will definitely not be disappointed in “Sans Souci.” (JJJJJJ)

 

Freya; As The Last Light Drains

Victory Records

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

Before I heard this album, I’d heard people talk about Freya, but I never knew that it was a band featuring Karl, Erick and Bulldog from Earth Crisis. When I found out, however, I got ready for some of the meanest hardcore imaginable, but even though there’s a lot of hardcore-fury to be found on this thing, “As The Last Light Drains” certainly came as a big surprise. Fans of hardcore with walls of metallic riffing won’t go wrong by getting “As The Last Light Drains”, but they’ll definitely have to get used to some modern rock sensibilities along the way, and most of all some incredible melodic vocals (yeah, that’s right: melodic vocals). (JJJJJJ)

 

Harmony; Dreaming Awake

Massacre Records

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

Just when you thought that the last creative drop was squeezed out of the power metal lemon this month, you put Harmony’s “Dreaming Awake” in the player and instantly get hooked. By far the best power metal release reviewed this month, and definitely not one laying low when comparing to what has been released the last few months. Anyway, Harmony are debutants, but they are not entirely without experienced band-members, as Andreas Olsson who’s been playing bass in bands as Narnia, Wisdom Call and Stormwind, was added to the line-up before the release of “Dreaming Awake,” and honestly – this will come as an insult on his other bands – he has never played on a better album that this one. Harmony has everything to make a great power metal album. Good musicianship, good harmonies, good melodies, good production, but most importantly good songs. Songs that at the end of the day still are relevant tomorrow. (JJJJJJ)  

 

Jadis; Fanatic

InsideOut

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

This British progrock band features members from IQ, and according to the press release those bands are often mentioned in one breath, which probably isn’t fair to either one of them. I am not going to compare or in any other way mention those two bands again in this review, because I’ve never heard any of them before. Well, until now, that is. “Fanatic” really didn’t strike me as a mind-blowing record, even though it’s quite obvious that there are gifted players at hand here. Actually, I got bored halfway though this “Genesis meets Yes among other things” kind of record, but starving progrock-fans can spend their pocket-money. (JJJJJJ)

 

Jagger; Yum Yum Eat‘um Up

Buzztone Records

When I saw that this band’s name was Jagger, I expected another retro-rock band having the Rolling Stones or at least Mick Jagger as their inspiration. It didn’t change my reaction after listening to the lead-off track (“Come A Little Closer”), even though vocally it’s probably more along the lines of BeeGees or even Londonbeat than Rolling Stones, but the raw 60’s rock sound does bring Rolling Stones to mind. From there, though, there aren’t many Rolling Stones-isms, even though it’s quite obvious that the band has its’ roots firmly planted in the 60’s while adding some a little more accessible college-rock to the mix. (JJJJJJ) 

 

Konkhra; Reality Check

Code666

(Provided by Nordic Metal/Code666)

It has been awfully quiet around what was once Denmark’s death metal pride & joy number one: Konkhra. New music hasn’t been revealed since the release of “Come Down Cold”, which was released in 1999 – an album that brought the band great press outside of Denmark, but also an album that resulted in some criticism from people who’d previously been into the death metal sound of the band. On “Reality Check” Konkhra have turned back the clock to when it was still straight forward death/thrash metal that was running the machine, and by doing that was is better than to bring in the classic line-up from that very period? “Reality Check” is a smashing hard piece of metal that should open the ears of metal-heads worldwide and once and for all establish Konkhra as a important brick in the death metal scene of today. By this album Konkhra has proved that there’s no need to have James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary) and Chris Kontos (Machine Head) in the line-up – they do it just as well with the originals. (JJJJJJ)

 

Marco Brena; Celtic Shadows

Ethnoworld

The album-title has probably already told you more than I will be able to in this review, namely that this is Celtic music. Keyboards, percussion, flute, bas, vocals and the writing-skills of Marco Brena are what make the twelve tracks on this disc. Not to say that this is extremely interesting, though. My wife and me were just sitting around in the living room while listening to this CD. We thought that it might be relaxing to listen to after a day of hard work, and it was actually – but perhaps too relaxing. You see, I more than one occasion I found myself forgetting that there was any music on the stereo at all. It’s not that the music isn’t well-performed, it is, really, but it does have a way of coming across a little indifferent, coming in through one ear and out the other, and after listening to some really good Celtic tracks from the “The Celtic Circle” compilation lately, the album-title on this album just seems to make even more sense: “Celtic Shadows.” (JJJJJJ)

 

