Atonement Theory - Illumination - 4 Track EP - I Defy Records - Release Date: 28th July 2017

Atonement Theory

Illumination

4 Track EP

I Defy Records

Release Date: 28th July 2017

Written for RAMzine

Attonement Theory – Chicago, Illinois

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/AtonementTheory

Genre: Metal/Industrial

Biography:

“Atonement Theory was officially formed in the spring of 2016 as Jay Jancetic of Harm's Way "solo project" Jancetic also previously played guitar for Chicago hard core bands Arma Angelus (ex-Fall Out Boy), Extinction (ex- Suicide File, Hope Conspiracy) and Stabbed By Words (ex-Unbroken, Sweet Cobra)!”

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The sound of electronics and industrial mixes have always caught my attention for the sheer thrill of feeling the powerful smack it gives out with each new tune that flows through the sound waves and Atonement Theory also have that earth shattering vocal that always brings a smile to my face as it just goes with industrial metal like hand in glove.

‘Illumination’ is brisk and doesn’t stand around in fact it does backflips and merges as being an incredible piece of writing – stomping around and making its presence felt in such a way that is hard to ignore.

‘Ominous Sensation’ flows with a melodic flavour and drives a hard punch of percussion, bass and thrilling riffs. Of course thanks to Jay’s beastly vocals there is that added bliss that captures the moment perfectly! Together this band work well and have produced a well thought out 4 track EP although I wish it could be more.

‘Sink (The Abyss of Dwellings)’ wastes no time in interacting with the ears and playing with the mind in this drum ridden piece of musical madness. The keyboards also fill me full of enthusiasm and have me turning it up another notch to get the full feeling – although it is not as industrial as it could be but still a very interesting track with solid melodies and ambient rhythms.

‘The Hallow Imprint’ really wallops out an amazing sound that is bone crunching and shows a very, untamed spirit. It winds its rhythms around your listening devices like a hungry snake about to eat its prey. The melodic slaps are poignant and in your face. The track carries a brutal flavour of percussion and jangling riffs that peak the ears with interest and then half way through explodes into a solid mass of metal. It bludgeons the ears to within an inch of their lives and swamps with its surround sound that mesmerises with equal qualities.

If 4 tracks can do all this I am wondering what a full album would be like? Sitting in a darkened room, closing your eyes and feeding on such powerful vocals, and keyboards would be a true pleasure, for me anyway! I love it when a band can push you into another world using their talent in music – it carries you into this place where nothing else matters except the sounds that enter into your head are utterly magical!

9/10

Track List:

Illumination

Ominous Sensation

Sink (The Abyss of Dwellings)

The Hallow Imprint

Line-up:

*Jay Jancetic - Guitar, Vocals, Percussion Programming, Keyboards/Electronics.

*Greg Brucher t- Bass Guitar & Keyboards

*Phil Marfoglio - Guitar

*Eorl Scholl - Drums

Greg Bruchert:

Live bass performances.

Bad Solution - The War Within - 10 Track Album - Release Date: 4th August 2017

Bad Solution

The War Within

10 Track Album

Release Date: 4th August 2017

Written for RAMzine

Bad Solution – London

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/badsolution

Genre: Hard Rock/Metal

Biography:

“Bad Solution were formed in 2011 by guitarists, Trix and Mariusz. Originally made up of all Polish members, in November 2011 British vocalist Alex Willox took over as the frontman adding a new energy and sound to the band’s music!”

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I think we are all fighting a War Within, a war within ourselves, a war that only we know about and that we can only understand. Bad Solution have turned their war into a musical battle so it has a voice and speaks volumes, and the first track ‘Drowning’  gives us an idea of their battle, it’s fierce and in formidable. ‘Nothing’ (You don’t know me) is a rampaging rap kind of track that is lush especially with the surrounding edgy riffs and beats. The Five Finger Death Punch influences are prevalent on this track but no complaints here.  ‘Demon in my bed’ is a hard hitting but also ambient track that lashes out with a bare knuckle punch and can be likened to a plague of sorts as the music just embellishes the ears. ‘Self-Destruct’ begins with a very beautiful guitar riff and some amazing beats. It holds a caressing and yet vibrant stance that just keeps on giving. ‘Echoes of the Cry’ has superb tonal ranges that give off a very interesting sound. It is more of a ballad rather than the heavy mash up we have experienced in previous tracks however, it brings a lot of imagination to the forefront.

