|
Wednesday, 14 January 2004
bEYOND Therapy
bEYOND Therapy
dEADLINERS
http://www.beyondtherapy.tk
Band: jIMMY Garski- vocals/guitar, Rick Edward- guitar, Bryan O'Connor- bass/vocals, Brian Loomis- drums.
Location: Wausau, WI
E-mail: jimblurs@aol.com
By: Jason Mansavage
bEYOND Therapy was formed in the frozen bowel tract known as Wausau, Wisconsin. They were created as a vehicle of anger distribution in response to the death of jIMMY's brother, who died on 08/20/00, who is remembered on the hidden track `Christopher James.' Most of the lyrics deal with death and in essence are a therapeutical release.
BT serves up a heaping plateful of self-proclaimed "bipolar cartoon core metal served with a side dish of insanity, sprinkled with a dollop of hell." To this veteran metal head however, with all metaphors aside, this is simply ass-kicking, fist pounding, head banging, hair wind milling, pit fueling hardcore metal!
jIMMY's vocal foray moves effortlessly between Anselmo-like barks, Cobain inspired cleans and primal hardcore screams that are sure to bloody the ears of the meek.
Musically, BT delivers sonic fury through their onslaught of pain. The dual axe attack embraces low end crunch and noisy punk plucking, while the rhythm section rumbles along like a freight train with no brakes. I stood in front of my speakers to take in the full affect of this wall of sound and embraced the vibrations of power until it almost knocked me over!
Overall, BT assaulted this reviewer with a quality product that would bode well in any metal head's stereo. This art is fast and furious and ready to explode. Hopefully a label will discover them soon so they can be enjoyed in heavy doses of mass consumption.
Posted by savage2280
at 1:46 PM CST
MVM
MVM
Evolver
http://www.mvmonline.net/
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Band: Kraig Marshall- Lead vocals/programming, Steven Bishop- Bass/vocals, Ted Delgreco- Guitar/vocals, Chad Anthony- Drums/vocals.
E-Mail: kraig@mvmonline.net
By: Jason Mansavage
MVM (I'm not sure what this stands for if anything) has members that have a decade of band experience, which by checking their birth dates meant that they were all between the ages of 9 and 14 when they started! Formed in Bergen County, NJ in April 2001 by former lead vocalist of N17, Kraig Marshall, they have shared the stage with national acts such as the Misfits, Type O Negative, Mindless Self Indulgence, Danzig, Kittie, Skinlab, S.O.D., Cradle of Filth, Earth Crisis and several others. Now for what we're all here to find out: What do they sound like?
Evolver has twelve tracks that combine several elements including punk, industrial, rap, metal, pop and hardcore. Out of the gate "What Did We Do" pummels you with industrial tinged rage. Musically it reminds me of Ministry except for the well placed xylophone chiming that gives it that marching band feeling at the big game with lots of big guitars mixed amid the machine sounds. It's a great blend of Ministry, Fear Factory and Rammstein.
Vocally, there is quite a variety going on simultaneously and it comes across very busy sounding. I'm not sure if this is just Kraig doing several overdubs or all of them sounding off in unison. There is lower harmonizing that reminds me of Flaw meets Depeche Mode mixed in with hardcore growls and another higher voice. The rap elements aren't too overbearing and sound more like Machinehead. "Turning Gray" and "Last Days" are two of their pop soaked tracks and they manage to do their best Scottish accent and remind me of Big Country or the Proclaimers. The last few songs are slower and melodic. "Find My Way" is full of memorable sing along vocal hooks while "Lonely Road" is sure to get the lighters flaming.
Overall, I really liked MVM. They managed to inter-mingle several genres that are definitely strange bed partners but pulled it off beautifully. There are enough heavy tunes to please most metalheads and fathers of industry alike with a hint of new wave for fans that lived through the decade of decadence! Bring on the record labels!
Posted by savage2280
at 11:54 AM CST
MNQNN
MNQNN
Demo
http://www.mnqnn.com/
Location: Delanco, NJ
Band: Ziggy- Guitar, Mark- Bass and Keys, Juliet- Vocals, Dan- Keys, John- Drums
E-mail: saysomething@mnqnn.com
By: Jason Mansavage
MNQNN (pronounced "mannequin") was formed in the spring of 2001 by childhood friends that attended the same religious school. They are not some cheesy Christian band. In fact, their suppressed upbringing only added fuel to the fire and made them more apt to break the collar of church dogma. MNQNN assaults the senses with their brand of heavy electronic rock. This two song demo does combine elements of rock, metal, industrial and even hints of prog for a very tasty concoction.
I especially liked Juliet's vocal forays. On "Wheredidyougo?" she shines with a strong metal meets punk attitude that begs for crowd control. She switches gears on "Strongisweak" utilizing a deeper sexy coax before breaking into her punk wail. She reminds me of "Heartbreaker" era Pat Benatar before she gave into pop.
