Roncag
09-01-2006, 03:51 PM
Working with Decoy has given me the wonderful opportunity to listen to albums well in advance of their street releases. To support the bands and create interest in the upcoming albums, I will be giving brief overviews of the new releases I have received.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/fearbefore.jpg Fear Before The March Of Flames-The Always Open Mouth(Equal Vision)
Website (http://www.marchofflames.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/marchofflames)
Once again, a band that I completely detested, have reinvented themselves and created a masterpiece. Fear Before the March of Flames always fell into that overly generic vat of nasally screaming, wannabe hardcore bands, and for that I always dismissed them as a band and any music that came my way. Now on their 3rd release for Equal Vision Records, The Always Open Mouth, displays a band who have matured and branched away from a scene so willing to ape itself to the direst of results. Over the course of 14 tracks and 45 minutes of sonic, metallic art metal, Fear Before have catipulted themselves into a league with the best. Joining equal parts of Cave In, Converge, and the spastic high pitched insanity of The Blood Brothers, The Always Open Mouth, is truly an astounding and unexpected musical experience.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/textures.jpg Textures-Drawing Circles(Listenable)
Website (http://www.texturesband.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/textures)
Many of you may not have heard of Textures yet, but this album has been highly anticipated by my myself and many metal fans for nearly two years now. After releasing their critically acclaimed debut, Polars, in late 2003 Textures began to make a name for themselves by touring with Dillinger Escape Plan, Meshuggah, Machine Head, and Cult of Luna to name a few. Their sophomore album for Listenable Records, Drawing Circles, finds them expanding on their progressive and melodic death metal sound. They still desire to make your ears bleed, but also aim to soothingly wash it away with gorgeous passages intertwined, such as the breathtaking track, "Upwards". Fans of In Flames, Meshuggah, and Soilwork should definitely take note, because this album does not fail.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/pepper.jpg Pepper-No Shame(Atlantic)
Website (http://www.pepperlive.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/pepperlive)
Ska/punk/funk group Pepper have been building a grassroots following since their move to California in 1999, to the point that their latest album, No Shame, will be released by Atlantic Records. Sad to say for the hard work they've put in, No Shame, is very uneventful, bordering on painful to listen to. They attempt to combine the sounds of 311, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Less Than Jake, and Bob Marley and the Wailers, but they fail to find that special something that makes a band like this enjoyable. Stay clear of this one.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/hopecon.jpg The Hope Conspiracy-Death Knows Your Name(Deathwish)
Website (http://www.thehopeconspiracy.net) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/hopecon)
Finally after what seemed like an eternity, The Hope Conspiracy have returned with their first album since 2002, and what a welcome return it is. Since helping pioneer a metallic hardcore sound many moons ago and then dissappearing, thousands of would be takers of the thrown have emerged but could never fill out the crown left behind by the Hope Con. Death Knows Your Name's 11 tracks and 35 minutes of pounding fury thrust the Hope Con right back into the limelight and leading a pack of sucky copy-cat bands. Along with Converge and Shai Hulud, there aint much out there that can hold a candlestick to the mighty Hope Conspiracy. Thank goodness these guys are back.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/octavemuseum.jpg Steven Brodsky's Octave Museum-Octave Museum(Hydra Head)
Website (http://www.myspace.com/theoctavemuseum/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/theoctavemuseum)
Let me tell you something about Stephen Brodsky: his family crest is a picture of a barracuda eating Neil Armstrong! Oh wait, I’m thinking of Bill Brasky. Well, Brodsky has done a lot of amazing stuff too, including his time as the frontman of popular space rock band Cave In as well as a couple of great solo projects. He’s been responsible for some truly killer tunes over the past decade, and his most recent foray into the realms of solo music – titled only The Octave Museum – is no exception. The album, which will be released through Hydra Head Records on November 7th, features 10 tracks and 35 + minutes of gorgeous melodies. Combining the funky pop sensibilities of Spoon and Ben Folds with the songwriting prowess of The Mountain Goats, The Octave Museum offers a truly enjoyable listening experience.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/heavylow.jpg Heavy Heavy Low Low-Everything's Watched, Everyone's Watching(Ferret)
