Steve Stevens: Memory Crash
By Kat B.
When I heard Steve Stevens was releasing his first solo record in almost 8 years, I must admit I was stoked to hear the results.
Just who is this Stevens guy? Most Billy Idol fans will recognize his memorable guitar skills on rock anthems like “Rebel Yell” but aside from Idol, he’s worked with the likes of Vince Neil, Robert Palmer, Joni Mitchell, and Michael Jackson to name a few.
I knew Stevens had a talent for creating memorable licks and hooks but I wasn’t sure what I’d find on his solo release, Memory Crash.
The CD features nine original tracks and one cover, all of which have their own unique flavour infused.
The CD kick things off with “Heavy Horizon” and then heads straight into “Hellcats Take The Highway”. “Water on Ares” is a melodic, moody track that showcases Stevens ability to marry catchy melodies and solos without compromising on either one.
There is also a very hip rendition of Robin Trower’s “Day of the Eagle” which features Dug Pinnick of King’s X. There’s a little bit of a Stevie-Ray (Vaughan) flavor going on here but still with Stevens uniquely identifiable sound.
“Small Arms Fire” is definitely one of my favorite tracks off the CD. It starts off with a Flamenco inspired segue leading into pure, classic Stevens electrified riffs and rhythms.
The CD isn’t overly produced and Stevens playing is at the forefront. Memory Crash showcases Stevens talent with composing and his ability to convey a lot without overdoing it.
Web: www.SteveStevens.net
Cavalera Conspiracy: Inflikted
By Lisa Finning
Inflikted is the perfect title for the first release from Cavalera Conspiracy. The album is a sledgehammer, beating you senseless until you succumb to this musical voodoo.
You may remember this dynamic duo from the band Sepultura from which they left in the 90’s. At the same time the Cavalera’s, Max and Igor, walked away from each other. Thankfully they reunited for this fierce album and happily the magic between them is still there.
Inflikted features 11 brutal tracks that don’t let up until the last note dies. The album is a blend of speed, hardcore, punk, thrash, with a dose of tribal elements thrown in. It’s a battle cry for the masses and a must have for any fan of the Cavalera’s.
Web: www.cavaleraconspiracy.com
The Sammus Theory: See (it) Through
By Gregory O
If at first you don’t succeed, get the hell up and try again. The Sammus Theory’s second full-length album See (it) Through did just that and we should be grateful for it. This album invades you with fourteen high-energy tracks exposing many of the bands observable influences. The Sammus Theory has been rocking the streets of Phoenix since 2004 but this latest offering should allow them to reach out to fans far beyond the Copper State.
Lyrically evolved, this album does things that often take bands many albums to achieve. I guess it comes as no surprise that all this originated seven years ago in small town Idaho Falls. Big bass lines right in your face, complex, precise drums and fiercely manipulated strings seem effortless for these guys.
“56 Blank” gives you its first glimpse of the big ride See (it) Through is about to take you on. Their serious sound builds throughout this album as they narrate their dark and twisted tales. Tracks like “Pure” and “Inside Out” continue this trend as they force you to crank it up a few notches.
The last four titles on this record offer a soothing denouement to a great album full of lengthy, elaborate and polished tracks allowing you to absorb everything fully. Feel free to get lost in this one. After all isn’t that what a great album should permit you to do?
Forty Birds: Shotgun Therapy
By Gregory O
Montreal band Forty Birds is making some big noise with their inaugural album Shotgun Therapy. This five-piece ensemble is sure to please your senses with its hard hitting percussions and their intoxicating guitar rhythms. Front man Matt Pelletier certainly delivers on this record and right from the opening track “Antonio” he shows what he is capable of. Matt’s complex voice soars through the lyrics as Forty Birds attack you from all directions. Like a unified flock, Forty Birds certainly flies as one, writing and producing all tracks on Shotgun Therapy.
Not to be out done, the rest of the band has plenty of opportunity to shine with some sick drawn out solos. Led by Cory Lacombe on drums, the band pulls you to the edge of your seat on tracks like “Period of Consequences” and “Dead Luck.” Swift and heavy riffs contaminate the record from start to finish. Guitarists Dave Seguin and Kevin Marple feed off one another to create a distinctive and energizing sound. They say that one should often save the best for last and in this case they did. “Shotgun Theory” completes this solid debut with intensity aggression that leaves you craving for more.
Manson Live
By Gregory O
When someone referred to as the Antichrist Superstar rolls into town you would think that there would be dark skies above. Marilyn Manson was on the west coast this past weekend and the day was nothing short of heavenly. He brought his show to a small but intimate theater setting and as a first time Manson concertgoer I had no idea what I was about to experience.
