performance
by Melanie P. Falina
Following a blistering triad of EP releases spanning nearly a decade, the idiom ‘leave them wanting more’ comes to mind, but Scour is about to satisfy that craving.
The extreme metal assemblage featuring Philip H. Anselmo (Pantera, Down), Derek Engemann (Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals), John Jarvis (Nest, Agoraphobic Nosebleed), Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index), and Adam Jarvis (Pig Destroyer, Misery Index, Lock Up) is merging metal and the macabre like never before.
Ready to come ripping into the atmosphere on February 21 via Housecore Records (and Nuclear Blast in Europe) Scour’s first full-length, Gold, solidifies the nightmares lying in wait with speed, aggression, and a diabolical vigor.
Guitarist Mark Kloeppel explains the influence of literature’s horror genre on the making of this album: “Philip has always been a scholar of horror literature and strange fiction. While the tough persona may not lend itself to images of a person reading and studying books for hours on end, nonetheless, that is the reality.”
Gold’s predecessors, the 2016 EP The Grey, 2017’s The Red EP, and 2020’s The Black EP laid the groundwork for this highly anticipated forthcoming release.
“In releases past,” Kloeppel continues, “the lyrical approach was more of a tapestry of abstract phrases linked together to invoke the kind of existential tormented feelings one gets from horror fiction. While that approach is still present on Gold, it has evolved to include vivid depictions of scenes and scenarios. Similar to horror and strange fiction, those painted scapes are used to extrapolate emotion as opposed to just the direct communication of the phrases themselves.”
On Gold, Scour’s aural fusion of black metal, grindcore, punk, and thrash influences help weave an experience of terror that surpasses that of a book or movie.
“I wouldn’t necessarily call the songs stories, but some songs like ‘Invoke’ and ‘Infusorium’ do have distinctive plot-like succession of scenes,” added Kloeppel.
An official video for the forthcoming album’s first single, “Infusorium,” was released this past November, and has now been followed by a video for Scour’s latest single, “Blades” – both of which are effortlessly incinerating the eyes, ears, and minds of extreme music lovers.
As the release date of Gold creeps closer, Scour bassist John Jarvis explained what exactly was unique about the creation this album: “On Gold, I believe we pushed each other to be the best we could, faster and heavier than before.”
“It’s hard to compare to my other projects because it’s so different,” Jarvis continued, “but I learned a lot during the tracking of Phil’s vocals. At one point he was layering some vocals I asked him where he learned that, and he said ‘Ozzy.’ Good enough for me!”
Jarvis then noted: “I’d say it’s the most intense album I’ve been a part of!”
Of the thirteen tracks on Gold, Jarvis commented that “Invoke” is his favorite: “[A]lways a reaction from anyone I’ve played it for. A song that forces you to head-bang with a catchy sing- along!”
And regarding which song Kloeppel is most looking forward to playing live he explained: “We have played ‘Infusorium’ once live already and I loved performing that and its solo in front of people. It’s got a good combination of varying parts. With the amount of sheer speed we do, that one gives a good head- banging change of pace.”
Fortunately, the release of Gold is just the beginning of this deliciously dreadful journey. Despite a steady touring schedule for Anselmo with Pantera, Scour will perform at this year’s Milwaukee Metal Fest in May sharing the stage with the likes of Black Label Society, Gwar, Down, Arch Enemy, and many others, as well as promising more for this era of Scour to come soon. Click here for information and tickets for Milwaukee Metal Fest.
Gold, which features a guest solo by Gary Holt of Slayer and Exodus, will be available on CD, LP, limited edition cassette (in the U.S.), and digital formats, and is guaranteed to melt your face off. Click here for pre-orders.
September 20, 2024
By Andrew Latshaw
The Winchester Tavern was buzzing with anticipation as fans of A Killer’s Confession packed into the intimate venue for the highly anticipated CD release party. The night promised to be a powerful showcase of their latest work, and the band delivered on all fronts. Let there be no doubts, when AKC throws a party, there is no holds barred!
The evening kicked off with a couple local openers Reticulas and High Early, and a not so local band, Cultus Black. These awesome people setting the tone, their high-energy sets warming up the crowd and building the excitement for the headliner and most anticipated AKC. The atmosphere was electric by the time A Killer’s Confession took the stage. The lights dimmed, the crowd roared, and the band launched into their opening sequence, instantly engulfing the room in a wall of sound.
