“MARTYR ART is a
One-Man Alternative Metal band, founded in 2004 by Joe Gagliardi III in
Mountainville, NY. As its main producer, singer, songwriter,
multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist, Gagliardi is the only official member
of Martyr Art and remains solely
responsible for its direction. Since 2004, Martyr
Art has released five full-length albums, with the most recent being the
critically-acclaimed “Distorted Interpretations” (released in 2013). Martyr Art has also remixed other
established (and signed) artists including Martin L. Gore (of Depeche Mode),
Front 242, Aesthetic Perfection, 16 Volt and Juno Reactor. Martyr Art has opened for national acts Drowning Pool, Corey Glover
(of Living Colour), Saul Williams, Doyle (formerly of The Misfits/Danzig), Full
Devil Jacket, KMFDM and DJ Accucrack, Co-Headlined the 2012 Farmageddon Music
Festival in Saugerties, NY and headlined both the 2014 and 2015 Newburgh
Illuminated Music Festivals in Newburgh, NY. Joe (in his previous band
Dislocate) co-headlined with national metal acts Crowbar, Machine Head and Fear
Factory, just to name a few. Martyr Art
has also appeared in three consecutive issues of Guitar World Magazine
(Jan-March 2011) in advertisements for Pick Guy Guitar Picks alongside John 5
(Rob Zombie) and Suicide Silence!”
~~~~~~~~~~
Being
in this business allows me to experience all sorts of genres and indeed various
types of music, expanding my tastes far and wide as metal and none metal goes.
After reviewing Martyr Art’s album
Distorted Interpretations way back in 2013, I naturally jumped at the chance to
review the latest single from Joe Gagliardi III a.k.a Martyr Art entitled ‘Friday
13th Nintendo Theme’
The
thing that strikes me the most on this single are the keyboards that undulate
through a striking passage that doesn’t contain vocals and indeed doesn’t need
them, as its stunning portrayal of dramatic reassuring endeavour, offers
muscular riffs and intriguing urgency that simply cuts like a knife and more
than whet’s the appetite!
Starting
off with simple little choppy notes it builds to an all-out climax of infused
elements and pure emotion. The electronic bursts and that dark whispered sigh
speaks volumes, amid other incidental sounds that capture the ears in
unequalled detail.
It
radiates a certain warmth despite it being a torrential downpour of ravenous
riffs that compel and ignite with velocity and magnetic persuasion.
I
still cannot comprehend the art that has gone into making this single and all
done by one man Joe Gagliardi III.
His
efforts for this track alone should not go unrecognised as well as creating an
atmospheric ambiance all his own.
It
persistently advances its own endeavours and leads the way in intense energy
that spikes and accentuates a further deepening assault on the audial.
Listen to Friday 13th Nintendo Theme here!
The
slices of melody excite and thrill with insatiable pleasure. As the track
builds to its peak it taunts and teases in all the right places, without being
over-zealous and pushy, it corrupts in such a way that it just explodes into an
epic track that gives out further dimensions for listeners to follow.
In
all, this is one extremely haunting and sinister track that goes all the way
with no half measures into the bargain, as well as being highly addictive in
its exploits! What you get here is a
well-crafted piece of art that mesmerises and impacts as soon as the play
button is released.
Martyr Art has gone above
and beyond the realms of possibility turning this music into a masterpiece and
comes highly recommended, raising the bar several notches higher than expected!
I
personally think Joe should be extremely proud of this creation as it is
certainly unparalleled by rivals of this genre.
Guaranteed
to give your ears an unrelenting work out!
10/10
Member:
Joe Gagliardi III (a.k.a.) MARTYR ART
Vocals,
Guitars, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Programming and Sampling
“POWER FUEL are a
French Thrash Death Metal formed in December 2007 by Laurent (guitars) and
Steph (drums). They are then joined by a second guitarist, a bassist and a
vocalist. With this line-up the band recorded its first CD self-produced album
in 2009 entitled "The Pure Gasoline" at Studio Kozak (02) and a
series of concerts. In October 2015 POWER FUEL signed with the label GREAT DANE RECORDS for the release of
an album dedicated to SLAYER!”
~~~~~~~~~~
Power Fuel
I
find it touching that bands want to pay tribute to their favourite bands, although
I never really got into Slayer when they first hit the scene back in the early
80’s as I was quite blinkered and was just stuck in a groove.
