ROCK N ROLL EXPERIENCE - Sept. / Oct. 2008

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!

Unwritten Law is an interesting band...I remember hearing "Seein' Red" for the first time & thinking, oh, they are just another emo band, then I saw them live & I immediately realized that the band has strong punk & metal influences & they might have emo tendencies, BUT, they do rock with a passion & they are best when they are tearing it up live on stage, & with their new "Live & Lawless" cd/dvd combo package, you can see EXACTLY what I mean...recorded live @ the Key Club in California, this package captures the essence of Unwritten Law 110% & "Blame It On Me" is one of my personal favorites, it captures the raw mix of punk & metal that makes Unwritten Law so interesting & then, hal way through this concert, the band does an unplugged set which shows the great songwriting side of the band & I think that's where some of the emo vibes come from, because there's alot of emotional stuff in the unplugged stuff that kinda bleeds into the more rock oriented material from the band, but you know what, that's what makes Unwritten Law such a great band..they have various influences, & it all comes out when the band plays! There's a bonus video & band interview on the dvd, & the dvd has a few extra songs that the audio cd doesn't. As a complete whole, this is one of the better live concert releases ever released, because everything is actually live, it sounds real, raw & powerful & it's a great watch/listen from start to finish!

Rating: 6 stars!

From the moment I got this cd, it intrigued me...the band name, Big Elf...it's really kinda weird, the picture of the band on the cd cover looks like a black metal band from Norway, BUT, trust me, the music on this cd is more along the lines of 70's era Bowie meets Rocky Horror Picture show...every song is an anthem, there's a sorta campy feel to it all, it's rooted in the 70's for sure, it has a modern feel, but an old vibe, & for some reason, I think of a dark carnival when I hear each song...imagine Boston on acid mixed with the odd parts of early Alice Cooper...the music is definitely good & interesting, just, it sounds like it would have been HUGE back 20 years ago, yet, I can't see it flying in today's music scene where substance has been replaced with pop stars who last less than 5 minutes & in many cases, only have a career because their father used to be a one hit wonder! "Blackball" is my personal favorite off the cd...it's dark, weird & wonderful & in parts it reminds me of Jethro Tull. Actually, after listening to this cd all the way through, it almost comes off like a rock n roll play, very dramatic, artistic, & again, Rocky Horror Picture Show sums up my exact reaction when I listened to this cd...it's very epic, big, dramatic, it's like NOTHING that I've heard at all in 2008 & it's the most distinct cd I've heard in that there's NO OTHER band that sounds like Big Elf..period!

I'm not going to lie...this is a weird assed record...the concept it loosely based after a video the band got in the mail about the "Bunny Boy", so each song is based after that story, & musically, the band is, just very artistically open to experimentation, & this isn't necessarily a rock record as much as it's an expressive piece of musical art. I like the loose concept of the record, but the overall theme is just kinda weird & not necessarily something everyone will get into, but if you like experimentation & off the wall things, musically, check out this unique cd!

Yes, that's right...I gave the new Slipknot cd an extra 1/2 point & that's something I've NEVER given another band before..the reason is, I'll use this analogy: When Pantera released "Cowboy's From Hell" it was a great rock record, then when "Vulgar Display of Power" came out it blew "Cowboy's" away..it was just ten times heavier, showed musical growth & was just a great metal record, then, "Far Beyond Driven" came out & just when you thought it wasn't possible, they raised the bar again & tore everyone a new asshole, yet again...with the new Slipknot record, they started off as a musical force that was rough, angry, & unstoppable & they kept that same mindset on ever record since the first one, & with their latest release, they are still brutal, but they really let their old school metal & death metal roots bleed out & there's alot o' really good guitar solo's, the vocal's are angry at times & melodic in other parts, & I think this is easily the best written & best crafted music Slipknot has ever released...you can't compare it to their past, because each record captured a different era of the band, different moods...this cd is slicker than anything they've ever done, & the song "Snuff" might surprise you, because it's NOT a metal song..it's slow & NOT heavy! The Intro "Execute" starts the cd in a similar fashion to how they start their live shows, & "Gematria" immediately kicks you the listener in the head with a blur of guitar shred, pounding drums & angry aggro vocals! One thing I give Slipknot HUGE props for is their artwork...they put alot of work into their art & if you look closely, you'll get what they were going for, & concept wise, I think this cd is more about rebirth & rediscovering who & what Slipknot is, was & will be...I used to think Slipknot would be a passing fad, an angry group of 9 men who would burn out fast, BUT, listen to this cd & you'll soon realize, Slipknot is a musical force that will be around for a long time to come, they are a unit that's tighter than ever & this is an amazing metal record!

