Artistic in their craziness, Shook Like Dead Men bring the hectic. As much of it as they could fit in their recent stint... The Five Solas EP. In todays music, it is hard to find hardcore that can paint such a beautiful canvas with true hectic hardcore atmosphere. Hardcore riffs, shrieking guitar effects, blistering drums, a thick bass line, and pure raw screams come at you like a swarm off bees. And if your a true hardcore kid, you fight these bees with swinging legs and elbows. And even if that style of musical body movement is not your forte', moving your head up and down will do just fine. Matter of fact, I know that is what you will do regardless.
"Slave < Master" immediately kicks off the record in fury of all that is Shook Like Dead Men. Leaving nothing to the imagination of who they are. With songs like this, Christian underground hardcore can be a sleeping giant (pun intended). "Tetelestai (It Is Finished)" starts off in an incredibly moving groove. With the same formula as the opening track, it amuses just the same, if not more, being my personal favorite track on the EP. "This Is How We Starve" slows down the momentum a bit in the middle of the EP. This song has the presence of an interlude disguised in a 6-plus minute worship song. Reminding all of us listeners as to why they do what they do, and who the glory ultimately is given to. The record then finishes out in two really solid songs in "Soli Deo Gloria" and "B.G.Y.A.S.", which both featuring guests. Nick Detty of Wolves At The Gate makes an appearance in the finale, "B.G.Y.A.S.", bringing a good performance to contrast the two vocal styles.
The Five Solas EP is raw in talent, and production, which is perfect for this brand of hardcore. Overall this record is extremely energetic. Exactly what you would expect from a band that grabs from the same box of goodies as bands like The Chariot, Norma Jean, and Every Time I Die. And if you are looking for another band to add to your mix of bands just named, look no further. Give them more time and Shook Like Dead Men with make their noise heard from house to house.
This is a house show on a cd. Do not pass up on this release.
4/5
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
All Became New
At Home In The Gutter
hardcore/punk
1. Frozen Over (feat. Patrick Scholz of From The Eyes of Servants)
Every once in a while you come across a band who is evidently anointed by God. Even in today's culture of Christian music it is still difficult to come across bands that seep His anointing in their music, even though they may be spreading the same message. Foreverlin does not fall into the generically bland of Christian rock, but brings the atmosphere of God with them with their combination of beautiful music and lyrics.
The album starts off with "Blueprints", an instrumental intro that builds an anxious anticipation for the album.
"A Thousand Umbrellas" immediately show us what they have brought to the table. Listening to the rest of the album you will know this; showcasing their instrumentation and hopeful lyrics. Immediately I found myself lost in the music. Not in a boring, bring on what is next kind of way, but in a still way, a way that finds you just listening to what has been made before you with what is Foreverlin.
The title track falls next in order, and is almost inexplicably gorgeous. Its power is clearly evident in the lyrics. Living a life in denial and thinking everything is going fine, but really, longing to see the King. It is delivered in such a way that brings the spirit of God through worship.
"Josephine" is an acoustic track put together softly, quietly, with love that softly tugs your heart strings like a baby tugs a mother's pant leg.
In the middle of the album is another instrumental track in "They Shall Run And Not Be Weary". Like the opening track it no doubtingly sets an atmospheric tone, but with this one being more upbeat and hopeful, with less anticipation and more satisfaction.
"Your love is everything", claims "Bound to Fail". Put together with hope, love, and positivity to explain the failing love of man and the perfect love of God.
"When My Voice Lost All Words" sounds like you are listening to the band perform in a dark echoic room, then listening more and more the band comes to light to put together a powerfully strong and catchy worship song. They have come to make a track that relates to us all, when we are in those times that we cannot find the words to say to God but yet are deep in the middle of His presence. You will find you with your eyes closed, with the chills, singing...worshipping along.
Piano and Peter's vocals and lyrical content are the focal point of "Take Heart", where he is softly but passionately singing of hope. "Take Heart" flows right in to "Keep Me Always" that delivers the same message of a pure hope through the positive scenery their music builds before you.
The album concludes with a heartfelt acoustic track in "A Father's Words". Whenever a band leaves the listener sad because the album had to end, you know it's a good one. But the sad feeling is only because the album had to end at some point. The album itself is filled with love, hope, and passion that paint a canvass of pure beauty. This album is 100 percent truth... true lyrics, true feelings, true presence, and true musicianship that does not rely on production in attempt to make the best record possible. Foreverlin, left their heart on their sleeves with this record and with that they will reach yours. Whether you are a Christian or not this is a record for everyone. It is filled a message that every person is in search for. A message that changes lives, reaches hearts, lifts spirits, and fuses individuals together for a greater purpose beyond themselves. Musically Foreverlin knows their niche and use that to build the overall atmosphere to each and every song. Red Cord Records found these guys early; perhaps they knew it was because they knew they did not have long before this band would reach the world. Foreverlin has made an outstanding debut record with "Long Lost". Everyone needs bands to listen to that does not fall under their go to genre. For all you Hardcore/Metal kids, Foreverlin should be that band.
5/5
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Toarn
Brood Of Vipers
metalcore
release date: April 1, 2013
1. The Blood Has Been Shed
2. Lions Become Lambs
3. Brood of Vipers
4. There's Something About Your Name
5. Separation of Body And Mind
6. Bloodstained Love Story
We all know somebody that has been asked by someone "why are you with that person" or "why do you like them?" And their response has been "I don't know, there is just something about him (her)." That person may have even been you in your middle school days....don't lie. This same scenario goes for Toarn, a band that seems to blend all aspects of the core genres. Why is this album enjoyable to me? I do not really know, there is just something about it, something about them that gets my head and hands moving to the sounds of this record.
The record kicks off with "The Blood Has Been Shed" which can come off as a little repetitive, and probably would have liked to see this song in the middle of the album. But really that is the only song I think this off. "Lions Becomes Lambs" is the complete opposite. It has different elements thrown in making this track more versatile and more enjoyable. This seems to flow throughout the rest of the record. The title track's intro kicks in with immediate mayhem and serves the position of being the titled track well. There is even some screeching guitar work similar to the old Korn days that make their way in this song. If I am the only person who sees that resemblance, then maybe I am dwelling in my high school past. Each song has its own element that makes the song enjoyable, whether it be cool catchy intros like "Brood of Vipers" and "Separation of Body and Mind" or a breakdowns that will get some physical body part moving, like in the ending song "Bloodstained Love Story", which is an extremely solid track in itself. Something I found underrated after listening were the drums. The drums silently flow the whole record together and glue each piece together.
Overall this is a good record for a band to build and grow on. A debut for most bands usually leans more towards a certain sound, but not here. Toarn has many roads to take in the next album from this record, while still being Toarn at heart. There is a lot of promise with this band, and with time they can hone their instrumental, mature vocally, and really make an impact in the Christian metal world.
