Facebook Instagram Patreon TikTok Twitch Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 334

Album Review: Future Leaders of The World – Reveal

By
Luke Spencer
-

After years of anticipation, the Future Leaders of The World “Reveal” what they have to bring in 2015.  This is not a political statement.  I promise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmuAqA-BYrQ

https://vimeo.com/121963220

 

Text Review:

You have to appreciate tenacity and continuing to produce what you love.  While there are many bands who stay on the big stage for life and others who are a flash in the pan, there are also bands who always seem to be right on the verge of something special but still somehow can’t get noticed by a dominant audience.

Future Leaders of the World, also known as FLOW, definitely fits that description.  This band has toured with names like Shinedown, Alter Bridge, Chevelle, Seether and has also garnered praise from big names like Eddie Vedder and Chester Bennington.  Eddie Vedder even went as far as comparing lead singer Phil Taylor’s vocal ability as “a modern day Kurt Cobain.”

My first experience was way back in 2004, when FLOW single Let Me Out was featured as iTunes free single of the week.  For an up and coming rock band to get that much attention on a public music software service is proof alone that the band is worth spotlighting.

It has been over ten years since then though.  And after lineup changes, label changes, and several EPs, it begs the questions what can we expect from a now matured Phil Taylor and company.  The first single Intoxicate was publicized heavily as the bands lead single and confirm that FLOW is as ambitious as ever.

It’s hard to explain why, but I can definitely understand why Eddie Vedder sees the comparison with the sound of Kurt Cobain’s vocals.  It’s the delivery and raw emotion put into that chorus that makes everything stand out.  The symbols keep a great rhythm and the guitarwork is straight out of the 90’s.

Rock like this is a standard that is not going to evaporate anytime soon.  While many bands are going for synthesizers and effect pedals, there is a band like FLOW and songs like Intoxicate that prove it’s possible to make something memorable and catchy without the audio special effects.  Before the song is over you feel like you want to sing along, and that is a good sign.

Lyrically, Reveal has many tracks that are descriptive and creative, but somehow still reminiscent of the early grunge era.  Sons like Intoxicate and Sink or Swim have loud sing along choruses like Nirvana, and others like Wherever The Wind Blows and Rain remind me of the acoustic masterpieces of Days of The New and Candlebox.

Rain gives a totally different dynamic than Intoxicate but still feels like it belongs in the same album.  I LOVE the vocal expression in the verses and the acoustics are gorgeous.  This song, just like others, feel like they belong together.

Even though not every song is completely memorable, you can’t deny the talent showcased throughout Reveal.  There is a pacing in this tracklist that almost demands a certain level of respect.  You can tell that there was serious effort and sweat poured into the recording of this album.

I sincerely wish that there were more bands with the tenacity like Future Leaders of the World.  Even after a decade and many behind the scenes changes, the music can still come forward and come first.  If more bands were able to do this, then the rock scene would once again be dominant.

Overeall, if you loved the sound of Intoxicated or miss the days of plaid wearing and headbanging to grunge, then you really need to give FLOW a chance.  It’s the type of band that will always leave an impression, you just have to be willing to give it a chance.

Album Review: Cancer Bats – Searching For Zero

By
Luke Spencer
-

Canada’s Cancer Bats bring their fifth full album filled with volume and energy.  Does all the volume pay off?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BexQnJ8Vgs

https://vimeo.com/121737946

 

Text Review:

There are unsung heroes in the rock scene that have been around for years but may never get the credit they deserve, simply because they haven’t been heard by all the right people.  We all have favorite artists and albums that feel like hidden treasures because they aren’t played every hour on the radio.

The Cancer Bats may just be one of the most energetic and lively bands that you will love discovering.  Since the band’s formation in 2004, there have been four full length albums not including theis year’s new release, two separate Juno award nominations, and some of the catchiest rhythms and song writing you will ever hear.

Their new album Searching for Zero is unique in that the recording process is something that usually isn’t done.  The band made several Making of Searching for Zero episodes on YouTube describing the recording process and what all was involved, such as recording one track per day from start to finish, and how that got them so excited by the end of each day with the buzz about it, and also how the mixing of feedback and layers added so much more depth to the album.

After remaining silent for a while, the band posted on their website: For Those of you who didn’t know, the reason we’ve been gone for so long was to craft our 5th full length!  We worked our tsss off making a serious banger that we should all party the ssss out of!  We even went down to Venice Beach to record with Ross Robinson so it would sound extra dope……which it does!”