Frontman Waylon Reavis, known for his commanding stage presence, was in top form. His vocals ranged from intense growls to melodic, haunting choruses, perfectly capturing the dynamic energy of the band’s new material. Reavis engaged with the crowd throughout the set, ensuring that every person in the room felt connected to the performance. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, each member seamlessly blending their skills to create a powerful, cohesive sound.
The setlist was a balanced mix of tracks from the new album Victim 1 and fan favorites. Playing the range of their catalog demonstrated the band’s ability to weave heavy riffs with atmospheric melodies, creating an emotional rollercoaster for the audience. The newer songs carried a raw, visceral energy that resonated with the crowd, many of whom shouted the lyrics back at the stage. The passion was palpable, both from the band and the audience, as the night progressed.
The highlight of the night came when the band played “GREED” from their new album. The song’s intensity, paired with a mesmerizing light show, created a cinematic experience that had everyone in the venue transfixed. The Winchester’s intimate setting allowed for a close connection between the band and their fans, making the performance feel personal and immersive.
The addition of the special guests was a powerful conclusion to the night! There was Aaron Nordstrom of Gemini Syndrome was on hand, J Mann and Shmotz from Mushroomhead also made appearances this night to thrust us older metalheads back to the late 90’s and early 2000’s! There was another special guest for the night that warmed a lot of hearts for sure! The crowd turned their screams and admiration to 11 with every guest, but then Morgan Bauer came out, and we were elated to see him return to the kit! He has been taking some time off and seeing him back in that seat just really hammered that cherry on top and finishing off the evening!
A Killer’s Confession always brings the energy to a fever pitch, and again I have to say that bringing back those blasts from the past took us over the edge. The crowd was left wanting more, a testament to the band’s captivating performance and the strength of their new material.
Not everyone has the history with these musicians that I do. For almost 30yrs these men have been in my life in one capacity or another. I remember hearing Waylon for the first time at a show in 2005, I have been a fanboy ever since. I have met J Mann and Schmotz many times over the years at shows all over the country. Seeing these guys on stage, and Morgan making his guest appearance… like I said, it completed the night.
For an old school metal head who will forever remain a kid at heart, these guys are more than musical nostalgia to me, they are a part of who I am today and for that I am eternally grateful!
]]>Another Door CD
by John Marenholcas
When you combine one of the greatest female voices in the history of Rock and roll as well as any genre of music and a group of fine talented musicians its pretty difficult not to make magic. That’s exactly what you will here on the new release from The Legendary Ann Wilson and Trippsitter. The name of the cd is called Another Door and with 11 tracks Ann and the boys prove they can do it all.
When The World was on the back-Burner with the Covid Pandemic. Ann took advantage of the downtime and did what she does best. Write and make music.
Like a good book has a good introduction, The Cd begins with the song Trippsitter. it sets the mood and begins to get better and better as you go taking you on a trip of different roads. “This is now” is a great song which she played live when i seen the show back in sept.
Rain of Hell is exactly what it sounds like, the rhythm is good and heavy and filled with guitar and a driving beat with a dark chorus and Ann’s Powerful voice.
The Cd goes on a ride and touches many types of musical moods.
Tripsitter is Sean T. Lane (drums), Tony Lucido (bass) Paul Moak (guitars/keyboards), Ryan Wariner (guitars)
Very talented group of musicians not leaving a stone unturned with a variety of compositions fit great with all the songs.
You can record and album and sound good, but what’s more impressive is that they sound magnificent LIVE!! That’s important. Cant say enough positive things about these guys! lots of good guitar work on here.
Every song is different not the same old same formula that bands use these days where everything is so redundant. And with Ann’s voice she can sing in a soft beautiful angelic voice and turn it powerful mighty instantly. Like a female Ronnie James Dio,if you will,.
Another Door is solid from beginning to end and very enjoyable to listen to. and that’s coming from a Metal Head.lol
But then again what do you expect from Ann Wilson!!
You Definitely need to pick up this CD as well as seeing Ann Wilson and Tripsetter, who are currently on Tour!!
]]>Detroit Muscle – album review
Release date: April 29, 2022
Review by: Dan Brodersen and Anita Maree
Motor City Madman returns with Detroit Muscle!
