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Cursed - III: Architects
Of Troubled Sleep (Goodfellow Records) By: Dave
Schalek |
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Ontario’s abrasive hardcore band Cursed return with their
third full-length, entitled “III: Architects Of Troubled
Sleep”, on Canada’s Goodfellow Records. Describing this band
as abrasive hardcore only tells half the story as Cursed
seamlessly weaves together hardcore with a decidedly dark tone
with some moments of sludge laden doom, particularly in the
middle and latter half of “III…”.
I had heard bits and pieces of Cursed’s first two
full-lengths, but was only mildly interested since pure
hardcore isn’t really my thing. With that in mind, I never
really sat down and gave the band a serious listen until
“III…” landed in my lap for review purposes. Initially, |
“III…” starts off as more or less straight up hardcore with
the typical pacing, shouted vocals, song structures, and beat
of the genre. Coming across as a dirty, abrasive version of
“Dirty Rotten LP”-era D.R.I. with a very loud production in
these first couple of tracks, “III…” soon segues midway
through into some decidedly slow to mid-paced tracks that veer
away from hardcore and towards an up tempo version of sludge
laden doom similar to, dare I say, High On Fire or Black
Cobra. This portion of the album really shines, particularly
“Unnecessary Person”, as the songs here are well written. The
difference in styles is actually a smooth transition and isn’t
nearly as jarring as you might expect. The album finishes with
a return to hardcore and a 7 minute long track that basically
consists of the same guitar melody over and over and is quite
boring. Frankly, the album could’ve done without this
throwaway track.
Ultimately, the mix of styles present on “III: Architects Of
Troubled Sleep” serves Cursed well as the album is a fine
example of finding a niche between genres, thereby allowing
Cursed to appeal to a wide audience. Recommended.
www.goodfellowrecords.com |
www.your-funeral.com |
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Exit Strategy - United
State of Amnesia (Self Release) Review by Andrew
Ward |
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In as little as eighteen months, Exit Strategy have destroyed
the whole of western Canada with their relentless, punishing
grindcore. Killer riffs, and machine gun drumming, mixed in
with the sheer brutality of the vocals, result in an aural
assault that pummels the listener into submission.
The album begins with a hilarious outtake from the film ‘Full
Metal Jacket’ before punching you in the face and ripping your
arms off, its punishing beyond belief! Complete with outtakes
from war films and George W. Bush’s many ludicrous press
statements to the world this album destroys the senses with
every second. For me the standout tracks are |
‘The Duality of Men’, ‘United State of Amnesia’ and ‘Just?’,
the latter questioning the true intentions of the war in Iraq.
Other tracks deal with the violence against children and the
human race’s constant fighting over racial and religious
beliefs.
This album and this band are here to make a stand against the
world as it is, war, racism and media propaganda. ‘United
State of Amnesia’ is an album with brutality and intelligence,
the sound of a band who are one hundred percent aware of the
environment we all live in, and challenge us the listener to
stand up and think for yourself.
If you like you music brutal and unforgiving this album will
appeal to you, if you like intelligent music with a message
this album will appeal to you, a fantastic debut album with a
bucket full of promise for the future.
www.exitstrategy.ca |
www.myspace.com/exitstrategydeathgrind |
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George Bellas - Planetary
Alignment (Lion Music) By: Joe Florez |
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This has to be the hardest working guitarist on the planet
(pun intended). Just under a year ago, he released his project
Palace Terrace. Now, he’s back with a new solo offering. I
have heard this man perform on many artists records as well as
his own and I have to say that he has managed to outshine
himself here as he has gone out to create a record that simply
makes you say…WOW! I must admit that the whole neo-prog metal
scene is getting quite boring now and even as much as I love
Yngwie, his music is even redundant after a while. So, what
must be done to keep things fresh or try to put a different
spin on the scenario? Simply add attitude and intensity while
you are sincere at the same time. |
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“Color By Numbers” is a bombastic number that contains
everything: flashy keyboard work, subtle string arrangements,
rich and thick bass pluckings and finger work by George this
is not only complicated and intense, but he plays from the
heart as well. The man absolutely goes off here as well as
everyone else. The ambidextrous drumming will have you smiling
if you are into the neo-prog thing. There is passion here as
well as an epic feeling. Want more? “Encoded In Light” has a
movie soundtrack vibe. This one will make the hairs on the
back of your neck stick up. You can feel the tense
performance. It comes off at times like a horror movie score
when the piano is pounded beyond belief. Seems like someone
was hitting the keys with a hammer and the strings come in
strong as well which builds up the anxiety. The guitars are
fierce, but Bellas knows how and when to calm down. The
performances on here, by George and his drummer as simply
stunning. That’s right! Only two people played on here with
George playing most of the stuff. Even more incredible is the
fact that he took on the recording, mixing and mastering
duties as well and nothing lacks on here. You won’t find any
ballads released on this offering. This is all good music
performed with accuracy, emotion talent passion and tension. I
think those who only listen to the likes of Yngwie, Vai or
Satriani should be more open minded and give an individual like
this a chance. There is a lot to offer the fans.
www.lionmusic.com
| www.georgebellas.com |
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Harlots - Betrayer
(Lifeforce Records) Review by Andrew Ward |
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The majority of bands are fairly easy to place into a genre,
Harlots however are not, mixing elements of hardcore and death
metal into a progressive wall of sound gives the listener
something to really get their head around.
