Tag Archives: century media records

03.08.12
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[MUSIC NEWS] Spineshank Signs New Record Deal

SPINESHANK Signs Worldwide Deal with Century Media Records;
New Album ‘Anger Denial Acceptance’ Set for June Release

Grammy-nominated alternative-metal act SPINESHANK have reunited after a six year hiatus and are back full force and completely rejuvenated. The band have inked a worldwide deal with Century Media Records for the release of their new album, Anger Denial Acceptance, that will be released in North America on June 19 and in Europe on June 18.

“We’re very excited to be on a great label like Century Media,” comments guitarist Mike Sarkysian. “Aside from being the premier label for rock and metal, the seem to really understand our vision and are as excited as we are about taking Spineshank to a whole new level!”

Anger Denial Acceptance will be the band’s fourth album and follow up to their 2003 release, Self-Destructive Pattern . “This is by far the proudest I have ever been of any Spineshank record,” says Sarkysian. “Anger Denial Acceptance is the darkest and the most honest this band has ever been.”

The band had previously released a demo in early 2009 titled ‘Born. Conform. Repent.’

-JH

01.29.12
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[MUSIC REVIEW] ‘Dark Adrenaline’ by Lacuna Coil

Dark Adrenaline
by Lacuna Coil
[January 24, 2012 – Century Media Records]
Verdict: 7.5 out of 10

Written by Nathaniel Lay

Lacuna Coil have a unique sound that they’ve been perfecting for (now) six full length albums. Dark Adrenaline is their first new collection since 2009′s Shallow Life, and really is about what fans have come to expect from the band. New listeners will probably be the most surprised by this record, but those of us who have followed the band for years may not be as crazy about it. That being said, Dark Adrenaline is still very impressive and entertaining. Lacuna Coil, after all, have a great sound. Not many bands can really compare to them, which helps the group stick out all the more. Their formula is often moving and powerful, dark and bright, technical and simplistic…even when it’s not surprising you, the music is still interesting and brilliantly performed. Lacuna Coil are, quite obviously, great musicians, and it always shows. For Dark Adrenaline, I had a similar experience as I have with the other albums of theirs I’ve listened to fully. Like before, there’s a handful of tracks that are just excellent and are worth repeated listens. There are also a couple others that I felt could have been so much more (like the cover of “Losing My Religion”). Then, there is the rest that are strong without being stand out. Lacuna Coil could be considered an acquired taste, mostly because it is fronted by a female vocalist for the majority of the time (though there is also a supporting male lead). This puts off some metal heads, but others that don’t mind the sex of the singer should be able to get lost in this album easily. Dark Adrenaline has a lot to offer and deserves several spins before having judgment passed.

[---] Highlight Tracks: “Trip the Darkness”, “Give Me Something More”, “Upside Down”

08.18.11
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[MUSIC] Iwrestledabearonce – Ruining It For Everybody [REVIEW]

IWRESTLEDABEARONCE
Ruining It For Everybody
[Century Media Records]
Verdict: 7/10

When this album was being recorded, IWRESTLEDABEARONCE made some kind of promise that the new material would be a different direction for the band. Upon playing Ruining It For Everybody, I couldn’t help but question what they meant exactly. This album sounds more or less like their other stuff, but that’s OK but me. IWRESTLEDABEARONCE are one of those highly entertaining bands to watch live. They are much better that way than they are on CD. It’s not that they transfer their sound badly or anything, but this is a band that is just bursting with energy, making their stage performance high up there in the ranks. On recording, you can’t really get that feeling. Instead, you can sense that they have screws loose, but it’s just not the same. Nevertheless, Ruining It For Everybody is a step up from the band’s last full length. It’s not a big step forward, but I did find this one a bit more entertaining. I definitely appreciated the clean vocals explored more thoroughly during this record. The electronics also seemed more on the front lines here than on the last record. Basically, what it comes down to, is Ruining It For Everybody is more interesting because of the territory it dives into during this record. I’m curious to see how it transfers on stage, because the band does show some more slow play work during some of these tracks. – by Nathaniel Lay

(yup, it’s a…) Second Opinion

Verdict: 8.5/10

IWRESTLEDABEARONCE have been one of the new breed of bands that isn’t afraid to be, whatever. With their self titled 2007 EP they showed us merely a taste of what was to come. 2009′s It’s All Happening was an exercise in sonic experimentation and general ‘mind-fuckery’. 2010 gave the world a remix cd, which seemed to be a foreshadowing of the bands mindset. Enter 2011. Ruining It For Everybody is released and the bands take on MR. BUNGLE meets THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN brand of chaos is expanded upon. Electronics are used more than ever and it only adds to wonderful mess. Krysta’s vocals are more devastating than before, and now we are treated to her other side, that amazing clean, soulful voice tempts and soars. Tracks like ‘This Head Music Makes My Eyes Rain’ and ‘It Is “Bro” Isn’t It?’ show this side in vivid detail. Her vocals reminding one of Cristina Scabbia of LACUNA COIL, just rawer and, surprisingly, more sultry. On “Bro” she goes from evil demon to sultry siren in the blink of an eye. It never gets tiring or old. Live, as with every other record, one can imagine this would absolutely kill. Ruining It For Everybody is an unrelenting masterpiece of epic proportions. It’s an unapologetic mind fuck meant to make you think, meant to be a welcome relief from the over-saturated scene that seems to be too concerned with it’s hair and makeup than making challenging music. IWABO have managed to craft music that’s dangerous and annoyingly fun. Included on the iTunes release is an incredible cover of MUSE’s ‘Uprising’. The cover was originally released earlier this year on the Homefront: Songs For The Resistance compilation. It fits nicely here and ends this awesome cd off on a high note. Ruining It For Everybody only ruins it for the fakes and half hearted that only wish they had balls this big. -by Jon Hole

05.02.11
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[REVIEW] Norther – Circle Regenerated

NORTHER
Circle Regenerated
[Century Media Records]
Verdict: 7/10

In the spirit of broadening my horizons, I’ve been lately pushing myself down the metal road, one of which I constantly fight with when it comes to being a music reviewer. Being a stickler in this genre, I tend to dislike most of what I hear, but Norther is one of the exceptions. Circle Regenerated did not instantly make me a fan, but it did grab my attention pretty much right from the start. This is one of those metal bands that has a classic feel to it without sounding ancient. I’m not a fan of the power vocals, or whatever you call that style of high pitched singing from older metal releases, so I’m glad to hear that isn’t part of Norther’s formula. Circle Regenerated features singing, but it’s powered mainly by a screamer (who sounds quite good, despite not having much range). While the first half of this record is steady amusement, it’s once you hit the half way mark that the band seems to really bring in their big guns. “Truth” would probably be the first track to mark this excitement period for the album; with its soaring chorus and interesting opening, “Truth” leaves an impact. From here, Norther then picks up the speed a bit more for several tracks. “Believe” and “Falling” brings things back to a more medium tempo before leading into one of the standout songs of the record: “We Do Not Care”. This track is probably the most varied in sound, and features some excellent vocal work (whether its the screaming, the singing, shouting, or chanting). Circle Regenerated then carries on this strong vibe for the remainder of the album, bringing it all together with the often beautiful “Closing In”. Once the smoke has cleared, I found myself a fan of Norther. They didn’t necessarily blow me away, but they certainly showed me one of the better sides of metal. If I (a non-fan of the genre) dig this record, then chances are a true metal head is going to eat it up. – by Nathaniel Lay