Archive for October, 2007
Once upon a time, a little Australian thrash band by the name of Mortal Sin were beginning to make a name for themselves in their land in Europe. They garnered a mild following overseas by touring with some mainstream acts, but after a U.S. tour of only a few shows, the band finally disintegrated. Various members of the band had trouble staying apart based on the cult following they had developed following their untimely demise, which culminated into a short lived reunion in the late 90’s. However, in 2004, the band name was once again revitalized with some new blood, and a new album entitled An Absence of Faith was released this year.
So, what is the significance of an upstart Australian thrash band reuniting? Well, besides the fact that they fucking rip your face off and have developed some of the best thrash riffs, I guess nothing. Mortal Sin, while not gaining vast amounts of noteriety outside of their native land, have had the post-mortem effect on the world by having some of their earlier albums re-released on CD after years of accumulating dust as vinyl gaining them a newfound set of ears in far off lands. The metal community, single handedly, revitalized this band, and I can say I had been waiting in eager anticipation for this 2007 release, and Lord was I not let down.
To any metalhead who appreciates thrash, An Absence of Faith can wholely by understood and enjoyed, but, much like a fine microbrewed lager, Mortal Sin is savored much more succinctly when you have listened to their previous works when a reunion really wasn’t even a glimpse on the horizon. For me, being an undying thrash fanatic, An Absence of Faith isn’t the be all end all of modern thrash, but it is quite an achievement for a band that was once composed of relative youngsters, to come back as grown men, and compose a brand new set of songs that could have easily been transplanted from 1987 (which, for a thrash band, is about as good of a compliment as you can get).
The highlight of the album for me is Part 2 of one of my favorite thrash songs of all time, “Lebanon”. Entitled matter of factly as “Lebanon Pt. 2: Tears of Redemption”, this song takes us back to the politically driven piece about Middle Eastern chaos. Originally focusing on the 1980’s conflict in Lebanon, this second dose of political reality is a return 20 years later that is a sparse commentary on the conflict that continues to this day in the region. I don’t feel I should take liberties defining exactly what the lyrics entail about such a subject, but feeling the anger, and the importance of such a topic is very well done. Unlike Slayer who take controversial subjects straight to the bank as the KISS of the thrash world, Mortal Sin seems to sincerely take this subject to heart, and write some brutal riffs around some telling lyrics. By far the best song on the album, and one of my favorites from the band. Great comeback!
The rest of the album contains songs that absolutely fit. Either the album is one almost entirely of filler, or there is no filler to be had, either way, it doesn’t matter, because the flow from one song to the next is smooth with a great feel (I feel like I am promoting an Ex-Lax commercial) which creates a great modern thrash album. I sincerely hope Mortal Sin decide to stick it out this time around, because I for one am still a fan, and I am willing to bet I am far from being the only one.
VERY GOOD
Top Tracks: Tears of Redemption, Say Your Prayers, Lost Within, Eye in the Sky
Similar Artists: Death Angel, Exodus, Overkill
1. Out of the Darkness 03:38
2. Deadman Walking 05:45
3. Tears of Redemption 08:53
4. Before the Bough Breaks 04:53
5. Rise or Fall 03:53
6. My Nightmare 03:48
7. Say Your Prayers 04:24
8. Lost Within 04:09
9. Eye in the Sky 04:36
10. Broken Promises 03:42
Mat Maurer – Vocals
Nathan Shae – Guitars
Mick Sultana – Guitars
Andy Eftichiou – Bass
Luke Cook – Drums
Riot Entertainment
http://www.mortalsin.com.au/
http://www.myspace.com/mortalsinners
