ARCHIE BUNKER Lucky 13 Brainticket Records
Personaly I don't like the band name (but I must admit
most band names suck) and I don't dig the cover art. Though I bet you that
the band doesn't care, and they shouldn't cause it's the music that counts,
right?! Well when it comes to music Archie Bunker rocks out with their
cocks out! More heavy southern groove in the vein of Down and COC, but
never fear Archie has their original spin on a already tired out sound.
There is tons of energy and heart trapped into these 12 tracks and this
stuff rocks better than most bands trying the same thing. There is a certain
maturity in the song writing and structure. The vocals really have a lot
of character and compliment the music perfectly. This
disc has been in my cd player for 3 months now and
it still gets at least one spin a day. My brothers in Sixty Watt
Shaman have nothing but great things to say about Archie Bunker
and have informed me that their live show is ten times better
than the cd. I think I'll goto Texas and check them out, how
bout you, dog!? -greg-
BURN IT DOWN Eat Sleep Mate Defend Escape
Artist
I must omit my expectations where much higher
then what I got. I love this CD 's packaging but the production lags and
that is probably the weakest point. Strait up Hardcore with a huge metalic
sound, some dance parts but for the most part the CD is slow paced. The
vocalist sounds so pissed off that he makes you want to rage. Check out
the CD if your into the metalic hardcore sound. -Paul
web - http://www.loudnet.com/escapeartist
Chupacabra MIA Records
Crappy boring alternative rock, who cares if Steve Albini
is doing their new record, who cares if the singer was from D.E.M. I'll
start carring when they write a decent original sounding song. Shame on
MIA records, I know they are capable of more! -greg-
COALESCE 012: Revolution In Just Listening
Relapse Records
I think Relapse went through a few years of releasing
a lot of crap and now they are officially back. They have really turned
things around up there in PA - finally! Anyway we are talking about Coalesce!
This CD is yet another fine example that there is still talent out there.
Raw energetic power with some of the most creative riffs and sickest vocals!
I still shit my pants every time I play this CD. These guys are talented
and I hope it's not truly the end. -Paul
DEATH The Sound Of Perserverance Nuclear
Blast
Chuck's back and his voice sounds higher than ever. What
do I mean you might ask? Well give the new album a spin and you'll hear
it right away. Some people have been scared away by it, some say Chuck's
jumped on the Black Metal bandwagon. No way, it's simply not true. The
vocals aren't as gutteral as in the past but who cares, God forbid someone
tries something a little different. Jeez, how many albums has Death released?
I think they can do whatever they want! There is no bandwagon jumping going
on here, cause no one sounds like Death and Death sounds like no one else.
I am simply amazed by how technical they play but I (a lowly) hack can
still grasp what's going on. There are so many great songs on The Sound
Of Perserverance, those evil sounding single note riffs are my favorite.
Death even does a cover of Judas Priest's Painkiller(the higher vocals
come in handy there). Another mind blowing and standard setting chapter
in Death's incredible career. -greg-
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN Calculating Infinity
Relapse Records
WOW! Without a dought this is one of the best
CD's I have ever placed into my CD player. Technical ability, creative
riffing, and well structured songs make this CD a must for all true lovers
of anything Insane! I don't know where to even start bragging about this
band? I am dumbfounded. Everyone go and buy this CD. If if you hate it,
it will still be the best CD you've ever bought. -Paul-
DISARRAY Spreading The Death Plague
NRVD Records
Underground warriors Disarray carry on with a new
4 song live release. These guys have been punching away for many years,
longevity means a lot. Too many bands are here today and gone tomorrow.
Disarray has been paying their dues for as long as I can remember, with
Chuck as their work horse they will never give in. Well fans of Disarray
will not be dissapointed with the line up changes and the newer, tighter,
heavier sound. This live recording sounds better than most demos recorded
in a studio. The music is real, the anger is real, the crowd cheers are
real. What more could you ask for from the underground giants. Take a splash
of death rock and the best elements of Metallica's Ride The Lightning album.
