Reviews

coMA Kai – firekillschildren

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

Ok I’ve had this CD in my possession for a while now and I decided that I would get my act together and actually review the thing and stop being such a lazy bastard! This band has been described as New Skool Metal so I really haven’t got a clue what to expect.

Track 1 is called ‘Intro’ and as you can imagine it is the introduction. It contains what seems to be electronic drums sort of thing with samples chucked in to liven it up a bit. I like it as it is something different to kick off with and shows that they are not just your average run of the mill sort of band.

After this track you are thrown in to the actual music of coma kai with ‘Fury.’ This is a cool song because it is heavy and has an eerie sort of feel to it. The vocals are really cool because one minute they can seem quite normal and then the normalness of it will turn in to shouting and it sounds really great and you are sitting there wondering when the mood of the song is going to change so it really keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you gagging for more – which is good as there are another two songs to come! The guitars have a distortion which makes the sound extremely raw and impressive and with such powerful drumming you are left dribbling by this amazing metal band from right here in Britain!

The third track, ‘old skool reject’ again contains shouty vocals and thumping drumming. This makes for a good listen and with the distortion of the guitars they really produce a highly original CD and I am sure they are proud of it. There are pauses in the song for dramatic effect and I think that the way they use them works really well and adds to the excitement of the song and I feel that this is a truly cracking tune.

The final track, ‘7teensins’ kicks off with some more samples to boost it off with style. It is in a similar style to track 3 with the distorted guitars and pounding drum beat. The vocals again go from calm and steady to shouty and it is exciting to listen to. The mood seems to calm down at times and then as you think the tune is over it will start up again and surprise you as it begins to regain momentum. This happens quite a few times and as a result you do not get bored of the song and it just keeps restoring your faith in it as it is like hearing a whole new song again. This band are highly original and I feel that they have what it takes to create a whole new genre and have many a band taking influences from what they do and encouraging kids to start off their own metal bands with a similar style. Viva coma kai!

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

The Malcontents – Land of hope and glory?!

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

This here CD is a 3 track demo effort from the Cheltenham 3 piece that is The Malcontents. This is their third demo and it shows off some good quality Punk with strong guitar riffs and lightning fast drumming. The vocals here are extremely Punky and they are fast paced and extremely strong. I particularly like the first track, ‘Land of hope and glory’ as it is fast paced with storming vocals and a good beat. It is a great Punk tune that is crammed with attitude and I really like the style that the band use on this one as it is raw and full of intense energy. The second and third tracks are also good and full of Punk Rock attitude but I feel that the strongest track on the demo is definitely the first track and it lies as the keystone is this Demo as it holds the demo together nicely and really kicks it off with style. The vocals on this demo really stick in your head as they are catchy and if I want to I am sure that I could go to one of their gigs and sing along to their songs with the best of them! The Malcontents stay well clear of pop punk as it is far too raw and well, not poppy to be this and the songs have a complete feel about them as the songs are sturdy and could easily have them up there with the cream of the UK bands. They may be from the same town as 4ft fingers but to be honest they do not sound anything like them as they are a band that are playing music that they like and if other people happen to like it as well then this is just an added bonus.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

The Misnomer Promo

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

This is a two track promotional CD from the band formally known as Misnomers, The Misnomer. Although it is only two tracks long, it clocks in at 11 minutes and 7 seconds so these are not short tracks but although they are so long, they do not get boring like long tracks can sometimes be and keep your interest throughout. The music is extremely catchy Punk and you can tell that this band have a lot of talent as they just seem to pull it all off with such ease and flare. They have been together for two and a half years now and over these two and a half years they have obviously refined their sound and got it at what it is today as they have a very distinct sound and I personally feel that they have now established a sound that is distinctly their own. The vocals are extremely strong on this two track and portray a vocalist that knows exactly what he wants to obtain through his music and the vocals on show here on this CD are of an extremely high standard. There are some soaring guitar riffs on this CD, especially on track 2, ‘Pen To Paper’ where the guitarring has an extremely heavy sound at times and the drumming is also at a very fast pace.

