Ok, there haven't been many updates for some time now and there are a couple of reason for it:
I've been busy writing for both Corezine.net and, as I haven't mentioned yet, The NewReview, as well as the fact that I've just started studying again. That means I won't be updating this blog each and every time I write a review.
So if you're interested in reading my reviews - as well as the reviews of the other great writers - go ahead and start following both Corezine and The NewReview!
Until next time,
Max
9/3/10
7/31/10
7/7/10
My review of an up-and-coming band called Mass Of Oceans is up at this very moment. They're all 17 years old, and talented as hell. Make sure you check them out!
7/6/10
New review and some good news!
My review of Emarosa's new self-titled album is up at Corezine for those who may be interested!
Emarosa - Emarosa
And to the good news - I've been appointed owner of Corezine.net! Jimmie is stepping down and decided to put me in charge, and I really thank him for that and I'm going to do my absolute best to keep the good work up and possibly develop the zine into something more!
7/5/10
TDWP posts new song
The Devil Wears Prada have posted a new song from their upcoming EP, Zombie. Scroll down to the bottom of the player, it's niftily hidden! The album is scheduled for release August 24th.
6/24/10
I just remembered I've forgotten to link recent reviews I've written.
The Ghost Inside - Returners
That's it for now, make sure you check back for my coming review of Emarosa's self-titled release due June 29th!
6/16/10
Sort By Title - Lost [2010]
Genre: Metalcore/Punk
Label: Unsigned
URL: http://www.myspace.com/sortbytitle
Country: Trollhättan, Sweden
Note: By band request
You can almost feel the thoughts behind the band's name: "Dang, can't think of anything. Hm, let's browse some through iTunes and maybe we'll find some inspiration... Mm, okay.. Sort by title... ... waaaait..!"
Sort By Title, hailing from the same town as Walking With Strangers - Trollhättan - has a very youth-ish sound to them which sure could deserve a little refining and maturity. I'm pretty sure Sort By Title wants their music to be heavy and hard hitting, but it's fairly weak and sounds like an average 90's punk band, except it features (relatively decent) screaming. However. Something that cuts my ears like a razor is the horrible, horrible clean vocals. Pretty much constantly out of key it makes me want to put pens in my ears to make it stop.
Music-wise it's pretty straight forward with very basic riffs and drum patterns. Also, I don't know if it's meant to be but the slam pad they're using sounds a little too electric to be good.
As parting words I think Sort By Title needs much refinement to make their work interesting. It's all too monotone and basic to catch your ear. The screaming is pretty decent, but they need much more work with their music and clean vocals.
Score: 5/10
I've decided to remove the Best track-part from reviews. Nothing personal against Sort By Title, but I've noticed it's hard to choose a best track on some records so it's better if I choose none at all.
6/15/10
Hultsfredfestivalen
One of the biggest festivals in Sweden, Hultsfredfestivalen, is soon happening and it's time for those who may be interested to check it out!
With a line-up ranging from local bands whom I've never ever heard of to world-wide stars such as Killswitch Engage and Deftones, it sure is going to be a varying experience.
And if that alone didn't convince you, you would like to know that Last View are playing as well (reviewed on this very blog)! Here's a link to their page on Hultsfred's official website.
And here's a link to the complete line-up (in "Swedish"): http://www.hultsfredsfestivalen.se/artister
With a line-up ranging from local bands whom I've never ever heard of to world-wide stars such as Killswitch Engage and Deftones, it sure is going to be a varying experience.
And if that alone didn't convince you, you would like to know that Last View are playing as well (reviewed on this very blog)! Here's a link to their page on Hultsfred's official website.
And here's a link to the complete line-up (in "Swedish"): http://www.hultsfredsfestivalen.se/artister
5/31/10
Emarosa has posted two new songs from their upcoming self-titled album. I have to say, I didn't like Jonny Craig in Relativity, but the new songs sound pretty dang good. Give it a listen!
And here's the new album cover. Right now it seems pretty weird to me, but I'm sure I'll understand what it means later.