Ted Nugent is back! Nugent, from Detroit, Michigan, is best known for his energizing guitar playing and hard rock live shows. He has sold well over 40 million albums and is best known for his hit songs including Cat Scratch Fever, Great White Buffalo, Free for All, Stranglehold and Fred Bear. His new album, Detroit Muscle, gives his fans 10 new songs followed by a powerful guitar solo on Star Spangled Banner.
A look at each track:
Detroit Muscle: This song is a strong hitting anthem about his hometown, Detroit. Nugent sings. “Strap your ass in, I got a fire breathing Mopar, Downtown Detroit is like a rock’n’roll dream.”
Come and Take It: A powerhouse anthem featuring his usual riffing. This song is to remind U.S. citizens of our God given freedoms and to always let freedom ring. Nugent is a firm believer in the founding fathers of the U.S. and in the U.S. Constitution including, gun rights, hunter’s rights, and to always remember that this is the land of the free. Perfect song as the U.S. digs out of the lies and misinformation from the leaders of the free world.
Born In the Motor City: Nugent writes about Detroit, his hometown and remembering the love of the Motown groove, his dad, and getting ‘that fire in your belly, you know you just can’t lose.”
American Campfire: Super anthem to blast at your next campfire and always remember ‘Life, Liberty, and Rock’n’Roll’. The song is about gathering with family, friends, and saluting the American dream.
Drivin’ Blind: A cool groove song about life – either take the fast lane or take the smart lane. As the lyrics say, “I think I found the answer, to give me peace of mind, stop flirting with disaster, just don’t get caught driving blind.”
Just Leave Me Alone: Nugent plain and simple wants to be left alone on this song. While some of the crazies want to fight, again, just leave me alone.
Alaska: A super song showcasing Nugent’s love of nature, hunting, and the beauty of our 49th State.
WinterSpring Summer/Fall: (Instrumental) A smooth guitar solo that shakes, rattles, and rolls.
Leave The Lights On: A wonderful dedication song Ted wrote for his brother John, who passed away in 2020. I am certain those lights are shining bright.
Feedback GrindFIRE: My favorite song on this new album! Feel the excitement, fire, and grind from the madman of Detroit. Ted blessed us with this raw, retro rocker just prior to him going fishing. “Feedback grindfire, Feel the Fire!”
Star Spangled Banner: (Instrumental) Check out this outstanding guitar work from Nugent on his unique twist of the Star Spangled Banner. I guarantee this will make you proud to stand up with your hand over your heart, to remove your cap, to honor the grand U.S. of A. You might even shed a tear.
The album is available everywhere to purchase – Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify. See Ted Nugent this summer when he kicks off his tour in July.
]]>Dingo is a wonderful independent Australian movie from early 90s, with great acting, photography and music. The story is about a man in small town of Poona Flat, Australia, who is mesmerized as a boy, when a group of jazz musicians lands in his town to play. Miles Davis plays the trumpet player, and mentor, eventually to John “Dingo” Anderson (Colin Friels) who ambition is to become a jazz trumpeter in Europe. Dingo, at first, has to play in a local country music band, which he dislikes. His small-town wife (Helen Buday) seems not to share his ambitions and is distracted by his old friend (Joe Petruzzi) who seems in love with her. Mostly film is impressionistic with beautiful scenery and jazz soundtrack by Miles Davis. Dingo eventually gets his wish, an opportunity to visit Paris and jam with a real jazz band, and ” Miles “Character, as mentor. He gains new confidence and is accepted by American and Parisian musicians as a great player. Enjoyful, fun, movie!
]]>A Review and Interview with Jim Valley
September – 2021
If it’s raining out, or you’re down in the dumps, I recommend you listen to music by Jim Valley. Jim is like a ray of sunshine and a rainbow on a dark day and his folksy, laid-back sound never fails to lift my spirits. “Sit Upon The Moon,” Jim’s latest album, features gentle and lyrical vocals with insightful, whimsical words sprinkled with the fairy dust of tinkling piano, backed with rhythmic guitar and percussion and background vocals, is a fantastical voyage through nature and the world of imagination. It’s a delight for the young and young at heart. One can’t help feel like dancing to the Latin-inspired “As I Walk,” or humming along to the title track, “Sit Upon the Moon.” And Jim’s love of nature is evident in many of the songs; “Garden Bower” invites us to play among the flowers, “Silverly Silverly” begins with a few bird chirps and follows the moon over the tress; “Feather” describes singing to the flowers, watching a bumblebee, chipmunks and soaring swallows. Then there’s my personal favorite track, “Enchanted Lions,” which paints a delightfully imaginative picture of Lions climbing out of the sea to play and “wrestle like kittens.” So if you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, put this album on and soon you’ll find yourself dancing among the flowers, trees bumblebees, and lions, and feeling much lighter!
