Entropy - Reclamation 2010

Entropy – Reclamation 2010

www.myspace.com/entropy_uk

Entropy is a four piece thrash metal outfit from Liverpool who have been gracing the venues around Liverpool and a bit beyond for around 15 years.

After seeing Entropy performing live around 8 times now I am fully conversant with the tracks on the Reclamation CD. 

The cover depicts a very dark and dismal portrait of ruins which lay amidst debris from certain war.  Not at all removed from what the band sing about in their own unique style that we all know as Entropy.

Finally gathering a strong following from fans as well as other bands who realise that these four guys are level headed as well as bloody awesome musicians who more than deserve the respect of those around them and all who come into contact with them.

I first saw the band last year at the Zanzibar and was blown away with their unique style of thrash and brutal lyrics.

Track one: “Gulf of Misery”

Weep for the mighty fallen.  This track outlines the misery of a soldier at war, very apt seeing as there are wars everywhere, not just in the Gulf either.  Daz always reminds me of a spider on speed when he plays this track, his fingers just a blur.  Melodic music with brutal lyrics, a nice combination!

Track two: “Weapons for War”

Another fast and furious track with a hypnotic tempo and an ear- pleasing hook line.  Great harmonies from Ian work well with Daz’s powerful vocals.  Karl as laid back as he is on stage offers some great lead riffs. Fading out with a TV broadcast voice over effect great track!

Track three: “Reclamation”

Great thundering track this really has the blood pressure rising with its powerful heavy beats and thrash sound.  Mind-blowing!!

Track four: “The eyes have it”

Great drumming and bass open this frenzy of sound.  Daz roars out more brutal lyrics….  “Lies deceit betrayal, the truth will prevail” Reminding us that we cannot hide behind our insecurities as the eyes will give us away and that they do. But this track is more the ears have it because the sound just wraps itself around them and leaves you wanting more from this quartet of brutality!

Thanks for the mention on the CD guys – appreciated, but still have to get this little beauty signed…

Roll on the 9^th time I get to see you guys live can’t wait!!!!!

Members:

Darran Cooper – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar

Ian McCormack – Bass

Rob Boyd – Drums

Karl Rigby – Lead Guitar

Fallen Agenda - 2 track taster CD

Fallen Agenda 2 track CD

          

http://www.myspace.com/fallenagenda

Fallen Agenda first came to my attention when I saw them live at the Head of Steam pub a couple of months ago.   I couldn’t fail to be impressed with the set despite the dodgy sound at the venue, but Naomi has such a strong distinctive voice which is backed up by Izzy the bands other female member who does great harmonies as well as play the strings for the band.  Not many rock bands out there with two female members and even less female guitarists.  Hailing from the Liverpool area and are a heavy dark rock outfit Fallen Agenda really come into their own on stage, so it is my pleasure to review this 2 track taster CD from them.

Track one:  ”The Otherside”

Fantastic guitar to open this track with thunderous drumming and bass.  I particularly love the harmonies on this track.  Naomi’s vocals crisp and clean sound awesome and work in well with the band’s sound.   Shan’s powerful drumming bring the track together nicely with Gary’s great catchy bass lines making it a really moreish track to listen to. Always made better by seeing the band live to get a feel for their brand of heavy rock, which is a real crowd puller.

Track two:  “Glorious Flames”

Great drumming from Shan on this track, but sadly a few out of tune moments are detected, at the beginning and at the end, but despite that the track has its moments of glory. Izzy’s exceptional playing stands out, which has a powerful rhythm. Not bad for just 4 members and I have just seen that they are now looking for a second guitarist to add to this rock band extraordinaire.

If you get the chance to see Fallen Agenda you will experience a really powerful set. Naomi has the crowd eating out of her hand pulling you in deeper into their own brand of melodic dark rock and as always puts so much feeling into each and every song.

I personally feel that this CD does not really do the band justice at all and looking forward to hearing more from them, especially with another guitarist in tow which should really give them an even more powerful edge.

