tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17026403108748403502024-03-13T03:10:27.610-07:00Learning The Masses<center>A blog focussing on the essentials in life: Loud music and gory movies.</center>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-74748255981516072392011-04-13T20:57:00.000-07:002011-04-14T08:39:53.327-07:00Last Chance To Reason - Level 2<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=61oVlrZYqL.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/61oVlrZYqL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Last Chance To Reason</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Level 2</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Progressive Metal</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">When one thinks of Progressive Metal, chances are, bands like Dream Theater, Cynic, and maybe even Opeth come to mind. With their newest album <i>Level 2</i>, Last Chance To Reason aims to change the playing-field of the genre. Having known these guys, and watching the band grow over the years, one may say this review is a bit biased. But, all bullshit aside, this album kicks fucking ass.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Level 2</i> is a concept album focusing on the main character being trapped in a mysterious digital world. He must battle his way through said world by any means necessary to survive. The real kicker is that this album acts as the soundtrack for a video-game with the same title, also created by the band. Though the game is yet to be released, there is a demo, which you can download <a href="http://www.moddb.com/games/level-2/downloads/level-2-demo">here</a>. But while we wait for the game to be finished, here are the goods on the album:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let me just start off by saying that there is a good chance that this may be one of the most cohesive albums to hit the shelves in a decade or two. When listened to all the way through, the album seems like one 45 minute song. It's incredible. The flow/pacing of the album is one of its strongest aspects. Each song packs it's own unique build to a climax. But, when put together, each track creates the build to the epic climax of the whole album. It's a true testament to the musicians skills at writing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lyrically, the album is a <i>huge</i> tease. This statement isn't to be taken negatively. Quite the contrary. Given that the album is to act as the soundtrack to the game, a lot of the lyrics hint to the action and/or plot-points in the story of the game. And, well, from what I'm getting out of the album and lyrics, the game will be nothing less than epic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As far as how the music sounds when combined into songs - Prepare to shit your pants. The technicality and precision to which each song is executed is breath-taking. Constant changes in time-signatures, as well as the different layering to all the instruments and the fusion of both heavy metal riffing and progressive rock elements give <i>Level 2</i> a heightened sense of musical sophistication, while also bringing the album to life in a way few musical groups have ever achieved. Any group of assholes with instruments, and an attitude to "fuck shit up," as the scene kids like to say, can make a CD, but it takes talented musicians to do what LCTR has done here. After listening to this album in it's entirety for what is, I believe the ninth or tenth time, I feel as though this album stands as a physical, and musical catharsis for these guys. The emotion behind the music screams far louder than any amp can go.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Produced by the master Jamie King alongside the band, the overall sound of the album, along with the music itself, is flawless. All of the instruments have an audible and prominent sound, yet blend together so well to create something more than just a nicely mastered song/album. Upon numerous replays of the album, you will be able to pick up on even more additional musical contributions. Like I said, this album is insanely layered, and <i>demands</i> multiple replays.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As far as Progressive Metal goes, consider Last Chance To Reason one of the new titans of the genre. This album is for anyone who has an interest in the genre or true musical talent. To see if LCTR is coming near you, check their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lastchancetoreason">MySpace</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/lastchancetoreason">Facebook</a>. <i>Level 2</i> was put out by <a href="http://prostheticrecords.com/">Prosthetic Records</a> and can be found on iTunes as well as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Level-2-Last-Chance-Reason/dp/B004PF0FP6">Amazon</a> and a record store near you. I highly suggest you go and pick this up. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As far as the score for this album goes - The readers can give me shit for it, but all biases aside, this is one of the most phenomenal albums I've ever heard. This is why I'm awarding <i>Level 2</i> my first, and possibly only 10 out of 10. Congrats guys!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Score: 10/10</b></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-52048707651642401482011-02-02T10:34:00.000-08:002011-02-02T10:34:42.770-08:00Thomas Giles - Pulse<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=pulse-album.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/pulse-album.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Thomas Giles</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Pulse</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Progressive/Experimental Rock/Electronica</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Alright all you die-hard BTBAM fanatics. The time has come. Tommy Rogers has just released his debut album for his solo-project entitled <i>Pulse</i>. The album is different to say the least, with familiar traces of the ambiance that is brought to Between the Buried and Me, through Tommy Rogers' presence. That's all well and good, but how does the album stand, on it's own?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This album, is very different, in the sense that it's very "out there." It has elements of rock, infused, at points, with odd electronica beats and keyboard-play. Overall, Rogers, delivers a solid work as a whole, that really shows the creative ability to push the limits of his musicianship. <br />
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If you've been a fan of BTBAM since the early years, I think you can all agree that through the years, you can see a vast progression in the vocal abilities of Rogers. The chronology of Tommy's vocal advancements was not put to a halt with the release of <i>Pulse</i>. Honestly, Rogers give his most solid vocal performance to date on this album. Perhaps it's because he doesn't utilize his screams very much, or perhaps it's because he's just learned over time. Regardless, it sounds very precise and wonderful. A prefect example lies in the chorus to the opening track on the album, "Sleep Shake."<br />
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As far as the music goes on this album, I think it's safe to say that it is very layered. Not in a bad way of course. You just pick something new out of the background of sound every time you give the album a listen. I really enjoyed the fact that the keys and synth are, in a sense, the "main character" of the instruments on the album. I always enjoyed the ambient synth passages, or the elegant ringing of the piano filling the void of silence in said songs. Rogers also incorporates elements of guitar, implementing very soulful, relaxed, and tranquil solos, as heard in the third track on the album, "Mr. Bird." <br />
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Other tracks on the album, such as "Scared" (track six), take on the tone of an indie folk artist. It's simply Tommy and an acoustic guitar. It sounds terrific, for he knows how to play, as well as keep a tune. He doesn't try too hard to show off with his play, nor his vocal abilities. He keeps it simple, and it pays off. While Rogers doesn't noticeably try too hard to impress his audience, he still transcends all his prior work with this album. That's a sign of a true musician.<br />
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I found <i>Pulse </i>to be a rather well balanced album. All of the tracks seemed to meld together to form a solid cohesive whole, while still possessing the individuality of each individual track. This can be said for every track on the album, minus track four, entitled "Catch & Release." I found this track to be the metaphorical crack in the foundation, that left this album a little short from perfection. Essentially, "Catch & Release" is a three minute and twenty-five second song with club beats that sounded too close to dubstep for my taste, harsh vocals that didn't match the vibe of the song, and the deep, talking vocals that just sounded awful. I hate to say it, but the song sucks. And, it really disappoints me, because had the song been different, <i>Pulse</i> would have, without a doubt, gotten the first 10 out of 10 on this blog. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Luckily, the rest of the album is so good, this one track didn't ruin the rest of the album. Track four is the only complaint I have with this album.<br />
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So, if you're a fan of Between the Buried and Me, or dig any sort of progressive or experimental tunes, I <i>highly </i>recommend this album. It's most likely already in my running for the top albums of 2011, and I'm sure will remain there until the decision is made. This album is filled to the brim with musical talent, layered ambiance, and overall terrific tunes that are likely to please the ears of many. Give this album a listen.<br />
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<b>Score: 9/10</b><br />
