Rock N Roll Experience - September - October 2006
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REVIEWS
Before you begin reading these reviews, we have a rating system to tell you just how good or bad a CD is & here's the breakdown on how it works: 1 Star - crap 2 Stars - This is stuff your Mom might like! 3 Stars - It rocks, but is only okay 4 Stars - This is good, but there's room for improvement! 5 Stars - You should consider buying this...it's a good one! 6 Stars - Sell your car, dog, baby, etc., this is a MUST have!
Rating: 5 stars
Body Count has been around for 10 years now, & through all of the controversy & chaos, the band, led by Ice-T, still remains a vital force in hardcore rock! I will admit that this CD's sound is very raw...I think that with the right producer, the sound could be tweeked a little, because at times, I think the guitars are a little too low in some spots, & on certain tracks, Ice's vocals/rapping over the music sounds amateur, BUT, then again, Body Count has always had that punk ethic, so as a whole, it doesn't even matter, because the CD is really tight! I will admit, that I am a white boy that grew up in the suburbs & I have NO CLUE what Gangsta or ghetto life is all about, & when I first started listening to this CD, I enjoyed the music, but I didn't really relate to the rhymes Ice-T was spewing...I mean it was cool, but I felt lost, & the song "Relationships" is where I really picked up the vibe, because it's about how guys love their girls, but they can drive them crazy, & that's pretty universal in every culture. I think the song that really stands out is "You Don't Know Me" because much like every song title on this CD, it's self explanatory..it's Ice-T telling you that you don't know him, so don't try to explain him, & it's an interesting song, because Ice is talking about stuff that most of the people who are gonna listen to Body Count, won't even know anything about...I mean white kids in the suburbs are NOT ghetto & I'm the first to come out & say it..it always pisses me off to see a kid in that grew up with $$ try to act very street by going out & buying his hip hop cloths & trying to "act" the part...Ice-T is the real deal & so is Body Count...they are 5 guys who came from the streets & through it all, paint this interesting picture of crime, hate, hurt, & poverty, while still rockin' like an mf!
Rating: 5 stars!
I remember the first time I saw Powerman 5000 was when they were opening for KISS in 1996 on the bands reunion tour...the band started out as a mixed up mismatch of rap-rock, the bands singer a modern version of Billy Idol with the messy spiked hair & the cocky snarls that Mr. Idol is known for. Flash forward about 10 years...there's been numerous line-up changes in the band & you have the 2006 release "Destroy What You Enjoy" which owes more, musically, to punk rock & power pop, than to the rap-rock genre that the band first came out with. Infact, the band used to have this funk swing at times, & that is gone too...instead, you get a strong dose of rock n roll that's very basic & stripped down.."Return to the City of the Dead" is the first song on the cd that kicks it into gear with strong power chords, strong vocals, & a good hook that the metal fans & the punk fans will find apealling! "Miss America" is an interesting song, because it's actually asking the question, Will you Miss America? as opposed to the beauty contest that you might think of when you hear that name & the song itself is very blues based! "Wild World" is a great song that's really powerful & demanding of attention, but my personal favorite is "Heroes and Villians" which is a live track & the last on this cd. I have to give it to Spider..he has really crawled out of his older brother Rob Zombie's shadow & created an interesting band that has changed throughout it's career to develop into a strong band. You have to admire how Spider has kept Powerman 5000 alive despite all of the obstacles that have gotten in his way!
Rating: 5 stars
When I listen to this CD I am reminded alot of H.I.M., because the music is very similiar & I can't help but wonder if this band will not be the next big thing in a very short period! Mixing goth with rock, The Rasmus remind me of alot of bands..The Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, & even a little Primal Scream! I like the fact that the USA version of their CD has a slew of bonus tracks, because usually the import version that is available outside the USA is the one that has all the cool extra's! "Night After Night" is one of the tracks that really define what this band's sound is all about..it's got great production, dynamic heights, & it's just a good song. Again, if you like H.I.M., you'll LOVE this band! If you're not a H.I.M. fan then this might not be for you!
Rating: 6 stars
Virginia based Lamb of God has been churning out blistering, tuned down metal epics that solidify why so many of the bands fans & peers consider the band to be the next Slayer! With the release of the bands 3rd full length CD, "Sacrament", the band has progressed to the next level, similiar to how Pantera took it up a notch ever time they released a new cd. "Sacrament" is clearly the bands best body of work to date..it's just above & beyond any heavy record out their today! Lamb of God's singer Randy Blythe might not look that menacing off-stage, but listening to this CD, Mr. Blythe sounds like the 2nd coming of Lucifer himself, & as far as the guitar playing...all I can say is, the next level has been raised! "Again We Rise" is a good example of exactly why Lamb of God are just so powerful & dangerous...the riffage is fast, the rhythm is beyond driven, & vocally..it's insane! I get a sense of a little gothic overtone at times on the CD, but I think that element has always been there..it's really more of a church-feeling & I really think that has more to do with the fact that Randy's father is an ordained minister & it's kind of a knock on christianity. "Beating On Death's Door" closes out this thrash metal masterpiece, & when that song is done, believe me, you're ears will be tired, because this CD is beyond brutal, & that is a good thing! I remember seeing Lamb of God about a year ago & it dawned on me at that point, while being in the middle of a sold-out crowd, that this is a band that will be around a long time, & after listening to "Sacrament" I am reaffirmed of this fact! Be very afraid, because Lamb of God are back with the strongest CD of their career!