We are fortunate to have Jim perform his uplifting music on a regular basis at the Center for Spiritual Living in Tacoma. I talked briefly with Jim after the service last Sunday. It is one of his favorite places to sing because you can let your heart totally out. Spiritually, he describes himself as a universal person – all beautiful thought /mystical thought whether it be Hinduism, Sufism—he accepts it all, believing that God lives in all of us, whether we know it or not. And this has inspired his music, which reflects an ever-positive attitude and a love for all beings.
Jim learned to play trumpet in 4th grade and he comes from a musical family that sang in the car—music, and dance was always second nature in his household. In 9th grade, he had learned to play a few chords on the piano and wrote a song for a girlfriend (we went steady for at least a month!) His next-door neighbor said, “Hey, that’s a good song—I know a guy who just got a set of drums for Christmas, I know a guy who plays the saxophone really well, I know a guy who has a guitar at his house—he can’t play it but he has one. So they learned a few songs, but the guitar player just kind of beat on his guitar, never really learned it. Jim decided to buy a guitar and learned how to play it himself (this was in 1958). By the end of my sophomore year, his band was called the Viceroys; they played their first dance and got $50 – the band was on their way!
Jim’s greatest “claim to fame”, of course, was the year he spent performing with Paul Revere and the Raiders, which he describes as “five years rolled into one.” It was a very busy year! They appeared on “Where the Action Is” with Dick Clark, The Smothers Brothers, Milton Berle, and other shows, went on tours, did magazine interviews and photographs. They were not just music celebrities; they were also television celebrities, so they had mass love. It either made your head big or opened your heart and in Jim’s case, it opened his heart. You can see this in Jim’s warm, loving countenance and his openness to people and animals, and the world in general.
The Raiders were definitely a highlight of Jim’s career but he has been involved in many music groups and projects. In 1972, Jim founded a group called “Sweet Talkin Jones, and then in ’75 for a while, he was in “The Shoestring Orchestra” which is one of his favorite groups. Currently, he has a group called the Jim Valley Project with bassist Billy Odden, drummer David Lopez, and guitarist Russ Salton, all play gigs around the Gig Harbor and Tacoma area. With this group, Jim has a chance to do a lot of his original songs that he never worked out with performing groups, so that is a good opportunity, as well as a lot of fun.
Jim has also enjoyed traveling all over the world, from South America to India, and you can hear the world music influence in his music. He has an international school program called Rainbow Planet, where kids cooperate in the classroom to write a poem or song. One of the songs that Jim performs often at CSL, “Add Your Happiness,” comes from one of these Rainbow Planet Sessions. Jim has 7 or 8 albums from Rainbow Planet; they’re family albums, for kids of all ages. Jim loves working with kids and that contributes to his sunny attitude and keeps him young! COVID has put a pause on this work but Jim looks forward to working with children again. Meanwhile, Jim continues to delight listeners with music that carries on the spirit of peace and love that prevailed in the ’60s to people of every era.
You can learn more about Jim Valley and sample or purchase his albums on his website, jimvalley.com
Download or stream Jim’s music on Spotify, iTunes, Google Music, Amazon Music or subscribe to Jim’s YouTube Channel
]]>EP Review: BACK DOWN TO EARTH
By Judy Grover
This band is about true love, living in the moment, and good music. Thene Singleton on Drums/Vox, Dain Norman on Guitar/Vox, and Noah Harvey on Bass/Vox.
The COVID quarantine has been a kind of cocoon for many artists, who have spent the time contemplating, incubating and producing new music, and growing as artists and people. Dain Norman & The Chrysalis Effect are no exception, as their new EP, “Back Down to Earth” shows great evolution of sound and spirit. Like the Beatles, Dain and the band are not afraid to venture out of the “safe zone” of their previous style and experiment with different sounds – with quite delightful results.
Dain and the band have also achieved a more refined and polished sound this EP, leaving the raw, garage-band feel of on previous albums. Overall this album sounds more professionally produced and “grown up,” – an indication of the group’s coming into its own as world-class musicians and recording artists.
