Radio-Active-Music.com - Articles

White Shadow - Deus Destroyed

2009-05-21T18:20:00.003-04:00

Hailing from Maryland, this fresh industrial act is one of several musical groups helping to breath renewal into a city now commonly referred to as "Baltimordor". Over the last year, the band has become a welcomed staple to the live music scene in the city and surrounding areas.

Deus Destroyed is the latest full length album from the band, and blends healthy and well-balanced doses of industrial, hard rock, and metal. The instrumentation is well-written and fairly well-produced, and promises the fans a steady and strong base from which this band will surely thrive in the future.

Unfortunately, the major draw back to this album is the vocals - the male vocals lend an acceptable harshness to the record, but are frequently unvarying and therefore a bit tiresome after a few songs. White Shadows shakes things up with female vocals a few tracks into the album, but those melodies also could use some innovation and a bit more post-processing.

Recommended Tracks:
"Deviant"
"A Side of Me"
"PDM"

SPC ECO - 3 D

2009-05-03T16:46:00.006-04:00

SPC ECO is a new project from Dean Garcia, perhaps best known with his work with Curve and The Secret Garden. Noiseplus Music (label for Collide and The Secret Garden) has released the US version of SPC ECO's first full length.

For fans of female-fronted electro rock acts like Curve and The Secret Garden, be wary in expecting the same from SPC ECO. While front woman Rose Berlin has a stellar voice, the result from her collaboration with Garcia is less than thrilling. The CD is self-described as a shoegaze release, which is accurate in it's style and it's depth of definition. While the production and mix of the album is perfectly fine, there is absolutely no depth or variety to the release. It's hard to differentiate each song from the next, and it's even tedious to try to pay attention to the whole CD in one listen. The whole CD feels like a passionless attempt; even the CD artwork looks like it was put together in about five minutes in Microsoft Paint. For musicians with such skill and a proven track record of quality, it was a bit of a disappointment.

If you're looking for an exciting, moving album...look elsewhere. However, if you did enjoy Curve's shoegaze period - or are just looking for a soundtrack to relax with - this may be an album for you. Let's hope SPC ECO can maintain their level of production and add a bit more variance in their next release.

Suggested Tracks:
"Another Day"
"Don't Know Ever"

Alter Der Ruine - Giants From Far Away

2009-01-12T19:02:00.000-05:00

Not just another harsh electro band in an ever-growing sea of the digital head rush, Alter Der Ruine represents a lot of what's right in the increasingly popular genre. "Giants From Far Away" is a well-written and produced album that's sure to appease every rivet head, without the failure of taking itself too seriously.

Though I normally don't like intro tracks, I think this album is a perfect example of how to use them effectively. "A Plea for the Dawn / Cries for the Giants From Far Away" gradually eases the listener into the maelstrom that follows. And a wonderful maelstrom it is - crunchy beats, a few well-timed samples, and a hell of a lot of fun make this album a must-have for any connoisseur of the industrial genre.

Whether you're looking to rock out or searching for that next club floor hit, this album has a little of each for everyone. Tracks like "Loserstreet" and "Relax and Ride It" would do well in any DJ's arsenal, while songs such as "Demon Missile" and "Stuffin' the Jellyroll Muffin" are sure to get a crowd rocking in a live setting.

Suggested tracks:
"Loserstreet"
"Relax and Ride It"
"Stuffin' the Jellyroll Muffin"

Otto's Daughter - A New Kind Of Heroine

2008-12-04T13:16:00.003-05:00

Spicy industrial metal with sexy female vocals - how can you go wrong? You can't, and Otto's Daughter has done it again with their latest release entitled "A New Kind of Heroine". JVB has long since been a favorite vocalist, and her presence on this album is on par with the band's previous works and stands strong with the powerful tracks the band has once again created.

