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Album:     Surrealistic Madness                                  

Year:     1995 (1999-reissued)

Label:     Too Damn Hype Records

Musicians:       

Carley Coma-vocals   

Eric Mathews-guitar-bass

Chris Puma-guitar

Kenneth Schalk-drumset-bass-keyboards-rhodes-synthesizer

Additional Instrumentation: Micheal Stauber-bass, Urban Improv Quintet, The Lovely Quartet,

{John Lamacchia-guitar, Michael Macivor-bass(1999)}

Track Listing:

 1.    Temple of Sickness

 2.    Wind

 3.    Elevate in Madness

 4.    Toying with the Insanities

 5.    Mental Crossover 

 6.    Chaos in the Middle of Perfectly Illogical Sense

 7.    Pages

 8.    Weep

 9.    Red Eye Flight

10.   *Bonus Track*  Purity Condemned 

notes~  Purity Condemned is taken from the 1994 demo Subliminal, which to my knowledge is out of circulation.  This album was not recorded at Purple Light Studios.  It was recorded periodically at Ken's mom's basement, and Imagination Workshop.  This album is truly a raw slab of meat, great for understanding Candiria's death metal roots! 

webmaster's review:

    Surrealistic Madness.  Originally recorded with intent to be a demo, this album circulated throughout the underground like a rabid dog, so it was defaulted by demand as Candiria's first album.  It opens up with Temple of Sickness and breaks to the grit right away.  You get an in-your-face example of where the band was at its beginnings, and honestly, I've never heard Carley Coma's voice so brutal, sick, and ravaging!  The vocals on this album is an element which truly makes this recording unique, I just can't get over it......sick vocals......just sick.  Down to track four, Toying with the Insanities, is very short but pretty creative if you ask me, who would of imagined car horns?? In regards to the recording, I like this album because its very primitive (as so it seems), also...its nice to hear something that isn't so polished.  My favorite song on this album is track seven Pages, at first its very ominous, but then jumps into a head-knock groove.  1:32 into the song, listen to K. Schalk's double-bass work (are you kiddin me!).  Also on a lighter note, at approximately 2:39 of this song, take a close listen...can someone tell me what the fuck that is??  As the CD travels the meandering sonic path, Weep, and Red Eye Flight are nicely put together.  I recently picked up this CD, and don't have the original issue, so I don't know if the Bonus Track is on that one as well (if anyone does know, please e-mail me). Furthermore, like I said, I don't have the original issue, I did find the liner notes a little confusing at first, because John Lamacchia, and Michael MacIvor do play on this album, but not on the original.  If anyone has a copy lying around, please contact me and I'll buy it from you, that shit is mad hard to find.  In conclusion, this album is a must have, its very diverse and is a pleasure to hear, and totally makes me want to jump in the next Candiria pit I see!  .....peace out.


Album:   Beyond Reasonable Doubt                                                                        

Year:     1997

Label:    Too Damn Hype Records

Musicians:     

Carley Coma-vocals    

Eric Mathews-guitar-bass

Chris Puma-guitar (only partial contribution)

Kenneth Schalk-drumset-bass-keyboard-trumpet

Track Listing:

1.    Faction    special appearance by Mark Scondotto of Shutdown

2.    Year One    special appearance by Jorge Rosado of Merauder

3.    Lost in the Forest

4.    Paradigm Shift

5.   Tribes    special appearance by Ryan Murphy of Cut-throat

6.    Molecular Dialect  

7.    Divided

8.    Mental Politics    special appearance by Capital "S", Krim, Nino Bravo, Density a.k.a. Big Den

9.    Riding the Spiral    written by Intrigue, percussion by Joseph Boccardi

10.   Primary Obstacle

11.   Intrusive Statements    special appearance by Mike Lee

notes~  This album was recorded at Purple Light Studios, Brooklyn, New York...and produced by Michael Barile.

webmaster's review:

    Beyond Reasonable Doubt.  This album is a classic Candiria endeavor.  If you know anything about this band, you should be familiar with Faction.  In the New York Metro area, this song received, and continues to get widespread airplay.  Most notably on 89.5 fm WSOU, Seton Hall's Pirate Radio, a pioneering radio station with a Hard Rock/Metal format.  Anyway, I picked up this CD a long time ago when I saw Candiria, and Orange 9mm at Coney Island High, a now defunct club in New York.  At the time, my ears were not ready for what is on this album, but there was something about it I liked, and kept on listening to it....even though I didn't like it at first.  I just didn't get it.  The one facet that reeled me in, was the fact that I didn't understand it.  The riffs were very confusing....and frequently thought "what's wrong with this band?....don't they want me to understand what's going on....are they blatantly trying to confuse the listener with such rapidly changing stanzas?"  But the day did come, and I caught on to their dastardly perplexing tool of syncopation!  I got it (bastards)!!!  My favorite song on this album is Paradigm Shift, simply put, get the lyrics, and just try...try I tell ya, try to follow Chapter One: "Ignite the flammables delirious, the fragrance of the thief.....", follow it all the way down to ".....compensate".  Carley Coma is one talented man.  Also, on Primary Obstacle, go 1:50 into the song.  This has got to be the most amazing riff I've ever heard, and its integration of the drums is perfectly executed!  The only bad thing I'd have to say about this album is, I really don't like track eleven, Intrusive Statements, I like Jazz, but this is just not my thing.  In conclusion, this album is a classic. Packed with friendly surprises and disguises.  Madness in chaotic order!  You even got a fuckin Rap song on this shit!!! Go buy it!!....peace out.


Album:    Process Of Self.Development                                     

Year:     1999

Label:     MIA Records

Musicians:      

Carley Coma-vocals

John Lamacchia-guitar-10 string electric guitar-acoustic guitar

Michael MacIvor-5 string fretted and fretless bass

Eric Mathews-electric guitar

Kenneth Schalk-drumset-percussion-rhodes-keyboard-bubblewrap-didgeridoo

Additional Instrumentation: Tim Byrnes-trumpet on 2,4,6,9,11, and Kevin Greenland-bagpipe

Track Listing:

 1.    Three Times Again                                            

 2.    Onefourtyeight   

 3.    Pull    special appearance by Tom Sheenan of Most Precious Blood (ex-Indecision)

 4.    Method Of Expression    special appearance by Capital "S", Agent 19, J.Stealth, RVJ, SDEE

 5.    Temple Of Sickness

 6.    Mathematics    special appearance by Jorge Rosado of  Ill Nino-Merauder

 7.    Work in Progress    special appearance by Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, Phil Vazquez of Irate

 8.    Matter.Anti.Matter   special appearance by Tim Byrnes-trumpet, Gary Brooks-sax, Joe Rybczyk Jr.-rhodes, Todd Hedrick-bass

 9.    Cleansing    special appearance by Paul Thorstenson of Dissolve

10.    Elevate in Madness   

11.    Down To The Last Element    special appearance by Krim, Capital "S"

12.    The Process Of Self.Development

13.    Leaving The Atmosphere

notes~  This album was recorded at Purple Light Studios, Brooklyn, New York...and produced by Michael Barile.

webmaster's review:

    Process Of Self.Development.  Well, this is pretty much the album that did it for me, without a doubt this is THE BEST CANDIRIA ALBUM EVER!  Every particle of this album is well thought of, written, recorded, produced, and executed to the finest tune.  The album rips open with a thrashing bass line introducing Three Times Again, a song which is phenomenal. It encompasses what Candiria stands for in all of its musical theory, depicted specifically throughout each chapter.  The syncopation is fundamentally simple, yet intriguing, and is something I hold in high regard.  I also love how the song just cuts off at the end, it always makes me laugh!  Then it drops down low....with the mesmerizing Onefourtyeight, a song that is atmospherically inward, beautifully simple.  The lyricists on Method Of Expression are very innovative.  Temple Of Sickness, a remake from the first album is awesome!  It just gets better and better as we go along, its funny but I'm at a loss for words on this one, this is one album that is best heard, and not read about.  But I'll continue...because this is a review.  One aspect of this album that I didn't agree with at first, was the array of special guests that decorate this album.  But honestly, when hearing the album, I look forward to hearing those guest vocalists like Jorge Rosado/Merauder, and Jamey Jasta/Hatebreed.  Actually my favorite guest appearance is J. Jasta, he contributes on the song Work In Progress.  Funny Perspective:  My friend made me laugh hard when he described one part of a Candiria song--at exactly 1:25 into Elevate In Madness the song breaks into this Latin freestyle....my friend envisioned dignitaries, gathered in a luxury hotel lobby, bashing their heads against a wall in confusion (heheh)!!...take a listen!  In conclusion,  this album is not only a must-have, its a "you're an asshole if you don't have this CD"-type album.  ...What? You have no money? You wanna burn a copy? TOO BAD!! SAVE YOUR PENNIES!!    .....peace out.


