Issue #14 – October 2003

 

Album of the month:

 

The Violet Burning; This is the Moment

Northern Records

Wow, it must have been at least five years since the last time I had a Violet Burning CD in my CD-player. I had totally forgotten about this band to be totally honest with you all. But here they are again and just like in their early days with a great CD. Changes have been made, though. The Violet Burning don’t sound exactly like they did back then, although there are still U2 inspirations to draw from the sound-picture as well as a combination of 80’s pop and 90’s alternative rock. This band is amazing. Why don’t they play this on the radio? Favorite cut: “Radio Jesus Superstar.”

 

The Rest of this month’s albums

 

Benny; Our True Intent is all for Your Delight

Boss Tuneage

When hearing the opening track, “Beastmart”, I almost had these guys suspected for stealing a song from “Fake Songs.” But after that things went into more of a melodic punk direction, although mixing it up with influences from both hardcore and 70’s rock. Of course, “Kumbyah” sucks ass, but otherwise this is a pretty cool album all the way through without any particular failures. All this said, though, I still think “Beastmart” is the coolest song on there and the only one really sticking out from the rest. 

 

The Billions; Never Felt This Way Before

Northern Records

When I reviewed The Billions’ third self-released album “Quiet As It’s Kept” in 2000, I ended the review with the words: “We’ll be hearing more of The Billions. Just wait and see.” And now they’re back with a new release (ok, it’s been out for a while now, but still) on Northern Records. I guess you could say that it was Kerry Livgren, former member of Kansas, who discovered this group, as he produced two of their three former albums, but for The Billions’ label-debut, they’ve got Chris Colbert and Andrew Prickett (Prayer Chain) to handle the production, and the result is even better than before. The Radiohead and Starflyer 59 influences are not as apparent as earlier, and there are times when you just can’t stop thinking about bands like The Beatles, Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel, but, of course, there’s also the indie-rock you’ve come to expect. This isn’t hard rocking or anything, but I guarantee that it won’t bore you either.

 

B.O.S.; O – Land

Angelika Koehlermann

(Provided by Dense Promotion)

So you’re wondering what this “O – Land“ is. Well, supposedly it’s the land where B.O.S. came from. It’s a land far away, never discovered by anyone. But some months ago B.O.S. traveled with their spaceye-spaceship from this O-Land and landed in some Austrian village. So now they’re sharing a gift with all of the world. The gift of music: their self-proclaimed slo-mo-kraut-progck. Whatever that is, right? Well, try down-tempo electronic post rock with whispery vocals, lots of heavy, dirty bass-playing and a vide variety of not so typical post-rock instruments like clarinets, violins and so on.

 

Demental; Mental Ed

Hemisphere Entertainment

Here’s another 80’s inspired heavy metal band with screaming solos and a high-pitch vocalist. It’s not that this is really bad or anything, but it’s just that I get tons and tons of CD’s like this one, and when there’s nothing special about it, it kind of tends to disappear in the crowd. Fans of Iron Maiden, Dio and even AC/DC might like Demental.

 

The Desert Fathers; The Spirituality

Threespheres

Featuring members of The Forms (also on Threespheres), I was kind of looking forward to put this one in the player, because The Forms’ album was actually really cool, so why shouldn’t this be? Besides, a band claiming to be inspired by as different bands as Wu-Tang Clan, My Bloody Valentine and The Pixies has to be interesting right? On paper, yeah, but in reality the answers sadly seems to be no. And it doesn’t even help that Steve Albini is in charge of the production. Original? Yes. Strange? Yes. Boring? Yes Sir. 

 

Devilyn; The Past Against The Future

Metal Mind Records

(Provided by Pitchfork Promotion)

The first thing to be noticed when looking at the reverse of this CD is the fact that there’s a Carcass cover (“Heartworks”) on there. Not the most original choice for a cover, as Carcass has been covered down to the lost detail by tons of death/grind bands in the past. That said, Carcass is definitely a band worthy of a cover. Anyway, here’s what Devilyn say about the cover in the inlay-card: “This is really Devilyn, not original Carcass!” Duh, really – it is not? I really thought it was – not! The rest of this album is made up by a demo from 1994 titled “The Rude” and a three-track promo from year 2000. It’s all thundering death metal that, to say the very least, sounds a bit dated. Not all that bad, just dated.

