"Recorded by Phil, Jeremy, and Matt in Phil's bedroom.
Mixed by Phil in the early morning hours of 2/3/05 while trying to find his car
keys (they ended up being in the blender)", reads the insert of the Latterman 3
track demo. The quality of this recording, the tone of their instruments
(specifically the use of feedback in the shallows and the builds), and the
flawless vocal tracks lead me to believe this statement false (but we'll take
their word for it). In a time when guitar tone comes second to hooks and
over-production, Latterman come correct, breaking away from the blah that is new
music. The swells, feeds, and sustains are like a current that slowly carries
you to the unconventional changes in each song. The highlight of this album is
track 3; "My bedroom is like for artists." The infectious vocal harmonies beg
you to sing along in mass frustration about the decline of community. With
provocative lyrics like, "Punks start dealing with their own white privilege.
We'll tell all the boys to stop being so fucking aggressive. Actually give a
shit about the place we live in.", you can't help but feel a bit ignorant and
passive about your surroundings. For being a demo recorded in the frontman's
bedroom, this is the best album I’ve heard in quite some time. I can't wait to
hear the full-length due for release in early summer, 2005. For more
information, please visit www.lattermanband.com . (Dave Evans)
What a great, GREAT time to be hooked into the European
Progressive Metal scene!!! Release after release keeps flying at us over here
in the US, and they just keep getting better! Case in point: Leaves' Eyes, the
latest offering from former Theatre of Tragedy vocalist Liv Kristine. I know
what you're thinking: ok, so another symphonic metal album with a melodic female
singer...haven't we heard a lot of that recently? Well, yes we have, but I
won't complain one bit so long as they are as good as ‘Lovelorn’. This album
grabs the listener and doesn't let go for all of the CD's 10 tracks, and
practically begs for one to hit the "repeat" button. Starting off with
"Norwegian Lovesong", the album kicks off in grand style with sweeping, dramatic
arrangements and stunningly beautiful vocals. Continuing through such tracks as
"Ocean's Way" and "Secret", through to the climactic "Return To Life", this
album never fails to thoroughly satisfy. The Heathen Hippy gives it four
dramatic pauses. (Taliesin Govannon)
The Lords were recently named the best rockabilly/garage
rock band in Cleveland by the Free Times, and this CD shows that’s no bull.
‘Degreaser’ still showcases the impressive musicianship and songwriting skills
of the band, but the sound is a little more straight-forward rockabilly than in
the past. Another change since the Lords’ last release (2003’s ‘Lost in Sin’)
is that the band has acquired a new drummer, Pete Yorko. Pete also sings, and
the disc kicks off with one of his numbers, the rockin’ “Legend of 369”. Pete’s
got a melodic, classic rock n roll voice that contrasts nicely with the more
country fried vocals of guitarist Dennis Bell and bass player Sugar. The energy
level stays high on the Bell sung “4 Barrel Carb Dual Exhaust POS”, while Sugar
takes the disc for a moody turn with the cool and sultry “Get Lost”. But the
lady can rock, too, and she proves it on “100 Dollar Hangover”, probably my
favorite track on here. But even when no one’s singing, the Lords still deliver
the rock n roll goods as instrumentals like “Land Far Away” and “Freaky Tiki”
make clear. There’s twelve songs on here, and only two I didn’t like. “County
Fair” features an intentionally affected vocal turn by Sugar that just doesn’t
work for me, and “Get Into Your Pants” feels kind of standard issue. In addition
to the 12 tunes, there’s also a new installment of the Truckman saga – “The
Amish Menace”. For more info or to order yourself a copy of 'Degreaser'
(which I recommend you do) visit
http://www.lordsofthehighway.com. (Bob Ignizio)
This latest entry into the European prog-metal scene has a
couple of things going for it. First, they have Liv Kristine's (Leaves' Eyes)
younger sister Carmen Elise Espenaes for a singer, and it seems that great
vocals can run in families. Secondly, they have a team of superb musicians with
a flair for songwriting backing her up, and the results are impressive. ‘Where
Twilight Dwells’, their Napalm debut and first full-length release, has a folky
edge to it's metal. Where other bands put symphonic bombast and drama, this
album has a folk simplicity that contrasts wonderfully with the heavier energy
on the rocking tracks. The result is an album that leaves a lasting
impression. I know I should be listening to the other CD's I'm going to review,
but I just can't turn this one off. It has a mystical, magickal vibe that is
truly entrancing. In a season dominated by impressive female-fronted metal
releases, this is one of the best. You should really hear this one for
yourself...the Heathen Hippy gives it four and a half melancholy arias.