Featuring tracks such as "Kiss My Ass" and "Fucking You Back", this album is full of the songs perfectly honed over a few years of live performances, finally giving the fans what they've patiently been waiting for. The album is a perfect blend of angst, passion, and "what the hell?" attitude.

Suggested Tracks:
"Fucking You Back"
"Everything"
"The Truth"
"Kiss My Ass"

Collide - Two Headed Monster

2008-12-04T13:04:00.002-05:00

Always a mainstay in the trip-hop industrial scene, Collide is back with yet another beautifully compiled full-length album. Featuring some of the band's best work to date, "Two Headed Monster" offers some of their most intricately written songs, while still maintaining that classic Collide sound.

The strength of this release is the band's ability to maintain those elements of their music that the fans have come to love over the years, without falling into boredom. Though many of the tracks utilize a bit more of an industrial rock feel than the band's previous work, the songs still maintain the trademark unmistakable hypnotism of kaRIN's vocals.

The only possible slight downfall of this album is that there is no real 'standout' track or tracks that could be picked out as an instant single or club hit, unlike the band's previous releases. So while this album may not find an easy place on the radio or the dance floor, it still comes with the highest recommendations for a good sit-down listen.

Suggested Tracks:
"Tongue Tied & Twisted"
"Silently Creeping"
"Two Headed Moster"

Animassacre - Shi No Sedai

2008-10-18T11:32:00.002-04:00

For another example of bands utilizing current technology to get their music out, we introduce Animassacre. One of the few bands to quickly offer a free EP on the new VampireFreaks Digital Music Store, the band did an excellent job of putting together a few original tracks and remixes to offer potential new fans a sampling of their product.

The first thing that strikes the listener is some much-welcomed originality of their music. Self-described as "industrial hardcore", Animassacre goes beyond the basic definition of their genre and incorporates a broad range of influence, as seen in the band's melding of anime visuals with hardcore sensibilities.

While the EP as whole offers a good blend of creativity, the standout song here is the title track, Shi No Sedai. This track is a perfect example of the masterful control of high energy the band brings to the table. A song with such thump and power can easily run away with itself, but Animassacre keeps the track under the reigns, belaying the raw energy in their creations.

Suggested Tracks:
Shi No Sedai
Mecha Tremors (C/A/T Remix)

The Dark Clan - The Vampire Wore White

2008-10-16T21:17:00.002-04:00

So what do you get when you take a background in musical theatre, industrial sensibilities, and a tongue-in-cheek attitude towards "the scene"? Oh yes, here comes The Dark Clan.

A side project founded by Dan Clark (of Stromkern), The Dark Clan has been rising fast in the scene due to their catchy not-quite-industrial rifts and stellar live performances. The Vampire Wore White is off-the-wall 360 degrees of fun, with songs ranging from punk-esque ballads to classical guitar solos to thumping electronics. No musical influence is ignored, and each song is a unique expression of the depth of musical abilities of the artists involved.

While it's not your standard electro-industrial release (and probably more aptly categorized as a rock release), the songs are nevertheless catchy and accessible to fans of the industrial genre. The love and enjoyment that has gone into this project is clearly felt, and is a positive force in a scene that has a tendency to dwell a bit too much in seriousness.

Suggested Tracks:
"Alles Ist Schon"
"New London"
"The Vampire Wore White"

Ego Likeness - The Lowest Place On Earth

2008-10-09T21:52:00.003-04:00

Not too long after Dancing Ferret (Ego Likeness's US label) announced that they would be ceasing new release production at the end of 2008, Ego Likeness independently put their new single on the market - proving that the band is here to stay.

"The Lowest Place On Earth" is a four track release, featuring a smattering of what fans could expect on the next full length album or EP. The CD starts with a bang - "The Lowest Place on Earth" has been an immediate club hit in the band's hometown scene of Baltimore and DC, featuring a driving bass line, catchy guitar riffs, and Donna's forever-haunting vocals. "I'm Not Mary Ann" is a suitable follow-up, with a sinister story that leaves the listener hanging on for more.