Album:     300 Percent Density                                    

Year:     2001

Label:     Century Media Records

Musicians:    

Carley Coma-vocals

John Lamacchia-guitar

Michael MacIvor-bass

Eric Mathews-guitar

Kenneth Schalk-drumset

Track Listing:

 1.    300 Percent Density

 2.   Signs Of Discontent

 3.   Without Water

 4.   Mass

 5.   Constant Velocity is as Natural as Being at Rest

 6.   Words From the Lexicon    special appearance by Chief, kid gambino, Advocate, Diz

 7.   Channeling Elements    backing vocal in chapter six by Grace Marie

 8.   Advancing Positions

 9.   The Obvious Destination

10.   Contents Under Pressure

11.   Opposing Meter

notes~  This album was recorded at Purple Light Studios, Brooklyn, New York...and produced by Michael Barile.

webmaster's review:

    300 Percent Density.  This album continues to blaze a path through many of the bands relative in the same market.  I found this album to be quite different than previous releases.  To begin with, Carley Coma's vocal approach has obviously expanded...he has subdued the death metal growl, but compensates well with high pitched screams constituted throughout the album.  My favorite song is without a doubt Signs Of Discontent, this song was originally released as an mp3. file, but was then tweaked and put on this album.  Also, track five is one of those songs that makes this album alone worth buying!  There are some things about this album I'd like to discuss.  First, I was a little disappointed with the album cover art, it breaks the color continuity and style of previous albums, something I'd like to see come back.  Secondly, what happened to all the guest appearances?  Third,  I don't know about you, but I for one would like to see Candiria try and hit off a fast, punk-type song, and maybe even throw in an all-out ripping guitar solo! That surely would be different, but hey, I'm not complaining!  In conclusion, I do savor the way the CD winds down with Opposing Meter, and after that, that long-ass celestial ending...VERY COOL!  In conclusion,  this album is saying something to me along the lines of..."Candiria has a vision-you thought you knew what was coming!"............peace out.        


Album:    Beyond Reasonable Doubt (re-issue) [C.O.M.A. Imprint Double CD]                                    

Year:     2002  

Label:     Lakeshore Entertainment/C.O.M.A. Imprint

Musicians:    

Carley Coma-vocals

John Lamacchia-guitar

Michael MacIvor-bass

Eric Mathews-guitar

Kenneth Schalk-drumset

Additional Musicians:    Coma New York, Ghosts Of The Canal, The Moons Project

Track Listing:

Disc One: 

1.    Pardigm Shift

2.    Year One

3.    Peel this Strip and Fold Here*

4.    Faction

5.    Bring The Pain/Multiple Incisions *

6.    Riding The Spiral

7.    Tribes

8.    Primary Obstacle

9.    Molecular Dialect

10.   Divided

11.   R evolutionize R *

* New tracks, other tracks feature new bass, guitars and vocals, and are remixed and re-mastered.

Disc Two:

1.    Blue Suede Timbs - Coma New York *

2.    Collective Unconscious - The Moons Project *

3.    That Which Survives - Ghosts Of The Canal *

4.    Let The MIC Go - Coma New York *

5.    Hypnotic Oceans - The Moons Project *

6.    Richard Dreyfuss - Ghosts Of The Canal *

notes~  This album was recorded at Purple Light Studios, Brooklyn, New York...and produced by Michael Barile.

