Beatrix Kiddo
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Beatrix Kiddo stopped into the O Zone Lair this past weekend for a two day recording extravaganza! Check out the O Zone Lair for review, sound clips, photos, and more...
Labels: O Zone News
posted by Conqueror @ 9:30 AM,
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Song of the Week v.5
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tool Live 1996 Pomona, CA
Tool has been one of my favortie bands the moment I listened to one of their albums all the way through, it was Anema. One of my favorite songs on the album is Thrid-Eye. The scream Maynard unleashes at 3:06 is 15 seconds long and invokes many feelings in the listener. Danny Carey's skills behind is drum set are sick and deserves more credit for his drumming than he gets. The guitar playing of Adam West is always superb and the bass that sets the mood for almost all Tool songs is ever present. Seeing this band at an early stage of their career such is this is always good to give the lisetner a sense of how bands do or do not change over the years. One thing that has never changed for this band is the ability to work together to produce a moving sound to keep the listener interested in what is going to happen next.
Labels: Song of the Week
posted by O Team Press @ 6:27 AM,
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Cage - Hell's Winter: The Tour DVD
CAGE
Hell’s Winter: The Tour DVD
So I have been a big fan of Cage (Chris Palko) for a number of years. The last album he released was titled “Hell’s Winter” and was released on Definitive Jux Records, Sept. 2005. Right after the release of the album, he went on tour to promote the album, and in the process decided to record in the good old DIY fashion, and release the tour experience on DVD.
The film is gritty and crude. The live concert footage is average at best. Sometimes the audio is all mumbled. But there are its highlights, such as Katie from the website Godsgirls.com showing a little bit of skin, hotel room air-rifle shoot-outs, and even a surprise appearance from Shia Labeouf (from Transformers), and a lot of eating contest and puking afterwards.
Sadly to say, I was somewhat disappointed with the DVD. I was expecting more, like some interviews and more behind the scenes footage. If you are a fan of Cage’s work, then I would recommend this dvd to add to your collection. Just don’t get your hopes up and expect to be amazed.
- Zack Macauley
Labels: AlbumReviews
posted by O Team Press @ 5:02 AM,
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Sharkey & C Rayz Walz are... MONSTER MAKER
Grade: A
If the cliche "Hip-Hop is dead" is true, then I have recently encountered it's angry, haunting spirit. If you've ever heard of the emcee known as C-Rayz Walz, then you're already familiar with his unpredictable, in-your-face and abstract style of linguistic wizardry. Sharkey on the other hand, for fundamental Hip-Hop fans such as myself, has come virtually out of nowhere, but immediately worked his way into the ranks of experimentally trail blazing producers such as Daybre, RJD2 and El-P, (the latter coincidentally also share Definitive Jux affiliation with C-Rayz).
But don't sleep, this album is far more than your typical underground Hip-Hop demonstration. It's more of an orgy of Hip-Hop, Punk, Funk, Rock, Acid-Jazz and Drum-n-Bass being narrated by a schizophrenic slam poet.
Upon my first listen, I had the slimmest idea of what was in store. Immediately following the strange, yet intriguing intro, came this explosion of instrumental emotion called 'This Ol' Twisted World'. Picture U2, meets DJ Shadow, meets Captain Kirk, on dust. The end of the song features various people in various languages saying "this world is a monster maker". Then BAM!!! My personal favorite on the disc, 'My Way' comes in with this incredible marching drum beat, electronic blips trickling down with vocal chants, ooh's and aah's lacing it's thumping pulse. At this point, I was already convinced that this was going to be a great listen.
Sharkey is not afraid of finding new grooves, directions and possibly new genre's to explore and create. I come across a ton of music and it's rare that I find something that makes me say "I've never heard anything like this before". Sometimes an exaggerated display electric instrumental-ism, sometimes just drum programming at it's finest, his style of producing is, in my humble opinion, pure genius.
Even their version of Eddy Grant's 1983 smash hit 'Electric Avenue' was tastefully recreated and delivered with C-Rayz giving a brief 8 bar verse, but repeatedly chanting the original chorus with gusto.