‘The Last Lie’ is a cheeky number with sneaky riffs and pummelling beats that melt into a large surge of rhythms. Vocally interesting and thrilling, with heaps of control. ‘Desert Rock’ has an eastern flavour accompanying it which is new and snares you into this feverish gallop. The diversity of this track alone is amazing. It is catchy too and so appealing with such a great lure – one of my favourites on the album for sure.

Dear Sarah Back to the hard rock and metal features we go with tenacious beats and anthemic rhythms. The riffs are reflective and arousing making it another great track to behold. ‘FOD’ is all out molten metal capturing a certain interest with powerful flanks of riffage and imposing rhythms it gets down to business and adds that special presence, where your head refuses to stay still. ‘White Washed’ holds a slower tempo, although it still captures with its inexplicable riffs and bludgeoning beats – vocally it ravages as well as savages the ears as the track unfolds it pulverises with instinctive temptation and has a vice like grip that drains you of energy quickly, however, holding an ambient sound that intrigues too.

10/10

Track List:

Drowning

Nothing (You don’t know me)

Demon in my bed

Self-Destruct

Echoes of the Cry

The Last Lie

Desert Rock

Dear Sarah

FOD

White Washed

Line-up:

Alex Willox- Lead Vocals

Trix- Guitar and Backing vocals

Mariusz Chojnowski- Guitar

Wojtek Suberlak- Bass Guitar

Joe Patterson- Drums        

Backflip - The Brain Storm Vol II - 6 Track EP - Hellxis Records - Release Date: 22nd June 2017

Backflip 

The Brainstorm Vol. II

6 Track EP

Hellxis Records

Release Date: 22 June 2017 

Written for RAMzine

Backflip – Lisbon, Portugal

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/backfliphardcore/

Genre: Hard Core

Biography:

“Backflip is a hard core band from Lisbon, Portugal. They play high energetic hard core songs with sing-a-long choruses, breakdown passages and melodic riffs all based on various influences!”

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One should never judge a book by the cover as if they do they are going to get their eye wiped! This is some serious metal and Inês Oliveira shows off her talent without even trying it is there for all to hear, helped along by João Vidigal on bass and vocals. They are a powerful quartet from Portugal, yes that place that always looks tranquil and serene harbours a dark secret in the form of Backflip make no mistake. The cover is interesting as well as the music so here you have the full package. ‘Burning high’ does what it says on the label and literally burns fiercely with the most terrific harmonies. It wouldn’t hurt (much) to turn up the volume a bit and capture the ferocious melodic gait and metal hard core raptures – well it might, so be warned this band mean business and are not afraid of smashing your skull against a brick wall in the process!

‘Loyal Opposition’ is fast, furious and a real smack in the mouth sounding almost punk in some ways but don’t complain as it is it catchy as hell! ‘Redemption’ offers and rewards us with the nimble fingers of João Saraiva and together they embrace the track filling the air with the most vicious musical flavours that you just have to savour. ‘Symptoms’ has a slightly different flavour although pretty punchy and alert, no-one could say they are not putting everything into this track and more! It is seething, strong and vibrant not to mention relentlessly lively! The symptoms for this track are quite moreish so don’t be afraid to replay it or turn the sound up further as it gives you that nice tingling feeling. Finally ‘To the Bone’ the bands last track on their 6 track EP showers you with a superb array of riffs and crazed vocal melee! The harmonies are superb and really kick ass! You can feel the vehemence protruding forward as the music is dangerously arousing and bounces with its own individual inspiration.