The lobby of the theater was buzzing with anticipation and the crowd was as eccentric as one would expect. The sold out show was minutes away from exploding into something that no other band is capable of delivering. The translucent curtain draped the stage as stacks of candles burned in the background. Silhouettes of the band began to swell from the darkness and the crowd erupted as Manson and his crew jumped into “Cruci-Fiction in Space.” Why was I not shocked to see him singing into a two-foot microphone that resembled an enormous knife?
There was a real sense of enthusiasm on stage and Manson was undoubtedly aroused that Twiggy Ramirez was back in the band and touring once again. At one point they erotically shared Twiggy’s bass guitar in a way that surely made the ushers of the theater blush but showed how much Manson valued his return to the band.
The band rocked hard for the entire two hours much to the credit of hard-hitting drummer Ginger Fish and Rob Holliday on guitar. Chris Vrenna, who once played drums for Nine Inch Nails was on the keyboards and there was great intensity in the audience that was rewarded by nearly twenty songs with classics dating back to 1995. The bulk of the set list came from Antichrist Superstar (1996) and Holy Wood (2000). With only two performances from Manson’s most recent album Eat Me, Drink Me (2007).
“Heart Shaped Glasses” offered up with a version of Evan Rachel Wood that was cool and calm as she walked to the front of the stage for the shock rocker’s love song. Marilyn Manson was fixated on her body and was seductively touching the girl before finally ripping her head off in a rage of passion. The headless girl raised her leg in pleasure and disappeared into the smoke as Manson continued on with just the head of Miss Wood.
Political rants were kept to a minimum that evening but Manson was quick to comment on the hassle he often gets crossing borders as his bus gets searched for drugs and prostitutes. These comments got as much of an awakening from the fans as there was for “The Dope Show” which included an altered version of the lyrics. “Drugs they say…. are made here in Vancouver.” The name Vancouver flashed across the screen as digital pills trickled down the backdrop.
The band added a nice frigid touch to the evening as snow floated down on the band and Rob Holliday as his brief guitar solo in the great white north transitioned into a cool arrangement of “Coma White” and “Coma Black.” I wonder what they do when they play this song down in California.
The break before the encore was very intriguing as there was no doubt that Manson had a few more tricks up his sleeve. The lights came on and an adaptation of a Manson made dictatorship was created. The Antichrist Superstar was in full control during this song of the same name and the crowd was powerfully responding. Like an evil marionette he dangled and played atop his powerful podium to the joys of his followers below. The evening completed with a version of “Beautiful People” that fell nothing short of intense and was a perfect way to ensure everyone walked out of that smoky theater satisfied. Well except for the guy that had to repair and replace Manson’s microphone stands all night. The kid must have pissed Manson off or something that day because in all of the shows I have been to I have never seen a rocker blow out so many mic stands in one night.
Some might say that this 39 year old rocker is on his last legs, but when you are reunited with an old friend in Twiggy Ramirez and can still rock the stage as hard as they did that night you can clearly see that this is not the end for Marilyn Manson.
The Dreaming
Formed in Los Angeles, THE DREAMING deliver a passionate and truly unique mix of punk, metal and darkwave, capturing an aggressive and emotional rock ‘n’ roll eruption. Strong songwriting, powerful performances and solid musicianship is a staple the band is known for. Featuring vocalist Christopher Hall, former frontman of platinum-selling artist Stabbing Westward, The Dreaming has been growing its legion underground, gaining strength and awaiting the perfect time to attack. While debuting at number one on Downloadpunk.com for two months straight, consistently invading Myspace’s “Top 10 unsigned Metal/Punk/New Wave” charts and rocking the Hot Topic stage at the 2007 Vans Warped Tour, the band‘s following in mass numbers continues to grow!
With the increasing buzz about The Dreaming fueling around the nation, the band is preparing to release a much anticipated debut album. Produced by Kent Hertz (Godsmack, The Pink Spiders), “Etched in Blood” is another step forward in the progression of a band who challenges themselves relentlessly. Hall’s vocals range from passionate whispers to heart-wrenching explosions as guitars shred catchy blends of ferocity and merciless passion to culminate an epic and melodic edge, pummeling the listener with unbridled aggression.
Currently The Dreaming is embarking on a national headlining showcase tour for Locobazooka, an annual east-coast based festival which helped launch the careers of artists such as Slipknot, Disturbed, System of a Down and many more. Look for The Dreaming to tour North America and the world at large consecutively throughout 2008!
Web: www.myspace.com/thedreaming
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