Website (http://www.myspace.com/heavyheavylowlow) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/heavyheavylowlow)
Heavy Heavy Low Low are the inaugural signing of the newly created New Weathermen imprint (as part of Ferret Music), the label was actually formed around the band. The band formed in 2004 and were originally a screamo outfit, but since their average age currently is 19, the two years since their inception has given them lots of time and experience to evolve. With no formal training in music at all, it's quite amazing the type of free-form jazz metal these boys are able to explore. Over the course of the 11 tracks and barely 22 minutes of music on their debut, Everything's Watched, Everyone's Watching, they destroy all with their unique brand of spazz-core chaos. If you search somewhere between Fall of Troy, The Number 12 Looks Like You, The Jesus Lizard, and Protest the Hero, then you are starting to understand.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/casketsalesmen.jpg Casket Salesmen-Sleeping Giants(Longhair Illuminati)
Website (http://www.casketsalesmen.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/casketsalesmen)
Best friends Nathan Lindeman and Phil Pirrone left their band of 5 years, A Static Lullaby, in late 2005. It was a tough decision to leave something that they had practically grown up with and built such a name around, but it was time. So in December of 2005 they formed their new group, Casket Salesmen, and began demoing for their first LP. Sick of the screamo scene, they set out to create something entirely different, and on their debut effort, Sleeping Giants, they have done just that. The album will be released in late October via their own label, Longhair Illuminati, and the excitement around the release is more than warrented. They combine the gigantic stoner riffage of Queens of the Stone Age and Open Hand and seemlessly weave it with the sonic spaciness of Cave In and a less pretentious Mars Volta. At 10 tracks and 45 minutes, it's an earful to take in and they take the massive progressive rock to another level. Their lightening fast transformation is nothing short of amazing, and they have quickly surpassed everything they did in their previous band.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/escapethefate.jpg Escape the Fate-Dying Is Your Latest Fashion(Epitaph)
Website (http://www.escapethefate.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/escapethefate)
First impression is big for most us when making a decision whether or not we like someone/something. At first glance, Escape the Fate look like the 21st century version of a younger Motley Crue. Many people will easily write them off because of this, but the one thing you cannot deny is their ability to write a catchy tune. First track on the disc “Webs I Weave” is probably their best to date, as well as “Situations”. The one thing that the guys need to lose is the pointless screaming and death metal growls (See “Guillotine”) and all the eyeliner and Nikki Sixx haircuts. Escape the Fate are playing a genre that is slowly dying, but until then, if you are looking for some songs with infectious hooks and some rifftacular guitars, you’ll enjoy this.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/spitalfield.jpg Spitalfield-Better Than Knowing Where You Are(Victory)
Website (http://www.spitalfield.net/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/spitalfield)
Better Than Knowing Where You Are is Spitalfield’s third full-length album and with each album the guys have “matured”, you could say. With this new album they followed the same suit as the last album, but some of the songs do sound a lot more radio friendly. Oh no, he said “radio friendly”, that usually means it’s bad. Well, I wouldn’t say this new album is great, but it’s not horrible. There are some catchy songs on this disc like “”The Only Thing That Matters” and “Curtain Call”, but there are more fillers than gems on this disc. Also, it could be my ears, but the production sounds very dry, which in turn makes the songs harder to stand out.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/astaticlullaby.jpg A Static Lullaby-A Static Lullaby(Fearless)
Website (http://www.astaticlullaby.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/astaticlullaby)
They’re back and better than ever. The band lost some members, switched back to an indie label, and the list goes on, but the guys are coming out swinging. The new self-titled disc you could say is a mix of And Don’t Forget to Breathe and Faso Latido. Doesn’t that sound good? It does to me. If the songs they have up on their MySpace page aren’t an indication of what to expect, I don’t know what else to tell you, but be ready to fall in love with A Static Lullaby all over again.