This EP can literally throw sparks from a hundred feet with ease and never loses its energy through the entire 6 tracks. Its essences are alive and kicking and matched with mischievous riffs that all come from various influences, however, it works well and is exciting and licks the senses – so an all-round great listen, powerful, thrilling, and full of appetite.

8/10

Track List:

Born Headfirst

Burning High

Loyal Opposition

Redemption

Symptoms

To the bone

Line-up:

Inês Oliveira - Vocals

João Vidigal - Bass + Vocals

Pedro Vida Conceição - Drums

João Saraiva - Guitar

Prong - Zero Days - 13 Track Album - Steamhammer SPV Records - Release Date: 28th July 2017

Prong

Zero Days

13 Track Album

Steamhammer SPV Records

Release Date: 28^th July 2017

Written for RAMzine

Prong – Los Angeles by way of NYC

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/prongmusic

Genre: /Hard Core/Metal/Industrial/Thrash

Biography:

“The history of PRONG has cast a long shadow - bands like Korn, Slipknot and Nine Inch Nails openly acknowledge their influence!”

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Well, with not doing any reviews for a while due to tiredness and illness this is a fantastic wake-up call, and holds that grace and charm of melodic beauty that you can really shift your ass too! Not only are the band thrashy, loud and maniacal but the cover is interesting too – a cross between Pinhead and a skull with vibrant colors that just spells out what is lurking inside it.

The thrash influence is on your face while the metal is predominantly high on the list, however, there could be a little more industrial, but can’t complain as this is great stuff to listen to early morning to ward off the cobwebs and rock the hell out – there is certainly no sleeping through this album!

“This band have definitely put some thought behind the title of their albums “Prove You Wrong!” (1991) “Cleansing!” (1994) and “Rude Awakening!” (1996), It was actually the “Whose Fist is this anyway?-EP!”  That ushered PRONG’s best-known era!”

Without a doubt these guys have the scene sewn up if you like, their mega offering of 13 superb tracks, just keep on giving with an intense and energetic madness that scores high on the metal register!

9/10

Track List:

However, it may end

Zero days

Off the Grid

Divide and Conquer

Forced into Tolerance

Inter being

Blood out of Stone

Operation of the Moral Law

The Whispers

Self-Righteous Indignation

Rulers of the Collective

Line up:

Tommy Victor - Vocals, Guitars

Mike Longworth - Bass, Backing Vocals

Art Cruz - Drums

Cold Black - Circles - 8 Track Album - Artery records - Release Date: 18th August 2017

Cold Black

Circles

8 Track Album

Artery Records

Release Date: 18^th August 2017

Written for RAMzine

Cold Black – Copenhagen, Denmark

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/ColdBlackOfficial

Genre: Metal/Pop

I was filled with horror as I read the word pop, however, the programming does redeem it so much especially with the relentless keyboard and gritty vocals it ignores its pop roots and sounds a lot more metal to me truth be known and the band have managed to pull in some amazing pulses of melodies it is quite breathtaking, to listen to.

The children’s choral vocals add to the superb sound of this track Circles and it certainly feeds the imagination.

I have to say I am blown away with this album so far as there are so many incredible sounds to enjoy and yes it may be a little mainstream in places, but it is clever that the mix of metal and pop works quite well in Cold Blacks case due to the vocal entourage and wild throws of passionate keyboards not to mention guitar.

This album is not what it seems it can change in the blink of an eye and you can catch glimpses of hard core and powerful metal that are cleverly slipped into a track which is really genius.

The track ‘Dead End Eyes’ is just phenomenal and reaches the greatest heights with melodic embellishment surrounding it and a soft caressing vocal that turns stronger as the track progresses. The Keyboards and programming are sensational and really make for an interesting album with everything thrown into the finest mix

You can hear it eagerly evolving, blending and growing into one very fine album.