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</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-18244680556362827062011-01-30T10:45:00.000-08:002011-01-30T10:45:43.622-08:00Anal Cunt - Fuckin' A<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=Too_Fast_for_AxCxweb.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/Too_Fast_for_AxCxweb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Anal Cunt</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Fuckin' A</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Noise-Grind/"Cock Rock"</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Love 'em, or hate 'em, Anal Cunt has made their mark on the extreme metal scene over the years. Whether you remember them from <i>I Like It When You Die</i>, or <i>Picnic of Love</i>, you remember the band for their ridiculous atmosphere and "fuck you attitude." Their latest effort, a take/parody on the 80's clam rock metal scene simply entitled <i>Fuckin' A,</i> held a lot of mystery and skepticism towards me when I first heard about the album. My hesitant feelings were relieved from the first track, when I heard that the album actually kicked a lot of ass. Here are all the juicy, sweaty, heroine induced details:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After hearing their first parody album, "Picnic of Love," I was almost certain that this album would be purely for entertainment value, stemming from how genuinely bad the album was as a whole. I pressed play and the first track, entitled "Fuck Yeah." To my dismay, the band actually put together a good collection of riffs and beats to give you the feel of the 80's, yet sloppy enough playing and production to still have the feel of an Anal Cunt album.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The album as a whole, is very cohesive and entertaining. All of the songs feel right at home with the others, and while you may be disappointed that your favorite song on the track has just passed, the feelings will subside within 15 seconds of the following track. One of the main contributers to the entertainment value of the album is it's intensity. While the whole album sounds more like an 80's metal album, you'll be able to pick up hints of Motley Crew attitude mixed with Judas Priest style riffs, as displayed in the track "Hot Chicks on the Road," and "Whiskey, Coke, and Sluts." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have to say though; More than half of the intensity that resonated from this album is spawned from the vocals of the legendary Seth Putnam. He provides two rather lengthy screams with pin-point precision in "Whiskey, Coke, and Sluts," and one jaw-dropping scream on the last track of the album. All of his screams are precise, raw, and almost have a tinge of black metal mixed into them. It's an interesting combination of effort and sound on his behalf, considering I saw Putnam limping around with a cane this summer at an EYEHATEGOD show in Cambridge, MA. It's good to hear him getting back into the groove of things, and coming harder than he ever has, on an album, before.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The other instruments on the album are surprisingly tight, coming from Anal Cunt. Clearly, if you have heard any of their other albums, you'll recognize just how truly sloppy they play. Whatever - It works for them. But I digress. The album has a nice flow generated by the instruments. The guitars provide delicious little bits of feedback, and the drums hold solid, fast beats that really manifest the spirit of true 80's metal into the album. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I only have a few complaints as far as the album is concerned. There are a few sections of the track "Yay! It's Pink!" where Putnam's low growls kind of muck up the rest of the bands flow, simply because it's the raw vocals of old Anal Cunt, but it's far too loud and overpowering for the song. Also. While Anal Cunt does a great job melding their style with the 80's metal scene, it still just doesn't feel like a <i>real</i> Anal Cunt album. I appreciate it for what it's worth, but I can't help missing their original noise-grind style. Clearly, they can't do that given the genre that they are paying homage to/mocking, but I just feel like the album was restrained in the sense that the band couldn't <i>fully</i> be themselves. But regardless, this album rocks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, if you enjoy any of Anal Cunt's past efforts, or you just dig 80's metal a lot, I highly recommend checking this album out. It won't be the same Anal Cunt you used to listen to, but it's Anal Cunt none-the-less. It's a light, fun, and catchy album that has a great replay value. So go out and pick this shit up!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Score: 8/10</b></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-61507496570894613712011-01-27T08:53:00.000-08:002011-01-27T08:53:59.330-08:00Non-Metal Recommendation of the New Year: Die Antwoord - $O$<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=sosos_c072.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/sosos_c072.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Artist: Die Antwoord</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: $O$</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sure, by now, a somewhat good portion of you readers have at least heard of Die Antwoord, wether you recognize it or not. Everyone seems to have heard "that ninja song" ("<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cegdR0GiJl4">Enter The Ninja</a>"), and wether they enjoy it or not, they recognize it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For those of you who are unaware to Die Antwoord's existence, they are a hip-hop group hailing from South Africa. The tracks on the album are rather unique. Some can appreciate, while others don't seem to find the merit behind the groups releases. The best way I can describe these guys is a South African version of The Beastie Boys. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Their lyrics are rather random, and childish at times. But, at the same time, I can appreciate the rhymes for Ninja's superior flow, and the overall fun, simplistic, yet unique feel to the songs. A typical Antwoord song generally consists of many penis, boner, breast, and vagina references as well as any other sexual content that can be worked in. This has been done a thousand times in the states, but our artists don't have the audacity to spit what Ninja does on <i>$O$</i>. The group lays it out there, and lets the haters hate, and the followers follow. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Though this album is most likely one of the most unbalanced albums I've yet to hear, I definitely appreciate the diversity of songs it brings to the table. Given that Die Antwoord is essentially a bunch of kids cracking dick jokes at heart, I can't let their unbalanced song-writing get in the way of enjoying <i>$O$ </i>for what it is. In the same way Rodriguez and Tarantino assaulted the screens with their double feature grindhouse experience, I see Die Antwoord do the same for the rap and hip-hop scene.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Wether you hate them, love them, or have yet to hear them, I have to give Die Antwoord the credit they deserve. They are getting their name out there, and they don't give a fuck what people think of them. I'm going to take a leap here, and <i>highly </i>recommend you check this group out. I'm not making any promises to wether or not you readers will enjoy the group. But they are at least worth a listen or two.</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-6078945782137857802010-12-15T12:09:00.000-08:002010-12-15T12:09:05.180-08:00Nails - Unsilent Death<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=l_052fab3c7a4d4445a401aa2bf60ce644.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/l_052fab3c7a4d4445a401aa2bf60ce644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Nails</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Unsilent Death</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Grindcore with Crust and Hardcore Influence</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Southern California grind trio Nails if following up their 2009 release, "Obscene Humanity." Attacking the senses with hate, aggression and an attitude that screams "Fuck you all," "Unsilent Death" is a noteworthy release in the genre of grindcore and crust hardcore. Lets see what makes this album worth your time:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Grindcore is a pretty difficult genre to expand on, granted that the majority of the music is pure chaos. One of the things I appreciated most about this album is that it didn't try to go above and beyond with the expansion of the genre. Nails is simply a group of dude who just want to play loud, pissed off music. That being said, there weren't any failed efforts in transcending the genre they were making music for. The simply did what they new best, and it shows in all fourteen minutes (that's right - fourteen minutes) of the album. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, you're probably asking yourself, "what does the album actually <i>sound</i> like?" Put simply, it sounds like unharnessed mayhem. The crunchy guitars and low tuned bass give the album a pleasantly dirty grungy sound that any grind fan will instantly appreciate. Passages of feedback and slow breakdowns give the album a subtle taste of sludge and crust punk. The drums sprint at times with tasteful grind-blasts, and then slow down for the slower, crusty passages. The vocals on the album are a clean 50/50 split of unrestrained hardcore yelling, mixed with a harsh taste of metal screams. Put together, you get a take on grindcore that is original, yet still plays back to the ways of the greats like <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=1022">Terrorizer</a>. So, while it's been done before with other crusty grind bands, Nails has created their own, take on the genre, and it sounds prime. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now let's take on the other end of what the album sounds like - The production. Granted, these guys are still a somewhat smaller, unheard of band in the genre, but the production on this album is damn near spotless. It has a raw, almost D.I.Y. feel to it, as well as a polished, coherent sound. When these two aspects collide, it becomes every grindcore fans wet dream. The production adds a certain level of heaviness to the overall product, and it does nothing but compliment the work the band has done. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My one complaint on the album, beside the fact that the album is only fourteen minutes long (which is a pro and a con for the album), is that due to the low tuning of the bass, and the raw aspect of the production, sometimes the instrument gets a little drowned out. Obviously, it is more audible during the slow riffs on the album, but, during the speedy grind riffs, the bass is left M.I.A. at times. But, this is only a minor gripe, and it certainly didn't ruin me enjoying the album and the replay value that it possesses.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, if you're in the mood for some fresh, more underground grind or crust, I would highly suggest checking "Unsilent Death" out. It's definitely one of the more noteworthy albums I have heard this year, and it will definitely be in my iPod rotation for months to come. So, what the hell are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself a copy. Now.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Score: 8/10</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-69001175103968960912010-12-09T09:55:00.000-08:002010-12-09T09:55:33.107-08:00Druid<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=905199877-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/905199877-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://druid.bandcamp.com/">Free Download</a> of EP)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's hard to find genuinely good doom style metal around the Bangor/Brewer area of Maine. Thanks to Druid, we are provided some heavy tunes that mend the genres of doom, and thrashy hardcore to produce one of the freshest sludge sounds to come out of Maine in God knows how long.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Their first EP can be downloaded in the link underneath the image posted above. The album spans a little less than ten minutes, but packs a hard punch for the time you are alloted. The production is very fresh, and the mix allows all the instruments to be heard without any falling into the background. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">With the "Fuck You" mentality of the 80's punk scene, and the heavy style of some of the front-runners of the doom/sludge genre today, Druid is not a band to let pass you by. Their EP is merely a foreshadowing of things to come, so you better hop aboard before this train leaves your entrails scattered all over the tracks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you enjoy their music, become a fan of Druid on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Druid/111242435610645?v=info">Facebook</a>.</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-85974734073251865252010-12-07T22:28:00.000-08:002010-12-08T07:33:06.362-08:00Vulvectomy - Post-Abortion Slut Fuck<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=f2a5ec4b9652.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/f2a5ec4b9652.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Vulvectomy</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Post-Abortion Slut Fuck</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Brutal Death Metal (Slam)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">What can be expected from a band that takes it's name from a medical procedure in which a surgeon removes a woman's vagina? Pretty much what you expect from every other slam band out there today: Guttural vocals, crunchy guitars, blast beats, audio samples and <i>lots</i> of slams. For those who are unaware, a "slam" is essentially brutal death metal's version of a breakdown, except that a slam offers a lot more groove, and a lot less shame to the listener. Bands like Vulvectomy are defined by how good their slams are. So, what is the band bringing to their 2010 release "Post-Abortion Slut Fuck"? </div><div style="text-align: left;">Lets be honest. Brutal death/slam is by no means the thinking-man's metal. It has a reputation for being rather retarded. So, lets not delve too deeply into the smarts of this album, and get to what the true fans are wondering about (if you still haven't heard the album by the time this review came out): The slams! As far as originality goes, Vulvectomy did the best they could to generate some good grooves that kept the audience listening. Tracks like "Eugenic Sterilization" and "Gangrenous Testicular Deformity" display fresh slams that not only allow the listener to enjoy the music, but distinguish it from other tracks as well. Though it's not the best slam release that I've heard, it definitely separates itself from the heard of mindless bands that are churning this stuff out. For a frame of reference as to what shitty slam sounds like, I suggest <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theslamburglars">The Slamburglars</a>. But I digress. What else, if anything, makes this album worth your time?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Not that this is one of the things slam fans generally care too much about while listening, but the grind-ish death metal riffs in between slams are only up to par on this album. While some credit can be given, especially to the drummer, for musical talent during these passages, all of the riffs just kind of meld together, and can really throw you off as to what track your on. All I'm saying is that this aspect of the album doesn't compliment it as well as it could have. It's not exactly a bad thing, since they don't suck, but it isn't exactly a good thing since they aren't extraordinary by any means.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One thing that I was glad to hear was the firm tone of the guttural vocals on the album. True there isn't much variety when it comes to guttural growls (unless you're talking about <a href="http://www.myspace.com/heinouskillings">Heinous Killings</a>), but front-man Diego Fanelli does a great job of delivering a good tone and consistency to his vocal contributions on the album. It takes the album up a few notches, personally speaking.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As far as the production goes on this album, I was a tad disappointed. The album sounded a little too polished for my taste. While the audio clarity gives the listener an opportunity to better distinguish the musical aspect of the album, it also somewhat robs the type of raw, gritty experience you could get while listening to Devourment's "Molesting The Decapitated." I'm not sure if I consider this a downside to the album, so the issue shall remain neutral. In the end, it all comes down to preference.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My final gripe about this album is the choice of audio samples. They just aren't as deprived as they seemed to be on Vulvectomy's first full-length "Putrescent Clitoral Fermentation." The samples provided on this album just feel too dry, and lacking in either a punch-line or disturbing essence. It was definitely a let-down. But, luckily, samples don't make an album, so it isn't that detrimental to the album as a whole.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The final verdict on this album: Go get it. It's definitely a noteworthy contribution to the genre of brutal death/slam, and can definitely be listened to multiple times. I'm not sure that it surpasses "Putrescent Clitoral Fermentation," but it is a solid album for any fans of Vulvectomy or slam in general. So, get in touch with your primal urges to kill, defile and degrade the purity of human life. Go out and get this album!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Score: 7.5/10</b></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-63497954246883626822010-11-30T10:44:00.000-08:002010-11-30T10:48:17.565-08:00Absence of The Sun<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=Picture5.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/Picture5.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Absence of The Sun in all it's metal entirety)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">From Portland, ME, Absence of The Sun has come a long way since their conception in the winter of 2005. Blending aspects of Melodic Death Metal and Thrash from all regions of the world, these guys have created their own sound that is blisteringly fast and heavy. These guys know what they are doing, as evidence by their sophisticated guitar solos, and keyboard passages. It's a sound you've definitely heard; But never like this. These guys are certainly a band to check out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was lucky enough to catch a show with them and Last Chance To Reason in Brewer, ME a few nights back. Their set was more than one would expect from a local metal set. I haven't felt such stage presence since I saw Nachtmystium. AOTS' set was a complete wall of sound, which I appreciated a lot. The thing I appreciated more than that was the fact that it was a coherent wall of sound.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">They are handing out free demos at their shows, but if you aren't able to get to one, the two tracks ("Exalted" and "Blood of the Innocents") are included on their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/aotsmusic">MySpace</a> page. Don't let this band pass you by. They are a freight train moving at max speed, and getting hit by it is the best thing you can do for yourself. So, throw yourself on the tracks and experience Absence of The Sun in all their metal glory!</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-43917061819992053812010-11-29T19:35:00.000-08:002010-11-29T20:42:14.618-08:00Anthropophagus - Joe D'Amato<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=anthropophagus.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/anthropophagus.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Film: Anthropophagus</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Release Date: 1980</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Director: Joe D'Amato</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Anthropophagus" is one of Italian-Sleaze Master, Joe D'Amato's, most hyped horror films in his roughly 200 film career as a film director. The story focuses on "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080057/">Zombie</a>" actress Tisa Farrow and a gang of vacationers as they get stranded on a deserted island that is later revealed to have once been inhabited. They later find themselves being stalked by a cannibalistic killer that murdered the town's former residence. This film is notorious for a scene in which a woman's fetus is ripped from the womb, as well as a scene in which the cannibalistic foe ingests his own intestines before dying. But can two famous scenes hold up to all the talk this film has been given in the underground horror community? Here's your answer:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lets be honest; Unless it's an Argento film, chances are there won't be that much semblance of a <i>coherent</i> plot in Italian gore-cinema. So with this review, I won't be focusing on the plot, since pretty much all the viewers of films like this only care about three things: Blood, guts, and tits. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The blood and guts in this film seemed very few and far between. There is a semi-decent hatchet kill on a beach in the beginning of the film. The two scenes mentioned above were very well-done though. The fetus scene was rather intense, and was rather well done. The self-ingesting intestine scene also made this movie worth a watch. But other than that, the film seems to focus on a plot that isn't really there. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Since D'Amato is such a known sleaze director, it's necessary that the topic of naked women is covered while reviewing a film of his. Needless to say, there were tits in this movie. But, the sex wasn't as overwhelming as one would expect going into this film. I was hoping to at least see a scene I wouldn't want to watch with my mother. Unfortunately, that scene never came. Granted, nudity isn't the only thing that makes a movie, but when it comes to 80's Italian horror, it's almost a given. With that absence, the film sucked a little more.<br />
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Since this film hails from another country, you may be wondering about the dubbing in the film. Granted most older foreign horror movies have poor dubbing, the English dubbing on the transfer was terrible. I burst out laughing multiple times during my viewing of the film simply because of how ridiculous the voice acting was. I'm not exactly sure if that is a pro or con of this film. On the pro-side, it does add a little more entertainment value to the film. On the con-side, it disappoints more than entertains.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Overall, this film isn't all that it's cracked up to be. True, the fetus rip is sweet, and the film should be watched for that scene, but not much else. It's simply too slow to keep the attention of the high expectation gore-hound that will most likely be watching this movie, let alone a new-comer to the world of Italian exploitation films. The slow plot, lack of consistent bloody messes, and poor voice acting could send a lot of new views running away from the genre all-together.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Score: 5/10</b></div></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-52636618420076415482010-11-25T10:12:00.000-08:002010-11-25T11:06:00.910-08:00A Change of PaceSo, I'd been thinking of doing this from the very beginning, but had some hesitation at first. But, after pondering the idea for a few months, I think it's time to not only start reviewing new album releases with film releases as well. I'll probably be focusing on more obscure gore and sleaze films from the 80's. You know. Ones with intense amounts of gore, nudity and just a general intention of disgusting the audience with little to no merit whatsoever. So, hopefully I'll be getting movie reviews up here rather soon! Feel free to leave recommendations of films that you would like to see reviewed, or just give me some input on what you think of the idea. I feel like gory, disgusting horror films fit right in with the more extreme side of metal, and I'm hoping all of you readers out there will feel the same! <br />
