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Album Review: A Day To Remember – Bad Vibrations

By
Luke Spencer
-

A Day To Remember get focused on the new album Bad Vibrations.

https://vimeo.com/181066353

 

Text review:

Among an ongoing record label lawsuit, constant touring and a broken heart due to a British pro-wrestler, A Day To Remember still find ways to push on and do what they love in just about any way they want.  Ocala’s metalcore, hardcore, punk rock, hard rock or whatever sub-genre you may personally categorize the band under is a great example of keeping your eyes forward with the foot on the gas.

Bad Vibrations is the sixth full album from A Day To Remember where the band spent a secluded vacation in the mountains for time together just to write the new music.  The band is delivering their latest album in a way wildly unfamiliar to them as they normally write casually and just for fun, but this time they are writing about feelings of stress and anxiety while giving Bad Vibrations everything they have.  As the writing for 2016’s album was more focused, ADTR front man Jeremy McKinnon explained in an interview: “We completely changed the way we wrote, recorded and mixed this album. It was one of the most unique recording experiences we’ve ever had.”

It’s easy to understand the direction and overall theme of an album when hearing the terms stress and anxiety paired with an album title Bad Vibrations.  Hearing it screamed at you with bass drums and low end guitar riffs may be a bit of a new experience for some as most therapists prefer talking about a subject like this gently as opposed to blowing out windows when relating to problems with anxiety.

The first single Paranoia, released back in March of this year, delves into that focused writing style with a bit more emotion and catharsis.  Although the song has been out for several months now it still feels as somewhat of a refreshing pace from the band and not exactly the overly loud and upfront presentation through your subwoofers that many ADTR songs have been in the past.

Paranoia is the right blend of a sing along chorus paired with verses that are rough and loud.  The breaks between vocal lines for the guitars make the song feel well paced and make the listening experience worth your time.  From the opening guitar and McKinnon’s shouting to the catchy tag line of a time-bomb ticking in your head, Paranoia feels strong and makes you want to play it several times in one sitting.

After a few listens to a song like Paranoia you can tell that this song took time to construct.  And when you listen through the album Bad Vibrations you get that impression many times.  Just like in the song Paranoia where it feels like different elements are used, there are many different styles and speeds throughout this album that point out the new writing style that the band implemented.  While songs like Naivety and We Got This have more of a punk vibe, tracks like Exposed and the title track are where you feel the heaviness that the band has been known for in the past.  There is definitely a lean toward the punk side in the album, especially as the track list goes on toward the end, but it all still feels very unique from the band and doesn’t sway away too far from A Day To Rememeber’s past works.

Blink-182 was a big influence on the band and songs like Naivety and the other more punk focused tracks on this album truly show that.  There is still a lot of heavy moments in Bad Vibrations, but this album definitely sways more toward the punk rock and borderline hardcore sound in this metalcore band.  At just over three minutes, Naivety feels like a upbeat fun song while still focusing on topics that may make some feel distressed when relating to getting older and feeling the stress of life.  There are some quotes online of the band saying this is the heaviest they’ve ever been.  In fairness, I don’t know if I completely agree.  There are many more slow and melodic moments than people may expect, but that is to the albums advantage as they are done well.  Bad Vibrations feels deep and layered with many different emotions.

With statements about Bad Vibrations being “the heaviest album the band has done” and “something that has changed the way the band from here on”, it’s safe to say everyone involved it deeply invested and hopeful for what’s to come.  And while I may argue how heavy the album is overall, I still can’t deny that the band has created many good songs on an album full of expression and memorable hooks.  Overall, A Day To Remember made something worth remembering.  The band’s efforts in more focused music writing are apparent and it feels that the band is going in a direction worth following.  While not perfect, you definitely can have a good time with Bad Vibrations.