10/10

Track List:

Circles

Resound

Call of the Wild

Miles

Dead End Eyes

Throw me to the Wolves

The Rain

Fire Walk

Lineup:

Victor Rimpler – Vocals, Programming

Alex Rimpler - Guitar

Martin Dupont - Guitar

Jeff Polsen - Bass

Jamal A. Gordon – Drums, Percussion, Programming

Black Zeppelin - The Hindley Arms - Wigan - 12th August 2017

Black Zeppelin

The Hindley Arms

Wigan

12^th August 2017

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Black-Zeppelin

Black Zeppelin is a special kind of mix. Playing both Sabbath and Zeppelin two iconic bands together has always enthralled me. I grew up on both bands and it is superb hearing the songs being played live despite not being sung by the real people but Black Zeppelin make sure that everyone is having a good time and don’t play the more well-known tracks but the more obscure tracks making them even more special.

Would love to hear them play ‘Down by the Seaside’ or ‘Carouselambra’ although any Zep track is fine by me and of course the legendary Sabbath you just can’t go wrong with either band. You either love one or the other or both, I love both, so for me, this experience is just exciting and amazing all at the same time.

I asked Kev the drummer if I could have a broken drum stick as I didn't want to take any of his new ones and through the gig he smashed about 2 sticks in the first set whether that was for me or not I have no idea but was made up with the stick to add to my collection of memorabilia.

Shelley insisted on there being lights so there was a little bit of a flap as the stand wasn’t behaving and Mike the guitarist did his best trying to put things together along with Oggy. Finally, things were put into place and the band could start not a minute before 9.50pm!!

This time Mike the vocalist offered Oggy a chance to stand up and sing ‘War Pigs’ with them and that added a simple pleasure to the proceedings even if Oggy did forget some of the last verse during the set, Mike Grady still spread his arms in tribute to the known words, but hardly surprising as there were so many happy faces and bodies moving in a tight space as the Hindley Arms isn’t Buckingham Palace but certainly everyone was having fun and enjoying the vocals from Roadhog’s vocalist despite the missing ones.

Mike the band's fingers had a few problems with his second guitar as it kept misbehaving so he had to swap back to the Gibson but he dealt with it like a professional so I don't think many if anyone noticed.

For me ‘The Ocean’ was just amazing being a hardened Zeppelin fan it was great hearing that track as it immediately took me back to my childhood days listening to it on vinyl on a stereo in my bedroom with the lights off and immersing myself in the words and music, they were happy days that were replicated by a band who love Sabbath and Zeppelin just as much as I do.

Two hours passed quickly, in fact, I was shocked when Mike the band's vocalist mentioned it was midnight and finished with a Budgie track, called ‘Breaking all the House Rules!”

The band mentioned they are going to start another project doing Budgie tracks and they are calling themselves ‘The Bandoliers’ so that will be one to watch out for but as for now Black Zeppelin is going nowhere except to the next gig which is the Ozzy Mossy Fest August 27^th at The Gallery – Can’t wait!

Good luck guys and thanks for the brilliant evening, and thank you for your undivided support to the Ozzy Mossy Cause.

Special thanks to Sean Breadster Melling, Jane and Julie, Oggy and everyone who turned out to support them and of course Black Zeppelin – great night!

Bullet Proof - Might Makes it Right - 9 Track Album - Sleaszy Rider Records - Release Date: 24th April 2017

Bullet Proof

Might Makes it Right

9 Track Album 

Sleaszy Rider Records

Release Date: 24^th April 2017

Bullet Proof – Bolzano, Italy

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/bulletproof

Genre: Heavy Thrash Metal

Biography:

BULLET-PROOF is born from an idea of Richard Hupka (Vocals / Guitars) in 2014. The band was completed by Lukas Hupka (Richard's son) on drums and Diego Polli on the bass.

The band immediately intended to make powerful and fast music, according to the dictators of the American old-school (Megadeth and Testament) with a clear reference to aggressive components, to the Teutonic scene but maintaining strong melodies at the same time.

After several line-up changes, Max Pinkle (Guitars) and Federico Fontanari (Bass) join the band. Strong are these two members, the combo starts to work on recording and releasing their first album via Sleaszy Rider Records in 2015.