With the previously mentioned standout 'My Way' and others like 'Loss of Niche' and 'The Moment Before Crazy', Sharkey's mesh of styles and C-Rayz Walz's energetic and creative lyrics combine to make a roller coaster ride of rhythmic, exciting, sci-fi drama.
This album = next level... and personally, I think they've created a monster.
Peep the Monster Maker (reality show?) Preview
- Arablak
Labels: AlbumReviews
posted by Arablak @ 5:01 AM,
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Choose your Battles(last show), Mourdella, Withered, Light Pupil Dilate(CD Release) - 11-24-06 - Drunken Unicorn
Choose your Battles - http://www.myspace.com/chooseyourbattlesband
Mourdella - http://www.myspace.com/mourdella
Withered - http://www.myspace.com/withered
Light Pupil Dilate - http://www.myspace.com/lightpupildilate
I would like to say that this was one of the best shows I have been to all year, every band was great, the vibe was great, the people were great, and the music was awesome. This was an ideal show of local musicians and fans coming together and being the community we all want it to be.
Choose Your Battles
This was my first Choose Your Battles show, unfortunately, this was their last show. This three piece played high energy, mathy, rock music. Super overdriven bass guitar, off kilter guitar riffs, and very solid drums ripped while the John belted out all things he felt relevant. The set started off with a good five minutes of music before the singing came in. There was just as much music played without lyrics as with lyrics, I LOVE IT. Their music was a nice relief from the sometimes stagnant indie scene and couldn't have fit in better with the rest of the bands of the evening. Good luck to all of them in their future en devours and I look forward to a reunion show.
This was the first time I had seen or heard Mourdella. They played a version of punk rock that included more than 3 power chords and a 4/4 beat. Jessica on vocals was a great stage presence with a punk rock attitude, beer = fuel = fun. Her scream is intense and really peaked out my ears as if I was at a metal show. The rhythm section was extremely tight and Mike on guitar colored the music without distracting from the band as a whole. Mourdella put on a great set and I would definitely like to see them again.
Next up was Withered, and OMFG....OMFG!!! Withered somehow managed to pull all of the energy in the universe into the Drunken Unicorn, then proceeded to pound it into my being as far as my soul would stretch for about 40 minutes. Beau destroyed the drums, I am not sure how his set even manages to stand up to that kind of abuse. Mike on bass brought a huge sound and presence to the stage, which is necessary when there are two full stacks on either side of him with monster guitar screaming out of them. Both guitarist played off each other seamlessly also complimenting each other on vocal screams and growls. This is definitely high on the list for the heaviest music I have every experienced. Thank you for that.
Headlining was Light Pupil Dilate for their CD release. I first heard of these guys after talking with Chris of C.Y.B. and seeing them on their myspace. I was instantly impressed with the music and ready to see it live. This three piece brings the pain loud. Michael Green is very technically inclined on drums and mixed it up the entire time keeping me on my toes. On guitar is Eric Searle ripping it up with distortion or slowing it down with some delay over dominating bass and drums, he manages to feed the sound to perfectly compliment the rhythm section. On bass and chatter was M.Chvasta(?), he is a big dude with an even bigger bass rig to help get his point across. Both he and Eric use effects masterfully creating a gigantic sound to cover the audience.
I had a great time, met some great people, and swapped some CDs(Light Pupil Dilate review coming soon...). It is unfortunate that I attended this show alone but fortunately the community at Drunken Unicorn that night was very accepting.