Nowadays,
I am much more open minded and find this genre of music breath taking and find
it really scratches the itch nicely!
But,
this being said, I must be one of those very rare people that can honestly say
I haven’t really heard a lot of Slayer (apart from Raining Blood) so I will
review this album in a very different light to people who are ardent Slayer fans.
Slayer
do seem to have their own way of producing music, meaning it is very predatory
and Power Fuelled and has certainly captured this essence extremely well on the
opening track ‘South of Heaven’
The
blistering menace snarls and excites as on the track ‘The Antichrist’ with superb use of guitar frets and engaging
savage beats not to mention the chug frequency being more or less non-stop,
which isn’t a bad thing at all!
There
is a certain amount of melody contained within the structure and at times the
notches are raised or lowered depending on which track is being played although
certainly even for a lowered pace the intrigue is never far away as on ‘Seasons in the Abyss’
‘Hate Worldwide’ sees the
notch move several inches higher as the rampant riffs hit in a vulgar scathing
mass, screeching with contrasting powerful infusions.
‘Spirit in Black’ is
another chugger that delights in harsh, forthright immersion and hones in on a
lavish seduction and an emotive drum beat force to boot.
The
next track ‘World Painted Blood’ is
considerably different in the fact it doesn’t just launch into a circus of
potent rhythms, but slowly explores its surroundings until it finds its
familiar zone once again and only then does it go in for the kill.
Having
heard a few Slayer fans talk about their favourite band a lot say that ‘Behind the Crooked Cross’ is one of
Slayers most creative tracks. However, this is the first time I have heard it
and not sung by Slayer either! The riffs
are huge and unrelenting with a fast paced beat closely followed behind.
‘Expendable Youth’ is up
next and again can boast a chug effect of guitars that form a ridiculously
addictive rhythm section. The vocal scourge builds to quite an anthemic roar,
although not as appealing as some of the previous offerings on the album.
Another
favourite of Slayer fans is ‘Angel of
Death’ and judging by the drumming alone I can see why! It’s fast paced and
then some, with fantastic kick beats leading the way and a low toned growling
vocal edge. The melodic slices heave with gripping qualities.
The
sound of thunder brings to life ‘Raining
Blood’ and that chug, (a definite trade mark for Slayer, although not as fast or as crisp as Slayer would have it, but Power Fuel
have certainly stamped their mark on the proceedings) breathes new life
into the listener who may enjoy the virulent and creative flow of such a track.
This is played with such venom that it’s so easy to get caught up in. The quickening
beats are flavoursome and the vocals display edge and feeling, then the track
heads straight for annihilation with a conglomerate of riffs that merge into a
free for all.
This
album will not be without its critics who say it isn’t Slayer, it isn’t but Power Fuel have added their own take by a harsher vocal and indeed honour their favourite band with a lesser
thrash feel and more of a death punch.
Will
listening to this album make me want to rush out and buy some Slayer? Maybe
not, I feel that ship sailed long ago, but I can now at least understand and
appreciate what all the fuss was about 30 years ago, and admire what Power Fuel have done in creating such
an album.
SUNSET SOUNDHOUSE TAPES -Recorded by David
Schwerkolt/Sonic Medusa
SANCTUARY SESSIONS songs recorded by Scott
Reeder
Genre: Hard Rock
Biography:
Sonic Medusa has had
the pleasure of opening concerts for influential Heavy Rock pioneers such as
BLUE CHEER, PENTAGRAM & Wino's 'Heavy Kingdom'.
As
well as a few local Heavy Rock favourites, including BIGELF, The Shrine,
(Monster Magnet's) ED MUNDEL, Sasquatch, Gypsyhawk, Radio Moscow, Backbiter,
Angus Khan, Mothership among others.
Sonic Medusa have
recorded with SCOTT REEDER (Kyuss, Unida, The Obsessed etc.) Bassist &
Producer deluxe, at his So.Cal Desert Studio.
This
recording features Sonic Medusa's
former Singer/ Guitarist Tom 5 (ex-White Zombie/Angelrot)
Sonic Medusa has since
replaced Tom with Former Angus Khan / B-Movie Rats singer: Derek 'DIRTY D'
Christiansen to the line-up & Have finished recording a new EP at Sunset
Sound Studio in Hollywood, California.