"De-Generation", this is the name of the debut record and becomes from the beginning a great springboard for the combo. Following a very intense live activity that brings "ours" onto many Italian and European stages, including important festivals such as Rock Im Ring (Renon), a Greek tour along with legendary Holocaust and various concerts with names like Testament, Raven, Graveworm and In Flames, to name a few.

Ending the circle of dates, the band has no intention of quitting its race. In January 2017 Bullet-Proof went to the “Music Ink” recording studio of Aron an (IT) and under Federico Pennazzato's guidance, put down 9 tracks for the new album called "Forsaken One" which is released on April 24th, again via Sleaszy Rider Records. Forsaken One is now being promoted across the Europe.

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Starting back out again after an 8 week break due to tiredness and the bastard disease we all know as cancer I have had to take a rest as sitting for too long at the computer can be painful, but since my spinal operation I feel a lot better and ready to take the rock world by storm again and start kicking ass, so couldn’t refuse the offer of doing a review for Bullet Proof from Italy.

Might Makes it right begins with a beautiful broken English accent that is hard to ignore alone but the music does what it says on the label and is heavy and thrash worthy, with the music infesting and tempts you into its own world of madness. The Guitars are to the extreme are fast furious and engaging!

Forsaken One is the title of the band’s new album and it begins with some ambient heartbeats and then lunges into an unapologetic mass of thrash that gives the ears a good slapping. The melodies flow freely and easily from the deftly carved strings and harsh drums – great track.

Portrait of the Face is a more tempered track that bounces naturally and blusters with emotion. Richard’s voice doesn’t put out a harsh stance but still suits the music that surrounds him. However, it is an impressive adventure that fires on all cylinders from its thrash roots.

No One Ever begins as it means to go on and cannot be discounted as thrash as it is thrash with a capital T. This is where Richard’s voice comes into action along with the music. It weaves a melodic web of harsh music that compels you to listen and listen you will on this fabulous track.

I was wrong great melodies again flow through this track and immediately encourage the head to move in waves with its rhythmic excitement and lingering power. It seduces the ears and draws you closer to its pleasurable harshness.

Abandon begins with a domestic row of shouting and malevolence surrounded by a good thrash romp. Perhaps if more people played heavy music there would be fewer rows as the music sucks all the nastiness from your body and releases the feelings so when the music stops you feel relaxed and happy. This is true and in no way does heavy music make you want to kill yourself, except if you didn’t take up the guitar at an early age and then realise your mistake but by then it is too late to go through the bleeding fingers and years of practice!

Lust is another ambient track with creepy guitars that make your spine tingle but underneath you are waiting in anticipation for the smash of heaviness to begin and when it does it adds to the encounter brilliantly.

Revolution yes you can see the images forming as the siren blast out along with the thunderous drumming power and ambulances. Quite scary really but I think one is needed to weed out the pustule creeps that are walking the planet now and who should be exterminated. The music pushes you in that direction of thinking and is raw and feisty.

Little Boy Reminds me of a tiny boy his little face looking up at me and then his face morphing into a little rock star throwing himself on his knees and playing air guitar once the music begins. His world is turned upside down as he wraps himself up in his plastic guitar and moves you forward in time when that little boy becomes an adult and is in a band throwing out the most amazing tunes ever. It brings me out in goose bumps. This, of course, could be about Lukas Richard’s son although not with air guitar that is usually how it begins.

Since 2014 Bullet Proof have been kicking ass all over Italy as well as further places and spreading their certain crisp blend of heavy thrash and hopefully they will go on doing so as this is real music with images that conjure up amazing and sometimes dangerous pictures that stay with you just like the music. Once played not forgotten. The ambient pieces are truly disturbing while the thrash element pushes the ambience into a corner and breathes fire on it.

Great album!

9/10

Track List:

Might Makes it right

Forsaken One

Portrait of the Face

No One Ever

I was wrong

Abandon

Lust

Revolution

Little Boy

Line-Up:

RICHARD HUPKA – Guitars & Vocals

MAX PINKLE - Guitars

FEDERICO FONTANARI - Bass

LUKAS HUPKA - Drums