-Bret
Labels: ShowReviews
posted by Conqueror @ 5:00 AM,
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The Fall of Troy, Clutch, Coheed and Cambria - Tabernacle ATL - 11-20-07
Tabernacle - Atlanta - 11-20-07
The Fall of Troy - http://www.myspace.com/thefalloftroy
Clutch - http://www.pro-rock.com/
Coheed and Cambria - http://www.myspace.com/coheedandcambria
Following proper OTeam procedure, we were a little late getting to the venue last night. On the walk to the venue we could hear Fall of Troy playing on stage. We quickly obtained wristbands and made a beeline for the entrance. Within three minutes of arriving, we had pushed our way to 30 feet from the stage right in front of the sound board. This band was rocking, and they were doing it with authority. I do not know how familiar the crowd was with Fall of Troy, but there was enough movement throughout the crowd to tell that the audience was enjoying the music. Thomas Erak was in constant movement when not posed in front of the microphone screaming his life-force into it. The energy presented by the entire band was very intense and flowed into the crowd which absorbed it. Fall of Troy’s normal bass player Tim Ward has taken a break from touring and was replaced by a close friend of the band named Frank. Frank and drummer Andrew Forsman held the beat together no matter what Erak threw at them with his insane guitar work. These three musicians have their act together and play at a level that some people cannot understand. Since we missed the start of their set, we only got to hear a total of three songs. Within these three songs, Fall of Troy displayed just how well they can work together to thrill the listener. Right when the song seemed to be over, it would attack right back at you again for another four minutes, making you forget that you thought the track was through. At the end of the show, Erak looped a fast, repeating guitar riff while Frank and Forsman built louder and louder for the finale. Erak posted up on top of the front monitors and began to scream, not wearing his guitar which was looping itself over and over. Once the band was finished, all members abandoned their instruments and did not come back for an encore. If you leave all of yourself out on the stage, there is no reason to return.
Clutch came next. Sound checks can sometimes be very hectic, but the staff at the Tabernacle has no problem getting the sound ready to go for the next band in a very timely fashion. Clutch was a little more laid-back than Fall of Troy as far as style of play is concerned. Not that they did not do a good job on stage, but the styles were very different. I was entertained by the music, but it did not stray too far from normal that it made me leave my spot at the bar. The drummer, Jean-Paul Gaster, showed very good speed and endurance during the show but always seemed to come back to the same jazz style fill every time it was time for him to add something to the music. The keyboard player was not noticed until a slow part in the second or third song where he was prominent. His sounds was good but again, could only be heard at certain times. If this was planned, then I believe as a member of the band, he could be doing much more to push the envelope of the music. The bass and kick drum were thumping so hard I could feel it all the way through my body and felt like it was also shaking everything else in the venue. The type of music played would be enjoyed anywhere due to its mainstream nature, and the crowd responded very well to all of the songs. Overall the set was enjoyable but was not especially memorable.
Headliner Coheed and Cambria took the stage last. I have seen Coheed after the release of In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3, which was also at the Tabernacle. Upon taking the stage, one of the first things that I noticed was new backup singers. It is not known when the decision was made to put attractive ladies on stage to entertain the crowd while the same music is blasted through the venue's speakers, but it has been done. Coheed and Cambria sounded the same as the first time I saw them, and I almost felt as I was watching the same show just different songs and standing in a different place. I suppose that once you find success in a sound, it is difficult to leave it behind and try something new and creative. It is also possible that the market has an influence on this. That said, we left after three songs to head home. I was very disappointed by the lack of development in the music of Coheed and Cambria. Their skills as musicians has improved, but their willingness to conform to a sound and not take their music into unknown territory is what separates victims of the industry from true artists.
- Steven Mosley
Labels: ShowReviews
posted by oriax @ 5:00 AM,
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Bilal @ Sol Fusion, Wed, Nov 21
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday night was one to remember. I took the 20 minute trip from my home to club Sol Fusion, accompanied by my lovely wife and 2 sister-in-laws (one of which directed us to the wrong club.... thanks Mel!). We were a bit of a mess, arriving around 9:15pm, which we though was late, since it was advertised that Bilal, was to perform at "9:00pm sharp". After purchasing our $30 tickets at the door, and some overpriced, watered down drinks (Redbul & vodka = $10!!!), we realized the show hadn't started yet, found some good stage-side seats and awaited the show.
We spent another 30 minutes or so looking around the room, poking fun at some of the local fashion experiments and odd characters the band ignited the first notes of the night.Bilal opened with 'Something To Hold On To' the first track from his unreleased, but heavily bootlegged LP 'Love For Sale', which leaked early 2006. The majority of the crowd sang along verbatim, and Bilal playfully made comments like "Damn, ya'll all got the bootleg, huh?". He followed with high voltage songs like 'For U' and the Jay Dee aka J Dilla produced 'Reminisce', both from his 2001 debut LP 'First Born Second'. Expecting less, I was pleasantly proved wrong about the energy Bilal would bring to the stage.