-greg-
DISSASOCIATE Symbols, Signals, and Noise
Devastating Soundworks
Purely the best release Disassociate has ever done. Open
track
"The Plan" smacks you up with it's crusty blasts and
then breaks
it down into the toughest dance riff ever. THe vocals
patterns
just push it totally over the edge. On Symbols, Signals,
and
Noise Disassociate pushes themselves and their music
to new and
personal extremes. It's the best mix of
crust/punk/hardcore/thrash/death/black metal I have ever
heard,
hands down. Amazing, awe inspiring, and exhausting. These
guys
are gods and the live show is nothing less than homicidal,
don't
forget it's fun too! It's scares me how good they are.(greg)
ENTOMBED Same Difference Music For Nations
I might be one of the biggest Entombed Fans ever........
But I must admit this CD sucks ass! -Paul
EPISODE ONE - First Degree
Another Awesome Maryland Band - Episode
One! Combining elements of pure Metal aggression and crossing it
successfully with the catchy vibes and hooks of Hip-Hop. Episode One have
been polluting the Maryland scene via various live one nighters through
out Maryland for a little over a year now (under the name Episode One)
and they bring an amazing live show that is both very professional and
tight. Currently the band is soliciting material to various labels as well
as preparing to unleash their first debut effort entitled “First Degree”.
(Which will be out by print time!)
“FIRST DEGREE” is an 11 Track effort of
the above-described category of musical bliss. From the comedic opening
of “Don't Press The Big Red Button” to the somber sounding track of “Uprising”
I find Episode One to be very interesting and I am sure “First Degree”
will keep you sucked in from beginning to end. My favorite track is “Master
Plan” which (Technically) opens the CD and let me tell you, this is one
of the catchiest songs I have heard written by any Maryland band in quite
sometime! Vocally they have quite a unique variation from “ I am gonna
kill you” aggression to “I am hurting inside” soft chants mixed with a
hip-hop style of rapping, very convincing indeed. The drumming on “First
Degree” is simply amazing! The bass is definitely there and deep, just
not mixed loud enough in the mix, (it's not a dominant factor in the sound
of this full length), don't get me wrong, it's there and you can hear it,
just not as loud as I like it. This band is more guitar oriented with a
constant string of hook riffs through out. The Guitar in sound is very
crunchy and reminds me a bit of Fear Factory, just not as thick as the
over produced Fear Factory sound. There is also samples and keyboard sounds
layered through out the CD.
In closing: Episode One is part of the magnificent
and very populated Maryland music scene and represent it well! Episode
One will be around for quite sometime if they keep delivering and incorporating
new elements into what they do. For more information contact Episode One
via Snail mail or on the Internet.
http://www.episodeone.com
(One of the coolest band sites on the net!)
Episode One - P.O. Box 1155 - Huntingtown, MD 20739 USA
GREY AREA - “S.T.” Victory Records
Well What we got here is some very well produced
and played Punk Rock. Reminds me a bit of the Misfits. The best thing about
the CD is the neato packaging. -Paul-
(Hed)pe s/t Jive
More trendy crap that everyone likes and I hate. FIve dollars to whomever
kills these guys first! Ouch, they just got slammed! -greg-
The Haunted Earache
I had high hopes for this release considering
it had members of At The Gates but boy was I dissappointed. Sounds like
watered down Slayer with poor hardcore vocals. Boring poo poo! Earache,
what has become of thee?! -greg-
ISIS The Mosquito Control EP Escape
Artist
The best thing about some of the newer "hardcore"
bands is their desire to experiment. Hell, hardcore not even about playing
a certain style of music anymore. I think a lot of people lostsight that
hardcore is more of a state of mind or personal life choice and not about
being a tough guy or scenester. With all that said, Isis puts out some
damn good static-core. The Ep is more of a concept type thing instead of
just 5 songs, which makes it a very interesting listen. Lots of bulding
tension and cathardic releases. Noisy, brooding, moody, and dark. The Ep's
biggest flaw is the mix. The recording is raw and I like that but the mix
is disjuncted. It's very hard to make out what's going on sometimes and
I don't think the band intentionally planned it that way. Besides the poor
mix this release is truly a diamond in the rough. It's worthy of your hard
earned cash! -greg-
Web: http://www.loudnet.com/escapeartist
JUST LOOK AROUND Chapter 2 Tolerance Records
The second release in this series is another hit.