The CD finishes with an instrumental track (maybe only currently without vocals?) as well as a 2007 mix of Second Skin. And while singles in general are never really long enough to express any kind of theme or cohesiveness, Ego Likeness did a great job of presenting their fans with several new stand-alone songs to satisfy - along with peaking the interest of listeners for the next chapter.

If you're not Mary Ann...then who are you? Perhaps the next release will let us know.

Suggested Tracks:
"The Lowest Place On Earth"
"I'm Not Mary Ann"

The Anix - Demolition City

2008-10-09T21:33:00.002-04:00

California-based The Anix stunned fans in the early 2000's with their debut release of "An Illusion Of Time", yet their follow-up "Play, Dance, Repeat" lacked some of the original flare. Radio-Active-Music.com's review of "PDR" even mentioned a wish for more of that old synth rock sound. This is one of those rare but completely wonderful instances where a band finally releases a stellar third album after a somewhat lacking follow-up from a few years earlier; this release was exactly what fans were waiting for.

"Demolition City" is by far The Anix's finest release to date - the album really is a testament to the commitment of quality from this band. The Anix has maintained and polished that initial sound that caught so many fan's attentions years earlier; it's only a matter of time before they're back on top of the game again. The guitars, programming and vocals mesh perfectly, and the production is top notch.

It's hard to choose the suggested tracks for this one, since the entire CD is full of audio deliciousness...

Suggested Tracks:
"Even If It Kills Me"
"Bullets Without a Gun"
"This Game"

Margin Of Error - Create.Destroy.Repeat.

2008-10-08T22:37:00.006-04:00

Cleveland's Margin Of Error offers us a wide pallete of sound stylings on its debut, "Create.Destroy.Repeat.". I first approached this disc expecting a hefty dose of terror EBM, but was pleasantly surprised to find some very cohesive industrial metal guitars blended into the mix. From the instrumental opening of "Art Is Dangerous", through frenetic tracks like "Deeper Into You" & "Enslaved", Margin Of Error shows us they are not just a one-trick pony. "Create.Destroy.Repeat." is fraught with elaborate rhythm & synth programming, great production values, and abstracted lyrics.

If the album had any shortcoming to it, the fault would lie in certain tracks in the songs falling slightly out of sync with each other (in other words, some guitar tracks & drum tracks seem about 1/10th of a second off from the rest of the song at times). However, this really doesn't detract from one's ability to enjoy "Create.Destroy.Repeat." from being the well-crafted record it is.

Suggested Tracks:
"Deeper Into You"
"Enslaved"
"Create.Destroy.Repeat."

ThouShaltNot - New World EP

2008-09-13T18:19:00.004-04:00

After catching a fairly lively performance of ThouShaltNot in Baltimore, MD, I picked up a copy of their new, limited-edition EP entitled "New World". I was pretty psyched to get a copy of the newer songs I had just seen live.

Unfortunately, the strength and presence of the live show just did not follow through on the recording. Though several of the songs are catchy and interesting, the production work on this EP is the worst I've heard in years - especially from an established act. The volume was terribly low, and the vocals and bassline much too thin. Save your money and hope the full length has a little more effort put into it.

Suggested Tracks:
"April We Can Break Through If We Try"

Everything Goes Cold - Prepare to be Refrigerated

2008-09-13T11:36:00.004-04:00

And...coldwave makes a comeback! For fans of some of the original stylings of bands like 16 Volt and Acumen, it's a return to the glory of some of the best of early industrial. After hearing the free mp3 of the Out Out remix of 'Fail', there was no doubt this CD would be a winner. Crunchy guitars, booming electronics, harsh vocals, and lot of humor comprise this new project founding by Eric Gottesman (formerly of Psyclon Nine, Ayria, and others).