The band was great, playing accurate interpretations of his catalogue, but taking drum, keyboard and lead guitar solos to the net echelon. Bilal also got involved, stroking a Wurlitzer, but also nearly kicking it into the crowd as he exploded into a rock star-esque stage fit, jumping onto the keys and crashing into mic stands and nearly fumbling into fellow band members. This display was received well from the amped audience of approximately 500 people. He wooed women with his hit song 'Soul Sista', and had a handful of guests, including Atlanta's own Joi (Dungeon Family & Lucy Pearl fame) join him in singing the jazzy 'Make Me Over'. The highlight of the night was the nit-picking classic 'Sometimes', followed by his smash hit 'Fast Lane'.
Aside from being around an hour late, Bilal understands the vitality of making a personal connection with his audience, and he has fun while doing it. The direct result is a building full of appreciative fans, thirsty for a new release from an extremely talented and passionate vocalist. I for one look forward to his next show, but next time I plan to sneak in my own bottle, and enjoy the festivities even more.
And my sister-in-law's navigation worked just fine when it was time for a photo:
- Arablak
Labels: ShowReviews
posted by Arablak @ 6:50 AM,
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Song of the Week v.4
Monday, November 19, 2007
Darkest Hour - Doomsayer
http://myspace.com/darkesthour
I have listened to Darkest Hour a couple times before, they were not done with this album yet. But upon returning I found some most excellent music. Doomsayer is the first song of their newest album Deliver Us and is a solid example of what you get to hear over the next 40 minutes. Very proficient technical guitars, percussion using a wide range of rhythms, topped off with engaging vocals make up not only this track but the entire album.
- Bret Phillips
Labels: Song of the Week
posted by O Team Press @ 5:29 AM,
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Blu & Exile - 'Below the Heavens'
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Grade: A-
As the current state of hip-hop music is congested with simplistic hooks, keyboard beats, elementary rhyme schemes and generic images, it's beyond refreshing to hear an offering deviating from the usual formula. Blu, a fresh new voice hailing from the city of Lost Angels and a Detroit semi-veteran on the underground circuit, named Exile, have combined talents to culminate one of the best offerings I've heard in a long time. Blu's personal yet braggadocios rhymes bless Exile's Detroit based, layered drums & graceful sample laced tracks, all with a chemistry reminiscent of CL Smooth and the great Pete Rock.
At 22 years old, it's not difficult to see that Blu will be a prominent force during his time here. His cadence and content are thorough from the opening 'My World Is...', where he confidently introduces himself over a stuttering horn loop and vocal sample randomly shouting "blue!!!", to the closing 'The World Is...' giving his honest insight of what drives a person to rebel in the face of normality and their personal hells vs. heavens. One of my favorite tracks is 'The Narrow Path', another focal point of the albums conceptual premise of personal struggle, where Blu effortlessly cuts through Exile's mellow dramatic yet uplifting production with his naturally stylish vocal delivery.
Those primarily interested in production will find that Exile is no lackey either. Each track has that signature Detroit essence, but without conforming to the expected synth-tinged sound. On the track 'I Am...' he even steps into the vocal booth, bullying wack emcees and going back and forth with Blu, proving he is a threat on both sides of the board. When it's become the full circle commonality for one producer to lay the backdrop for entire albums, it's tough to find LP's diverse enough to enjoy from beginning to end. But as The RZA did with 'Enter the 36 Chambers' in 1993, Exile provides an entertaining soundscape ranging from serious to downright silly, all while maintaining his signature sound.
For those who love good hip-hop music, I recommend purchasing this album. And for those who hate hip-hop music, I recommend purchasing this album as an opportunity to experience just how good hip-hop can be outside of Viacom's bullshit influence.
See the video for 'So(ul) Amazing' here:
I know... it's dope.