Rating: 4 stars
When a band's cd starts off with an song that's over 11 minutes, in my mind, I am thinkng that it's either Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" or Iron Butterflies "In-a-God-a-Davida" because not too many bands have the balls to put out a song that's over 11 minutes & make it track #1, but Eidolon did just that! "The Parallel World" is long, indulgent, & chock full of guitar solo's that most players will be enthralled with, because alot of it is just not pure, raw musicianship that few players will ever attain! Musically, the band reminds me of Dream Theatre, Queensryche & King Crimson, BUT, I have to add that the band does NOT sound like any of those bands for the most part..they are a prog-styled metal band with really long songs & on a musicianship level, this band is un-touchable! The only band that is out there that I might compair them to is Dragonforce..it's just some mindblowing stuff, BUT, it does seem to drag a little, so don't say I didn't tell you that most of the songs are VERY long!
Rating: 5 stars
It's interesting..this band is in the same vain as Eidolon..they are very prog-metal, BUT, their vocals are what really make the band different...vocally, the band has the growling vocals & it's more aggro at times than clean, although there are plenty of clean vocals! Guitar solos are everywhere & this band really reminds me of Children of Bodom at times...there's some good keyboard playing that accompanies the guitar work very well. "Humanitix" is rough yet polished & I could actually see an orchestra arrangement of this song, because it's got some balls! "Xerox Nation" is possibly one of the most unique song title's I've heard in years & the song itself is tight! "Destruction Time Again" is my personal favorite track & look closely at the track # on the back of the cd! Musically, this band is dynamic, has killer hooks, & I enjoy the mix of clean & aggro vocals that, even though it's very common in popular rock today, is still really good!
Rating: 4 stars!
Emo friendly rockers Quiet Drive strattle the line between punk credibility & emo ethics which round out the bands "When All That's Left Is You" cd, which blends pop, punk & there's even a cover of the Cindi Lauper classic "Time After Time" that's given the emo treatment! There's no guitar solo's here, but there are some interesting melodies & backing guitar lines that make this CD interesting. I will admit that the bands looks match their music 100% & that is rare today! "Take A Drink" is the stand out track on this cd..it's just got that certain something that makes you wanna hear it over & over, & song wise, each song is written really well & the production is superb!
Rating: 6 stars
I've read numerous reviews of this cd...some are great, some are so/so, & some are below average...when I first listened to this CD, the initial thing that struck me is that this is distinctly Slayer..no bs about it! Intense, angry, pissed off, & leaving you wanting more.."Christ Illusion" is an amazingly heavy cd for a band that is 20 years into their career! "Flesh Storm" kicks off the CD with fury & power that is as strong as ANYTHING the band did on "Reign in Blood" which is considered the bands best record ever by most fans! "Skeleton Christ" delivers a strong burst of powerful guitar riffs & the rhythm is tight on this! I might add to that Tom's vocals have never sounded better...how he keeps it up is a mystery to me! "Cult" is pure evil & it really gets my blood moving..if you listen to this song & don't feel like starting a mosh pit then you might not be alive! "Supremist" is NOT a song about being a racist, rather it's about a character & the song itself, music wise is just insanely heavy! The artwork has been banned in numerous retail outlets & I will admit that it's creepy..it kinda reminds me of the Seasons in the Abyss era because it's got alot of dark brown & red & it just looks like the devil might have made it! Slayer, like AC/DC & the Ramones, are a band that comes from a dying breed of artists who never sell out, never change, never out-grow what they started as...Slayer is as heavy today as they were 20 years ago..they might even be harder today!
Rating: 6 stars
Devin Townsend is a musical genius...it's sad that few people know just how prolithic he truly is!! The man has released record after record for years & the latest Strapping Young Lad opus, "the New Black" is pure aggression, power, & determination to kick the teeth of the music industry way down the throats of radio friendly musicians who have no sense of humor! Musically, this is some extreme stuff..very heavy, angry & pissed of shred style thrash, but the lyrics are what makeit interesting...a song like "Fucker" is just nutty! "U Suck" is actually funny & if you got to see the band play it live, the intensity is strong, but the lyrics are just silly! "Antiproduct" is the bands theme..they are NOT a product..they are NOT for the masses..they are for heavy metal fans & I can't help but fall in love with this cd...it's just amazing stuff! "The New Black" is the best song on the cd..it's like a beginning & an end to a cool package & supposedly this will be the bands last cd for a little bit while Devin takes time for his family. I might add too that the artwork is very intriguing!