The album starts with “Touchdown” – which sounds like the landing of an alien spacecraft among trees and crickets in a forest clearing, complete with classic “sci-fi” sounds straight out of the Twilight Zone.
The next track, “Fellow Man,” puts the listener’s feet on Terra Firma with the band’s signature 50’s-60’s rock sound and peace and love and equality message. “Life Goes On and On” continues in this vein, as does the redo of “Heal The Earth (and all Its People)”. This track is slower and more contemplative, with a tinny piano and high flute that highlight the harmonies and rain sounds that give it a pensive feel.
The almost 10-minute epic “Poem”version of the previously-recorded “When Will The World Be One” is the centerpiece of the EP. Here, the album breaks into psychedelic, experimental rock reminiscent of the Doors’ “The End” or the Beatles “Revolution No. 9”. It begins with a hard rock guitar and driving beat that branch out into spoken word and a chaotic and rich tapestry of background noises. In the midst of this we stop for an “ASMR” interlude with Tibetan singing bowls, scratches, clicks and rain sounds and intimate whispers that both sooth and energize the listener (anyone else get “tingles”?) Then back to the psychedelic rock jumble and driving beat, later to mellow out in a theramin/string quartet rendition of the original melody medleying into the “Fellow Man” melody, that highlights its beauty, over background sounds of distant thunder. Finally we hear church bells that (a bit ironically) remind me of Pink Floyd’s song “Division Bell”.
The next tracks, “Everybody Loves,” and “Quarantine Dream” comes back down to a lively 60’s rock sound that’s more like earlier Beatles. “Quarantine Dream” begins with some tribal-sounding drums, though, and has some of that psychedelic sound with reverse audio and jamming guitars.
“Back Down to Earth” has been described as “a concept record about getting back in touch with your roots, relaxing, and de-stressing so that we have a more clear vision of the reality of the world and life as we know it.” This is an apt description – I could listen to this album over and over – in the car, at work, at home – but of course the best way to listen (IMHO) is on headphones while laying out in nature, perhaps after partaking in some good herb to get the full effect. It is a good meditation, and I could listen many times and hear something new each time.
“Takeoff” bookends the album as our “alien spacecraft leaves the planet with only the crickets to witness their departure. Pay attention to this “sci-fi” theme as it portends scintillating future productions by Dain Norman and the Chrysalis Effect! They are currently recording another new full-length album at London Bridge Studio in Seattle, as well as working on a “story album” and I cannot wait to hear what’s next
]]>BY ANDREW MACKENZIE
If your unaware of Bury tomorrow then here’s a briefing.
Bury Tomorrow are a British metalcore band formed in 2006 in Southampton, Hampshire, England. The band is composed of five members; lead vocalist Daniel Winter-Bates, rhythm guitarist and singer Jason Cameron, bassist Davyd Winter-Bates, drummer Adam Jackson, and lead guitarist Kristan Dawson, who replaced founding guitarist Mehdi Vismara in 2013. Bury Tomorrow has released six studio albums, their most recent being Cannibal, released on 3 July 2020.
I’ve been following the band since 2009 When they brought out their debut album ‘Portraits’ and got a chance to work with them on a photographic level too, I wanted to try and shoot them every year this has been difficult but I’ve been to a fair few shows and know just what the boys are like both recorded and live.
The boy’s journey has been amazing with numerous festivals under their belts and currently under Sony Music and Music for Nations labels. They announced that they were going to be doing a 6th studio album in 202 via Instagram Q&A which has been a great platform for musicians as of late due to covid-19. The album was due to be released on 3rd April but due to Covid-19 they decided to give the fans 5 singles bit by bit which included their title track ‘Cannibal’ They finally released the complete album on 3rd July 2020.
As a fan, I had been waiting for this album as it was said that this would be a very different ball game lyrically for lead singer Dan. Putting his battles with mental health under the microscope, vocalist Dani Winter-Bates puts in an expected commanding performance throughout, shepherding Cannibal into turbulent, but rewarding waters. I personally follow Dan in his personal life and as most fans know he works for The UK’s Health service the NHS, with this and his own life he is a big promoter of mental health and wellbeing and on one of his streams said that he had to really delve deep inside to bring out the best lyric’s possible lots of self-reflection.
