I apologise for my absence in the last few weeks. I have to admit that I was bereft of CDs/DVDs to review as well as being rather distracted getting ready for my own band's debut. A few discs have been trickling into the MMM front door and I have received others at events I have attended as of late.
The first of these was the the CD launch of the new 100 Reasons CD Kill Your Own at the rather nice HQ of V2 Records in Holland Park. The record company is housed in a lovely large house with its own bar in the basement. The new CD was produced by the guitarist and is an interesting mixture of modern heavy rock and old school metal. It's not released until March; but I was generally rather impressed. It was nice to hear that some of the fellow rock journos recognised my band name when I mentioned it. An early evening well spent.
CD reviews:
When Gravity Fails s/t
This lot have produced a tight 7 song set as a debut. The only trouble with the music here is that it is so incredibly derivative of Alice in Chains. The band are seemingly obsessed with the band; although it has to be said lead singer has a better voice that the A.i.C. singer. This is a mini-album and it shows a great deal of promise. This band is founded by the former co-songwriter and bassist for the critically rated band Cortizone. The album has gotten kudos from such luminaries as Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) who has played them on his radio show. I just wish I could hear more originality on this very professional release. The band really missed that special unquantifiable something that will push them into the higher leagues. When Gravity Fails is certainly a band to watch.
Mendeed -- This War Will last Forever
Mendeed has been getting much deserved praise from all quarters for their high quality death-like metal; both live and on CD. Blast beat drumming, screaming vocals and power rifting is all over this stuff. There is no subtlety in this lot, not one bit. What is most impressive is their ability to combine modern metal and old school thrash; while making it their own and not sounding too derivative. If you like brutal driving death metal then this lot are for you. Which each release the band get better and better. There is a serious Slayer feel to this album; and other more extreme bay area thrashers. Like Dragonforce, with whom they toured, they are introducing old school metal to a whole new generation while at the same time making it their own. This is quality stuff for the metal-heads of the world.
Article comments
1 - Nick
Better than the AIC singer? His name is Layne Staley and there is no fvcking way he's even close!
2 - Guppusmaximus
Great Review Marty!
I'm a metal head myself but I do love Modern Jazz. Alot of the new Metal is seriously lacking but I'll take a listen to Mendeed. I will definately try out Boston T Party(Kick ass name)because I love "Prog" anything...
I guess a big misconception of Metal Heads is that we don't comprehend talent but if you look at the REAL Metal there is alot of that. Look at Yngwie Malmsteen, He is fucking incredible and composes some brilliant shit. Opeth do an awesome job as well. Just because something is heavy does not mean it that it doesn't fuse the passion and talent of other music... Oh well, enough of my soapbox:-)
Again...Great Review and thanks for the insight to these bands.
3 - Mark Saleski
hey, your mention of the Boston T Party made me learn something new. i saw that Dennis Chambers was the leader/drummer...so i checked out his site.
for some reason, i never knew he played with Parliament/Funkadelic. woa! how'd i miss that?!
4 - Alon
FAO Marty Dodge,
Hi Marty,
Thank you for your review of our first single Just Ashes. I'm the lead singer of Last Stop China Town; Alon. I was happy to read your thoughts and glad that you seemed to enjoy it. Ismiled at the comment of our daft band name as I came up with it! No hard feeling though, I reckon it'll grow on you??
Just so you know our follow up plans include a double A-side release next on 10th April and our album will be out on 22nd May. We'll make sure that Workhard PR get you a copy of both in due course. Thanks again for taking an interest and feel free to get some sneak peaks off the album on our offical website of www.laststopchinatown.co.uk
Thanks again, take care............Alon.....LSCT