Rating: 5 stars
Interestingly rock oriented with flashes of glitz, punk, pop & guitar driven with distinct vocals that seem to match the guitar tone more times than not! "Battle Song" is my favorite song off the CD & it sounds distinctly original & "Jesus Rides the Subway" is definitley a song that should be a single..it's got a cool breakdown & the vocals really bring it home! "Bite My Tongue" reminds me of the Used with frantic energy & distracting guitar tones that are accompanied by a strong drum beat. If you attended the Warped tour, this is a band that should definitley be on that tour & this is a band that ANY Warped tour fan will love! Filled with energy & passion, Vaeda are a great band, but then if you hear a song like "1.25" then you will hear the bands softer side that's brooding & bitter..I like to say that it's an emo power ballad!
Rating: 5 stars
Blind Faith are a band that is pretty much forgotten about by the younger audience today, but in their day, they were an amazing band & this dvd showcases the band in their prime in 1969! What can I say other than, check out this dvd & see an original classic rock band do it the way it's supposed to be done!
Rating: 6 stars
Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus has been available directly from Mr. Appice's web site for some time now, but it's also officially available in the stores now, & the list of shredders on this cd is impressive. It's interesting to note that Zakk Wylde's track is totally NOT what you'd expect..Zakk's trade mark guitar squeels are NOT present at all & his track is pretty standard guitar solo fodder for the most part. Ted Nugent's song "Day's Are Nights" delivers a damn fine Nuge solo & "This Time Around" is probably the best song on the CD because Doug Pinnick's vocals are amazing & Yngwie just shreds. The Mick Mars song doesn't really sound like Mr. Mars that much & I think it's interesting to note that so many of the guitar players on this CD do their best to not sound like they always do...Slash is the rare exception here & Slash's song is a ballad! Well worth every penny, this is a cool little super group thing that's definitley a one-off project & I might add to, that Carmine sings lead vocals on a crunchy version of the Rod Stewart classic "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" that's very interesting.
Rating: 6 stars
This is easily the most commercially aceptable & commercially viable RHCP releases ever! Every song has the potential to be on the radio & they are all very good, well written chili pepper gems that all pretty much have the same strains of funk, punk, rock, & energy that made the RHCP's such an amazing band! To the critics, this will be a dream come true, but I wonder if the older fans will reject this 2 cd set because it's not as edgy as the bands prior releases. "Dani California"is the lead single & we all know it's very much like "Last Dance with Mary Jane" by Tom Petty & the guitar solo borrows from Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze". "Charlie", "She's Only 18" & "Make You Feel Better" are funk-ti-fied songs that blend alot of genre's & I have to admit that 2 full length cd's in one package is ALOT of music to absorb & I think this package will hold the fans over for quite a while & I can easily see 6 singles off this cd..they have 2 so far & another 4 should be no problem! The artwork is kinda strange & conceptual, but if you look at it just for the music it's also interesting. If you like the Chili Peppers, then this is a CD you will love!
Shock Rock terror tramp Wednesday 13 is back with a new solo record that's strong, deeply rooted in the gritty & trashy glam of bands like the NY Dolls & ALice Cooper..there's more glitz than anything out there today for sure, & the interesting thing is that the bonus track "Burn the Flames" might be the best song on the CD! "Too Much Blood" is my personal favorite, which reminds me of Skid Row at times..the vocals are very Sebastian Bach-ish & it just plain rocks! "Morgue than Words" kicks off the CD & it's pretty much what you'd expect..it's a straight up shock rock song that's short & to the point. "My Home Sweet Homicide" is the first single off the CD & it's a mover & shaker that makes you wanna dance with the dead! Artwork wise, the CD reaks of Wednesday 13..it's creepy & reminds me of an old 50's style comic book with flashed out pics, black & white artwork, overused colors, & in general, it's got that trashy vibe that 13 fans know & expect! This CD could easily have been the new Murderdolls cd since 13 wrote all of the songs on the Murderdolls cd when he was in the Frankenstein Drag Queens! Check out the titles to each song too..they are all plays on different things from pop culture! Wednesday 13 borrows a page from Alice Cooper for sure, but he is also a very original & creative guy that is one of a kind!
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REVIEWS
Rating: 6 stars!