Top 10 WORST #1 Rock Songs

By
Luke Spencer
-

Remembering who #1 was shouldn’t feel so embarrassing.

https://vimeo.com/180529406

DISCLAIMER – Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purpose such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statue that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Album Review: Delain – Moonbathers

By
Luke Spencer
-

Dutch symphonic metal band Delain attempt to go in many directions with the new album “Moonbathers”.

https://vimeo.com/180209199

 

Text Review:

There are some musical juxtapositions that should never work but end up becoming something great.  Adding a symphony to metal on paper sounds about as well planned as peanut butter and mayonnaise.  But once you hear how well it works, you find yourself wondering how you went without it for so long and want to hear more.  Symphonic metal is that combination that many music fans don’t realize they are missing.  Delain is another band from across the pond that has been going strong for over 10 years now and has been a strong staple of the symphonic metal sub-genre.  Founded by former Within Temptation keyboardist Westerholt’s, Delain’s music includes everything from wild guitar solos and screaming followed by gorgeous string sections and harmonious singing all in a manner of minutes.

Moonbathers comes as the fifth full album from the band and might stand as the highlight of Delain’s 2016 which also included an EP and a headlining tour.  Amidst all the time on the road however, they still found enough time to work together and write for the new album and also give it enough attention to make it feel special.  In an interview online, Westerhold said: “It’s an album of extremes: the heavy songs are heavier, the ballads more sensitive, and then there’s songs with a real rock vibe, and that’s due to the way we recorded it, in different times, in different places and in different moods.”

Listening to what this Dutch band can bring opens a lot of avenues and imagination.  Any band that names themselves after a Stephen King term already shows a form of style in imagination and in a style like symphonic metal there is much to get swept up in.  Whether it’s volume, melody, or a blast from the past in an 80’s song cover, according to Westerholt Moonbathers is Delain’s attempt to push themselves in several different ways.

Suckerpunch gives the vibe of 80’s fantasy with the opening synth keyboards and catchy drum beat.  The chorus is what highlights the song in an upbeat soundtrack style.  The vocal delivery from singer Charlotte Wessels sounds somewhat blasé where nothing sounds bad but it does feel like much of the high points and emotion aren’t being fully delivered.  It feels as the vocals, and to be fair, much of the entire four-minute track is just going through the motions.  I don’t think Suckerpunch is bad by any means but while listening from the beginning you expect something big and climatic, or at the very least something satisfying to listen to.  The song just doesn’t deliver any (no pun intended) punch.  There is a very natural flow that moves the song along until the track is over.  Nothing is painful to listen to, but it’s easily forgotten as soon as it’s over.

That description of Suckerpunch is something that can be said for a large majority of Moonbathers.  While listening through, there is definitely nothing harsh and you can hear the talent involved while still getting a high moment here and there, but you also feel like you aren’t getting what you were hoping for.  You yearn for something bigger and better from a group who sounds like they are capable, but just aren’t satisfied.

When hearing a symphonic metal band, you want to hear the elements of both worlds.  In a song like Fire With Fire though you end up getting mainly the riff and percussion heavy style along with Charlotte’s singing.  You get very little of the symphonic vibe and like Suckerpunch, there feels like a build-up and strong rhythm that doesn’t evolve too much.  You are left wanting more and forget what you just heard as soon as it’s over.  I repeat that there is nothing bad in Moonbathers.  There in fact are some excellent moments in a few songs that really stand out like the wordless singing in Danse Macabre or the guttural growling in the truly symphonic metal opener Hands Of Gold.  When taking the entire album in however, these moments aren’t as many as you may hope.

When you hear a talented band is going strong all year and then releases a new album it’s easy to get excited.  But in the case of Delain if feels like it was a good attempt at something that could have been great.  You can tell there is talent and creativity in what they have created, but the new music may not have you craving to replay it.  Overall, Moonbathers is a decent album that proves the talent of a band but may only satisfy the longtime fans of Delain.  While there are several moments that may pique one’s interest, there is an encompassing feeling of wanting something more that is never satisfied.

6/10

Album Review: Alice In Chains – Jar Of Flies

By
Luke Spencer
-

A look back at Alice In Chain’s 1994 EP Jar Of Flies.

https://vimeo.com/179494552

Album Review: Gemini Syndrome – Memento Mori

By
Luke Spencer
-

Gemini Syndrome return to continue their journey from Lux to Memento Mori.

https://vimeo.com/179359320

 

Text Review:

It was back in 2013 that Gemini Syndrome made their debut into radio play and becoming a staple of the rock festival scene with their debut album Lux, spearheaded by the single Stardust.  Since then the band has earned an extremely dedicated fanbase in a short time due to the group’s fantastic live performances and deeply written music.  Now after some new members have joined the band we are presented with their 2nd of a trilogy of albums.  Their debut album Lux, meaning “Birth”, will be followed by Memento Mori, meanings “Remember We Die”.  These themes are consistent throughout Gemini Syndrome’s music along with the deep rhythm and unique vocals of Aaron Nordstrom.  While not exactly Cradles of Filth levels of depressing and dark, Gemini Syndrome is capable of bringing the mood down and making you think through relatable lyrics while still keeping the speed and volume up.  This is due in part to the fantastic rhythm section of Brian Steele and Alessandro Paveri.  It’s the low and deep beat that these two create that carry much of Gemini Syndrome’s sound and reflects so well with Nordstrom’s vocals.

Coming into Memento Mori, there is a certain standard that the band has already set from their 2013 debut.  With an already unique style, fans and other listeners who have heard Gemini Syndrome have an instantly recognizable sound to compare to whatever the band will bring next.  The thematic level that the band is capable of bringing will be expected by many “synners” as they are called.  The opening track Anonymous with its accompanying 360 music video puts aside the questions on if the band will continue the same deep thematic elements of self-reflection and thought.  It’s instantly recognizable and what synners expected from the band.  The album opener sets the tone with Nordstrom’s singing completely reverberating through your listening experience and it carries this entire track.  The piano notes add an ominous feel as connecting verses and the drum work from Brian Steele is prominent and adds the volume until Nordstrom cuts loose and growls in his screaming in the bridge and final chorus.

The first song on Memento Mori leads in to the translated title track, which also leads into the following track Zealot.  Throughout most of this album there is a carrying feeling that the mood flows seamlessly over.  Tracks do not feel out of place and you aren’t taken out of the experience.  The deep, low, hard hitting drum and bass are visceral and it feels like your ear drums are being hit while listening.  These loud and vibrant tracks are frequent and the standard on Memento Mori.  Even in the quieter interludes that allow for a more melodic peaceful moment to take place, they still do not break away from the overall mood and flow of the album.  There is a dark atmosphere that despite its tone and topics, still feels very energetic and forceful.

The drive from verse to chorus in songs like Zealot, Sorry Not Sorry and Awaken have this gradual build that makes the high points feel like this big moment.  It doesn’t have the standard rock feeling as much as it has a true build up and climax in each song, whether that’s a few lyrics, a full chorus, an electronic effect, or a vocalist screaming his throat out.  The only drawback of the album is that when listening from beginning to end you will feel a zone out effect.  The deep rhythm and overall mood when played for too long will cause you to forget which song you are listening to after a while, especially in the second half of the album.  Even when that happens though it still doesn’t take away from the overall feeling of the album and doesn’t lessen any element in the music.

It’s difficult for a band to gain a dedicated fan base that sticks with them after their debut album and especially with a big gap until their next release.  It shows a lot of grit and talent when musicians are able to keep going and still deliver on expectations.  Gemini Syndrome have proven that they are capable of being consistent.  Overall, Memento Mori successfully continues both the trilogy of albums AND the career of Gemini Syndrome in positive ways.  It will not disappoint anyone who enjoyed the 2013 release and the future looks bright for the band and all of its synners.

8/10

Photos: IN THIS MOMENT at RETURN OF THE DREADS TOUR in St. Louis, MO 8/9/2016

By
Luke Spencer
-

Photos of In This Moment on the Return Of The Dreads Tour in St. Louis, MO.  All photos taken by Luke Spencer on 8/9/2016.

In This Moment is on tour as special guests of Rob Zombie as Korn and are promoting their most recent release Black Widow.  During the show, Maria Brink has an issue with her cape being tied to her neck an needed one of her assistants to help get it back on.  After a few tries, Maria gave a simple nod and decided the tie wasn’t worth it and the assistant vanished from stage.  Like a true commander, Maria never lost a beat and kept everything going.  Then after the song was over, she lovingly proclaimed “F****** MY S*** UP, MISSOURI!” to the laughter of 20,000+.

Click on any photo below to open the gallery and scroll below the photos to see their most recent music video for “The Fighter”

Photos: KORN at RETURN OF THE DREADS TOUR in St. Louis, MO 8/9/2016

By
Luke Spencer
-

Photos of Korn on the Return Of The Dreads Tour in St. Louis, MO.  All photos taken by Luke Spencer on 8/9/2016.

