Groovy, funky big ol school fuzz oh fun this big sounding song kicks right away and goes through from 0-60 in the blink of an eye. It’s loud and heavy in its sound while still being distinct and articulate with a banger of a solo. No fake sound here, Johnny Nasty Boots is as real as they come these days. Check out the music video of Howlin’ and Dying below!

Sister Kill Cycle is a Gothic Band from Florida, they have been around since 2001 and deserve plenty of recognition here. Their new album is gratifying and enjoyable its elements are unique but familiar and appropriate to the space and tapestry that is Gothic rock. Song’s like “Can’t Feel” are instantly repeatable, while tracks like Black Widow suck you in. No song misses the mark, and the album is an elevated accomplishment. I expect to see them on a major label sometime in the near future. The music of the band is dark and earie, it’s seamless in it’s malcontent and brutal in its simplicity. Sister Kill Cycle is a wonderfully dark album that necessitates one to listen beyond normal means and discourse and enjoy the story that is being told. If you are attentive, you’ll find the notes and lyrics match across the album and the love that goes into the craft is brought forth. As far as Gothic music goes it’s different, familiar and well composed. Little touches at 2:48 in “I Ran” help make all the difference, they’re used tastefully but not overwhelmingly so followed by notes happening at 3:05 down to 3:09 and earlier make this piece one of careful details that help set this album apart and why you should pay attention to it. Needless to say even on songs like “Angels, Cops and Maggots” there’s amazing harmony happening, there’s no bad songs. There’s so much to love on this album that it wants you to listen to it.

Keith Brock successfully channels innovative fun. Sweeps and slides knock it out of the park in much more than a simple tribute to the blues and rock musicians before him. This is called Legacy and he’s here to make his mark. Keith is a musician who’s in love with what he does because he’s found his calling. Everything comes alive here in this one single. From the Harmonica to the guitar, he plays around with them flawlessly and energetically. Not taking you to the past, but taking you to a future where this music is once again heard and appreciated.  The lyrics are fun, enjoyable and quantify a volume to the music that helps it take shape and form putting it as one of the best late releases this year. All you really need to do is listen to it. It’s very high production, so I’d recommend you find yourself a pair of stereo speakers and jam em or decent headphones and turn up the volume. Everything comes out loud, clear and crisp. Well done Keith!  

What can I say? This is incredible for a first album, passionate and forward thinking towards their future this album sets the stage for growth. These guys are going to go far, when I review a band one of things I look for is first of all mixing and mastering of sound, which this has aside from musicianship but also potential and drive with the bands soul. After all what good are you if you aren’t reviving and firing on all cylinders and racing down the drag strip at full speed. This, is that band and few bands these days reach this bands early untapped potential. I am already looking forward to hearing their next album because this album is so good. It has that immediate hook which pulls you in right away with “A New Way To Walk” and then goes for another round. Determination, focus unbelievable energy, I want to see this band on stage. They’re a force of nature, and a force for inspiration. They will affect those around them, bring them closer together and lift others up, music has the power to do that. With careful attention to riffs, rhythm and tradecraft this band is talent and hopefully they will continue going and develop further. One day, they’re going to be at Waken or some large festivals and wow everyone, they’ve already wowed me. “Chained” has just one of those great solo’s but can we talk about the riff leading up to the solo around the two minute mark? Oh man. I like that Raining Nails isn’t afraid of trying something new but sticking towards their roots.  There’s so much good on this album what I will say is, keep on developing the space between your style, let it breathe a bit, bring it out and find yourselves within your energy and love for one another. Your vibrations will make you stronger and continue to ground each other in yourselves. You are already all so high caliber that newfound insights will come from within and your bond, let that energy flow through you and be open to those vibrations. Your album is fluid yet consistent, creative and dynamic while being grounded. You have what it takes to be bigger than you ever imagined. Wield that power for passion. I want to see all of you bring down that house. Can we talk next about how amazing “Close To You” is? It’s just one of those Rock ballads that comes at the right time in the albums structure. It show cases Marika’s vocals here and Giacomo’s guitar playing in a wonderful way. This album is one of those that really gets better as you listen to it and takes you on an emotional heart string pulling journey. Mattia is excellent on the drums as well, this whole band from Massimiliano to Marika is energy.  

As ya all know, I had been struggling with my bipolar diagnosis but I got a good team and when my friends over at Earshot Media sent me this piece I knew it was special and just had to write about it even if briefly. It’s not typically what you’ll find on this blog and I know it’s been a while. This song resonated with me and I hope it resonates with all of you, fair warning it deals with some heavy and deep topics. Enjoy! While you’re at it check out BlankTV As well!

