CD Reviews

Black Crown Initiate – Selves We Cannot Forgive (review)

Published

8 years ago

July 28, 2016

George Archibald

Black Crown Initiate – Selves We Cannot Forgive

Reviewed by George Archibald

Hailing from Reading, Pennsylvania, Black Crown Initiate has been making their own blend of progressive death metal since 2012. Sometimes heavy, other times ambient, then melodic; this band blends several styles, with a combination of clean and harsh vocals to bring their songs to light. Selves We Cannot Forgive marks the 3^rd release for the band. This album has a bit of mystery behind it, being vocalist and guitar player, Rik Stelzpflug was erased from the bands roster about 2 months before the album’s release date of July 22^nd. Taking Rik’s place was that of x- Glass Casket and The Faceless guitarist, Wes Hauch. It has not been confirmed or denied that Wes played on Selves We Cannot Forgive, but a sneaking suspicion is I think he had a little to do with some of the arrangements on the album.

Leading off the album is the single, “For Red Cloud”. For an introduction to this album, “For Red Cloud” sets the mood with its very eerie guitar riffs and haunting vocals. The song builds up till it smashes you in the face with the crescendo of clean vocals by Andy Thomas before bring you back down. The track “Belie the Machine”, leads me to believe Hauch had some influence on this album. The intro to the song leads off with a melody that The Faceless are known for playing. Even the heavy riff that follows has bits of technical play that were signatures to The Faceless’s sound. For an almost 9-minute track Black Crown Initiate fill every second with something unique, from dissonant guitar, to vocalist Andy Thomas and James Dorton’s dance between harsh and clean vocals. Black Crown Initiate utilizes each member to carry this song.

Selves We Cannot Forgive shows what a band can do when each member brings something unique to the table. This album is full of sonic bits that will keep you coming back to listen over and over again. In the future, I hope the band can clarify if Hauch did play on the album, but for now I like a little mystery behind the music. Listen for yourself, Selves We Cannot Forgive is out now, and is also streaming on Spotify.

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George Archibald

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CD Reviews

Marilyn Manson is Back

Published

1 month ago

November 25, 2024

Ron

Marilyn Manson just released his 12th album “One Assassination Under God-Chapter 1” on November 22nd 2024.

This album in my opinion is the best album Manson has put out since Holy Wood. It has a feeling of albums old and new with little hints of Antichrist Superstar, Mechanical Animals and Holy Wood.

The album opens up with “One Assassination Under God” which just gets you ready for what’s to come. With Manson Just finishing his tour, This is the Manson we have been needing for years now. He looks good and sounds great.

Putting out a few singles from the album , the overall feeling of this album is great. It’s been a while since I’ve like a full album of Manson, while this album isn’t perfect it’s as close as perfection of those early albums were. Of course I love the singles “As Sick as the Secrets we Keep” and “Raise the Red Flag” but I also really enjoyed songs like “Death is not a costume”, “Nod if you understand” and “Sacrilegious”

I think this new chapter of Mansons life and music is exciting , I hope we get more tours in 2025 and maybe some over the top stage shows like we did in the late 90s early 2000s. I feel the younger generation hasn’t experience a real “Full” on Manson show yet and it’s time for the King to take back his throne at the top of the Shock Rock mountain.

ALL HAIL MARILYN MANSON

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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CD Reviews

BUSH 30th ANNIVERSARY OF “SIXTEEN STONE” VINYL

Published

1 month ago

November 20, 2024

Ron

I remember when this album came out in 1994 . I was 15 and really discovering all types of music. As being a typical teenage boy I seen the band name “Bush” and thought hmm I love bush, let’s check it out. It was such an amazing album from beginning to end.

The new released vinyl that just came out on November 17th is such a testament to this album being as great then as it is now. Listening to the vinyl just brought back so many memories of being an angst teenager that just wanted to heard. The vinyl package is amazing with lots of photos of the band throughout the years and the sound of the vinyl is so pristine.

I got my hands on the opaque red vinyl and just looks awesome spinning on the player. It’s crazy to think that this album has so many hits and no filler songs, even the songs that didn’t become hits are just as good as the hits.

With the hits being “Glycerine”, “Everything Zen” , “Comedown” “Little Things” and “Machinehead” but some of my favorite songs are not the hits songs like “Swim”, “Bomb” and “Alien” which is probably my favorite song on the album. If you’re a fan of Bush or this album or just want to dive into the mid 90s Grunge/Post Grunge era this is a key album to have in your collection.

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Ron

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CD Reviews

ALICE IN CHAINS “BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE” VINYL REVIEW

Published

3 months ago

October 3, 2024

Ron

Alice In Chains have Re-Released the 2009 album on vinyl. This album was the first Alice In Chains in 14 years and the first album with guitarist/singer Willam DuVall after Layne Staley passed away in 2002.

I was a huge Alice In Chains fan and was a big fan of both Layne and Jerry. When this album first came out I remember sorta pushing it the side only cause of sadness about Layne but after hearing “Check My Brain” I gave it a chance and was so glad that I did. This album is amazing and really put Alice In Chains back into the mainstream.

The vinyl not only looks super awesome but sounds amazing. If you’re a fan of Alice In Chains and into collecting Vinyl, this album is a must in your collection. It’s a great packed vinyl with 2 vinyls included.

Side A: All Secrets Known, Check My Brain and Last of My Kind. Side B: Your Decision, A Looking in View. Side C: When The Sun Rose Again, Acid Bubble, Lesson Learned. Side D: Take Her Out, Private Hell, Black Gives Away To Blue