Mindfield; Be-low

Lifeforce Records

In a lot of ways the German band Mindfield is a traditional heavy metal band, yet in many other ways they’re not. I mean, the dual guitars are there, the solos and everything, but still they don’t sound much like their German melodic metal contemporaries. There is just coming so much melodic metal from Germany these days, and even though a good deal of it is quite good, you can’t hide that fact that more and more of it is starting to sound exactly the same. Not Mindfield though, their approach at melodic metal is a lot of more atmospheric and daring, while at the same time more appealing and modern sounding. Just listen to the opening song, “Made To Measure”, I promise that you’ll be hooked. Good stuff. (JJJJJJ)  

 

The Movement; Move

Destiny/Aggropop

The press release for this album would have you believe that these Copenhageners are well received in Denmark and in Germany. Well, I am not saying that it’s not true - it’s just that I live in Copenhagen, and I’ve never even heard about them before. Yeah, I know, it’s probably just me. Anyway, this is the debut-album from this political Danish-group who are all about enlightening young people politically and socially. Musically, The Movement do some straight up power-punk songs with traces of ska in there somewhere. They’re actually pretty good, and I can’t understand why I haven’t heard them before. They probably won’t blow up and become the next big thing within the punk-world or anything, but they do deserve a little more attention. (JJJJJJ)

 

NOFX; The War On Errorism

Fat Wreck Chords

When hearing the EP “Regaining Unconsciousness” earlier this year, I just knew that the full-length would be killer. And of course it is. Even though NOFX isn’t the first band to come to mind when thinking about punk-music with a political message, NOFX obviously aren’t without their political ideas. Like Jello Biafra - who, by the way, should invite NOFX tto play at one of his gatherings - NOFX don’t seem to be very fond of US President Bush, and why should they? The cover-art sees Bush as a clown with the words “The War On Errorism” next to him. Quite funny. Inside there’s a picture of Bush, still dressed as a clown, with the words “Somewhere in Texas there is a village without its idiot.“ More funny. Musically, NOFX are as strong as ever with super catchy and melodic punk-songs. Sure, I could’ve done without the saxophone-stuff in “Anarchy Camp”, but otherwise this is pretty much a great album all around. (JJJJJJ)

 

The Real McKenzies; Oot & Aboot

Honest Don’s

A lot of bands that are dope live unfortunately seem to have problems getting their albums sounding as exciting. I guess it is the other way around with The Real McKenzies. I heard them in Loppen in Copenhagen last year, and I can honestly say that it was the worst show I attended all year. They were embarrassingly bad. So when I got their new album in the mail, I didn’t set my hopes too high. Luckily, though, “Oot & Aboot” isn’t as bad as I expected it to be. It’s actually quite alright, really. Of course, it’s the same thing that they’ve been playing all along. So The Real McKenzies are still all about kilt-wearing punky bagpipe music with lyrics about beer, whisky and Scotland, and fortunately it doesn’t come across as tired and forced as it does when The Mckenzies are actually living out their songs onstage with a bottle in one hand and a microphone (or whatever) in the other, while being utterly immature with the same none-sense lines, introductions or whatever between every song. “Oot & Aboot” is for those who want their punk-music without just being punk and definitely not being ska. Well, bagpipes it is then. Enjoy. Oh, and The Real McKenzies are actually from Canada. (JJJJJJ)

 

Propaganda; Out of Knowhere

Uprok Records

Normally people have a negative reaction toward to word propaganda. Take Christian for instance, they won’t admit to what they’re preaching is propaganda, even though when everyone knows that if you write, speak or in other ways communicate something meant to change anyone else’s mind, then it’s in fact propaganda. Tunnel Rats member, Propaganda, hasn’t got any problem by labeling what he does propaganda. Heck, he even calls himself Propaganda. I guess you’re prepared for what this is then? Yeah, that’s right, it’s Christian hip hop, like any other Uprok Records’ releases, and like most of Uprok’s releases in the past, this one’s actually really good. Most of the time it’s straight up hip hop like a lot of what the labels releases, but it doesn’t shy away from bringing in a few other influences here and there in order to spice things up. Take track 7 for instance, which is guested by Macho of New Breed and takes a latin-pop direction. Probably the most obvious hit on the whole album. Anyway, I can’t put my finger on one bad song on this album, so if you’re into hip hop, you should get it. (JJJJJJ)

 

Redemption; Redemption

Sensory Records

(Provided by Intromental Management)