webmaster's review:  The Coma Imprint.  Candiria's recent unleashing.  This album is a reissue of the 1997 album "Beyond Reasonable Doubt", with a few new tracks added.  Right now, I don't find myself at a loss for words on how to describe this album, I just don't know where to start.  I'll begin with the packaging, it certainly is creative, but its irregular shape doesn't fit it my CD shelf, I thought this was a little weird.  Now, down to the music and the general misunderstanding I have as to why this album was made.  Beyond Reasonable Doubt is my second favorite Candiria album next to Process Of Self. Development.  It in itself, has special meaning to me, because it was this album that turned me into a huge fan.  There are small elements of that album I really look forward to hearing, and unfortunately on The Coma Imprint, they were either taken out, or changed altogether.  Carley Coma's voice has certainly evolved since 300 Percent Density, but on this album, it seems a bit experimental, and he takes giant steps out of his forte, and at times, his voice is somewhat reminiscent of 25 ta Life's Rick Healy.  Down to track 5, "Bring The Pain/Multiple Incisions".  Personally, I feel that only a select few of bands have ever covered songs well enough to mention, but this attempt falls by the way side.  Once again, Carley Coma steps out of his forte, and even takes a shot at singing the chorus...which in my opinion is just not his thing!  And as to why the curses were taken out is totally beyond me, my only guess is an attempt at widespread radio coverage.  The Method Man version was raw, and undiluted--a fundamental element which makes the song so good to begin with.  I think Candiria just tried too hard on this one.  I for one, would find it deceiving on Candiria's behalf if for example, the song did get major airplay, and tons of people went out and bought the album expecting more of the same, only to find out differently.  One of the best songs on this album is "Tribes".  This song was going smoothly, until Carley's rap part came in, and once again sounded totally different...  As well, the cool trumpet part at the end of the song was changed from a major scale, to a minor scale, giving it a less bright mood.  My favorite song on the album is "R evolutionize R", this song is very cool and is well worth listening the whole 9:30 of the song!  Going into disc 2, which features Candiria side projects, is very disjointed, and doesn't compliment the first disc very well.  In totality, the music on disc 2 just doesn't do it for me--essentially, I've heard Candiria make better rap beats than that!  In conclusion, I feel that the changes made to Beyond Reasonable Doubt, which in turn, has now become The Coma Imprint, were not significant enough to garner the integrity of a new Candiria release.  I feel that I've picked apart and criticized some large, as well, minute aspects of this album, and to some might seem random, but I've tried to make this as succinct and direct as possible.  I understand that some of you reading this might find this review a bit ominous, being that, this is after all, my site dedicated to this great band.  But honestly, I've been listening to Candiria for many years and not for one second do I subtract their superb musicianship on this or any other album.  In regards to this particular album, this is my opinion...as well, so are you entitled to your own!   Taking the vantage point of a first time Candiria listener, I give this album a rating of capital "I" for "INFORMATION OVERLOAD!"


 

Album:       What Doesn't Kill You      

Year:     2004

Label:     Type A Records/Sony

Musicians:    

Carley Coma-vocals

John Lamacchia-guitar

Michael MacIvor-bass

Eric Mathews-guitar

Kenneth Schalk-drumset

Additional Instrumentation:  D. Bendeth tracks: 2, 4, 6, 9.  Dan Korneff tracks: 4, 6, 9. Wayne C. Davis track: 7

Track Listing:

 1.    Dead Bury the Dead 

 2.   The Nameless King 

 3.   Blood 

 4.   Remove Yourself 

 5.   1000 Points of Light

 6.   Down 

 7.   9mm Solution 

 8.   I Am 

 9.   Vacant 

10.   The Rutherford Experiment 

notes~  This album was recorded at Mirror Image Recorders (studio D). It was not recorder Winter 04' because the album was released during the Summer of 04' (typo).  It was produced by David Bendeth, not Michael Barile.

webmaster's review:  Ladies and gentleman... Holy Shit!!!  Grab on to your seats for a wild ride!!!!  Candiria surely throws us for a loop on this album!!  No Purple Light studios, No Michael Barile...No Jazz....  Structured songs!!!  ... someone just slap me in the face cause I must be in a daze!!!!  What to say, what to say!!!  pre-emptive clause:  If there was ever something Candiria tried to teach its listeners, it would probably be to remain open-minded to the evolutionary steps of life.  So with that being said, I come to the table with that in mind.  Listening to the opening song, "Dead Bury the Dead", I enjoy the rhythmic patterns of the song.  Carley Coma's voice is still rough-edged, but has clearly changed, and the whole production of the band's sound has gone a more professional route.  Kenneth Schalk's drumming is most notably different, seeming to follow the steps of an already blazed trail.  The next song "Remove Yourself" is a basic structured rock song (verse, chorus-verse, chorus)... its a cool song to chill in your car to.  Then again, we get spun around again with a hard hitter "1000 Points of Light"... but this unfortunately doesn't hit too hard.  I don't like this song at all.  Taking another 180 degree turn, we have the song "Down" which is by far my favorite track on the CD.  It has a great intro, a great driving riff that caries throughout the whole song, Carley seems to be really comfortable on this song, and the drums are pretty simple, yet so effective... and when the chorus kicks in ... "How can I please all of your needs? What do you see when you see me?"  BOOM!!!  Shit hits you in the face like damn that was hot bro!!!!  There are so many layers in this song, I have to hear this track like 3 times every time I put this CD in.  Also, lyrically... this is the one song that makes my brain's rusty wheels turn.  This is an album that has its twists and turns.  Candiria clearly focuses this effort with all the events in and all around their touring accident that happened a few years ago as evidenced by their album photo/artwork.  Don't know about the accident?  Read about it here.   I have heard the best of both arguments when debating the question: Did Candiria sell out?  I can only say this... Do you see them riding in BMW's?  Escalades?  Do they have their video for "Blood" on MTV every minute you turn to that station?  No.  Candiria did not sell out.  Candiria took a major left turn on highway 718 somewhere in Canarsie.  There is only one song on the album that I completely dislike.  I think this is a heartfelt album that is not contrived.  With that being said, I give this album a B+.  Because Candiria still has it, plus... this album is so different in so many ways, you have to get it just to see for yourself... at least burn the damn thing.