--Adam Roncaglione
with contributions from Scott Miller and Chris Conlan
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/fearbefore.jpg Fear Before The March Of Flames-The Always Open Mouth(Equal Vision)
Website (http://www.marchofflames.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/marchofflames)
Once again, a band that I completely detested, have reinvented themselves and created a masterpiece. Fear Before the March of Flames always fell into that overly generic vat of nasally screaming, wannabe hardcore bands, and for that I always dismissed them as a band and any music that came my way. Now on their 3rd release for Equal Vision Records, The Always Open Mouth, displays a band who have matured and branched away from a scene so willing to ape itself to the direst of results. Over the course of 14 tracks and 45 minutes of sonic, metallic art metal, Fear Before have catipulted themselves into a league with the best. Joining equal parts of Cave In, Converge, and the spastic high pitched insanity of The Blood Brothers, The Always Open Mouth, is truly an astounding and unexpected musical experience.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/textures.jpg Textures-Drawing Circles(Listenable)
Website (http://www.texturesband.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/textures)
Many of you may not have heard of Textures yet, but this album has been highly anticipated by my myself and many metal fans for nearly two years now. After releasing their critically acclaimed debut, Polars, in late 2003 Textures began to make a name for themselves by touring with Dillinger Escape Plan, Meshuggah, Machine Head, and Cult of Luna to name a few. Their sophomore album for Listenable Records, Drawing Circles, finds them expanding on their progressive and melodic death metal sound. They still desire to make your ears bleed, but also aim to soothingly wash it away with gorgeous passages intertwined, such as the breathtaking track, "Upwards". Fans of In Flames, Meshuggah, and Soilwork should definitely take note, because this album does not fail.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/pepper.jpg Pepper-No Shame(Atlantic)
Website (http://www.pepperlive.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/pepperlive)
Ska/punk/funk group Pepper have been building a grassroots following since their move to California in 1999, to the point that their latest album, No Shame, will be released by Atlantic Records. Sad to say for the hard work they've put in, No Shame, is very uneventful, bordering on painful to listen to. They attempt to combine the sounds of 311, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Less Than Jake, and Bob Marley and the Wailers, but they fail to find that special something that makes a band like this enjoyable. Stay clear of this one.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/hopecon.jpg The Hope Conspiracy-Death Knows Your Name(Deathwish)
Website (http://www.thehopeconspiracy.net) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/hopecon)
Finally after what seemed like an eternity, The Hope Conspiracy have returned with their first album since 2002, and what a welcome return it is. Since helping pioneer a metallic hardcore sound many moons ago and then dissappearing, thousands of would be takers of the thrown have emerged but could never fill out the crown left behind by the Hope Con. Death Knows Your Name's 11 tracks and 35 minutes of pounding fury thrust the Hope Con right back into the limelight and leading a pack of sucky copy-cat bands. Along with Converge and Shai Hulud, there aint much out there that can hold a candlestick to the mighty Hope Conspiracy. Thank goodness these guys are back.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/octavemuseum.jpg Steven Brodsky's Octave Museum-Octave Museum(Hydra Head)
Website (http://www.myspace.com/theoctavemuseum/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/theoctavemuseum)
Let me tell you something about Stephen Brodsky: his family crest is a picture of a barracuda eating Neil Armstrong! Oh wait, I’m thinking of Bill Brasky. Well, Brodsky has done a lot of amazing stuff too, including his time as the frontman of popular space rock band Cave In as well as a couple of great solo projects. He’s been responsible for some truly killer tunes over the past decade, and his most recent foray into the realms of solo music – titled only The Octave Museum – is no exception. The album, which will be released through Hydra Head Records on November 7th, features 10 tracks and 35 + minutes of gorgeous melodies. Combining the funky pop sensibilities of Spoon and Ben Folds with the songwriting prowess of The Mountain Goats, The Octave Museum offers a truly enjoyable listening experience.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/heavylow.jpg Heavy Heavy Low Low-Everything's Watched, Everyone's Watching(Ferret)