- Arablak
Labels: AlbumReviews
posted by Arablak @ 3:00 AM,
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Endwell, Beneath the Sky, Lennox(CD Release) - Swayzes - 11-05-07
11-05-07 Swayzes
Endwell - http://www.myspace.com/endwell
Beneath the Sky - http://www.myspace.com/beneaththesky
Lennox - http://www.myspace.com/lennoxrock
After months of planning, Lennox was finally able to orchestrate a concert to celebrate the release of their new CD, "This is What We're After...". Though bands Rome and Dead in Dallas were also on the bill, I only caught the last three acts: Endwell, Beneath the Sky, and Lennox, and each band played and sounded better than the one before it. It also looked like Lennox had promoted the show well as Swayze's had a much bigger crowd than the last few times I have been there.
I had never seen let alone heard Endwell before. According to the singer, they had recently lost three members of the band and found some new guys for the tour. They had been working on new material six weeks prior to the show and played several of those songs for us. The music was nothing new to my ears, heavy riffing over double bass topped with growling vocals. The lead guitarist was KILLING it at times which had me all hyped up, and the drummer did a solid job, but I wish he would have attacked the drums more, especially when he was using the toms because I couldn't hear him. The vocals were not very impressive; his presence was great, but hearing the same scream for 30 minutes got old. I like to hear some dynamics even if the vocals are a metal screaming. For only being a group for six weeks or so, they were pretty tight especially with their new songs.
Beneath the Sky also played to a familiar note, lots of low end, lots of double bass, and lots of screaming. The two guitars looked like they were doing some stuff, but I could only hear one loud muffled sound coming from them. With two guitarists, I expect to hear a lot more than the same breakdown riff layered over itself. They both played hard and showed talent rocking out the whole show regardless. The vocalist was very intense; he had great presence, knew his abilities, and kept my attention the entire set. The drummer was a bit more intense than Endwell. He played clean the entire show and held down the beat, but still lacking the hardcore killing that one would expect with metal. The bass was awesome, I really enjoyed this guy. Mostly because I could hear him, very well actually. Every note shook my insides and filled my desire for that low low low end. He also hit the vocal melodies that the lead singer was unable to do from screaming, it was a good mix.
Lennox is a great group with terrible luck. This is the second time I've seen them play, and again they had some technical difficulties. The first time one of the guitarist broke string fixed by used another band's guitar, and the bass player destroyed his knee fixed by playing the rest of the show sitting on the floor. This time the lead guitarist's entire amp was trashed. By the end of the third song, there was no more lead guitar, and the power to both his amp and the bass amp had gone out. The other three continued to play the rest of the song, as should be expected by a solid band. The singer did a good job of filling the space while they worked out the amp kinks. This kind of talking in between songs is acceptable, especially when he can talk the drummer into a drum solo. For a CD release, and all things considered, the show was great.
It was a good night for music and I felt my money was well spent in return for 3 solid sets. I was also able to obtain a copy of Lennox - This is What We're After...to be reviewed; it will be online in December.
Labels: ShowReviews
posted by Conqueror @ 2:00 AM,
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When are more reviews going to be posted?
Monday, November 12, 2007
Hello internet,
Currently, O Team Press is posting new reviews on the 1st and 15th of every month. There is other content posted daily and weekly as well so stay tuned in.
<3 O Team
Labels: News
posted by O Team Press @ 4:55 AM,
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Song of the Week v.3
Steven:
Don Caballero - Don Caballero 2 - please tokio, please THIS IS TOKIO
http://www.myspace.com/doncaballero
As soon as the song begins you can tell these are not your normal musicians. The mix between Damon Che's groovy rock beat and Ian Williams alien sounding guitar riffs never fail to blow my mind. The first transition at the :53s mark is one of the smoothest I have ever heard from a math rock band, going from a choppy in your face rock to something you would almost certainly hear while in the deepest serenity. At the 2:53 mark Damon Che again shows us his versatility as a drummer, and one of the best around in my opinion. This song is good from start to finish although it is not meant for the mainstream ears of radio listeners, I enjoy hearing this jam again and again.
Labels: Song of the Week
posted by O Team Press @ 4:43 AM,
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Wes Kyatt visits O Zone Lair
Wes Kyatt visited the O Zone liar this past Saturday to work on some music for his solo demo, a briefe review of the day is posted up over on the O Zone Lair page so check it out! Be sure to check out the recordings posted up in the Music section while you are there.
