Tuesday, July 7, 2009
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
Roadrunner Records
Once upon a time, there were a group of New England metalheads who started a band and called it Killswitch Engage. They conquer most of the land and can actually be labeled pioneers in the New England metal scene...maybe even some would be so bold as to call them gods? A talented and colorful bunch these guys ahve always been. This being the third album released with "new" lead singer, Howard Jones. Jones may have stamped his style permenant;y on this album. Maybe that's why its a self titled? Hmmmm I wonder? While I'm still prevy to Jesse David Leach on vocals, there is no denying that Jones has a spectacular voice. Since Leach's departure it seems as if KE has been adding more and more melody to their tracks, and for good reason. To showcase Jones' vocal talent and abilities.
TOP TRACKS: Never Again, Reckoning (probably the heaviest track on teh album), Save Me, I Would Do Anything (sure to have teenage girls all heartbroken and lovey dovey...bleh)
FINAL VERDICT: Melody is now a part of metal apprantly. At least Killswitch was one of the first (in recent times) to successfully incorporate it into solid music. Where others have failed miserable KE continues to do what they do best. Is it the best Killswitch album? Not for me, Alive and Still Breathing will always hold that title. But this is the best Killswitch album lead by Howard Jones.
BURY YOUR DEAD
IT'S NOTHING PERSONAL
Victory Records
Melody, melody, melody. Seems to be a trend these days doesn't it? That's all well and good, but coming from longtime, Massachusetts heavy-hitters, BYD, its something unheard of. You could see teh shift starting to take place on their previously self titled BYD album when former Cassius singer, Myke Terry, took over the vocals. The previous album grew on me, but to me, its wasn't Bury Your Dead. Likewise on It's Nothing Personal. The breakdowns remain volitile and many, but the offtempo rythms BYD have been known for are thrown off course (or back on course rather) by Terry's use of melodious verse. But don't get me wrong, he can still bring it in teh barking department.
TOP TRACKS: Hurting Not Helping, Deadend Lovesong, Broken Body, Lion's Den
FINAL VERDICT: I like it. Much like their previously release, it started growing on me the more i listened to it. One thing. I think its time they changed their name. It's Nothing Personal is a completely different Bury Your Dead and hardcore fans are sure to shun the new stuff. Think of them as a much heavier Sevendust maybe?
WDS RATING: 3 out of 5 JJ Walker heads
-gdevil
Gallows
Grey Britain
If we were lucky enough to see Every Time I Die and The Sex Pistols have a baby, they would name it Gallows. This UK band’s latest album “Grey Britain” is a welcome change from some of the dribble that has been coming from American bands in recent years. The music is refreshingly fast and raw with some profoundly gritty lyrics. This album is quite the kick in the knickers. Tracks like “I Dread the Night” and “Death Voices” have a sound that has been lost in the American Hardcore/Punk scene for years, and I for one, am excited to hear it again.
WDS Rating: 4 out of 5 JJ Walker heads
-Amanda
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
III
When I first got my hands on this album, I had some mixed feelings. The March 2007 album, “II”, was a tough act to follow, but Dallas and the boys pulled it off. While some of the tracks lack that southern tough guy punch that Maylene and the Sons of Disaster are notorious for, songs like “Step Up (I’m On It)” and “Oh Lonely Grave” absolutely make up for it. This is definitely the album you want blaring when your give your cousin that second look or rattling the speakers in your rusty old pick-up truck on the way to the liquor store.
WDS Rating: 3 out of 5 JJ Walker heads
-Amanda
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
Roadrunner Records
Once upon a time, there were a group of New England metalheads who started a band and called it Killswitch Engage. They conquer most of the land and can actually be labeled pioneers in the New England metal scene...maybe even some would be so bold as to call them gods? A talented and colorful bunch these guys ahve always been. This being the third album released with "new" lead singer, Howard Jones. Jones may have stamped his style permenant;y on this album. Maybe that's why its a self titled? Hmmmm I wonder? While I'm still prevy to Jesse David Leach on vocals, there is no denying that Jones has a spectacular voice. Since Leach's departure it seems as if KE has been adding more and more melody to their tracks, and for good reason. To showcase Jones' vocal talent and abilities.
TOP TRACKS: Never Again, Reckoning (probably the heaviest track on teh album), Save Me, I Would Do Anything (sure to have teenage girls all heartbroken and lovey dovey...bleh)
FINAL VERDICT: Melody is now a part of metal apprantly. At least Killswitch was one of the first (in recent times) to successfully incorporate it into solid music. Where others have failed miserable KE continues to do what they do best. Is it the best Killswitch album? Not for me, Alive and Still Breathing will always hold that title. But this is the best Killswitch album lead by Howard Jones.
WDS RATING: 3 out of 5 J.J. Walker heads
-gdevil
3 out of 5 J.J. Walker heads-gdevil
BURY YOUR DEADIT'S NOTHING PERSONAL
Victory Records
Melody, melody, melody. Seems to be a trend these days doesn't it? That's all well and good, but coming from longtime, Massachusetts heavy-hitters, BYD, its something unheard of. You could see teh shift starting to take place on their previously self titled BYD album when former Cassius singer, Myke Terry, took over the vocals. The previous album grew on me, but to me, its wasn't Bury Your Dead. Likewise on It's Nothing Personal. The breakdowns remain volitile and many, but the offtempo rythms BYD have been known for are thrown off course (or back on course rather) by Terry's use of melodious verse. But don't get me wrong, he can still bring it in teh barking department.
TOP TRACKS: Hurting Not Helping, Deadend Lovesong, Broken Body, Lion's Den
FINAL VERDICT: I like it. Much like their previously release, it started growing on me the more i listened to it. One thing. I think its time they changed their name. It's Nothing Personal is a completely different Bury Your Dead and hardcore fans are sure to shun the new stuff. Think of them as a much heavier Sevendust maybe?
WDS RATING: 3 out of 5 JJ Walker heads
-gdevil
Gallows Grey Britain
If we were lucky enough to see Every Time I Die and The Sex Pistols have a baby, they would name it Gallows. This UK band’s latest album “Grey Britain” is a welcome change from some of the dribble that has been coming from American bands in recent years. The music is refreshingly fast and raw with some profoundly gritty lyrics. This album is quite the kick in the knickers. Tracks like “I Dread the Night” and “Death Voices” have a sound that has been lost in the American Hardcore/Punk scene for years, and I for one, am excited to hear it again.
WDS Rating: 4 out of 5 JJ Walker heads
-Amanda
Maylene and the Sons of DisasterIII
When I first got my hands on this album, I had some mixed feelings. The March 2007 album, “II”, was a tough act to follow, but Dallas and the boys pulled it off. While some of the tracks lack that southern tough guy punch that Maylene and the Sons of Disaster are notorious for, songs like “Step Up (I’m On It)” and “Oh Lonely Grave” absolutely make up for it. This is definitely the album you want blaring when your give your cousin that second look or rattling the speakers in your rusty old pick-up truck on the way to the liquor store.
WDS Rating: 3 out of 5 JJ Walker heads
-Amanda
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