Limp Bizkit wishes they were Keychain

Keychain

“Breaking Out”

©2016 Keychain/Zombie Shark Records

Rap-Metal

7.5/10

 

 

 

FFO: Project Wyze, Dead Celebrity Status, Papa Roach,etc. (This is harder than normal because Keychain are great dudes, who work their asses off and definitely shouldn’t be compared to the drivel they’re going to get lumped in with…. Personally I suggest checking them out for yourselves. )

 

Keychain are best observed in a live environment but this ep is a really good representation of what they do, but again. go see them live…..

Anyway this EP….

It opens with “PRIME TIME” which sounds a lot like Project wyze, and that’s no slight, as they were my favor group of that whole first wave of rap metal.  The song opens with a mesmerizing  Guitar line, after a couple seconds the bass kick starts hitting at a steady rhythm before the whole song kicks in. The verses in this song are fairly strong with above average wordplay, but the main event is the chorus, holy fuck, this is how rap metal is done right, Tight verses, Superb catchy choruses, and a slick as fuck bridge. 8.5/10

“BREAKING OUT” is up next and comes out guns a blazing. This is heavier and a little weird compared to PRIME TIME, not in a bad way just the vocals are definitely structured much different. It still hits hard but there is far less rap involved in this track, although it’s not completely absent.  THIS BAND KNOWS HOW TO WRITE A FUCKING HOOK, THANK JEEBUS or something. I get so tired of hearing bands that don’t know how to write a hook regardless of genre.  7/10

“TAKE BACK TIME” come out swinging bringing the rap back to the center stage. The instrumentals in this song comes across as very busy. Not sure how i feel about that first verse, but again CHORUSES, fuck it’s so relieving.
The second verse reminds me of a much better Papa Roach, or late era Stuck Mojo.
a solid 7/10

“GOD MODE” is next and wastes no time with an intense opening, Something about this track comes off as different than the other 3 previous tracks, it sounds like it was mixed different. As far as the song itself goes, it’s strong like all the other songs on this EP. 6/10

“PAYLOAD” reminds me a lot of several bands from Ozzfest ’02, Grade8, 3rd Strike and Twisted Method particularly, Heavy, Catchy, but still feels like something’s missing, i just can’t place what. Still I’ll take a thousand Mediocre Keychain songs vs. One good Limp Bizkit or Linkin Park song.  Still this comes across as the weakest track on the disk and it’s still a solid 5/10
And last but not least disc closer “JOURNEY” which is a nice instrumental, consisting of mostly guitar, it’s  serene… Like something you might hear on a prog metal band’s album. 9.5/10

In closing, I want to say Keychain are doing more with what was essentially dead Genre than Most of it’s Pillar’s have done in the last 14-20 years. This is taking Rap metal back towards where it started. Keychain are most definitely not a joke. They hit hard. and they work their asses off to prove themselves.
The fact that these dudes are from Canada is just an added bonus.

 

Catch these dudes on tour and tell them Robbie sent you.

https://www.facebook.com/keychainofficial/

 

 

Up next.

Justin Symbol and the God Bombs

Holy+Gold and more TBA

Second Death brings new life to a dying Genre

 

 

Second Death

“Casket”

©2017 Second Death

8.5/10

FFO: Oceano, Left Behind,Deathcore

 

 

 

 

Hi, it’s been a while and i’ve been promising this review for a while. To the guys in SD i apologize for the delay.

Deathcore…. What can I say…. for the most part it’s a dying genre, one i’m not even sure Second Death fit completely into. I don’t much care for the genre anymore, most new bands of this variety completely bore me, now mind you i said most….

Second Death are some of the coolest guys I’ve met in this scene, really down to earth people, And they are so good live. If you ever get the chance to see them live, do it, if you like heavy music you surely will not be disappointed. Their live show adds a layer of heviness their record is lacking (and being how heavy this shit is, that’s saying something).

Anyway, here’s the breakdown…. (god that joke was bad, i couldn’t resist)

The record opens with “ANSWER”, a distorted drum pattern gradually getting louder til the vocals and full band kick in. The singer Joshua Claxton, has a deep menacing attack in his “dirty vocals” and a strong but reserved set of cleans on him. The band does one thing that i feel absolutely distinguishes them from their peers, and that is clarity, you can hear the notes, you can hear the vocals, and holy shit those drums. This song lets you know these guys aren’t here to fuck around, they came to destroy. Not the strongest song on the record but still a fucking banger…7.5/10

Next up is “CLAIM CULTURE” which is my favorite on the record, and i feel their strongest song. Absolutely pummeling, and the cleans in the chorus give it such a sense of urgency and contemplation. Gah, I just fucking love this song.  9.5/10

“ABUSE” opens with a cool compressed guitar and drum pattern before launching into another strong track on the album. The cleans really make this band stand out miles above their peers. The drummer,  Giovanni Casanova, is a beast behind the kit and his tone is amazing. 8.5/10

