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EDGE OF FOREVER: Feeding The Fire CD
In 2004 the number of what you'd call "traditional" rock-metal albums coming out, is legion - there's tons of the things. Sadly, as happens in the prog-rock sphere, many are simply faceless, lacking spark or let down by the vocals. But this one is a cut above the rest - a mix of AOR and metal, with great vocals, great harmonies, synths that are not too intrusive but perform a role that fills the sound out without really being too obvious, allowing the all-important guitar attack to fly out in front. Compositions are well thought-out, arrangements full of dynamics and songs with lyrics that tell a tale or really mean something. There's enough soloing and dueling between guitars and synths to keep you happy while the riffing is spot on. In the rhythm department we have the necessary drive and propulsion, produced to perfection, and finally a vocal that, on its own, works a treat, and multi-tracked or as harmonies, works even better. Grade A rock by anyone's standards and a thoroughly rewarding album.
EL CACO: Solid Rest CD
This one just storms onto your senses like an out-of-control tank, as a hail of guitars and rhythm section deliver some pounding stoner metal to get your body moving, your head shaking and you teeth rattling. Track after stunning track is unleashed with the standard of writing and vocals really cutting through, so much more successful than on the first album, revealing a new-found sense of purpose to the compositions. It's really powerful stuff from start to finish, and there's a huge wall of guitar-drenched, riff-driven sound running right through the heart of this album. A triumph.
ELECTRIC EEL SHOCK: Do The Metal CDEP
Nine minutes of riffing, gravel-throated, roaring, nu-metal, blues. Three tracks that rage and burn with a vengeance. The slide guitar to wards the endof the opening track adds a whole new dimension to the proceedings, and it's like a punked-up cross between Rose Tattoo and the Foo Fighters Elsewhere we are treated to a couple of songs that demand being accompanied by a slug of tequila in a sleazy bar at the far end of town, as the band hit paydirt and get angry. Sound stuff.
FALLEN INTO: Which Side Of The Line DBLCDEP
Wow - never seen something as simple as a CDEP packaged this good - it's a great-looking, fold-out digipak that houses both of the ten minute CD's, and is very impressive. So, to the first CD and it opens with a truly fantastic lead track called 'Smoke And Mirrors' that combines rock, energy, restraint, power, intensity and, it has to be said, commerciality too, for amid the power and force, there is a song that the likes of Linkin Park would kill for, yet it's a song that goes places that are way darker than anything they've done to date. Superb and you want to play it again for sure, but you move on to 'Sell The Vain' opening in a gloriously sludgy riff as the vocal enters, sung over a strong rhythm section and alternating between restrained feedback guitar chords and massive eruptions of blitzing power as the guitar wall steams ahead, the mix of dynamics recalling a less obvious 'Black' album Metallica but this is way more varied and structured. Final track on the first CD is 'Re-alignment' and it chugs along at nuclear intensity with crunching drums, fantastic dirty guitar riffs, the vocalist exhibiting rage by the truckload as the slow but awesome might gathers strength and drives inexorably forward - simply an amazing EP that demands to be played long, loud and often. CD2 opens with a gorgeously reflective yet strong song that keeps its restraint throughout and reveals a more thoughtful, calmer side to the band's output but with no loss of quality or enjoyment along the way. There follows a remix of 'No Allies' that continues the reflective nature and subtle strength that this EP is clearly now designed to illustrate - force without power- ending with an actual acoustic track to take things to a sublime and logical conclusion. With a bonus video track on each EP, this is a showcase for two musical and compositional sides of an exceedingly talented band, and the future of rock starts here.