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My first film review will most likely be of the 1980 Italian gore film "Anthropophagus" by the well-known sleaze director Joe D'Amato. Stay tuned for the review soon, and happy Thanksgiving, everyone!Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-51446070752250928362010-11-18T08:01:00.000-08:002010-11-18T08:02:28.471-08:00"HOLY SHIT!" This Band Sucks.<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i_uOv6hPX0g?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i_uOv6hPX0g?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Though an article posted on MetalSucks was posted in a similar vain to this one, I just couldn't help but post something about one of the most obnoxiously stupid bands of our generation. Monsters is some sort of retarded abomination of deathcore, metalcore, and pure lack of musical talent. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I tried checking their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/monsterswarfare">MySpace</a> to hear some of their tracks, but their music player wasn't working. A friend of mine quickly hooked me up with the shitty video above. All I ask, is that you go into this video ready to be pissed off and/or elated at how much these guys suck. I've listened to the track about five times now, hoping to find some semblance of an undertone that could stand as evidence that these guys were doing more than just chugging stupidly in a recording studio for a month. Those undertones never came. You know what this means - They actually are as shitty as they sound. Whoops! I guess someone forgot to bring a brain and creativity to the drawing board this time around.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, unless you are into this shitty new-wave of brainless breakdown after brainless breakdown, don't check these guys out. Hopefully the less support these shitty bands get, the more opportunity there is that they will go away forever. Unfortunately, this seems to be a growing trend in the metal scene. We can only pray these dumb-asses eventually smarten up.</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-16233644336522311552010-11-17T21:27:00.000-08:002010-11-17T21:38:40.813-08:00Non-Metal Recommendation of the Month: Kid Cudi - Man on The Moon, Vol. II: The Legend of Mr. Rager<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=1109kidcudi.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/1109kidcudi.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What the hell?! A rap album on a predominately metal blog?! That's right. This month's non-metal recommendation has little to no similarities to anything I've ever posted on here before. But isn't that the point of this monthly post? To be edgy and throw something on the table that most metal elitists will hate? Regardless, I digress. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cudi's second full-length release brings some of his most catchy and intricate work to date with tracks such as "Marijuana" and "Mojo So Dope." This album is rooted in two different schools of music - The first school being the school of rap/hip-hop, and the second being the school of atmosphere. There are certain tracks on this album that sound like a hip-hop track combined with certain atmospheric passages that sound incredibly inspired from Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of The Moon." What I'm trying to say is, this is not a run-of-the-mill rap album. All of the songs on the album have their own characteristics, atmosphere and mood to them. Every track is an example of the effort and expertise of the artists craft.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This album will provide the diversity to your music library that you are searching for. The other plus side to this album is that it's mainstream enough to be extremely accessible to any new listeners, yet well done enough to appreciate certain subtleties that most new mainstream artists fail to deliver. I can't stress enough how well done this album is. It's certainly an album that demands multiple re-plays to fully appreciate. This is mainly due to how the album is mixed. On the first listen, you'll probably appreciate the lyrical flow and general beats of the album. On the second, third, fourth (and so on) listens, you'll start to pick out the background instruments and sounds that take this album to a completely new level.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This being said, this album isn't recommended for all the hard-up metal elitists out there. But, I'm guessing once they saw which album I was recommending, they closed the tab on my page. So, to everyone else that's still reading - Check this album out! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-6998768676991353942010-11-12T22:27:00.000-08:002010-11-12T22:32:55.501-08:00Hallowed Butchery<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=l_e86b3aca663043c8b97a8b5def9ccdb8.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/l_e86b3aca663043c8b97a8b5def9ccdb8.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Hailing from Kennebec County, ME, <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=117162">Hallowed Butchery</a> is a one man Experimental Black/Doom/Folk metal act that is creating some of the most innovative and original doom to date. HB has three releases total (one of which can be ordered on the <a href="http://artproof.org/host/MWR/hallowedbutchery/index2.html">band website</a> on CD or Vinyl).</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=117162_photo.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/117162_photo.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Ryan Scott Fairfield - The sole member of Hallowed Butchery. He is also the front man of the thrash/death band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/terribleoldman">Terrible Old Man</a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">HB's first release, "Funeral Rites for the Living," is a nine track EP that spans just about thirty minutes. This EP pretty much buys you a front-row ticket to a thirty minute ritual of the occult deep within the woods of Maine. To do so, Fairfield combines aspects of long drawn out drone passages with passages that go acoustic. It's an odd musical composition, but it's damn-near flawless due to its bright originality and great production. Hell, the closing track on the EP is a cover of Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush." That's right - Badass.<br />
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This year, HB has churned out two different releases, the first of which being a four track demo tape (that's right - cassette tape) entitled "Canticle of the Beast: A Collection of Unreleased Demos." The tape was limited to 100 copies. Following up "Canticle of the Beast" is a split album between HB and Batillus. The split spans 28:50, and includes two new HB tracks. A sample of the split as well as tracks from "Canticles of the Beast" are included on the bands <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hallowedbutchery">MySpace</a> page. <br />
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Never forgetting the importance in the originality of music, Hallowed Butchery brings a new spin to the doom metal genre. Each track is a unique incantation that will leave you unnerved and haunted - In the best possible way, of course.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=320_hallowedbutcherycd.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/320_hallowedbutcherycd.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Funeral Rites of the Living - EP)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=274981.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/274981.gif" /></a><br />
(Canticle of the Beast: A Collection of Unreleased Demos - Demo)<br />
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<a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=281055_281056.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/281055_281056.jpg" /></a><br />
(Batillus/Hallowed Butchery Split)</div></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-5957087778928738432010-11-12T20:27:00.000-08:002010-11-12T20:27:54.295-08:00The Ocean - Anthropocentric<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=ocean-anthro.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/ocean-anthro.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: The Ocean (US)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Anthropocentric</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Progressive/Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Hardcore</i><br />
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German heavy-hitters, The Ocean, return from the drawing-board with possibly the most intricate music in their sixth full-length album "Anthropocentric." This release is a cumulation of all the music these guys have made in the past, and I have to say - It sounds amazing. You may be wondering, "what sets this album apart from their last full-length "Heliocentric?" Here are all the juicy details:<br />
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The Ocean has always been a band that you could see progression in musical style and skill throughout their releases. Some aspects took longer to improve on than others. I'll be honest. By the time "Heliocentric" came out, I was still not completely impressed by the clean singing that was being recorded on the albums. While I felt that the vocals always fit the music, I always found myself frustrated in the fact that the clean vocals were always inches away from the line that distinguishes the good clean vocals from the great clean vocals. I'm not sure if the vocalist got better with his voice, or the band got better at making the vocals blend with the music more, but, regardless, the cleans have crossed the metaphorical line, and truly sound great. This new found vocal beauty gives "Anthropocentric" the most mature and distinguished release in The Ocean's repertoire thus far. For the most part, the screams have transitioned over from the last album, which is a good thing. Once you've got a solid growl mastered, there is little to no reason to change it. The growls on "Anthropocentric" as deep, full growls that match the other instruments well.<br />
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Instruments wise, this album is a gem as well. Though The Ocean has had a pretty consistent sound throughout most of their albums, the riffs and beats of this album are fresh, catchy, rolling and sluggish at the same time. Though this formula is more than familiar, the band did a great job at not letting that restrain them from writing tracks that are reminiscent of older tracks, yet completely new at the same time. My favorite track off the album, "The Grand Inquisitor II: Roots & Locusts," is the epitome of my last statement. With style similar to the track "Metaphysics of the Hangman" off their last album, the track blends heavy, whipping riff-action with a fast-paced chorus that sticks out as the high-point of the album. The only difference is "The Grand Inquisitor II" is a far better track.<br />