“MALFUNCTION” is up next and is the first song i ever heard from these guys prior to seeing them open for HOLY+GOLD,  I’m not sure who the guest vocalist is, his name is NICK LOWERY, but he adds yet another layer of depth to an already dense sound. This song is a close second for favorite on the album. 9.5/10

“SELF PORTRAIT” is the next one, I’m not super fond of this song, again, nothing aesthetically wrong, just not as catchy as the others, doesn’t really grab my attention like the previous tracks do. Everything is tight, it’s structured tight, just not my cup of tea from the band. 5/10

“FOUNDATION” shakes the formula up, The vocals on this track sound super manic, the music shifts into a more complex and mathy direction and shit just gets crazy. 8/10

“PENDULUM” starts with a pulsing electro beat before launching into a mosh inducing rhythm. I love the guitar in this track that riff is soo juicy. Vocals are solid as always. This is a neat track but it does feel a little misplaced on CASKET. 6/10

“WORTH” closes out this Lp and features guest vocals from PETER RONO, again i’m not sure who that is… but this is such a strong way to end this record. Really juicy riffs, powerful vocals from both Joshua and guest vocalist Peter. Everything is solid. 8.5/10

 

This is a band that clearly knows what they want, and i can honestly imagine in a couple more tours and maybe  an ep or lp from now these guys could be as big or bigger than a large majority of their peers. Not that they haven’t been paying dues for quite a long while now…..

There’s a sense of hope permeating from this music, this band, that’s refreshing.

I love SECOND DEATH and will go see them any chance i can.
They make good music and are super cool humans, a rare combination in a genre dominated by man-children who think the world owes them everything, it’s refreshing to meet genuine guys who seem to love what they’re doing.

Go buy “CASKET”, it’s only 5 bucks from their bigcartel store….check these guys out live and support independent artists. Metallica has enough money……

 

https://www.facebook.com/seconddeathband/

http://www.seconddeath.bigcartel.com/

Death Therapy: Much needed therapy

Death Therapy

The Storm Before the Calm

©2017 Solid State records

9/10

FFO: GODFLESH, MARILYN MANSON, MINSTRY, NINE INCH NAILS

 

 

 

I recently had the pleasure to meet and hang with the brand new band DEATH THERAPY at a (surprisingly free show) here in town. It also happened to be the night their debut album, “THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM” technically came out though this wasn’t their release show.

Jason Wisdom, a name that should be familiar to a lot of you, He was the front man for the criminally overlooked BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE (If you’ve never heard them go look them up, great stuff)
I have a terrible habit of focusing in on one member of a band when i meet them, especially if I’ve admired them for a long time, Which was the case here for sure. I sat outside in between bands with Jason for quite a while and just chit chatted. The Drummer,  Josh Seagraves, was a nice guy too but i didn’t get to spend long talking to him.

But enough about his past. Let’s talk about this new band of his, DEATH THERAPY.

This two piece, yes they are a two piece, Bass and drums…. Are DENSE as fuck….

I arrived at the venue as they were setting up and stopped to speak to my good friend and the booking agent Joe Ramsey, who is a part of the Arkham Agency and many other booking endeavors, Missing half of the first song. my first thought was DAMN, that is a massive sound. I was even more surprised when i got into  the venue to see they were a two piece.

Anyway enough rambling let’s get to the album!

The album opens with “UNTIL THEN” which begins with a big synth line, punishing drums and buried vocals. The vocals also sound like they have some sort of distortion effect on them though i can’t place exactly what the effect is. This song is really short, serving more as an appetizer of what’s to come on the record as the effects and piano segue out and the sound of  SELF MIND-DEAD  starts with a thick distorted bass riff and a slick synth line, I can’t help but tell you this is my favorite song on the album, It features guest vocals from Andrew Schwabb of PROJECT 86,  The lyrics are vitriolic, Jason and Andrew both come across with a stellar menacing delivery. I’m in love with the bass tone he has on this song.
10/10

“THE LIE” is up next and begins with a very misleading synth line, leading you to believe it’s going to be a softer song before the pummeling begins. This songs shines as well, Almost as much as SELF MIND-DEAD did to me.  The Brace yourself refrain at the tail end of the song hits hard. As does this entire record.  The only thing i can even kind of think of negative to say thus far is sometimes the synth lines overpower other elements i feel should be more in the forefront, Like Jason’s vocals.

“WAKE ME (When I’m Dead)” is the first song on the record i can even think to say the first negative thing about and before i can even finish typing the sentence, it’s been corrected, and that thing is the weird Synth/drum rhythm at the beginning of the song that ALL industrial bands overuse, and i can’t even accuse DEATH THERAPY of that, because it shifts before i can even complain about it. I really like the vocal pattern and the lyrics on this song even when that industrial trapping thing kicks in….

“PRODIGAL” starts with a sample but i can’t place what it’s from, assuming it’s an old movie or something. This is probably my least favorite on the record so far and even so it’s still a solid 7.5, better than some band’s best…. This song goes on a little longer than i personally feel it should but it’s still solid. These guys are still GOLDEN, compared to some of the junk I hear these days…..