There have been several music videos released for tracks of Searching for Zero.  Just watching the energy in their performance and hearing their sound will give you proof of their style and what to expect in this album

The drum track on this album is amazing.  From the opening minute you can tell that Cancer Bats know how to make a rhythm and keep it at full speed.  The vocals are raspy and loud and match perfectly with the music.  The chorus is memorable and it’s the type of song you go back to as soon as you are done listening to it.

This is the type of rock and punk that makes you feel alive.  The extra time spent with Ross Robinson and the long days of layering tracks has proven to work in songs like Satellites.  Everything you hear in songs like this feels like the perfect equation of the right factors all summed together.

As you listen to the duration of this album you can tell these Canadians became a little experimental with their style.  But by jumping in with both feet, they found a way to not only swim, but to also propel and thrive in new territory.

The guitars in True Zero give this instant memory of hearing opening bands at live shows pour their heart out for people.  There is so much passion synced up with the music that it’s hard to forget.  This is gritty and raw and there is a perfect atmosphere of being int he moment and hearing this live.

While going from beginning to end on Searching To Zero, I admit I did start to get a bit of a head rush while listening to so much volume.  Hearing the same speed and intensity for thirty minutes can sometimes affect you oddly.  That’s not to say that everyone will feel that way though.  Because track by track, this is something that can easily be appreciated by any hardcore or punk fan.

Cancer Bats are the type of band people should root for.  They are the passionate musicians who not only care about their material, but are willing to work themselves to the bone to produce something worth standing behind.

Overall, Searching For Zero is an album to look into if you want to feel alive and live loud.  It’s the type of album you play in your car and completely forget about how long your drive is.  This album is the perfect example of what passion and patience can produce.

Album Review: All That Remains – The Order of Things

By
Luke Spencer
-

Will this album be a full metal playlist like All That Remains’ earlier albums, or will this be a mix of hard rock and ballads like A War You Cannot Win?

https://vimeo.com/120019787

 

Text Review:

When you are trying to do your own thing and present music in the way you want to, you will never please everyone.  When a band has changed or varied their style over the years their will almost always be jaded fans who clamor for the glory days.  All That Remains is a great example of a band who does exactly what they want with their albums but still have fans who demand what they were originally known for.

The Order of Things marks the seventh studio album from Massachusetts’ hard rock/metal quintet.  With this new album comes a loyal fanbases’ bated breath in anticipation to find out what style the new album will be.  Will this be a continuation from the style of A War You Cannot Win, or will this be a return to the stomping grounds of This Darkened Heart and The Fall of Ideals?

Back in 2012 I reviewed A War You Cannot Win and I remember feeling slightly underwhelmed with the slowed style.  I still say that it is not a bad album, but it did leave me feeling uninspired to listen again and missing the energy that many have come to known the band for.

In an interview with Cryptic Rock, Mike Martin said “We’ve always wanted to have a lot of different kind of metal songs whether it was a ballad, fast song, or death metal song…We’ve always just done it no matter what the repercussions were because you know you are always going to get backlash.  If you are going to write a record that is really heavy, and on the next record you have a ballad, people are going to get pissed.  We never really look too much into it, we just wanted to do it.”

The opening track from the album also serves as The Order of Things’ first single This Probably Won’t End Well.  It has already been featured consistently on rock radio and Sirius.

The rhythm guitar and flow of this song is what stands out to me.  Even though there is some volume and heavy guitar riffs along with peppered in screaming of lyrics in the chorus, this song gives a feeling of peace.  I don’t mean that in a bad way either.  This song opens up The Order of Things with a good pace and definitely sounds like an All That Remains song: one that showcases the bands style and writing.

The style of This Probably Won’t End Well would be the best average of intensity you’ll find in The Order of Things.  While there are a few songs that resemble the metal edge of the bands earlier releases, there are other tracks that definitely have a slower and softer sound.

It goes back to Martin’s statement with ” If you are going to write a record that is really heavy, and on the next record you have a ballad, people are going to get pissed.”  With The Order of Things though, it feels like with one song you hear something heavy and then the next song is a ballad.

For You is the perfect example of not only how All That Remains can slow things down and get emotional, but that All That Remains will create any style of song they want.  This song is an example of a romanticized All That Remains.  The acoustic guitars standout like a gunshot in this song and has a stark contrast for what many All That Remains fans may not be expecting.