 

Elysium; Feedback

Metal Mind Records

(Provided by Pitchfork Promotion)

If you’re like me, you sometimes quickly look through a zine-issue to see what’s in there before you start reading. If you’ve done that here, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of Metal Mind Records reviews in this issue. Well, out of all those, Elysium’s “Feedback” is definitely the best album. It’s actually pretty cool. We’re talking well-played melodic death metal that definitely can be compared to Swedish bands like Dark Tranquility, In Flames, At The Gates and Soilwork. Perhaps Elysium aren’t quite up there with the aforementioned bands just yet, but they’re well on their way. Uh, I dig those catchy riffs combined with those melodic solos.

 

Haste; The Mercury Lift

Century Media

(Provided by Target Distribution)

Apart from some of the more established acts, the last drop may well be squeezed out of the nu metal genre by now, but there’s still some juice left in the post-hardcore/screamo genre, and apparently Century Media have realized that, although not mentioned words like that in the press-release, because after all these are evil words within press-circles. Not around here, though. Haste is a pretty cool band actually. They sound an awful lot like fellow American post-hardcore Solid State darlings Beloved, and while Haste might not even know who Beloved is, I can assure them that there are worse bands to be sounding like. So if you’re into this whole melodic singing vs. hardcore-screaming thing with two different singers onboard, then you can’t go very wrong with checking out Haste. For fans of Boy Sets Fire, Funeral For A Friend, Thursday, Beloved, and, well, you get the picture.

 

Hazel Lord; Venus In The Street

Eden Roc Records

I don’t know why I expected heavy metal to go along with this disc, because what’s to be found on “Venus In The Street” is pretty darn far from heavy metal territory. Standard folk/country-ish singer/songwriter stuff with violins, organs and guitars being the main forces behind the machine would be a more suitable description. The sound is a bit thin, though, and, frankly, so are the songs. I didn’t feel this one. For all that I would’ve cared they could’ve just sat down on a rooftop, drinking that cheap red wine they sing about in one of their songs.

 

Holly Nelson; Leaving The Yard

Northern Records

Holly Nelson is yet another hopeful female singer/songwriter hoping to make it in a big cruel world. She’s a little different from the rest of the Northern Records’ artists reviewed in this issue, and for my tastes, if I am to be totally honest, perhaps also the least favorable of them all. Still, “Leaving The Yard” is better than a lot of these singer/songwriter albums that keep popping up in the USA. Favorite cut: The Tom Petty cover “I Won’t Back Down.”

 

Jacob’s Well; Distorted View

Self-released

I couldn’t put a finger on it, but the first track on this album really reminded me of something that I really loved listening to when I was younger. Just couldn’t quite figure out what it was. Then it hit me: “Dude, this sounds exactly like Jars of Clay on their self-titled debut. Cool. Of course, Jacob’s Well don’t sound like that all the way through this album, and they’re not nearly as good as Jars of Clay. Some of you might have seen our review on a rapcore band called Jacob’s Well a few years back, but don’t think this is the same band, though, because there’s nothing rapcore about this lot. This is more of a light, radio-friendly modern rock outfit with memorable choruses that tend to repeat themselves a bit often. Overall this is an ok independent album with a few highlights sticking out (like “Keep Me From Falling” and “He Loves Me Not”). 

 

Jurny Big; Biggest of Them All

Uprok Records

Uprok Records is definitely one of my favorite hip-hop labels around these days. I mean, they might not have released any true masterpiece yet, but they haven’t released one album that is truly bad yet either. Most of them are in fact quite good, and “Biggest of them All” is yet another release to add to that list. Apparently this Jurny Big guy is a veteran within the hip-hop game, although he’s never achieved any commercial success. He hasn’t given up, though, as that really isn’t what it’s all about. So here he is with his first solo record, a record that definitely will give any fan of modern day hip-hop a smile on the face. My favorite track on the record is “Stroll Down”, although it sounds a little close to an Eminem song from his newest album. Musically there isn’t a thing I’ll be complaining about here, but there’s one thing that bugs me about this release. In “Stay Calm” Jurny Big speaks his mind about the false prophets of the Christian hip-hop scene - people who’ve stayed where it’s most safe while preaching to the choir, while he’s been on the front-line preaching to the lost. Well, if I am to judge from this record, Jurny speaks much more about himself and his doings than about God, and I have no problem with that, but then I kind of think that he should’ve left that other song alone. But on a musical level, I think this is a great hip-hop album.