Marcel put together a great 20 track compilation CD featuring bands from
all over the world. Everyone must get in touch with Tolerance and buy,
buy, buy. Some stand out bands on this CD include: NECK, QIM, BLINDSIDE,
RED SKY, FIGURE FOUR, LIKE PETER AT HOME....... -Paul-
Contact:
TOLERANCE RECORDS
Spreeuwenlaan 59
1742 GS Schagen
The Netherlands
MALCONTENT Somnambulist Self release
These homegrown metal heads shred up the
scene with this amazing 4 song CD. This is truly a great piece of work.
2 vocalists are an added plus, screams and clean sounding vocals, all tastefully
laid out. The riffs are well thought out, catchy and somewhat technical
at times, the guitars really work well together and are not always playing
the same riffs together. I keep trying to tag this bands style but can't,
I'd say they are a cross between Vision of Disorder and Slayer in a twisted
kind of way. Anyway check these guys out! -Paul
Web - http://members.tripod.com/newsuicide
MEATJACK Trust At A Loss Records
Oh shit! Talk about sick, heavy and dark! I'd
say these guys are by far one of the most demented bands I've had the pleasure
of experiencing in my own CD player! Again another band that's hard to
describe and yes from MD! From the catchy kinda groovy riffs in "Falling
Down" to the loose demented brain twisting riffs in "Lost" your bound to
find something on here to scare you if not move you. My favorite track
is "Can't see you", fast paced, dark, and catchy with neato processed riffs.
Ok just get your hands on this CD. NOW! -Paul
Web - http://www.deathsdoor.com/meatjack
At A loss Records
P.O. Box 3597
Anapolis,MD 21403 USA
MESHUGGAH Chaosphere Nuclear Blast
I'm not a big fan of these guys, I can only take them in small doses.
I don't understand why they don't floor me because they are incredible
musicians, the production is great, they are super tight but over all it
just reminds me of Pantera on crack! Believe it or not, that is meant as
a compliment. They are a great metal band but it just all sounds the same
to me after 15 minutes. I guess it doesn't help that they wrote the album
in less than 6 months. I don't believe songs have enough time to mature
in that short period, but hey, they are rocking out all over Europe and
I'm sitting here writing reviews. Apparently they are doing something right
and I'm not! -greg-
MY DYING BRIDE Complete Fierce Records
I almost cried when I heard My Dying Bride's violinist
had left the band. I have been a fan for at least 5 years and was even
lucky enough to see them open for Dio in the USA last year. I
wasn't sure what to expect but My Dying BRide has pulled it off
again. Never mind the line up change that band sounds darker and
definitely more experimental. Track 1 The Whore The Cook and The
Mother is so awesome I played it 3 times in a row before moving
onto the rest of the album. There is no denying that this is
My Dying Bride but you will notice a change in mood and tone. The
songs seem more focused and progressively mature. You don't miss
the violins until the album is over and you begin to realize,
"Hey, where were did they go?!" A track like Heroin
Chic shows how far they have experimented with different
styles. That track in particular reminds me of Portus
Head(sp?). I won't say this is their best release
but I will commit to saying that it's as strong as all of
their others. It's hard to explain, it's like the soul of MY Dying
Bride but in a different animal. The dark gothic atmosphere
still surrounds My Dying Bride while they have now harnessed
a very current flavoring. I know none of this makes sense
but you've got to hear it!(greg)
OS101 United Brotherhood of Scensters Victory
Records
Yes I know it's sad but this is the first
I have heard Hogans Heroes as OS101 (Old School 101). Anyway they play
and execute the old style sound awesomely! Positive hardcore that has loads
of sing alongs and a boat load of catchy riffs. My Favorite Old School
tune on the CD is “Shut Up Kid”! I have to see them live to be totally
convinced! -Paul-
PIECEMEAL/DIE MY WILL Wonderdrug Records
Great CD from beginning to end! I'm telling
you that the entire New England area has the best bands. Every band from
there is awesome! Wonderdrug is sitting on a freaking gold mine up there.