My first exposure to Demiricous was at the 2007 New England Metal and Hardcore festival. I had never heard of them but had been told that they were a solid modern thrash band by my fellow bloggers, Nate and” WARGLORY.” The performance was short, as most are at festival shows but I was really impressed. I got their first album, One (Hellbound), and after listening was instantly a fan. Their sound on that album was of the “death-thrash” style, most comparable to recent Slayer releases with more guttural vocals. In their sophomore effort, Two (Poverty), Demiricous has found their true sound and style. From start to finish each of the 12 tracks has a great flow and a gritty, in your face style that beckons you to bang your head. It strays slightly from their previous release in that the vocalist, Nate Olp, has changed his style. Instead of the raspy vocals used on One (Hellbound), Olp pulls back on the raspy style and pushes forward with a more straight forward bark which is extremely similar to that of Human Furnace from the Cleveland metalcore pioneers, Ringworm. I also notice other similarities to Ringworm in the overall sound of the album, especially to Ringworm’s latest release Justice Replaced by Revenge. The riffs and beats are very similar and the songs seem to follow the same pace (The difference is that I was not a fan of Justice Replaced by Revenge.) The reason why I love this new Demiricous album is because unlike Ringworm, Demiricous has pushed this album in a direction in which they needed to go: Thrash. Their previous album was a great start but it wasn’t spectacular. If they had continued with the sound off of “One,” they would have had a small run and faded into obscurity. “Two” takes every good piece from “One” and runs with it and pushes it away from the Death side of Thrash and more towards pure Thrash without sporting ripped jeans and Nuclear Assault concert tees. The album is crisp, rugged and fast; just what every Thrash fan should want from a young band in 2007 (not named Municipal Waste).
Two (Poverty) is a huge accomplishment and step forward for Demiricous. This album cements them as one of the top Thrash bands today. In addition to that honor, it could very well push them to the next level in terms of popularity. The album is catchy and palatable enough for the casual metal fan to really enjoy. Its fast paced and an overall entertaining listen. While it may not be the 80’s when Thrash was hugely popular in the metal scene, with releases like Two (Poverty) and The Art of Partying by Municipal Waste, Thrash is still alive and banging its head in 2007.
VERY GOOD
Top Tracks: Never Enough Road, Engineer, Knuckle Eye
Similar Bands: Slayer, Blood Tsunami, Ringworm
- “Never Enough Road”
- “Expression Of Immunity To God”
- “Knuckle Eye”
- “Leprosaic Belief”
- “Language Of Oblivion”
- “Tusk And Claw”
- “Appreciation For Misery”
- “Engineer”
- “Celebration Of Damage”
- “Acid Lung”
- “Stress Festish”
- “Blackish Silver”
Scott Wilson- Rhythm Guitar
Ben Parrish- Lead Guitar
Nate Olp- Vocals, Bass
Dustin Boltjes- Drums
Metal Blade (2007)
www.demiricous.com
www.myspace.com/demiricous
Reviewed by: Cole
18
Oct
07
Tour Update From Psyopus
***taken from Psyopus mypsace
Howdy y’all,
First off, we’d really appreciate the help getting the bands name out there. You can help by putting a song like “Scissor Fuck Paper Doll” on your page or you could also put Psyopus in your top friends. One small step for a blast beat fan, . . . one giant leap of help for us mediocre musicians.
Well, . . . Psyopus will be finally hitting the road again after a small haitus involving some line up changes as previously updated. We’re eager to get back out and we have a great opportunity to start out on the right foot with these up and coming Melt Banana dates.
Psyopus will also be playing our first show in Canada!!! on Nov 4th in Toronto with Misery Index.
But first, Psyopus will be breaking in new bassist Mike Horn with a semi-regional show in Norwich, NY on this upcoming Halloween weekend. If your in the neighboring regions (Binghamton, Ithaca, Syracuse, Utica), let your peeps know and definitely come check it out.
Directly after the last Melt Banana date in Rochester, NY, Psyopus guitarist, Arpmandude, will be flying down to Birmingham, AL to jump on board with The Reverend Horton Heat, Hank 3, and Nashville Pussy for their November tour. Arpmandude will be playing guitar with Hank 3 again so come out and holla’ at your boy sportin’ the overalls!!!