 

My Ruin; The Horror of Beauty

Century Media

(Provided by Target Distribution)

On My Ruin’s last album you’d find a cover of “Tainted Love”, which oddly enough also was covered by Marilyn Manson for the “Not Another Teen Movie” about the same time. And though My Ruin and Marilyn Manson aren’t exactly brother and sister so to speak, there still are similarities, and if not for anything else, there’s always the gothic “white skin/ everything else black” kind of look to go for. All this aside, though, I’d listen to My Ruin any day over Mr. (or is it Mrs.?) Manson. Why? Well, for starters because “The Horror of Beauty” is a pretty good album and so was their last album. You’ll be getting just enough metal-riffage, hardcore-like vocals and gothic atmosphere to stay interested. Oh, and just for the record, this isn’t the next radio-friendly album in line for what’s bound to be labeled as the nu-goth revival (with Evenescence and the likes leading the way) pretty darn soon.

 

Månegarm; Dødsfard

Displeased Records

Although I come from the very north (Faroe Islands), I’ve never really been into the whole Old-Norse mythology thing. And to be honest pagan metal has never been my favorite kind of music either. I mean, sure, there’ve been some good releases over the years, but a lot of it has been repetitive, boring and extremely cliché too. So why exactly is it that I should find this record by Månegarn interesting? Well, before I listened to it I couldn’t find a reason, but it’s actually a lot better than I expected. The black metal styling of the band get mixed with ancient Nordic song-textures and it works out better than it does for a lot of bands trying this type of thing. For something truly amazing within this field though check out Týr – they’ve got it even more under control, dude.

 

Paula Kelley; The Trouble With Success – Or How To Fit Into The World

Kimchee Records

This is a delicious pop-album. Really, for a while there I thought I was listening to a Sixpence None The Richer copycat. Yeah, it’s that nice, sweet and, well, that good. I could easily imagine Paula Kelley being played on radio-stations such as the ones that play pop-music ala Sixpence. Still, Paula isn’t quite as simplistic in her songwriting. There are plenty of other things going on than just sweet pop-choruses. If a 38-member big orchestra and horn playing alongside some plastic pop sounds appealing, then get onboard. This is for you.

 

The Planet Smashers; Mighty

Golf Records

(Provided by Target Distribution)

There was no info on this band featured in the promo-package, so I know nothing to tell you about them (I am way too lazy to look them up on the internet). But I can tell you that I don’t like this CD, and it’s too bad, because I miss some really cool ska-albums. This is ska alright, but I guess The Planet Smashers just forgot about the cool part. This is kind of like listening to one of those boring reggae-like ska songs found in between the punk-rock-party songs that were all over the ska records in those days – it’s just that this sounds like that all the way through, so I guess you could say that this is closer to the original ska-sound than the third-wave ska-punk sound of the 90’s. A bit boring, really.

 

Reno Divorce; You’re Only Making It Worse

Boss Tuneage

Even if this CD sucked it would get high-scores just for the name of the band. Just kidding, but I guess with all those “Vegas Weddings” we’re gonna need some “Reno Divorces” too, right? Anyway, this is quite a catchy bastard of a twelve-tracker sophomore album. I’ve never heard Rene Divorce’s debut “Naysayers And Yesmen”, but according to the press release it was quite a success. I could easily imagine this one becoming a success too, because alongside those Social Distortion influences there’s also some extremely catchy modern-punk sounding not too unlike the likes of MxPx.

 

Sacriversum; Mozartia

Metal Mind Records

(Provided by Pitchfork Promotion)

Here is some more gothic metal that actually is fairly good. It’s quite atmospheric at times, and it features some nice melodic guitar-work, but what is my favorite thing about this record, are the vocals of Kate who’s one of two females in this band. Like a lot of other gothic-related metal bands, Sacriversum combine female-vocals with deadly growls coming across like a modern-day version of “beauty and the beast.” The death-like vocals of Remo perhaps even a little too beast-sounding. They seem a little misplaced at times too. Tracks two, “Painful Fame”, is the best example of that, but there are others too. Otherwise this is quite alright. Oh, did I mention that this record is solely dedicated to the life and art of W.A. Mozard? Well, it is, and that just makes this more interesting, don’t you think?

 

Serpentia; Dark Fields of Pain

Metal Mind Records

(Provided by Pitchfork Promotion)

Ok, I’ve complained about two records from Metal Mind Records elsewhere in this issue, so it’s kind of a relief that this one is really enjoyable. Man, those Polish folks really know how to write good death metal, but unlike some of the really brutal acts known to come out of Poland, Serpentia move along in more of a Gothenburg-style-manner, coming across like a cross between At The Gates and Dutch God Dethroned (only they’re much better than GD).

