Here's
a little cd filled with big, loud music. 'Upside Down' began quiet, so
I turned the volume on my computer up,then
it blasted, and I turned it down a little. Hard, hard rock that is fine
from a distance, but would probably be damn
scary in the same room with said band and the _____s they attract.(Please fill in the blank with a very Positive noun, people.) Though all the songs
merge for me, musically,these
guys know guitars and aren't afraid to use them. I can't hear the lyrics
half the time, but since you'll be banging
your head against the wall and air and won't hear them anyway, what's the
point? Point is: support hard
indie and find a way of laying hands on this ep.
Artist: Screwface CD: UpSide Down
Ben Baker Indie-Music.com
Metal bands more than any other rely on a solid guitar. Jason Trenczer
of Screwface has the kind of solid playing
style that fans appreciate. He knows his instrument, he knows the music
and he knows how to wield the
kind of ax that leaves fans screaming. He can rip chords with almost frightening
intensity and, as he does in
"The End Inevitable" can lay down a muted line that owes as much for a
bass as it does a screaming
guitar. Dan Persico on vocals has the kind of gritty voice that reminds
me of lead singer for Accept. He's
got the kind of force that is required in speed metal. He's at his best
in "2Grand." When he belts out "2000
here we come/welcome to the new millenium" you can forget for a moment
the new millenium doesn't
begin until 2001. Jim DeMaria on the drums is more than adequate to the
task at hand, judging from his
efforts. Sean Weiss on bass lays a foundation the band uses to springboard
into startling bursts of
excellence, knowing he'll be there to catch them on the way down. I'd like
to see more of that kind of
work in future efforts. The first three cuts on the album are sobering
and dark commentary on a lost
pathway and the effort to regain it. The band's style is a head-on fit
for the lyrics. On in the last cut
"2Grand" does the band offer a hope for a brighter future, but even then
warns of the past mistakes and
cries out for someone too just look around and see the truth. The most
disappointing thing about the
UpSide Down is it has only 4 songs. The band admits the CD is only a sampler
which hoepfully means
there is more to come. The best thing about the CD is that the band takes
its music very seriously and has
the kind of edge speed metalheads want. As of this review, the bad had
no homepage. Email them for
more information or a CD at screwfaceny@hotmail.com Buy - Borrow - Bust
Considering this is a sample effort, if
you are a speed metal fan, you'll want this one in your collection. If
you are a diletante in speed metal,
borrow this one first.
SCREWFACE
4 SONG SAMPLER
SELF RELEASED CD
www.screwface.org
Review by Mike
This NY quartet blends some funky riffs under a metal beat to create a very appealing
new metal sound that's as meaty as it is bouncy ("2 Grand"). Screwface comes out
swinging on their four song sampler, with a plethora of pounding thrash metal like
rhythms that complement some of the most top notch ass shaking riffs ("Life") this
side of whoever's the Chili Pepper guitarist this album. If you dig Incubus, Korn and
Bizkit but want a lot more substance and a lot less flash, Screwface
just may be the solution to your trendy metal problem.
SCREWFACE
Review by the source at-
It's not often I review music here that makes me want to go out and BUY the band's CD. I've even got a couple friends interested in this, just after listening to it twice. Make no mistake about it, this is some DAMN GOOD SHIT.
Screwface is based out of Rockland, New York (no lie), and hardcore metal is their game. They've been around since early 1998 and I'm kind of surprised they haven't been picked up by the 'big boys' yet. They have a very tight sound typical of better hardcore groups, and the digital enhancement to Danny Persico's voice has just enough of a demonic reverb to make you wonder what small furry animals he sacrifices in his spare time. I even found a couple folks on Napster who had Screwface songs out there. That's a mighty impressive achievement for a 2-year-old 'local' band sporting only an EP release.
MP3.com lists influences by Rage Against The Machine, Primus, and Pantera among others. I'd like to add Sepultura and (local favorite) Dumpster Juice to that list, although the Screwface sound is a bit more laid-back. While all 4 tracks from their "Upside-Down" EP KICK ASS in their own way, My fave has got to be "2 Grand". Great speed and chord changes, along with some tasty vocal harmonizations. In any event, the tunes will force a head-thrash or two, even from those who don't list hardcore among their preferred musical tastes. Makes me wish I had long hair. Do yourself a favor, visit the site, grab a track or two and see what you think. There's a full-length CD due out in "winter 2001" according to the web site. Hope they mean Jan-Feb and not next December. In any event, Screwface will become a part of this reviewer's collection. (thesource)
Updated Monday 4/2/2001
!Screwface! - The End Inevitable
I'm not the biggest fan of stoner rock, but these guys got it down. The song starts out slow, groovy and fuzzy and builds to a great rockin' out part. The vocals are like a slurry Clutch (sorry, don't really know any other band to reference) and the music is very professional. They're groovin.'
Verdict: Shinola
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