Members:   

Naomi-- Vocals

Izzy-- Guitar/ Backing vocals

Gary-- Bass

Shan-- Drums

Mortad Promo CD 2011

Plus Discipline and Distortion Video

www.myspace.com/mortadmetal

I have been after this CD for a long time now and finally it arrived from the bands founder and awesome Iranian female vocalist, Somi Arian who can growl with the best of them!

Mortad are a 4 piece progressive death metal band hailing from the London area although formed in 2008 in Scotland.  Somi relocated to London in the summer of 2010 to further the bands development.

On speaking to Somi way back last year I asked her how she managed to sing in that “special” fashion and her answer was simply that she realised she had a knack for growling and wanted to experiment thus Mortad was born.

I watched Mortad’s fan-base grow from meagre 500 or so fans to over 35,000, but they are just continuing to go from strength to strength.  Somi is a fighter and has come through a lot of adversity.  Her lyrics are powerful and carry the message of hypocrisy in Religion and government hatred to trying to find her inner self. I personally think Somi has found herself and also a unique niche in the metal market.

The cover cleverly depicts raised gloved hands the nearest one drips blood and in the background a startling white light.  One may be led to believe they are the hands rising for a gig, but the fingers are spread out and not in any metal sign …. Very clever indeed!

Somi has an unusual style in the fact that to look at her you would think she belongs on a catwalk with all the other models.  Her attire attracts more than just attention it screams “Look at me” Her daily gym routine keeps her ahead of her game, then she starts to growl, you realise then and only then, that this is where Somi Arian belongs and so rightly deserves to be, on stage with three other awesome musicians complimenting her vocal chords.

Track one: “Pandemic Paranoia”

A driving force of fuelled brutality awaits you as you bite into the venomous riffs, compelling you to feel anger and hate.  An awesome array of sound engulfs you as Somi growls out the lyrics eating into your soul and regurgitating the remains.  It really hits the spot!

Track two: “Black Rose deflowered”

My least favourite track on the CD as this doesn’t seem to have a direction in the same way the other two tracks do. It is shorter for one reason being just 3:31 compared to the third track which scans a full 6:00, but that is not to say that despite that, it does whet the appetite but in a totally different way. Very “black” metal sound with an almost chant like vocal, but just like Roses…. They grow on you!

Track three: “Stricken”

Some “striking” guitar to open, from strings-man Jonathan Hughes with crushing drums from Szymek Lawik, breaking in like a hot knife going through butter. This track just melts the mind! Quite Sabbathy in places this track is earthy and full of raucous growling.  How on earth Somi can sing like that without losing her voice is something I will never get my head around. The guitar just rips your face off in true metal style and I think clearly my favourite track on the CD. I love the way the guitar just taunts you at the end of this track, with the obvious hissing noise in the background. It ticks all the boxes for me.

Discipline and Distortion Video:

A great addition to this CD is the video, where you can sample Mortad performing the above track.  The feeling behind this track is nothing but total brutality and it unfolds in front of you like a red carpet.  Great production and shows Mortad in their true colours, black, white … and red!

It is very obvious to even the untrained eye that Mortad are not only rising but risen to a very high standard in a very short space time and clearly worth the appreciation they so well deserve.

Somi has carved her way into the metal scene by sheer guts and determination. Not only does she growl the songs she writes them too! Very multi-talented and this has earned her a lot of respect, and rightly so!

It is clear to see Mortad have the spark, determination and added drive that will leave you in no doubt that they can, and have indeed, delivered the goods with flying colours!

I hope the band manage to do a tour up north, as I would love to see the mighty Mortad in all their glory!

Somi Arian - Vocals

Jonathan Hughes - Guitar

Joseph Perumal - Bass

Szymek Lawik - Drums

Veilside CD - This Time - 2011

Veilside – This Time 2011

www.veilsideband.com

Well it has been a real pleasure reviewing this CD from Veilside in Chicago, USA sent to me by non-other than the bands frontman Tony Engel.

Veilside are a 5 piece melodic rock band and hardly surprising they won the title for original band, in Nitelife’s magazine in 2008 and a well-deserved title for a band of this calibre.

