In
Flames may just be the best pure heavy metal band out there today. Although
certainly influenced to some degree by death and black metal sounds, their music
is melodic enough to appeal to frustrated Maiden and Priest fans looking for a
new band to latch on to. On ‘Reroute to Remain’ a greater emphasis has been
placed on melody and hooks than with past releases, but without sacrificing the
heaviness. Guitar harmonies, catchy choruses, and top notch musicianship and
production combine to make this an essential addition to any serious
headbanger’s collection. Also, the vocals have finally moved to the forefront,
correcting my one gripe about this band in the past. Opening with a strong
title track, ‘Reroute’ delivers the goods from start to finish. Songs like
“Drifter” and “Freefall” show that these guys are ready to join the pantheon of
metal gods. More than any other band, In Flames sound ready to take REAL modern
metal (as opposed to the lame hip-hop influenced version) to the masses, if only
MTV and commercial radio would give them the chance to do it. (BI)
Mudhoney – ‘Since We’ve Become Translucent’ (Sub Pop)
Mudhoney
were one of the originators of the “Seattle sound”. However, their acid tongued
sarcasm and acid tinged rock failed to catch on with the larger audience that
embraced Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden. After 3 albums and 1 ep with
Warner subsidiary Reprise and a 4 year break the band have returned home to
Seattle indie label Sub Pop. Opening track “Baby, Can You Dig the Light” finds
vocalist Mark Arm lamenting “This is the end of the tunnel and there is no
light” over a bed of mid tempo psychedelia and wild sax reminiscent of the
Stooges “Funhouse”. “In the Winner’s Circle” continues the melancholy tone set
by “Light” with a chorus of “Yeah I’m a winner, cuz I got nothing left to
lose”. “The Straight Life” struts and swaggers like early Stones as it condemns
those who have sacrificed their counterculture roots to fit into society. “Our
Time is Coming”, “Dyin’ For It”, and “Inside Job” rock out in traditional
Mudhoney fashion, but with more introspective lyrics than on much of the group’s
major label output. The album concludes with a real acid rock barn burner, a 7½
minute foray into Monster Magnet territory called “Sonic Infusion” that kicks
some major ass. The only weak spots are the two songs featuring gratuitous use
of horns; the trite “Where the Flavor Is” and “Take it Like a Man”. Overall,
however, this may be the most consistent album Mudhoney have released. (BI)
The New
Bomb Turks – ‘The Night Before The Day The Earth Stood Still’ Gearhead Records)
The New
Bomb Turks, no stranger to label-hopping, have a new record label and a new
album of greasy rock and roll to go with it. This latest offering is a slight
departure from some of their earlier material, but nonetheless a pretty rockin'
album. It starts and ends with the bouncy title track/reprise, which though
seemingly out of place on a Turks album, seems to fit here (complete with a
cheesy horn arrangement). After that, the kings of taunt kick in with some
balls-out rock and roll, complete with pointed puns and laughable lyrics
courtesy of Eric Davidson--there's even a lyrics sheet, something ALL Turks
releases should have. Of the 13 songs on here, the one most Turks fans will
probably loathe is "Like Ghosts", which is just plain weak. The recording
quality is clear yet lo-fi, a throwback to their sound circa ‘At Rope's End’.
All things considered, I take great pleasure in disagreeing with a certain free
local publication in saying that this record is proof that The New Bomb Turks
can still kick your ass. (Adam LaSotta)
Somnus - 'Through Creation's End' (Root of All Evil)
Well,
if you've looked around this website at all, then you probably already know I
like this band quite a bit. Still, there are plenty of bands who kick ass
live yet fail to capture that sound on album. Thankfully Somnus isn't one
of them. 'Through Creation's End' is every bit as powerful and majestic an
experience as a Somnus live show, with strong clear production and a well
balanced mix. The vocals on a lot of extreme metal albums seem like an
afterthought. On 'Creation' the interplay between Scott Hilberg's ominous
growls and gothic pronouncements and Rhiannon's ethereal backing vocals is one
of the band's strong points. The drumming is also phenomenal, and lead
guitarist Dennis Downey solos tastefully, displaying an almost classic rock
approach in his playing. 'Warlock's Feast' is certainly the stand out
track here, but there really aren't any weak spots. The band have also
included a cool video clip for 'Warlock's Feast'. Support the local metal
scene and pick this up.