“SLOW DANCE (WITH DEATH)” HOLY SHIT! This song brings the Manson vibe FRONT AND CENTER, and THAT GROOVE! Holy shit! If you dig Holywood-Golden Age Era Manson, you need this song. Especially since Manson has tried (and in my opinion failed) to usurp the throne left vacant by David Bowie’s passing. This is the perfect pairing of Manson vocals, and Godflesh groove. Love it.

 

“POSSESSED” Comes in swinging after the high point that is “SLOW DANCE”.  Again I could keep preaching the praise for this album but my suggestion is PLEASE! GO CHECK IT OUT!!!!SEE THIS BAND NOW, SO YOU CAN CLAIM TO HAVE BEEN INTO THEM BEFORE THEY WERE BIG!
“EVERYTHING BURNS” Surprised me when it came on cause it sounded like it was out of place on the album sounding closer to the intro than SELF MINDED did. This song is another highlight. Vocals drenched in effects, Thick distorted bass lines, Atmospheric Synths. “YOU KNOW THE END IS COMING!”

The album closes with the two parter  “THE BELMONT FAMILY CURSE PTS. 1 & 2” 

Which in case you missed the reference is referring to the castlevania games. I love that. IT EVEN USES THE THEME MUSIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRST PART to build this huge buoyant Groove. Both of these tracks are instrumentals, but fuck are they great……

I can’t love this band, or this record enough

I had a few minor complaints but i can complain about anything, ask people who spend any amount of time with me, lol.

Jason and Josh are nice guys, who make GREAT music. I wish them the best of luck and can’t wait to see them again!

 

 

Keep up with DEATH THERAPY

https://www.facebook.com/deaththerapy

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIAgiNh4buO61TFA2dJAVzw

(actually the Solid State records youtube channel but all their videos, plus tons of other great bands are hosted here)

http://www.solidstaterecords.com

https://deaththerapymetal.bandcamp.com/

 

 

 

 

 

On a personal note from me to you (the reader, if anyone reads this blog that is)

I know you guys get tired of seeing 7-10 scores, but everything I’ve been give to review is either something I personally liked beforehand or really well made, There are plenty of negative reviewers in the world, and I don’t want to be one, I want to focus on good music across most extreme genre’s, and even the occasional offbeat release to keep you guys on your toes. I want to thank you all for your time and hope everyone enjoys these.

UP Next is the new EP from HOLY+GOLD, featuring former members of Norma Jean and THE CHARIOT……

 

 

 

The New Industrial Gods-Deconbrio

DECONBRIO

HAIL TO THE LIAR’S THRONE

Copyright 2016 Deconbrio

9.5/10

 

Knoxville,Tn….

Not the place you’d most expect the next NINE INCH NAILS to crop up from but you’d honestly be mistaken. Out of the depts of all the Death metal, Punk Rock, and Country the area is known for, comes DECONBRIO, a viscious blend of NINE INCH NAILS, GRAVITY KILLS, KILLING JOKE, with flourishes of radio rock, goth music and everything in between.

The band started in 2000 as an outlet for frontman DANNY RENDO and remained that way until after the release of 2012’s Voyeur (which is an amazing album in it’s own right) 

Danny has done remixes for a ton of larger bands, such as  Caustic, Celldweller, I Will Never Be The Same and others.

Now that you know the abbreviated backstory, Let’s get to why i’m talking about them…

They recently put out a new album “HAIL TO THE LIAR’S THRONE” A great album start to finish, leaps and bounds past their previous works….

I’ve had the pleasure (although that show was an absolute nightmare) to share the stage with these guys back in 2014, and they are some of the coolest most down to earth people i’ve ever met, even though the show was a bust (2 people, come on Chattanooga, you can do better than that.)

Anyway this new album.

I’ve been listening to it heavily since it came out

“THE END” opens this bad boy up. Not really a song, just a nice primer for what’s to come. It has cool vocals that sound like they are coming from a megaphone. The lyics are visceral and cool. 9/10

as soon as it ends it segues into the next track “THE HEART” which is one of my favorites on the album. The lyrics to this just hit so hard. Aesthetically it’s bouncy, heavy and glitchy in all the right ways and places.This is one of my favorite vocal deliveries by Danny ever…10/10

“THE INNOCENCE” is up next and it’s a cool song, the flow of it seems a bit off, i can’t figure out what it is i don’t particularly care for…. I don’t hate the song, as a matter of fact the chorus is really strong, it gives off a Stabbing Westward vibe, which i adore, but the bulk of the song… seems off. 5.5/10

“THE MONSTER” come out with a very DOPE-y riff, the vocal cadence recalls a previous DECONBRIO song “SCREAM” which is one of my favorites. The synth in this song overpowers everything else on this song, normally this would be a jab but it works here…Lyrics fall into typical tropes, but in the hands of a master of the craft like Danny even generic tropes seem full of drama and emotion, not cardboard and cookie cutter.
The break in this song where it drops to Danny and a single cymbal is super tight as well. 8.5/10