For those wondering why? It is my pleasure… I will tell you, because this CD takes me back to my grass roots, stripping me back to basics.  I have not listened to a CD like this since…. Well let’s not get into that and just let’s review the CD.

It is a fantastic mix of melodic rock and blues with plenty of surprises adding real spice to the auditory senses!

The CD cover depicts a broken hour glass in the sand and is called “This time” with the words Veilside outlined in white. A very tasteful cover and one that I could see in my old vinyl collection.  It opens out into a double gate-fold sleeve and in the middle has a couple of hand drawn cogs incorporating a timepiece and in microscopic writing a tiny box giving a list of the tracks, which appear larger on the back side of the cover. Also not forgetting the five photographs of the bands handsome members on the inside cover all in high glossy finish.

Track one:   “Every time you call”

Some very beautiful strings in this track, backed up with some meaty bass lines and powerful riffs with crisp but gutsy vocals give this track a real bluesy feel.  A bit like the Eagles but a lot more “In your face”

Track two:   “3 to 5”

3 to 5 is a real rock classic with ballsy vocals with clever talk box effect and great guitar licks expertly produced.  Awesome harmonies and kick ass bass.

Track three:     “Dust in the wind”

I loved the version of this track by the Scorpions, but Veilside have made it their own.  That great rock feel to it with guitars that give out a melodic feel courtesy of Jon Badalamenti and Russ O Dean, and powered by the brilliant drumming of Ron Thomas….(so glad he was inspired to play by Nico McBrain) with a great fade out at the end.

Track four: “Along the way”

A Beautiful rock ballad, with awesome acoustic guitar and more quiet vocals, crisp and yet uncompromising. Awesome listening! A track you have to listen to with your eyes closed! Not too far removed from 3 doors down only more like 3 floors up!

Track five: “Hypocrisy”

A real meat grinder this track.. Turn the volume up for this one! Really raw and moreish with a nice chunky little riff through-out making you want to bang your head violently.  A great build up in the middle of the track with some great strings, just sends you into orbit! You do not want this track to end and when it does you simply have to press repeat!

Track six:   “My turn”

Another ballad, but with a twist! But don’t want to give too much away. The cleverly written lyrics “Tossing a flower now you’re gone” clearly a track about persons no longer here and the feelings of one who is left to pick up the pieces. (Sadly two people were mentioned on the inside cover and are for who the CD is dedicated.

In my humble opinion if someone asked me what my favourite track was on this album, I would be hard pushed to give a single answer… ALL the tracks are memorable in their own way and good food for thought. They all have an exciting addiction and you just want to keep playing the CD over and over again, which is of course what happens, so I would have to say that ALL the songs are my favourite ones!

This CD mirrors images of reflection and reminiscent of the past that once was. Great listening! But in true metal style I will have to listen again…. Just one more time!

It is by no means lame and offers a cacophony of sound from plundering bass lines to catchy guitar licks and gritty vocals, in short it delivers!!

Members:

Bob “Cabo” Hilton   Bass

Russ O Dean           Guitars/Backing Vocals

Tony Engel              Lead Vocals

Ron Thomas            Drums-Backing Vocals

Jon Badalamenti      Guitars/Backing Vocals

Scare Tactics - LGoS - 18.5.2011

Scare Tactics

Liverpool Guild of Students 18.5. 2011

http://www.myspace.com/scaretacticsband

Second up at LGoS, were the amazing SCARE TACTICS, or as Andy renamed them Scary Tic-tac’s, for no apparent reason other than to stimulate crowd participation, which they do extremely well with their awesome groove metal style.  Down to earth, but with the great sense of humour followers alike have grown accustomed to when they see this band live. They make all feel wanted and prove it time and time again and encouraging a great rapport with everyone who come into contact with them.

They always have something special up their sleeve, and it is true that when you experience the band live, you never know what you are going to get from horses head masks one night to sweets the next – sadly I did not partake in the sweets, but there were plenty there that did and went back for second helpings! But this band share more than sweets and sense of humour, delivering time and time again their unique style of awesome groove metal.