Labels: O Zone News
posted by O Team Press @ 4:00 AM,
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Song of the Week v.2
Monday, November 5, 2007
McCoy Tyner Trio - Passion Dance
from Monterey Jazz Festival 2006
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCoy_Tyner
This is the second song of their set. Special guests Bobby Hutcherson and Roy Hargrove play the entire show with them and this is by far one of the best live jazz sets I have ever heard. Every member rips it up the whole time and McCoy Tyners skill level blows me away, he takes it so far out there.
Labels: Song of the Week
posted by O Team Press @ 12:01 AM,
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Mac Morryzon @ O Zone Lair
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Mac Morryzon came by the O Zone Lair yesterday and laid down some solid vocal tracks over his own beats. Check out the O Zone Lair for review and more...
Labels: O Zone News
posted by O Team Press @ 7:44 AM,
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Radiohead - In Rainbows
Friday, November 2, 2007
Grade: B
Jarring to record labels, Radiohead's In Rainbows leaves the listener satisfied yet concerned that the band has lost its steam. After a prolific release schedule in the first half of the decade, Radiohead has been relatively quiet, allowing time for band members to work on solo projects and recuperate from being in one of the best bands on the planet. In Rainbows picks up where 2004's Hail to the Thief left off with the band tempering their experimentalism and avant-garde sensibilities so that they merely whelm the ears instead of overwhelm them, e.g. “Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors.” The band has found the happy medium between drums and drum machine, electric keyboards and acoustic piano, sample and electric guitar, and in so doing created an atmospheric record, marked with uncertainty for the future and bittersweet nostalgia for the past.
In Rainbows is good, but it sounds like the band is stagnating a bit. There are few surprises, and it doesn't feel like Radiohead pushed the direction of their music much farther than they did on Hail to the Thief. Having said that, strings are much more prominent than they have been in previous records, and the addition pays off in creating a record that may not be earth-shattering in its originality but is still mind-blowing in aestheticism.
Labels: AlbumReviews
posted by MICHAEL aka MIKEY aka THE O @ 1:05 PM,
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Song(s) of the Week v.1
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Bret:
30 Seconds to Mars - Oblivion
A long time favorite of mine. I really enjoy 30STM and this song is a staple of their sound in my opinion. The rhythm guitars are huge while the lead guitar is ringing in my ears, Leto belts it out effortlessly over the music, and the drums are a mix of electronic and acoustic but blended together so that neither is distracting from the other.
Michael:
Kid Koala - Shanky Panky
Created with nothing but two turntables, this song is KK's most shining example of his ability to create something entirely new out things entirely old. Though a pair of tables and a stack of records is not entirely inhibiting, one can hear KK stretch what's possible with them in this hip little tune on the acid jazz tip. Off the Some of My Best Friends Are DJ's album.
Labels: Song of the Week
posted by O Team Press @ 6:01 AM,
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Attila - Fallacy
Attila - Fallacy
http://www.myspace.com/attilaga
Attila's debut album Fallacy is a well-recorded, well-performed debut album from a band of young guys from Atlanta. It left me both satisfied and starved for more. The first couple of listens were intense both sonically and mentally, as they tend to be when the music gets me excited. It seemed as though that I could not stop listening to it; I listened to this album every day for over a week and still throw it into the mix weekly. The vocals are eerie and well-placed in the music. The guitars are ripping sonic energy right through the speakers, and together their dynamics are very tight. The sound doctors that recorded and mixed this album did a tremendous job on the drums in particular. I am really happy with how the kick comes through, and the cymbals are not compressed into non-existence. Outside of the technical aspects of the recording, this album is a treat musically as well.
I am a strong believer in a solid opening, and Attila picked the perfect track. "Sunsets and Death Threats" begins with some exciting interplay between the lead and rhythm guitars before the whole group goes into some ripping heavy rhythms. Within the first minute I could really tell these guys came to play-- tight, clean time-changes, strong vocals, and an apt guitar solo before the third minute of the song. The track keeps my head bobbing from beginning to end.