~~~~~~~~~~
Medusa
As
the tribal drumming starts the anticipation builds until it finally explodes
into a rampageous melee of rhythms and sonic riffage. The bass also plays a
large part in this track guiding it through its paces. It is a tantalising
passage that is inspired with superb rock appetite and is also great for drying
wet hair!
Goblin Suite
The
wave of deep seducing rhythms cut like a knife and cast a rather doom laden
feel over the proceedings. The vocals are edgy, gritty and well in keeping with
the track as it creeps menacingly into a maelstrom of enticing and hypnotic
embrace.
Cold Wind
Is
led into a lustful weave of temptation. It is a rather low key track but none
the less is catchy and predatory. It lures with superb melodic antagonism and
turns into a feisty incendiary of punishing grooves that literally ignite.
Wolf’s Prayer
Is
somewhat slow and deliberate. It portrays animal-like qualities and conjures up
intrusive and impressive rhythms one would associate with a predatory beast.
The mellow seducing beat is just waiting to leap out and strike and together
with the colourful lyrics makes this a track that attacks its prey with relish.
Summary
This
E.P contains a superb feast of attitude, seduction and melodic creativity that
goes hand in hand with sinister groove and doom laden textures that are
captivating and well produced.
Already
on my third listen and enjoying the rapaciousness of Medusa again, its musical core is thunderous and contributes in
abundance to the feel of this 4 track E.P and I have to say my favourite track
by far although the deliberate pace of Wolf’s
Prayer leaves you wanting to know more about the band as their diversity is
endless, despite being nestled in a hard rock genre.
The
whole substance of this E.P is edgy and reveals layers of perpetual, well
balanced songs that ignite to their maximum and are rather potent affairs of
the mind.
I
can almost hear Ozzy singing Goblin
Suite as the character and dynamic enterprise of the track builds to
glorious proportions with a fantastic beat that pulverises in a charming way.
It
holds its aggressive manner as well as slipping in some ingenious tendencies
making it a great listen.
It
can be quite restrained although still shows a bruising contempt that runs
through its veins from its mighty biceps, so is impassioned with equal amounts
of creativity that flourishes!
If
you have an appetite for destruction then this E.P will feed your fancy!
9.5/10
Track List:
Cold Wind
Wolf’s
Prayer
Goblin
Suite
Medusa
Members:
Steve
Darrow -Guitar
Greg
Rogers -Drums
Dirty D
-Vocals, Guitar
Scott
Renner –Bass
Featuring former members of:
The
Obsessed, Goatsnake, White Zombie, Hollywood Rose
To say this was just a magical
event would be an understatement, although it was magical in every sense of the
word, but it was indeed much, much, more than that!
Having been on a Christmas Parade
a few weeks previously, we knew what we had to do and decorated our car
accordingly, even going as far as to wear some Christmas hats for the occasion.
On arriving at Southport Pleasure
land the sky was bleak, it was cold and damp and not much happening, but that
didn’t stop the excitement one little bit.
After calling at Tesco Express for
sandwiches and a hot chocolate, Graham and I made our way to Pleasure Land to
help out.
Adam, Rob, Jan and Charlie sat in
their van which was more or less filled to the brim with Children’s toys, how
they all got in there still remains a mystery!
The two large red floats – still with
their sides up just looked like Lorries but inside, through a plastic flap, although
dark, already work had begun on them. Graham and I got inside and started to
dress the float with tinsel, baubles and other appropriate decorations.
The two large floats
Our car now decorated for the procession
Graham securing the tree to the float
Soon Erika joined us and laughter
was rife as you would expect! Once we had all the decorations up the red and
white tape was fixed to the two large posts and then the generators arrived.
Erika and Andy conversing between the floats
As Andy and Graham set to work
trying to fire them up – nothing was working and Adam’s stress levels rose
quickly, however, it was only the on/off switch keeping them from an un-working
generator to a working one and boy did they receive a lot of flak over that, but
it was taken in good spirit!
Sue and Kenzie got back in their
car to blow up a number of red balloons, while Graham ventured to the back of
the float to try and secure the Christmas tree to the waggon.
Sue and Kenzie blowing up red balloons
99 Red Balloons - well getting there!
Finally Jan and Charlie after
taking their van back home arrived on their Goldwing Trike and then a lone
female biker arrived by the name of Dee.
Apparently she was having problems with the clutch and although a few
people tried to help they were unable to fix the problem.