PSYOPUS
w/local support
27 Oct – Norwich Family YMCA – Norwich, New York
MELT BANANA
w/Psyopus
2 Nov – The Grog Shop – Cleveland Heights, Ohio
3 Nov – Benedum Auditoium University of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
MISERY INDEX
w/Psyopus
4 Nov – Fun Haus – Toronto, Ontario
MELT BANANA
w/Psyopus
5 Nov – Big Orbit’s Soundlab – Buffalo, New York
6 Nov – The Bug Jar – Rochester, New York
THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT
HANK 3 & ASSJACK (featuring Arpmandude from Psyopus)
NASHVILLE PUSSY
Nov 07 Birmingham AL Zydeco
Nov 08 Atlanta GA Roxy Theatre
Nov 09 Asheville NC The Orange Peel
Nov 10 Raleigh NC Lincoln Theatre
Nov 11 Richmond VA Toad’s Place
Nov 13 New York NY Highline Ballroom
Nov 14 Philadelphia PA Theater of the Living Arts
Nov 15 Washington DC 9:30 Club
Nov 17 Boston MA The Roxy
Nov 18 New Haven CT Toad’s Place
Nov 20 Cincinnati OH Bogart’s
Nov 21 Nashville TN Cannery Ballroom
Progressive metal is one of those sub-genres where you really can do no wrong. The basic definition of progressive metal is metal with odd time signatures with musical influences that are virtually limitless. In this day in age, you come across many progressive bands that have their basis in alternative forms of metal, but use progressive techniques to further their sound (i.e. Sigh, Death, Atheist, Meshuggah, The Red Chord) which makes for a rich tapestry of different sounds that really get their influences from bands like RUSH, Dream Theater, and Pink Floyd amongst an assortment of others. Still, for many traditionalists, the “traditional sound” of progressive metal (if that exists) has its roots in standard heavy metal with progressive influences enfused. The modern stalwarts of the progressive metal movement starting in the late 80’s are Dream Theater who most metal and hard rock fans will know. However, an assortment of bands which have taken Dream Theater’s lead, have offered some uncanny albums of excellent progressive music. In 2005, I had the fortune to discover one of these bands from the Norwegian scene, Circus Maximus and their debut, The 1st Chapter.
Likening Circus Maximus to Dream Theater is very easy and obvious because Circus Maximus has obviously great respect and admiration for the latter. From start to finish The 1st Chapter is an ode to Dream Theater, but to say they are copycats, or a glorified cover band would be criminal. Circus Maximus, an unknown band with an unknown group of musicians to Americans released an album that quickly gained them enormous respect in the metal community and made The 1st Chapter my favorite album of the year. In fact, I would go as far as to say that 2005’s Octavarium, a great album from Dream Theater, paled in comparison to The 1st Chapter. This year, Circus Maximus has decided to grace us with their sophomore release, entitled simply, Isolate. Does it live up to the first, or will it fall into the slump that so often happens with second records?
I can safely say that after a number of spins, Isolate is no where near being a disappointment. At first, being a huge fan of this band, I found myself being very critical from song to song and wanted another 1st Chapter, but then I realized that Circus Maximus is not Iron Maiden, and a natural progression from album to album should be expected from a band like them! I then began to focus my attention away from the 1st Chapter and realized that Isolate is the perfect follow up piece. Circus Maximus gives us yet another taste of their incredible skills, ranging from Michael Eriksen’s vocals (which one can closely compare to Roy Khan of Kamelot) to Truls Haugen’s drumwork all brought together with out of this world song structure. Perhaps what is the most impressive about Isolate, is its distance from Dream Theater’s sound! I would never criticize Circus Maximus for writing music that can be likened to Dream Theater, but the fact that they can compose with their own sound in favor of anyone else’s is an important leap forward.
Thus far, Isolate, with its tight formations from musician to musician with catchy as hell hooks, is just as good as The 1st Chapter in every way, and even earns extra points for finding its own identity. I challenge any progressive act to write music as good as Circus Maximus; even the mighty Dream Theater, Symphony X and Pagan’s Mind cannot touch these maestros of the progressive. If you are a fan of this music, you are doing yourself a grave disservice by not purchasing this album. Give these boys international attention, they deserve it!