 

Sick of it All; Life on the Ropes

Fat Wreck Chords

When discussing hardcore and punk there just ain’t no way around veterans Sick of it All – one of the world’s greatest hardcore bands of all time. Some people will even tell you that it is THE greatest hardcore band ever. They’re back with their release number 15 and what a release it is. It’s awesome. It’s really more of what the fans have come to know and love about this band, but that’s ok because we wouldn’t have it any other way. Sick of it All is everything all those baggy-pants wearing post-hardcore youngsters should be: hardcore.

 

Silent Edge; The Eyes of the Shadow

DVS Records

(Provided by Intromental Management)

With all the progressive metal albums coming out these days, it’s really hard to make a lasting impression for a band, but Silent Edge do a fairly good attempt at it, although there’s still some way to go. These Dutch four-piece are talented musicians as they’ve proven before by winning the “Metal Bash” contest and winning themselves the title as the best Dutch metal act in 2001/2002. There are no songs that strike me as instant classics, but instead the album works pretty well as a whole. Not a masterpiece, but definitely worth investigating for fans of progmetal.

 

Spearing Jocasta; The Cassandra Complex

Life Sentence Records

These guys got some really good reviews for an independent album not too long ago, and judging from this, their label-debut, it’s no wonder. “The Cassandra Complex” is quite simply a great record. It’s got a long of stored anger going that gets out through some furiously - and quite catchyly I might add – played hardcore. There’s some melodic metal in there as well, which is pretty populare amongst American hardcore-kids these days. When screaming, the singer reminds me of the singer in the now defunct 90 Pound Wuss, which is pretty insane, but then there are also times when he’s as emotional, melodic and cute as any post-hardcore/emo singer out there. Good stuff.

 

Syx; A Cold Breath of What It Takes

Self-released

Another band that sadly never made the big bucks from playing nu-metal! That said, “A Cold Breath of What It Takes” isn’t the worst piece of nu-metal this reviewer has heard over the years, but then again if it was it would’ve been pretty darn awful, wouldn’t it? But it really isn’t that bad. Of course, some of the more melodic vocal-lines are little too Linkin Park-ish, but it’s ok because the music itself is a lot heavier than that. Overall, though, there really isn’t anything on “A Cold Breath of What It Takes” that suggests that these guys should’ve been kings of the game.

 

 

Also Rated: Quickies – Hot or Not?

 

 

Single/EP of the month:

 

Dream Evil; Children of the Night

Century Media

(Provided by Target Distribution)

Oh, my God, this is exactly why this band only after two albums has earned themselves a spot between the words leading melodic metal acts. They’re simply awesome, which also is the reason why Past and Present Music already has interviewed the group twice. Anyway, this four-tracker starts off with “Children of the Night” from their second album “Evilized” released earlier this year, and it’s simply one of the best melodic metal songs made in years. After that there’s time for two bonus-tracks from the Japanese releases of “DragonSlayer” and “Evilized” and then an unplugged version of “Evilized” – all top notch. This just might be the best melodic heavy metal band in the new millennium.

 

Other singles & EP’s this month:

 

Deforge; Freedoom Release

Il Male Production

This is complex and technical death metal with a tad of thrash thrown in. It’s quite diverse and therefore not nearly as monotonous as a lot of the death metal releases that say the light of day these days. Still, I am not all that impressed. I guess it’s that magic touch that’s missing. 

 

Dol Ammad; Electronica-Art-Metal

Lightbridge Productions

Wow, the first track on this six-tracker really caught me off guard. It was a really cool speed, epic, symphonic, power metal sort of thing mixed with futuristic electronica and operatic choral vocals. I wonder why these guys aren’t signed to a label like LMP or something like that, as they have that Rhapsody sound all figured out. The rest of the songs on this disc aren’t as impressive as the first one, but they’re still quite alright.

 

Edenpark; The Journey To the Center of the Skull Mountain

Nolo Records

This is a six-track 7-inch vinyl limited to only 500 copies if I am not mistaken, which makes it pretty cool for collectors. I am not really a fan of this band, so I probably won’t be framing this one on the wall or anything. I reviewed a full-length by this band in last month’s issue where I said they sounded like System of a Down playing Frank Zappa songs. I am still holding on to those words.

 

Exiled On Earth; Duality Conflicts

Self-released

Italy has quite a lot of those traditional heavy metal bands around these days and Exiled On Earth are one of them. They have kind of a power metal approach to their traditional melodic heavy sound, but it’s not something that’ll secure them a deal with the majors anytime soon, and when I say the majors I am speaking of the majors within the metal-scene like Century Media, SPV, Nuclear Blast and labels like that. These guys just aren’t good enough yet, and the singer definitely needs a few singing lessons before this will go anywhere.