Artist - 40 Grit
Album - Nothing To Remember
Label - Metal Blade Records
Reviewer - Robin Steeley
Rating - ****
40 Grit is: James Santiago -Vocals, Guitar Chris Anderson - Guitar, Vocals Andy Green -Drums Kevin Young - Bass California bay area metal band 40 Grit is a leader in the California music scene, emerging from local underground and going on to rock the nation. Known for their metal infused but melodic songs, they have proven once again with this album that they plan on sticking around. Formed in 1997 and based in Concord, California 40 Grit has a revolutionary sound that appeals to a broad range of listeners. While known for their intense live performance, the band proves with this new album, "Nothing To Remember" that they are anything but that, in fact some might even call them unforgettable.
This album is their sophomore release, and the band returns from worldwide touring where they shared the stage with well known bands such as Soil, Machine Head, Nothing Face, Meshuggah, Testament, Skinlab, and the mighty Soulfly. It is an excellent follow up to their debut album on Metal Blade Records entitled "Heads" which was well received and critically acclaimed.
The album overall showcases their songwriting ability, musicianship, and a heavy feel with melodic undertones. Some of the highlights off the album include "Pieces" with its rhythmic hooks as well as the memorable and fiercely driven "Nothing To Remember".
The album starts out excellent, and only gets better with repeated listening. The band has the unerring capacity to appeal to both the traditional metal genre as well as the more modern styles. It features outstanding vocals delivered by vocalists James Santiago and the talented Chris Anderson. The musicianship is tighter, cleaner, and more defined then their previous work, and has all the force and power they call their own. Raw percussion and layered keyboard draw their sound together and create constant and dynamic changes.
Some of my favorite tracks off this offering are the addicting "Bomb Bottom," and the hook laden "Because of You". If you are looking for a new and unique listening experience, then you need to get this album. For more information check out the bands website at www.40grit.net.
Artist - Authority Zero
Album - A passage in Time
Label - Lava Records
Reviewer - Robin Steeley
Rating - ***
"A Passage in Time" is the debut album from Mesa, AZ natives Authority Zero. Released on Lava Records in September of 2002, it was produced by Dave Jerden (The Offspring, Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction, Anthrax, Social Distortion); It's an internationally flavored eclectic mix of many sounds that show a variety of influences. The band consists of Bill Marcks on guitar and vocals, Jason DeVore, lead vocals; Jim Wilcox on drums and Jeremy Wood bringing up the low end on bass as well as lending support to vocals.
The CD opens with "Papa", a Classical guitar intro, and a tribute to a fallen comrade. It blends right into the first song, which is also the title track, "A Passage In Time", a fast, punk/ska influenced melodic peace with a lot of energy and almost a dizzying pace. Next it rocks at break neck speed right into the rhythmic "Lying Awake" which features some spectacular guitars and a reggae breakdown that is quite a switch before it slams back into that same speedy tempo. I can't make up my mind yet if I'm digging this, or it's giving me a headache. It's definitely keeping me awake. If I had to describe it at this point, I would call it energetic. This track has a great mid song section that is reggae influenced and has just enough diversity to be catchy, coming very close to a deep groove.
Some classic punk rock roots show up in the track "Everyday" with its angst-ridden message, however I thought it had its own unique twist with a dose of positive energy and deepness in the lyrics, my favorite being " In the end the life that you choose to lead is your fate." Next is "One More Minute" the first thing you hear is crashing surfs, birds, and then a rock laden guitar begins before some heavy drums kick in…then silence and soft sung vocals. Then it breaks into a heavy funky ska blend. I really loved this song, relating to the lyrics and musically this is definitely my favorite so far.
Another surprising track was "Superbitch" with a pop tinged opening that soon evolves into their brand of punk/ska sound. Other highlights were the Flamenco inspired and guitar led "La Surf." It was more of an instrumental piece and I really found myself more able to understand their music without the crazy background noise. Also, the metal tinged "Not You" an angry tirade against oppression. It was a great end to this effort.