 

Album:     New York's Hardest 2                                  

Year:     1997

Label:     Black Pumpkin Records

Track Listing:

  1.    25 ta Life    "Where it Begins"                             

  2.    Reach    "Insecurities"                                       

  3.    Stealth    "0 to Mach 7"                                      

  4.    Sons of Abraham    "Dos Equis"                           

  5.    Candiria    "Pull"                                                 

  6.    Stem    "Defecit"                                                                                                       

  7.    Alpha Jerk    "Out of Control"                               

  8.    SFA    "Outsider"                                                                               

  9.    Skarhead    "$nickers"                                                                  

10.    Indecision    "False Prophet Preaching"                 

11.    25 ta Life    "Make it Work"

12.    Reach    "5 Floors Up"

13.    Sons of Abraham    "Tired of Being Right"

14.    Stealth    "Fire"

15.    Candiria    "Statistics"

16.    Stem    "Ground"

17.    Alpha Jerk    "Kickdown"

18.    SFA    "Burn"

19.    Skarhead    "Y.A.$" 

20.    Indecision    "What Culture?"

notes~  I have no idea where these tracks were recorded???  All I know... is that this compilation is slammin!!!   

webmaster's review:

    New York's Hardest 2.  This album epitomizes the New York Hard Core scene and its various contributors of the mid 90's.  Two tracks from each band, 10 bands....what more could you ask for.  Pull, was originally released on this album and later brought over to Process Of Self.Development.  Statistics remains solely on this album.  Not much to say on this album really other than a few band changeovers. Example: Indecision is now Most Precious Blood, Stem is now Dragpipe, and Stealth is no longer in existence.  This album is truly a must-have!!! 


Album:     Aggro 2000                                                 

Year:     I have no idea, I searched around for info on this album, but came up short                   

Label:     K-Tel Records

Track Listing:

I don't know the track number, but I do know that "Pull" is on this one too.  Also on this album: Helmet, Gravity Kills, Rollins Band, Coal Chamber, Rammstein, and Type () Negative.

notes~   Who thought of putting these bands together????  I personally do not own this CD.


Album:     Too Legit For The Pit                                    

Year:     2001

Label:    Radical Records

Track Listing:    

1.   Stretch Armstrong    "Express Yourself" (NWA)                    

2.   Candiria    "Deep Cover" (Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog)                      

3.   Throwndown    "Baby Got Back" (Sir-Mix-A-Lot)                     

4.   Movielife    "I Can't Do Nuttin' For Ya Man" (Public Enemy)  

5.   Hoods    "Mamma Said Knock You Out" (LL Cool J)              

6.   E-Town Concrete    "The World Is Yours" (Nas) 

7.    Clocked In    "New Jack Hustler" (Ice-T) 

8.    F.O. the Smack Magnet    "Humpty Dance" (D.U)

9.    Skarhead    "PSK. "What does it Mean?" (Schooly D)

10.    Bad Luck 13    "White Lines" (GrandMaster Flash)

11.    Diehard Youth    "Bust a Move" (Young MC) 

12.    N.R.S.V.    "Fresh" (Fresh 3 MC's)                 

notes~  The "Baby Got Back" cover by Throwdown is friggin hilarious!  As for Candiria's "Deep Cover", well, as much as I love Candiria, this song sucks hard, but in the end ...you be the judge!  I don't own this CD, but if you wanna send it to me for free, I'll do a review!

*Don't forget to read my exclusive interview with Kenneth Schalk!!!  Click Here


Disclaimer:

(718) the candiria pit, was created in its entirety by the webmaster and is in no way affiliated with Candiria or Lakeshore/C.O.M.A. Imprint, Century Media or any other damn record label Candiria has been on!  If for some reason there is something you'd like to: comment, criticize, or squander about... feel free to contact me via e-mail. Thank You!