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Friday, October 03, 2003
"'Elephant' by White Stripes"
by
Bill Vogel III
Friday, October 03, 2003 A.D.
In the modern Retro Punk movement, there is one band that stands leagues ahead of the rest. That band is The White Stripes. Their 2003 opus, "Elephant" [V2 Records], is the archetype for great Retro Punk. It infuses a vibrant, heavy-gauge Blues inflection into their already highly skilled style.
Brother-and-sister duo, Jack & Meg White, successfully implement good chemistry as well as power. Solid songwriting is equally matched with great talent. Jack's combination of beer-bottle Blues and old school Punk bash is amazing. Meg's drumming is loose, but perfectly suited for The White Stripes. (And she's cute as a button to boot!)
Jack's vocal yowl fits with the intense, yet soulful White Stripes' dynamic. The harmonies are flawless, but infrequently used. And Meg's soft, unpolished voice takes the lead on a few tracks (e.g. "Well It's True That We Love One Another," etc.).
The best of these excellent cuts includes the rollicking stomp of "Black Math," "Seven Nation Army," the ecstatic roar of "Girl, You Have No Faith In Medicine," the humorous "Little Acorns," and the Bluesy genius of "Ball And Biscuit." The White Stripes slam-it-out with skill, style,
and intensity.
Overall, The White Stripes make great Retro Punk. "Elephant" is easily one of the Best Releases of 2003. It's as cool as that. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: The Vines, Jet, The Music, Yeah Yeah
Yeahs, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 6:19 PM
"'Deus Diabolus Inversus' by Horrified"
by
Bill Vogel III
Friday, October 03, 2003 A.D.
The infinite abysm of Greece has produced many exemplary Metal bands, and one of the very best of those acts is Horrified. Their 2003 opus, "Deus Diabolus Inversus" [The End/Black Lotus Records], is Melodic Death Metal at its experimental best. Horrified does not disappoint.
Touches of Black Metal, Classical, and Avant-Garde elements are fused into the progressive Melodic Death Metal mayhem of Horrified's sound. Powerful, growled vocals are sharpened against clean ones. The guitars are intricate, but still with lots of jagged, vicious hook. Horrified has a style that is complex, intense, and utterly catchy.
Songs of killer note include "Aphorism," "Doberman," the frenzied "Deus Diabolus Inversus," and "Selenes And Endymions Son." Horrified obliterates....
In summary, Horrified has an excellent release in "Deus Diabolus Inversus." (A guest appearance is made on this opus by Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth.) Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: In Flames, Opeth, Gardenian, Agalloch,
Hypocrisy, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 1:18 PM
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
"Southern Isolation (Self-Titled)"
by
Bill Vogel III
October 1, 2003 A.D.
One of the most overlooked releases of 2001 had to be the haunting debut EP by Southern Isolation. Their self-titled, 4 song opus [Relapse/Baphomet Records] is a beautifully dark freefall of atmospheric sorrows. It is not about brutality, it's about sublime darkness. Both amazingly stark and ethereal, Southern Isolation has a captivating sound.
Opal's clean, female vocals have a ghostlike radiance. The guitars are soft and tenebrous-their eloquence adds a powerful intensity to the mix. (Using both electric and acoustic guitars, Southern Isolation implements some more unusual instruments such as piano.) The Southern Isolation style might best be called Southern Gothic Metal, like a subtle fusion of mellow Acid Bath and Evanescence.
The best of these cuts includes the shining glory of the expansive "The Wall Of You," and the melancholic beauty of "I Got Lost In Myself Again." Southern Isolation has an addictive, agonizing quality.
Overall, Southern Isolation is superb. And even though it isn't aggressive, it is still phenomenal. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Evanescence, Acid Bath, Jack Off Jill,
Switchblade Symphony, Cure, Whores Of
Babylon, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 12:24 PM
Sunday, September 28, 2003
"'Route 666' by Single Bullet Theory"
by
Bill Vogel III
September 28, 2003 A.D.
Once in a very great while, an amazing new band raises its ugly head and makes you take notice. Single Bullet Theory is just such an act. Their unique brand of Swedish Style Death Metal bleeds both enthralling hook and aggression, making them even more exemplary in this style.
This Southwest American band has an extremely sharp, tempered ferocity. Intense, blasting guitars are smashed against intricate, Deathrash leads. Rhythms are powerful, perpetuating onslaughts of sublime chaos. The vocals mix intense growls, aggressive yells, and Judas Priest-style screams. And the finished product kills. Think Deathrock fused with Swedish Style Death Metal, with some subtle New Wave Of British Heavy Metal influences....
The best of these explosive cuts includes "Spit," the furious barrage of "Route 666," "Abduction," "Murder Machine," and the thunderous "Automatic Impulse." Single Bullet Theory is unbelievably cool.
In conclusion, Single Bullet Theory burns a new path with "Route 666." And it's one hell of a great ride. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Arch Enemy, Entombed, Carcass, Carnal
Forge, Darkane, Eucharist, Soilwork,
Spawn Of Possession, Konkhra, Night In
Gales, Carnage, Haunted, Usurper, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2003.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 6:37 PM
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