There may only be two tracks here with ‘My Honesty,’ and ‘Pen To Paper’ but these two tracks have a lot to offer and there is enough in these 11 minutes so that if you had it on loop it would keep you entertained for hours as there is so much talent coming across here in these two tracks. The Misnomer are a band that have an awful lot of talent and they obviously realise this now as they are all giving up there full time jobs and although this has caused bassist, Dave to leave the band have not been disheartened and will continue to rock out on a regular basis so make sure you get yourself along to one of their gigs and I am sure that you will have the time of your life.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

The Last Call Home Promotional Demo

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

This is a 3 track demo CD from the Oxford band that is The Last Call Home and it lasts about 9 minutes so it makes it nice and easy for me to listen to and review. There are three tracks here of Pop-Punk and although it is unoriginal they are good at what they do and it is done well. All three of these tracks are neatly polished with strong vocals that really help to hold it together and their songs really seem to be centred around the vocals. The drumming is also strong on this CD but the Guitar playing is at times overpowered by the vocals as they are very loud and especially on track 3 they seem to actually block the guitar out which is not so good. This band definitely has a talent for what they are doing and they use their vocals well to get their music across with some strong guitar playing and drumming too on all three tracks that make this Demo a good demo as it is exciting and energetic and shows that this band can make pop-punk of a good standard and hopefully the band can develop further still from here and become an even more exciting band and they could probably quite easily sort out the overpowering of the guitar on track 3 as this is the only complaint I have about this CD. So an all round good demo from the Oxford band here, one that should get them a certain degree of critical acclaim and get them a larger fanbase.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Graveltrap – Concrete & Udder Chaos

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

Milton Keynes – best known for its concrete roundabouts and…cows. So a pretty fitting album title from the MK pop punk band that is Graveltrap. The town is home to many great bands such as Capdown, Odd Man Out, and Phema – and Graveltrap are no exception to the trend. They play neat Pop Punk with a distinct English sound and play it a lot better than most of their American counterparts. This four piece only have an average age of 19 yet already have a large fan base and it doesn’t take a genius to see why. Graveltrap are an extremely talented young band that play infectious pop punk that gets stuck in your head – getting you singing along and jumping around manically.

This twelve track album proves to be something special with pounding bass lines, loud guitar playing, fast drumming and awesome vocals. They have already had success with tune ‘S.R.J’ on P-Rock TV and are now moving on to try to conquer Scuzz with the same song with the video that can only be shown after 10pm due to its content. It is no surprise that they are gaining new fans with this track being on Sky TV as it is a catchy Punk Rock track with an awesome outbreak of Ska in the middle of it. It is a really infectious tune with some strong drumming, fiery bass lines and great vocals. This tune is good but there are some other tracks that really stand out on this CD such as ‘Primal Fear,’ ‘Kickin’ Chickens,’ and ‘What About The Marigolds.’

‘Primal Fear’ kicks this CD off and is a great track, kicking it all off musically sounding like a cross between Nerf Herder and Bad Religion but with their own very unique vocal style and making them stand out from the pack as they are not just another American Pop-Punk tribute band, they have their own flair that makes them Graveltrap, and no one can ever take that away from them. The lyrics are also cool on this one – just the all round feel to it is great as it is so energetic with a great beat to it and awesome guitar licks. ‘Kickin’ Chickens’ kicks off with a Ska feel to it before moving into a more Punk Rock tune that is catchy, and full of fun. The drumming is fast and furious – I always listen out for the drumming as I have a soft spot for the drums and the drummer here really puts his all into it, pulling it off marvellously, creating a really cool beat. This song is vocally slick with a chorus that sticks in your head and for all the right reasons! ‘What About The Marigolds’ on the other hand is a great tune that sees the band take a more hardcore stance and a heavier approach. You can feel that the vocals are building up to something from the very beginning and about two and a half minutes into the record the band seem to explode and come out with some extremely heavy vocals. The feel to this one is extremely different to the feel on the other songs but the band still pull it off with flying colours and show that they have not pigeonholed themselves to any one particular genre. They can play Ska, they can play Pop-Punk, they can play downright Punk Rock – yet with this one they show that they can also play Hardcore and play it extremely well I must say!