(Taliesin Govannon)
"Recorded by Phil, Jeremy, and Matt in Phil's bedroom.
Mixed by Phil in the early morning hours of 2/3/05 while trying to find his car
keys (they ended up being in the blender)", reads the insert of the Latterman 3
track demo. The quality of this recording, the tone of their instruments
(specifically the use of feedback in the shallows and the builds), and the
flawless vocal tracks lead me to believe this statement false (but we'll take
their word for it). In a time when guitar tone comes second to hooks and
over-production, Latterman come correct, breaking away from the blah that is new
music. The swells, feeds, and sustains are like a current that slowly carries
you to the unconventional changes in each song. The highlight of this album is
track 3; "My bedroom is like for artists." The infectious vocal harmonies beg
you to sing along in mass frustration about the decline of community. With
provocative lyrics like, "Punks start dealing with their own white privilege.
We'll tell all the boys to stop being so fucking aggressive. Actually give a
shit about the place we live in.", you can't help but feel a bit ignorant and
passive about your surroundings. For being a demo recorded in the frontman's
bedroom, this is the best album I’ve heard in quite some time. I can't wait to
hear the full-length due for release in early summer, 2005. For more
information, please visit 
What a great, GREAT time to be hooked into the European
Progressive Metal scene!!! Release after release keeps flying at us over here
in the US, and they just keep getting better! Case in point: Leaves' Eyes, the
latest offering from former Theatre of Tragedy vocalist Liv Kristine. I know
what you're thinking: ok, so another symphonic metal album with a melodic female
singer...haven't we heard a lot of that recently? Well, yes we have, but I
won't complain one bit so long as they are as good as ‘Lovelorn’. This album
grabs the listener and doesn't let go for all of the CD's 10 tracks, and
practically begs for one to hit the "repeat" button. Starting off with
"Norwegian Lovesong", the album kicks off in grand style with sweeping, dramatic
arrangements and stunningly beautiful vocals. Continuing through such tracks as
"Ocean's Way" and "Secret", through to the climactic "Return To Life", this
album never fails to thoroughly satisfy. The Heathen Hippy gives it four
dramatic pauses. (Taliesin Govannon)
The Lords were recently named the best rockabilly/garage
rock band in Cleveland by the Free Times, and this CD shows that’s no bull.
‘Degreaser’ still showcases the impressive musicianship and songwriting skills
of the band, but the sound is a little more straight-forward rockabilly than in
the past. Another change since the Lords’ last release (2003’s ‘Lost in Sin’)
is that the band has acquired a new drummer, Pete Yorko. Pete also sings, and
the disc kicks off with one of his numbers, the rockin’ “Legend of 369”. Pete’s
got a melodic, classic rock n roll voice that contrasts nicely with the more
country fried vocals of guitarist Dennis Bell and bass player Sugar. The energy
level stays high on the Bell sung “4 Barrel Carb Dual Exhaust POS”, while Sugar
takes the disc for a moody turn with the cool and sultry “Get Lost”. But the
lady can rock, too, and she proves it on “100 Dollar Hangover”, probably my
favorite track on here. But even when no one’s singing, the Lords still deliver
the rock n roll goods as instrumentals like “Land Far Away” and “Freaky Tiki”
make clear. There’s twelve songs on here, and only two I didn’t like. “County
Fair” features an intentionally affected vocal turn by Sugar that just doesn’t
work for me, and “Get Into Your Pants” feels kind of standard issue. In addition
to the 12 tunes, there’s also a new installment of the Truckman saga – “The
Amish Menace”. For more info or to order yourself a copy of 'Degreaser'
(which I recommend you do) visit 
This latest entry into the European prog-metal scene has a
couple of things going for it. First, they have Liv Kristine's (Leaves' Eyes)
younger sister Carmen Elise Espenaes for a singer, and it seems that great
vocals can run in families. Secondly, they have a team of superb musicians with
a flair for songwriting backing her up, and the results are impressive. ‘Where
Twilight Dwells’, their Napalm debut and first full-length release, has a folky
edge to it's metal. Where other bands put symphonic bombast and drama, this
album has a folk simplicity that contrasts wonderfully with the heavier energy
on the rocking tracks. The result is an album that leaves a lasting
impression. I know I should be listening to the other CD's I'm going to review,
but I just can't turn this one off. It has a mystical, magickal vibe that is
truly entrancing. In a season dominated by impressive female-fronted metal
releases, this is one of the best. You should really hear this one for
yourself...the Heathen Hippy gives it four and a half melancholy arias.
(Taliesin Govannon)