Perhaps the next time Nick Van Dyk wants to express his creative side he should write a book. At least it seems pretty obvious that he’s rather impressed by books, as he’s based the first four tracks on this album on Stephen King’s novel “Desperation.” The 24 minute long “Something Wicked This Way Comes” is also based on a book, namely Ray Bradbury’s book off the same name. Musically Redemtion is a top-notch progressive metal band, counting members from as respected acts as Fates Warning, Steel Prophet, Agent Steel & Symphony X. I can’t put my finger on anything on this album really, but it’s still not as pleasant as the newest albums from, say, Symphony X or Fates Warning. (JJJJJJ)

 

Sarah Brindell; Piece Of Mind

Dragon Lady Music

Letting your mom play on your album is a little untraditional of a young artist like Sarah Brindell. God knows that if I was making an album I wouldn’t let any of my parents or relatives be in the same room as me, but then again, If I was making an album none of them would even want to be there, and neither would anybody else, and that includes myself (yeah, I am that good). Anyway, besides letting her mom play cello on her debut-album “Piece Of Mind”, she has actually written some pretty good songs. Ok, there are one or two fillers among the rest, but overall I found myself enjoying this quite a bit. She, Sarah, reminded me a little off a more mature and older Norah Jones, even though style-wise she goes beyond just being a jazzy piano playing singer/songwriter. She also brings in a few influences from pop, rock and soul and it turns out to work pretty well. (JJJJJJ)

 

Septism; To Prevail In Disgust

Displeased Records

Let me just come out and say it: I don’t like this album. Nothing ever happens. It’s the same old tired brutal death/grind clichés over and over again. What I really could use from a band like Sepsism is a little variation in the mix. It’s easy to hear that these are gifted musicians, but banging away like crazy and never slowing down isn’t making any of them justice. I suggest that that fans of grindocre check out the new Circle Of Dead Children CD instead – it’s a lot better. (JJJJJJ)

 

Silverstein; When Broken Is Easily Fixed

Victory Records

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

When reading through the press-release and finding out that Silverstein is another band combining elements of hardcore, punk and emo, one can’t help but have the feeling that this is just going to be more of the same that has been released by the truck-loads lately. Well, it might be more of the same, but Silverstein definitely add their own charm to the over-growing scene and prove that they easily have more to offer than most of their contemporaries. Actually, I was already won over after listening to the first track on this CD (“Smashed Into Places”). It reminded me off the time when I first heard Beloved’s (now on Solid State Records) debut-album on the Vindicated From Deepwater label. It’s a brilliant fusion of metallic riffs, hardcore-grooves, an emo-like atmosphere and a modern melodic punk-rock chorus (you’ll be singing along, I guarantee it). The rest of the album follows down the same path, and even though it never gets quite as good as in the lead off track, it’s still a pretty good album. (JJJJJJ)

 

Sinphonia; The Divine Disharmony

Lucretia Records

(Provided by Intromental Management)

Here’s another Danish band this reviewer hasn’t heard (heard off, but not actually heard) before, even though they have an international album released by Italian Lucretia Records in their bag. This is their second album and probably their last one, as I’ve recently read that the band has called its’ quits. Anyway, if goth-rock and progmetal sounds like something you might be into, this album probably is for you with its’ Dream Theater-like riffing and heavy doses of keyboards meeting the dark and melancholic The Gathering/Lacuna Coil-like vocals of Monika Pedersen. At best Sinphonia lay down riffs that have nearly the same effect as those Dream Theater monsters. At worst Monika Pedersen leans a little too heavily towards the operatic side of things. (JJJJJJ)

 

Star One; Live On Earth

InsideOut

(Provided by Nordic Metal)
Those of you, who rejoiced when Star One’s “Space Metal” came out last year, can now once again get ready to pull your valets out, as a brand new Star one release has seen the light of day. What was supposed to be a one-time arrangement, has now gone beyond what was once meant to be, and here’s a double-live album featuring tons delicious progrock/metal done by some of the most professional musicians within this field. Of course, the biggest difference between “Space Metal” and this live-recording, is that this has a way of dragging on a bit as it often does on live-recordings, but overall I’d say that “Live On Earth” is just as enjoyable as “Space Metal”, so if you missed out on this band the first time around, then this is your chance. And remember, this might be the last we’ll hear of Star One. (JJJJJJ)

 

Steve Hackett; To Watch The Storms

InsideOut

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd and Genesis are probably the names that most often come to mind when talking about historical and influential progrock groups, and given the fact that Steve Hackett was actually the lead-guitarist in Genesis in their early and most influential period (1970 – 1978), there’s probably reason to believe that there are still progrock geeks out there who worship him and his playing like a God. On “To Watch The Storms”, Steve’s first album in four years, he goes back to his progrock roots, while taking in every aspect of his career along the way. However, the opener “Strutton Ground” actually sounds more like A Simon & Garfunkel song than anything else. After that the complexity of Steve’s progrock begins, at times it’s dark and reflects the album-title pretty well, as it almost sounds like he’s actually watching a storm. Then there are the symphonic parts, the jazzy parts, the folksy parts and of course the classical guitar parts that make this album so enjoyable listening to. (JJJJJJ)