After that beast of a song comes “THE MOTHER INFERIOR” I’m just not fond of this song.There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, I just can’t find anything that peeks my personal taste and I LOVE this band, both as people and as a band. 3/10

“THE REFLECTION” is next and it’s another low point for me in the album. I feel like these songs were recorded during the wrap up of the album. This song is well made, again nothing particularly wrong with it. actually there are several little surprises in the “DEMON VOCALS” that pop up periodically, but i can’t shake the feeling I’ve herd this before. This is by no means a slight towards the band, i just know they are capable of much more which they show in the rest of this album. 3/10

We’ve reached the halfway point in the album and i want to say something extra before moving forward with the review. DECONBRIO is never going to be done proper justice on record. Live they are a tour de force, i mean this sincerely. If they come to an area near you, please go investigate for yourself and you will see what this band is truly capable of….

Tons of bands put out records that are good, but don’t come close to their live shows. Deconbrio makes great music, and this record is proof of that, but nothing can top the urgency of Danny being in your face belting out the lyrics to their cover of GRAVITY KILL’s “GUILTY” or their own “SCREAM”. The rest of the band especially social media queen ASHLEY and the rest of the group deserve just as much credit as Danny in bringing this extravaganza to life.  Now back to the review….

“THE SILENCE” is an instrumental and i love this so much… it give a feeling of dread for what’s to come and what has already come to pass. An air of grief also comes through the synth lines and guitar bursts. This is where the album takes an upward turn, most releases this long feel fatigued and listless by this point, but not this album…. ❤ 10/10

“THE FEELING REMAINS”….Oh shit. This song…. man…. what’s the word i’m looking for.SEXY, yes, you read that right. I’m a Hetero man (that shouldn’t matter but…meh) this song is Sexy. the lyrics are sexy. Even the delivery of the vocals drip Sex appeal.  Everything about this song is just right. When Deconbrio nails this feeling it’s inescapable, it engulfs you.  9.5/10

After recovering from “THE FEELING REMAINS” comes “THE SECRET”  I really love the lyrics to this track… Another thing Deconbrio does so well, is Darkness, and this song is absolutely dripping in it.  8.5/10

“THE CHANGE” follows in strong suit. I gotta say the latter half of this record is so strong. “gone is my need to care, but not my need to offend” this song, nay this record has never been more needed.

Also this block of lyric… .just damn….

I hear you speak
It echoes through the crowd
But, your envy and fear
Have never screamed so loud
It doesn’t matter what you say
You couldn’t walk in my shoes
My poly-glamorous life
Would bisect you all in two

I don’t have a bad thing to say about this song or for that matter most of this record. 9/10

“THE DIVISION” is up next and if I’m not mistaken this is the lead single off this album, i know for sure it has a lyric video on youtube….. This song takes on the bigots, in full force, Deconbrio pull no punches when it comes to who they are and what they stand for and that makes me so very proud to call myself a fan and them friends of mine. I feel the lyrics to this song merit posting in full i hope the band doesn’t mind…..

Hey – what do you say
About the prince who gets away with rape
Because the king can shift the blame
They can afford to fix the game
Hey – what do you say
to the sons and daughters who were gay
Before they blew themselves away
Tired of losing the game
Hey – what a big surprise
The TV sings the same reprise
Because a biggot had a badge for a disguise
Another innocent human dies
Hey – what a fucking shame
They think skin color is to blame 
Taking faggots out of the game
And do it all in Jesus’ name

Where will you be when the shots ring out
How will you know what you’re running from
Where will you be when the lights go out
How will you be judged when your time has come

You made this division
Too far for me to see to the other side
You made this division
And there’s no way in hell it is justified

Hey – what does it take to win
You make it seem like it’s a sin
If you see a little too much skin
Let the slut shaming begin
Hey – doesn’t matter at all
Where you direct your vitriol
Another black life takes the fall
And, we’re blind to your cabal
Hey – not at all surprised
The TV sings the same reprise
Your bank account now justifies
Your free-for-all between her thighs
Hey – do you remember when
The gun was mightier than the pen
We’ll make America great again
In our white god’s name, Amen

Where will you be when the shots ring out
How will you know what you’re running from
Where will you be when the lights go out
How will you be judged when your time has come

You made this division
Too far for me to see to the other side
You made this division
And there’s no way in hell it is justified

holy shit. that’s potent stuff there….Deconbrio stand for everyone in the face of this current political climate and they could not have come at a better time and what’s even more amazing is there is two more tracks left on this monolith. 20/10

After that assault on all that’s wrong with the world the album continues with the title track “HAIL TO THE LIAR’S THRONE”. And it’s yet another banger… these guys (and lady) are on fire on the latter half of this record.  I can’t find anything i don’t dig here…. the lyrics? slick. The synth? Awesome. The instrumentation? on point.  15/10

The album finally ends with “THE START” a slow burning, emotional rollercoaster of a song. The album lulls out with embers burning bright rather than a loud bang, leaving a seething wound of social commentary and seeds of revolution behind. 9.5/10

In closing i implore you, go buy this album. see this band live. Share their videos, interact with them. Please keep hope alive that one day a song like “the divison” will seem unnecessary because we evolve to understand and be compassionate towards our fellow humans.