"Fallacy," the title track, is by far one of my favorites. The guitar on this track is sick. First, they follow up the slow breakdown of the last song with a slow, heavy intro. When the song breaks, it is some of the heaviest guitar I've heard and tickles my ear drums from each side. The whole song feels like it continues to build up endlessly with a small break for a chorus set in a few areas of the song. The track ends with the same heavy riffage from the beginning of the song with a perfect breakdown at the end.
With an incredible closing track, "Flying With the Kennedy's," Attila realize their influence over the listener, creating a rhythmic anthem driven by confident vocals, gigantic guitars, and pounding drums. The song next quickly moves into an intense breakdown and then into the song proper. The rest of the tune is filled with anything from clean guitar over smooth rhythms to some very far out instrument screeching-- definitely a good choice to end the album.
As a whole I think this is a very strong effort by the guys from Attila. The songs sound like they have been whittled down to their most perfect shape, sculpted into an eleven-song album that keeps me interested the entire time without skipping tracks. I hope to hear future recordings from these guys as they continue to improve the music they are making.
- Bret Phillips
Labels: AlbumReviews
posted by O Team Press @ 5:59 AM,
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Apothecary, Sound the Surrender, Attila - CCC 10-19-07
CCC 10-19-07
Apothecary - http://www.myspace.com/apothecaryga
Sound the Surrender - http://www.myspace.com/soundthesurrenderband
Attila - http://www.myspace.com/attilaga
This evening of music was no less than most of the shows I have attended recently with one exception-- I finally got to see two of my good friends do it up with their bands Sound the Surrender and Attila. All three bands that I saw were solid with the level of captivation increasing for each band. The age of the members also increased as the night went on; I wonder if that has anything to do with it? The venue was a bit different for a metal show but the setup worked perfectly, and there were a ton of people there although most were under the legal age to buy cigarettes and quite a few were dropped off in minivans. The whole show was rocking and I felt my money was spent well that night.
First, I would like to describe the venue, Central Christian Church, which is obviously not the first place I would think of to hold a metal show, but where the music goes, people go. The crowd was comprised mostly of high school kids as well as possibly even some middle schoolers. I think it's great that they can tell their parents that they are going to "church" and see some really great metal bands while they are there. No complaints from the parents, lots of rocking out for a friday night. Anyway, the venue was just the main hall of the church with all the seats removed with the steps on the pulpit serving as the stage, leaving plenty of room to mosh and plenty of air to rip through with some serious ampage.
Apothecary are a young group of musicians playing straight-up metal-- nothing fancy or atypical. The lead guitarist and the drummer were the two main players that caught my attention; both of them seemed to be the most familiar with their instruments and loose on stage just jamming out. The whole band was pretty young, but they were all pretty skilled musicians. They played together well and all have a lot of potential to make some great music as long as they stick it out and continue to practice and learn how to coexist as musicians.
After having listened to unpolished mixes of their music for months, Sound the Surrender's performance lived up to my expectations. The guys in the band are young but clearly have some unmined talent, especially the lead guitarist, who played and sounded cleanly. The band is capable, but they are still young and need to work on their stage presence (though he played well, the drummer lacked any intensity) as well as master the art of tweaking the sound of their instruments without having to rely on a third-party sound technician. The bass did not sound quite as full as it should have, nor was the rhythm guitarist miked properly, which made it difficult to hear the harmonies he and the lead shared. Overall though, they sounded great, and I am really excited to hear the new album come together.
Attila's live performance is incomparable to the other bands' that played that night. Both guitarists sounded great; I was able to hear each of them clearly throughout the entire show. The bassist did his job and showed off his talents some by playing part of the show with the bass behind his head. The drummer also played well, but he did not drive the rhythms into territory not already traversed on the album. Chris, Attila's front man is an excellent showman. Still in high school, Fronzie (as he is known to the ladies) is fully aware of his talents as a vocalist and does well to ensure that the audience is into the show by crowd-surfing while singing. This band is full of talent, and I will be going to more of their shows.
Attila
Attilas Pit
-Bret Phillips
Labels: ShowReviews
posted by O Team Press @ 5:58 AM,
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