Everything Goes Cold's debut release (out through Sonic Mainline) is a bit unconventional; with a handful of originals and a whole lot more remixes, it provides a lot of good material...just not for one sitting. The most comment complaint - both heard and shared - is that a dozen or so remixes of the same songs is just a little too much at once. So don't plan on listening to the whole thing straight through - rip it to your computer or iPod, hit shuffle, and enjoy!

Suggested Tracks:
"Fail"
"I've Sold Your Organs on the Black Market to Finance the Purchase of a Used Minivan"

Panic Lift / genCAB - Initialize EP

2008-09-13T11:29:00.003-04:00

Hive Records really got it right on this one; with a new wave of free albums and EPs hitting the internet in an attempt to recruit more fans, various labels and bands are releasing more than just a few mp3s to make their music known above the masses. Hive Records has released this free joint EP in anticipation of both genCAB's and Panic Lift's next full lengths.

The EP has a little something for everyone - remixes for the DJs, B-sides for the hardcore fans, and brand new tracks to attract new listeners. And it definitely worked; after getting a taste of some of the great music to come as well as seeing such a great response on the club floor, there was no way I couldn't get both new CDs.

Suggested tracks:
genCAB - Perish the Thought
Panic Lift - No Trace to Love

Nine Inch Nails - The Slip

2008-05-09T13:02:00.003-04:00

Nine Inch Nails – The Slip

As a firm believer that 95% of instrumental ‘intro’, ‘outro’, and ‘transitional’ tracks are needless, to have an album half-way filled with these unneccesary filler tracks is purely annoying and seems to show a lack of true effort on behalf of the artist. This release seems to consist partly of leftovers from Ghosts as well as Year Zero, and the album does nothing to help the songs meld together to form a cohesive product.

With the album being offered for free as a digital download, the compression sure is sloppy. For fans wishing to save space and have a format most compatible with their computers and music players, the mp3 download bundle poorly rewarded them. Quite frenquently the bass and guitar lines peak and crunch (more often than I believe the artist intended them) making such songs as “1,000,000” sound like someone’s slowly letting air out of a balloon throughout the whole track. Even Trent Reznor’s vocals sound weak and untouched in this release, making the whole album feel like a half-assed attempt at brilliance.

The only redemptions for this album are a few decent tracks hidden in the mess (“Letting You” and “Head Down”), and that no one got conned out of money for the (dis)pleasure of listening. I can only hope this travesty of a release is a clever ploy on the part of the artist to make a statement about what downloading is doing to the integrity of today’s music.

Suggested Tracks:
“Letting You”
“Head Down”

Avi Ghosh - Severing The Tie

2008-04-23T23:04:00.002-04:00

Brainchild of Defy’s frontman, Avi Ghosh, “Severing the Tie” encapsulates all fans have come to love about Defy, and then some. Raw in emotion (though not in production), Avi Ghosh has masterfully produced this full length album to center around something everyone can relate to – a tragic end to a close relationship. The entire CD is a journey from the beginning pains of a break-up to the ultimate resolution of moving on, and everything in between. The album is cathartic for both the artist and the listener, I’m sure.

Defy had already wowed me in the past with excellent song structure and production skills, and this new album surpasses the band’s previous efforts. While I more closely associate Defy with industrial rock bands such as Celldweller, Avi Ghosh’s solo project has a darker alternative sound, reminiscent of the best aspects of A Perfect Circle. The songs are innovative and catching, leaving this album as a top pick to be left on repeat in anyone’s CD player.

Suggested Tracks:
“Art of Feeling Low”
“Don’t Count On Me Anymore”

Lujhboia - Sendero de Panico

2008-04-23T23:00:00.002-04:00

A merger of aggrotech and EBM at it’s finest, the independent artist Lujhboia represents up-and-coming industrial at it’s finest. After receiving many favorable reviews from members of the Side-Line forums, I gave this album a spin myself and was in no way disappointed. Lujhboia combines the best aspects of bands such as Psyclon Nine, Dawn of Ashes, and Angels on Acid, while giving a wonderful amount of variance to the songs to keep things very interesting and diverse. This is exactly what the stompy industrial scene is looking for today.

