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ALBUM-REVIEW

[Album Review] Black Veil Brides ‘Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 20, 2013 @ 6:20pm
Category: Music / Reviews

I’ll be the first to admit that the visual aesthetic of Black Veil Brides is a bit of a turn off for me. The whole “goth glam rock” just brings up feelings in me that can best be described as “Ugh…” However, one of the benefits of listening to an album is that I am not hit with visuals and I can simply focus on audio.

So, with that distraction aside, I turned to the newest BVB album Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones. I sat back, cranked up the volume and dove in. Read on for my thoughts. READ MORE

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[Album Review] Hollywood Undead ‘Notes From The Underground’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 03, 2013 @ 7:00pm
Category: Music / Reviews

Let me completely honest with you, okay? I’m not much of a rap rock guy. It’s just not a genre that I fall back upon when I want to listen to something in my spare time. So when I was sent a Deluxe copy of Hollywood Undead’s Notes From The Underground, I was a little hesitant. But I figured, what the hell? Let’s do something a little different and see what happens. After all, isn’t that how people grow and expand? So I put on my headphones, plugged in, and hit ‘Play’. Read on for my thoughts. READ MORE

[Album Review] Carina Round ‘Tigermending’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on May 01, 2012 @ 8:00pm
Category: Music / Reviews

On Tigermending, Carina Round seems to have both mellowed out a bit from her previous releases as well as become more experimental. Perhaps it’s partially due to her work with Puscifer or perhaps it’s simply due to it being five years since her last release, Slow Motion Addict. But none of that especially matters as this album is nothing short of an astonishing, emotional, mysterious, beautiful journey. Read on for my take on her fourth full-length album. READ MORE

[Retro Review] Silent Hill 1 OST

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on April 02, 2012 @ 10:04pm
Category: Music / News

silenthill1ostcover [Retro Review] Silent Hill 1 OST

It’s hard to believe that it was over 13 years ago that Silent Hill for Playstation came out. Has it really been so long? Have so many years ticked away? It seems like only yesterday that I was playing the game with my friend in his basement, our eyes wide with fear, every creak the house made a warning that something, some THING, was after us.

It was also the time that my now obvious near-obsession with Silent Hill began. For me, Silent Hill was to The Shining in the way Resident Evil was to Aliens. And as much as I love Aliens (a WHOLE LOT), The Shining is the movie I go to when I want to get scared. Part of the appeal is the work of renowned composer Akira Yamaoka whose name became synonymous with the franchise. Yamaoka’s work was nothing short of terrifying, creating an aural horror that assaulted the senses even when nothing was happening.

So, in honor of March and the release of both Silent Hill: Downpour (OST review/game review) and the Silent Hill HD Collection, I decided to go back to my mid-teen years and revisit the OST to original Silent Hill, the one that started it all.

Music
Posted by Bill-Frye on March 28, 2012 @ 4:00pm
Category: Music / News

shinedownamarylliscover [Review] Shinedown Amaryllis

Being a long time Shinedown fan, I was stoked for March 27th. Shinedown was set to release their fourth studio album Amaryllis and I had spent four long years waiting for a strong follow up to the mediocre Sound of Madness. Was it worth the wait? Was my nervous twitching and spontaneous vomiting in anticipation of this musical release all for not? In a word…yes. READ MORE

[Review] Storm Corrosion ‘Storm Corrosion’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 27, 2012 @ 6:33pm
Category: Music / News

[Review] Storm Corrosion Storm Corrosion

Mikael Akerfeldt and Steven Wilson are perhaps two of the most hardworking, innovative musicians today. It’s not necessarily that they put out vast amounts of material (although Steven Wilson seems to have his fingers in more pies than a bakery on Thanksgiving), it’s more that the material they release is so dense and intelligent that it requires more effort than usual to absorb. So when the two confirmed that they were collaborating on a project together entitled Storm Corrosion, the prog and metal worlds went into a bustle of brainstorming. “What could this collaboration sound like?” “Who would have the greater hand in the overall sound?” “WHEN WAS IT COMING OUT????“

Well, on May 7th, this self-titled release will hit shelves and I wanted to weigh in with my opinion. Is it a worthwhile journey or did the collaboration of two stellar musicians fail to produce all that was hyped and hoped for?

Music
Posted by Sammy-Key on March 26, 2012 @ 5:11pm
Category: Music / News

[Review] The All American Rejects Kids In The Street

When I think of The All-American Rejects, a few very specific things come to mind. Mainly I think of middle school, shopping at Hot Topic (hush, we’ve all done it) and watching music videos all day on Fuse. I think of a very specific time in my life; and the reason hearing the band’s name conjures up all these nostalgic images is probably because those things were taking place for me at a time when The All-American Rejects were topping the charts. And rightly so! At the time, the band’s second studio album, Move Along, was all over the radio waves and played nonstop on the music networks. And though, I will admit, I haven’t stayed up to date with the band’s work since that time, I will always regard The All-American Rejects as a type of relic of my late childhood. So, when I was asked to do this review, I was excited about it. And in the end I was delighted to find that, just as I have matured and changed since 2005, so has the band! Kids In The Street is an example of the change that comes with time, and serves to prove that The All-American Rejects will definitely get better and better with age. READ MORE

[Review] O.S.I. ‘Fire Make Thunder’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 22, 2012 @ 9:34pm
Category: Music / News

For those of you who don’t know O.S.I. (shame on you!), they could easily be considered a supergroup of prog metal masters. Featuring Kevin Moore (ex-Dream Theater) and Jim Matheos (Fates Warning) as the two staple members, their albums have seen appearances from Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), and several more. With credentials like that, this is a band that practically demands notice.

I’ve personally been a fan of this band for several years. That’s why I was so excited when I heard that a new album, Fire Make Thunder, was set for release. Now that I have it, does it live up to my expectations?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 16, 2012 @ 6:07pm
Category: Music / News

There’s a saying in the metal community: “Your favorite bands listen to Meshuggah.” It’s a pretty accurate statement, considering that the band has been around for over 20 years. Hell, Tool had them as openers on two of their national tours, with Danny Carey stating that they are a source of inspiration to him.

So when a new Meshuggah album comes out, you better believe that it is seen as more than just a new album from a band. Rather, it’s seen as a crucible upon the metal scene. It is a point when the foundations of metal are challenged. But does Koloss bring this change or does it fall flat upon its face?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 13, 2012 @ 9:55pm
Category: Music / News

Comprised of some of the most talented musicians in the rock/metal scene, Adrenaline Mob has a lot going for it. After all, it’s Mike Portnoy (ex-drummer of Dream Theater), Russell Allen (singer of Symphony X), John Moyer (bassist of Disturbed), and guitarist Mike Orlando. With that kind of line-up, you gotta wonder what the final product is going to sound like. Dream Theater and Symphony X? Hell yeah! It’s gonna be some intense prog metal! But wait, Disturbed? So, it’s gonna have some commercial heavy rock appeal? And Mike Orlando, who played with Zakk Wylde and Bumblefoot, which means we’ll likely hear some shredding.

Is this the final product? Is this the sound that the band delivers? And, ultimately, is it all worth it? Find out below.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 13, 2012 @ 9:55pm
Category: Music / News

Is this the final product? Is this the sound that the band delivers? And, ultimately, is it all worth it? Find out below.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 12, 2012 @ 7:02pm
Category: Music / News

Tomorrow sees the release of Konami’s eighth entry into the Silent Hill series, Silent Hill: Downpour. For the past seven entries, fans have enjoyed the terrifying tones of Akira Yamaoka. However, the shock that everyone felt when it was announced that he would not be returning to compose this entry was felt far and wide. Upon the announcement that Dexter composer Daniel Licht was stepping in, there was a tentative sigh of release. After all, here was a man who had worked in horror for years, tackling Hellraiser, Children of the Corn, and many other beloved entries. But does the Silent Hill: Downpour OST do this series justice, especially after everything that Yamaoka has done?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 11, 2012 @ 9:55pm
Category: Music / News

The Elkcloner is the brainchild of Serbian/New York composer Filip Mitrovic, who co-scored Resident Evil: Afterlife as well as The Echo and Sleep Dealer. With this self-titled debut album, Mitrovic has put out an album that tackles multiple genres using only live recordings, no samples whatsoever. Also featured on the album is Rose Colella, a Chicago-based jazz vocalist. Do all these components work in application or would it have been better left on paper?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 07, 2012 @ 4:15am
Category: Music / News

[Review] The Safety Fire Grind The Ocean

Hailing from Britain, The Safety Fire are a progressive metal band that adds in dashes of tech as well as jazz. They made a large name for themselves with their EP Sections, as well as heavy touring throughout Europe. Now, they’ve finally released their debut full-length album Grind The Ocean. Does it match up to the hype or does it fall flat?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 02, 2012 @ 7:32am
Category: Music / News

It’s not surprising that today we can take Pearl Jam for granted. Hell, they’ve been around for over 20 years, they have a devoted fan base, and their music is, overall, pretty kickass. But upon the release of Ten, their debut album, in 1991, I don’t think anyone was really aware of exactly what was about to happen to the music scene. Often imitated, deservedly lauded, this album became one of the most important albums of a generation.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 21, 2012 @ 10:58pm
Category: Music / News

Anathema has long been a band that I know I can come back to for solid, amazing music. From their start as a doom metal band to their progression into progressive alt-rock, the band has always delivered atmospheric, beautiful, emotional songs that resonated deep within. So when I heard that a new album, Weather Systems, was coming out, I knew that it was something I had to hear, something that I had to dive into. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy and I have spent the past several days listening to the album. Join me below to hear my thoughts.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 13, 2012 @ 4:22am
Category: Music / News

[Review] The Omega Experiment The Omega Experiment

It is becoming more and more apparent with each passing day that the quality of music that can come from a home studio can equal, if not surpass, what professional studios offer. Bands and artists have access to plug-ins and effects that would boggle the mind of the music industry not even a decade ago. Such is the case with unsigned band The Omega Experiment’s self-titled debut album. Built as an outlet for mastermind Dan Wieten’s troubles with addiction, this prog/djent metal album is a slick, fantastic sounding album. But does it have substance behind the glossy mask? READ MORE

[Review] Van Halen ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’

Music
Posted by Bloody Disgusting Staff on February 11, 2012 @ 12:48am
Category: Music / News

[Review] Van Halen A Different Kind Of Truth

In 1984, after releasing and touring in support of their album “1984” (review), the biggest hard rock band of all time, Van Halen, parted ways with lead singer David Lee Roth. Only two years later, they hired a new frontman named Sammy Hagar. The general consensus is that it was a pretty bad move, and ended up causing the band to sound like the one thing that you could NEVER call them during the David Lee Roth era, bland. Flash forward to 1998. Having now parted ways with Hagar, the band hired and recorded an album with their third lead singer, Gary Cherone. This proved to be a devastating move for the band, as the album received negative reviews from fans and critics alike, as well as poor album and ticket sales. Now flash forward to present day. It is 2012, and after 28 years of drama and bad decisions, the original Van Halen lineup (sans bassist Michael Anthony), has released a new studio album, “A Different Kind Of Truth“. Now the only question left is, has it been worth the wait? READ MORE

[Review] Soen ‘Cognitive’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 09, 2012 @ 6:02pm
Category: Music / News

When word came that Martin Lopez quit Swedish prog-metal band Opeth, I was stunned. After all, he brought a certain sound and inventiveness that I had come to appreciate and deeply enjoy. But when I heard of his new project Soen, I immediately had high hopes. The description and influences cited were more than enough to pique my interest. This sounded like a project where Lopez could take his skills and only expand on them. And with their debut release Cognitive, Soen aims to enter the progressive metal genre in a huge way.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 07, 2012 @ 11:51pm
Category: Music / News

At first listen, Italian band Hopes Die Last could easily be categorized as screamo and just left at that. Hell, my first playthrough of their new album, Trust No One, had me thinking this. But then I spun it a second time and new elements started peeking out from behind the curtains. Touches of alt-rock? Check. How about electronica and even dubstep? Yuppers. But do all of these elements combine into a solid package or do they try to tear themselves free from each other, striving for the spotlight?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 03, 2012 @ 11:51pm
Category: Music / News

Last year I was presented with an interesting review offer: The Real Tuesday Weld’s The Last Werewolf (review), which was the soundtrack to a book of the same name. The concept of a soundtrack to a piece of literature was something very unique and interesting to me and, while I was not able to read the book, I was still able to understand how the story of the album complimented the story of the novel. Now, I’ve been given a very similar chance. Saltillo’s Monocyte is an album that is meant to complement the IDW comic book series of the same name. The comic is grim, violent, and features some astonishing artwork. But does the album have that same attitude? Does it bring music that compliments the same dark atmosphere that pervades within the comic?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 01, 2012 @ 7:07pm
Category: Music / News

Ah, 1984, the year I was born in. The year that the Apple Macintosh came out. A year that has become synonymous with dystopian society. It was also the year that Van Halen’s iconic album 1984 came out. While the sixth studio album was a departure from their recognized sound, many critics lauded the album and its exciting foray into new territory. It would also be the last album the band recorded with vocalist David Lee Roth (until this years A Different Kind Of Truth). But does this album still have the same punch as it did nearly three decades ago? Or has age worn this beast down? READ MORE

[Review] A Liquid Landscape ‘Nightingale Express’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 30, 2012 @ 5:50pm
Category: Music / News

aliquidlandscapenightingaleexpresscover [Review] A Liquid Landscape Nightingale Express

I’m a sucker for alternative prog-rock. There’s just enough heaviness to satisfy the metal head in me but there is also a vast amount of tones and effects to appeal to the audiophile in me. Seriously, it’s like I’m an addict and the only cure is more interesting and unique sounds. So when I did a bit of reading and checking into A Liquid Landscape, I was immediately intrigued. They cite influences such as Dredg, Porcupine Tree, Sigur Ros, Karnivool, People In Planes, Tool, and more. Talk about an impressive roster of bands to admire, right? But anyone can claim such bands influence them. The question is can they take those influences and make a unique final product? Is Nightingale Express an album that stands on its own merits? READ MORE

[Review] Opera Diabolicus ‘†1614′

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 26, 2012 @ 5:29pm
Category: Music / News

operadiabolicus1614cover [Review] Opera Diabolicus †1614

Opera Diabolicus is the brainchild project of composer David Grimoire and lyricist Adrian de Crow. After meeting at a stage production of Umberto Eco’s In The Name Of The Rose [Ed. Note: Fantastic book as well as a great movie!], the two joined forces under the name Opera Diabolicus to bring about a musical project that combined the darker elements of music with the grandeur and spectacle of theatre. Now, their debut album, †1614, is about to arrive. But does it provide the spectacle that was promised or does this production fall flat?

[Album Review] Black Veil Brides ‘Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones’

[Album Review] Hollywood Undead ‘Notes From The Underground’

[Album Review] Carina Round ‘Tigermending’

[Retro Review] Silent Hill 1 OST

[Review] Shinedown ‘Amaryllis’

[Review] Storm Corrosion ‘Storm Corrosion’

[Review] The All-American Rejects ‘Kids In The Street’

[Review] O.S.I. ‘Fire Make Thunder’

[Review] Meshuggah ‘Koloss’

[Review] Adrenaline Mob ‘Omertá’

[Review] Adrenaline Mob ‘Omertá’

[Review] Silent Hill: Downpour OST

[Review] The Elkcloner ‘The Elkcloner’

[Review] The Safety Fire ‘Grind The Ocean’

[Retro Review] Pearl Jam ‘Ten’

[Review] Anathema ‘Weather Systems’

[Review] The Omega Experiment ‘The Omega Experiment’

[Review] Van Halen ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’

[Review] Soen ‘Cognitive’

[Review] Hopes Die Last ‘Trust No One’

[Review] Saltillo ‘Monocyte’

[Retro Review] Van Halen ’1984′

[Review] A Liquid Landscape ‘Nightingale Express’

[Review] Opera Diabolicus ‘†1614′

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