There you have it, that is Graveltrap’s ‘Concrete & Udder Chaos’ and what a fine little album it turned out to be! The drumming was amazing, played with great speed yet full of rhythm, the guitars were played loud, the bass was fiery, and the vocals were superb with very meaningful lyrics that you will find yourself singing after a couple of listens (trust me, I should know!) Once again, a Milton Keynes band have left me gob smacked and the reason for this is their catchy Punk Rock that is sure to impress. Check them out if you have any sense and try and get along to one of their shows if you can as I’m sure that it would be a blinder!

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Grand Theft Ippo III

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

This is the latest CD from those lovely people at Corndog Records and shows off some of the best bands in the Ipswich (Ippo) scene at the moment. It showcases 11 bands from the scene and I must say, it must be a great town to live in for gigs as there isn’t a dull band on here!

Sinfonic kick it all off and the man behind it is Chris Lawrence. He contributes to this CD with tracks ‘Jive Mother*****er’ and also ‘Jimmy’s House.’ These tracks mix show off some top quality mixing that gets inside of your body and bounces around.

Immortal Alice are next up with ‘Funeral Pinjatas’ which is a really cool track with ’77 style attitude and some awesome vocals. They put in a good effort with this track and I thought that it was the best of their two tracks on the compilation. The other track which is supplied by the band for this compilation is ‘Obvious’ which is also a cool tune with a really catchy chorus that gets you tapping your feet and wishing you were at one of their gigs.

Red Flag 77 are another band choosing the ’77 style and in this compilation are supplying some amazing Punk with tracks ‘How Low’ and ‘Moving On Top.’ I’m sure that if they had been around in ’77 then they would have been massive as their music is of such a high standard and are probably one of the best bands I’ve heard in this style.

Junk Culture are another band from Ipswich churning out some top quality Punk tunes and the ones that they have put on this CD are ‘Going Home’ and ‘Headline.’ These are both awesome tunes with Punk vocals and strong guitar playing. They are a powerful band and get their music across strongly to you and it really gets in your brain and makes you think about what it is that they are saying.

Love Junk come next with their take on Punk and yet again, it is a band that does not disappoint with two good tracks here – ‘Distant Sound’ and ‘Closing Time.’ They know exactly what they are trying to do with their music and are very good at it and this is what makes the tracks so interesting and exciting.

Minority contribute to the compilation with tracks ‘Caffeine For The Pain’ and ‘Deadbeat.’ Again the standard is of a high quality and I feel that the drumming is particularly great and has a really good beat to it. Their tracks are short and to the point so you do not get bored while listening to the tracks and as they are both different I’m guessing that with them you do not get the impression of one long song like you do with Americas supply of Drive-Thru records bands.

Rosco are a female fronted power-pop band and they do it far better than any of the American counterparts. They supply tracks ‘Capital Star’ and ‘Test Drive.’ They have their own unique sound and unlike most bands of this sort they actually have talent so they’re definitely doing something right here! The music is addictive and happy and really they are the sort of band that you wouldn’t mind seeing on top of the charts as they work hard, play well and have great talent unlike most of the manufactured bands that seem to top the charts week in, week out.

Nemo have two tracks here, ‘My Fantasy’ and ‘Junkstars.’ They are another female fronted band and they have a great style here. They also have their own individual sound which they have obviously developed and refined over the years. What they do is good and this is probably how they got to support Feeder at The Mean Fiddler because they definitely deserve to be a successful band and in such a thriving scene there is no reason why they shouldn’t be able to get the recognition they deserve and hit the big time. The track ‘Junkstars’ was a good one to use to finish it all off as it is an extremely powerful song that is very guitar heavy and the vocals are of a very high standard.

Violent Playground, yet another female fronted band supply more good music to this compilation. Yet again having a completely different, but equally good sound they produce some strong music with tracks ‘Years’ and ‘Paranoia.’ I really like the style of their music and if I ever get the chance to then I will definitely go and see them live as turning down the opportunity would have to be a crime, wouldn’t it?!

OK Hotel provides one track for this compilation and this track is ‘Frontcrawl.’ Apparently this band is no more and this is quite a shame because they play some very good music that flows gracefully and is extremely melodic. This track provides great emotion and unlike most bands of the sort, they get their point across without feeling the need to go into a more hardcore sound so obviously they were a band that had great talent for what they did and I’m sure that they will be strongly missed by the Ipswich scene. If any of them create new bands then I would love to see what they would come up with because after this it would be hard to top it but as they are all such great musicians I trust they will all go on to do greater things.