Rating: 5 stars

Interestingly low-fi, this cd kicks off with a song that's all cello & singing & more like a classical music piece, then goes directly into an upbeat piece that kinda reminds me of Paul McCartney's Wing's, then "Losing Eyeballs" kinda reminds me of John Lennon's solo material & "I Blew Myself Up Over You" vaguely reminds me of The Eagles meets The Beatles..."Sell Us A Spaceship" is my personal favorite..it's got a little more edge, but honestly, this entire cd has a very Beatles-esq feel & vibe & sound...it's not a bad thing, but I'd define this cd as more of a sleeper than anything else...it's mellow music that you might hear in the background rather than the foreground, but it's all well written, interesting & unique

Rating: 6 stars

Tesco Vee is one weird, wild & crazy M.F., & this new dvd featuring the man & his band, The Meat Men, showcases a weird sense of humor, wacky antics, & there's many, many, many vintage concert clips from the band, there's current presidential humor involving Hilary & Obama, & honestly, I live in Maryland & have spent my entire life in the Baltimore area, so it was interesting to watch all the footage they filmed here in my home state, & local freak, John Water's is featured in this dvd as well as the notorious Baltimore block, many seedy area's & I'll stress one HUGE point here..there's ALOT of male nudity in this dvd, so don't say I didn't warn you! Perhaps the funnier moments are seeing a penis forced into the mouth of Bret Michaels from Poison, & there's a few gay moments with David Lee Roth from Van Halen & Glenn Danzig as well too...it's NOT done in good fun either, so don't say I didn't warn you that it's VERY mean, very dirty, & very gay! I'd describe this dvd as trash cinema, I like it, it's got a little too much penis for my personal taste, but the offbeat, weird, comedy moments are what make this dvd interesting in a trashy sorta way.

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The "Simple Men" of Rock N Roll, the band that kept the southern rock genre alive all these years, Lynyrd Skynyrd, are back with a new dvd that features the bands performance from 1996 @ the Loreley Festival via Rockpalast, which is essentially a TV show from overseas that shows cool concert footage from basically EVERY great band that ever played overseas! Lynyrd Skynyrd's '96 performance highlights include "Workin' For MCA" that features a searing guitar lead by Gary Rossington, a killer version of "That Smell" that tops the original version hands down, energy wise, & the closer, "Free Bird", as usual, is epic, but you know what hit me when I saw this dvd? Lynyrd Skynyrd is as American as apple pie, & when they play outside the USA, the crowd loves what they do, BUT, the USA crowd definitely goes ape shit for "Sweet Home Alabama" & "Free Bird" wayyyy more than the overseas crowd does! The highlight of this dvd is the cool 3 song bonus concert from the original Lynyrd Skynyrd back in 1974...what strikes me as interesting is, the band seems a little lost at times during "Free Bird" & some of the guitar solo's seem misdirected, but that's the beauty of a true jam band..there's no structure, & the classic footage is amazing to watch..the entire band is jammed on a small stage, yet they tear it up like no one else could! This is a killer slab o' southern classic rock that's a must have for the Skynyrd fans!