Musically, MNQNN meld together distorted guitars, rumbling bass industrial styled drumming and flowing keyboards that are interspersed strategically for a sound that I like to call rave metal. In other words, you can dance and mosh to it at the same time. This was an excellent demo and I look forward to seeing how far they go.
Posted by savage2280
at 11:53 AM CST
Updated: Wednesday, 14 January 2004 1:43 PM CST
Motive
Motive
Worn Down Dream
http://www.motivemetal.com
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Band: Steve Buschart- lead vocals/guitar, Randy Davis- lead guitar, Jue Secody- bass/vocals, Ricky Papa- drums
E-mail: motive1@worldnet.att.net
By: Jason Mansavage
Motive has been tearing up the scene since June 1999 with their brand of hardcore thrash. They have shared the stage with national heavyweights such as Testament, Suicidal Tendencies, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Nile, Arch Enemy, Flotsam and Jetsam, Machinehead and others. Their most recent major accomplishment was a spot at the famed Milwaukee Metalfest.
Worn Down Dream is loaded with old school riffing that is sure to please the most fickle metalheads. I hear a lot of early Slayer style guitar solos and drumming, especially on "Worlds Away." They also have a few Sabbathian moments mixed amid their chaotic ensemble. Check out "We Were Faded" to see where I'm coming from.
Motive delivers pure perfection and has resurrected what's missing from today's metal: the guitar solo! They successfully blend the best elements of thrash, speed, hardcore and death for one helluva metal salad!
Steve's vocal stylings alternate between the "I smoke too many cigarettes" rasp to "I swallowed the cookie monster and he wants to get out" growls to the "I've yelled so much my throat hurts" scream. It's all here and it's done remarkably well.
I can't find anything negative to say about this CD and have to wonder why these guys have yet to find a label. I guess when the consumers get off their asses and start buying real metal music again and the nu metal boat finally sinks, Motive with be on the frontline for the old school revolution waving the banner proudly!
Posted by savage2280
at 11:53 AM CST
Draghead
Draghead
Magnolia
http://www.draghead.com
Location: Seattle, WA
Band: Jonathan Bare- guitars/vocals, Kevin Pownall- drums, Kurt Keating- guitars, Rain De Leon- bass
E-mail: jonathan@draghead.com
By: Jason Mansavage
Draghead formed in the spring of 2001 in the cloudy rain drenched innards of Seattle. Their music reflects a painful picture as it drones along with its dark trance inducing vibe. I'm hard pressed to classify this which I guess is a good thing. It combines stoner fuzz with goth ambience for a dreary ride into the abyss.
Jonathan Bare's deep voice croons with painful heartfelt agony. I was especially moved by "Augustus" which encompasses the above elements with tribalistic drumming and guitars that are just plain creepy. Rain's bass passages are Rush inspired and complement this track beautifully.
"Dead in You" is another standout track with its memorable hooks that are sure to carry over nicely to radio. Overall, Draghead's brand of melodic metal grew on me in a hurry and will definitely get repeated spins in my CD player!
Posted by savage2280
at 11:50 AM CST
Crooked
Crooked
Self-titled demo
http://www.crooked1.com
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Band: James Gabriel- vocals, Myke DiBattista- guitars, Martin Boynton- Keyboards, Tony Recania- guitars, Scott Eakes- bass, Gerry Sayong- drums
E-mail: mikd@earthlink.net
By: Jason Mansavage
Formed in the winter of 1998 in the San Francisco Bay Area, Crooked, formerly known as NMSO4, have been filling clubs and pummeling audiences with their brand of what I like to call twisted carnival metal. It's a style that few bands use but it has been made successful by the likes of Marilyn Manson, more specifically, his earlier albums like Portrait of an American Family and the bizarre collection known as Smells Like Children. Don't get me wrong, Crooked sound nothing like Manson, it's more of a vibe. Another band that invoked this feeling is the now defunct Two Hit Creeper. What I'm getting at is that creepy feeling you get when you hear pipe organs, accordions, calliopes or any other instrument associated with a carnival, circus or sideshow. These days however, most of these instruments can be mimicked by a synthesizer or computer.
Crooked also strives to look like circus freaks or demented clowns. They are covered in white kabuki face paint ala KISS with a twist. Instead, they are painted up like the horrific rag doll portrayed in Dean Koontz' book Tick Tock, or the cover of Korn's Issues CD. Add in black lipstick and eyeliner and varying hairstyles such as corn rows, braids, spikes and dreads and you've got one of those images that are sure to give you nightmares!