All I am going to say is order everything form the Wonderdrug catalog but
start with this! Both bands are great and the CD is a sure hit with the
hardcore kids. -Paul
web - http://www.wonderdrugrecords.com
SEPULTURA Against Roadrunner Records
Well they are back and armed with a new
vocalist! So how do I approach listening to this CD from a very legendary
band within the metal music scene with a new vocalist? Well I popped it
in the CD player and was amazed of how well the production is! It sounds
great! The vocals remind me a lot of Max, a little more clearable and that's
about it! Musically it lacks a bit in originality but it's still a strong
effort. Ok compared to Soulfly this is ½ as good! Happy now? That's
what you wanted to know right? Well I don't like this much and will probably
never listen to it again! Not that it sucks, it's just not nearly as good
as “Roots” and I am not listening to it either! -Paul-
SHEAVY The Electric Sleep Music Cartel
Stoner Rock continues to grow and build momentum. It's
just a matter of time before it becomes mainstream's next short lived trend.
The genre has been around for years and will continue to prosper regardless
of pop culture granting it 15 minutes of fame. With that said, the indie-giants
who I thought only released all girl bands, sent me Sheavy. No lie, the
singer sounds just like Ozzy did in Black Sabbath's golden years. I swear,
and that's a good thing. Musically they sound like BLack Sabbath(of course)
meets Kyuss(imagine that). The first song Virtual Machine is godly. It
grooves so hard and has a super catchy melody. The next track Automaton
reminds me of Planet Caravan. The songs ping pong back and forth between
being really driving and groovy to being very chill and sedate. Can you
please tell me why most stoner rock bands must use the word "rainbow" in
a song or as a title? This album bores me after the 4th song. Enough said.
-greg-
SOIL El Chupacabra MIA Records
What we got here is some catchy metal, hell you could
call it Rock -n- Roll! Reminds me of The Helicopters meets Alice In Chains.
The musicianship on this record is top notch and the song writing is very
strong! Stoner Rock fans are sure to love this record! It's got the 70’s
garage rock production and the riffing to back it up! -Paul-
SOILENT GREEN Sewn Mouth Secrets
Relapse Records
Soilent Green is probably one of my favorite
bands EVER! “Pussysoul” is still played on a daily basis here at my place!
“Sewn Mouth Secrets” is a continuation of “Pussysoul”, the only difference
is the production and the production is better here! There is literally
nothing new here but I Love it! I would recommend this to everyone despite
the lack of change and experimentation since the first CD. Worth every
friggin penny! -Paul
SOILENT GREEN Sewn Mouth Secrets
Relapse Records
Rolling Stone has named Soilent Green as one of
the top metal bands(along with Candiria and Meshuggah). And they couldn't
be more right, especially now that Brutal Truth has broken up. Soilent
Green fills the vacancy with new energy and added style. Besides the band
being made up of really nice guys, they Rock, with a capital R!!!! Incorporating
blackened grooves, impulsive time changes, splattering blast beats balanced
by southern soul rotting grime rock. It's dirty, it's nasty, and commands
your attention. Taking extreme metal to the next level by flawlessly executing
tight guitar work with unrelenting drums. Vocally you will swear there
are two guys, but the deed is carried out by the one and only Louis Benjamin
Falgoust II. Live he resembles a Spawn character, real life fear initiation.