SLUNT, the purveryer's of sleeze, glam soaked rock, fronted by a really hot chick named Abby, are back with their 2nd full length CD entitled "One Night Stand" & it's really an extension of their last record, because it's just pure, straight up riff rock that owes a hefty debt to AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, & Motley Crue! The lyrics are very sexual at times & you have to remember to have a sense of humor, because it's only rock n roll! "Mr. One Night Stand" utilizes the cowbell, which was a staple of 80's metal, & "Here To Rock" is anthemic & it will easily be a live favorite in concert! My personal favorite is "Over It" which kicks off very heavy with a slide guitar riff & it's actually a brooding number that just drives it home...I'll assume that it's about a relationship that ended badly & I think it's one of those songs that we can all relate to on some level...the chorus is what really hits the hardest! There are 2 bonus tracks on the cd that rock, so make sure you listen to the entire cd! Track 13 is actually the heaviest & fastest song on the cd & it's a quirky little number called "Pizza or Anal" which is funny as hell & actually a really great song if you have a sense of humor! It's funny..I knew from the first time I saw SLUNT that they had something really special, & it's cool to see the band still around & pushing CD #2 because so many really great bands just don't make it past CD #1, so make sure you support SLUNT..they are keeping the torch of Rock N Roll Excess going & we need this band on the scene!
Rating: 5 stars
Canadian rockers Anti-Hero have a killer new cd out called "unpretty" which is a mix of rock, metal, & the vocals are actually clean & I can't help but wonder if there isn't something major going on in Canada, because they have all these killer girl bands that ROCK! Kittie, Bif Naked, Alanis, Britt Black, & now Anti-Hero! The CD kicks off with "Not Good Enough" which is a full on rocker that's un-apologenic & driving..the clean vocals with the growls behind it are pretty cool, & even the sloppy guitar solo just works! "Unpretty" seems to be the bands anthem, & it's ironic, because the females in the band are pretty..I can't help but wonder if it's not just a play on things! "Wake Me Up" starts kinda slow & I like the beginning because it sets the song up & it's definitley one of the best songs on the cd..it's powerful & strong & it does kinda have that Nirvana feel to it in a weird way. Anti-Hero are compaired to Nirvana in the media at times, but I see them as more of their own entity...they really have more rock influences than Nirvana & I don't think this band is weird enough to be considered indie...they mix it up enough to be a little better than Nirvana in the music they play. "More or Less" is probably the most commercial song on the CD & the chorus just sticks in your head...this is the song that should be their hit single & video..it's just got "it"! "Two Words" is the last song on the CD & it's pretty much a big f**k you to the people who have messed with the band. As an added bonus, there's a cool little dvd that is included with this cd & the dvd has some videos & extra's that is well worth checking out..hearing this band is cool, but seeing them is a treat!
Rating: 6 stars
It's interesting to watch Lennon's career...this buxom little rock n roll queen was signed to a major label, put out a really great record that really never took off, she toured with some of the biggest names on rock n roll, she was on the Warped tour, posed for Suicide Girls, toured independently on her own & even released her own cd's, & now she is back with another cd entitles "Damaged Goods". It's interesting to note that most of her releases all have "Where Do I FIt In" (formerly "My Beautiful") & "Brake of Your Car"...these are 2 Lennon signature songs & Lennon told me last year that she's recorded so many versions of "My Beautiful"/"Where Do I Fit In" that she could put out a full length CD of different versions of that song! "Nothing Out of Me" is a song that was on her Japanese release "I AM" cd & it was also available for some time as a free download on her website..the song itself is a great rocker too! "Rain" is one of my favorite new songs..it's a heavy song that grabs your attention quickly! "No One Knows" is a song I remember hearing Lennon perform on her solo un-plugged tour last year & it's really a beautiful song that highlights what a great singer & piano player Lennon truly is! "Just One" is a great mid tempo song & "My Sins" is what I really think of when I think of Lennon...it's a heavy song with loads of attitude & it just rocks hard! I think the only thing missing on this CD is a few pictures of Lennon, but I guess she wanted the music to stand on it's own & musically, this cd is awesome!
Rating: 4 stars!
It's interesting to note that I really didn't like Black Label Society initially....I saw them in concert because, as a guitar player, I just wanted to see Zakk Wylde play, because there's no denying he is the premier Metal guitarist in the USA, but something really interesting happened...by like the 2nd or 3rd BLS CD, the writing got really tight & I had seen the band play so many times, that I knew all the songs & I was hooked as not only a Zakk Wylde fan, but a BLS fan, & so with the bands latest release, the first on Roadrunner Records, the band pretty much does what it always does...it serves up a mix of piano driven ballads, along with guitar shredding songs, BUT, this CD really reminds me of the first BLS cd...it's not quite as slick as "Mafia" & I think it sounds a little rushed at times...one thing I really wanna see is, I'd love to see Nick C. play guitar & write on a BLS cd...it just feels like an extreme solo record at times, & I'm NOT trying to be a jerk with this review, I just don't quite get the same feeling on "Shot To Hell" that I did on "Blessed Hellride"...the vibe is just kinda boring & what keeps the CD moving is Zakk's guitar solo's & amazing playing, plus he has a killer singing voice too! I always feel bad giving a bad review, but that's just what I got off this cd...sorry!