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If you haven't noticed yet, The Ocean isn't in the bizz for making a few decent tracks to stand out from an otherwise bland album. Quite the contrary, they are in the bizz for just making whole albums into experiences. This is done through using the tracks of the album as vessels for carrying the overall mood of the album through it's duration. This is precisely what The Ocean does on this release. Through stellar pacing, and an atmosphere that could, well, fill an ocean, the band creates more than just an album on "Anthropocentric" - They craft a fine-tuned atmosphere that works in complete unison. <br />
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Though this album has many areas in which it demands high praise there was one place that kind of dropped the ball for me. It spans from the sixth track on the album, "The Grand Inquisitor III: A Tiny Grain of Faith." While the track sounds cool in it's own respect, it features a female guest singer (To whom I don't know a name), and doesn't hold much musical content other than a fancy violin section, and a spacey tonal passage. In short - The track seems like filler to me. It was a huge let-down, and frankly, the more I listen to the album, the less I like the track. It wouldn't have been such a let-down if the rest of the album weren't so damn good. But to have such a rolling album come to a halt for this one outcast song was a major disappointment on my end.<br />
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Luckily, this one song wasn't nearly bad enough to ruin the album. If you're a fan of any of The Ocean's previous works, I highly recommend you check out this one. Combining all aspects of past releases, it delivers a punch so hard that it comes up just inches behind the bands magnum opus "Precambrian." This is not an album you want to miss out on.<br />
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<b>Score: 8/10</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-38691930453247577782010-11-09T15:13:00.000-08:002010-11-09T18:43:10.434-08:00White Arms of Athena<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=AstrodramaCover.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/AstrodramaCover.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Cover of their new album "Astrodrama")</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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White Arms Of Athena is a technical/progressive metal band hailing from Mesquite, Texas. The band has released three EP's (all of which can be downloaded for free on their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/whitearmsofathena">MySpace</a>), and is currently working on their full-length "Astrodrama,"produced by the legendary Jamie King. <br />
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The bands music expands on the already vast array of attributes that come with a progressive metal band. With sounds ranging from cluttered grind riffs paying tasteful respects to Between the Buried and Me, solid heavy riffs to bang head to, along with peacefully structured ambient passages that soothe you just in time for another full-on attack of the senses, this band does it all with precision and originality.<br />
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Their lyricism and overall vibe from the instruments give their tunes a certain futuristic, other-worldly touch that only heavy-hitters in progressive metal, such as <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=91">Cynic</a>, can pull off. This is a major sign of a band who knows their music inside and out, and makes the wait on "Astrodrama" seem like a very promising one.<br />
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Along with the three free EP's available on their MySpace, the band has released two songs off of "Astrodrama." The tracks give a great taste of the upcoming album, as well as of the sophistication in musicianship that these guys are bringing to the table. The tracks are a foreshadowing of the onslaught these guys will be waging on the metal scene. Quite simply, everyone should think about upping their game now that White Arms of Athena are around.</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-70594561276088596092010-11-03T20:55:00.000-07:002010-11-04T10:39:51.089-07:00Pathology - Legacy of the Ancients<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=cover1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/cover1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Pathology</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Legacy of the Ancients</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Brutal Death Metal</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Releasing now their fourth full-length album, brutal death metal band <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=78281">Pathology</a> brings some heavy and technical riffs to the table with "Legacy of the Ancients." But are those riffs good enough to stick out in a sea of brutal death metal bands already going strong? Here's your answer:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Going into this album, I didn't have very high expectations. These guys being on Victory Records just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Generally, Victory tends to churn out the "metal" bands that have more hardcore influence than legit metal influence. Don't get me wrong. I love me some <a href="http://www.myspace.com/betweentheburiedandme">Between The Buried and Me</a>, but that's neither here nor there. Regardless, my hunch was correct. Though brutal death metal tends to sound a lot like deathcore at times, this album has some indisputably stupid breakdowns on it accompanied by some misplaced two-steps off of a Killwhitneydead release, which is a disappointment, because it also has some pretty decent slams and technical riffs to it. Unfortunately, none of these riffs or slams are overly memorable. A lot of the time you wonder if you are still listening to the same track you were listening to three minutes ago. Though slam and brutal death metal have a tendency to sound similar from song to song, bands like <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=97648">Vulvectomy</a> do a good job at setting the bar with memorable, responsible slams that let you know you aren't just listening to filler tracks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Though the tracks themselves are definitely lacking in some fundamental musical structure and writing, I have to say, all the instruments on this album are pretty tight sounding. The drums have a nice distinguished sound that blend well with the guitars. All the tones on this album sound heavy, and crisp. But, in honesty, they do lack personality in some respects. The bass was surprisingly audible, and I really appreciated that factor of the album. It added an element of heaviness to the album, which in turn added some overall fun to the album. The number one praise I have for this album is the skills of the front man for the band. he has some great guttural growls on this album, and it was definitely the most brutal aspect of the album, hands down.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My final gripe about this album is that...the production is too well done. Brutal death metal should be a gritty, disgusting sounding genre. There is a reason it gets so much flack, and the true fans of it revel in the fact that it sounds revolting. The album is simply too polished for a weathered brutal death listener to get into. So, as this may be looked at as a perk to some who are newer to the genre, the remainder of the listeners will feel somewhat displeased if you enjoy your brutal death in the vain of <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=818">Devourment</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The only way I would really recommend this album would be to someone who is either new to metal in general (Which I may even hesitate to do), or someone who is new to brutal death metal as a genre. The contributions that this album makes are very minimal and are so close to being deathcore that is a disappointment. But, in all fairness, what this album lacks in a lot of spots, makes up for to some degree in energy and a general sense of stupid fun. So I can't completely dislike it, but I can come damn close.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Score: 6/10</b></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-82334350769180013822010-11-03T19:41:00.000-07:002010-11-03T19:41:59.627-07:00Darkthrone - Circle The Wagons<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=darkthrone-circle-the-wagons.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/darkthrone-circle-the-wagons.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Darkthrone</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Circle The Wagons</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Punk/Black Metal</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
With a career spanning back to the late 1980's, black metal heavyweights <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=146">Darkthrone</a> are still making music. In their later years they have developed their own precise sound, blending the lyrics and vocal aspects of black metal with the speedy fast intensity of early punk and hardcore (along with a few aspects of speed and thrash metal). With their new release "Circle the Wagons," I found myself rather confused at the end of the album.<br />
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On the instrumental aspects of this album, it's pretty solid. I'd even go as far to say as it's pretty damn good in terms of staying true to the intensity and musical structure of the early thrash and punk bands of the '70s and '80s. This album provides straightforward speed riffs that don't aim to impress, or expand on the genre. All they aim to do is rock face and provide the listener something to bang their head and thrash out to. I viewed this album as an homage, of sorts, simply because it's so reminiscent of the early days of heavy thrash metal. In tracks such as "Stylized Corpse," both the fast groovy riffs, and intense melodic guitar solo that closes the track almost gives you the feeling that an old <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=97">Judas Priest</a> album. <br />
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The aspect that really bummed me out, and singlehandedly ruined the album for me were the vocals. I've never really been a fan of Darkthrone's vocals, but I've always been able to see past them and appreciate the "bigger picture," so to speak, of the album. With "Circle the Wagons," the vocals are so overpowering and have this tendency to hang in the foreground of every song, that it is damn-near impossible to ignore them. The random touches of reverb that were applied, along with the bloody-ear educing clean singing featured on this album come completely out of left field. I'm not exactly sure what the band was going for when they recorded the vocals, but they landed far off the mark. <br />