Website (http://www.myspace.com/heavyheavylowlow) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/heavyheavylowlow)
Heavy Heavy Low Low are the inaugural signing of the newly created New Weathermen imprint (as part of Ferret Music), the label was actually formed around the band. The band formed in 2004 and were originally a screamo outfit, but since their average age currently is 19, the two years since their inception has given them lots of time and experience to evolve. With no formal training in music at all, it's quite amazing the type of free-form jazz metal these boys are able to explore. Over the course of the 11 tracks and barely 22 minutes of music on their debut, Everything's Watched, Everyone's Watching, they destroy all with their unique brand of spazz-core chaos. If you search somewhere between Fall of Troy, The Number 12 Looks Like You, The Jesus Lizard, and Protest the Hero, then you are starting to understand.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/casketsalesmen.jpg Casket Salesmen-Sleeping Giants(Longhair Illuminati)
Website (http://www.casketsalesmen.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/casketsalesmen)
Best friends Nathan Lindeman and Phil Pirrone left their band of 5 years, A Static Lullaby, in late 2005. It was a tough decision to leave something that they had practically grown up with and built such a name around, but it was time. So in December of 2005 they formed their new group, Casket Salesmen, and began demoing for their first LP. Sick of the screamo scene, they set out to create something entirely different, and on their debut effort, Sleeping Giants, they have done just that. The album will be released in late October via their own label, Longhair Illuminati, and the excitement around the release is more than warrented. They combine the gigantic stoner riffage of Queens of the Stone Age and Open Hand and seemlessly weave it with the sonic spaciness of Cave In and a less pretentious Mars Volta. At 10 tracks and 45 minutes, it's an earful to take in and they take the massive progressive rock to another level. Their lightening fast transformation is nothing short of amazing, and they have quickly surpassed everything they did in their previous band.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/escapethefate.jpg Escape the Fate-Dying Is Your Latest Fashion(Epitaph)
Website (http://www.escapethefate.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/escapethefate)
First impression is big for most us when making a decision whether or not we like someone/something. At first glance, Escape the Fate look like the 21st century version of a younger Motley Crue. Many people will easily write them off because of this, but the one thing you cannot deny is their ability to write a catchy tune. First track on the disc “Webs I Weave” is probably their best to date, as well as “Situations”. The one thing that the guys need to lose is the pointless screaming and death metal growls (See “Guillotine”) and all the eyeliner and Nikki Sixx haircuts. Escape the Fate are playing a genre that is slowly dying, but until then, if you are looking for some songs with infectious hooks and some rifftacular guitars, you’ll enjoy this.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/spitalfield.jpg Spitalfield-Better Than Knowing Where You Are(Victory)
Website (http://www.spitalfield.net/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/spitalfield)
Better Than Knowing Where You Are is Spitalfield’s third full-length album and with each album the guys have “matured”, you could say. With this new album they followed the same suit as the last album, but some of the songs do sound a lot more radio friendly. Oh no, he said “radio friendly”, that usually means it’s bad. Well, I wouldn’t say this new album is great, but it’s not horrible. There are some catchy songs on this disc like “”The Only Thing That Matters” and “Curtain Call”, but there are more fillers than gems on this disc. Also, it could be my ears, but the production sounds very dry, which in turn makes the songs harder to stand out.
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/albumoftheweek/astaticlullaby.jpg A Static Lullaby-A Static Lullaby(Fearless)
Website (http://www.astaticlullaby.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/astaticlullaby)
They’re back and better than ever. The band lost some members, switched back to an indie label, and the list goes on, but the guys are coming out swinging. The new self-titled disc you could say is a mix of And Don’t Forget to Breathe and Faso Latido. Doesn’t that sound good? It does to me. If the songs they have up on their MySpace page aren’t an indication of what to expect, I don’t know what else to tell you, but be ready to fall in love with A Static Lullaby all over again.
--Adam Roncaglione
with contributions from Scott Miller and Chris Conlan