EGYPT CENTRAL
White Rabbit
[Fat Lady Music / ILG]
Verdict: 8.5/10
Hard rock has a special place in my heart since I grew up on this kind of music. Bands like SEETHER, TRAPT, NICKELBACK, PUDDLE OF MUDD…they will always be friends of mine, even as they lose their magic with every passing release. While I’ve since grown away from this genre in general, I always appreciate running into a band from it that is worth a flashback. EGYPT CENTRAL serves such a purpose. Like all hard rock really, it sounds like any other leader of the genre, but you won’t care. White Rabbit has some really great rock anthems to be heard, especially with “Ghost Town” and “White Rabbit”. EGYPT CENTRAL got the formula down, not that there’s much to it in all honesty. I may sound like I’m beating up the genre, but the fact is these bands do all sound pretty damn close to one another. However, I still definitely dig it. While there are plenty of hard rock groups that just fucking suck, EGYPT CENTRAL is not one of them. White Rabbit is one of the genre releases that should really get some attention. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s up there with the likes of SEETHER or TRAPT, but it does find itself somewhere around HINDER and SHINEDOWN (I can imagine what kind of shit I’ll hear for saying that). This is thoroughly enjoyable and rock worthy. There are plenty of great moments to be explored here, so put on your dusty leather jacket, head to the local bar, play some pool, throw back some beers, and blast this shit. – by Nathaniel Lay
Category Archives: Featured
[MUSIC] Undesirable People – Undesirable People EP [REVIEW]
UNDESIRABLE PEOPLE
Undesirable People
[South Division Records]
Verdict: 8.5/10
Recently signed to South Division and re-releasing this EP, UNDESIRABLE PEOPLE are a band with the makings for something great. Hailing from Michigan, this punk rock group have a sound that is honest and passionate sounding, without having some vocalist whining like a little bitch. At times, UNDESIRABLE PEOPLE resemble a mixture of TAKING BACK SUNDAY and THIS TIME NEXT YEAR. This combination of gritty rock and punk makes for a good balance. The first couple tracks are the strongest, and more heavily built on the rock elements. The last song, “Women Be Shoppin’”, is obviously more punk influenced and, while enjoyable, comes out as the weak link. The first three songs are definitely where the meat is. “Resting As Ruins” takes the number one spot with its overall awesome presentation and addictive sound, though the chorus of “Olegna Vaughn; The Trabadour” does come very close. While only four tracks in length, one of which is only 90 seconds long, Undesirable People is most certainly a successful record worth many returns. This is likely to become a band to watch in the coming year or so. Bring on the full length! – by Nathaniel Lay
[MUSIC] Eat the Gun – Runner [REVIEW]
EAT THE GUN
Runner
[Metalville Records]
Verdict: 8/10
For me, the most appealing characteristic of EAT THE GUN is their similarity to THE PINK SPIDERS, a band I’ve missed since their awesome Graffiti album some years back. Both bands have this arena rock/punk blend that is just addictive as hell. While, yes, the band released this new record on a label called Metalville, I wouldn’t consider the band of the suggested genre. There are, however, elements of classic hair metal to be heard during Runner (especially with “Not Dead Yet”), but mostly I’d have to stick with the arena rock/punk tag. With EAT THE GUN, you can expect big choruses, dirty sounding vocals, and down right catchy moments throughout. The first part of Runner shines with its great anthems, while the mid section brings in those more metal moments. They don’t last long though. Within a couple tracks, Runner starts moving more into radio rock styles. This lasts for almost the rest of the time; things don’t switch back to the more punk influenced stuff until the very end. As a whole, Runner offers up enough changes to keep the album interesting from start to finish. When making a verdict on the band judging by this collection, the final score is a definite thumbs up. EAT THE GUN has my stamp of approval. This is a rowdy, good time. – by Nathaniel Lay
[REVIEW] Mojo GoGo – Cheats, Chicks & Powders [UNSIGNED REVIEW]
MOJO GOGO
Cheats, Chicks & Powders
[Independent]
Verdict: 9/10
Coming from overseas (somewhere) is MOJO GOGO, a band that has an indie rock groove to it that is quite contagious. Cheats, Chicks & Powders is the band’s second EP, and a short one at that. Only three tracks in length (and around 10.5 minutes), this is very much a tease. Blending math rock with the indie punk styles of several Paper & Plastick bands, MOJO GOGO easily get your attention right off the bat with “Romance In The Lie”. While all three of these tracks are definitely great diamonds in the rough, it would have to be the final one that deserves the most attention. “Lust” is more laid back than the others, and has a “hey, man, chill” smooth sound to it that is undeniable. Cheats, Chicks & Powders is a very pleasant surprise from a band we should all be looking into. – by Nathaniel Lay
[MUSIC] Greeley Estates [INTERVIEW]
Short ‘n’ Sweet
Interview with: GREELEY ESTATES [Tragic Hero Records]
by Jon Hole
Thank you for taking the time answer these questions. Who am i speaking with and what is your role in the band?
