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Saturday, March 22, 2003
"Sir Hedgehog (Self-Titled)"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 22, 2003 A.D.
The past few years have been a boom-time for Psychedelic (Stoner) Metal, and Doom Metal. Bands like Queens Of The Stone Age, Sourvein, Fu Manchu, Kyuss, Sixty Watt Shaman, and Black Sabbath carry a loyal following. And 2003 will be no different.
Another cool new band to add to the illustrious list of Psychedelic Metal acts is Sir Hedgehog. Their self-titled debut, out on Lunasound Records, is a scorching display of Classic Doom fused with modern, Grungy Psychedelic Metal.
Imagine Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) singing for Black Sabbath, and that will give you a rough idea of the Sir Hedgehog dynamic. Clean, powerful vocals smoothly swim through the sublime din of Psychedelic guitars awash in waves of beautiful, snarling reverberation. Simply put, it's just killer.
The best of these tracks include "Monster," "Gimmie The Bone," the wailing roar of "Otherside," and "The Cleavage And The Clamp." Sir Hedgehog has a classic, solid feel.
Overall, Sir Hedgehog is a very good band with a unique, interesting sound. This is one worth checking-out. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Queens Of The Stone Age, Sourvein, Fu
Manchu, Kyuss, Sixty Watt Shaman, Black
Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Sons Of Otis,
Goliath, Fudge Tunnel, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. Piece.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 5:29 PM
Friday, March 21, 2003
"Audioslave (Self-Titled)"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 21, 2003 A.D.
The 2003 self-titled debut by Audioslave [Epic/Interscope Records] is exactly what one might expect from a band featuring former members of Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden. Formerly known as Civilian, this act fuses elements of those two bands into a Melodic Metal/Hard Rock style with a flawless, groove-driven sound.
Chris Cornell's vocals are smooth and strong. Tom Morello's guitar wizardry is a vibrant, sharp razor with an experimental edge-he has a virtuoso quality to his playing. The rhythms are melodic, but still chunky on occasion.
The best songs include the powerful, poetic ballad "Like A Stone," "Shadow Of The Sun," "The Last Remaining Light," the ripping "Cochise," and sorrowful power of "Gasoline." Audioslave mixes-it-up well.
Overall, Audioslave has a fine little debut here that is bound to be a Metal/Hard Rock classic someday. That's all that really matters.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Rage Against The Machine, Course Of
Nature, Soundgarden, Theory Of A
Deadman, Default, Fuel, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. Piece.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 3:36 PM
Thursday, March 20, 2003
"'Infernum: Prelude To A New Reign' by Unearthly"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 20, 2003 A.D.
From the depths of the South American Black Metal scene comes a frenetic, hellish thing. That infernal creation is the band Unearthly. Their 2003 opus, "Infernum: Prelude To A New Reign" [Crash, Inc. Records], is a fierce display of Melodic Black Metal devastation.
Fusing the old and the new, Unearthly verges the gulf between Blackened Thrash and modern Melodic Black Metal acts such as Dimmu Borgir, Burzum, and Dissection. They employ a dual vocal assault-a deep growl is juxtaposed against a shrill, raspy shriek. Keyboards are used moderately, but they are used to enhance the guitar rampage.
The best cuts include "Challenging The Heavens," the blistering "Zyklon B (Warlegion)," "Embracement Of Eternal Darkness," and the three-part epic "Battle For The Destruction Of Hypocrisy's Empire." Unearthly has a volatile sound.
Overall, Unearthly is a blackened storm of sonic destruction. Isn't that reason enough? Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Dimmu Borgir, Aeon, Mayhem, Samael,
Serpent Obscene, Burzum, Dissection,
Aborym, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. Piece.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 2:38 PM
"'Greatest Hits, Slashes & Crosschecks' by Slapshot"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 20, 2003 A.D.
Sometimes simple is just good. Such is the case with old school Hardcore. One band that vehemently, and successfully, adheres to this principle is Slapshot. Their 2003 opus, "Greatest Hits, Slashes & Crosschecks" [Bridge Nine Records], is a stomping, spitting, kick-in-the-face slab of early style Hardcore.
Clean vocal yells, pounding rhythms, and churning guitar leads are the basic rule here. It's a style that calls to mind bands such as Agnostic Front, Minor Threat, and Sick Of It All. And Slapshot does it well.
Songs of note include the abusive punch of "Say Goodbye," "I've Had Enough," the new cut "Crossover," "In Your Face," and "No Friends Of Mine." This collection of Slapshot classics (plus two new cuts) is a must for any Hardcore/Punk Rock fan.
Overall, Slapshot has created a solid release in "Greatest Hits, Slashes & Crosschecks." The proof is in the pummeling. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Agnostic Front, Minor Threat, Sick Of It
All, Madball, Downset, H2O, Hoods,
Ramallah, Terror, Atreyu, Dropkick
Murphys, Dwarves, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. Piece.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 12:34 PM
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