Authority Zero's debut album is a rapid paced mix of punk, ska & reggae, surf rock, with a little old school hard rock thrown in. Mix this up with some world beat influence and you have their blend of music. Not for the weak at heart, if your not really listening this album might sound like just noise to you, but if you take the time to listen to all the elements coming together, you just might hear a diamond in the rough.
Artist - Depswa
Album - Two Angels and A Dream
Label - Geffen
Reviewer - Robin Steeley
Rating - *****
"Two Angels and A Dream" is the debut album from Geffen recording artists and California natives Depswa. Destined for stores in late April, the band has already been touring for months in preparation for the release, hitting the road with bands like Mudvayne, Taproot, and most recently the Trust Company/Blindside tour. Although the bands unique sound defies easy description, I think it could vaguely be described as melodic hard rock although it encompasses much more than just one sound or genre. Similarities could possibly be made to System of A Down or Stone Sour with their free lyrical structure that is jagged yet flowing. It has a soul baring quality, infused with a gut wrenching intensity. It gives way to powerful imagery and a heavy percussive feel.
Opening track "Let It Go" is a perfect example of a song that is lyrically driven and tells a story, something you find evident in every single track off this CD. Next up is the hook laden "This Time" which is slated to be the band’s first single followed by the anguish ridden "Not Responsible" which is a mixture of poetic rhythm and frenetic energy. Overall the sound is raw, heavy, and emotion driven. Highly memorable, it creates positive energy, a venting of frustration and a healing all at once. A good example of this energy presents itself in the fourth track, with “"Sleeping Pills" and later with the haunting "Silhouette".
There are so many favorites off this offering that I found it really hard to pick just one. If I was forced I would have to say "From the Inside" which showcases the tremendous talent and primal energy of drummer Gordon Heckamen. I also became addicted to "Prom Song" where vocals from front man Jeremy Penick create such a vibrant sound that you can hear the gossamer hues of melody, serpentine strands that float and then drop heavily to become an achingly poignant memory. Guitar work by Dan Noonan and James Mills blend into complex rhythms turned addicting by the addition of a heavy bass sound provided by Ryan Burchfield.
Brooding melodies abound in moments such as "Tragedy" a melodic rocker that weaves a poetic spell of sound around you. Another of my favorites was the striking "Needles" an anthem to the soul stealing evils of drug use. Other highlights include the title track "Two Angels and A Dream" a song that tells the story of Penick’s decision to follow his musical journey.
The Production, sound, and delivery of this album are excellent. Produced in Los Angeles by Howard Benson, (POD, Blindside) Engineer Mike Plotnikoff (Kiss, POD) and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, it showcases the unique dynamics of Depswa’s music. A perfect mixture combining elements of melodic, modern hard rock with eloquent songwriting and powerful lyrical and musical delivery. With repeated listening, "Two Angels and A Dream" will leave you with its addicting melodies permanently embedded in your memory, and a feeling that is both comforting and disturbing at the same time. To find out more about the band, where they are at on tour, and the latest updates on the release of this album visit their official website at www.depswa.com.
Artist - Fieldy's Dreams
Album - Rock 'n' Roll Gangster
Label - Epic/Sony
Reviewer - Robin Steeley
Rating - ****
The bassist formerly known as Reginald Arvizu, more recently known as Fieldy from the band Korn, (one of the most successful and innovative bands in rock history), has invited all of us for a dark and sinister trip inside his head. From the opening shotgun blasts this album is a funk oriented offering full of things many will love, catchy hook laden songs that if you relate to them, will capture you until you're forced to listen to this over and over again. I don't think you'll mind.
The first solo effort from a Korn member has the unique possibility of turning on a whole generation of rock fans to a new genre of hip hop laden rap. Fieldy follows true rap style, covering subject matter from pimping to weed, women, and violence, even throwing in a tribute to Ultimate Fighting Championship, with "Ortiz Anthem", a tribute to his friend and UFC world champion Tito Ortiz. Guest appearances extend to include Tre of Pharcyde, RBX, Sondoobie of Funkdoobiest, Cheech Marin of Cheech & Chong and Korn's Jonathan Davis just to name a few. Fieldy wrote most of the beats on the album, co producing with up and coming LA producer Polar Bear, and playing all of the live instruments himself, something that I think makes this album stand out even more.
Opening track "Cocky" consists of nothing but 16 seconds of gun-cocking and pistol-fire fading into a beat that kicks off the second song, the hilarious "Baby Hugh Hef", which has a unique beat based on a gunshot line that weaves in with the whole drum track, making it off kilter but still phenomenal. Then it rolls into the 21 second title track, unexpectedly melodic, short lived, "Rock n Roll Gangster", before slamming right into "Are You Talkin to Me", featuring Helluva in a tribute to the sweet leaf. Next is
"Just for Now" where Jonathan Davis adds his unique vocals to create a very catchy song.
Followed by what I think is the strongest track here "You Saved Me (From Being Crazy) which begins with a phone call between Fieldy and legendary Cheech Marin and has an addicting chorus you wont get out of your head easily
"You saved me/Sticky icky icky/From being crazy/I don't want to be picky".
It then travels into the strange 19 second interlude "Munky's Rage" which must be heard, and not explained, followed quickly by "Put a Week on It" which features SonDoobie of Funkdoobiest fame. Next is the riotous "Child Vigilante" that is excellently produced with lyrics that would make the Insane Clown Posse jealous, as well as incorporating strains of Whodini's classic "Freaks" for the chorus. Keeping up with the laughter is the next short song interlude, the trippy "Korn Gigglebox" followed by "Sugar-Coated", where Tre from Pharcyde makes an appearances. Next they wander off into a truthful but vulgar tirade about cheating housewife ladies with the disclaimer at the beginning "If you can't listen to this song with your lady then it's probably true!!". This is followed by what sounds like a house party and a groovy disco feel "One Love" and features the vocal talents of Angela Rascoe. This is a danceable, rhythm infected groove that deserves more then one listen.
Rounding out the end of this album is the "Ortiz Anthem" tribute, the twisted Korn bass interlude "Special K Buzz", dropping into the melodic "Bleu", a tirade against the corruption in high class neighborhoods and finally ending with the heaviest song yet, a track called "Do What You Feel", featuring RBX, cousin of rap artist Snoop Dogg, moving from crushing rock to a heavy Jamaican chant back to the heavy edge and screaming about anarchy, the album ends with a rush of adrenaline, making you feel like getting up and breaking something.
The production here is very solid, laying down very smooth beats and using unique samples Fieldy recorded himself. He made a smooth transition from low end specialist to rapping frontman on this album, and you can hear his bass influence reflected in every song. The world of a Rock n Roll gangster comes into play as Fieldy gives you a peek into his mind. Although some Korn fans might be disappointed, if any of them are true lovers of music they just might get turned on to a new genre by accident. It would be difficult to pick my favorites off this CD, but if I was pinned down it would be "Just For Now" and "You Saved Me (From Being Crazy)" with its addicting chorus. From the artwork, to the very last track I thought it was amazing, this is truly brilliant. I don't think he really cared about how it would sound, or whether it would be well received, he pulled out all the stops, rapped about what he loves, called in his friends and heroes, and put together an album that truly does reflect Fieldy's dreams.
Track Listing
1. Cocky
2. Baby Hue Hef
3. Rock N Roll Gangster
4. Are You Talking to Me
5. Just For Now (feat. Jonathan Davis)
6. You Saved Me
7. Munky Rage
8. Put a Weak on It
9. Child Vigilante
10. Korn Gigglebox
11. Sugar Coated
12. Coming From a Friend
13. One Love
14. Ortiz
15. Special K Buzz
16. Bleu
17. Do What You Feel
Artist - Various
Album - MTV2 Headbanger's Ball Compilation
Label - Roadrunner Records
Reviewer - Robin Steeley
Rating - ****
This compilation was put together and released by Roadrunner Records, home too many of the most important metal acts to date, and in partnership with MTV2 after they announced the return of "Headbangers Ball", a show highlighting the best classic and new metal videos. This double disc CD really lives up to all the hype, offering up 40 tracks of non stop, deafening, soul defying metal. It runs the gamut between mainstream and brutal thrash, featuring artists like Godsmack with their hit "Straight Out of Line", along with other radio friendly artists such as Staind, Cold, and the DefTones right next to the fierce onslaught of bands such as Chimaira, Lamb of God, Arch Enemy, and the Murderdolls. As far as the compilation itself, its one of the best I've seen put together from music to artwork, with a cover worthy of heavy metal fame.
Some outstanding tracks are Marilyn Manson's "This is the new Shit" although it really irks me that it is edited. I know it's important to be able to exclude the parental advisory sticker, but it reeks of censorship, something that doesn't sit well with metal. I also liked Sevendust with "Separate" even though it's more melodic then heavy; the song does have a heavy chorus making it worthy. Mudvayne's "World So Cold" which is a chilling song and one of my favorites although it's a slower song then what I would have chosen if I had been picking the tracks for this compilation. It also features the sick and twisted work of The Murderdolls, as well as current metal favorites Shadowsfall and the strange Mushroomhead with the track "Sun doesn't Rise" and Arch Enemy who never fail to lash out with their special blend of blistering metal. Another Roadrunner addition is 36 Crazyfists "At the End of August" a great contribution to this CD that showcases the band's progress since "Bitterness the Star" and shows their more melodic side, staying heavy but not embracing so much chaos in their sound.
My personal favorite tracks are Hatebreed's "This is now", which is a powerful song with an addicting chorus and crunchy guitar riffs, as well as ill Nino and "When it Cuts" a song with fierce implications and a thrashing delivery, it effectively blends melody with hardcore, something many bands are after but few actually achieve. Static X's "Destroy All" and definitely Killswitch Engage's track "Fixation on Darkness" which is so brutal it should carry a warning "may cause whiplash!" and Slayer's abusive live version of cult classic "Reign in Blood", headbanging at its very best. Some others are Chimaira's "Down Again" and Devil Driver's "I Could Care Less" a song that shows what this band is really capable of. I also love that they included Motograter with their song "Down" as well as Soilwork's "Rejection Role". This is a band I haven't heard much about lately, but who packs a huge metal fist of powerful music. I also really enjoyed newcomers Unearth a band that is slated to open the first half of the Headbangers Ball tour, along with God Forbid, one of my favorite bands to break this year.
Overall This set will appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners with Volume 1 having more of the radio or mainstream bands and Volume 2 featuring the heaviest of all thrashers in its tracks. Tracks I found the least headbanging were Cold, Staind, and the Deftones. I can't fight their inclusion on this album because the songs are excellent, just not sure how they found themselves buried in all this thrash. Another point I would like to make is that even with a classic like Anthrax included I was disappointed not to see any Machine Head. With 40 Tracks on this compilation you definitely get your moneys worth. it gives listeners the opportunity to experience music they have never heard of before while enjoying the tracks of some of today's headlining metal acts. Headbangers Ball is all about celebrating the true spirit of metal, and this compilation will deliver.