In
Flames may just be the best pure heavy metal band out there today. Although
certainly influenced to some degree by death and black metal sounds, their music
is melodic enough to appeal to frustrated Maiden and Priest fans looking for a
new band to latch on to. On ‘Reroute to Remain’ a greater emphasis has been
placed on melody and hooks than with past releases, but without sacrificing the
heaviness. Guitar harmonies, catchy choruses, and top notch musicianship and
production combine to make this an essential addition to any serious
headbanger’s collection. Also, the vocals have finally moved to the forefront,
correcting my one gripe about this band in the past. Opening with a strong
title track, ‘Reroute’ delivers the goods from start to finish. Songs like
“Drifter” and “Freefall” show that these guys are ready to join the pantheon of
metal gods. More than any other band, In Flames sound ready to take REAL modern
metal (as opposed to the lame hip-hop influenced version) to the masses, if only
MTV and commercial radio would give them the chance to do it. (BI)
Mudhoney
were one of the originators of the “Seattle sound”. However, their acid tongued
sarcasm and acid tinged rock failed to catch on with the larger audience that
embraced Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Soundgarden. After 3 albums and 1 ep with
Warner subsidiary Reprise and a 4 year break the band have returned home to
Seattle indie label Sub Pop. Opening track “Baby, Can You Dig the Light” finds
vocalist Mark Arm lamenting “This is the end of the tunnel and there is no
light” over a bed of mid tempo psychedelia and wild sax reminiscent of the
Stooges “Funhouse”. “In the Winner’s Circle” continues the melancholy tone set
by “Light” with a chorus of “Yeah I’m a winner, cuz I got nothing left to
lose”. “The Straight Life” struts and swaggers like early Stones as it condemns
those who have sacrificed their counterculture roots to fit into society. “Our
Time is Coming”, “Dyin’ For It”, and “Inside Job” rock out in traditional
Mudhoney fashion, but with more introspective lyrics than on much of the group’s
major label output. The album concludes with a real acid rock barn burner, a 7½
minute foray into Monster Magnet territory called “Sonic Infusion” that kicks
some major ass. The only weak spots are the two songs featuring gratuitous use
of horns; the trite “Where the Flavor Is” and “Take it Like a Man”. Overall,
however, this may be the most consistent album Mudhoney have released. (BI)
The New
Bomb Turks, no stranger to label-hopping, have a new record label and a new
album of greasy rock and roll to go with it. This latest offering is a slight
departure from some of their earlier material, but nonetheless a pretty rockin'
album. It starts and ends with the bouncy title track/reprise, which though
seemingly out of place on a Turks album, seems to fit here (complete with a
cheesy horn arrangement). After that, the kings of taunt kick in with some
balls-out rock and roll, complete with pointed puns and laughable lyrics
courtesy of Eric Davidson--there's even a lyrics sheet, something ALL Turks
releases should have. Of the 13 songs on here, the one most Turks fans will
probably loathe is "Like Ghosts", which is just plain weak. The recording
quality is clear yet lo-fi, a throwback to their sound circa ‘At Rope's End’.
All things considered, I take great pleasure in disagreeing with a certain free
local publication in saying that this record is proof that The New Bomb Turks
can still kick your ass. (Adam LaSotta) 
Well,
if you've looked around this website at all, then you probably already know I
like this band quite a bit. Still, there are plenty of bands who kick ass
live yet fail to capture that sound on album. Thankfully Somnus isn't one
of them. 'Through Creation's End' is every bit as powerful and majestic an
experience as a Somnus live show, with strong clear production and a well
balanced mix. The vocals on a lot of extreme metal albums seem like an
afterthought. On 'Creation' the interplay between Scott Hilberg's ominous
growls and gothic pronouncements and Rhiannon's ethereal backing vocals is one
of the band's strong points. The drumming is also phenomenal, and lead
guitarist Dennis Downey solos tastefully, displaying an almost classic rock
approach in his playing. 'Warlock's Feast' is certainly the stand out
track here, but there really aren't any weak spots. The band have also
included a cool video clip for 'Warlock's Feast'. Support the local metal
scene and pick this up.