Author: ShaneN

Cupid’s Victim – Bedside Manner

Who They Are: Cupid’s Victim was formed in March of 2011, when Tamara Gamez and Davie Perez met Vincent Karbowski and Adan Gonzalez. That following May, the group headed into the studio to record an E.P. that was the inception of the bands career. Shows were played, but then, due to prior obligations with school, Adan needed to leave the group to pursue a different path. While the tracks for the new release were getting mixed and revised, Tamara, Davie, and Vincent ran into their current drummer, Eric Enriquez, and immediately started getting their live set down. Shows soon followed, with gusto from the group and enthusiasm from the fans. Now as a full group again, CV has big plans to make the rest of the year an important one for all of our current and future followers. This is the next chapter in the lives of this group know as Cupid’s Victim. Join us. Be A Victim.

Why I Like Them: I was tapping my toes as soon as the song started. I don’t normally talk about drummers but I really loved this guy. Tight work for sure! Don’t think I didn’t notice the rest of the band on this track. I loved the guitar work and the vocals are almost to sweet for the song (I said almost!). Those high sweet vocals will haunt you in your sleep tonight in the best of ways. She reminds me a lot of Lacey Mosely. This song is just what I was needing after listening to several down tempo numbers.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Yes sir! I’m fascinated by this girls voice so for that alone I would listen to more. It’s like getting cherries on top of the Sunday that the band is just as good as she is.

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The Band is:

Tamara – Vocals, Keys, Acoustic
D.D. – Guitar
Vincent – Bass
Dave – Drums

Where You Can Buy It:

Kevin Leyva – In Flames

Who They Are: I couldn’t find much information on Kevin but I’m hoping maybe I can get a bio together soon and update this information.

Why I Like Them: This guy has one of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard. There is a grit there that so completely conveys the emotion behind this song. I like the fact that he knows when to pull back and when to really push through on those notes. Some thing a few lead singers I can think of could use. The guitar work is also pretty stellar if you ask me. How he isn’t on your radio right now it kinda beyond me.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: In truth, I’ve already scoped out his youtube page and listened to his cover of Stone Sours Imperfect. Utterly amazing. In fact, why are you still reading this?

 

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The Band is:

Kevin Leyva

Where You Can Buy It:

Ethic – You

Who They Are: ETHIC evolved in 2002 under the name DAY7. After a long break, we replaced the drummer and started the band again with a brand new name ETHIC.ETHIC represents everyone who lives life in a positive manner with strong beliefs and being the best you can be. Live your life to the fullest as a person, hence the name ETHIC.

Why I Like Them: What first grabbed me about this song was the guitar. It has a truly awesome guitar solo and the drum work is admirable for sure. The vocalist has some interesting break techniques he uses in this tune. While I liked the song I really was looking for a wow moment. The way this guy sings I know he’s got it under the hood so to speak. One other thing I want to say is that the melodic aspects of this song were really wonderful. I love a song I can float to and I definitely felt floaty.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Sure, I know that they have the song I’m looking for from them. So I’m planning on queuing up their list on Reverbnation and listening to everything they have listed.

 

 

Ethic is:

Daniel Lyle – Guitar
Monty Huff – Bass
Trey Wine – Vocals
Stephen Boothe – Drums

Where You Can Buy It:

Ethic has an album coming out soon. I will try to update you when I can get more information.

Ravenscroft – My Disease

Who They Are: Ravenscroft is Melodic, Hard Hitting Rock that comes from the Soul!
Their sound is derived from the very Best of Old School meets New School Hard Rock. Black Sabbath meets Tool, Drowning Pool meets Shinedown, Creed meets Godsmack! Ravenscroft is very Familiar, yet very New, Original and Cutting Edge!

Why I Like Them: This song has a good rhythm going on and shining spots of awesome guitar work. I liked the vocalist and really dug the baseline on this track. I appreciate the lyrical content as well.  To be truthful, I wasn’t bowled over by this track the first time around. I’m glad I gave it a couple more listens to get a better feel for it’s groove.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Yes. The basic building blocks for the kind of songs I like are all here. This may not end up being my favorite track by the band, but I’m confident that listening to more of their stuff will open me up to some awesome playlist potentials.

The Band is:

Members Ralph Buso (Vocals)
Frankie Ravenscroft (Guitars)
Devin Baker (Bass)
Roy Santa Cruz (Drums)

Where You Can Buy It:

Drought (feat. Robby Young) – Glass Shards

Who They Are: Drought is the whiskey soaked rantings of Cody Gobel and Logan Casimir. Acoustic guitar and banjo, down tempo, progressive with bluegrass influence.