To my friends DECONBRIO

Keep Hope Alive, hope to see you guys soon.

Robbie.

 

http://www.deconbro.com

http://www.facebook.com/deconbrio

http://www.youtube.com/deconbrio

 

 

HOLY FUCKING FUNERAL PORTRAIT!

THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT

A MOMENT OF SILENCE

2016 Revival Records

9/10

FFO: My Chemical Romance, Alesana, AFI, Post Hardcorre

Let me preface this, with the fact that Funeral portrait are AMAZING LIVE, great people and treat their fans like friends.

I’ve had the pleasure to open for them three times now and it’s always a great show. Lee and the guys are ALWAYS putting on their A+ game.
Instead of doing a track by track review i’m just going to do a general review, as i feel i have too great of a bias to give a truly impersonal review.
This is their first full length, their previous EP is pristine a 9/10 in my book, so they have some high expectations to meet on this new album. Which comes out tomorrow 12/16.

Everything seems more extreme, the heavy parts are heavier and the soft parts are softer. the hooks are strong, and lee is on top of things, with backing vocals from Jurgie adding a new layer most bands of this genre seem to lack.

I’m going to let you guys in on a secret, I LOVE MCR, Always have, And TFP are filling a void left by them.  Those are some big shoes, and not only do i feel TFP deserve that HONOR i believe they’re on their way to ascending it. They are on the same level as their label owners (Alesana, a band i also love, Their “THE EMPTINESS” album is amazing front to back, but i digress) easily on their way to surpassing them.

I believe in another 5 years, TFP will be the biggest punk band in the US, no lie. Just watch and remember where you heard it from.

I love TFP almost to a level of fan-girling every time i see them. The fact that i can call them friends, just makes it that much cooler.
This new record is amazing. go buy it.

 

Good luck and congrats on your new record guys.Hopefully we’ll see you soon

-Robbie

 

Favorite Tracks:

“like father, like son”

“The Water Obeyed the gravity”

“Cerulian”

 

KEEP UP WITH TFP  &  BUY THE RECORD HERE:

http://www.facebook.com/TheFuneralPortrait

http://thefuneralportrait.merchnow.com/

 

Me and singer LEE after a show we played together back in 2015,Love this picture.

Horrorcore’s hidden Gem: AJ Jordan

AJ Jordan The Crescendo

Sentimental Situations

©2012 L8 Productions

FFO: Menacide, MARS (rapper),  Intrinzik, Horrorcore.

7.5/10

AJ Jordan is a horrorcore/Underground rapper from New York, He’s been around for quite some time. I learned of AJ through the “UNDERGROUND HUSTLIN” compilations, which to my knowledge are still coming out to this day.

Anyway this album was release back in 2012, but AJ was cool enough to send me a physical copy.

“INTRO DJ SCRATCH” is exactly what it says it is. 8/10

“WELCOME TO THE PARTY” is the first song on the album, and i really WANT to like this song more than i do, but i’m just not fond of the chorus on here.The verses are strong and show much promise.There is a video to this song as well, that was shot in a haunted house. it’s cool stuff.  6/10

AJ is heads above some of these guys doing this style when he’s at his worst. the album seems to get better as it goes on.

“THE MORE I KEEP ON CLIMBING”  is up next and it’s a step in the right direction. My major qualm with AJ’s music is the choruses in a lot of the songs… It’s not even that they’re bad,they just seems disjointed. His verses are top notch though. 7/10

“WHERE’S OUR FUTURE” is the next one, and it features WHITNEY PEYTON (Who is a top notch rapper, if you’ve never listened i advised checking her out) This song works on every level. Calling out greedy, money hungry rappers.10/10

“INSIDE MY MIND” is up next and this is the first song by AJ i ever heard. I really dig it, reminds me a lot of Likewize or Insane Poetry with the industrial beat and steady fast flow. Aj really shines on this song, i feel he’s at his best when he’s flowing like this. It’s a dope song, and his chorus is actually  really strong. Aj has a strong career ahead of him, and i know this album is almost half a decade old,  most of the qualms I’ve had with his music are not present in his more recent output.10/10

“GIMME DAT” has a thumping middle eastern sounding beat and a really cool hook. I like it, even though it’s way shorter than most of the rest of the songs. 7/10

“FLIP THE SCRIPT”  I just plain don’t like, it sounds like it wasn’t mixed with the rest of the album, and co-rapper B SIDE doesn’t really bring much to the table, he uses that horrorcore macho guy voice that alot of the weaker rappers of the genre lean on. AJ’s second verse is really good but the song does not fit this album. maybe a remixing and find some better lyrics for the chorus, as the line “Those people just act retard, we’re gonna flip the script” makes me cringe. Sorry AJ, i just can’t back this track. 1/10