David Ludlow, I play guitar and bring the energy!
I really enjoyed how The Death Of Greeley Estates mixes the best of both Go West… and No Rain…, how was the writing process for the new record? By that i mean did you approach it any different than on any of the previous albums?
We always approach it with a definitive idea of the sound were looking for. Not too much just “happens by accident” really. We set out with the idea of combining the two records. We were however intentionally trying to expand what is considered the Greeley sound. We knew we wanted more vocal melody and we knew we wanted it to musically sound a little more grand, so just finding the right ways to do that was the hard part. But it was also the fun part.
Im sure fans are curious and have been asking, what exactly is the meaning behind the title of the new record?
It was just a name that we liked and knew would stick in peoples heads right away. It’s definitely an unforgettable title. And we always write the records not looking at the future, but just focusing on the now. So with that in mind, it’s kind of a sarcastic look at how we view our music. Put everything on the line and see where it takes you.
How has the feedback been on the new material?
Everything as been incredibly positive, and were very excited about that.
What is it, if its possible to explain, thats kept you going as a band? Is there a larger goal in mind?
Not so much a larger goal, it’s actually quite the opposite. We really enjoy playing music and hanging out as friends, so it makes it easy to continue. We’re not a gimmick, we’re not a trend, we’re just a group of dudes that enjoy what we do.
Besides the current tour with The Plot In You, what can we expect from Greeley Estates for the remainder of 2011?
Nothing set in stone as to what were doing yet, looking at going over seas again, and coming back to the US in the late fall/early winter. You can definitely expect us to be touring, we don’t know how to do anything else!
One last question before we end here…whats your favorite energy drink, go!
Rockstar Fruit Punch!! Looooove it!!
[MUSIC] Persistent Heart Media Release New Compilation [NEWS]
The new compilation from Persistent Heart Media is now up for streaming and free download >> http://soundcloud.com/lexington-music-press/sets/elephantiasis-a-heavy-as
The compilation can also be streamed at www.persistentheartmedia.com. This 20 track collection is very heavy and brutal, featuring the likes of BALOR’S EYE, EYES SEE BLIND, DRAYTON SAWYER, I AM INTENTION, CAMISADO, and more.
[MUSIC] Eyes Set To Kill – White Lotus [REVIEW]
EYES SET TO KILL
White Lotus
[Forsee/Maphia]
Verdict: 5/10
White Lotus, the fourth *cough* full length from EYES SET TO KILL, isn’t much more than a glorified EP, one without any sort of an ebb-and-flow to follow along to as the first few songs fit in with what the band has been doing sonically up to this point (soaring clean vocals, spotty screaming, crunchy guitars), but the last four are acoustic, two of them cover songs. That being said, if White Lotus was to have been released as two separate EP’s, it would have been better off for it. Regardless, the usual back-and-forth vocal aesthetic ESTK have become known for lacks fluidity here and isn’t nearly as dynamic as it’s been in years past. And new screamer Cisko Miranda is near invisible throughout the album, and even when he is called upon to man the mic (“The Secrets Between,” “Erasing Everything”), he sounds out of place and cumbersome. “Harsh” and “Where I Want to Be” represent the two best cuts off the album, as they showcase what has long been the main selling point for ESTK – the vocal work of Alexia Rodriguez. The latter song brings a bit of heft to White Lotus, though that isn’t saying all that much because for the most part this album lacks any punch at all. The two covers (HOLE’s “Doll Parts” and NIRVANA’s “Polly”) aren’t all that bad, but they aren’t enough to save White Lotus. In the span of one album cycle, it seems that EYES SET TO KILL went from an intriguing aggressive metalcore outfit with catchy melodic elements to a seemingly disposable female fronted pop-metal group. There are some promising songs here, which is too bad, because they just get lost in the confusing mess that is White Lotus.
