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Friday, March 28, 2003
"'Meteora' by Linkin Park"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 28, 2003 A.D.
The much anticipated third opus by Linkin Park, entitled "Meteora" [Warner Bros. Records], hit the streets on March 25th. It's a softer, more melodic effort overall. But it is also a very polished, and very good album.
Linkin Park continues to have a complex style, mixing and reshaping elements of Gothic, Rapcore, Techno, Moodcore, and Industrial Metal. There are even slight flashes of Aggro Metal, but Industrial is their greatest influences.
Joseph Hahn's turntables and samples are precise, atmospheric displays of ambience. Chester Bennington's clean vocals and shrieks intertwine with Mike Shinoda's raps/clean vocals-floating through pummeling rhythms (Brad Delson (guitar, bass); Phoenix (bass); and Rob Bourdon on drums), acoustic and electric guitars, and waves of ethereal samples.
The most killer of these tracks include the bludgeoning "Don't Stay," the somber "Somewhere I Belong," "Faint," the experimental Techno ballad "Nobody's Listening," and "Numb." While not being quite as good as "Hybrid Theory," this is still a very good release.
In summary, Linkin Park has succeeded in creating another great opus. Their fans will be well pleased in "Meteora." Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Evanescence, SR-71, Filter, Crossbreed,
Helmet, KMFDM, Godhead, Godflesh, Nine
Inch Nails, Ministry, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 6:41 PM
"'No Helmets, No Pads...Just Balls' by Simple Plan"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 26, 2003 A.D.
The ever-divergent styles of Punk Rock produce a variety of acts from the brutal to the Pop tinged. From the school of Pop Punk comes the band Simple Plan. Their 2003 opus, "No Helmets, No Pads...Just Balls" [Lava Records], follows the traditional Pop Punk rulebook. But what makes this young band standout from the dizzying melee of these acts is their skill and energy.
While being a bit lyrically immature (most Pop Punk bands are though), Simple Plan has a catchy sound with an explosive dynamic. Whiney vocals jump across the hook-driven, guitar blasts and frenetic rhythms. The various elements create a nice synergy, making for solid, great-
sounding Pop Punk.
The most killer of these cuts include: "The Worst Day Ever," the humorous love song "Addicted" ("I'm a dick/I'm addicted to you...), "I'm Just a Kid," the kickin' "I'd Do Anything," and "God Must Hate Me." Simple Plan simply just rocks.
In summary, Simple Plan is one great Pop Punk band. Fans of this style will not be disappointed. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Offspring, Sum 41, Oleander, Green Day,
Fenix TX, All-American Rejects, Ataris,
Jimmy Eat World, Lit, Varuca Salt, NOFX,
American Hi-Fi, Sugarcult, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. Piece.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 6:31 PM
Thursday, March 27, 2003
"'Divine.Desecrate.Complete' by Misteltein"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 27, 2003 A.D.
The virtue of darkness is endlessness. The band Misteltein has an endless, tenebrous fury. Their 2002 release, "Divine.Desecrate.Complete" [World War III Records], is Black Metal at its most harsh and unforgiving glory.
The Misteltein technique is a very raw, primal form of Black Thrash Metal with a slight, melodic underbelly. The psychotic, shrieking vocals drill through the chaotic waves of relentless rhythms and frenzied guitar barrages. There is some keyboards used, but very lightly. It's harsh, but Misteltein does it well. Few bands can....
The best of these dauntless cuts include "Where Angels No More Roam," the rabid blast of "Bloodline Desires," "Ascending Through Descending," and "Entwined." Misteltein is cataclysmic.
Overall, Misteltein has created a storming force in "Divine.Desecrate.Complete." So let the darkness come. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Order From Chaos, Mayhem, Fog, Centinex,
Emperor, Sigh, Throes Of Dawn, Acheron,
Abyss, Aborym, Marduk, Aeon, Darkthrone,
Serpent Obscene, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. Piece.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 12:33 PM
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
"'Dirty Rotten CD' by D.R.I."
by
Bill Vogel III
March 26, 2003 A.D.
From the Halls of Montezuma to some Punks that really Thrashed.... The reissue of D.R.I.'s "Dirty Rotten" CD [Beer City Records] is a must for any fan of classic 1980's Thrash Metal mayhem. It's a torrential display of biting guitar frenzy, and rabid socio-political commentary.
D.R.I. leaned much more strongly on the Punk Rock dynamic of the Speed Metal sound than other bands of this style did. Their songs are short, rapid, and acidic-bursting exchanges of breakneck rhythms and blast-beats typically clocking-in at just under two minutes. (That's why there's over 30 songs on this enhanced CD.)
The best of these cuts include the furious "My Fate To Hate," "I Don't Need Society," "Sad To Be," the blistering "Plastique," "Balance Of Terror," "Violent Pacification," and the bonus track "No KKK (Beer For Breakfast)." Two of the other bonus tracks include "Live Radio Interviews From KPFT In Houston - (Circa 1982)" and "Live Performance at CBGB's - ('83)."
Overall, D.R.I. is a great Thrash band...even if you don't agree with their politics. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Slayer, Testament, Exodus, Metal Church,
Powermad, Excel, Anacrusis, Death Angel,
Sanctuary, Sacred Reich, Megadeth,
Anthrax, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. War.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 11:57 AM
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
"'Does This Look Infected?' by Sum 41"
by
Bill Vogel III
March 25, 2003 A.D.
Straight-ahead, efficient Pop Punk is the key to the Sum 41 dynamic. Their 2002 opus, "Does This Look Infected?" [Island Records], is the best one yet. A bit more aggressive and old school, it depends less heavily on the formulaic Pop Punk sound without abandoning it altogether.
Clean vocals (normal and yelled) hammer through fast guitars, tight melodies, and driving rhythms. It's catchy, melodic, and as direct as a razor. That's the way Punk Rock was meant to be.
The best of these burners include "The Hell Song," "All Messed Up," the anthem "Still Waiting," and "Hooch." Even though there's not a lot of lyrical depth in Sum 41's music, their musicianship alone still makes them a great Pop Punk band. That is reason enough to enjoy them.
In summation, Sum 41 is a killer Pop Punk band that will please most Punk Rock fanatics. So, stop waiting.... Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Fenix TX, Offspring, NOFX, New Found
Glory, Ataris, Good Charlotte, Lit,
Sugarcult, Bif Naked, SR-71, Rival
School, Goo Goo Dolls, Finch, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION. Piece.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 6:25 PM
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