“JACK THE SWAGGER” comes next and it’s already leaps and bounds above the last song as soon as AJ opens his mouth, this song would be pretty fun live, i imagine. Lyrically it’s an angry party jam, about rappers biting him. i’m not sure who the second guy is on this track, but i was digging it until he said faggot. There are much better insults you could use buddy. AJ flows with a speedy delivery and a quick wit. 7/10

 

“YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME” has a weird choir effect at the beginning of the song that gives it an off vibe, even disorienting. I don’t care for the beat much, nonetheless AJ still brings great verses per Usual. Listening to this album you can hear AJ grow as the album progress. He is a very human artist, faltering from time to time but always progressing, growing. 8/10

Another thing i love about AJ is you can tell he is hungry to do this. It’s not a chore or a job (well not knowing a lot about AJ’s personal life this may be his job) he is focused and passionate about the art. 

“LIFE IS PAIN” starts with a Voicemail followed by cool female chorus line before AJ Cuts in. This song is really good. His flow reminds me of early career Jamie Madrox here. The lyrics have more substance than the rest. I HIGHLY Recommend this song. 10/10

“THE SUN DON’T SHINE” holy shit AJ has hit a streak here. this song. man. The beat and chorus are reminiscent of the late 90’s techno-pop boom, and the verses are tight and lyrically relevant. As someone who suffers from depression, this song hits just right. 9/10

“MY DAUGHTERS SONG” is up next starts with his little girl’s voice. Sweet and sentimental, i really like this song. it reminds me of Q Strange, Particularly the latter half of his strangeland album where he goes into dept about his personal life, in lieu of the murder. 10/10

“SO LONG, I’M GONE” is the last song on the album, tight verses but the auto tune on the chorus is kind of grating. AJ is a real Artist, very human, which i admire so much. The verses on this song are a 10 easily, but the chorus is definitely a 4, so i would give it a solid 6/10.

AJ also sent me a second album which i’m just going to do a summary of rather than a full on review as it’s a remix album.

AJ JORDAN

TECHNODO REMIXES

6/10

This album came 1 year after sentimental solutions and from what i can tell features remixes of a lot of the songs from that album.  It’s well produced and a cool new view of AJ’s sound and brand. Some of the song highlights of this album are listed below.

“Welcome to the Party” gets a very strong  dubstep remix. this beat compliments the chorus more making it seem far less disjointed.

“Inside my mind” also gets the dub remake. the beat he chose definitely makes the song POP in a different way.

“LIFE IS PAIN” gets a deep almost jungle bass makeover.

If you are fond of remixes, techno, or modern dubstep, i recommend this. Quite a lot actually. I usually don’t like standard remix albums. I prefer complete deconstructions ( for example either of my band’s two “remix” albums, i know shameless plug.)

Final thoughts…

AJ Jordan is a great wordsmith, a nice guy and hidden gem in the horrorcore genre. For example check out his recent collab with my friend STEVIE MILES called ” BUMP AT NIGHT” a standout track from his more recent output.

Always growing and learning. AJ is poised for greatness and i hope he finds it.

I’m a fan for life now.  I recommend AJ to anyone curious about what horrorcore offers without all the shitty juggalo rap tropes. His output is original, but still close enough to regular hip hop to get an old school head to give him the time of day.

SO I IMPLORE YOU, SHARE THIS ARTIST WITH A FRIEND YOU THINK WILL DIG IT!

BUY HIS MERCH, AND IF HE PLAYS NEAR YOU. CHECK IT OUT.

PS Sorry this took so long AJ hope you’re not mad about it.

Find AJ at these places…

https://www.facebook.com/AJJordanBuffaloHipHop

http://www.ajjordan.net/

https://ajjordan716.bandcamp.com/

SUFFER! SUFFER! SUFFER!

WITHIN THE SUFFERING

Underlock

©2016 Within the Suffering

FFO: Chelsea Grin, Attila, Miss May I

7/10

*****PREFACE*****

As previously stated  I tend to not review my friends records unless they were making music before i met them. I will do my best to keep personal bias out of it and just focus on the musical Content.

WTS came on my radar fairly recently but these dudes are top notch. Nice guys, badass live musicians. Now they previously only had 1 or 2 songs recorded (that i’m aware of) so this is their first record.

The record was recorded at GHOST KID STUDIOS, by my good friend LEE JENNINGS (Who is the frontman for THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT).