The band sung six songs in all.  Five of their own songs and one cover “Schism” by the band Tool, which Stu the amazing drummer of the band, informed me ”It’s fun to do a cover sometimes!” and that is true, but for me I prefer hearing their own brand of music rather than others, because they are the sounds that indeed are purely SCARE TACTICS!

A unique blend of grooves and kick ass drumming intermingled with Andy’s awesome vocals and Danny’s catchy bass lines.

The fifth track of the set “Drunk Fuck” which the band tried hard in vein not to say (due to their elders being present) although they obviously know what is coming: D came out as “Drunk and in love” or words along those lines, is clearly a crowd favourite, mine too! Again due to that catchy chorus!

There was great support for the band (who sold over 50 tickets) despite being spat on from a great height by the 02 with change of venue one day before the gig commenced… Not very cool 02!!!

In amongst the crowd were two of the guys from the fantastic thrash outfit ENTROPY, who have, as SCARE TACTICS have done, took the time out to support other bands, which is what real metal is about! Great to see this as I have pointed out before, creating a much more friendly face to the metal scene.

If you have not already seen SCARE TACTICS live watch out for them because I can guarantee you will not know what hit you!!!

Andrew Barker                 Vocals/Guitar

Stuart Barker                    Drums

Danny Williams               Bass

Paul Charnock                  Guitar

Set List:

Right Hand Man

Someone Else

Wrong but Righteous

Schism

Drunk Fuck

We Live

Absolence - LGoS - 18.5.2011

Absolence

Liverpool Guild of Students, 18.5.2011

         

http://WWW.ABSOLENCE.NET

On entering the LGoS building everything seemed bright with a large bar and great company, but on entering into the stage area, things took a turn for the worse!  Inside the double doors was like going underground into a dark dismal void.

It should have come as no surprise as the 02 had not even told the band of change of venue until the day before the gig as Snoop had to have his moment at the 02, pushing two awesome bands and their followers into this dark pit of bleakness.

But despite this both bands again delivered an awesome set.

The sound wasn’t crisp but the room (and that is all it was really) with its low ceiling and bleak surroundings were hardly ideal.  The stage was literally a wide step!

ABSOLENCE appeared on stage around 8pm and did 5 tracks.  On occasions the sound did nothing to bolster the bands reputation or do them justice at all.

ABSOLENCE in true metal form took this all in their stride and ploughed on regardless through their set starting with “Needed to be wanted” a great bone crusher, despite loss of vocals at one point, but nobody could blame the band one bit!

The few that found their way to the venue gathered around the step and huddled together in appreciation for the guys, who really packed a punch, despite the dismal layout of an oppressive vault!

Steve’s mane looked awesome in the dimly lit glare of the stage lighting as the band bombarded the room with their dual melodic riffs and guttural vocals.

Joined on stage was stand in “Ian Parry” who replaced Dave Evans who couldn’t play with the band that night, not sure why, but I do know Ian did an awesome job of learning five tracks in record time according to Mike Black the bands awesome skins man.

The band wasted no time into launching into their second song “Left Here” with yet more melodious riffs and catchy hook lines in the offing!

I was however a little disappointed when I realized that the band were not incorporating “Carpathian Resolve” in their set as Steve’s awesome guitar work on this is immense, but very happy that they played “Stay Away” as it is without a doubt my favourite ABSOLENCE track.  So deliciously catchy and should come with an extreme warning of total addiction, as it will just get inside your head and stay there long after the band have left the stage.  It haunts and flaunts and I have not forgotten it since hearing the band last year at the Zanzibar 23.6.10 and doubt I ever will.

ABSOLENCE are without a doubt a great power house of melodic sound.  They make brutal seem beautiful and raucous appear melodic.  Their music twists and turns in the most intricate way and this is what make ABSOLENCE a great live band…. Head banging is a must!!!!

Chris "HateRiff" McGinley             Guitar & Vocals
Steve Gill                                          Guitar & Vocals
Stand in Ian Parry                          Bass
Mike Black                                       Drums & Vocals