AMAZING…
Top Tracks: Sane No More, A Darkened Mind, Ulimate Sacrifice
Similar Bands: Dream Theater, Pagan’s Mind, Threshold, Sun Caged, Symphony X, Kamelot
1. A Darkened Mind 05:33
2. Abyss 05:00
3. Wither 04:46
4. Sane No More 03:55
5. Arrival Of Love 04:10
6. Zero 04:50
7. Mouth Of Madness 12:42
8. From Childhood’s Hour 04:28
9. Ultimate Sacrifice 09:17
Michael Eriksen – Vocals
Mats Haugen – Guitar
Glen Mollen – Bass
Truls Haugen – Drums
Lasse Finbroten – Keyboards
Sensory Records (U.S. distribution)
www.circusmaximussite.com
www.myspace.com/officialcm
14
Oct
07
New Demiricous Album / Video
Demiricous is set to release their new album on October 16.
| “Two (Poverty)” track listing: | ||
|
01. Never Enough Road 02. Express Of Immunity To God 03. Knuckle Eye 04. Leprosaic Belief 05. Language Of Oblivion 06. Tusk And Claw 07. Appreciation For Misery 08. Engineer 09. Celebration Of Damage 10. Adic Lung 11. Stress Fetish 12. Blackish Silver |
For now, check out this awesome video of “To Serve is to Destroy” off their first album, One:
There is no easy way to start this article…oh wait, yes there is, downloading music without purchasing it later is illegal, immoral and downright disrespectful to the artists that are willing to put their careers on the line to make music for a living.
Am I being a bit crass with my opinions in this article? Yes, but this is an editorial and I have a point to make, so why beat around the bush? Downloading music, be it in the iTunes format, mp3, wma, ogg, or any other downloadable format is perhaps the easiest and most functionable modern format for acquiring your preferred songs, however, there is NO difference between going into a store, picking up a CD, pocketing it, and walking out, and downloading music without paying for it. Now, I will be honest here, I am a self professed music junky, and in order to keep myself up to date with the latest and greatest, I couldn’t hope to pay for all the music I want to listen to all at once, so I download illegally. Is this morally wrong? Perhaps, I am not going to be a hypocrite and profess how I am above the law in some fashion, however, there is a key difference between myself and others; I make sure to buy a few CDs every month of albums I downloaded to add to my collection. To further the endeavors of making myself pay for music, when I purchase an album, I delete that album from my computer which compels me to return to my ever increasing CD collection in order to get my proper fix for the day.
Few people truly understand how much downloading music illegally can effect people. I have heard countless individuals in person and online who feel they are the digital Robin Hood for stealing from the rich record labels who leech off of the common guy by releasing digipaks and similar artists who plague radio stations. My response to this, is go fuck yourselves…seriously, especially when it comes to metal. The truth is, most of these bands you fail to support cannot play music for a living, but rather have to work their asses off at a fulltime job to even maintain being on a halfway decent record label because they don’t make enough money on record sales even when it sells well, because these indie labels gobble up most of the profits to keep their company afloat. Even bigtime record labels like Roadrunner, Metal Blade and Century Media have to promote popular records fulltime (i.e. metalcore and brutal death metal) in order to have the cash to promote up and comers. You put the entire industry in a tough situation by not giving them their 10-15 bucks. Hell, even buying a used cd is fine (you can get some cheap shit on Amazon if you bother to look), but it seems even dishing out a few bucks is tough for some people.
I graduated with a BS in computer networking, so I am not ignorant to the advancements in digital hardware and software, where you can listen to countless full albums on your phone, however, the human element is still there, and will forever be there. If you don’t recognize that there are people who create, produce, package and market these songs you listen to on a daily basis, you are only hurting your music, especially if it is independent. Use your brain, buy your music if you enjoy it, even if it takes you awhile to get through that pile of mp3s you have like myself.
Links to great sites that may help you turn to the ways of the Jedi:
www.last.fm (great site for exploring your musical tastes for free)
www.pandora.com (another site similar to last.fm)
http://musicdownloads.walmart.com
www.lala.com (cd trading service; if you get bored with your collection, trade them in for some new ones!)
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