 

Stormwind; Rising Symphony

Massacre Records

(Provided by Nordic Metal)

Two years after the release of “Refelections”, ex-karate champion and guitarist Thomas Wolf & Co. are back with its’ follow up. Just as expected, Stormwind once again provide the listener with a record full of well-played and technical power metal, not sounding too far away from label-mates Wisdom Call. The only problem is that within an as populated genre as the power metal genre of today, a band has to come up with something slightly more original to last. (JJJJJJ)  

 

Teenage Girls: The Initial Assault LP: The Art Of Friendship

Self-released

If you’re getting ready for another pop/punk girl-band following in the footsteps of The Donnas, The Halo Friendlies and Fabulous Disaster, then you’re probably going to be disappointed when finding out that this is actually a bunch of guys messing around. But at least you got the pop/punk thing right, right? Yeah, that’s right: this is pop/punk, but with some mid-tempo indie-rock a la Weezer in the mix. There’s some good stuff in there, but it’s a shame that the “boy meets girl” clichés of pop/punk aren’t left alone. Not great, but definitely worth a listen. (JJJJJJ)

 

Tunnel Rats Present: Underground Rise Vol. 1

Uprok Records

Even though this album goes under the name of Tunnel Rats, I don’t think this is supposed to be the new Tunnel Rats album. Rather this should be seen as a compilation, or, as the press-release says it, a project that combines some of the most recognized names in Christian hip-hop together for the first time to create new music. Other than featuring the Tunnel Rats members New Breed, Sev Static, LPG, Raphi, Zane and Propaganda, “Underground Rise Vol. 1” features artists from respected hip-hop groups like Mars Ill, Deepspace 5, Ill Harmonics, Visionaries and L.A. Symphony, as well as other artists. The result is also convincingly good, as it beats the crap out of most of the hip-hop cash in compilations record-labels are releasing these days. What I like the most about “Underground Rise Vol. 1” is the fact that it features a wide variety of hip-hop styles, instead of just concentrating on one. It’s what keeps a record like this one from ever becoming boring. (JJJJJJ)

 

Various Artists; Aggropop Now

Destiny/Aggropop

Here’s an interesting compilation. A double-CD featuring 55 tracks from almost as many bands. In a way it’s a tribute to the German punk-band Terrorgruppe, but none of the songs on here are covers of Terrorgruppe-songs. Actually, all bands on this compilation have at some point shared stage with Terrorgruppe and that is why they’ve been invited to be on this CD. The idea was for bands to send in unreleased or rare material, but some of the material present here has actually been released recently, but most of is definitely rare or previously unreleased. Of course, with compilations like this, there’s some shit to weed out, but there are also some really good songs featured as well. NOFX is just an amazing punk-band, and the fact that their song “One Way Ticket To Fuckneckville” didn’t make it on their new EP nor album proves my point. Me First & The Gimme Gimmes are usually among this reviews favorites, but their cover of Steve Wonder’s “I Just Call To Say I Love You” is just bad. Other than that we’ve got songs by Mighty Mighty Busstones, Good Riddance, Mad Caddies, Guttermouth, Real McKenzies, Swingin’ Utters, Wizo and of course, Terrorgruppe, as well as a whole lot more. (JJJJJJ)

 

Various Artists; Promo Package

Blazing Productions

I reviewed a Watain CD that I received from Blazing Productions a few months back, but I was also supposed to review this CD. However, I had a really hard time getting all the way through it due to a very bad sound quality and, well, shitty songs. Anyways, I’ve finally made my way through it (once I might add. Yeah, yeah, sue me), and I can honestly say that I don’t like one song on the sampler. It’s all chaotic black metal, which would be fine if only there were a few good songs every once in a while, not to mention a sound-quality that was actually bearable listening to. I’d say that Blazing Productions have to try harder if they want to catch up with extreme metal labels like Blackend, Hammerheart and Osmose. (JJJJJJ)

 

Single/EP of the month:

 

Hondo Maclean; Plans For A Better Day

Mighty Atom Records

(Provided by Hero PR)