Les Paul, the pioneer of the electric 6 string guitar, the genius, the legend, has a very cool duets style cd that basically pays tribute to Les Paul's legacy in music....the best song on this cd though, when I listened to it was the Richie Sambora collaboration of "Great Hall of Fame" because it's just got so much soul & vibe, but I'd bet you the guitar players will say that the Slash collaboration is the best & to be honest with you, the Slash song, "Vocalise" sounds so much like Carlos Santana that it's insane! There's alot o' guests on this cd, & it's a fun listen if you wanna hear soulful blues & stripped down rock n roll from a true music pioneer, Les Paul, along with some of his more recent fans & friends. The Johnny Reznick track honestly sounds like a long lost Goo Goo Dolls song too I might add!

Touted as the true ending of the band Vision of Disorder, this dvd captures the band on their last run of shows, EVER, & it's a great watch to see Tim & the boys rip through old classics & at the end, you feel kinda sad, but at the same time totally content in the fact that the band has ended with pride & NOT in vain! There's some cool bonus footage on here that covers 2 shows & there's a complete history of the band as well that tells you all the gory details on the band...perhaps the funniest moment is seeing a band member pee in a water bottle when there's no bathroom in the backstage area! The concert footage is strong, amazing & crisp...you get all the blood, sweat & beers that VOD have to dish out! From the cheesy intro right down to the last notes of "Formula For Failure", Vision of Disorder was always a live band that was one with their fans & gave them their all, & this dvd is the best way they could go out..with a total f**king bang!

Musically, Powderfinger is a slice of Americana...they wrap up John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen & Bob Dylan in one lump of musical joy & they add their own style to the mix to create this unique sound that comes out as well written, well crafted, good sounding rock music that transcends genre's, age groups & this is music that is totally timeless, because when songs have so much depth that you can't ignore them, that's how you know a band has something special...trust me, this is an amazing band...I'd describe them best as John Cougar meets Radiohead & that's just my best way of describing them, because they really have their own vibe that's hard to describe! The irony in calling this band an All American band is that they are from Australia!

This quirky, off-beat movie is a spoof on Survivor, the TV show, & features Gina Lynn, KK Holiday, The Naked Cowboy & Jamie Josta from Hatebreed! The Jamie Josta scene is pretty funny because Jamie plays a weed smoker, when in real life, Jamie is anti-drug! This movie is based after a comic book & there's cool little segways where you see scenes from the actual comic, which is included with this dvd...the movie places a weird cast of people on an island & naturally, there's some weird events, spooky crap, & alot o' T & A too I might add...infact, check out the deleted scenes for loads o' extra stuff that didn't make toe movie...the cool fact about this movie is, all the females star are porn stars, this is a low budget flick, but they got the point across that they wanted the girls to be flashy, trashy, & total sexpots! If you like b-movies that are horror based, you'll dig this flick, it's definitely interesting to watch!

Interestingly low budget, yet totally watchable, I Was A Teenage Mummy is a horror movie that's kinda goofy at times, & the only thing I'll complain about is the lack of pretty girls in this movie...other than that, it's a good indie flick, & there's 2 bonus movies on this dvd as well, BUT, the thing that I noticed about all 3 movies..they show male genitalia...I don't have any homophobia issues, but I personally prefer the horror flicks where the females wind up naked...the other way around tends to come off....kinda different, I don't know...overall, you get 3 horror movies for the price of one on this dvd...all 3 are unique, weird & strange, so check 'em out if you like b-grade Horror movies

Nashville Pussy is a band that's been around for quite a few years, paid their dues, earned a loyal fanbase from years of touring the globe, & the bands first official dvd captures the band in their current incarnation...you get a complete concert filmed live in Hollywood that kicks ass, then there's a shit load of bonus stuff that caries from public access shows, to interviews, to backstage footage, there's a clip of Marianne Faithful meeting the band & salivating over Blaine, there's a cool alternate clip from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, & if you like your ock n roll loud, fast & dirty, this is the band for you & this is a DVD you've gotta check out...when the band plays, you get great jams from a powerful rock n roll band that's both sexy & dirty...Ruyter's boobs are usually bouncing non-stop while Blaine's screams are never ending & Karen's bass work is second only to her looks, while Jeremy holds the band together with his solid drumming....this dvd captures the band in their prime, warts & all, this is a great documentary on Nashville Pussy 2008!