You can’t argue with the price of this album, either – Lujhboia is giving this album away for free on their website! There’s simply no reason not to get this album. DJ’s should especially give this album a listen; there are many tracks on this CD - such as “Sins of My Past” - sure to get the dance floor moving.

My only complaint about the CD (which resulted in the less-than-perfect rating) is that the production sounds a little thin. That may be due to the album being distributed in 192kps mp3s, so I hope that if the band decides to release a hard copy version of these songs, that all will be corrected. And with talent like this, I highly doubt this band will stay unsigned or unnoticed for long.

Suggested Tracks:
“Sins of My Past”
“Maldita”
“Solitude”

Various Artists - Songs in the Key of Death

2008-03-26T02:04:00.002-04:00

I first heard about this compilation through the hot musical stylings of Everything Goes Cold - the current project of Eric Gottesman (Psyclon Nine, Ayria, See Colin Slash). Not only did I want to get my hands on a new EGC track (as we're all still waiting for "I’ve Sold Your Organs on the Black Market to Finance the Purchase of a Used Minivan" to be made publicly available), but the idea of an entire CD filled with songs all called "Deathkey" was pretty intriguing.

I wasn't disappointed. This is one of those albums where you can just tell these artists really enjoyed putting together tracks for this project. From tongue-in-cheek references to the insides of the goth/industrial scene ("Is Metropolis really going bankrupt?", "I'm on the Side-line boards!", etc.) to general mayhem (such as Unter Null's cover of "Gangsta's Paradise"), this album is filled with moments of hilarity to the careful listener.

While it's not the most brilliantly produced work (some of the tracks could have been mastered a bit better) it's definitely a breath of fresh air to a genre that tends to take itself far too seriously.

Suggested Tracks:
"Deathkey" (The Gothsicles)
"Deathkey" (Everything Goes Cold)
"Deathkey" (Unter Null)

Strangeland Records: Goth/Industrial Armageddon 2008

2008-01-20T14:15:00.000-05:00

xUBERx guitarist Cheetahdave plays near SLR owner Ryan Hill

After two years of serving the DC metro area's need for electronic, industrial, metal, and punk music, Strangeland Records will be closing its doors for the last time on March 17th (marking their two year anniversary). Preferring to go out with a bang rather than a whisper, the shop organized three all day events during the month of January.

Goth/Industrial Armageddon 2008 took place on Saturday, January 12th,featuring some of the best goth & industrial bands and DJs in the DC metro area. Like all of the shows put on by SLR over the last two years, these free, all ages events were designed to help bolster a deminishing indie music scene by providing both bands and fans a fun, relaxed environment to enjoy some of the best new music around. Strangeland's never-ceasing support of the DC music scene will be sorely missed, and a hard gap to fill.

National act Ego Likeness headline this last industrial event.

Headling this event, Ego Likeness has always been a strong supporter of the shop, having graced the venue with one of it's first (and best attended) industrial shows on Halloween in 2006. Ego Likeness was also one of the many local artists who contributed to the Strangeland Records' "Goth/Industrial 2007" compilation, which has now sold out of it's second run of printing.

The crowd gathers around as The Opposite Sex performs.

One of the premier goth rock bands in the area, The Opposite Sex bring back the old school in a stellar way, helping to prove that the scene is by no means dead and buried.

SLR's intimate setting allows fans to get close and personal with bands like Red This Ever

Synth rock stars Red This Ever are one of Baltimore's hottest hometown acts. Larger than life, this band maintains a hectic show schedule, as well as helping to run The Depot in Baltimore (which hosts 1-2 goth/industrial/80's events weekly) as well as their own brand new music and clothing store - DryTear - located just above their venue.

Ken of Rites of Ash, one of DC's premier industrial rock acts.