Charlie and Jan arriving
Dee
The AA were called but it was all
Dee could do was to hang around and wait, watching everything materialise in front of her for
the parade, after travelling and getting to the starting point knowing she
wouldn't be able to participate must have been agonising for her.
The floats now coming together with festive cheer!
Another small disaster struck when
Andy blew up one of the amplifiers, Adam was stressed, but as luck would have
it, the large American Circus Waggon had music as well as some of the other
trucks, and of course the Ice Cream vans so it wasn’t such a big disaster after
all.
Adam - happy and excited
Open Top Bus
Adam and Erika
A large LFC open top bus arrived
and immediately the colossal amount of toys were transported from the float to
the bus. A trail of people made several journeys, to make sure everything was
on the bus and was an amazing site. Moz, Adam and Kenzie decorated the top of
the bus with red and green balloons ready for the journey.
Toys and more Toys
Decorating the bus with red and green balloons
Next the Blood Bikers arrived (not
as bad as it sounds as these are the guys that transport blood to and from the
hospitals) and not long after that two large red waggons appeared – these were
to transport the two floats that had now been decorated and had people in
various costumes inside them.
Doing a very important job - the Blood Bikers and Bikes!
Waggon's in place
Sides down ready to roll
As this was all going on – I glanced
over at Dee and felt totally helpless. Her face said it all really.
Dee - Her bike causing stress!
Pleasure Land was indeed beginning
to fill up fast with people from all over the place, and one couple arriving
meant that the scene was indeed complete – Steve Barfoot and Dawn Bolton,
followed by the smiling Mick Cook!
The next large waggon to appear was
Chris Shaw’s Christmas Truck complete with Reindeer – it must have caused a
stir driving along the coast road as it was huge! Driven by Chris who
immediately got out and started spraying the tyres with white paint to look
more festive with a big grin on his face.
The Fire Brigade arrived and I
went round to snap a pic of the Fire Engine and inside was a less than festive
looking guy who I signalled to ‘smile’ and which he did ‘after a fashion’ and managed
to move his facial muscles into something that resembled a smile and I snapped
the pic giving him the thumbs up!
By this time a few of us needed a
toilet break and made our way over to the ECO Centre – the wind was now cutting
like a knife, but it still did not dampen our enthusiasm.
Off to the Eco Centre for a quick break
Next to arrive was Ron who was
going to go along the route and take videos of the various stages of the
journey, but not before a bit of friendly banter filled the air.
Our Mr Ron Knight who was handy with a video!
Just after Ron came the bright
pink Baby Ballet car, and the Dance Place II Dance Troupe who were doing the
journey on the decorated open top bus.
Followed closely by the Dance
Troupe came the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Southport complete with their Livery
Collars and their very smart chauffeur who were greeted by Adam with a hand
shake, and then went on to have photos taken with various people at Pleasure land.
The Dance Troupe arriving and Adam making sure
things run on time!
Adam meeting the Mayor and Mayoress - with Chauffeur in tow
Next to arrive were three Ice
Cream Vans from Trivisco – I secretly longed for a 99 with a flake but didn’t
say a word! (Not like me as I have an ice cream fetish!)
Queueing for Ice Cream mmmm
Hordes of Bikes arriving
More bikes arrived and now
Pleasure land was a sea of Lorries, buses, ice cream vans and bikes, plus a lot
of very excited people.
I spotted a Harley Davidson Trike
and was just blown away with the paintwork and chrome. It was indeed an
absolute beast of a bike and although the guy who owned it said I could have a
ride on it, I declined (yes, I declined, even after loving the bikes for years and
never having been on one, took willpower!) I did however get a couple of photos
taken and that sufficed – well - for now!
Awesome Harley Davidson!
Still more and more bikes arrived
and made their way to the back of the long procession of Lorries, all ridden by
various Santa’s in a glorious sea of red, with a couple of Minions and a
Reindeer!
and still more bikes arrived
The Circus waggon's two of them in
all, also took part in the procession and had an amazing horn that nearly blew
your ears inside out – you definitely knew they were arriving!
Big and beautiful Truck with a loud horn!
Finally 12.30pm had arrived, still
no luck for poor Dee who pushed her bike to a far corner and sat and waited for
the AA to turn up.