OK, so that leaves one band to go that I haven’t written about that are on this compilation. This band is One Day Life, a three piece pop-punk band from the south east and play it in their own individual style. Their music is catchy and is not just a rip off of another band, they have their own sound and as a result are both pop-punk and highly individual at the same time – something that you don’t tend to get very often. Their music is melodic and catchy and is their own unique take on Punk. It is a good track in my opinion and I am sure that they always manage to put a smile on the crowds face at their gigs.

So, this is a great compilation from the Ipswich label that is Corndog Records and it shows off 11 great bands, so this is unusual because usually when you get a compilation CD there are some strong tracks but also some weaker tracks just to make the CD look less empty. If you are looking for a decent compilation of bands then look no further than this one because some great bands are on show here and the Ipswich label has obviously put a lot of effort into this one. Not only do you get 20 amazing tracks from 11 great band but you also get a 20 page full colour booklet with a DVD style case. So, it is a great way to spend £6 and well worth the money. Quickly get yourself one of these babies as they have limited it to 150 copies and it is sure to sell out quick.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Book Harrison – Pollen

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

This is a three track single from the young band Book Harrison who are currently a London based band, but they originally hail from Anodover in Hampshire. They have a unique sound and have really put themselves in to a league of their own. They are sometimes compared to the likes of Sonic Youth, Fugazi, and Radiohead, but sometimes comparisons can be stupid as you really cant find a band on this planet that play music like these guys! I wouldn’t have a clue what genre to put them under but whatever it is, they do it damn well and seem to be playing what they do, with tunes that are vibrant, and full of fun. This one clocks in at just under 12 minutes and this is an action packed time where the band show off their amazing brand of Rock.

So this is a three track CD that shows off their talent, with great tunes from these extremely talented young men. The vocals that they have are absolutely amazing; the vocalist has obviously put a lot in to them and as a result has pulled off three songs where the vocals are outstanding. There are also some absolutely amazing guitar riffs, and strong drum beats. They are an all round strong band that is made up of greatly talented musicians. My favourite of the three tunes on display here is ‘Pollen’ as it is an incredible track, which I feel shows off the band at their best. Everything about this tune is excellent – the vocals are melodic, extremely tuneful, and full of energy, the guitar riffs are strong, creating a fine, fine sound, and the drumming has a great beat to it that makes it really stand out. This is a band of extremely talented young lads that know exactly what they are doing with their music, and because of this can produce tunes of an extremely high standard. They seem confident in playing what they do and have a sound which is extremely refined and full of passion. They are extremely catchy little numbers that will have you singing along after a couple of listens, but that is not where their greatness stops as they are also extremely talented musicians with a great ability to pen amazing tunes.

This is an extremely talented band and with this single they have created a CD that truly reflects their greatness. It shows passion, enthusiasm, and a great love for their music and you can really tell that they are putting their all in to their music and have a great passion for what they do. They are in it for the music – nothing else.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Genius Breed Demo

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

Ok, I wouldn’t have a clue what genre to place this Leamington Spa based band in but there you go, they are what they are and you can’t take that away from them. This is a 3 track demo CD from the band showing off their melodic brand. It has pop sensibilities, with a distinct rock feel to it – and this is combined with their excellent song writing skills which makes way for a great little three track demo that really keeps you listening and grabs your attention.

So here we have 3 cool tracks from a band that are well worth listening to. Although their music is really melodic, it seems to possess great power and depth to it that you just don’t get in a lot of bands. Some have the melody but not the power; others have the power but lack any kind of melody. 27 for instance are a band that are melodic yet fail to really grip you as they don’t have enough powerful hooks but this band really have that X-factor that keeps you listening and enjoying yourself – Genius Breed have great depth to their music. They are passionate about their music and this really comes across in it with their excellently produced music and careful structure. The music really reached out and grabbed me as it is extremely heartfelt and has you drawn in within seconds.