As a fan of heavy music, I've always had some knowledge of death metal, I know the bands, but I never really dug too deep to understand the overseas death metal & black metal scene, mostly because, it's super underground here in the USA & the stories you hear about band members killing band members, eating pieces of their brain, literally, & other silly things..it just all sounds like a pro-wrestling stunt on many levels, but when you watch this dvd, the documentary really tells the story of what real black metal is all about...it's really a more heathen based expression which is based loosely after the viking times when Christianity was forced up the Norwegian people....Black Metal is an expression of their freedom from religion, & the childish things like the killings, church burnings, etc., they were far & few in between, & when you watch this movie, you realize that it was just little boys doing that crap, that they were stupid people, & you can't call an entire musical movement a waste of time just based after a few people's careless actions. This dvd teaches the casual fan the different classes of death metal, & I actually learned about the scarification aspects that I'd never seen or heard of before...I had no idea there were artists who just mutilated themselves onstage for every performance, & in all honesty, that's probably way more severe than the satan worshipping, which, in itself, is basically goofy & meant, if nothing else, as a shock tactic. Overall, this is a great dvd if you don't know much about the genre of Black Metal...you'll definitely learn stuff from this dvd!

Chris Shiflett, best known as the current 2nd guitarist in Foo Fighters, has a new band called Jackson United & a new cd out called "Harmony & Dissidence" & in all honesty, this cd is a power pop, punk rock, 1-2 punch to the freakin' gut! There's touches of surf guitar, old school punk rock, power chord riff rock, & overall, this is just a great rock record from start to finish! "THe Land Without Law" has one of the coolest choruses ever & "Damn You" is a drivin' song that's got a very Clash-ish feel & sound! I've listened to this cd 2 times all the way through & I kid you not, it's a killer cd, & the guest drummers on this cd are none other than Dave Grohl & Taylor Hawkins, but don't assume it's a Foo Fighter-ish band, because it's something totally different..it's a strong 3 piece band that kicks ass, they have their own thing going on & I really hope they tour for this record, it's a great record & hearing these songs played live would be great!

I'll admit that I was quite surprised by the fact that I'd never heard of this band..they were around in the late 80's, released a Dana Strum produced record, & the first song on the cd, musically, reminds me of early Pantera at times...the vocals are more along the lines of a poor mans version of early Helloween..it's nothing great, but the music, that's where the magic is...it's old school thrash metal that's rips your face off! Most of these recordings on this cd are early & rare demo's that never got pressed onto cd & the quality isn't always the best, but musically, I'm diggin' the hell out of this collection of pre 90's thrash metal...they definitely fit in well with bands like Testament & DRI, who are the bands direct peers for sure!

The new Blackmarket cd starts off with "Magic Tricks" which is a fast, powerful, 3 minute rocker that's very 90's alt rock & the band definitely reminds me of the stuff that came out in the mid 90's..they have a free energy, very alive, vibrant, flowing, & they are just a fun band in all honesty to listen to! "Night In Question" picks up where the previous song left off & in all honesty, every song kinda picks up where the one before it left off...this record just flows very well, the songs are well written, the production is good, but not too overdone, & the band sounds clear, crisp & strong on this cd! All of the music on this cd is straight up rock music, it's up beat, fairly fast paced, & this cd just flows really well!

What initially started out as a Misfit's cover band, Plan 9, who are still obviously VERY Misfit's influenced, have a new cd out with all original tunes...well, there are 2 Danzig penned covers, "Archangel" & "Samhain". but in all honesty, it's nice to see the band toss those 2 songs in there because it's pure Misfits on this cd, there's no denying that, & the vocals, in all honesty, sound better than Glenn Danzig's! The songs are loud, fast & a mix of 50's rock n roll & punk...there's nothing complicated that an intermediate guitarist couldn't pick up in a matter of minutes, yet, every song on this cd is a work of art in it's simplicity, it's vibe, & it's overall coolness! "Blood" is one of the best songs on this cd, but to be quite honest with you, they are all pretty catchy, & there's fast rocker after fast rocker on this cd...all i can say is, if you dig The Misfits, then this is a band you'll get a kick out of...they have the horror punk thing down to an art! Sadly, the bands lead singer recently passed away, so it's definitely a sad thing, because this is a band that kicked some serious ass, so our condolences to the band & family.