And here's the new album cover. Right now it seems pretty weird to me, but I'm sure I'll understand what it means later.
5/22/10
It's been a while since I reviewed something, but just now my reviews of Sing It Loud's and Go Radio's latest albums are up on Corezine. They may be a little short, but bear with me..!
5/6/10
Yesterday's show featuring Parkway Drive, Despised Icon, Winds Of Plague, The Warriors and 50 Lions is reviewed! Read it here.
I saw The Chariot, iwrestledabearonce and The Eyes Of A Traitor last friday, and my review for that is right here!
I've also reviewed Her Bright Skies' and Social Siberia's latest records.
I've also reviewed Her Bright Skies' and Social Siberia's latest records.
4/27/10
My review of I Am Abominations newest album To Our Forefathers is now viewable for thy pleasure, at Corezine!
4/23/10
4/19/10
4/18/10
Ink Stained Promises - Ink Stained Promises [2010]
Genre: Deathcore/Metalcore
Label: Unsigned
URL: http://www.myspace.com/inkstainedpromises
Country: Gävle, Sweden
Note: By band request
Another swedish band that have that "international" sound most swedish bands are unable to acquire. And another band I've never ever heard of. How come all these good bands are such good hiders? Ink Stained Promises gave me the same surprise as Last View did when I reviewed their album Become The Storm. Really heavy builds that could never give away their swedish heritage, and mindblowingly chaotic vocals.
Being unsigned they have done a real good job producing and recording their own record; it has a very clear quality and sounds really good.
Opening track Loesmael starts the album with a bang. Chaotic. fast and pissed. And on top of that, it's about a minute longer than the rest of the songs on the album - which perfectly filled the cup of awesomeness to the rim.
One of their songs, Beneath The Ocean, features Sebastian Källgren from - oh my god, it's true - Last View. Even though Thomas and Sebastian sound pretty different I'm having a hard time telling them apart in this song. Then again, in almost all songs where some other vocalist features, I have a hard time noticing them.
I'm going to complain about the same thing I did when I reviewed Last View: too few songs! It's almost mean for such a good band to tease the listener with only a handful of songs. However, it only makes you happier when they come out with a full-length later on, because now you know how good they are.
Since they played a show with my good friends in Played Out! in February I hope they'll come to Stockholm again, and when they do I'll make sure I'll catch them live.
Best song: Loesmael
Score: 8/10
4/17/10
Solitude - The Revival EP [2010]
Genre: Melodic Metalcore
Label: Dead Tree Music
URL: http://www.myspace.com/solitudeswe
Country: Värnamo, Sweden
Note: By band request
Having played together for four years, Solitude releases their first official EP through Dead Tree Music. As the band themselves describe it, they are delivering their own form of melodic metalcore.
They have a very typical Swedish sound (don't ask me what Swedish sound is, it can't be explained) that draws my thoughts toward well-known Swedish acts such as and In Flames and Dead By April - with similar radio-friendly sound. Maybe this isn't very surprising since Henrik Udd (In Flames, The Haunted, Soilwork) produced the album and Solitude sound like In Flames gone metalcore.
Patrik Larsson's vocals sound a real lot like Anders Fridén from In Flames - it's almost scary. If I heard The Revival and didn't get to know which band it was, I would bet money on guessing it was In Flames.
But enough comparisons. Solitude is on the verge of melodic death metal, but not quite there yet. I'm thinking trying to aim for that genre would be very fulfilling for the band. I'm sure Henrik Udd could help them with that, should the thought be considered.
All in all, it's pretty solid for a four-song EP and I think even though it only contains such few songs, it serves as a preview of what Solitude will become in an early future.
Best song: The Revival
Score: 7,5/10
4/16/10
Whitechapel posts a new song called The Darkest Day Of Man, from their upcoming album A New Era Of Corruption scheduled to be released 8th of June.
Whitechapel's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/whitechapel
Whitechapel's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/whitechapel
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