The atmosphere by now was at its
all-time high, the bleak weather conditions started changing and the sun came
out, it was like as if it knew we were all doing something nice for the kids at
Springbrook Children’s Home.
The procession started and slowly
we all made our way through the large gates at Pleasure Land and down the
Promenade. Clusters of people had gathered to wave to us all in the parade.
Setting off from Pleasure Land
The lone Reindeer on route leaving Pleasure Land
On the Procession Route
Some kids loved it others didn’t
like the noise of the large trucks as they sounded their horns, while others
were mesmerised at the vast stream of bikes and decorated floats. It was such a
magical moment!
Take the tour with us!
The Bike Marshall's did an amazing
job it has to be said, as they weaved in and out of the traffic keeping the
procession moving slowly and surely to its destination and dealt with the
Police who seemed to look upon our procession with disdain.
Although there were a few ignorant
drivers who pushed into the parade, but soon turned off when they realised how
slow we were going.
Spotted one Mr Ron Knight filming the event
As the procession turned around at
The Lakeside Inn Pub a few boxes from the floats had fallen onto the pavement
but retrieved by a few of the bikers, although a few had escaped their
attention and the odd child along the roadside picked them up, needless to say
the boxes were just that empty boxes (so they would have been somewhat
disappointed on opening them) wrapped in Christmas paper for effect under the
Christmas Tree, which in the strong wind had now fallen over despite it being
secured previously.
As we arrived on the opposite side
to Pleasure Land where the procession had taken off, there was Dee leaning over
a wall and capturing the procession on her phone and still no sign of the AA.
Along the way the passers-by waved
and took pictures on their mobiles, but one couple who I was not expecting to
see were Kev and Mel Unwin who looked ecstatic and were drinking in the atmosphere
as the procession passed them, smiling and waving furiously.
Finally the end was in sight for
the large parade and ending at The Scout hut on Pinfold Lane, where the kids
were having their Christmas Party.
At the Scout Hut in Pinfold Lane
Awash with a sea of Bikers and Waggon's
Santa and his Reindeer's have arrived safely
A bus waited patiently for us to
move but nobody came out to remove their cars and so the bus turned around – and
must have realised that this was an event for disadvantaged kids.
As I got up to the Scout Hut I was
shocked and pleasantly surprised at seeing one person who I had not expected to
see, NO NOT Santa Claus, but Dee who in the time of the parade leaving had got
her bike fixed and arrived ahead of us, so she didn’t miss the party after all!
On entering the Scout Hut we were
all offered Chilli or hot dogs, with a cup of hot coffee or tea, which went
down a treat and staved off the cold.
The children were eyeing up the
masses of gifts all spread out on a table inside the Scout Hut – it was such a
wonderful scene.
After stretching our legs and
meeting some of the kids, one little girl called Jodie who was in a
large carriage as she was lying down. I
went over and spoke to her. Her eyes moved quickly as if she was taking in the
atmosphere, although she couldn’t speak. I held her hand and felt a connection
but couldn’t stop myself getting upset, although through mixed emotions, the
main thing was that we had all contributed to making kid’s lives like Jodie's happier.
The procession of people walking
from the open top bus to the scout hut continued for some time until all the
presents were inside – and believe me there was a lot.
After an hour or so we all headed
for the Arion Pub for a quick get together and a chat about the day’s events,
before setting off home.
Graham and Steve
Dee - finally made it!
Steve and Dawn
Graham, Jan, Moz, and Sue having a relaxing drink at the Arion Pub
Everyone was happy, excited and
exhausted, Everyone’s hard work appreciated and well worth every moment,
everything went to plan and even the small disasters righted themselves making
it one amazing day that we shall all never forget, but most importantly neither
will those children!
~~~~~~~~~~
Special thanks to Adam Peter Brown
for organising this tremendous event, (you should be very proud at what you
have achieved!!!) Rob Eduardo-Vincente Taylor, Charlie and Jan Brown, Andy
Brown, Erika Day, Moz, Tracy, Sue Aindow, Kenzie, Denise (Dee) Graham, Sarah Tomo, Mick Cook, Steve
Barfoot, Dawn Bolton, Jackie Meadows and Partner, Lesley Rimmer, Kev Unwin, Meanie Unwin and of course Graham Lee and to
everyone else who contributed to this superb event.
It was an extreme pleasure being a
small part of something so big! Its effects will be talked about for many month’s
even years to come! Here’s to the next one!
