I'm quite surprised the pile keeps at a constant rate for review discs. It seems the weather is keeping the PR types in doors more this year. This week marks an unusual event for me. It is the first time I have ever received two CDs from two different bands with the same name within quick succession of each other. A lawsuit brewing perchance?
You would think people would do a bit more research before coming up with a name. I am well aware that coming up with a name for a band is a pain in the arse. There are many people I know who think my band's name Growing Old Disgracefully is lame and  I have challenged them to come up with something better, with no responses so far.

DVD Reviews

Avenged Sevenfold: Excess all Areas

Metalcore heroes have taken a risk with this DVD. It is pretty much devoid of music at all. It has 5 live tracks as a bit of an aside to the rest of it. However, for fan or non-fan alike, the documentary, which makes up most of this DVD, is quite interesting. If you want to know what it takes to be a big band these days, they got the skinny on it.

From their touring together all over the US in one van to their current level of fame, this fan driven band tells it like it is. And unlike many bands in a similar position they take time to thank all the people who helped them get where they are. They even dare to tell us how their odd name came about. It becomes clear that this lot know where they want to be and how to get there, even having a plan on what type of music each CD will be like early in their career.

It might have been a good idea to include more music in this package and have a slightly less annoying interface, but then again I think the lads can get away with it. Their fans probably have oodles of examples of all the tracks and will snap this up in droves. For the rest of us, it's an fascinating ride on the current trail to superstardom.

CD Reviews

Darkwater: 1920 Single

This bunch of Scots play heavy goth electronica that the lazy compare to Garbage. They produce danceable female song gothy pop with attitude and class. On here you get the title track,  a b-side, a live track, plus a video for the single as well as for "Alone And.." The band will be filling goth dance-floors in your area soon. No ponce posturing just quality stuff. Oh and Anthrax's Scott Ian mixed this in LA. Expect to hear a lot more from this lot very soon.

Darkwater: Calling the Earth to Witness

Swedish Power Prog which is firmly placed in the Dream Theater worshiping throngs of progressive musicians. The band produce accessible power prog that neither gets to noodley as to be boring nor too long. Think "Pull Me Under" era DT and you would not be far off with this lot. The musicianship is absolutely first on here and there is none of the excess you find on a lot of similar CDs.