These guys are a bunch of lucky bastards. They wrote a song about the super-sexy actress, Asia Argento (“xXx”), and as it turned out she fell for their charm. So now they have her gracing the cover, but she’s especially sexy on the reverse of the CD, where she’s wearing, well, not a whole lot actually. Anyway, these guys don’t have to have someone like Asia helping them to promote their music, as this is quite easily one of the best post-hardcore EP’s that has seen the light of day this year. Hondo Maclean, named after a 80’s cartoon character, combine their post-hardcore aggressions with metallic guitar-riffs, occasional melodic vocal-lines and screaming so evil that no one would even realize it if Ben Woosnam was kidnapped from Hondo Maclean and placed behind the microphone in a Norwegian black metal band. These guys will blow things up shortly, and Asia Argento and me are fans. How cool is that? (JJJJJJ) 

 

Other singles & EP’s this month:

 

MrGone; Collection

Hardance

Here’s a collection of three techno-like tracks from someone who calls himself MrGone. Or at least I think it’s a he. Of course, it could be a group of people too, I don’t know. The truth is that I didn’t get a press release with this promo, so I know nothing about it actually, besides what I hear on the disc. Copenhageners wouldn’t be hearing this when attending popular clubs as Rosie McGee’s or In, and neither would trendy club-goers anywhere else, but if you went a little longer down the street, perhaps even into some dark alley somewhere, you’d come across a club that actually played dance-music like this. Ok, now I am scaring you, making this sounding like a dark, horrible record. It isn’t really. It’s actually quite accessible, it’s just that it doesn’t sound much like commercial dance-music. (JJJJJJ)

 

No Illusion; No Illusion

R&R Entertainment

I don’t know if we’re being introduced to a new R&B star-group here or not, but the guy who has taken these girls under his wings has either remixed, produced or written songs for the likes of Britney Spears, Salt n’ Pepa, All Saints, Garbage, Public Enemy and Lionel Ritchie, and if that wasn’t enough, these four good-looking girls recently signed a deal with the former Christian Aguilera manager. Anyway, the three songs featured on this EP go along in a typical American sounding R&B style although obviously inspired a bit by an English group like All Saints. The track “No Illusion”, which probably is the one they’ll be pushing for in the near future comes with three remix-versions towards the end, bringing in a few elements of hip hop, dance and reggae. Overall this sounds like a lot of the R&B stuff that you’re likely to hear when turning on MTV, just not quite as slick and over-produced, which, of course, is a good thing. (JJJJJJ)

 

Phoenix and the Shadow; Different They Think

Dark Theory Records

Here’s a quite pleasant 5-song hip hop EP that differs quite a bit from what can normally be heard on MTV. Phoenix and the Shadow lay down excellent vocals/raps done by a female and a male, while having a real live-band playing in the back-ground, which should make for a pleasant listen live instead of all the play-back hip hop groups filling the scene up right now. Anyways, Phoenix and the Shadow are quite good at this, and especially the song “When I Am Drunk” shows potential. What was most surprising about this song, however, was the fact that there weren’t used words like ho or bitch in the song. Instead it went like this: “When I’m drunk all you women look fine, when I am drunk all you girls look fine. And later when there’s a reference about scoring, the word chick is used instead of the aforementioned ones. Not typical hip hop, wouldn’t you agree? Anyway, now I’ve chosen my favorite song, so I guess I should tell you it’s not all good. The following song, “Sex”, is not good. Actually, it kind of sucks – still this is a good EP overall. (JJJJJJ)

 

Phoenix Butterfly; 3 Ways To Leave

Phoenix Records

(Provided by Hero PR)

Phoenix Butterfly is yet another band in the long series of bands deciding to put out their music on their own label. However, unlike a lot of other independent bands, Phoenix Butterfly have gotten one of the hardest working PR-companies, Hero PR, to promote their music. On this four-track single, debutants (aren’t they?) Phoenix Butterfly lay down a metallic sound with that groovy and crunching guitar-sound, reminding one a whole lot of Soundgarden in their early 90’s. Yeah, this is metallic and grungy hard rock mostly going along in a mid-tempo kind of way, while also definitely finding its’ way to slow things down all the way. While not the most original band on the planet, I am almost certain that this won’t be the last we’ll hear off Phoenix Butterfly. (JJJJJJ)

 

Sensus; Intertia

Inertia Records

This English band has a pretty typical modern brit-indie-rock sound to itself. Unfortunately, the production doesn’t do the songs full justice on this release, but anyone into modern guitar-pop will hear that these guys have the ability to write good songs. Take opener “Synthetic” with it’s flowing guitar-sound and catchy vocal-lines for example. It’s convincing and contains everything a radio-hit of this kind should. (JJJJJJ)