Rating: 5 stars
I actually caught 2 Cent opening for GWAR a month ago, & their CD is really good...they capture the live vibe totally well on their studio cd! "Steak Dinner" is one song I remember them playing live & it just rips with the energy of thrash metal, but it also has straight up rock potential. "A Song for Darrel Abbot" is another one I vividly recall seeing them play live, because I think anytime someone onstage mentions Dimebag there will always be this chill in the air, & this song is interesting, because it's NOT really a ballad, just a little slow at times. Interesting footnote about this band..their drummer is their lead singer & his kit sets in the front of the stage! "The Mark of my Pen" is the most interesting track on the CD because it's a little off from the HEAVY stuff, & I've said it before & I will say it again...it's great to see bands out there still playing hard, heavy music, that's NOT EMO, straight edge, poseur music...2 Cent is the real deal...straight up thrash metal that's in your face & they remind me of early Exodus alot!
Rating: 6 stars
Icepick is a side project of Jamie Josta's...as you know, Jamie's the singer for Hatebreed & host of MTV2's Headbanger's Ball, & this new project is as hardcore as it gets! The messages are positive, the music is brutal, & this is some HEAVY shit! "Real Recognizes Real" has to be my favorite track, because it's got Ice-T rapping on it & there's actually a few guests on that track, but the message is there too..check it out! "Creation of Chaos" is maybe the most powerful song, in my opinion, BUT, EVERY song on this CD is heavy as f*ck & there's NO Ballads, No pussy music, just pure power & attitude! "Onward to Victory" has a weird dog barking/growling noise that's actually pretty funny..it reminds me of the Cro-Mags for some reason! I think this entire CD could be summed up with one song..."Born To Crush You"...it's sooo freakin' powerful & just far beyond heavy! I would say that this is the best hardcore cd for 2006 hands down...it's just brutal! My only complaint is, for me personally, I find the old English type font annoying & hard to read at times!
Rating: 5 stars
Hardcore is alive & well on the new Full Blown Chaos cd...it's interesting, because I've heard these guys forever in the underground hardcore scene & I remember the first time I saw them..their singer is as big as their music...it's one of the rare times that you see a singer who just fits the music, & I mean that in a good way...it's really cool..there's nothing pretty about this band or their sound! "Voorhees Complex" is based about the Friday the 13th movie more than likely, but it's hard to figure out for sure since the lyrics are very limited writing wise, but if you keep listening after that song, about 7 minutes later there's a hidden bonus track! Musically, from beginning to end, this CD is brutal, violent, & just plain ugly, which is a GREAT thing for hardcore music! If you like old Agnostic Front, then you'll LOVE this cd!
Rating: 6 stars!
Veruca Salt has always been a very interesting band...the band has always been very guitar driven & straight up rock, but it's also maintained a strong indie following even though the band had Bob Rock produce it's biggest release to date. The original Veruca Salt is basically stripped down to one original member & it's Louise Post who basically keeps the Veruca Salt moniker afloat with alot of help from guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick, who essentially helped keep the new CD in check with crunchy riffs & loads of energy..I really think the 2 write well together & the first song on the CD, "So Weird" demonstrates the power the 2 have when they combine their ideas together..."So Weird" starts off with a harmonic guitar ring that leads into a riff that reminds me oddly enough of the Smashing Pumpkins! "Centipede" is actually my favorite song on the CD & it's a rocker that really sums up what it's like to be in love...all of the feelings are pretty much there & it's a really good song too! "Perfect Love" has alot of emotions in it & I will admit that I was surprised the band only used one song off it's independently released "Lords of Sound & Lesser Things" which is the song "Save You" & I might add, that is also the heaviest song off said EP too! The CD closes with the "Salt Flat Epic" which is a weird little summary of the history of Veruca Salt, or atleast that's how I take it..it's nearly 8 minutes long & it's an interesting piece for sure. It's really hard to believe that this is actually only the 4th full length release from Veruca Salt, because the band has been around in various forms for many years & "IV" really proves what staying power the band has...I'm excited to have a new CD from the band & I'd highly advise you to get this CD...it's got alot of diversity & the song writing on here is just amazing! Also, I might add that the band is currently on tour, so if they play through your area, definitley check them out, because Veruca Salt are one of those bands that not only lay it down well on cd, but they are also amazing live!
Rating: 5 stars
It's always a funny thing in death metal..the harder it is to read a bands logo, usually the heavier the music is! Pentagrams, skulls, & a crazy logo are all the normal fodder for Incantation, whose 3 piece line up make more noise & devastation than Slayer's 4 piece line up! Vocally, the singing is all cookie monster style..very gutteral & it's the common low pitched growl that death metal is known for. The band is pretty tight though..the rhythm is un-touchable & a song like "Conquered God" reminds me of just how important a band like Black Sabbath is to this genre, because it's obvious that Sabbath influenced ALL death metal...I kinda look at Incantation as a more extreme version of Black Sabbath because in their day, Black Sabbath WAS the extreme, & in 2006 the extreme has been pushed so far forward that it's hard to tell what the extreme even is anymore, but there's definitley some great gut wrenching riffs on this CD. If you like Cannibal Corpse & Napalm Death then you'll LOVE this CD!