-by Brian Campbell
Second Opinion
EYES SET TO KILL
White Lotus
[Forsee Records]
Verdict: 6.5/10
It’s interesting revisiting bands you haven’t listened to in a long time, especially when they have a new album. There seems to be some sort of comfort there, even though you’ve grown apart. The downside to EYES SET TO KILL’s fourth album, White Lotus, is that it sounds like the band has done almost no growing from their standard female-fronted post-hardcore sound since I left them two albums ago. EYES SET TO KILL have never been a bad band but I thought they had so much more potential than what seems to be shown on this newest release. The band still executes the ‘good cop/bad cop’ vocal delivery found on previous album’s with founding singer Alexia Rodriguez and new screamer/rhythm guitarist Cisko Miranda, who I found to be mediocre. And although I’m not a huge fan of Cisko, he may not be around for long, as the band has not been able to keep the same screaming vocalist for more than two albums. Alexia, on the other hand, is really the key member of this band; playing lead guitar, writing the lyrics, and having a great voice. The track “Harsh” really showcases her talent, making it one of the best tracks on the album. The album starts very strong with tracks like “The Secrets Between” and “Further” but White Lotus starts to lose something about midway through. All but one of the first six songs are harder and fast paced, but the last four are all acoustic. I love acoustic tracks normally but leaving all of them (two of which are covers and one of which is an acoustic version of “Harsh”) for the end of the album ends the album with a bad flow. I feel like the band felt pressured to release a new album with their new vocalist as soon as possible and so the whole thing was rushed. The first six songs should have been the White Lotus EP and the other tracks should have been released later as B-Sides. There’s never been anything blatantly wrong with EYES SET TO KILL, they just have some growing to do.
– by Michael Tahmasian.
[MUSIC] Trivium – In Waves [REVIEW]
TRIVIUM
In Waves
[Roadrunner Records]
Verdict: 9.5/10
Being a guy that shook off past Trivium records, I could see I was making a mistake. But this week I went back and listened to every Trivium album in order, including In Waves, the band’s newest release. And I can tell you that this may be Trivium’s best release yet. With so many good songs, it’s hard to not forget an album as immaculate as In Waves. The band took what they learned from Shogun and how well they could structure such long-lasting songs, while meshing that with the unforgettable chugging-along aspect of Ascendancy, and they totally streamlined their sound to brew up a storm that is everything metal. And I can’t say enough good things about it. The guitar riffs are memorable, the lyrics a bit cheesy and cliche at times, but the catchiness of songs like “In Waves,” “Watch The World Burn” and “Inception Of The End” prove that Trivium’s beefy but ear-catching strategy hasn’t burnt out on them yet. There are just too many guitar solos and lovable riffs that In Waves is almost too good to be true. It’s got a timeless and unforgettable element to it. I simply can’t forget songs like the unimaginably brilliant “Caustic Are The Ties That Bind” and seemingly chaotic “A Skyline’s Severance.” Matt Heafy’s screams are possibly some of his best yet, while his Metallica-esque cleans are emotionally captivating and sometimes bitter. And with six bonus tracks that are nearly as good as the other 13, you just simply cannot go wrong. Two intro tracks show the little progression that the band has made, as they’re a break from the awesomeness and keep you from going deaf from all of the madness that the actual tracks contain. Trivium’s back, and bigger and better than ever ladies and gentlemen. They combined everything from their past records while blending thrash and metalcore at a near-epic level. And I can’t get enough of it. In Waves is an album that shows off just what I love about metal. Now there’s just one thing left to do, and that is to see these guys live. — by Tim Dodderidge
Second Opinion
TRIVIUM
In Waves
[Roadrunner Records]
Verdict: 9/10
In metal today, no band seems to get more undeserved sh*t than TRIVIUM. Even the band’s previous fantastic release Shogun did little to silence the band’s critics. The band has come under criticism for many reasons, the band members are not very humble about their talent and while not bad by any means, the band’s second major release, The Crusade fell a little too close for comfort to blatant METALLICA worship and is generally seen as a step back from the band’s excellent big label debut, Acendency. Last, there is a general disdain for anything related to metalcore. While most of the criticism is unfair, the band has continued to march on and refine their brand of metalcore/neo-thrash. For In Waves, the band has combined the sound of all three of their major releases but lean most toward Ascendancy. Chaotic yet melodic songs are filled with fantastic riffs, memorable choruses, and solos aplenty. There is also a sharp disconnect that oddly works, in that here lies the band’s heaviest and most radio-friendly songs in the same album. “Dusk Dismantled” and “Chaos Reigns” are crushingly heavy, and the latter features a groove-metal main riff that is impossible not to head-bang to. On the flip side, “Built to Fall” and “Black” are melodic enough to receive radio play, but would certainly be the classiest of most rock radio stations selections, as TRIVIUM doesn’t stoop to the level of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE to create catchy yet heavy songs. My only major complaint about the album is that Matt Heafy still loves to scream (or sometimes sing) the titles of songs over and over during the song. Most of the time it’s fine, but the repetition is a bit much during “In Waves” and “Chaos Reigns”. The other issue is that with a return to the style of Ascendency, the song structures are a bit more simplistic than on Shogun. Overall, while some may be disappointed the band has mostly left behind the progressive and technical tendencies from Shogun, In Waves is still a shining example of the band in top form.