Parkway’s Drive Darker Still is like a boxing match of love because it starts trying to go after you from Ground Zero and doesn’t let up. The only time you catch a breather is when the album allows you to, Parkway Drive is in control the entire time and always keeping you on your toes. It has constant surprises, little nuanced novelties and is a perfect high energy rampage to wake you up or keep you up. It lets you know every detail and ever note and create the perfect package. Parkway Drive does new things while driving home details of longer lost eras and reflects on change and evolution. Make no mistake though this is still Parkway Drive. In fairness, the album doesn’t really get going till Glitch but “Like Napalm” and “Ground Zero” are incredibly heavy openers that set the tone for this album. My most favorite part of Like Napalm is the subtle cymbal crashes that break up the intensity around the 3 minute mark and help keep you interested. They are very nuanced and not in your face at all but if you stop to listen you can hear Ben Gordon giving his all and I’d guess it’s very tricky to play sounds excellent too as I happen to love cymbals cause they add so much texture. Again the drums show the dynamics of Ben’s drumming putting it at the fore front of the track supporting the rest of the band. The Crescendoing rhythm guitar of Luke sets the tone even further. By this time Winston is really starting to up his vocals and letting everyone know who he is. LET ME THE !#&$ OUT Is so intense, pure and raw that it 100% makes Glitch.

Next we have “The Greatest Fear” in this track they all harmonize around Winston who uses his voice to create melody which puts him among the best vocalist there is. Props to Jeff as well for he is excellent throughout this piece. Also, incredible use of musical rests in this piece. The Harbinger of All Darkness is such a freaking cool and dark line. “Darker Still” is an incredible ballad, it’s a very intelligent piece that Winston commands full on, giving his all sharing with us his inner emotion and all of his being. “Darker Still” is why music heals, why music helps heal. Because you can tell when music is from the heart. This, is art and Parkway Drive are artist. It’s careful in its construction and beautiful in its execution. It is a labor of love from the band. Parkway Drive, I see you I hear you, thank you. The continuing song “Imperial Heretic” continues and builds on the strong rhythm and harmony with the lead. Winston again proves to us why he is one of the best singers in the business, intensity, passion and wisdom he brings to the table when he sings. It’s unique and very much melodic again. This is all proven in the following song “If A God Can Bleed”. Next up is Soul Bleach with more Winston taking control and powering onwards with his incredible vocals. You can tell Parkway Drive is all really good friends because they share sound with each other really well and all support each other in their musical choices and give good feedback. I’m really digging this use of poetry to break up the album and move the concept forward. Land of the Lost has a really cool riff halfway through which helps glue together the song and create good build up for the end of it. Lastly, another incredible track “From the Heart of the Darkness” sounds like something out of a movie and after the end of a long ride perks you up and says this was all worth it this band was excellent let me hit that replay button let me share them with my friends let me talk and write about them. It makes you want to turn up the volume and play it loud. It’s a statement to the quality of to the album, the record label and most importantly the band. This album has my stamp of approval. This album was an experience from top to bottom it made me feel warm and fuzzy and filled me with hope and love. It was a joyful experience a shared experience, but a dark one. Out Now!

Proggy upbeat and jazzy metal meet blast beats and dark undertones Cyborg Octopus does something new and that’s a rarity these days, dare to be inventive. After being hit hard in the face from bouncy metal your brought back down with a chill mellow but still bright saxophone pulling you in to a  flurry of solos and riffs before getting back to the screams. Cyborg Octopus doesn’t over extend itself either as there are only 7 tracks you need to listen to on the album for the full experience. The only track that feels a little out of place is Trash Island. Though that being said this album is so weird and brilliant I’ll let it pass because it helps break up the structure a little bit. It feels like it’s one of those songs that would play in the back of a bank robbery in a film score and batman came to mind melody wise. Felt like a chase scene. The Projector is another great song, feels like you’re flying on some weird contraption with that melody then the blast beats and vocals come in and cleans and it’s an adventure and takes you out of time letting you enjoy it without distractions the bridge is an incredible and to go into that to more blast beats is novel. Your next track starts with a piano solo, then more blast beats. Then the melodies come in and change the texture of the song just a little and proggy tones and it’s broken down even further in Hindsight. This band knows how to make amazing bridges. This album is exceptional, it dares to be different and succeeds. It embraces its weirdness and says this is who I am. Tracks like Between the Light and Air are totally different from any other track on the album. It’s a full feast for your mind and ears, high praise! .   

Frayle are if anything, incredibly atmospheric. They drip with atmosphere and it becomes like a fog on everything they do, it sounds ice cold and melodic but comforting at the same time. Imagine for instance you’re walking into a Victorian style home with frozen icicles hanging all around and uncertainty around every corner and then you find clues from witches and the demonic. You don’t know what to do, so you sit and manage to start a fire. The fire starts melting some of the ice and in the distance you a see woman appear, she sits by the fire and starts telling you her story. The feeling of this album is that of a Victorian style home with dark secrets hidden in fog waiting to be uncovered. The constant heavy bass, the rhythmic guitar and the silent whispers speak of power beyond the depths. It embodies a feeling of horror. Let’s make no mistake, this album is heavy. From Treacle & Revenge to Perfect Wound it brings out a sense of cosmic energy but, not for us mortals. This album is a rock anthem in a way. It holds up and doesn’t let go like the cold it gets under your skin and cloths. When you need something dark and moody on a dark and moody day to pick you up, this is your album. I love it.