Rites of Ash is gaining wide-scale attention, due to numerous shows at some of the area's larger venues (such as Jaxx) as well as national broadcasting through MTV. Industrial Rock to the max, these guys are moving up.

Electro rockers dharmata 101 are well-known at SLR for their crazy antics during shows.

Electro-industrial rock inspired by Buddhist philosophy, dharmata 101 presents the DC scene with some of the most intricate industrial music imaginable. The band's new guitarist, Ilker Yucel, is the editor for nationally-known ReGen Magazine - another huge supporter of Strangeland Records throughout the years.

xUBERx kick off the event in industrial style.

Punk industrial noise act xUBERx is comprised of some of DC's most prominent DJs. Within a year of forming, the band has released one EP and is currently working on their first full length release.

Fluffy Starr - Come On!

2007-12-13T17:39:00.000-05:00

Finally. All of Fluffy Starr's fans let out a chorused sigh of relief when her long-awaited debut album, "Come On!", dropped this month.

Fluffy quickly claims her territory immediately on "Intro", making no bones about stating who she is and what this album is about to do. From track two on, this album is filled with sultry vocals and raging synths. Hard rock to the max, Fluffy Starr merges Gwen Stefani with Orgy, Madonna with Nine Inch Nails. Welcome to the new industrial rock.

The album is filled with the old demos, completely rethought. For long-time fans, adjusting to the new stylism might take some time. The quality and price is unmatched; from the superb mastering, the captivating vocals, and even a few surprises (such as guest vocals from Celldweller), this album is filled with 13 tracks of industrial goodness.

Suggested Tracks:
"Dirty Little Secret"
"Cold"
"Obsession"

Helalyn Flowers - A Voluntary Coincidence

2007-12-13T17:20:00.000-05:00

Helalyn Flowers is currently one of the hottest bands on Alfa_Matrix, and for good reason. Straight out of Italy with stunning vocals, heavy guitar riffs, and moving electronics, Helalyn Flowers has a little bit of everything to appeal to any industrial fan.

"A Voluntary Coincidence" is Helalyn Flower's first full-length release to date, and is comprised of both new material and the first few tracks originally released by the band earlier this year - both independently and on their first Alfa_Matrix EP. For a fan who has been on the fence about purchasing a release from Helalyn Flowers, this is recommended for a first buy. If you already own many of these songs, it may be a little bit harder to justify the price for only a few new tracks.

Standing alone, it's a good album. My only complaints are less-than-amazing artwork (I expected more from a band who already has produced stellar promo photos and cover art), and the lack of punch the album delivers. There's nothing specifically wrong with any track, but there's nothing that really stands out either.

Suggested Tracks:
"E-Race Generation"

The Birthday Massacre - Walking With Strangers

2007-12-13T16:33:00.000-05:00

I knew after hearing a lot of the new material at this year's Blacksun Festival, that this album would be stellar. The Birthday Massacre have built and maintained their own unique sound for many years without forsaking the ability to grow and expand.

"Walking with Strangers" brought some fresh new music to the fans, along with some old favorites remastered. Any long-time fan will thoroughly enjoy the new versions of such songs as "Remember Me" and "To Die For" - and if you're really paying attention, you'll pick up the reworked lyrics in "Looking Glass" from a collaboration The Birthday Massacre did with Vanity Beach several years ago on "The Knight Murders." In all respects, this album definitely feeds the craving of current fans.

As far as the new material goes, there are some great new works from the band, including their first single "Kill The Lights" as well the bass-blowing masterpeice "Red Stars". However, I was a bit disappointed to find that several of the other songs on this album just didn't quite live up to the quality of the aboved mentioned, or their previous works.