This album from start to finish really shows how much effort Dan and the band put into this album with topics of mental health and real-life struggles that will relate to a lot of people who suffer from mental health issues.
Throughout this album both, Dan & Jason Collaborate beautiful vocally with Dan’s raw vocals, and with Jason’s softer tone they blend and help carry you through the tracks which all have a different feel to them even though I keep mixing up two tracks as they sound similar Choke & Cannibals
My favorite track by far is ‘The Grey’ I’m not sure whether it how the vocals play out or it instrumentally but it just has something about it!
I think I play this album once a week if not more, depending on my mood, and have done since it came out.
I can truly say this is for me a phenomenal album and I can’t wait to see what the band have for us when we can all come together and go to live shows and show the bands, we support how much we have missed seeing them live during this pandemic and support them again. and help them back onto their feet and see them go from strength to strength musically
If you haven’t seen these boys live then I urge you to as their shows are something else from first-hand experience.
If you want to check them out then check out the links below.
]]>February 27, 2007
by Tim Hargesheimer
If a photo captures a moment, a blip in time, an image of something that would otherwise be forgotten, then the upcoming Nine Inch Nails DVD release grabs ahold of your hair for over two hours (122 min.) and force feeds you one of the best tours of last year. Sure, Trent (Reznor) has shaved his head and, dare I say, cleaned himself up a bit since the 2002 release of And All That Could Have Been . But, NIN fans, don’t be fooled in the least bit by the new product. This nineteen song live performance captures the pure essence of not only their highly successful recent tour, but the May 2005 studio album release of With Teeth .
Before I dive head first into the actual shows that are encapsulated within Beside You In Time , let me first give you a sneak peak into the awesome extras. Also known as Halo 22, “Beside You In Time” is NIN’s third DVD release that is set to hit stores on Tuesday, February 27 th . Contained within the extras are an amazing image gallery of the band from the recent tour. This is not stock photography. Rather, a live image reel of top notch concert photos taken throughout the tour. Look closely, you might even be in one of them. Do you deem yourself to be an old school NIN fan who prefers to see Trent with the long hair? Well, you’ll get your wish with this as well. “Love is not Enough,” “The Collector” and “Everyday is Exactly the Same” are shown as footage from 2005 rehearsals. In addition, videos of “The Hand That Feeds” and “Only” appear under the Additional Content tab.
The most unique feature on this DVD is the Body of Work listing. Every NIN release (audio and video) is highlighted by showing album artwork, the release year, a short description, the discography and a clip of selected songs on certain audio offerings. This body of NIN work is organized by “Halo” numbers 01 through 22.
So, if the trailers have teased you long enough, you only have to wait a few more days until the official US release. El Paso , Texas and Oklahoma City , Oklahoma were the lucky two cities that this masterpiece was recorded live in. If you purchased And All That Could Have Been , you know that NIN probably put out about the best live concert DVD there is. So, if you haven’t already burned up that disc, you can still give your DVD collection a steroid injection with Beside You In Time . Even better, only seven (yes, seven) of these songs overlap with the set list from And All That Could Have Been . Alternate angles, closed caption on-screen lyrics, HD resolution and Dolby 5.1 surround sound are all stuffed into the following A-list performance:
- “Love Is Not Enough”
- “You Know What You Are?”
- “Terrible Lie”
- “The Line Begins to Blur”
- “March of the Pig”
- “Something I Can Never Have”
- “Closer /The Only Time”
- “Burn”
- “Gave Up”
- “Eraser”
- “Right Where It Belongs”
- “Beside You in Time”
- “With Teeth”
- “Wish”
- “Only “
- “The Big Come Down”
- “Hurt “
- “The Hand that Feed”
- “Head Like a Hole”
This list contains eight songs from With Teeth, one from The Fragile, four from The Downward Spiral, two from Broken, three from Pretty Hate Machine, and one standalone single (“Burn”, originally released on the Natural Born Killers soundtrack; also released on The Downward Spiral Deluxe Edition ). Quite the arrangement by Trent and the boys. Even better than that are the different angles you can watch “Eraser,” “Right Where It Belongs” and the self-titled track “Beside You In Time.”