In my opinion, I don’t think this song OR this style by All That Remains is bad.  Lyrically it’s moving and again the acoustic guitar work is fluid and stands out.  The difficult task though for many All That Remains fans will be to hear a song like For You and to break the habit of not associating this style with the band.  The truth though is that they are more than capable of doing it.

But as for variety in The Order of Things, there is definitely a range of intensity, and there are shades of All That Remains earlier days mixed in here.

There will always be supporters and nay-sayers for a band who has been around for over a decade.  What you have to appreciate though is when a band sticks to delivering what they want to give.  They don’t cave into trends or record label influence, but rather perform and give the music they feel is best.  All That Remains has proven to be a rare band that is content with being themselves.

Overall, if you go into The Order of Things expecting a full metal onslaught from beginning to end, then you will be disappointed.  But if you are a long time All That Remains fan or are going into a new album with an open mind looking for good rock, then this album may leave you pleasantly surprised.

Album Review: Imagine Dragons – Smoke + Mirrors

By
Luke Spencer
-

Nevada’s Imagine Dragons release their sophomore album with the help of Target, the Grammys, and a ton of publicity.  How does Smoke + Mirrors stack up to the success of their debut Night Visions?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XlYTf3RBcw

https://vimeo.com/119611796

 

Text Review:

It’s hard to believe that with the wild success and popularity of Imagine Dragons that they have only had one full album up until this month.  After 2012’s inescapable Night Visions you couldn’t watch a TV show trailer or go to any public event without hearing Radioactive or It’s Time.  Having your debut alternative rock album go double platinum in today’s music market is nothing short of epic and it appears that the road is wide open for these Nevada boys.

Now two and a half years after Night Visions comes the band sophomore album Smoke + Mirrors.  With it comes high expectations to match the buzz and live up to the success that they reached with their debut.  The sophomore slump is a term in the music business and has been known to flat out kill music careers, however in the case of a band who has seen success out of doing the things the old fashioned way of recording, touring, and playing, Imagine Dragons have potential to survive.

While I loved the song Radioactive and do think Imagine Dragons have talent, it’s interesting to hear that the goal of Smoke + Mirrors is to be different than Night Visions.  In an interview about the new album, Dan Reynolds said that the next album will be stripped back quite a bit…we embraced a lot of hip hop influences with Night Visions, but I think the next record will be more rock-driven…there is some weird stuff going on in these songs.

So after an enormous promotional deal with Target during the Superbowl and performing at the Grammys, it appears that the publicity machine for Imagine Dragons have held nothing back and put these four men in the perfect position to release a new album.

It was over a month ago that the song I Bet My Life was released on radio.  This is the quintessential upbeat alternative song that could not possibly Identify Imagine Dragons any better and is destined for upcoming summer movie trailers.

Dan Reynolds’ vocals are smooth and the percussion is what carries this song.  The chorus is the perfect radio and advertising sample that sounds like it was formulated by a team of research geniuses.  The pacing in this song goes from loud to slow and whisper quiet with just the hint of acoustics.  If anything, I Bet My Life is proof that Imagine Dragons can vary their style and talents in just one song.

What stands out to me the most is the format of this song.  It was made for pop-rock exposure with it’s one line repetitive chorus.  That is in no way a bad thing, but it does give the feeling that this song was made with label executives watching over the band as they wrote.

While I bet My Life may sound formulaic, there are plenty of other songs, all with different styles, that make up for the radio format that was presented earlier.  The second single Shots feels much more like an original experience and gives a better definition of what this band is capable of delivering.

The keys and drums in Shots and the consistently mellow vocals all melt together beautifully in this song.  It’s a great way to open an album that breathes this more upbeat alternative style and it gives a slight uplifting feeling when you hear it.  It many ways I think this song will help carry Smoke + Mirrors much further than I Bet My Life.

In many ways, I feel split about the songs on this album.  While there are some songs that don’t do much for me but I can tell have something, and some songs that I feel like I could go the rest of my life without ever hearing again, there are other songs that are Golden and stand out like a jewel for a band.  At no way is this a bad album, but if every track was as memorable as Shots, Trouble, and the title track, then this album would be a total opus.

With the marketing and publicity boost that Imagine Dragons has received I have no doubt that Smoke + Mirrors will sell well and help the band continue their careers.  Whether or not this album will stand up to Night Visions though will be left to decide by the consumer, especially of the won over fans that now swoon over this group.

Overall, Smoke + Mirrors may not be the most complete and perfect experience, but when this album gets a hit, it shatters your expectations.  If you at all enjoyed Shots or have enjoyed the style of this group in the past, then you should be more than satisfied with this album.  If you are new to Imagine Dragons, then you may want to check out some more of their material before diving into the smoke.