Image aside, Crooked's music holds it own. Vocalist James Gabriel's homicidal screams mesh well with his deep seeded insane asylum drone. I am reminded slightly of a younger Jonathan Davis only more brutal sans the rap. Behold the barker of brutality! This demo is peppered with haunting melodies that are sure to please anyone with an ear for evil.
Produced by Dino Cazares (ex-Fear Factory guitarist) and Roman Marisak (Professional Murder Music front man), Crooked's eight tracks deliver a dark and dreary tale accompanied by crunching riffs, jugular twisting bass lines and creepy carnival noises that will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Be sure to listen to this during the dead of night surrounded by candles and try not to be frightened by the strange noises. They are coming from your speakers, not your closet. Aren't they?
Posted by savage2280
at 11:49 AM CST
Twytch
Twytch
Hatred
http://www.twytch.com
Band: Matt McChesney- vocals, Isaias Martinez- guitar, Brian "Bubba" Joyce- drums, Joe "The Ham" Martinez- bass, Tony Zimmerman- guitar.
Location: Lowell, MA
E-mail: Tony@twytch.com
By: Jason Mansavage
Twytch is a metal/hardcore unit formed in Lowell, MA in 1998. They have created a huge buzz amongst the New England metal scene and have opened for a long list of nationals, including: Hatebreed, Powerman 5000, Sworn Enemy, Disturbed, Biohazard, Candiria, Diecast, Flotsam & Jetsam, Nile, Nonpoint, Shadows Fall, Skinlab, S.O.D., Testament, Lacuna Coil...the list goes on and on.
This six song disc opens with `Hatred,' which kicks you in the ass from note one! Matt's vocals switch with ease between heartfelt cleans and gravel gargled screams as the music pummels the eardrums into submission. I can't help but look to start a pit with this one! I was pleasantly surprised to hear a guitar solo, something ol' Kirk Hammett forgot how to do on St. Anger!
Other standout tracks in the heavier realm include: `Echoes,' `Know Remorse' with a vocal passage that reminded me of Megadeth's `Dawn Patrol,' `Enemy' and `Swallow the Stitches.'
The guitars throughout this demo invoked pure evil and left me wanting more as they crept closely along the borders of the old school! The drumming shredded me like a firing squad, while the bass lines made my ears bleed!
By the end, I was left wondering how Matt's voice makes it through a whole set. His screams sounded immensely painful at times, yet very effective. Twytch serves up the blueprint for this style and should not be taken lightly. If you aren't ready to stay in the pit for their whole set, you might want to think about catching the quickest ride to the nearest venue where the latest popular boy band is lip synching!
Posted by savage2280
at 11:48 AM CST
Drill 187
Drill 187
The Faceless Majority
http://www.drill187.com
Band: Jason Lilley- Vocals, Jason Ussery- Guitar/backing vocals, Matt Frederick- Bass, Greg Evans- Drums, Dalgo- Guitar.
Location: Raleigh, NC
E-mail: drillbit187@hotmail.com
By: Jason Mansavage
North Carolina's Drill 187 have been cranking out volatile metal for a few years now unbeknownst to the seemingly deaf indie and major label A&R guys. Why else would a band with songs as strong as these not have a label yet? If their name sounds familiar, it's most likely because of the intense buzz working its way via word of mouth through the metal masses nationwide.
Last year I had the opportunity to review both their six song and four song demos and had figured this was their year to be jamming on the second stage at Ozzfest. When I heard their first full length was complete, I was shaking with anticipation. When the disc arrived I was completely blown away. "The Faceless Majority" contains twelve searing tracks that melted my speakers into a waxy globular mound. Two of these appeared on their first demo and were remixed ("187" and "Mankind"), while all four songs from their second demo were here too, including the anthemic pit starter "Despise" as well as "Snakebite," "Syphon" and "Run."
The six new tracks took Drill 187 to another level of heaviness that the old tunes hadn't quite reached. This progression is very evident on the opener, "Scrape It Off," which recently appeared on a compilation CD with a handful of signed acts. Pretty impressive for an unknown quartet from the Tar Heel state. Vocalist Jason Lilley showcases his range as they try their hand at a power ballad entitled "Shine." This isn't your traditional sappy love oozing lyrical charade. "Shine" casts a much darker shadow, much like Pantera's "Cemetery Gates." Jason and guitarist/backing vox Jason Ussery combine for some truly haunting harmonies. My twisted mind hears a strange combination of Slaughter meets the Bee Gees amidst a very apocalyptic soundscape with some Manson style riffing. Trust me when I say it's very cool and very heavy.
Other new offerings include the thrashy "Identity One," the Anti-Christ era Manson dirge of "My Damnation," the infectious grooves of "Lethal" and the White Zombie meets Metallica closer, "Fallen."