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The production on this album enhances both the pros and cons of the album in which I just listed. Darkthrone has never been known for top-notch production on their albums. But, again, it establishes them as who they are. The grimy tinge that the mix on this album gives the guitars tones makes the listening experience feel more D.I.Y. But, the production is definitely a double-sided sword. The low-end production, in turn, ends up making the vocals sound more atrocious on the final product. It really creates a giant conflict in giving this album a grade.<br />
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Though this album features so intense riffs, and a fun atmosphere for fans of early metal, the vocals overshadow all, leaving the wheels to fall of this dingy old wagon. The vocals tie it down, and leave it destined to sink, dead in the water.<br />
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<b>Score: 5/10</b></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-20553079953039667572010-10-20T10:51:00.000-07:002010-10-20T10:52:08.473-07:00Non-Metal Recommendation of the Month: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=bon-iver.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/bon-iver.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Bon Iver</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: For Emma, Forever Ago</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Folk</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since being released in February of 2008, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/boniver">Bon Iver</a>'s magnum opus "For Emma, Forever Ago" has yet to get old. This album is just jam-packed full of flawless songwriting, emotion, and atmosphere, and it's easy to see why. After the break-up of his previous band, Justin Vernon retreated to a cabin in Wisconsin in hopes of "hibernating." That is how this album came to be. One man, living on his own, in a cabin filled with his own sorrows, regrets and insecurities. The final product delivers a first hand account of the inner workings of this, dare I say, geniuses head.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's face it. We all get sad at some point in our life. When that time comes, I highly recommend you throw this album in the player. It may not be the pick-me-up you need, but what it will do is provide you with the proper mindset to think, and to cope, as well as peace of mind that you're not the only one out there who is hurtin'. This album will touch you in places of your emotions you never knew existed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, if you're feeling like diverging from your solid intake of ear-blasting metal, check this album out. It's truly one of a kind, and you'll find yourself yearning to hear it many times over. It's a little gem that you can bust out whenever you're feeling down, or just need something different. It's tiny bit of zest that everyone needs in their music library. Plus, the chicks dig it! Go out and pick this one up!</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-7743044868611400122010-10-19T18:49:00.000-07:002010-10-19T18:52:54.244-07:00Annotations of An Autopsy - II: The Reign of Darkness<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=AnnotationsofanAutopsy-IITheReignofDarkness1NewSong2010.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/AnnotationsofanAutopsy-IITheReignofDarkness1NewSong2010.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Annotations of An Autopsy</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: II: The Reign of Darkness</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Death Metal/Deathcore</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Newly transformed death metal band Annotations of An Autopsy delivers their first full-length album since switching genres from the stale realm of deathcore. This album is definitely a move in the right direction for the band in terms of musical growth, but there are still areas in which the band relies heavily on the chug-a-lug breakdowns that somehow made them famous.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lets be honest. The genre of deatchore catches a lot of flack for being a lazy genre. But, after hearing a lot of the music that is popular in the genre, it is easy to see why. Most bands rely too heavily on mindless breakdowns and poor lyrical essence. Clearly, Annotations of An Autopsy wanted to prove themselves as musicians on this album. I don't know if I can say their efforts fully payed off. True, this album has some good ol' death metal influence to it. But, just because there is influence, doesn't mean it's good. Most of the tracks on this album feel rushed, and as if they are only there for filler. The riffs have a tendency to build to a stupidly slow breakdown that sounds far too familiar for my liking. There are guitar solos in the most random spots in songs, and the drums seem to be doing the same exact thing every track, while the bass is completely inaudible. With this release, it seems like the band had a bunch of riffs that they had written, and decided to throw together in random order without any time or thought.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The poor structure leads to a lack of emotion in the music. For most death metal bands these days, it seems pretty clear about what they are pissed off about. I get the feeling through the music that the band produced, that they don't really know why they are pissed, other then because they are supposed to to fit in. While this album was aimed to establish them as a death metal act to be taken seriously, it has really only reduced them to that awkward kid that stands in the corner at a party talking to himself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The final thing that truly bugged me about this album were the lyrics. I'm going to be frank. They sound like they were written by a five year old, and they are on the same level as the lyrics displayed on <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=3540265815">Howl</a>'s "Full of Hell" album. The only difference between the two is that "Full of Hell" has some good music to drown out the awful lyrics. The same can't be said for "II: The Reign of Darkness." The piss-pour lyrical content is clearly displayed in tracks such as "In Snakes I Bathe," where the lyrics "You make me fucking sick" are present at least six different times in the song. Again, the songs feel like filler. If all you're coming up with is "You make me fucking sick" over and over again, it sounds like you need a new writing implement.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Though there are a lot of negative aspects to this album, it isn't all awful. Songs like "Catastrophic Hybridization" and "Impale the Sun" show that there is some driving force of death metal on the album. The band actually formed some decent riffs that were head-bang worthy. Unfortunately, said riffs didn't last long enough, and transpired into nothing more then another heartless breakdown. All the same, it's a serious step in a good direction. Hopefully on their next release, there will be more music like it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all, this album was a failed attempt at being a legitimate death metal release. The band reverted back to their lazy roots far too much, and didn't spend nearly enough time making fresh, quality music. The riffs, solos, and drum beats are all too bland and stale to give the album any more presence then a stale bag of marshmallows. Do yourself a favor and skip this album if you are into real death metal. If you're more of a deathcore listener, then chances are you'll be enjoying this album a lot more than I will.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Score: 4/10</b></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-28081446084126954902010-10-17T22:10:00.000-07:002010-10-18T16:15:16.808-07:00Last Chance To Reason<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=Picture2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/Picture2.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Photo Credit: Jessica Harvey)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When it comes to progressive metal, one can expect just about anything. Bands like <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dreamtheater">Dream Theater</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hunabku">Hunab Ku</a> or even <a href="http://www.myspace.com/augury">Augury</a> prove this point. What I'm saying is, in the realm of progressive metal, just about anything goes, and anything could be the next <i>big</i> thing. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lastchancetoreason">Last Chance To Reason</a> hopes to be <i>that </i>thing, exactly.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hailing from Augusta, ME, Last Chance To Reason is further blurring the lines of, as well as expanding on, the already vast landscape that is progressive metal. With the wait on their new concept-album, "Level 2," soon to be announced, fans are growing anxious for the drop of the album, as well as what comes with the record.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The band's new concept-album is based on a video-game that the band wrote and are making themselves, with the help of a Mr. Tom Vine. The band wrote about the album/game on their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lastchancetoreason">MySpace</a> saying:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" style="line-height: 0.13in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">"Level 2 is a new take on both the concept album and the videogame. It is a melding of both arts into a unified experience. In Level 2 you will battle through fully interactive interpretations of Last Chance to Reason’s futuristic progressive metal. The game/album’s story unfolds through thematic riffs, stirring vocal hooks and progressive virtuosity while the player blasts his way through viscous gameplay inspired by classics such as R-Type, Contra, and Super Metroid. Level 2, a collaboration between LCTR and indie game developer Tom Vine is slated for release in 2010."</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, If you're wondering what the video-game will look like, here is a quick 10 second clip of the boss at the end of the first level:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lPGRUiZ0i7w?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lPGRUiZ0i7w?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Last Chance To Reason is an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with. The six piece band bring the sounds of two schools of progressive axe-work, a six string bass, futuristic murmurs via key-board, drums so complex you'd swear the guy had three arms, and a mix of clean and harsh vocals that will hush you with allure, and beat you to the ground with no remorse. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">These guys have already finished one tour with the band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ironthrones">Iron Thrones</a>, and will start touring the album more as the release date grows closer. The band also has just been announced to be on Prosthetic Records. You can check the band's MySpace and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/lastchancetoreason">Facebook</a> for future live shows coming near you. The brutality of their music can be heard in their recordings, and felt as they dominate the stage live. It's a show you will certainly not want to miss. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're a fan of heavy music whatsoever (or video-games, for that matter), I highly recommend you check these guys out, and urge you to keep an eye out for them. Their futuristic brutality can not, and will not be stopped.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-51172027935333324482010-10-07T20:38:00.000-07:002010-10-07T21:03:26.811-07:00The Saddest Landscape - You Will Not Survive<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=TSL_Cover.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/TSL_Cover.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: The Saddest Landscape</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: You Will Not Survive</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Screamo</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
