This is the second demo I’ve
heard from this band Cincinnati based metal band, and overall I’d say it’s a
little better than the first. The production is more professional, and the
songwriting more consistent. The band’s sound seems influenced by bands like
‘Far Beyond Driven’ period Pantera, Rage Against the Machine, Fear Factory, and
Prong. In other words, kind of like nu metal but rawer, and the guitar player
gets to do more than just play chugga-chugga riffs and make the odd squanky
sound now and then. Most of the lyrics are heavy on the machismo, as is
befitting for the music, but still pretty well written for this sort of thing.
As on Pulse 8’s previous demo, there’s one song on here that really stands out
for me. “Air – (Wind Mix)” is a good song that shows more of an electronic/goth
influence, and shows the band is capable of some diversity. One thing I miss is
vocalist Doug Carter’s ungodly screams, used sparingly and to good effect on
their prior demo. The guy showed on that demo that he has a versatile voice,
but this time he sticks mostly to rapping and barking. Considering the songs
the band chose to record that’s appropriate, but I hope they having given up on
incorporating some of Doug’s more unique vocal stylings in their newer material
altogether. Visit the band’s website for more information. (Bob Ignizio)
Rue has been around for at
least a year now, and have even toured. Consisting of members of Fistula, Sofa
King Killer, Hate Theory, and The Pillow Humpers, these guys are all veterans of
the scene. This is their first release, sounding much like Fistula (I've never
heard the other band’s music). They also remind me of stuff like Cathedral, Fu
Manchu, and Sabbath. This is some good ultra heavy stoner rock with molten
guitar riffs and savage vocals. The lyrics deal with how crappy life is and what
a waste people are. While lyrics of this type ain't my bag, you can't understand
half of what he says anyway. The music is dirt-driven rather than sludge-like
and has a good clean production. A few of the 9 songs are "Born With Frostbite"
, "Quash", and "Stonersaurus". If you want to get
yourself a copy of this, head over to the Shifty Records
website. (Mike Salamone)
Just because you play stoner
rock doesn’t mean you have to sound like Kyuss, Fu Manchu, or Black Sabbath.
Take Stone Slinger, for instance. The band says on their website that they’re
“redefining 70’s retro rock”, and it’s not an altogether unjustified boast. The
riffing is clearly rooted in seventies hard rock, but the band wisely
incorporate some modern sounds. Guitar freaks may be disappointed that there
aren’t any solos, but to tell you the truth I didn’t even miss them. It’s just
a matter of doing what’s right for the song. “I Love Chrome” shows some
influence from alternative rock, for instance. Sort of like Fu Manchu crossed
with Foo Fighters. “Desert Dreams” is a more typical sludgy-doomy affair that
avoids the tedium such songs can often induce in me thanks to a good vocal
melody. “80 Inches” is another good minimalist rocker with a cool breakdown
part featuring some nice screaming. Only “Under Neon Lights” failed to excite
me. It’s not a bad song, but feels sort of like filler material. My only other
problem with this demo is that the guitar sound is a little thin, but that’s no
doubt due to the limits of the band’s production budget. When I caught them
live they sounded just fine. Head over to the band’s
website for more info.
(Bob Ignizio)
Finally, after
all these years of putting out top 40 with a fast drumbeat and calling it
"punk", Fat Wreckchords has released something worthwhile. The Subhumans "Live
in A Dive". Much like their self-released "Live in Bristol Bootleg", this offers
a great document of a live Sub's show. Just close your eyes and you're in the
concert hall. Classic songs like "Work-Rest-Play-Die", "Businessmen", "Can't
Hear the Words", and much more. There is also a new song, "This Years War", and
a visual surprise on the disc. Maybe somewhere down the line they'll do a new
studio album. Fat Mike would be wise to put that out as well. Catchy songs,
phenomenal musicianship, meaningful lyrics, and about 25 years going strong!
That’s the Subhumans. (Mike Salamone)
This is the second demo I’ve
heard from this band Cincinnati based metal band, and overall I’d say it’s a
little better than the first. The production is more professional, and the
songwriting more consistent. The band’s sound seems influenced by bands like
‘Far Beyond Driven’ period Pantera, Rage Against the Machine, Fear Factory, and
Prong. In other words, kind of like nu metal but rawer, and the guitar player
gets to do more than just play chugga-chugga riffs and make the odd squanky
sound now and then. Most of the lyrics are heavy on the machismo, as is
befitting for the music, but still pretty well written for this sort of thing.
As on Pulse 8’s previous demo, there’s one song on here that really stands out
for me. “Air – (Wind Mix)” is a good song that shows more of an electronic/goth
influence, and shows the band is capable of some diversity. One thing I miss is
vocalist Doug Carter’s ungodly screams, used sparingly and to good effect on
their prior demo. The guy showed on that demo that he has a versatile voice,
but this time he sticks mostly to rapping and barking. Considering the songs
the band chose to record that’s appropriate, but I hope they having given up on
incorporating some of Doug’s more unique vocal stylings in their newer material
altogether. Visit the band’s 
Rue has been around for at
least a year now, and have even toured. Consisting of members of Fistula, Sofa
King Killer, Hate Theory, and The Pillow Humpers, these guys are all veterans of
the scene. This is their first release, sounding much like Fistula (I've never
heard the other band’s music). They also remind me of stuff like Cathedral, Fu
Manchu, and Sabbath. This is some good ultra heavy stoner rock with molten
guitar riffs and savage vocals. The lyrics deal with how crappy life is and what
a waste people are. While lyrics of this type ain't my bag, you can't understand
half of what he says anyway. The music is dirt-driven rather than sludge-like
and has a good clean production. A few of the 9 songs are "Born With Frostbite"
, "Quash", and "Stonersaurus". If you want to get
yourself a copy of this, head over to the Shifty Records
Just because you play stoner
rock doesn’t mean you have to sound like Kyuss, Fu Manchu, or Black Sabbath.
Take Stone Slinger, for instance. The band says on their website that they’re
“redefining 70’s retro rock”, and it’s not an altogether unjustified boast. The
riffing is clearly rooted in seventies hard rock, but the band wisely
incorporate some modern sounds. Guitar freaks may be disappointed that there
aren’t any solos, but to tell you the truth I didn’t even miss them. It’s just
a matter of doing what’s right for the song. “I Love Chrome” shows some
influence from alternative rock, for instance. Sort of like Fu Manchu crossed
with Foo Fighters. “Desert Dreams” is a more typical sludgy-doomy affair that
avoids the tedium such songs can often induce in me thanks to a good vocal
melody. “80 Inches” is another good minimalist rocker with a cool breakdown
part featuring some nice screaming. Only “Under Neon Lights” failed to excite
me. It’s not a bad song, but feels sort of like filler material. My only other
problem with this demo is that the guitar sound is a little thin, but that’s no
doubt due to the limits of the band’s production budget. When I caught them
live they sounded just fine. Head over to the band’s
Finally, after
all these years of putting out top 40 with a fast drumbeat and calling it
"punk", Fat Wreckchords has released something worthwhile. The Subhumans "Live
in A Dive". Much like their self-released "Live in Bristol Bootleg", this offers
a great document of a live Sub's show. Just close your eyes and you're in the
concert hall. Classic songs like "Work-Rest-Play-Die", "Businessmen", "Can't
Hear the Words", and much more. There is also a new song, "This Years War", and
a visual surprise on the disc. Maybe somewhere down the line they'll do a new
studio album. Fat Mike would be wise to put that out as well. Catchy songs,
phenomenal musicianship, meaningful lyrics, and about 25 years going strong!
That’s the Subhumans. (Mike Salamone)