Why I Like Them: Wow, just wow. For one who knew a banjo could sound so freaking good? I certainly didn’t. But before you look at me like I’m crazy and opt to not listen to the song know now that this may be one of my favorite songs so far. It’s slow and melodic all the way through in that Pantera ‘Planet Caravan’ kind of way. In fact that was one of the first things I thought listening to it. The vocals are so damn smooth that you can’t help but listen and love. I’m still listening to it as I write this review. Make no mistakes people this is one for your playlist.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: YES. Once you listen to it yourself you’ll understand and will want to listen to more.

 

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Drought is:

Cody Gobel
Logan Casimir

Where You Can Buy It:

Kill Matilda – I Want Revenge

Who They Are:Kill Matilda is a Canadian female-fronted, four-piece rock/punk/metal musical group formed in late-2007 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The group was recognized for its unique, loud and energetic live stage performances and an ability to engage with fans during live shows.

Why I Like Them: This song is just plain fun to listen to. It’s all kinds of punky, with some epic screaming. Dusty Exner has this voice that makes you think back to when punk was still underground and was nothing but balls. I was so into the song that I didn’t catch the lyrics the first time around. The second time around I was far more focused on the music itself. This is what fast and furious sounds like people. I’m going to go listen to it again and if nothing else distracts me I might be able to focus on these lyrics.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Hell yeah.  I like fun music.

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The Band is:

Dusty Exner
Mykel Exner
Dave Fuckin’ Roberts
Marcus Luk

Where You Can Buy It:

Forever Still – The Key

Who They Are: Combining melodic rock with the heavier strains of metal, and a touch of electronic elements, Forever Still has created an original and edgy, yet strangely familiar rock sound, adding a breath of fresh air to the international rock scene. Like it or not, Forever Still is here to stay.
The band formed back in 2010, when they decided it was time to give the music scene what is lacked – artists who are not afraid to be completely vulnerable and put the whole truth on the table.

Why I Like Them: I certainly agree with some of the things said in their biography. And if you read more about them you’ll see comparisons to Evanescence and Lacuna Coil. Certainly that is where I had intended to go in my review of the song.  Maja has the same high sweet voice that Amy Lee has going on. One thing about Maja though is this chick can also scream. That was probably my only disappointment with the song I reviewed. I got that wonderful scream but it was all the way at the end. This is no way detracted from the song to be honest, but with a scream like that I would have loved to hear it in the chorus.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Totally. I’m hoping that I’ll get to hear more of that insane scream of Maja’s.

 

The Band is:

Maja Schønning
Mikkel Haastrup
Chad T. Charlton
Carsten Christensen


Recruits – Right Words

Who They Are:  Blending a mix of soft acoustics, punchy verses and catchy chorus’ Recruits are bringing a new sound to the table of Scunthorpe’s music scene! The band is continuously gigging across Lincolnshire/Yorkshire, both acoustically and as a full band, and have some big shows planned at each end of the country. Recruit’s debut EP is in the final stages of being produced and is scheduled to be released by the end of 2014!

Why I Like Them: This song feels like comfort.  I can imagine having one of those days and sitting in a nice quiet room listening to it. It’s not so much of a low energy song as it is a well written and beautifully composed piece. I really liked that I could feel the story that they are telling me through some serious vocal mojo. I was trying to think of who I would compare them to. I think with this song 3 Doors Down is what came to mind. Not that Recruits sound like them, more like this song would be at home in a playlist right next them.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Yes. I’m looking forward to the release of their EP at the end of the year.

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The Band is:

Steve Dean Smith – Vocals
Ben Yarrow – Lead Guitar
Eddie Vessey – Rhythm Guitar
Keiran Timmis – Bass Guitar
Jonno Smith – Drums

Where You Can Buy It:

Amerakin Overdose – Medicate

Who They Are: Amerakin Overdose is an Industrial- Metal / Shock Rock performance art act from Portland, OR. Known for hypnotic dance beats and horror style theatrics, blended with heavy driven metal riffs, the band brings a very user friendly sound that promotes accidental cardio via involuntary movement of your head, feet and body. The combination of heavy dance music mixed with onstage antics are a freak show in action, a nonstop visual and auditory stimulate from the first note to the last. True to the band motto; they “Get Shit Done”.

Why I Liked It: If Slipknot and Marilyn Manson had a baby, this would be it. I love the always on nature of it.  On rare occasions I’ll listen to a song that has that lull in the middle, but to be honest when I’m listening to metal I really prefer kicks my ass the whole time.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Some bands grow on you as you open yourself up to more of their music. While I wasn’t as bowled over with this song right up front as others I feel like this is one of those bands that if you just “look at the cover” you’re going to miss the best stuff.  So yes, I plan to check more of them out and so should you.