The art rock scene that exploded in the early 80's & even in the late 70's owes a HUGE wealth of debt to Kraftwerk..they were a band that wasn't all about loud guitars & songs about debauchery...they played weird, often times odd music with off the wall timings, unique instrumentation, & there was an entire scene of bands that came out when Kraftwerk did that paved the way for this entire genre of electronic music...in all honesty, I think Trent Reznor wouldn't be the same man he is today without this genre! This dvd tells the story of this scene, the bands, the fans, & it's a great look at a forgotten genre & forgotten scene that never really got it's recognition from the mainstream...the dvd drags on a little at times, but overall, it's a great reference point to learn about Kraftwerk & the early electronic music revolution that paved the way for the Industrial rock scene that would follow many years later.

Industrial soaked with touches of metal & ambience, False Icons, which is fronted by John Bechdel, has a new Al Jourgenson produced cd out entitled "God Complex" & in all honesty, the music is good, but VERY repetitive...what it really lacks is the twists & turns that most music has to some degree...basically, each song starts out on a given path, & NEVER really sways from that path..there's no major breakdowns, no little elements that make you go, wow, that was kick ass, it's just like listening to the rhythm part of any Ramones song non-stop, then it ends! "Transform" is a mix of techno & metal & reminds me of KMFDM ever so slightly, & it's one of the more interesting tracks on this cd...honestly, it's not a bad disc at all, it just lacks a little risk taking & none of the songs really have any pop-credibility, so that might be what's lacking ever so slightly, like with most Ministry records, they all have elements, different parts, & there's a real depth..with this cd, in all honesty, it kinda reminds me of being at a rave, being totally strung out, & if you know what I am talking about, the way that every song seems to be one huge long mess of beats..that's kinda what this cd reminds me of..not that I'm saying it's a bad thing, it's just very repetitive & easy to get lost in. "Mystified" kinda reminded me of The Cure too, I might add, so there is definitely variety, music wise, just the songs set out on one path & never go from that path.

How do you describe an artist who's music transcends genre's in such a unique way that you can't really call it one certain style? Welcome to your first taste of Russian songstress Ayin Aleph & her debut US release! The CD starts off with "Hamlet" which, musically, is a mix of rock & metal, but vocal wise, it's a mix of singing & almost opera-style vocals & the ranges that Ayin sings in...let's just say that you won't be seeing her songs covered on karaoke night! "My Bloody Marriage" is the 2nd song on the cd & it's the one that caught my attention immediately..it's a straight up metal song, atleast as far as the music goes, the vocals are what you might expect from Rob Halford if he was a female...well, technically...uhmm, never mind on that analogy...I'll simply put it this way, Rob Halford, Freddie Mercury, Roy Orbison...3 singers who had amazing, distinctive voices, & they all changed what rock music was about, atleast on a vocal level, for each of their genre's...you can add Ayin Aleph to that list, because I've never heard anything quite like her vocals in rock music, & honestly, there's many symphonic styled metal bands that blend classical music with metal, but I've never heard it done in this manner EVER & the music on this cd is truly unique & special! "Butterfly" is honestly touching & has a really dark gothic feel to it, & you know, in all honestly, listening to the vocal performance on "Sebastian's Prayer" is almost haunting at times, & when Ayin speaks in another language on this cd, it almost sounds demonic! My final statement on this artist is, I remember getting a friend request about a year from this artist's myspace page, I listened to the songs on the page & thought, wow, the artist pictures don't quite match the band, is this real? Ayin Aleph is the most unique & original artist in the music world today!