BATTLEGROUNDS starts with a lot of weird dub-step-y squelches and other noises before launching into a chuggy riff and screamed vocals.  5/10

DEATH’S COLD GRIP opens with a jarring vocal cadence from what sounds like 3 or 4 different voices before launching into chandler’s clear but not clean vocals. The song is very chuggy, moving forward like a locomotive. Zig-zag-ing guitar lines, squelches, and other nuances litter this track, giving it a little more flair than your standard deathcore. I do have a complaint, the songs are incredibly short for this style.  7/10

NU-NU is the next track, it’s probably my favorite on the record. It starts with spoken-to-screamed vocals and a vicious chug. This song reminds me a lot of really good Chelsea Grin. Vocals are top notch.  The black metal scream into a guitar solo around the 3 minute mark is super slick, good job boys. The underoath influence shines through on the “Take my hand” refrain, with cleans underlying the harsh vocals.  8/10

LAST CHANCE is a song they had previously released. It’s a nice revenge number. Very breakdown-y. Normally that would bother me, but when it’s done this well, it doesn’t. The guitar tone on this song is SICK, the clean vocals are SICK, the harsh vocals are great. THE BREAKDOWN ON THIS SONG, HOLY SHIT FUCK  9/10

A Perfect Lie  picks up the pace a little, when the vocals come in they sound like a less silly Attila (circa Rage, and that’s not a slight, i promise)  This is a neat song with all the vocal changes. Instrumentally, it’s nothing spectacular,  tight and well played but it just doesn’t stick out very much to me personally.  6/10

Livin Like Larry  This is another of the songs they had previously released (Albeit in a different version)  I really like this one though, it’s frentic, slightly spazzy, the chorus is slick as fuck. The dual vocals on this track are really nice too. 9/10

Phoenix is the final track on this record, and it’s a banger. the tribal pattern recalls Sepultura during their ROOTS prime. If this type of metal is your cup of tea. you should definitely catch these guys live. I feel that’s where they really shine. 8/10

 

Overall, the record has a big punchy sound, delivers quality where most bands in the genre are shitting out half assed bullshit albums, these guys genuinely care about their sound, style and recordings.
These guys have only been around for about a year or two, so i imagine that they can only go up from here. Keep an eye on these guys, they’re getting big pretty quick.

They play all over the southeast currently, I’m sure there will be touring soon.

Keep growing guys, see you soon,

Robbie.

 

 

Check them out online here:

https://www.facebook.com/WithinTheSufferingOfficial

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx4BtDwLGuw4zu_2K42AYzw

They’re also on Spotify and Itunes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forever Victory:Foreveratlast bring pop punk back to the forefront

FOREVERATLAST

GHOST AGAIN

©2015 Victory Records

FFO:  My Chemical Romance, The Starting Line, Straylight Run, etc.

I’ve gotta get this off my chest before i start this review…

I have NEVER in my 15+ years of music and shows, met a more honest and deserving group of people than the guys and lady in FAL. Honest, Hard working, Caring, and creative. These guys have the full package going on.

So how does the album stack up.
Opening track SHORELINE Bursts in with some static followed by a strong pop punk gallop, the lead vocals are soulful and robust.  The bass on this track is fantastic. I love the tone so hard. Lyrically the song is stronger than anything the genre has produced since MCR. Only contemporaries THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT and TAKE ME ALIVE approach this level of quality songwriting.This is probably one of, if not, my favorite track on the album.

Second song and current single MACHINES is up next. This song has a good flow and the vocal pattern is really cool. The lyrics are always a highlight for this band. The  “There’s blood on your hands and they’re gonna find you out in the end” is

Next up is the first single and another highlight of the album BAD BLOOD, and this is by and far one of the best pop punk songs (dare i say) in the last 12-13 years. Catchy and cathartic at the same time. This is heavy enough to keep my interest, but catchy enough it could easily be played on modern rock radio right beside bands like green day and pop evil and not sound out of place. That’s one of the many things i love about FAL. They’re probably one of the most versatile bands playing this type of pop punk in 2016.

GHOST IN THE ATTIC is the next song on the record and features some really cool dual vocals from Frontwoman Brittany and (i’m not absolutely positive) guitarist Jordan. Lyrically this band always stands head and shoulders above their peers (even similar bands i do enjoy)

One and the same  is a great song, plain and simple. This whole album is great, come to think of it. The lyrics on this song are a little deeper than most “Are we digging our graves? Are we one and the same?” It really makes you ponder our existence.

PART II is up next. This is probably one of my least favorite tracks on the album. Nothing wrong with it. It just doesn’t really stand out to me like most of the rest of the tracks here. When skipping around the album (which i bought directly from the band when we opened for them, around release time) I don’t really  ever stop on PART II.
I will GLADLY take 50 BAD FOREVERATLAST songs, over a “GOOD” Blood on the dancefloor song any day of the week. 

Anyway… Back to the songs….

DAYS OF NIGHT is up next, It starts with this weird buildup i really like. Echoes and static, Brittany slowly become audible. Solid songwriting across the board.

THE OBSERVATORY  is next up. It’s the only other song on the album outside of PART II that i’m not very fond of. There again nothing really wrong with it, Just not very standout. The echo-riddled chorus is very cool and the beginning is super-punchy, but the rest of the song just kinda blurs by me.

ECHOES AND SECRETS. Just so much urgency sensed in this song. Catchy and cathartic at the same time. I really love this one.

MR WHITECOAT undoubtedly my favorite FAL song in their entire catalog. Lyrically it seems to be a barb at the pharmaceutical industry, and even if i’m misinterpreting it, the lyrics are fantastic. The playing is fantastic, the whole thing is perfect.

