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Friday, April 16, 2004
"'Calculus Of Evil' by Psychotogen"
by
Bill Vogel III
April 16, 2004 A.D.
The best new Melodic Death band to come along in ages has to be Psychotogen. Their 2003 opus, "Calculus Of Evil" [Crash Music, Inc.], has a visceral edge to its experimental, progressive quality. Psychotogen stands at the fore of this genre, with legendary acts such as Hypocrisy and In Flames. (They are that good.)
This is precision brutality with sublime elements. Discordant, experimental inflections as well as radiant acoustic instrumentations are used. It's sublime and severe-powerful growled vocals make a rampaging assault through heavy, eloquent guitars. Occasional shrieks and odd-timed rhythms add some chaos to the melodic intensity.
The best of these fearsome odes includes the blasting "Might Is Right," the piano/orchestra tinged avant-garde instrumental "Psychotogen II," "The Gilded Slave," "Descending," and the ultra-melodic guitar (acoustic) instrumental "The Poison Sleep." Psychotogen is diverse, and powerful.
Overall, Psychotogen is stark, sublime, and aggressive. It's the best of all worlds. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Dark Tranquillity, Cryptopsy, Gardenian,
Soulless, Carcass, Arch Enemy, Black
Dahlia Murder, Cannae, As I Lay Dying,
Usurper, Impaled, In Flames, Opeth,
Hypocrisy, Agalloch, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 6:27 PM
Thursday, April 15, 2004
"'Undisputed' by Some Kind Of Hate"
by
Bill Vogel III
Thursday, April 15, 2004 A.D.
When it comes to Old School Hardcore with an aggressive edge, few can match Some Kind Of Hate. Their 2003 opus, "Undisputed" [Bridge Nine Records], is an explosive set of efficiently compact gems of sheer, vicious glory. Some Kind Of Hate does not waste time-each song is short and devastating with all the precision of a surgical bomb strike.
The vocals are aggressive, with a slight growl. The instrumentals are intense, burning displays of wild fury. The guitars hammer together into rhythmic blasts of blunt force power. It is a synergy effect of pure, bone-crushing hook. Some Kind Of Hate is direct, cool, and perfectly noncomplex.
The best of these bloody little razors includes the riotous "Dog Tags," "All My Hero's," "Forgiveness Is A Bitch," the pummeling "You Lose Again," and "Watch Them Fall." Some Kind Of Hate smashes it all.
In summary, Some Kind Of Hate is simply killer. And that is "Undisputed." Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Minor Threat, Madball, Fugazi, H2O,
Sick Of It All, Awkward Thought,
Snapcase, Haste, Turmoil, D.R.I.,
Thursday, Stretch Arm Strong, Norma
Jean, Pro-Pain, Terror, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 4:27 PM
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
"'Tales Of The Knife' by Lucerin Blue"
by
Bill Vogel III
April 14, 2004 A.D.
Another interesting new band to spring from the Melodic Hardcore exit wound is Lucerin Blue. Their 2003 debut, "Tales Of The Knife" [Tooth & Nail Records], adds some subtle shades of Dark Moodcore and Alternative to the mix. The result is dynamic, and viscerally effective.
Dark, moody Hardcore instrumentals that sweat bloody, pummeling grooves are the backbone of the Lucerin Blue mechanics. Vocals alternate between clean yells and shrieking growls. Lucerin Blue has a stark glory all their own.
Songs of excellent note include the powerful "Man Made Weapon," "Off The Mark," the angst-driven love song "This Letter," and "Game." Lucerin Blue is uniquely severe, yet sublimely melodic.
Overall, Lucerin Blue leaves their mark like a beautiful scar. Stay savage. Farewell.
Related Bands: Three Days Grace, Element Eighty, Alien
Ant Farm, Pressure 4-5, Taproot, A
Static Lullaby, Beloved, Onesidezero,
Glasseater, etc.
Keep the faith, and the AGGRESSION.
Copyright 2004.
Courtesy of Stranger Aeons Magazine.
W.B. Vogel III 11:08 AM
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