Rating: 6 stars
It's funny how when I listen to a CD sometimes, I get weird thoughts & I tend to usually write down my first thoughts because that's the right direction to go in..well, when I first listened to this CD, the first thought that popped into my head was, "these guys make Cradle of Filth sound like pussies!". The simple matter of fact is that Hell-Born play death metal that is almost grind-core..it's just super fast, super heavy, & really violent! The band has a very dark, almost goth feel & look, BUT, musically, this stuff has little to do with goth, it's pure, evil death metal! "Impaled Archangels" is tuned low, heavy as hell, & relentless! "Hell Spawn" is beyond evil, synister, & overall, this is one of those cd's that you can listen to from beginning to end & there's NO ballads, NO pop songs, NO BS, just pure death metal that kicks ass from beginning to end & the entire CD is only a little over 40 minutes, so it sets a fast pace that just never lets up from start to finish & if you like Deicide, Cannibal Corpse & Behemoth, then you'll LOVE this CD!
Rating: 6 stars
For Unearth's 3rd full length CD, the band enlisted Terry Date to produce, record & mix, & all I can say is HOLY SHIT..THIS CD KICKS ASS! Unearth has really stepped things up with their 3rd release..it really reminds me of how ever Pantera CD got better & better & heavier & heavier as the band progressed! "This Time Was Mine" has a super fast guitar lick that's covered with blood heavy riffs & rhythm, with the standard aggro vocals, but the thing is, Unearth isn't full blown death metal, they strattle the line between metal & hardcore! "So It Goes" has an impressive guitar solo that reminds me of heavy metal's past giants like Iron Maiden, who mixed great dual leads with heavy riffs & it's really good to see a band that can really play & has guitar solo's...it's obvious that these guys are really good & when you see them live, they add as much energy with their playing & showmanship, which is kinda rare today in this world of drop-d tuning & little or no musicianship! "Bled Dry" is maybe the most frantic song on the CD & it's just brutal & probably the most death metal like, but the breakdown in the song is almost more melodic metal than death type stuff! "Big Bear & the Hour of Chaos" might surprise you a bit because it's got piano in it & it's an instrumental that is actually a really cool way to wind down this really heavy cd. All I can say is, Unearth totally stepped things up with this CD & their appearance at Ozzfest 2006 confirmed that this is the future of Heavy Metal, whether you like it or not!
Rating: 4 stars
Dawn of Azazel are an interesting band...vocally, I found them annoying because it's like that screaming thing that Dani Filth does that I just find annoying...it's really my own personal preference, so don't hate me for my opinion! Musically is where the band stands on their own..the guitar parts are at time erratic & impromptue...I'd describe it as death metal doen jazz style! There's some odd timings, strange things played, & it's really what makes this CD worth checking out. All the stereotypical death metal things are there & you can practically envision the pentagrams, skulls, & upside down crosses that are typical of the genre...what I will say though is that the guitar playing is worth checking out..tone wise, some would say it's too trebley, BUT, I enjoy guitar tones that are not as easy to categorize & it's what makes each song distinct. Fans of Cradle of Filth & Carcass would probably enjoy this CD!
Rating: 6 stars!
Children of Bodom are simply amazing live & if you havn't seen their live experience yet, the their new live concert DVD will be a treat for you! "Chaos Ridden Years.." captures the band on a dead on headlining performance that's an interesting mix of prog & death metal..the guitar solo's are mind numbing & it's an interesting footnote that Alexi is actually really short, but onstage when he's playing he seems gargantuan! "Living Dead Beat" kicks off the concert with more energy than most bands have in one setting, & "Hate Me!" is one of my personal favorites because the band just nails it live! The highlight of every Children of Bodom performance is the guitar solo's Alexi lays down, because his guitar tone is a bit trashy at time, but it's just full on shred & there's no denying that he's a prodigy! There's alot of extra bonus stuff on this dvd too..there's a small documentary, all of the bands music videos & a weird little picture gallery that shows the bands life on the road. It's funny how stereotypical the concert footage can be at times...hearing Alexi yell "Mother Trucker" to the crowd just like Sebastian Bach, & Alexi's onstage rants to the crowd..it's just sooo metal! I might add too that Roope is a killer guitar player too & the rhythm section is really dominant & even the keyboard solo is superb! This DVD totally captures the band live & it's just full on chaos..this is maybe one of the best concert dvd's EVER!