Stream: “Inception of the End”
-by Nicholas Senior
[MUSIC] Attack Attack! [INTERVIEW]
Short ‘n’ Sweet
An interview with ATTACK ATTACK!
by Jon Hole
Ahhh yes. Summer. Heat. Humidity. Scantily clad women. Warped Tour. As is done every year, Warped Tour 2011 is rolling around the US and laying waste to whatever city it decides to rest in. This years line up is extremely strong with bands that have been blowing up. MISS MAY I. ASKING ALEXANDRIA. ENTER SHIKARI. Bands that are extremely heavy. WINDS OF PLAGUE. THE ACACIA STRAIN. And pretty much everything in between. For i believe the fourth year in a row, Rise Records ATTACK ATTACK! have been wowing crowds and doing their thing. With a freshly released Deluxe Edition of their 2010 self titled record, featuring 8 bonus tracks, under their belt, AA! once again proves why they are one of the scenes best. If you still havent picked up their re-issue or seen them live, now is the time to do so.
First off, let me just say the re-issue is fantastic. Who am I ‘speaking’ with and what is your role in the band?
My name is Wetzel and I play drums in the band.
How has the response to the newer material on the re-issue?
The response has been fantastic to all of our new material. Very exciting!
It sounds like you guys were experimenting with different sounds on the 4 newer tracks…
That is correct.
How do you feel these songs represent the current state of mind within the band?
These songs definitely reflect the gradual change in our musical taste and the evolution of our writing capabilities. We really wanted to experiment with a more “rock” sound on these songs because it’s a genre we haven’t really touched yet.
How has Warped Tour 2011 been compared to previous ones?
It’s been fantastic. Crowds have been gigantic, the response of our new material has been absolutely awesome, and we’ve been having a total ball just hanging out and jamming on Main Stage.
What are Attack Attack!’s plans for the rest of the year?
We’re going to hit the studio and write/record until we can’t possibly put musical notes together any more. Then we’re going to head back out on the road and show case what we’ve come up with!
One last question, if you could put together a ‘dream’ tour of current bands, who would be on it?
Panic at the Disco, Muse, and Linkin Park.
Thanks for taking time out to answer these questions.
No problem.
[MUSIC] Car Party Contest
Want to win some signed merch from Car Party?
Persistent Heart Media and the band have a contest going for the month of August celebrating the release of High & Low Places. All you have to do is write a review of the new album (at least 250 words) and send it to nate_phmedia@yahoo.com. The company and Car Party will choose their favorite review and the writer will win a signed merch package.
Make sure to include your full name and address to be chosen as a winner. It is OK to be an international contestant.
[MUSIC] Underoath [INTERVIEW]
INTERVIEW W/ DANIEL DAVISON (DRUMS) BY MICHAEL TAHMASIAN
How’s this tour been so far?
It’s been good, we’ve been out for I guess about a month now. Between three weeks to a month.
Any interesting stories yet?
I can’t think of a specific story, but it’s been cool. It’s our first time touring with any of these bands. We’ve known some of the guys from previous bands or whatever, but it’s been awesome getting to know all of them like letlive, Stray From The Path, and Times Of Grace. They’re all awesome dudes and we’ve been hanging out every day.
How do you feel Disambiguation is different from past Underoath albums?
I think the most obvious difference is Aaron not being in the band anymore and Spencer having taken over all the vocals. I think that’s the most obvious difference, not having Aaron’s voice there. I think it took away kind of the poppier element of the band. Now the band kind of leans more towards the darker vibe, maybe more mature. That’s how I see it anyway. And then, Aaron and I have different drumming styles, but I don’t think that’s as obvious as the absence of his vocals.
What’s it like being the new guy in the band and how was recording for the first time with Underoath?
It was cool. I mean I’ve known the guys for like 10 years. We’ve been good friends for a long time so it was a pretty easy transition. Now it’s been like a year and half and it doesn’t even feel that new anymore. But it’s been great.