FALLEN TO: Bovine Calm CD Single
Three track single from a new band in the world of rock that really does present rock song-writing and arranging as something that is finely crafted, if the opening track is anything to go by, a mix of lone vocal and chiming guitars, giving way to a searing, molten mass of guitar riffing as the main body of the track erupts into life, the group carrying it off with a conviction that is quite awesome. Full of ideas, that much is obvious, as the almost industrial metal of 'Re-alignment' roars out of the speakers, tinny but hard-hitting industrial drums then huge drums, massive bass, chunky guitars, serious riffs and angst-ridden vocals on two minutes of sheer magic. The third track is largely acoustic but shows admirably that this band can write, arrange and deliver to perfection, the song having a subtle strength that is entirely in keeping with the full-on power displayed so far, and showing that this is a band to watch, and that this is a single to die for.
FALL OUT BOY: Take This To Your Grave CD
Twelve song, 39 minute stormer from this band that are more than an answer to the likes of Blink 182 and Sum 41. They are producing songs that are uniformly equally as catchy but they cover the songs in oceans of steaming guitar riffs and searing, adrenaline-fuelled expanses of burning leads while the rhythm section powers upwards and drives ever on. The production is perfect, bringing the best out in an immense set of songs that are just incredible from start to finish. The quality of song-writing, singing, playing and production is so irresistible, it's one of those albums that you have to play end to end, as you dance madly around the room knocking over the furniture and accidentally kicking the cat. Full of huge radio-friendly fodder, any one of the tracks on here would make a great single but give me a CD single of 'My List Of Things To Do Today', give it radio play and I'll show you a bona-fide hit record - and even if it isn't, I'll be making it one of my tracks of 2004 without a shadow of a doubt. A stunning album and a band that surely must be massive - you hear me!!! - MASSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FINAL CONCLUSION: Element 87 CDEP
Three tracker from new UK band that roars like a lion and devours you whole. Opening with 'Butterflies' the barrage of electric guitars, blistering riffs, thunderous bass, growling vocals, pounding drums and anthemic lead vocal are simply astounding, the song possessing a positive anthemic quality as its intensity is almost overwhelming yet its dynamics and invention are what make it one incredible heavy rock gem. 'Diesel' also roars, this time the furiously riffing guitars swirling round and round while the vocals reign supreme above a lead guitar line that barely breaks out of the awesomely heavy morass that is the storm-force rhythm section and that magical mix of guttural and flying dual vocals, again with a dynamic sense that gives it added qualities and so much more than just another hard rock band - this is a band with ideas, invention and purpose, a band that can execute those ideas to faultless rampaging perfection, so awesomely heavy it will crush you like an ant. Finally, 'Lesson Learned' starts more sedately, with chiming guitar and soaring lone voice, before bass joins the fragility, drums enter and the piece develops a decidedly Metallica ballad-like quality, showing that there is much more to this band than just being an incredibly talented metal act. Then it explodes into nuclear force intensity, head-shaking magnificence and the song simply erupts to as faultless a display of roaring nu-metal as you'll hear. This lot had better produce an album of this quality soon - I'm not sure how long I can wait to hear more of this.
FIRSTBORN: The Face In The Frame EP CD
Four tracks in thirteen minutes and not a second wasted. Right from the off there's a vocalist that lets you know he's putting not only his heart and soul but his entire being into a slice of anthemic nu-metal that is the EP's opener, a surging piece of yearning rock that will surely make you go weak at the knees with its sentiment and spark. The next track is more like a UK version of classic impassioned Pearl Jam with layers of harmony vocals accompanying the incredibly emotive lead male vocal while the rhythm section strolls and the guitars rain down in droplets rather than lashing rain, a track that is gorgeous, powerful, building and uplifting, the sort of thing you'll just want to play and play and play. Third one in and we up the guitar-anti with some steaming lead work, but another emotive song that twists and turns, arranged to provide a breathtaking avenue of rock and almost emo-flavoured driving indie angst, as the guitars, bass, drums and vocals just climb higher and higher into your heart. Finally, another sheer quality composition that continues all the thematic, lyrical and arrangement production witnessed so far, as the song soars into life and you just have to turn it up loud for maximum heart-wrenching, hands-in-the-air, head-shaking effect, as class a slice of nu-rock writing as you'll hear. This is simply stunning stuff that takes modern rock song-writing into a wholly new dimension, as emotionally charged a set of guitar-drenched songs as you'll hear. It doesn't come much better than this - bring on the album guys - I'm waiting!!!