This dvd was originally released in 1997 & has been out of print for many, many years, so with this dvd re-release, it's a highly anticipated disc that shows the Beach Boys, a band that was considered to be squeaky clean & the opposite of the darker, harder bands that came out shortly thereafter...but when you watch this dvd, you see the darker side of the Beach Boys...the drug use, the friendship with Charles Manson that changed the world forever, & it's interesting to note that the Beach Boys were America's answer to the Beatles...they sang songs about surfing, the beach & love, but infact, they were not as clean as they appeared..they were partying, doing drugs & dabbling in the darker excess of rock n roll...it's interesting that the Charles Manson affiliation is never addressed during the interview segments on this dvd with Brian Wilson, but infact, Wilson was friendly with Charles Manson & infact, he recorded some of his music, but the sessions were never released & it's believed that the Manson killings were a result of Manson's music not being released. This dvd is rather short, but the interview's on it are priceless & it's a well put together documentary on the darker side of the Beach Boys!

Imagine of Lenny Kravitz did stoner rock...that's the best way to describe this demo cd I received from Sabatta...they are a mix of melodic riff rock, the vocals range from gnarling & grungy to high & soft & the music is overall, straight up riff rock..there's nothing highly complicated on this cd, everything is very in your face & to the point & it's got a very raw sound that's kinda rooted in 70's rock. The interesting thing is, there's only 4 songs on this cd, yet each one is TOTALLY different from the next! I dig the raw sound & it's the mark of a good band when they can put out a demo that kicks this much ass!

When I first saw Beneath the Massacre a few months back when they played at some club in Maryland, I remember seeing this band for the first time & my jaw just dropped when I saw this band playing live..their rhythm & timing was flawless, & their guitar work...holy f**k dude, all I will tell you is this..there's shredders everywhere, but not many guys can do the stuff that you hear this band play, & on their latest cd, "Dystopia", I'll put it to you this way...The Dillinger Escape Plan's guitar attack is impressive for an extreme metal band, BUT, the guitar work on "Dystopia" is beyond sick..it's some of the best guitar work on a heavy record EVER! I don't really see any point in breaking down this review on a track by track basis, because in all honesty, every song is very much like the next..this cd is a non-stop, rip your face off & leave you wanting more kinda record...it's brutally heavy with vocals that remind of me Napalm Death alot, but the musician ship on this cd...it's some of the best playing on a heavy record EVER! Hands down, this is a killer cd, even if you don't like the really, really hard stuff, you have to appreciate the playing on this disc...it's top notch & amazing! I'll go out on a limb & say that this is the best extreme metal release of 2008, hands down!

Rage Against the Machine guitarist's side project has a new cd out called "The Fabled City" which is more singer song writer oriented than Mr. Morello's well known rock/rap side, & the music on this CD varies from upbeat pop-ish songs that remind me of the Clash (The Lights Are On In Spider Town), to monotone sounding folk rock that's very minimalist (Midnight In The City Of Destruction), to the mid tempo acousti-rocker that's rooted in Irish folk music (Saint Isabelle)...overall, this cd has some interesting depth & takes a few turns that might surprise the listener at times, because the overall influences on this cd are focused on political & personal matters, & I get a strong focus on the family, the human condition, & each story...I might note, that I refer to each song as a "story", because the way the music is written, each song tells a tale, & it's a rare thing to get a cd that tells stories as opposed to just being disposable pop-crap, which is the norm for these days! This entire cd is slow, it does move in moments, but it's very focused on the songwriting, the structure, & there's no rock cliche's on this, it's a very indulgent venture on Tom Morello's part to create a unique, artist musical venture that's central theme is humanity & change....is this theme that different than the core of Rage Against the Machine? Not really, BUT, the musical direction certainly is & that's what makes this cd different, naturally, then RATM.