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</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Saddest Landscape has come a long way since their formation years ago. Early on, they established themselves as one of the forerunners in the screamo/emo scene, combining hauntingly atmospheric passages with riffs and beats of complete chaos to follow. Their latest release, "You Will Not Survive" is more than just another screamo album. This album is a milestone in the career of a band that continually grows upon itself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This album is a true gem, in that there is nothing like it. This is still The Saddest Landscape, yet its them in a completely different light. Their growing musical talents, along with the bond that these band members share is reflected clearly in the music that they produce on this record. Being a fan of the band for a year or two now, I've grown accustom to how these guys sound, and to hear something that is completely different, yet almost exactly the same really says a lot about the where the heart of this music lies. It shows a great sophistication in the musical abilities of the band.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Most of the songs off "You Will Not Survive," are in the same vein of pretty much all the other songs TSL have made. The exception that makes these songs even better than usual, is the fact that these are all sad or angry songs, and they are clinging to the past in the same way we cling to our painful memories. This quality of the album gives the listener a very personal experience while listening.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tracks such as "Declaring A War On Nostalgia," and "Imperfect, But Ours" are prime examples of the rage and pain that is engrained deep down into every note of this album. Every scream is a haunting reminder of the skeletons in your closet that surround you every day. It's this aspect of the album that listeners will be able to relate to most. Each one of the songs touches a fear, insecurity, dread, or pain and lets you know that you're not alone in your feelings. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On the technical end of the album. All is the same in the musics form. I don't want to say that the music is rehashed, because, honestly, some of the band's best work to date is on this album. The music is simply familiar. It's the emotions driving the music that are different this time around. It's almost as if The Saddest Landscape are allowing the listener to live vicariously through their music on this album.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The sound of the release is phenomenal, as well. This is another characteristic of the album that contributes to a more mature sound. This album doesn't sound like it was recorded in a basement (not that that's a bad thing). It has a very polished sound, which I feel gives this album not only more accessibility, as well as makes a bolder statement when conveying the emotions of the music to the listener.<br />
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I'd like to think that this whole album is a musical representation of the journey that this band has gone on. "You Will Not Survive" pulls traces of all their previous releases, mends them all into one sound, and then presents the emotions of the artists at this point in their life. It's almost like a musical documentary on the lives of these guys.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, if you are already a fan of The Saddest Landscape, I highly encourage you to track this album down. It's their best to date, and the band shows no sign of letting up on the intensity as the years go on. Also, if you are new to screamo, pick this album up. It is very accessible for first time screamo listeners. I'm giving this a green-light for pretty much anyone who has an interest in the emotional side of screamo. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Score: 9/10</b></div>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-13797612134275261612010-10-07T14:25:00.000-07:002010-10-07T19:54:41.813-07:00DeathCult - The Living, The Dying, and The Damned<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=Picture1.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/Picture1.png" /></a></div><br />
<i>Band: DeathCult (U.S.)</i><br />
<i>Album: The Living, The Dying, and The Damned</i><br />
<i>Genre: Death Metal</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Isn't it funny how some of the more talented bands never seem to strike it big, forever doomed to be lost in time? It's a real shame because tons of bands that should be recognized simply aren't. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, DeathCult is one of these bands I am talking about. On their first (and only) full-length album, they establish themselves as musicians who both know what they are doing, as well as possess a yearning to break the confines of the generic meat and potatoes style of old-school death metal. <br />
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There are various elements of "The Living, The Dying, and The Damned" that make it a noteworthy release. This album seems very reminiscent of <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=285">Autopsy</a>'s album "Mental Funeral," in that it incorporates both the traditional death metal sound with a demented sort of doom metal aspect as well. These guys clearly know what they are doing, because the riffs sound heavy as hell, and are very easy to slam your head to. The band also makes great use of the dual guitar on this album. The two instruments are very well mixed in the sense that you can hear both doing their own thing at the same time. Both players are audible throughout the whole album, instead of just getting muddled into one cluster of sound.<br />
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The flow of the album is another one of its noteworthy qualities. DeathCult knew exactly what they were aiming for when writing and recording this album. I find that with a lot of bands (especially the more unheard of ones) some of the tracks on an album feel forced, almost as though they were just made to fill up space on the album. Each track off "The Living, The Dying, and The Damned" has it's own atmosphere and place on the album. When you listen to the album, it doesn't feel like a collection of songs. It simply sounds like an album, and its a quality that is appreciate that greatly.<br />
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All this being said, there were some aspects of the album that were off-putting to me. Before I get too far into this, I must say, that for an unsigned death metal band, the production on this album is far above par. The guitars, drums and vocals blend very well, but my one complaint is that very seldom is the bass audible. This is generally on the slower doomy passages, when there isn't as much chaos going on. But, when I listen to heavy music, I want to hear that bass slamming along. It's something that takes away from the finished product. <br />
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The other aspect of the album that I couldn't quite get into was the hint of avant-garde that is sprinkled throughout this album. It was interesting in a way, because it reminded me somewhat of the early releases by <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=1124">Gorguts</a>. I'm not saying that these passages of the album weren't well done, because they were. It's just simply not my kind of thing.<br />
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So, if you are sick of all this chugging new-aged death metal, and you want a blast from the past in a very refreshing way, I highly recommend you check out DeathCult. They are a rather unheard of band that brings a lot of intensity to their music. If you aren't into avant-garde death, I'd still give it a shot. There is far more death and doom to this album then anything. You can check these guys out by visiting them on their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/deathcultla">MySpace</a> page. Show them your support, because these guys have churned out a pretty solid first full-length here.<br />
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<b>Score: 7/10</b>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-71480987883646762962010-09-23T11:07:00.000-07:002010-10-07T21:15:11.876-07:00Flannel Collective<center><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=25656_327426307707_51045062707_3442084_5851702_n.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/25656_327426307707_51045062707_3442084_5851702_n.jpg" /></a><center><i>(Cover of <a href="http://flannelcollective.com/purchase/">Flannel Volume Two, Number One</a>)</i> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br />