FONY: Routine Irregular CD
With the immense track that is 'Chore' getting some heavy rotation on the Kerrangg!!! TV channel right now, you only have to see and hear this track among the metal masses, to sit up and take notice that something refreshing in the world of nu-metal has been unleashed, and now we have the album, so is the track a one-off or have we genuinely got some new talent in the UK to rival that of Nickelback, Puddle Of Mudd, Linkin Park and the rest.
Hell, yehhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This album is nothing short of a powder keg of brooding, explosive, dynamic, crushing and simply jaw-dropping nu-metal. Opening with a mid-paced juggernaut in the form of 'Sleep The Dollar', it sets its sights firmly on the very top echelons of the current metal tree, as the searing dual guitar leads, punishing bass and crunching drums drive head on into dynamic metal delight, the vocals absolutely spot on - powerful, superbly sung, impassioned, raging and soaring high over a madly riffing band that cuts through the ether like a mad axeman, the song setting you on fire right from the start, so much so that all you want to do is stop and play it again - but that's for later. 'Nervegas Breakdown' follows and just erupts into life with a dynamite dual-guitar riff, sizzling lead, raging vocal, searing guitar lead, punishing rhythm section and a song that blazes an unstoppable path through your skull, the chorus flying high and as good as anything that the yanks have unleashed on us to date. This is the sound of metal song-writing and delivery at the finest I've heard in years, the sheer flowing power and excellent arrangements a total triumph. The title track explodes with guitars then settles back to a restrained sea of chiming guitars and tasty bass/drums,a s lead vocal comes upfront with lyrics that are top notch, as on the hole album, then the band briefly catches fire, only to return to the restraint, absolutely perfect dynamics so that when they finally rock out, the effect is shattering, a hail of guitars scorching the airwaves effortlessly as vocals rise up and the song achieves almost unnerving intensity - totally phenomenal. 'Off Line' start with a million guitars, the strident rhythms propelling the song into a land of metal heaven, the vocal leads trading places as riffs light up the night sky, and rhythms crush the unwary listener, on a song that is immensity personified, something you simply cannot resist moving towards, turning up and letting the electricity flow through your soul, the mix of dynamics, rock and passion almost unbearably enjoyable. Then the Kerrrangg!!! TV fave 'Chore', a song that oozes metal class, with its twisting ways, blazing guitars, steaming sustained riffing, stumbling drums, pounding bass, fantastic vocals, sizzling rifffing and another one that you just want to throw open the windows, turn it right up and let the world witness - truly sensational. Seven more equally incendiary tracks follow on one of the best rock albums you're going to hear this year - forget your American bands - THIS is the future of rock - and the future's looking very bright.
FONY: Circles CD
Well, if you thought they couldn't improve on the debut album, think again, because this is one seriously intense brand of explosive rock, with songs that are so taut and angst-ridden, they threaten to explode in your face any second. But the sheer rage within a structured and driving brew of on-fire, post-hardcore rock is just jaw-dropping in its power and undeniable sonic assault. The dual guitar leads and riffs seem to drive with an organic intensity that crushes everything in their wake, then suddenly splintering off, sometimes going supernova together, sometimes more sedate, and at times veeering off in completely different directions only to return as one nuclear-force unit, guitar work like you've rarely heard before and a testament to the awesome arranging talents that this band possesses. The vocals are simply extraordinary, delivered (sung) with a seething, anger-filled passion that really makes you sit up and take notice while the rhythm section is as solid and driving as they come, taking the songs in the directions required but never losing sight of the ultimate goal. Song after amazing song is unleashed with a force that will have the hairs standing up from head to toe, never mind the back of your neck. Not without their moments of tenderness, the band neverthless produces a rip-roaring musical brew that is both immediately accessible yet totally long-lasting enjoyment, while lyrically it's all stuff to which you can really relate, thought-out and creative, personal yet far-reaching. From the dazzling beauty of a song like 'Helium' to the ferocity of 'Fucking The Sentiment', this is one stunning, grade-A, faultless album of future-metal that means something right now - awesome and then some.