What is your favorite song to play live right now and why?
I really like a song we’re playing this tour, as far as the songs we’re playing on this tour, “Vacant Mouth,” which is one of the new songs off of Disambiguation. This is the first tour we’re playing it and it’s really fun. But a song that we’re not playing “A Divine Eradication,” which is one of the heavier songs on the record, is just really fun to play.
Underoath usually incorporates videos into their live shows, what inspires those?
Tim, the guitar player, used to do the majority of that and put it together but when I joined the band I kind of took over that realm. He and I did that together for a little bit and he has a lot other stuff within the band that he contributes to, so I’ve taken over doing that. I mean I’ve always, I guess for the last ten years or so, been really interested in and involved in film and video. Again, just like the music, I like to capture dark vibes; not really with any message or storyline but more just experimental.
How’d you get into film?
Just through being into photography, which I got into during high school. In 9th or 10th grade I took a photography class and that just kind of turned me onto that. Then somebody bought me a Super 8 Camera, which is like old 60’s movie film; that was probably in 2002. It was the same thing as photography, except everything is moving. So it was just kind of the next natural progression from doing photography.
What music are you listening to these days and being influenced by?
I rarely listen to a lot of heavy music anymore, but the few bands that are of that genre that are inspiring and have a passion and a feeling that I think heavy music should have are letlive and Stray From The Path. If you watch their shows, it’s just very energetic and real. It’s not like all this new cheesy heavy bands that are coming, that to me are a dime a dozen. There’s real passion and meaning and real energy. I mean I’ve said it like five times, it’s just real music. So yeah, those bands as far as heavy music go, but I listen to a lot of ambient stuff. It’s just more chill. Radiohead, I think everyone in our band would say Radiohead. They’ve been one of my favorite bands for the last ten years. A band called Woven Hand and Blonde Redhead – those are kind of my go to bands
What plans does Underoath have after this tour?
Two days after this tour ends we go to Europe for five festivals. Then we come home and have like two or three weeks off and then start another US tour in mid-September with Comeback Kid, The Chariot, and This Is Hell.
Anything else you want to add or tell the fans?
I don’t think so, except to anyone who’s reading this, just thank you for the support.
[MUSIC] Greeley Estates – The Death Of [REVIEW]
GREELEY ESTATES
The Death Of Greeley Estates
[Tragic Hero Records]
Verdict: 8/10
When a band like GREELEY ESTATES hits the scene, it’s to great fan appreciation and love. Even when they change their sound from post-hardcore to full on metalcore aggression. Such was the transition from 2008′s Go West Young Man, Let The Evil Go East to last year’s No Rain, No Rainbow. In keeping with this metamorphosis, The Death Of Greeley Estates sees a perfect mixture of the clean, crisp melodies and production of Go West… blending with the powerful nature of No Rain… to produce a record that not only retains all the heavier elements, as well as the kid choruses, but the delicious melodies that make GREELEY ESTATES so original. Album opener “Straightjacket” embodies all these elements and turns heads. It mixes the old with the new to make a racket that is truely invigorating even adding additional elements like the crazy track opening samples, which do liter the entire album, not becoming annoying but adding the perfect atmosphere for what these guys do. “The Last Dance” wastes no time getting down ‘n’ dirty with a nasty little groove and a very memorable clean chorus. The only oddity is how the vocals were recorded. They sound deep in the mix or as if they were recorded in a huge warehouse, but for some reason it works beautifully. Again, only adding to the atmosphere and overall vibe of the record. The story telling in the songwritting has gotten to a point that one could imagine them used as a soundtrack to a movie or television show, as in the track “Bodies”. Amazing stuff. “A Thousand Burning Forests” has a vibe that is almost epic. It’s a “slower”, but no less aggressive, song that just bleeds emotion and passion. This is songwriting at its finest. A huge leap forward for this style of music. It ends and bleeds into “Broken”, an interlude that adds to the massiveness and creativeness these boys are spilling all over this record. “Leave The Light On” is the end result of the previous two tracks and its as heavy as anything heard on No Rain… if not more so in its maturity. The opening moments of “The Reaction” has an element to it thats every bit as exciting and brutal as anything on any Summer Slaughter Tour. A nod towards the skill these boys have. Album closer “December”, like the months of the year, ends on a note that is melancholy and beautiful at the same time. Do not sleep on this record. This new GREELEY ESTATES will be the death of a scene that has lost its heart and passion. This is merely a beginning… — by Jon Hole