After going to two shows (Chicago, Milwaukee) on this tour myself, I can tell you that this DVD captures the powerful thrashing that any recent NIN perfromance provides. The set list is dead-on from the tour. My only minor knock is the omission of one of my personal favorites “Sin” from this piece of work. Trust me, if you’re worried about a let down from 2002, there are no shortage of broken guitars and jumping on keyboards. More importantly, the graphic imagery and overall style are classic NIN right from the start. This is no pedestrian concert DVD from “some show” in “some city.” Be advised:This is Nine Inch Nails. If you saw even one song live from the 2006 With Teeth tour, this DVD will immediately bring you back to that moment you were caught asking yourself, “just how the hell does he continue to do that?”
Oh, and after you wipe the sweat from your brow, get ready for Year Zero to be tentatively released in April 2007.
]]>by Andrew Mackenzie
Released February 26, 2021
This album has been a long time coming it is now here
Architects are a British metalcore band from Brighton, East Sussex, formed in 2004 by twin brothers Dan and Tom Searle. The band now consists of Dan Searle on drums, Sam Carter on vocals, Alex Dean on bass, and Adam Christianson and Josh Middleton on guitars. They have been signed to Epitaph Records since 2013.
This is their 9th studio album which came out on 26th Feb 2021 and an album I’ve been looking forward to. As a Music photographer, I was able to have architects as the first big headliner id ever shot back in March 2008, and funnily enough, my favourite shot was of their guitarist Tom Searle who passed away in 2016 I edited that picture ( see below) to fuck and still one I’m proud off. Although I’m a fan of architects I didn’t realize they had brought out 9 studio albums inc this one. My favourite albums would be their last two; Holy Hell and All are God’s Have Abandoned Us.
I sat at work last night and listened to an Architects special On BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show. It was a playthrough of the album with drummer Dan and vocalist Sam and all the components of the album and who was on this album. As I listened to it properly, I got shivers as a whole it’s a phenomenal album.
The album starts off with this immense industrial, sound but the strings and orchestra sections lift the first track it’s a great opening to what is to come with one of their released single’s ‘Black lungs’ next which almost carries on the industrial heavy vibe, you get to hear sam just let rip with these vocals which just blew me away this album is something different from their others.
this kinda continues with ‘Giving Blood’
‘Discourse is Dead’ takes a heavier tone yet you have great little electronic sections with an electronic midsection which lead up to the last half of this track which takes an almost atmospheric choir sound and ending very solidly. ‘Dead Butterflies’ is a track with again this orchestral sound layer. complimenting the boy’s sound with a great chord progression and energy from both Sam and Dan in this track.
‘Impermanence’ is one of three tracks with a featured artist. This one has Winston Mccall from Parkway Drive the track is as intense as those before it and Winston seems to add a layer to the song that gives the already heavy element an upgrade. ‘ Flight without feathers ‘ is a very electronic subtle sound probably the softest sound on the album, but great as sams vocals are strong in a storytelling style.
The electronic style is a constant through this album ‘Little wonder’ is a more upbeat track and less intense yet has this industrial feel to it. If I didn’t see that it had Mike Kerr in this track I wouldn’t of known listening that he was, as the vocals seem to blend through it and you don’t have, like with most a separate section for the featured artist.
‘Animals’ the first single the boys brought out for this album and Fans love it! with this heavy thudding industrial, Rammstein sound yet as said before electronic production is a big part, vocally brilliant and powerful The breakdown has this almost nuclear apocalyptic sound. and probably one of my favorites of the album.
‘Goliath’ is a track that starts of with a great kick and the track feels faster paced than the others as the featured artist ‘Simon Niel’ – Biffy Clyro brings his intensity to the track and the first time I’ve ever heard him sound so heavy and even scream in a track. I can imagine him in the studio just letting loose and loving every second of recording his section.
The last three tracks ‘Demi God’, ‘Meteor’ and ‘Dying is absolutely safe’ all three have different sounds to them Demigod is more chilled, Meteor is the last heavy track on the album and ‘Dying is absolutely safe’ is a great final track with this orchestral acoustic sound with vocals that are trying to tell us to sort out our lives.
This album as a whole is an amazing piece of music and the boys are so amazed at the love it has gotten with two no1’s in the first week and great worldwide success. This will go into my albums of 2021 and I can’t wait to have them back on the live stage again so that their fans can really take this new album in on a face-to-face level as we all know that hearing an album recorded and live are two amazing things.
Architects have set out some dates for upcoming shows (hopefully these will go ahead) and you can find these and more on the links below.
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