FOREVER UNTIL OCTOBER: S/T CD
Debut album from UK emo-rock quintet and it's ten tracks of passionate indie-rock that are delivered with such explosive yearning you can feel the intensity and depth of the songs come shining out as the atmosphere ranges from mournful angst to optimistic outlooks, the highly charged guitars-driven firepower just raging through the thirty-five minute, ten-track affair. The presence of two lead guitarists give the arrangements some extra layers and intricacies as you hear those guitars feed off and duel with each other, sometimes steaming their own paths forward, other times combining to provide a fuelled-up soup of roaring nu-metal magic. The vocals are sung with such feeling it's impossible not to get caught up in the whole emotive content , for this is metal with real heart and as charged as they come. One you'll be playing and playing, one that reveals new splendours with every play, this is a top quality release that belies its debut status with as strong a set of songs as you'll find and guitars to die for. Stunning.
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND: Between Order And Model CD Single
Where are all these bands suddenly coming from - another amazing new outfit spilling over with nu-metal ideas and songs of impeccable quality All four tracks on this single just oooze anthem, and the sheer spectacle of witnessing this band delivering a surging ocean of metal quality is a prospect to make you go weak at the knees. Every song has that adrenaline-rising sensation as they climb higher and higher, inventive idea after inventive idea pouring out like a lava flow, guitars storming, bass and drums driving forcefully and vocals that fit like a glove on lyrically aware songs that will have you hooked during, let alone after, the first listen. Nu-metal that is too good to be contained - album, please - and make it soon.
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND: The Art Of American Football Download only track
Well, I was there at the start, reviewing this lot and saying that they were going to be huge - and they've not put a foot wrong. This exclusive download-only live track serves to show a hint of the band's phenomenal live power and intensity, just under three minutes of FFAF magic that sparks into life, riding a wave of metal intensity and passion that you can't hold back - or would even want to. A mere morsel of what's to come, of that I'm sure.
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND: Four Ways To Scream Your Name EP
Now THIS - THIS!!! - is what rock is all about in the new millennium. Right from the opening track, the mix of power, song-writing class, production, delivery, muscle, dynamics and sheer quality is almost unparalleled. The incredible opener, 'This Years Most Open Heart Break', is the sort of song, that if there is any justice, will be among the best rock songs of the year - it's so totally anthemic and that's when you're hearing it for the first time, even, leaving the likes of Nickelback, Puddle Of Mudd and their ilk, firmly in the shade. Despite the fact that all you want to do is stick it on again, you get to the second track, 'She Drove Me To Daytime Television', and, incredibly, it's every bit as good - just listen to those guitars, the riffs, the pummelling bass, the powerful drums, those soaring vocals - it's all just sensational. 'Kiss and Makeup' is even better, the perfect mix of modern metal muscle, perfectly produced power-rock and commercial rock song-writing on an heroic four minute scale, as the band whip up yet another anthemic storm and deliver the some of the finest, most powerful rock music on the planet, those riffs and bass and vocals intensifying and becoming positively nuclear powered. Finally, 'Escape Artists Never Die' rounds off the EP to completely molten perfection as yet another immense song is unleashed and becomes a massive metal anthem to die for. This thing knocks seven bells out of most of its competitors right now, would sound just fantastic on daytime radio and if there is a band that surely is going to break into a monumental public arena this year, then this has to be it. Sensational doesn't even come close.
FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER: How To Start A Fire CD
The first thing that hits home when you put this album on is the sheer depth of sound with what you'll swear is an army of guitarists at work, never mind just the two of them who are here. But it's a rich, powerful, warm and passionate wall of rock sound that immediately endears itself to you as it rings out and flies skywards. The rhythm section drives things forward while the excellent vocalist just rises above it all with a performance so heartfelt, so strong and so downright forceful, you'll just wallow in its splendours for the duration. The pace is not overly fast as the band lets power and dynamics do what most bands need speeed to achieve, and that is produce a huge-sounding album of intelligence, purpose, direction and structure. Throughout the album, the harmonies are to die for, while the band as a whole delivers this towering wall of rock magic to take your breath away. The compositions themselves are uniformly well written and every one sounds positively anthemic, as this massively produced slice of genius ploughs a furrow to your heart. It's more than rock, more than indie, more than metal - it's the sound of a band who carry the confidence of a decade of music in their veins, to produce something timeless and so strong you could tie battleships to harbours with it. This is one monumental sounding album that you just have to hear.
FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER: The Moon Is Down CD
Bloody hell!!!!!! This is just AMAZING!!!!!!!!! Shit - this blows away the opposition. What a phenomenal album. Is it as intense as Fony? - oh yes! Is it as powerful as Funeral For A Friend? - hell,yeh!!! Not only that, but the song-writing is probably the finest on any emo-nu-metal album to come out of the UK this year and beyond. Every song is a mature statement of what emotive indie-meets-metal music should be all about, delivered to perfection by a vocalist who can really get his whole sense of feeling behind the lyrics- angst, anger, optimism, lamentation, hope - all this and more present by the lorry load. But, after all that, you have the arrangements - songs with guitars that stretch from horizon to horizon, songs that take twists and turns yet sound absolutely fresh, alive and organic, a wall of guitars providing the density against a strong and strident, rock solid rhythm section. The seeming ease with which they pull off a world of emotive, well-crafted music that is way above mere metal or indie-rock, leaves you breathless. OK, so compared to the live experience that is FFAF they may not be there yet (although I've yet to see them live) but, on CD,they show quite clearly that the other mob are trying too hard - this flows so easily and seems so natural. Rock in the modern era has never sounded this good, songs never so addictive without any hooks and a depth of sound that most bands would kill for - complete and utter genius.
GF 93: Convulse All-Star CD
Been a while since I came across a steaming Italian metal band (and the last one I came across only got as far as the demo stage), but this lot are the business. A third album and one that crushes many of the more well known American and British opposition into the ground, as virtually every track illustrates. Stylistically they have all the power of a death metal band, all the structure of a premiership metal band but an undercurrent of molten industrial power running like a golden seam throughout the album's length. The even better bit is that track after track is a raging meeting of metal and industrial without actually being the good old hybrid of 'industrial metal'. Purely guitar based, this has some incredibly monstrous riffs while the drums pound away ferociously, the bass kicks you right in the guts and the vocalist rages yet you can hear every word in the sheer hurricane-force whirlwind that erupts all around you. Some tracks use metal rapping in an almost death metal setting, coming across in part as a storm-force raging metal answer to Faith No More's track 'Epic', only way more stomach-churning. But the album works from start to finish by virtue, not only because the band delivers a power-packed performance, not only because the writing is actually at the top of its tree, not only because the production is immaculate, but because all these factors combined has serve to create one of the most potent metal brews that you'll hear and enjoy - loud, ultra-heavy, adrenaline-racing, ear-bleeding mayhem but done to perfection, as good an example of the stuff as you'll find in the world today and one sheer class A killer of an album, one you'll want to play and play and play - it hardly comes any better than this.
GOATBOY: Book Of Oil E.P. CD
Seven tracks in twenty-five minutes that are storm-force rock with every influence from blues through psychedelia and space-rock, the lead track being a mix of Rose Tattoo and Hawkwind only even more bar-room. '2nd Hand Chocolate' and what follows drop the space-rock tendencies and go for a much more direct, surging sea of songs with swirling riffs, spat-out vocals, and almost a vintage New York Dolls feel to much of it, the guitars, riffs and rhythms scorching underneath the red-hot vocal delivery. 'Portion No 10' is almost Reef-like and it is the spirit of that band and, to an extent, Black Crowes, that pervades a lot of what you hear on this EP. Corking stuff throughout.