Rating: 6 stars
I'll admit that when I heard Queensryche were putting out a sequel to Operation Mindcrime, which is arguably their best release ever, I was skeptical, I mean how can you top something like that? It could have very easily been just a bad attempt at recapturing what the band had done previously, BUT, when you listen to the Jason Slater produced Operation: Mindcrime 2, I will admit that it's REALLY good! "I'm American" might be the heaviest material the band has released in years..it's just fast, mean & to the point! The guitar solo's are interesting on the disc & there's even a special guest performance by Ronnie James Dio! Vocally, Geoff Tate's voice is superb..he sounds just like he did when the band started, & that is rare! I've never been a huge fan of concept records, because in order to get the concept you usually have to listen to the entire record from beginning to end numerous times & I tend to be a person who listens to a few track here & there because my time is scattered, but if you don't listen to this CD as a whole & you just listen to pieces of it, it's still a good listen & the songs stand on their own as a concept piece & as singles! The CD closes with a sad number called "All the Promises" & the overall concept of Operation: Mindcrime 1 & 2 really should be made into movies...they are both well written & you don't see too many bands recording concept records these days!
Rating: 6 stars
The Black Crowes are definitley one of those bands that can just jam all night long, & it's interesting to listen to their new live cd, because anyone who's ever seen them knows that these boy's LOVE to play & I can't even imagine the process of what songs to pick for this new cd, because there's 19 songs on this CD & I'm willing to bet you there was alot more left off due to time restraints on a cd! The sound quality is awesome & it really sounds like a live record too! "Sting Me" is a prime example of how the band mixes modern rock with classic rock..the chorus reals current, but the music feels like old Rolling Stones at times, & that is the beauty of the Black Crowes..the guys play what they play & they don't care if anyone likes it or not..there's horns, background singers, & the mix of soul, rock & blues is amazing! "Seeing Things" has always been one of my favorite BC songs & the band plays a truly beautiful version of it on disc 2, but I think it's obvious that "Remedy" is the highlight of disc 2 & the crowd seems to go nuts for it! Chris & Rich Robinson are really the Lennon/McCartney of this generation...the music they create together is genius...you don't hear stuff like this anymore, & it's an ode to real rock n roll..the band can really play & everyone in the band gels tight together! I was really sad when the Crowes split, but now we can rejoice because they are flying high again!
Rating: 5 stars
This is a really good package, because not only do you get the dvd that allow you to see the entire Jeff Healey band jammin', but you also get the audio portion on a CD so you can take it in the car with you & enjoy the music...I wish more bands would do this! I remember the first time I heard Jeff, I had no clue he played his guitar like a piano, laying down on his lap, because to just hear his music, you have no idea that he is blind, but when you see him play on this dvd, it makes you realize that ANY adversity can be overcome if you want it bad enough! Jeff Healey lays down smokin' blues licks & he even covers the Beatles "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", along with "Roadhouse Blues" by the Doors & a slew of standard blues covers. I think this DVD is a great documentary on just how amazing a player Jeff is & hopefully he will get back out there & tour again sooner or later, because he's too talented to not be playing for his fans, as this dvd/cd documents!
Rating: 5 stars
Classic Rock Jam Band Canned Heat, best known for their larger than life singer Bob "the bear" Hite, has a new product on the shelves..well, it's not really new, but it is a great classic performance from the band, captured live @ Montreux in 1973 & it's totally soaked in emotional blues jams & riffs that made this band such a force to recon with in their day. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown is featured in the concert as a special guest, & it's interesting that the band was described as the precursor to the Blues Brothers, because I never thought of it that way, but they really are...they really have that same vibe, feeling & emotion..they make you wanna move & sing when you see their preformance & they totally pour their hearts into every note! This was actually the first complete performance I'd ever seen from the band & I was impressed...these guys were really great!
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REVIEWS
Rating: 6 stars!
My first exposure to the band Mortiis was seeing them open for the Genitorterer's a few weeks ago, & I really had no clues that they were a big band overseas, because over here in the USA they are really underground, but watching the bands new dvd, "Soul in a Hole", you realize that they are a really big band outside the USA & it's really different seeing them infront of a large crowd as opposed to the small stages they play in the USA! This DVD captures an entire live show from the bands current tour which is stellar, plus is has 4 of their music videos, & the bonus interview is my personal favorite of this dvd, because it really explains everything I didn't know about the band, such as why their singer wears that troll mask, & it recounts numerous on stage & off stage stories that are pretty interesting! Mortiis are an interesting band, because they blend dance music with metal & they are kinda industrial, BUT, not quite, & as they put it in the interview segment, there's 3 different phases to the band & the current phase is actually my personal favorite because it's their most rock oriented phase. This is a DVD well worth checking out..it's got everything you'd wanna know about Mortiis & then some!