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Amerakin Overdose Is:

Cody Perez
Freeman Manfree
“The Human”
Enygma

Where You Can Buy It:

Bandcamp Website

Unparalleled Height – Strength Through Silence

Who They Are:  Unparalleled Height’s unique writing style takes influence from many artists and styles of music therefore giving a unique, unmatched sound. For Unparalleled Height, the focus of writing inspirational and motivational lyrics is equally as important as the sound of their songs. The band has high aspirations to help those in need as well as those looking for support and motivation in their lives.

Why I Like Them: Where would I even start? I can’t say I heard any thing in this song I didn’t like. I wasn’t sold at first though in all honesty. My first thought was that the lyrics seemed a bit off with their style of music. I however was wrong. I don’t listen to a lot of metal that makes you feel hope. I know that sounds weird, metal and hope in the same sentence but it works I tell you! As uplifting as the song is, it constantly beats you with some seriously sizzling guitars insane drum work and a solo worthy of gold stars on Rock Band if you know what I mean. All things being equal this was a bad ass track.

Would I listen to More of Their Stuff: Duh, yeah.

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Unparalleled Height Is:

David Kelly
Justin Welling
CJ Masciantonio
Tyler Larkin
James Davis

Where You Can Buy It:


Mongrel – Snakes

Who They Are: Mongrel, by definition, is a mixed-breed, and this female fronted band known as “The hardest working band in Boston” (Metal Edge) lives up to its name. Fronted by Jessica Sierra, who has drawn comparisons to great vocalists ranging from Janis to Otep, the band mixes its hard rock, punk, and metal influences to rave reviews. With Evolution, the band members diverse styles come together better than ever.

Why I like It: I’m a big fan of the crunchy guitar. You know what I’m talking about right? Mongrel’s “Snakes” it a perfect example of the crunchy guitar style. I dig the vibe on this track, it’s perfectly bitchy in the right way. I like a band that can get as pissed as I do over certain things. Listen to the lyrics and you’ll see what I mean. Jessica’s vocals are nothing short of awesome and the comparisons I’ve seen about her are right on track.

Would I Listen To More of Their Stuff: Yes. I’m hoping that in other tracks there is more of the frustration/anger that I heard in “Snakes”.

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Mongrel Is:

Jessica Sierra – vocals
Adam Savage – guitar
Michael Ariza – bass
Mike Hogan – drums

Where You Can Buy It:


Stitched Up Heart – Frankenstein

Who They Are: Born in Oct, 2010, out of the tearing ends of 4 different groups; Mixi, High Risk, Never Like The Movies, and Sexual Harassment, The band sowed their seams together to form STITCHED UP HEART.

Why I Like It: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love powerful vocals. Male or female makes no never mind to me. But once this song kicks into high gear Mixi’s vocals really scream to the forefront and I mean that literally. These guys are delivering a pulse pounding beat that matches the vocals to a T. Very reminiscent of Maria Brinks voice in those moments where Mixi really goes for broke.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Absolutely. I think that there is a reason that this band has such a following. If you haven’t heard them, your missing out.

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Stitched Up Heart Is:

Mixi
Decker
Grant
Merritt

Where You Can Buy It:


Osmium – So Sick Society

Who They Are: Osmium describe themselves as three 16 year old best friends who love to play some good old thrash metal. They began playing together in the 7th grade; from then on they have been forming a heavy and groovy sound of our own. They call ourselves Osmium because they are the heaviest of all heavy metal!

Why I Like It: I feel like I almost have to preface this with the fact that in my opinion one of if not the best guitarist ever was Dimebag Darrell. The reason I say this is that the guitarist on this track though having his own sound could have been taught by the master himself. The vocalist has that floaty thing going on that always gets me where I live. I’m also grooving hard core to the relentless drum beat.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: Oh yea!  I’m really excited to see what these guys do as they mature as men and as a band.

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Osmium is:

Coby Gray
Chase Gray
Jacob Garrard

Dirty Kluger – Animals

Who They Are: I couldn’t find a ton of information about this band. So I’ll say this: they are a bunch of cool dudes.

Why I Liked It: I like a nice upbeat rhythm! It has this great kinda funk thing happening with it that I adore. This song makes my toes tap and my brain wanna learn some lyrics.  I’m planning on adding this to my playlist as soon as I’m done with this review.

Would I Listen to More of Their Stuff: The short answer here is I’m already looking for more of their stuff on Youtube.

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Dirty Kluger Are:

Zach Hall
Asa Vetters
Dustin Schilling

Where You Can Buy It: