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ALBUM-REVIEW

[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?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 24, 2012 @ 4:35am
Category: Music / News

[Review] Chimp Spanner All Roads Lead Here EP

Paul Ortiz, a.k.a. Chimp Spanner, may be one of the most respected names in the djent community. And thanks to the recent rise in popularity of this genre, his work is reaching a wider audience with every passing moment. And it’s no wonder why. After all, by mixing djent-riffage with atmospheric electronic synth pads and technically fascinating guitar work, it’s music well worth checking out. But is that the case with his upcoming six track EP, All Roads Lead Here? Does this mixture work in creating a sonic landscape or does the final product come off as a cheesy mess?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 21, 2012 @ 4:19am
Category: Music / News

Resolution is to Lamb Of God in the way that The Great Southern Trendkill is to Pantera. Let me set something straight really quick: I’m not saying this because they’re both “southern metal” bands. That actually has nothing to do with my comparison. Rather, it’s the attitude of the album. It’s the tones, the style, the lyrics. It’s the atmosphere. It’s the pervading sense of violence, rage, and, snaking its way in and out, the elements of beauty. Has Lamb Of God found a timeless classic on their hands or is this an album that will divide fans?

Music
Posted by Sammy-Key on January 19, 2012 @ 10:29pm
Category: Music / News

Although Ohio-based metalcore troupe Attack Attack!‘s intention of making This Means War a seamless, fluent record is obvious even before the first listen (a quick scan of the album’s track listing reveals the repeated use of the word “the” in every song title), I was expecting a smooth record – not a repetitive one. But alas, I was once again confronted with a rather disappointing release from the four piece. After their bland rerelease of their self-titled album in summer 2011 (review), I was hoping Attack Attack! would redeem themselves with their third studio effort, and although this record is definitely worthy of a few kudos, it was not on par with what I would typically expect from the creative, genre-blending band I love. READ MORE

[Review] Black Taxi ‘We Don’t Know Any Better’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 16, 2012 @ 10:27pm
Category: Music / News

[Review] Black Taxi We Dont Know Any Better

I’m all for bands that like to mix genres and have fun. As a matter of fact, I really look forward to hearing these artists, as I’m interested in knowing what rules they like to bend and which ones they decide need to broken entirely. Such is the case with Black Taxi, an indie rock band who must’ve left their hearts in the 80’s. Filled with reggae and funk mixed with infectious danceable moments, We Don’t Know Any Better aims to have you tapping your foot, nodding your head, bouncing your leg…hell, they’d be thrilled to have you get up and dance! But do they pull it off as much as they hope?

Music
Posted by Bill-Frye on October 24, 2011 @ 8:23pm
Category: Music / News

A new Staind album. For me, a reason to rejoice, but for many of their haters and detractors, another chance to say the same old thing about the group that has been said for about 10 years now. “They went soft”, “They sold out”, or “All Aaron Lewis does is whine and cry for an hour on each album.” Even though I disagree with all of the above statements, to someone who already isn’t a fan of the band, I can see these points. Well friends, if you are one of the haters of Staind, then their new self-titled album is for you. READ MORE

[Review] Lou Reed & Metallica ‘Lulu’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 20, 2011 @ 7:42pm
Category: Music / News

When it was first announced that Metallica and Lou Reed would be working on an album together, the music world was stunned and intrigued. After all, two music legends collaborating should result in something amazing, right? Fast forward a few months and samples of songs started to become available. The general consensus seemed to lay right around, “What in the holy hell is this?” and the lyrics became an instant Internet meme. Now, Lulu has been made available for full stream and the verdicts are rolling in. Want mine? It’s garbage. Keep reading if you want to know why I think that.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 18, 2011 @ 2:40am
Category: Music / News

[Review] Janes Addiction The Great Escape Artist

Eight years. That’s how long it’s been since Jane’s Addiction’s last album, Strays. Many bands don’t even last that long. Now, 23 years since their first studio album, Jane’s Addiction is releasing their fourth studio album, The Great Escape Artist. But should this band have remained in the past or are their time-proven voices a welcome return to the music scene? Check after the jump for the answer!

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 14, 2011 @ 3:35am
Category: Music / News

[Review] Puscifer Conditions Of My Parole

For as big a Tool and A Perfect Circle fan as I am, I just could not enjoy Puscifer’s V Is For Vagina. As a matter of fact, I flat out couldn’t stand it. So, when Conditions Of My Parole was announced, I met the news with a healthy dose of skepticism and, I’ll admit it, scorn. My interest became piqued when Maynard described it as “Twin Peaks in the desert”. Well, I just so happen to love Twin Peaks, so I found myself becoming more and more curious about the album. When Man Overboard came out, I couldn’t believe it. What a great song! I loved the feel, the atmosphere, the flow, the whole damn thing! Why, with this song, the whole album has to be just as good…right? Check after the jump for my answer.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 11, 2011 @ 9:00pm
Category: Music / News

[Review] Five Finger Death Punch American Capitalist

Five Finger Death Punch has been sweeping the hard rock world since their first release, Way Of The Fist, came out. Now, just over four years since then, the band releases their third studio album, American Capitalist, today. Does it have the same edge and ferocity as the previous two releases or does it fail to live up to expectations? Check after the jump for the answer!
READ MORE

[Review] Evanescence ‘Evanescence’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 07, 2011 @ 4:49pm
Category: Music / News

It’s been five years since Evanescence has released an album. Usually that long of a delay would see fans moving on and an artist left behind, forgotten, abandoned. Evanescence defied that trend and are now back with their third album, Evanescence. The question is if the album is a return that shocks and awes or one that falls flat. Check after the jump for my take on the self-titled album!

evanescencesefltitledcover [Review] Evanescence Evanescence

Music
Posted by John Marrone on October 04, 2011 @ 11:03pm
Category: Music / News

Beileid is the seventh album release from Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore, a four man project who’ve evolved from a 1992 German hardcore band into what they are today – the founders, masters, and pioneers of the doom jazz subgenre – which blends horror themes with blackened, jazz driven ambience. In the past and at its prime, its has been the perfect replacement for foul, Black Sabbath atmospheres when fast rhythms aren’t quite in sync with the mood - Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore are the consistent go-to alternative for slower, drowsier, aural evils.

[Review] Bohren & Der Club Of Gore Beileid

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 01, 2011 @ 12:30am
Category: Music / News

Let me paint a picture for you: my windows are streaked with rivulets of rain. The skies are a bluish-grey. The water on the lake behind my house is rippling from shore to shore. The wind is howling and the trees are not so much swaying as dancing, dead leaves flying through the air, spinning and circling aimlessly. Inside, I have a glass of red wine poured and Terminal Twilight, the latest album from White Willow, playing. Join me after the jump to hear my thoughts on this latest venture from the Norwegian prog-rock band.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 28, 2011 @ 10:02pm
Category: Music / News

In a recent interview I conducted with Pain of Salvation singer/guitarist/composer Daniel Gildenlow, which will be posted soon, I asked him, “Where has the heaviness gone? Road Salt Two sounds more like a 70’s album with 70’s overdrive rather than distortion.” He replied that he had been very much like me, needing the modern distortion sound to feel that the album was heavy. However, after listening to bands like AC/DC and Black Sabbath again per recommendation, he realized that heaviness is not a sound but rather an attitude. With that in mind, does Road Salt Two work with or does it fall victim to its new sound? Check after the jump.

[Review] Pain Of Salvation Road Salt Two

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 26, 2011 @ 9:06pm
Category: Music / News

I’ve made no attempt to hide my love of VNV Nation. As much as I’m a metal head, I love some good electronica, industrial, EBM, and dark wave. So when Automatic, the new VNV album, was announced, I immediately felt my ears perk and my focus shift. After all, I’ve been listening to this group for years, so a new album is always an exciting moment. But does Automatic hold up? Check after the jump for the answer.

VNV Nation Automatic [Review] VNV Nation Automatic

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 24, 2011 @ 12:01am
Category: Music / News

Around for nearly 20 years, Machine Head have been tearing up the metal scene and have earned themselves a place amongst the titans of metal. Their dedication, progression, and consistently intense albums make for a metal band that well deserves the communities respect and admiration. Now, with their 7th studio album, Unto The Locust, Machine Head is again treading into new territories to deliver a metal album that shocks and awes the listener with its intensity and ferocity. However, have they succeeded or fallen flat? Check after the jump for the answer.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 22, 2011 @ 8:47pm
Category: Music / News

Hailing from New York City, Eve To Adam have ben rocking the underground scene like a tidal wave for several years. Now, with Banquet For A Starving Dog, they are hitting the mainstream with full force and wild energy. However, does their album stack up or does it fall prey to becoming one of countless generic fillers? Check after the jump for the answer.

[Review] Eve To Adam Banquet For A Starving Dog

Music
Posted by Sammy-Key on September 20, 2011 @ 7:32pm
Category: Music / News

Don’t take this the wrong way, but it takes a lot to get me excited. It makes me sound like a horrible music fan, but very rarely am I truly hyped on something enough that I am actually anticipating it’s release. Sure, hearing that one of my favorite bands has got an album in the works is always good news – but most of the time I won’t bother marking my calendar. It might be a bad memory, it might be laziness (or maybe I’m just terminally chill) but most of the time I’ll just end up listening to it whenever I get the chance. However, such was not the case with Run For Cover Record’s newest compilation, Mixed Signals. I was waiting for this baby to drop from the moment I saw Tigers Jaw‘s contribution to the comp was streaming on Run For Cover’s website. And I’ll tell you what, I was not disappointed. I was hyped.

rfcmscover [Review] Run For Cover Records Mixed Signals

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 20, 2011 @ 2:39am
Category: Music / News

I couldn’t think of a more perfect day to sit back and listen to a horror movie soundtrack: It’s completely overcast, a slight drizzle pattering down upon the trees whose leaves are already starting to change colors for Fall. All noise is muted, the birds quiet as they attempt to stay dry, the wind strangely soft and gentle. I hit ‘Play’ and allowed Marco Beltrami’s score for Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark to fill my ears as I gazed out the window, watching everything but seeing nothing.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 15, 2011 @ 3:51pm
Category: Music / News

Around since 2001, Textures are only recently getting the attention I believe they deserve. Maybe it’s the Internet and the vastly improved and creative ways in which people can spread the word. Or maybe people are realizing that they are just that good. In any case, it’s a welcome circumstance for a band that I feel deserves to be heard. Now, with the upcoming release of Dualism, their fourth studio album, this Dutch band is spreading further across the globe. But is it worth your effort to track them down?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 14, 2011 @ 6:19pm
Category: Music / News

Can’t put your finger on where you’ve heard the name The Human League before? Well, just revisit this classic 80’s gem, Don’t You Want Me, and feel waves of nostalgia wash over you. Now back with their ninth studio album, Credo, (10 years after their last album!) The Human League are back with more English synthpop. The question is should they have stayed in the 80’s or do they sound at home now. Check after the jump for the answer!

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 13, 2011 @ 6:46pm
Category: Music / News

A new Opeth album is always a mini holiday for me. When Ghost Reveries came out, I was at the store when they opened, put the CD in my car and I only stopped listening to it when I had to move it from my car stereo to my computer, whereupon I continued to blast it for the rest of the day. Honestly, I don’t think there is a Opeth song that I haven’t heard at least ten times. So hopefully by now you can understand my excitement and, also, my apprehension upon listening to Heritage. After all, it’s not that I built myself up specifically for this album. Rather, I have built myself up to the idea of Opeth for years, since I first started listening to them. So how does Heritage measure up to my expectations? Find out after the jump.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 12, 2011 @ 6:12pm
Category: Music / News

Eight years. It’s been eight years since Anthrax have released a studio album. Think about that for a second. The last time they released a studio album was in 2003. That was the year that Freddy Vs. Jason, Final Destination 2, Underworld, and The Texas Chainsaw remake came out. Now that the length of time has sunk in, you can understand why Worship Music holds such high expectations for fans. The question is, “Did this length of time work for or against Anthrax?” Well dear readers, check after the jump for your answer!

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 08, 2011 @ 9:06pm
Category: Music / News

Not knowing much about Wolves Like Us, I entered into reviewing their debut album Late Love with a completely open mind. This Norwegian hardcore punk band is relatively new onto the scene with their debut album having come out in Europe this past June (coming out Sept. 13th in the US). So does this act have what it takes or are they just another drop in the bucket? Check after the jump!