Korn are (in the words of Jonathan Davis) so *******excited for their new album The Serenity of Suffering due this October.  You can hear the first single “Rotting In Vain” from the upcoming album on the video below the photos.

Click any photo to open the gallery.

Photos: ROB ZOMBIE at RETURN OF THE DREADS TOUR in St. Louis, MO 8/9/2016

By
Luke Spencer
-

Photos of Rob Zombie on the Return Of The Dreads Tour in St. Louis, MO.  All photos taken by Luke Spencer on 8/9/2016.

Rob Zombie performed several songs from his latest album The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser along with a few of his classics on a newly revamped stage design that included carnival monster heads and giant dancing mascots.  I know that last sentence sounds like a collage of random words, but it’s all accurate.  One of the highlights came before Rob Zombie played a new single “Get High” and told the ASL signer to the side of the crowd to not skimp on the signing while he screamed “LET’S GET HIGH!”

Click on any photo below to open the gallery.  You can also see my review of Rob Zombie’s latest album below the photos.

Album Review: The Amity Affliction – This Could Be Heartbreak

By
Luke Spencer
-

Australia’s metalcore group The Amity Affliction attempt to get deeply personal and emotionally wrenching in the band’s fifth album This Could Be Heartbreak.

https://vimeo.com/178620258

 

Text Review:

The term metalcore now is getting more meaning as the sub-genre is starting to finally gain appreciation do some of its bands now getting big recognition like Bring Me The Horizon and Parkway Drive.  Combining elements of metal and the hardcore punk scene ON PAPER sounds like something that shouldn’t pair.  But as time has gone on, bands have proven it can work.

Australia’s The Amity Affliction have been going strong in the metalcore scene since 2003.  Now with their fifth full album This Could Be Heartbreak, the band is going for something that is “deeply personal and emotionally wrenching” according to their press release.  With an album cover and title like “This Could Be Heartbreak”, it definitely gives the air of emotional.  Back in 2014 The Amity Affliction released their best-selling album to date Let The Ocean Take Me, which went platinum in their homeland and also landed in the top 40 selling albums on the US Billboard 200.   Emotional and deeply personal was a description that also applied to that album with many grim topics about personal struggles.  So if that is any indicator, then the 2016 entry won’t have a problem in holding anything back in emotion.

The most noticeable dynamic when listening to The Amity Affliction is the vocal duo of Ahren Stringer and Joel Birch.  There are many metalcore bands out there that incorporate a clean and unclean vocal switch well, but The Amity Affliction might have one of the better renditions of it as the clean vocals truly sounds straight from a punk band while the guttural but well defined screaming hits home on the metal side.  But even with the divvied up singing duties to include a cleaner melody throughout the songs, the overall style is still quite hard and heavy.  Just from the opening minute of the album you can easily get an impression of both the band’s style and the overall feeling of the new album.

The album opener feels like the highlight of the album.  At four and a half minutes it features every strong point of the band.  The alternating singing styles, some great drumwork that comes out clear and perfectly timed, a unique bridge to build onto the already grim mood that lyrics about death can bring, and a great guitar solo that sounds like it was stripped out of the hair metal days.

Along with everything I just described about I Bring The Weather With Me, the song also captures that description of “deeply personal and emotionally wrenching”, as does a majority of this album.  The first half really flows into each other at that sense as the tempo and mood don’t change a bit through tracks like This Could Be Heartbreak, Nightmare and Tearing Me Apart.  In these songs and a majority of the album it feels like The Amity Affliction are doing what they know how to do best.  It’s this metalcore writing style and playing format that suits them and they are utilizing it to their advantage.  As the track list goes on you understand how it really is their bread and butter.

Just like in the album opener, Tearing Me Apart has a well-orchestrated alternation between vocalists and the drums from Ryan Burt really hit hard and drive the song in terms of keeping the intensity at a high level.  The chorus is easy to sing along with and feels fluid from the verses in the song.  Even with Joel Birch giving a performance that includes a bit cleaner of singing to go along with his intensity, it still all feels like a solid performance.

