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ZAO: Parade Of Chaos no link.sorry
Zao-Parade Of Chaos My My My! Zao sure has changed throughout the years haven't they? Thru the course of 5 albums and SEVERAL line-up changes, they bring us their 6th-Parade Of Chaos, their supposed swansong. But isn't that what they said about their last record? Either way, this is an extremely well done record. It carries on in the direction that (self-titled) did but carries the sound even farther. Gone, for the most part, are the signature double bass blasts that drummer Jesse Smith was known for on all of Zao's previous outputs. Many of the guitar riffs are catchier than past albums as well. Gone is the signature metalcore riffing replaced by something decidedly more rock n' roll. "Free The Three" which talks of the infamous RobinHood Hill Murders boasts an opening guitar riff that brings to mind AC/DC. The title track also carries a killer riff that's decidedly catchier than previous efforts. The band also carries on alot of the electronic elements that (self-titled) hinted at as well including an EBM interlude after "Suspend/Suspicion" as well as a pure rave track in the form of "The Ballad of Buddy Bigsby." Overall, Parade of Chaos is a great record to close out the career of a band that set a new standard in the hardcore scene. The band has plans of releasing a new version of their indie release All Else Failed with the music being redone by the line-up that we have come to know (Dan Weyandt on vocals, Russ Cogdell on guitar, etc). THAT will truly be their final swansong.
~kRiSs stReSs~
Dead Poetic: 4 Wall Blackmail http://deadpoetic.com
Dead Poetic 4 Wall Blackmail Well, the common thing that most critics say is that these guys sound like Thursday. Dont believe them. The only similarity that they have is the contrasting vocals that switch between melodic singing and screaming. The record for the most part, sounds the same. This isnt a bad thing mind you, it can just get boring after repeated listens. The album starts out with Burgundy and basically sets the tone for the rest of the record with its stop/start guitar riffing and alternating screaming/melodic singing styled vocals. The Corporate Enthusiast is a great song with a nice riff that pushes the it steadily along. The sad thing is that this riff is replicated and slightly altered so it can be re-used later on in Ollie Otson. Bliss Tearing Eyes slows down the record and allows for a breather as it allows Brandon to showcase his voice with simply an acoustic guitar by his side. From there, the band shifts back into songs like Stereochild and Arlington Eyes which sounds like it could have been a b-side from the last Hoobastank record. All in all, its an extremely good album and an excellent debut for a very promising young band.
~kRiSs stReSs~
The Hanover Saints: Truth Rings Out no link.sorry
The Hanover Saints Truth Rings Out / There was once a time when punk rock music was the voice of a generation. Whether it was the voice of expression for the artrock kids and Andy Warhol devotees in New Yorks lower bowerys or the voice of anger and discontent for British teenagers and gutter punks, it was a musical force to be reckoned with either way. Over the years though, the message and the sincerity faded. Name brands, eMpTyV and big money record contracts began to scatter the landscape like debris after a nuclear fallout. Cries of sellout began to echo across the musical landscape and several bands were ostracized for not fitting a certain mold. A pity. For those however, who have lost faith, The Hanover Saints have arrived. Rising from the ashes of the now disbanded hardcore band Anguish Unsaid, the Saints are straight ahead rock n roll tinged Oi! Street punk played fast, loud, rude and tight. The record opens with the fast paced The Promised Land and slides straight into Salutations which is littered with tons of gang vocals. This is true Oi! Punk in the vein of Sham 69 and 7 Seconds. Tons of sing alongs, gang vocals and fast paced breaks and starts. Faith and Sense, Letter Day, Cuts and Scrapes and others are mile a minute odes to our Creator. These guys are spirit filled to the max just like labelmates The Deal and One-21. The hidden track even boasts an irish pub-rock sound reminiscent to some of The Dropkick Murphys better material. All in all, this is a great release. Those who are jaded with all of the New Found Glories and Simple Plans wont lose heart as long as the Hanover Saints are together.
~kRiSs stReSs~
Juggernautz: Juggernautz no link.sorry
Juggernautz - Juggernautz Once upon a time (well stretch the legend, it was really just 1987) there existed a band called This Mortal Wish. The band kicked two of its members out and changed the band name simply to Mortal. Along with bands like Deitophobia and Circle of Dust, they began to forge a new style in the ever exclusive Christian market known as industrial. Influenced by the likes of KMFDM and Skinny Puppy, Mortal put out pivotal records like Lusis, Fathom, and Wake. Eventually in 1995 however, Mortal disbanded and founding members Jyro Xhan and Jerome Fontamillas moved onto lighter guitar rock/dance pop territory with Fold Zandura, releasing records like King Planet and UltraForever. They also had other bands as well such as Jyrodelix, etc. Mortal even came back together this year (2002) to release the album Nu-En-Jin. However, inbetween the time of Fold Zandura and the newly re-instated incarnation of Mortal, Jyro and Jerome had a project known as The Juggernautz. This is their first (and only?) record. This project has various elements on it from the guitar industrial of Reach and Fury to the more rave influenced Ur and Dont Be Afraid. The middle of the album boasts a great electronica instrumental called Pacificoaster which is a great blend of music from the drum n bass and new wave genres. The music on this disc is superb and the production is crisp and clear. This is definitely a great electronic album worth investing your time and money in. Would I steer you the wrong way?
~kRiSs stReSs~
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