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</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">Okay, so let's be honest. Who of you readers outside New England can actually locate the great state of Maine on a map. Who of you have even heard of Maine?! My point exactly. Any tourist that you ask will tell you about the lovely, quaint coast of Maine, all the lovely lighthouses to admire, and all the cute little rink-dink inns that you can stay at when you go there. But, fuck all that jazz. The publishers of Flannel Magazine are here to give you an actual glimpse into the true culture of Maine. </span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">The contents of the magazine are filled with work from local artists all around Maine, that spans from writings, drawings, photographs, and adds for local Maine businesses and bands, and they are currently working on putting together their fifth issue. The magazine aims to give the reader a distinct feeling for what Maine art is </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">really</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"> about. If you want to get your hands on a copy of the latest issue, or are a Maine artist or band looking to get your name out there by submitting work, send an email to sean@flannelcollective.com. Issues of Flannel have been sent around the world, including Australia. Their fan basis continues to grow day by day, and the prices are super cheap. If you're interested in Flannel, check out their </span></span><a href="http://flannelcollective.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">official website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">, or check them out on </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/flannelcollective"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">facebook</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">Unfortunately, the latest issue is sold out at this time. But, dropping them an email now, will certainly help ensure that you get your hands on the next issue, which they are currently working on. The more support this local magazine gets, the bigger it will become. So if you are a supporter of the local arts at all, you should check this out, and keep local DIY art thriving.</span></span></div></div></center></center>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-5898198830902527822010-09-06T11:34:00.001-07:002010-09-06T11:44:17.881-07:00Bongripper - Satan Worshipping Doom<center><div style="text-align: auto;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=swdf1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/swdf1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Bongripper</i></div></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Satan Worshipping Doom</i></div></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre:Sludge/Doom Metal</i></div></div><div class="p2"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><i></i></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;">In the realm of instrumental sludge and doom metal, there is one band that rules all with an iron fist. That band, of course, is Bongripper. Formed in 2005, the band has worked hard, creating five previous albums. Their sixth, <i>Satan Worshipping Doom</i> has arguably become their best pieces of work to date, surpassing their 2008 fan-favorite, <i>Hate Ashbury</i>. So you may be asking yourself, what separates their newest album from all the rest? Here's the answer:</div></div><div class="p2"><i></i></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Having been a fan of Bongripper for about a year now, I've come to recognized and become accustom to their unique sound (Which is saying quite a bit, since originality is one of the hardest things for a sludge or doom band to possess). Each of their albums contains a certain quality that sets the atmosphere for all the songs, as well as playing into the title of the release. Bongripper keeps this formatting for <i>Satan Worshipping Doom</i>, but the concept of this album (That being satanic worship) gives the band a fresh fulfilling sound, while still staying true to the music they have produced in the past. This aspect of the album shows signs of not only great musicianship, but of growth within the band.</div></div><div class="p2"><i></i></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
While Bongripper's earlier albums such as <i>The Great Barrier Reefer</i> and <i>Heroin</i> seemed to be focused around a central theme of drugs, this four-track album stands apart from their previous work by giving you a front row seat to a roughly 54 minute satanic ritual that possesses you to do nothing more than give your soul to Satan and bang your head in sheer delight. </div></div><div class="p2"><i></i></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Since originality doesn't come easy in any form of music, sludge and doom metal being a perfect example, bands need to know the music they are writing inside and out to ensure that the album will not only fit the genre they are aiming for, but offer the listeners something new as well. Instead of selling out and giving listeners something more generic while calling it a fresh change of sound, Bongripper sticks to a format that has done them well for six albums now. Playing at slow and plodding paces (With the exception to the second track, “Satan,” which opens with a very interesting black metal riff), the band focuses on their builds into climactic, heavy riffs that sound inspired and original. The timing and pacing of this album is one of, if not, the best quality <i>Satan Worshipping Doom</i> has to offer. The riffs themselves sound unique and fresh, as well reminiscent of earlier doom metal acts such as Pentegram or Candlemass. Another fresh aspect to the music on this album is the memorable, perfectly placed, psychedelic guitar solos that are presented in the tracks “Satan” and “Worship.” These solos play into the dark, evil tone of the album as well as flaunting the skills of axe-men Dennis Pleckham and Nick Dellacroce in their playing and writing abilities.</div></div><div class="p2"><i></i></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
The last thing that makes this album particularly great, is of course, the production. While some sludge bands, such as EYEHATEGOD or Sourvein, choose to revel in their sloppy production, Bongripper takes the clean cut approach to how this album sounded. The mix on the album makes it so all all the instruments are audible at all times, and that the concept of the album can fully blossom. What I'm trying to say is, the albums sound kicks ass.</div></div><div class="p2"><i></i></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
My only miniscule complaint with this album is that there are a lack of vocals on this release. I have a preference for high screams in the type of music that Bongripper plays, but in all honesty, I wouldn't have this album any other way. It's damn near flawless as is. So, if you are someone like me, who enjoys screaming with your sludge, don't let the absence of vocals scare you away from this album. The subtexts buried deep within the riffs and drum beats give this album the missing personality that is usually gained from a vocalist.</div></div><div class="p2"><i></i></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
If you are at all a fan of groovy, slow paced music, I would highly recommend this album. It's not only one of Bongripper's best, but it is also very accessible for first time listeners to get into the band. Regardless of how deep into sludge or doom metal you get, this release will not disappoint. Bongripper displays the necessary talent to be one of the driving forces in todays sludge scene. They will not be silenced.</div></div><div class="p2"><i></i></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
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<b>Score: 9.5/10</b></div></div></center></center>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702640310874840350.post-69836130587426607372010-08-15T07:20:00.000-07:002010-09-23T23:01:27.024-07:00Terrible Old Man - Self Titled Demo<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/?action=view&current=l_88464b52831247d1bbd7ff48fda4dc2c-1.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac187/AlexDavenport1991/l_88464b52831247d1bbd7ff48fda4dc2c-1.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><i>Band: Terrible Old Man</i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Album: Terrible Old Man (Three song demo)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Genre: Progressive Death/Thrash Metal </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">In a stagnant and cold wasteland of recycled music that is known as the Maine Metal scene, one band sticks out from almost all the rest. Terrible Old Man, hailing from Waterville, ME choose to destroy your senses with screeching vocals, fast, sweeping guitar solos and intense blast beats in exchange for the slow, chugging breakdowns everyone has come to expect from a local metal band. Their first release (a three song, self titled demo) is a display of true musicianship and understanding of the music they aim to make.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Most new-aged thrash bands fall victim to the, now boring, standard format of thrash metal writing. Said bands just try to play fast and have an aggressive attitude that comes out in their live shows. Though Terrible Old Man does both of these things, their music is not stale. Their heightened understanding of music allows them to take the death/thrash format and expand it in a way that makes their music completely their own. While Between The Buried and Me are said to sound like Dream Theater, and The County Medical Examiners are a straight Carcass rip-off, Terrible Old Man's sound is completely their own. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In this demo, you are getting an array of different musical dynamics that make this release great. Frontman, Ryan Fairfield's, vocals give this little demo an evil tone as he screams the dark incantations of each track on the release. The lyrics are written in the reminiscent style of the old H.P. Lovecraft short stories (Which is quite fitting since their name comes from the title of one of his stories).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Both James Violette and Brad Bolduc display their shredding abilities to ultimate extremes. For a band recording their first release, the guitar work is top-notch. Each song on the demo includes at least two solos that not only sound great while complimenting the music, but also flaunt a certain sophistication of their skills as guitarists.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Eddie Tardiff also makes a name for himself as one of the few metal bassists to still use his fingers instead of a pick. Tardiff has the necessary chops to keep up with the shredding guitar, as well as compliment the riffs by giving them an audible heaviness that really flows with the music. That's right folks! You can actually hear the bass on this release, and it's quite fantastic!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To wrap it all up, Coby Violette's precision drumming on the demo seals the deal. From straight blast beats to gravity blast, he does it all, and it works in a refreshing way. All of his beats are completely his own. His writing ability mixed with his speed and endurance work to create the cohesive flow that this album possesses. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The last aspect of this release that was incredibly impressive is the production on this demo. When the words "metal" and "demo" are said in the same sentence, the average listener would expect a lacking sound production, and quite frankly, a shitty mix. Everything on this album sounds crisp and audible without just melding into some unintelligible wall of sound. Every instrument does its own thing while still working in unison to create one of the best listening experience I've had in years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, as of right now, the only way to get ahold of this release is to go to one of their live shows. If you are capable of doing so, make the trip. Not only is this demo completely worth it, but their live show is a brute force assault of straight, pissed off metal that will leave your jaws hanging down below your knees. But, lucky for those unfortunate souls who aren't close enough to check out a Terrible Old Man set, they have all three songs from the demo up on their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/terribleoldman">MySpace</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/terribleoldman?ref=ts">Facebook</a> pages. Keep an eye out for these guys by adding/becoming a fan of them. Terrible Old Man is one band that is destined for big things. They will not be ignored.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<b>Score: 9/10</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><i></i>Alex Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05082505220448825676noreply@blogger.com3