CD Reviews

BrokenRail – Self-Titled EP (review

Published

8 years ago

November 21, 2016

Josh Drespling

BrokenRail

Self-Titled EP

Review by Josh Drespling

The hard driving, post-grunge, radio-ready outfit BrokenRail are set to release their Self-titled EP on November 25th. This four-piece hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, have released this EP as a teaser or an hors d’oeuvre, if you will, to stay off the loyal and rabid fans waiting for their full-length release that has been held up by production delays and mounting industry interest in the full album.

Upon initially listening to BrokenRail you will find an uncanny familiarity with their songs and style. Before you know it your will be singing along with the clean and crisp vocals that would make members of Shidendown, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin proud.
The EP kicks off with a crunchy palm muted guitar riff, coupled with a tribal drumbeat until they are met with Blake Clawson’s vocals on the track “Memory”. The chorus kicks in with a more guttural vocal style with the lyrics “What? I can’t hear you!” This particular track really reminds me of the band Skillet given the arrangement and vocal styles.

Up next is “Walk Again”, perhaps the most polished track from this well produced release. “Walk Again” has been give a video treatment. I can easily see this track being propelled to the top of the pack within rock-radio right along side of any Papa Roach song.

Rounding out the release is “Save Me”. I swore I was listening to Staind given the intro riff and the way that vocalist Blake Clawson pushes his vocal tone to the back of his throat for the verse. The track diverts from the liberal Staind influence to create another solid rock-radio-ready track with a rockin’ chorus and some squealing guitars jumping out of the mix.

The tracks on this release were were engineered by Joseph McQueen (As I Lay Dying) with mixing and mastering by Kane Churko (Papa Roach) and Logan Mader (Bullet For My Valentine, Butcher Babies) of MachineHead fame.

My only disappointment with this release is that it only contains three tracks. However I gather that was the point. To leave us, the listener wanting more.

BAND LINEUP:
Alex Hilton – Drums
Nelson Rezek – Guitar
Blake Clawson – Vocals
Dick Black – Bass

WEBSITE:
http://www.brokenrailband.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.facebook.com/BrokenRail
https://twitter.com/BrokenRail
https://www.reverbnation.com/BrokenRail
https://www.instagram.com/brokenrail
https://soundcloud.com/brokenrail
https://www.youtube.com/user/BrokenRailVEVO

About Author

Josh Drespling

Josh is the Publisher and creator of Empire Extreme and it’s sister publication Kingdom Extreme Magazine. He is an accomplished writer, photographer and graphic designer. He is always conjuring up new ideas and has a amazing passion for the music industry and all the things that surround it.

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CD Reviews

Marilyn Manson is Back

Published

4 weeks 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

About Author

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.

About Author

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