Full Track Listing
Volume 1:
1. Godsmack - Straight Out of Line
2. Hatebreed - This is Now
3. Staind - Price to Play
4. Cold - Stupid Girl
5. Deftones - Hexagram
6. Marilyn Manson - This is the New S**t
7. Sevendust - Separate
8. Ill Nino - When it Cuts
9. Mudvayne - World's So Cold
10. Spineshank - Smothered
11. Static-X - Destroy All
12. Killswitch Engage - Fixation on the Darkness
13. Stone Sour - Inhale
14. Soil - Pride
15. Anthrax - Safe Home
16. Slayer - Reign in Blood (Live)
17. Murderdolls - Dead in Hollywood
18. Shadows Fall - Destroyer of Senses
19. Mushroomhead - Sun Doesn't Rise
20. Rob Zombie - House of 1000 Corpses
Volume 2:
1. Lamb of God - Ruin
2. Arch Enemy - We Will Rise
3. In Flames - Clouds Connected
4. Chimaira - Down Again
5. Eighteen Visions - You Broke Like Glass
6. Lacuna Coil - Heaven's a Lie
7. DevilDriver - I Could Care less
8. Sworn Enemy - Sworn Enemy
9. 36 Crazyfists - At the End of August
10. Cradle of Filth - Mannequin
11. Demon Hunter - Infected
12. Mastodon - March of the Fire Ants
13. Motograter - Down
14. E. Town Concrete - Mandibles
15. Poison the Well - Botchla
16. Soilwork - Rejection Role
17. Unearth - Endless
18. Strapping Young Lad - Relentless
19. As I lay Dying - Forever
20. Meshuggah - Rational Gaze
Artist - Superjoint Ritual
Album - A Lethal Dose of American Hatred
Label - Sanctuary Records
Reviewer - Robin Steeley
Rating - ****
Last year New Orleans based band, Superjoint Ritual, created a stir with their debut album "Use Once and Destroy". Now they are back again with a new album entitled "A Lethal Dose of American Hatred" which is a thrash classic in the making. The band consists of Phil Anselmo, after ending his almost 15 year reign with Pantera, along with guitarist Jimmy Bower, (Down, EyeHateGod, COC), guitarist Kevin Bond (Assjack), Hank Williams III on bass (Assjack), and Joe Fazzio (Demonseeds, Stressball) on drums. The band sites influences from Black Flag, Celtic Frost, Slayer and Black Sabbath, although their sound is so diverse it can't really be compared to any of these.
The entire album is a rush from start to finish; musically it is excellently delivered, with Anselmo's unique gift for expressing his emotions through his throat tearing screams and intense lyrics. Recorded in New Orleans at Balance Studios with Dave Fortman (Evanescence) the album has already been climbing the charts, thrashing its way through the nu metal ranks. Their first single "Waiting for the Turning Point" has a hardcore edge and an insane breakdown that should hook people on this song. If you are looking for Pantera, you may be disappointed, but I guarantee if you forget about Pantera and give the album a full listen, this band is worthy of just as much merit. I predict Superjoint Ritual, whose name comes from a lyric in a song by Dark Throne (but also means the obvious) is going to be a very important band, capable of changing the direction and trends the industry has been taking. This is old school, hardcore thrash, with some fierce punk undertones, and a huge dose of abrasive metal.
Songs like "Dress Like a Target" takes on corporate rock, while Phil addresses terrorists from 9/11 in "Personal Insult". The album wouldn't be complete without his views on organized religion from "Stealing a page or Two from Armed and Radical Pagans". Guitarist Jimmy Bower, who is as excellent a guitar player as he is a drummer takes over Guitar duties with a vengeance. A radical change from his former band, Bower is all fury and speed on this album, and Kevin Bond is right there with him, matching him riff for riff the whole way.
Overall this album is an excellent follow up to the dirtier, thrashier "Use Once and Destroy" while "A Lethal Dose" feels more focused, possibly due to the fact that all of the members are concentrating solely on Superjoint Ritual. The songs are short, and super fast in pure punk style with thirteen tracks that will make you want to get up and jump in the pit. Musically this album gives you a taste of the past with its hardcore punk sound, but remains original, managing to sound unique, fast, brutal, and hard enough to appeal to the masses, who are clearly begging for something new. This could be a revolution.
Track Listing
01. Sickness
02. Waiting For the Turning Point
03. Dress Like a Target
04. Destruction of a Person
05. Personal Insult
06. Never to Sit or Stand Again
07. Death Threat
08. Permanently
09. Stealing a Page or Two From Armed and Radical Pagans
10. Symbol Of Nevermore
11. The Knife Rises
12. The Horror
13. Absorbed
Check out an interview with SJR's Jimmy Bower here, or live review here.
Artist - Various
Album - Texas Chainsaw Massacre Soundtrack
Label - Nitrus Records
Reviewer - Robin Steeley
Rating - ****
This soundtrack is the musical journey through the newly released gore fest remake of the cult classic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre released in October by New Line Cinema. It's a blistering compilation from some of the most reputed metal bands in music today. This album is the total package, complete with larger then life Leatherface on the cover, a proper wrapper for such a brutal offering.
The CD starts out at the top with Pantera's fitting "Immortally Insane" a classic Pantera song and definitely a good starter for this 18 track CD. Next up is a band that has been creating a stir above ground this year, Hatebreed with "Below the Bottom" a clean collection of fast dynamics and guitar led rhythms with their classic growling lyrics. Following up is Soil with "Pride" a melodic mixture with a catchy chorus.
I confess to skipping ahead, no offense to the band but the next five bands are some of my absolute favorites, starting out with the mighty Static X and their hook laden "Deliver Me" followed by the scary, theatrical Mushroomhead with the song "43", expectedly strange and somewhat hypnotic. The momentum switches next with Seether, a band that never ceases to amaze me with chill inspiring "Pig". I had to listen to this song twice before moving on to Nothingface, a band that rocked Ozzfest this year and has a unique style of music that I adore. They bring the song "Down in Flames" a track that is dark and light at the same time. Next up is a band everyone should know about, 40 Below Summer with "Self Medicine" all I can tell you is listen to the music, listen to the lyrics and you cant help but feel the energy this band puts forth. Then it gets a little heavier with Motograter, my painted Ozzfest buddies who always rise to the occasion and they do it this time with their song "Suffocate".
The rest of the album is filled with both classics and newcomers with the likes of Shadowsfall, a band that blends old school and a heavier, faster breed of metal as well as Meshuggah and metal staple Fear Factory. Just when you think it can't get any better you will hear one of my all time favorites, old schoolers Morbid Angel who sound more brutal then ever. A band new to me Index Case, a track that's more melodic then the rest, Lamb of God with "Ruin" followed by Finger 11 who raises the bar again with their sudden speed metal delivered at a break neck pace with crushed glass vocals.. The end brings Sworn Enemy and "As Real as It Gets" raunchy, fast and screeching and the final track is Core-Tez a band I have never heard of but who is a surprising addition as well as ending for this soundtrack with the switch from super fast and brutally heavy to melodic, hook laden rock. The song really caught me off guard at first but ultimately won me over in the end.
Overall I thought it was a great soundtrack for the movie although their appearances on the actual movie were brief, don't let that deter you, if you are sick of the nu metal revolution this CD is full of previously unreleased material and is worth the time and money to add to your collection. .
Track Listing
01. Pantera - Immortally Insane (New Remix Not Available In US)
02. Hatebreed "Below The Bottom
03. Soil - Pride (New Track)
04. Static-X - Deliver Me (New Track to Be Used As a Future B-Side)
05. Mushroomhead - 43
06. Seether - Pig
07. Nothingface - Down In Flames (Previously Unavailable)
08. 40 Below Summer - Self Medicate
09. Motograter - Suffocate
10. Shadows Fall - Destroyer Of Senses
11. Meshuggah - Rational Gaze
12. Fear Factory - Archetype (Remixed For This Record)
13. Morbid Angel - Enshrined By Grace
14. Index Case - Listen
15. Finger Eleven - Stay In Shadow
16. Lamb Of God - Ruin
17. Sworn Enemy - As Real As It Gets
18. Core-Tez - 5 Months
