I probably shouldn’t like Enon
as much as I do. It doesn’t make sense really. They’re music is so unashamedly
poppy. However 2001’s High Society was one of my favorite albums of the year
with the way it mixed things up. Hocus Pocus more or less does the same thing
going from straight forward indie rock sounds to more experimental pieces and
almost embarrassingly mainstream beat heavy pop. Somehow all this works. Enon
has left behind the “featuring members of” tag and produced their second
straight album with a sound (or sounds) all their own. (Dave Ignizio)
Midnight Syndicate, the Cleveland based musical duo whose
previous albums of symphonic goth provide the soundtrack for haunted attractions
across America, have turned their talents to making a soundtrack for the much
maligned but still popular game Dungeons & Dragons. Having rolled a few twenty
sided dice myself, I can say that for its intended purpose this album is a
success. It’s grand, epic stuff that creates just the right mood of mystery and
adventure and could just as easily work as the score for a film. For fans of
the Syndicate’s previous work the album does have its share of dark and ominous
passages but with a wider, more sweeping feel overall. Still, this is mainly
for anyone who’s ever spent hours painting a lead miniature orc while some
‘Conan’ rip-off plays on the TV in the background. I liked it, so draw your own
conclusions. (Bob Ignizio)
No Retreat plays "modern
day" hardcore with political lyrics, which I like. The riffs are catchy yet all
in all this is your typical hardcore. All I can say about the band is the songs
are good and the band has something decent to offer. Very reminiscent to TREE
yet much heavier toward the metal side. The band is Sean Moran, bass, Below,
drums, Frank Piontek, vocals, Derek Kovacs and Tommy Moran, guitars. Songs like
"Judged By 12", "Other Half", "$", and "One More War" deal with personal
feelings, society, corruption in government, and inner strength. The lyrics
lean more toward a punk attitude. No Retreat stands out in genre of
"sound-a-likes" mostly thru the riffing of Tommy, Derek, and Sean. If this band
advances their sound a bit I think the next release could be an even better
listening experience. (Mike Salamone)
Well
if you’ve read any of my past reviews of this band you know I love them.
They’re one of the finest live acts around today and goddamn if John Davis isn’t
the most badass drummer in the world. This two song teaser gets you all fired
up and then it’s over. Two songs in seven minutes. Some of the most complex
funky punk rock ever recorded. Every word a call to arms, every beat urgent.
Yeah, they may make you wanna dance, but unlike a lot of the current crop of
“dance punks” they got a lot more on their minds than that. A year from now
when all these poseurs are dancing away in their fucked up clothes on MTV these
guys will be giving ‘em something to catch up with. (Dave Ignizio)
I probably shouldn’t like Enon
as much as I do. It doesn’t make sense really. They’re music is so unashamedly
poppy. However 2001’s High Society was one of my favorite albums of the year
with the way it mixed things up. Hocus Pocus more or less does the same thing
going from straight forward indie rock sounds to more experimental pieces and
almost embarrassingly mainstream beat heavy pop. Somehow all this works. Enon
has left behind the “featuring members of” tag and produced their second
straight album with a sound (or sounds) all their own. (Dave Ignizio)
Midnight Syndicate, the Cleveland based musical duo whose
previous albums of symphonic goth provide the soundtrack for haunted attractions
across America, have turned their talents to making a soundtrack for the much
maligned but still popular game Dungeons & Dragons. Having rolled a few twenty
sided dice myself, I can say that for its intended purpose this album is a
success. It’s grand, epic stuff that creates just the right mood of mystery and
adventure and could just as easily work as the score for a film. For fans of
the Syndicate’s previous work the album does have its share of dark and ominous
passages but with a wider, more sweeping feel overall. Still, this is mainly
for anyone who’s ever spent hours painting a lead miniature orc while some
‘Conan’ rip-off plays on the TV in the background. I liked it, so draw your own
conclusions. (Bob Ignizio)
No Retreat plays "modern
day" hardcore with political lyrics, which I like. The riffs are catchy yet all
in all this is your typical hardcore. All I can say about the band is the songs
are good and the band has something decent to offer. Very reminiscent to TREE
yet much heavier toward the metal side. The band is Sean Moran, bass, Below,
drums, Frank Piontek, vocals, Derek Kovacs and Tommy Moran, guitars. Songs like
"Judged By 12", "Other Half", "$", and "One More War" deal with personal
feelings, society, corruption in government, and inner strength. The lyrics
lean more toward a punk attitude. No Retreat stands out in genre of
"sound-a-likes" mostly thru the riffing of Tommy, Derek, and Sean. If this band
advances their sound a bit I think the next release could be an even better
listening experience. (Mike Salamone) 
Well
if you’ve read any of my past reviews of this band you know I love them.
They’re one of the finest live acts around today and goddamn if John Davis isn’t
the most badass drummer in the world. This two song teaser gets you all fired
up and then it’s over. Two songs in seven minutes. Some of the most complex
funky punk rock ever recorded. Every word a call to arms, every beat urgent.
Yeah, they may make you wanna dance, but unlike a lot of the current crop of
“dance punks” they got a lot more on their minds than that. A year from now
when all these poseurs are dancing away in their fucked up clothes on MTV these
guys will be giving ‘em something to catch up with. (Dave Ignizio)