One complaint about the album is that the metalcore format the band goes with is so consistent throughout This Could Be Heartache that it feels a bit repetitive after listening for a while, especially when diving into the second half of the album.  Tracks like Fight My Regret, Some Friends and Wishbone all become a status quo type feeling.  That feeling however might be to many fans liking, and regardless the album ends as strongly as it starts.

Even if the style of song does become repetitive after the first half of the album, the first half of This Could Be Heartbreak is still extremely strong and definitely gives the air of passionate musicians playing their hearts out.  There is a raw aggression combined with showmanship and musical talent that many bands would aspire to.  Overall, This Could Be Heartbreak is a good entry in the metalcore world and should satisfy any of the band’s past fans as well as listeners who enjoy two contrasting vocalists working together.  The Amity Affliction are still going strong and capable of delivering now five albums into their career.

7/10

Album Review: Skillet – Unleashed

By
Luke Spencer
-

Skillet attempt to make a more connected album in the band’s ninth album Unleashed.

https://vimeo.com/177595969

 

Text Review:

Being called a panhead to some may sound like an odd insult, but for many in the rock scene it’s a description for fans of Skillet, a band led by John Cooper who since 1996 has been working the old fashioned way with consistent touring and albums releases that gained more and more recognition and radio play over time, which led to two Grammy nominations and millions of album sales worldwide.

Now in 2016, Skillet will release their 9th full album Unleashed.  Many people who are familiar with the band know not only about their strong religious beliefs but also that Skillet have a very unique electronic style mixed in with hard rock elements.  Synthesized instruments, backup female vocals and a lot of motivational inciting style lyrics are common in the band’s music.  Unleashed is the next attempt at using those elements while still connecting with their fans.  As described by John Cooper: “I wanted to make an album that could make people feel the music.  I always aim to write songs to which people can relate, but this time I wanted to see not only how the songs would connect lyrically, but also how they’d connect musically.”

Hearing that a band wants to put out an album that feels connected throughout and flows from beginning to end has been, in my experience, a quality of great albums in the past.  It takes more effort to make songs interconnected with each other in different elements as opposed to a tracklist of good studio recordings.  Skillet has had a knack over the years for creating energetic and motivating songs.  There is a livewire feeling that carries the track and it makes their music feel engaging.  The album opener Feel Invincible has elements in that and is a good example of what to expect in Unleashed.

Feel Invincible was the first single to be released from the album back in June.  In all aspects it is the typical Skillet track filled with electronic effects and alternating singing lines between John Cooper and Jeni Ledger.  The opening guitar riffs and modded key notes have a great punch and the melody in the verses become instantly memorable as does the chorus.

The song does dip a bit when the song title is belted out and then the volume is lowered for the next verse, but it still feels wholly energetic.  It turns out that this song was very polarizing for many longtime Skillet fans and I kind of understand why.  While it definitely feels like a Skillet song and is energetic, it doesn’t quite capture the same fire the band has had in past years.

While Feel Invincible may be a bit polarizing, there are many tracks on the album that definitely capture the best at what Skillet is capable of bringing.  Songs like Back From The Dead, Out of Hell and The Resistence are the highlights of the album in that they are the ones that raise your pulse while showing off what the band is capable of, including some great guitarwork and hooks that make you want to replay a song.

The faster and heavier tracks on Unleashed are the ones that will get the most replay value on the album.  Back From The Dead has John Cooper at his strongest and it feels like he is letting loose and having fun with his performance and the guitars add the extra flair to have a song like this stand out as something special.

That being said, there are some tracks on Unleashed like Lions and Watching For Comets that feel a bit more toned down and melodic like ballads.  Some of these tracks do break up the flow when placed between more lively songs.  That is not a knock on their quality, but rather it takes away from the movement and flow when listening from beginning to end, especially when some of the best material is at the bookends of the album.

Over the years Skillet has proven how hard working they are and that they are dedicated to their fans, and with Unleashed it doesn’t feel like they phoned anything in.  But while the album title is Unleashed, there are many moments where the band sounds much more tempered and mellowed.  They have matured and are capable of being more serious in a melodic ballad style while in the next moment breaking the door down.  Overall, Skillet’s 9th full album should more than satisfy panheads and not be a regretful purchase for anyone who loves the more energetic side of the band. While some songs will definitely be played more than others, there is still more than enough to enjoy in Unleashed.

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