You've got to check out the lyrics, cause they confess some deep sick love.
Too much to handle and never enough to tire. -greg-
SPINESHANK Strictly Diesel Roadrunner Records
Well There is been a load of hype about these guys.
Lots of great things being said and lots of praise. Well I went out and
bought the record, I figured It's got to be great, good at the very least!
Well I HATE it! It's horrible, week, and poorly written. No originality,
this is a trend I think Roadrunner anticipates that will sell well. Maybe
it has? Maybe it will? All I know is that it sucks, I get more enjoyment
from listening to a faucet drip. -Paul-
TIME IN MALTA Construct And Demolish
Escape Artist
It takes a lot to impress me and these guys did. Creative and
convincing! This is the first band in a long time that has thrown out a
riff that I hear all day long everyday. The middle riff on the track "Swallowing
Glass" - that riff is amazing, that riff alone is worth buying the
CD for. Also this is the best 3 piece band that I have ever seen live,
these guys Rock! -Paul
web - http://www.loudnet.com/escapeartist
Usurper Skeletal Season Necropolis
I have received three release from Necropolis
Records so far and each one has been a metal masterpiece. Witchery which
contains members of The Haunted, Ashes, and now Usurper. I heard a good
amount of underground hype about these guys but this was the first time
I really got to hear what they are all about. I can sum it up in two words,
Celtic Frost. Many have tried to imitate the godfathers of raw death but
Usurper has got it. Now I don't mean to take anything away from Usurper
by saying they sound like Celtic Frost, it's actually meant as a compliment.
By no means are they simply a carbon copy either. Usurper is definitely
their own creation but there is no use denying the influence. These guys
will not be dismissed because they wave the metal flag, they will not submit
to the crappy hip hop rap core shit that's floating around the musical
toilet bowl. Death metal cannot not die, that is not in its nature, instead
it pollutes and kills the useless weeds that surround it. musical extermination.
-greg-
VISION OF DISORDER For the Breeders Go-kart
Records
I can't say enough good things about this band! I have
heard mixed reviews about this CD form this sucks to to this is great.
Well This is great, I can't figure out why any VOD fan wouldn't like this.
Most of the material is old and you gotta take it for what it is and live
with it. Basically this isn't as good as "Imprint" but it very much blows
away anything else they have done. Maybe this release is for VOD fans only?
-Paul
web - http://www.gokartrecords.com
WAR DANCE A War Music Compilation Relapse
Records
AWE! One of the best comps I have gotten
in a long time! NAGLFAR is sick and by far put forth the best track “Blades”!
Other notables are Cryptopsy, In Flames, and In Thy Dreams. -Paul-
WOLFPAC 2 Phat Tittiez Sugar
Daddy Records
This two song demo tape sucks. Imagine the lack of talent
compiled in Limp Bizkit with a wanna be white boy Cypress Hill but even
worse. Goes nowhere, does nothing! Why?! Why?! Why is this allowed to exist?!
-greg-
WOLFRAM Misanthrope Self
Released
10 Tracks of Power Metal from the Czech Republic.
First off the sound quality is top notch! Musicianship is definitely there,
all these guys can play and I mean play! They're sound is Celtic Frost
meets Iron Maiden. I enjoyed every track! I am not sure of availability
so contact the below address for more information! -Paul-
Mr. Roman Kriz
Makovskeho 1148
Prague 6 - Repy
163 00 - Czrch Republic
XTRA LARGE Demolition 99 Self release
This 3 track CD is in the vein of Six Feet Under.
Slow paced with catchy riffs. Nothing ground breaking but not a let down
either. These boys got the heaviness of Six Feet Under and the sound quality
is amazing! Great first effort from this young band. Check them out and
tell them Paul from Struggle sent you! -Paul
Web - http://www.xtralarge.net