This album has amazing guitar work, and a drummer which must
have ten arms, there’s so much going on that you find a song
goes by without you even noticing. It’s an album that takes
several listens to appreciate fully, but giving it the time is
definitely worth it. However not an album I'd choose to put on
if you’ve got your mates round playing on your console with a
few beers, this is a much more personal affair. |
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A very musically intelligent album but unfortunately not
something that will appeal to the masses, the only band I can
liken them to is Sikth, with a death metal twist. Definitely
worth picking up if you’re after something a little different,
my advice is to check their myspace before doing so. A
difficult listen but rewarding if you can get through the
first few plays.
www.myspace.com/harlots |
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Kamelot - Ghost Opera: The Second Coming
(SPV)
By: Joe Florez |
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Here we go again with another band re-releasing their latest
offering with slightly more goodies. Type O just did this with
Dead Again, but they offered a DVD at least. Ghost Opera was
released a year ago give or take and that already came out as
a limited edition with a bare bones DVD with a video for the
title track and a making of…oh and by the way a bonus track
which appears on this new version. To get my review of this
disc the first time around go here
www.live4metal.com/reviews-510.htm As for this new
pressing, I am pissed that people will have to part with their
hard earned cash to get this if they are fans. Well, let’s
break down what is so special here. In addition to the studio
disc, you get a |
video track for “Human Stain” and a live vid.
Disc two features ten tracks which is a live performance from
Belgrade. Cool, but not essential. The recording is superb you
can hear everyone perfectly. After the show, there are four
additional tracks sapped on here. “Seasons End” is a ballad
that is slow and so so. Nothing special. “Pendulous Fall”
appeared on the first limited edition which I have. No big
deal again. “Epilogue” is funny cause it appears on the live
portion of the disc here. It’s “Rule The World (Remix) which
is kind of interesting. It features a thumping programmed beat
that is kind of danceable. Pretty cool to mix that with the
classy string arrangements and metallic guitars. Overall, this
is a cash grab in my eyes. What the guys should have done to
make it worth while is add the video for the title track which
isn’t on here to make it complete. I honestly suggest that if
you have the original pressing, no need to get it. If you have
the limited first run like me, stick with that. I can only
suggest making this purchase if you haven’t gotten this
already. I love Kamelot, don’t get me wrong, but don’t have
the urge to run and get this unless you are a diehard and I’m
sure there are tons of them out there.
www.spv.de |
www.kamelot.com
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| Lazy Bums - Handmade
(UK Division Records) Review by Steve Green |
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With their website
biog in Italian, the only information I can tell you about Lazy Bums is
that they formed in 1996 and they are, quite obviously, Italian. The
opening piano based Alone doesn't give away much either. It sounds like
the Stephen Hawkins voice-over on Pink Floyds Keep Talking. We then get
the dirtiest riff Jimmy Page never wrote as Lies changes the pace
completely. A rolling bass line, which reminds me of Soundgarden, takes
over and I'm now convinced Lazy Bums are a mixture of Led Zeppelin, garage
rock and Grunge. And I'm just about there with that description, although
the energy of Lies isn't as prevalent as it should be throughout the
album. There are numerous dips in pace, but the spirit of
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either Pearl Jam or Soundgarden is always lurking close by. The more upbeat material is the
style I prefer and if Lazy Bums let drummer Maurizio Cognigni have a free
rein, then I think they are capable of creating a real kick-ass album. As
it stands, I feel they've held back a little and have gone for a balance
of styles, whereas I think they should let him fire down a few more
grooves as his drum sound and style, really does ignite a certain spark.
Personally, I'd ditch the slower material and would go for an all out
kickass sound. But if the band live up to their names, as lazy bums, then
I don't see them making the change, which is a shame as I
think they could get somewhere with an overall heavier sound.
www.lazybums.it
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www.ukdivision-records.com |
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Silent Void - Paranoid Superhero (UK Division Records) Review by Steve Green |
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Whereas I wanted Lazy Bums, reviewed above, to kick more
ass, I'm getting my wish with Silent Void. Again, we have an Italian band
that are paying homage to the 90s Grunge scene, but Silent Void have
managed to bridge the gap between heavy and soft and have a vocalist who
is extremely comfortable with both styles. Whether it be the more
commercial style of Cisum or Murder Party, the epic feel of World Never
Change or the cool as fuck title track, Marco
Aquila nails it every time. I've noticed with a lot of the Italian cds
we've been receiving recently, is that they all try a number of different
styles and some of them just don't fit together. There's no such problem
with Silent Void. They've found their niche and
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are working it for all their worth.
Who is this going to appeal to most? Probably fans of Nirvana and the Foo
Fighters, with the latter an obvious influence on the catchier material.
And the more I play this cd, the more I begin to notice how commercial it is,
but it's got such a solid rock based heart, that it's impossible not to
enjoy.
www.silentvoid.net |
www.myspace.com/silentvoid
| www.ukdivision-records.com |
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Zeroin - The Death Of A Man Called Icarus (Subsound
Records) Review by Steve Green |
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As a reviewer, I think my most
important job is to steer potential fans of a band in the right direction.
My biggest problem with this album, is deciding where and the hell to
place it. With a list of influences that range from Depeche Mode, Nirvana
and Ministry, I'm none the wiser as I don't think they sound like any of
the bands I've just mentioned, apart from the occasional flirtation with a
few of the styles. The only band from their extensive list I can really
marry them up to is Radiohead. They definitely have the quirkiness of Thom
Yorke and Co, but their sound is, at times, more electronic based... and
quite a bit happier. I'm made to eat my words on Our. Last.
Day. In. The. Desert. which has the energy of
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Nirvana, mainly because of the frantic drum sound, which is
pure Dave Grohl circa Nevermind. But that seems to be
the last bastion of anything to relate to. Zeroin seem to change style
every song and there's no continuity, nor any real flow to the album as a
whole.
I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with this album, in fact I
like several of the tracks, I just feel that Zeroin, as a band, have yet
to settle on a direction for their music. And until they do, they'll keep
on confusing the fence sitters like myself.
www.zeroinsane.com |
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