This band have obviously spent a hell of a lot of time and energy refining their sound and as a result have come up with a 3 track CD that blows you away with its energy and pure flair. The music is not really slow at all yet still manages to be melodic and due to its pace is quite fiery at the same time with some strong bass lines and powering vocals. The drumming is slow but there are some strong guitar riffs to match the vocals. This band really have their heads screwed on tight and one fact is certain – they know exactly how to make great music. They are all amazing musicians that are destined to go far whether it be for their music or their great song writing skills as they have a great talent in both. They don’t just pen a great song, they play it too and at the end of the day that is what counts.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Benny – Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

This is a 14 track CD album from Boss Tuneage man Aston’s Punk band Benny. They play many different styles of music – from melodic hardcore, to pop punk, to 70s style rock and even throw in a Christian Hymn/Techno mix. So pretty much whatever you are in to this band will float your boat.

There are some good little songs on offer on this CD from Benny with classic tracks such as ‘Parks and Gardens,’ ‘Kumbyah,’ and ‘Pulgasari.’ These are all great and highly amusing tracks that are brilliant in their own way and all cover different genres of music.

Parks and Gardens’ for example is a cool song with fast drumming, awesome guitar playing, and interesting vocals which range from heavy rock to almost spoken bits that are sure to put a smile on your face with their amusing lyrics. So this is a comical song and while making you laugh, it is also well produced with good musicianship so it is not just the comedy that is good, the sound is as well and sometimes bands with amusing lyrics fail to win you over on the instrumental side so they have done well to get both spot on.

‘Kumbyah’ on the other hand is an extremely strange tune indeed but of course they manage to pull it off wonderfully even with such strange genre mixing. It is a remix of the hymn, ‘Kumbyah’ and the 2Unlimited song, ‘No Limit.’ It is a hilarious little number and although it may sound like the weirdest mix of songs ever, when you hear it you will definitely appreciate it as a good tune – you should really listen to this one as it is comedy genius from the band! They have a great sense of humour that is truly British. Only a Brit could ever think of mixing a hymn with a techno tune and by what is shown here – they can do it well!

‘Pulgasari’ sees the band take on another style of music and come out triumphant! This time it is a Punk Rock tune that is raw, vibrant, and full of entertainment – a top quality tune that is then followed by ‘Rule Of Four.’ This is another awesome tune and finishes the album off brilliantly and with tremendous style. Vocally it sounds a bit like Bad Religion but has a distinctly British feel about it so don’t worry, its not just another American copycat tune. So the last two tunes on this CD are damn good Punk Rock that will make you realise why you bought this album – to be entertained!

If you like Punk Rock bands that aren’t afraid of taking on new and interesting songs then give this band a good listen as they are definitely a Punk Rock band and judging by ‘Kumbyah’ – they aren’t afraid of trying out new things! It is relatively short for an album at only half an hour but this is a fun packed 30 minutes which will have you cracking up many a time! Whether you like these guys music or not you have to respect from for what they do as they play some great music that’s sole purpose is to entertain and they do this by making you laugh – like Hacksaw.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.

Beecher – Breaking The Fourth Wall

June 4, 2004 by Rich Leave a Comment

This is the bands first release since leaving In At The Deep End and is on Calculated Risk Products, a label that was formed because of Beecher acting as the catalyst and inspiring Martin Ives to create the label to release them on as he felt the band had great promise with their take on Metalcore. This is an 11 track album from the band and it really shows off some of their work at its finest with screaming vocals, deadly Guitars and fierce drumming. The screaming vocals of this band, coupled with the raw aggression of the guitars and the lightning fast beats of the drums make way for some awesome tracks with ‘Mercury Switch’ and ‘Cabin Boy Jumped Ship’ being some of my favourites. There is not a single dull track on this CD and it is so full of energy that it is unbelievable, mainly because of the such high standard of vocals that are used but don’t get me wrong, I am definitely not knocking the instrumental side here because it is also amazing and really works well with the vocals in order to deliver top notch tunes that no band in their right mind would be afraid of admitting ownership to. There is a certain bite about their music and that is what makes it as special as it is with songs that are fast, shouty, and full of raw aggression so this is definitely not a CD for the faint hearted. This is a top quality album that sees Beecher turn up the volume and increase the quality of their music and it should lead to this becoming one of the best albums if not the best album in this genre this year. Watch out for this band in the future as I am sure that they have plenty more to offer as a band and probably will go onto release many more CDs.

Rating:

Rich

UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.