Album Review: Stick To Your Guns – Disobedient

By
Luke Spencer
-

Orange County’s Stick To Your Guns offer their 2015 dose of disobedience.  How do the anthems of defiance sound in 2015 after their successful Diamond?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMdzBYI1Ip4

https://vimeo.com/119081469

 

Text Review:

Music can be a tool used to inspire and ignite your feelings. It doesn’t always have to be about shaking off haters and instructions on how to talk to a woman.  There have been many times where music, especially in the rock scene, that music has been used as a tool to point out current social problems and acknowledge that people can have issues that are not being addressed.

Whether it’s the peaceful songs from Woodstock or the enraged anthems from Rage Against The Machine, music is one of the best tools for catharsis that is universally accepted and felt.  The punk and hardcore scene have especially excelled in this field, and Stick To your Guns are a name known for being volatile and lively bands.

Disobedient, the bands fifth studio album definitely fits the image of standing up for yourselves and defying inner oppression.  Just one look at the cover with the album title on the bottom is proof that this album is loud and stands for something.  It’s not the typical “edge or a revolution” generic style that people may think has substance.  Disobedient and Stick to your guns is something to scream along with and connect to.

Back in October of 2014 the music video for Nobody was released.  Although the video chronicles the life of a faceless teen struggling to survive and find an identity, lyrically this song fits many more instances than adolescent angst.  Being proud to be Nobody and being yourself at the same time is a lesson I think many people come to terms with at one point, even if it’s hard to explain.

Just from the beginning you can hear how strong the instruments come through.  The bass is powerful and carries this song and the volume picks up at the perfect rhythm.  Jesse Barnett’s vocals come out clear even when screamed and the chorus stands out as a banner for a message that Stick To Your Guns is best at delivering.

Songs like Nobody can define a sub genre and album.  It’s the type of song when someone hears it they will immediately go buy or listen to the rest of the album to check it out.  With every element on fire in a song like this it can stand as not only a concert staple but also a defining song that people will remember the group for.

While some tracks on the album range in theme from being faceless to revolution to motivation, the theme that underlies the tracklist is that of having to be disobedient.  It never leaves your memory while listening to the album from beginning to end.

Like the song Nobody, many tracks like What Choice Did You Give Us and Nothing You Can Do To Me seem louder than life and have a pulse raising rhythm.  It is very difficult to sit still while listening to them.

Hearing What Choice Did You Give us chanted before the closing guitars of the song feels like an advertisement of what Stick To Your Guns represents.  It’s the type of anger and energy behind music that isn’t seen as much in mainstream/radio rock anymore.  While the song clocks in at just under three minutes, it feels powerful enough to leave a lasting impression in a very short time.

If I had one complaint about the album it would be that the song and album length feel a bit short.  With two tracks being under one and a half minutes it can make you want more.  While some tracks also include motivational and historical speeches including the famous Charlie Chaplain machine’s speech, it should still be noted that even in the short tracks there is a never a feeling of poor quality or just filling space.

The image and presence of Stick To Your Guns may not be for everyone.  The casual alternative and feel good rock fans may not be so amped when hearing songs about defiance and standing up for yourself.  But to many people, these are the lyrics and music to motivate people for years.

Overall, if you have enjoyed anything from Stick To Your Guns in the past or are a diehard for the hardcore scene, then you should definitely listen to Disobedient.  This album stands as another example that music can be used a form of expression in unity and self-realization.

Photos: TRIFORCE QUARTET

By
Luke Spencer
-

My photos of the Triforce Quartet from MAGFest13 at National Harbor, MD!  This was the band that opened on Friday night and proved to everyone that classical music can be as creative and fun as you want it to be.  At one point a man dressed as Link brought in a trumpet and played with them.  There was a gorgeous medly of Zelda that people cheered and clapped along too, and I almost peed a little when they started playing the boss battle song from Final Fantasy VII.  You can follow these guys online at @TriforceQuartet

Album Review: The Dreaming – Rise Again

By
Luke Spencer
-

From the ashes of Stabbing Westward comes The Dreaming’s new album Rise Again.  How does the industrial style from the early 90’s fair in today’s rock market?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX-2qn5IzFk

https://vimeo.com/118422412

 

Text Review:

The industrial side of rock has always been a niche market with a devoted fanbase.  Mixing electronic keyboards with synthesized guitars and brooding lyrics is not an easy path, but when done correctly it can stand out like an abstract work of art.