Album closer THE CARDBOARD RULE is up next.  It’s a good closer for the album, slick harmonies abundant.

I know the individual track reviews aren’t that long but to be honest there’s no real need for them to be. THE MUSIC SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.  This band works so hard it’s not even funny. Literally, one of  best bands currently operating under VICTORY RECORDS. These guys put on a great show. Are genuine. and just all around good people.

8.5/10

If you’ve been writing these guys off as a paramour clone. Stop it. This band is so much more.

Foreveratlast is ALWAYS ON TOUR so check their facebook or official sites for tour dates and be sure to tell them Robbie sent you.

Me and Brittany (vocals) October 2015

 

 

http://www.facebook.com/foreveratlast

 

 

STEVIE MILES: The Great white ATL. Hope

Stevie Miles

“So you think you can rap”
“Mobbed Up (ft. Mi$ta 420)”

©2016 Beatmade Ent.

FFO: Rittz, MGK, etc.

 

Stevie Miles, A name you’re probably familiar with if you like hip-hop and live in Atlanta, or even if you just like hip-hop….

The Self proclaimed “Freakazoid of Hip-Hop” has been grinding his way through the Atlanta underground for years now. Most recently he opened up the sold out Riddlebox 20th anniversary tour with horrorcore godfathers ICP. Stevie has been making big moves for himself and his independent record label BEATMADE ENTERTAINMENT since roughly 2013.  Most likely if you go to see a bigger  horror-core or hardcore rap show in Atlanta, you will see STEVIE MILES doing his thing, Which is what we’re going to discuss.

I met Stevie at my event Funeral Fest III: The Green Inferno. which featured his labelmate MOOSE MOTA. An extremely laid back guy, We clicked on our love of Spawn and comics and now my band is playing his label’s first ever music festival “BEATMADE FEST” along with many other acts. More info about that coming soon.

 

First of two songs i’ll be reviewing today:

“So you think you can rap” is Stevie’s latest video/single currently released.

The video was shot at the Atlanta stop of ICP’s Riddlebox 20th anniversary tour. It combines live shots from the show with shots from other locations.  It also has a nice over-saturation in certain spots giving it a cool, trippy effect.

Lyrically Stevie is heaps above the others in the genre. I tried to listen to a couple other contest entries, while some were decent others were laughably bad, some were decent.

Stevie’s entry looks the most professional out of the ones i watched.

The song flows seamlessly through the verses,  Stevie attacks the beat with a swagger and confidence severely lacking from his peers.

He sounds confident and Self sure without being cocky.
The lyrical content is spot on, not a single word is wasted.

8.5/10 Visual      9/10 Audio

 

 

“Mobbed Up (Ft. Mi$ta 420) “

mobbed up doesn’t even have an official release date yet. this is FRESH .

Fresh is probably the best description of this song.

The beat is smooth, the vocals are delivered with confidence and swagger, The hook is slick. Everything about this track is slick

Mi$ta 420, is an artist i’m not particularly familiar with, his verse is smooth with quality wordplay.

This track invokes late 90’s rap radio, Particularly the stoner rap movement of the time period,  and that’s no slight. Bringing to mind Bone Thugs N Harmony, Early Kottonmouth Kings, Early Rehab and the like. 

This song is very FULL sounding.

When this drops I HIGHLY recommend picking it up and jamming it while you smoke up (if that’s your thing)

9/10

 

Stevie is a one of a kind artist in his niche of hiphop, i’m glad to have been invited into it.

I’m glad to be able to count Stevie as a friend, and proudly support him and  BEATMADE ENT.
Keep up with Stevie:

http://www.steviemiles.com/

https://soundcloud.com/Thereal_StevieMileshttps://soundcloud.com/Thereal_StevieMiles

Youttube: Stevie Miles

Twitter: Stevie_Miles

www.jango.com/stevie miles

 

 

 

hide your face

No musician has ever affected me the way hide did. I was so young when he died, i had only recently discovered him from a movie i had stumbled upon, Tokyo Pop.
I devoured X Japan’s body of work.
In 2000, me and my dad went to see Heavy Metal 2000, Zilch’s song inside the pervert mound was the first time i heard anything hide did outside of X Japan. I instantly bought the Zilch album at compact discovery, I had to have Art order it, even though it was domestically released.
I burnt through so many copies of that cd over the years.
Napster and Limewire fed my addiction with the precious few songs that i could locate from their servers.
I watched every interview clip, Music video, literally anything i could get my hand on.
hide was kind, compassionate and genuinely cared about his fans, friends, everyone. He taught me that in an industry as dog eat dog as music, there is always room for kindness.
I literally carry the trading card that came in my Ja, zoo album in my wallet to remind me to be compassionate towards others regardless of what they’ve done to me.
I hope one day to make the kind of mark on someone,he left on me.
Rest in Peace, hide-sama.

His body of work is pretty expansive.

3 solo albums, 1 posthumous new song, god knows how many X japan albums.

Thank you hide RIP