Rating: 5 stars
Thrash Metal pioneers Nuclear Assault have put their differences aside & reunited..I know that you guys already know that, but they have a cool new dvd that captures a great chunk of their career from past to present..the new concert footage looks & sounds great...John & the boys shred it up & there's this running joke about a parked car that's ready to be towed...it's kinda goofy, but funny too! The true highlights on this dvd are the archival clips...you see a mix of footage from the bands past...some of it is really grainy & looks like it might be bootleg footage...the old school fans of the band will really appreciate it more than the newer fans, & there's 2 music videos that MTV never showed, as well as 2 un-released songs! It's great to see that the guys can still play their older material with such conviction, & I can't forget that the rehearsal footage is classic too...how often do you get to see the band in a practice environment just hammering it all out, then you see them going outside to their cars to leave! This is a good 3 hour dvd to sit back, have a beer with, & bang your head to!
Rating: 5 stars
I'm always amazed at how so few people know who the Melvins are! The Melvins ARE the original grunge band from Seattle...they blended overdriven distortion with tense drums & King Buzzo's crude vocals...without The Melvins there would be NO Nirvana...infact, their drummer Dale was Nirvana's first drummer! The Melvins are actually beyond just a grunge band...I've always considered their music avante guard at times...it's kinda artsy in places & things go in different directions, & they are kinda like a hard rock version of Andy Warhol in my eyes! "A Senile Animal" boasts 2 drummers & the music is a mix of lo-fi, garage-y sounding hard rock that owes a wealth of debt to classic rock & Neil Young's Crazy Horse is what comes to mind when I listen to the new cd for some reason..."Blood Witch" is a weird song that's a rocker, & "Rat Faced Granny" is an interesting song for sure...the packaging of the CD is layed out backwards too..the front cover is actually what should be the back...this has been done a few times like on FIlter's first CD, but it's still interesting none the less & worth checking out~
Rating: 5 stars
The current line-up of Kreator have a new dvd out called "Enemy of God Revisited" & I have to admit that I prefer the new line-up to the classic original line-up...they remind me of Slayer alot & the concert footage is really intense! There's also some music videos on here & what can I say...if you like good thrash metal, then you'll dig this dvd...it's a few hours of footage that cover's the current line-up of the band pretty well & for a band that's been around nearly 20 years, these guys still kick some serious ass!
Rating: 6 stars
Master's of Horror is one of my favorite TV shows on the Showtime network, & this 2nd edition of the TV show soundtrack is equally as impressive..it features a bevy of new rock acts that are the nest of the best currently out there! I don't even need to mention that the Hatebreed track is brutal..everything Jamie Jasta does is intense, but the song that really gets me excited on this CD is Wounded Cougars "Drop Your Panties"...this is the first time I've ever heard this band & these guys kick ass...just fast, heavy, pure f**king metal! Asunder's song is the token industrial/dance track & it's unique to hear it on a mostly metal soundtrack. There's 2 unplugged songs that are exclusive to this cd & they are from Shinedown & Seether, & the Junip & Wax on the Radio songs are the most non-metal songs from a rock band on this cd. It's interesting to hear the clean vocals on the new Cradle of Filth song on here..I'm so used to hearing that shrill high pitch voice from Mr. Filth! I don't really need to hype this cd..it's a great package if you like good rock music & do yourself a favor & check it out!
Rating: 6 stars
Skid Row are considered by many, to be just another left-over hair band that has only a few original members, BUT, & I mean this not only as a fan of the band, BUT, as a fan of metal music...Skid Row were really NEVER a hair band, I mean they DID have long hair, BUT, their music was beyond the realm of "let's get laid & do lotsa drugs" which was the theme of every song from that era...a handful of bands really grew out of that mold & the best ones are still around in some faction...I believe that if Skid Row changed their name & were not recognized as a band from that hairband era, that this CD could be a radio favorite on modern rock channels! Where do I begin? "Disease" kicks the CD off with tuned down riffage & loads of attitude, & "Another Dick In The System" continues the same vibe of angst & attitude, BUT, "God Can't Wait" is the song that just surprised me..it's part rockabilly, part Irish anthem...it's more like a Social Distortion song than a Skid Row song, & the solo is a total shit kicker, which makes it possibly the best song on the entire CD! "White Trash" is another favorite of mine..it's pretty much about the Jerry Springer mentallity that so many people partake in today..the title pretty much says it all & there's even a nod to the Girls Gone Wild series! "You Lie" is the biggest surprise on the CD...this is basically a country song, BUT, it's an old school country song, & the last minute of the song goes into a hardcore punk song, which makes it another song you HAVE TO HEAR! "Love Is Dead" is a great rock song that I could totally hear on the radio today...it's just got a great guitar hook & the lyrics are touching. Overall, this is a KILLER CD & it proves that Skid Row are STILL a viable band that can kick more ass than most of the newer metal bands today! I also think this CD reaffirms that Johnny Sollinger IS a great singer & equally as good as the bands original screamer!
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Hey Rock N Roll Experiencer's!