Going back to the surge of industrial bands in the early 90’s, the styles of Nine Inch Nails and KMFDM were becoming a sub-culture with black shirt followers who were NEVER afraid to share their thoughts on what real music is and how the popular radio friendly songs will never be as striking as the styles of Pretty Hate Machine.

It was also back in the early 1990’s that industrial rock group Stabbing Westward was making a name for themselves.  In 2002 with the formal breakup of the band, it was from those ashes that arose the project The Dreaming.  The founding members of Stabbing Westward Christopher Hall and Walter Flakus reunited with The Dreaming, after acquiring former Stabbing Westward drummer Johnny Haro and filling the band with successful musicians who were a part of bands like Orgy and Static-X.

It feels like the sounds of industrial rock and metal is all but a footnote in today’s current rock scene.  Unless a radio station is playing a “retro style weekend” and reminiscing on the bands of decades past, this style isn’t really focused on as much as the current nu-metal and popular alternative sounds in rock radio.

You can get an idea about the bands image from looking at photos, but the first song from the album and first single Alone is the best introduction.  The gritty rock and desperately sang vocals combined with imagery that could belong from the Saw movie franchise paints the picture of what to expect from The Dreaming

Everything sounds haunting and dark in Alone.  Just from the opening with the percussion and bass you can tell this is a different style that rock today is missing.  The chorus is sang like a chant and is repeated as something to sing along with.  The keys make everything flow and connect perfectly with the thematic and haunted sound.

In the press release from metropolis records, the send out stated that:

“The new album titled “Rise Again” was Chris Hall’s choice. He wanted to deliver an album that brought back the early Stabbing Westward sound that fans have been asking for. Although the name Stabbing Westward is now dead and buried, the founders of the band are pleased to “Rise Again” as The Dreaming with the intense and haunting music that made them a multi-platinum band.”

If ever there was a project that came to recapture the sound and style of their previous band, The Dreaming may have proven to be some of the most successful at it.

Destroy and Alone have the quality of making you sing the chorus out loud even after only one time of hearing the song.  The electronic mixing in Destroy is definitely some of the most creative of the album (which is definitely saying something), and it still holds the same imagery of alone with that angsty early 90’s scene of teens dressed in black listening to a cd player as loudly as possible.

Some people may argue that the choruses of many of the songs in Rise Above follow an identical format.  Repeat phrase several times with increased emphasis and volume with the backing music.  In my opinion, that is what gives The Dreaming such a strong identity.  They are making their songs sound like anthems to be remembered for years.

Just because a band has formally ended doesn’t mean the style of music they played completely dies with it.  There are musicians out there that will always find ways to create and start again and bring out what they do best.  The Dreaming is proof.

Overall, if you have ever enjoyed the style of Stabbing Westward, Nine Inch Nails, or any of the industrial legends of the past, you owe it to yourself to listen to The Dreaming.  Rise Again grabs your attention and drags it through a world filled with imagery and passion.

Interview: ON BEING HUMAN

By
Luke Spencer
-

After blowing everyone away (and making the ladies go crazy) at MAGFest13, the guys from On Being Human talk about the games their Minecraft addiction, an upcoming album, and a live version of Tinder! 

You can see my photos of On Being Human’s performance at MAGFest13 here = http://bit.ly/1DdOLpj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_wKVrIDJEk

https://vimeo.com/118318497

Photos: ON BEING HUMAN

By
Luke Spencer
-

My photos of On Being Human live from MAGFest13 at National Harbor, MD.  This was the band that got everyone’s attention and drew the crowd in at MAGFest.  After unleashing Pokeballs and singing the Pokemon theme song everyone was hooked to their style.  They had a lot of good material and delivery in their performance.  Also, the ladies got REALLY excited during this performance.  I mean they got a little to handsy trying to reach for the band.

Interview: MACHINAE SUPREMACY

By
Luke Spencer
-

After their performance at MAGFest13, the men behind the supremacy talk about touring, writing, crazy fans, and how they can do everything better than YOU!

You can check out my photos of MaSu’s live performance here = http://bit.ly/1JQOFZ5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwEiSbSx0Qk

https://vimeo.com/118191877

1...333334335...346Page 334 of 346
Rocked
Contact us: inquiries@getrocked.net
Facebook Instagram Patreon TikTok Twitch Twitter Youtube

EVEN MORE NEWS

POPULAR CATEGORY