Book of Black Earth is a death metal/grindcore style band that's relentless in their approach & sound...the vocals are a low growl, the guitars are tuned super low, the bass/rhythm are pounding, & in all honesty, alot of the songs on this cd are really long, & I think that making some songs a little shorter would make things flow a little better...a good for instance is the last track, "Christ Pathogen" which clocks in at over 9 minutes...we already have "Free Bird" by Skynyrd & tons o' Iron Maiden songs that play so long that they put you to sleep...Book of Black Earth have a great, sludgy, dark metal approach, but the super long songs can be almost depressing at times & the only thing that's missing from each song is a guitar solo, which, in my opinion, would be the icing on the cake!

I always thought that Bullet for My Valentine were a good band, BUT, there's always a little something that they lacked...Antagonist, in all honesty, remind me of Bullet for My Valentine, BUT, the thing is, they have that added little "something" that BFMV is lacking..what exactly is that? I have no real idea, all I can tell you is, listening to this cd, it's like a diamond in the roughs, it's got some amazing guitar work, shredding leads, the vocals vary between aggro energy & clean power, & honestly, this cd just flows REALLY freakin' great! "Exist", the title track is an epic 3 minute song that rips your face off wth energy & power, & the breakdown on "Amnesia Ln." is really great because it has this little build up that is slightly repetitive, yet totally rockin' & the guitar tone is what most guitarist's would kill for...the guitars are clean, yet they have this dirty tone to them that just sounds pure to the ear! "Failure on Repeat" is slower & shows what the band is capable of..they not only tear it up loud & fast, but they can be slower & mellow & still retain that same fire! "Immaculate Misconception" is probably the heaviest moment on the cd & it's loud, fast & intense, so be warned, this one rocks hard! After listening to this cd all the way through, I really want more, I love the sounds, the music & the energy on this cd....this disc captures a band at their best, so if you like good metal music, this is a cd you need to check out!

Metal-core act Autumn Black have a new cd out entitled "The Unborn Tragedy" that's mostly aggro vocals, & they remind me slightly of Norman Jean & Underoath at times, but don't take that comparison the wrong way..Autumn Black really have their own thing going on & there's just moments where the vocals, those screaming, shrieking vocals, they remind me of the aforementioned bands & that's not a bad thing...actually, the guitar work is what really separates Autumn Black though, because their guitarists are good & their segways & licks give the music they create a tone & sound that's not quite as sludgy as some metal-core acts...what I actually like is, they don't have that sludge sound...things are a little more treble sounding than the heavy, low end bass, that you get far too often with these kinda bands. "Will This Remain" has a weird mix of clean & aggro vocals mixed & I'm not quite sure if I like it or not..it's kinda like mixing wine & coffee...you can do it, just it's an awkward fit it the 2 don't mix well. "Night of No Tomorrow" is the most interesting song on this cd, it's got a good vibe, really moves, & you can practically envision a mosh pit when you hear this song! I dig this cd & if you like your metal loud, fast, & heavy with the screamo style vocals, you'll dig the hell outta this band! btw, "In Between the Here & Now" will throw you, it's an instrumental ballad, but it's really great!

Joe Town is an interesting rock band...actually, I didn't get a bio with this cd, so I can't tell you for sure if it's a band or a man, BUT, Joe Town is a rock n roll machine that's rooted in a sound that's best described as classic hard rock...the guitar work is strong, there's a definite groove & there's even a little funk at times..the cd opens with a talk box guitar lick & "Finger" has a definite groove that I'd describe as Jimi Hendrix meets Cream..it does sound slightly dated, but it doesn't sound like a 70's recording..it has more of a late 80's kinda sound..it's got better sound recording wise than stuff from the 70's did. "Crash" is my personal favorite...it's heavy, but it's not crushing...it's just hard enough to be considered metal, yet it's got a very distinct musical side to it...I think it's what a metal version of Deep Purple might sound like! "Tres Mujeres" is essentially a guitar solo that's kinda short, but to the point & leads into the last song on the disc, "My Anger Knows My Bounds" & it's interesting to hear this band get REALLY heavy...I won't repeat the chorus, but it's kinda dirty, & the most interesting point I have to make about this cd is, there's REALLY hard, heavy stuff on here, there's rock n roll tunes, there's blues, there's alot of depth, dimension & as a guitar player, I always think a good player has various influences that bleed out when you play...if you only stick to hard stuff or one certain genre, to my ears, it feels & sounds limited...when you listen to Joe Town's cd, you can tell there's some serious love of music going on here, there's alot of talent, & this is a cd for music lovers.