Overall, this of one of the BEST CDs I have ever heard. It is strong from start to finish and will not disappoint. Jason U's shredding solos and chords dominate and are complemented nicely by drummer Greg Evans and bassist Matt Frederick. Drill 187 successfully blends a variety of influences to create a sound that is still surprisingly all their own!
Posted by savage2280
at 11:46 AM CST
Unsound
Unsound
Organism
http://www.unsound.ws
Band: Todd Paddock- guitar, Charles "Cheech" Massey- bass, Todd Houck- vocals/guitar, Trey Willits- drums.
Location: Raleigh, NC
E-mail: paddock@unsound.ws
By: Jason Mansavage
Unsound was formed in Greenville, N.C., by guitarist Todd Paddock and bassist Charles "Cheech" Massey in 1991. After adding Todd Houck and Trey Willits, they relocated to Raleigh in 1998. Since then, they have battled in the trenches of the local scene, opening for nationals such as Anthrax, Sevendust, Filter, Earshot, Mushroomhead, Audiovent, Nonpoint, DragPipe, Gravity Kills, Reveille, Dry Cell, Dasmad and Dog Fashion Disco.
I thought I'd do something a little different than my normal protocol and break this CD down track by track.
From All Sides:
This song rocks! Vocal harmonies remind me of Alice in Chains and Todd sounds a little like Rob Traynor from Dust to Dust on his cleans.
Shed Away:
I like the guitars on the intro. They have a worldly sound, sort of Middle Eastern, which I really dig. In fact, they do a great job mixing in these with the heavier guitars that kick in. Killer headbanging groove and cool tribalistic drumming. Very thick bass...they came off distorted in parts when I jammed this in the car. They aren't as overbearing on the computer player. Not a bad thing though. It gave it a concert feel.
Sunshine:
I like how the mellow vocals set the mood and build up to the chorus. Kinda Saigon Kick-ish if you know what I mean. If you're a SK fan, you can catch the subtle feel of it I'm getting here. I really liked the guitar solo. It has an old school feel but I can't put my finger on it. This is definitely a radio hit!
The Ugly Thing I Am:
Cool tune. I found myself wind milling my head, now only if my damn hair would grow back quicker! I'm still feeling that Saigon Kick thing in his cleans.
Rise:
The barked vocals here remind me of Machinehead. I like how the drums speed up. The song seems to change pace a few times, which definitely sounded good.
Press:
It opens with a cool intro that builds up into a heavier vocal foray. This shit flows well and is very addicting! I can definitely see the pit starting possibilities. I'm really digging the Spanish style guitar solo that lead into some truly haunting vocals before getting my ass kicked again with heaviness. This song is fucking brilliant! It combines so many different styles but they pull it off beautifully! The new wave meets industrial outro is cool too.
Passe:
The intro is a little long here and has the potential to lose the listener, but awesome nonetheless. It has almost a jazzy feel to it as it melds into guitar virtuosity territory. Then it kicks into the Metallica riff and back down again. I really like the vocals on this tune too!
Overall, these guys kicked my ass! They have a lot of interesting time changes and successfully blend several styles but still manage to sound fresh and original. The clean vocals were very haunting at times and although I am reminded of someone else, Todd's style is still all his own.
Posted by savage2280
at 11:32 AM CST
Product of You
Product of You
Foundation
http://www.productofyou.com/
Location: NYC
Band: Khaled Elsebai- guitar, Mike Savino- guitar, Rob Pedersen- drums & vocals, Leo Lavoro- vocals, Ron Taylor- bass
Band e-mail: productofyou@hotmail.com
By: Jason Mansavage
Product of You are one of those unsigned diamonds in the rough that should be out on this year's Ozzfest with their addictive brand of metal. I have a hard time calling this CD a demo because it is just too impressive of a package. The CD entitled Foundation, includes seven new songs, five older tracks from their 2002 demo, an acoustic track, a video and an interview. The latter are very professionally done which begs the question: why aren't these guys signed?
The lead off track, "Formal Casualty" (also on video), invokes immediate allegiance with its melodic flowing vibe and emotional cleans spattered with gut wrenching growls. Imagine if Jay Gordon from Orgy tried his hand at metalcore and you'll have the general idea, but even this comparison is pushing it.
Product of You is the perfect blend of melody and brutality. Let's dub it "MELODICORE!" The harmonies on "Surface to Air" are hauntingly beautiful while the screams on "Redefine" are blood curdling.
Musically, they blend low end crunch with hardcore punch for a sound that is sure to capture the hearts and minds of today's headbangers. There are several standout tracks including my favorite "Redefine," "Formal Casualty" and "Vessels" to name a few. I also really liked the acoustic instrumental "Eman."
Overall, I highly suggest picking this CD up, especially if this style is your thing.
Posted by savage2280
at 11:31 AM CST
Newer | Latest | Older
|