Suggested Tracks:
"Looking Glass"
"Red Stars"
"Kill The Lights"
"Remember Me"

Angels On Acid - Eyes Behind The Curtain

2007-10-12T23:42:00.000-04:00

After having been introduced to Angels On Acid's music by several of the DC DJs, I knew I had to check these guys out. After hearing the great demos and catching an amazing performance at BOUND, I knew these guys were going places. Angels On Acid graced the stage at Nuclearfest 2007 as one of our headliners, and it's clear by their release of "Eyes Behind The Curtain" that they're only going up.

Angels On Acid represent everything that's going right in EBM these days. Killer electronics that keep you dancing, interlaced with the perfect blend of harmonic vocals meshed with industrial growls. This CD is a must have to DJs looking to pack the dance floor with something new. Even now, "Misery Loves Company" is blazing trails throughout clubs in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.

Suggested Tracks:
"Misery Loves Company"

In Tenebris - In Tenebris

2007-10-12T23:24:00.001-04:00

A long-time Virginia favorite, female-fronted goth rockers In Tenebris have finally graced their fans with their long-awaited full-length. In Tenebris have been one of the most active goth/industrial bands in the Eastern United States scene, playing recently with bands such as Bella Morte and Ego Likeness. The band's self-titled release now features their fan's favorite live ballads in their studio-recorded glory.

Christina's clear soprano vocals soar in a manner reminescient of Ego Likeness or Evanescence, complimented by a memorable combination of electronics and acoustic instruments, especially in tracks such as "Chrysalis". In Tenebris have always surpassed the generic label of "goth rock" by creating a distinct sound with the meld of traditional rock rhythms and catchy electronic pulses.

The only disappointment from this band was the announcement of the band's demise soon after the release. However, many of the band members have expressed their plans to follow seperate projects, many of which will be followed by Radio-Active-Music.com. In the meantime, there's no denial about In Tenebris' impact on the goth/industrial scene in the Eastern Seaboard.

Suggested Tracks:
"Chrysalis"
"Havok"

Psyclon Nine - Crwn Thy Frnicatr

2007-01-12T13:29:00.000-05:00

Well. Oh my. This CD seriously threatened a spot on my top five albums of all time. Leaving conventional noise industrial in the dust, Psyclon Nine blows their own excellent previous albums out of the water with their third release. INRI sounds like nursery rhymes in comparison.

Crwn Thy Frnicatr still falls into the realms of aggrotech, but with decidedly death metal influences, meaning lots more guitar and faster and deadly drum beats. I was afraid when I first heard Ner0 mention in an interview that Psyclon Nine was taking this approach, but the band has successfully incorporated the best of this darker side of music without loosing that enticing beat that makes everyone want to move.

The new release is also intensly more gothic, giving a very erie mood that pervades throughout the album, both intensifying the overall mood and cohesivily intertwining the songs into one satisfying experience. The songs range from in-your-face death metal threats to synthesized based oontz tracks, but they all have this very specific gothic and grounded twist that allows for a whole range of interpretation.

Suggested songs:
"Crwn The Frnicatr"
"Flesh Harvest"
"Visceral Holocaust"
"Parasitic"
"[bonus track]"

Plumb - Chaotic Resolve

2007-01-12T13:15:00.000-05:00

Plumb is one of my longterm music obsessions, who finally did what we hope all of our favorite artists would do: she went back to her original sound. Her self-titled album and first release will forever be one of my favorite CDs. From then, however, her music had somehow slipped away from hard rock and went progressively more country over the next few releases.

But thankfully, on her fourth album, Plumb has gone back to her roots and graced the fans with a mostly hard rock album laced with hints of gothic appeal. I say mostly, since there are a few weaker slow rock ballads that I can't do anything with (other than skip over to the next track).

But the stronger songs make the album worthwhile, such as "I Can't Do This", "Better", and "Good Behavior". These songs have an ethereal gothic quality, that would appeal to any Evanescence fan. With these tracks, along with "Motion" (which is sure to get you out on the dance floor) it's well worth owning.

Suggested Tracks:
"I Can't Do This"
"Motion"
"Better"
"Damaged (extended remix)"