Goddammit! Ok, so I have a sick sense of humor & with this being a Christian based band, I had to start off this review like that...sorry! In all honesty, the stigma that used to always follow Christian rock bands, the idea that it was lame, watered down, weak music, that was there to preach...that stereo type is no longer relevant in all honesty...Disciple might be a band that follow's Jesus, but I don't feel like they preach & their 3rd cd, "Southern Hospitality" is a kick-ass rock record! The guitar work is strong, "321" honestly reminds me of old school Skid Row from the "Slave to the Grind" era & the first couple o' songs on this cd just kill..they rock with a passion, the band sounds amazing, there's loads o' hooks & I genuinely like this cd alot! Let me tell you, Christian rock isn't what it used to be...Stryper & Amy Grant are NOT what it's about these days, & Disciple kicks serious ass & takes no prisoners! What I do like about the band is, their songs are strong & well written, & they also have a positive message of faith, hope & devotion...no, it's NOT all about conversion to their religion, it's really more about venting, & expression of energy, just it's all done in a positive light & you know what, I might not follow a certain religion, but I AM a fan of the new Disciple cd...trust me, if you like good, hard rock music, do yourself a favor & listen to this cd...very loud! "Whisper So Loud" really had a southern vibe & feel, but it's still a heavy metal riff fest & I can't stress enough to you, ignore the religious affiliation & listen to the music..this cd is sooooo good! This cd deserves your attention...this is a band that's possessed to rock!

FAMILY FORCE FIVE, who's numeral letter order equates to 666, are back with a new cd entitled "Dance or Die" & much like the title refers to, the music is dancable pop with moments of hard hooks & interesting lyrical content that's both amusing & addictive. The cd jacket is printed on an eco-friendly paper stock that's got a weird smell, but aside from that, this cd is a fun rollercoaster ride chock full o' dancable rock grooves that are seriously rooted in 80's pop, & in all honestly, the cd is good, but the bands live show is where they prevail...even if you don't totally care for the band's new cd, check them out live..their live show is guaranteed to win you over!

What initially started out as a Misfit's cover band, Plan 9, who are still obviously VERY Misfit's influenced, have a new cd out with all original tunes...well, there are 2 Danzig penned covers, "Archangel" & "Samhain". but in all honesty, it's nice to see the band toss those 2 songs in there because it's pure Misfits on this cd, there's no denying that, & the vocals, in all honesty, sound better than Glenn Danzig's! The songs are loud, fast & a mix of 50's rock n roll & punk...there's nothing complicated that an intermediate guitarist couldn't pick up in a matter of minutes, yet, every song on this cd is a work of art in it's simplicity, it's vibe, & it's overall coolness! "Blood" is one of the best songs on this cd, but to be quite honest with you, they are all pretty catchy, & there's fast rocker after fast rocker on this cd...all i can say is, if you dig The Misfits, then this is a band you'll get a kick out of...they have the horror punk thing down to an art!

The art rock scene that exploded in the early 80's & even in the late 70's owes a HUGE wealth of debt to Kraftwerk..they were a band that wasn't all about loud guitars & songs about debauchery...they played weird, often times odd music with off the wall timings, unique instrumentation, & there was an entire scene of bands that came out when Kraftwerk did that paved the way for this entire genre of electronic music...in all honesty, I think Trent Reznor wouldn't be the same man he is today without this genre! This dvd tells the story of this scene, the bands, the fans, & it's a great look at a forgotten genre & forgotten scene that never really got it's recognition from the mainstream...the dvd drags on a little at times, but overall, it's a great reference point to learn about Kraftwerk & the early electronic music revolution that paved the way for the Industrial rock scene that would follow many years later.

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