CD Reviews

Downfall: Pittsburgh area metal legends release final album.

Published

8 years ago

August 26, 2016

JJ Ulizio

Downfall 0.0

Pittsburgh area metal legends release final album.

By JJ Ulizio

Downfall

July 2016 saw the release of 0.0, the final album from the hard and heavy band Downfall. The band is comprised of Christopher Lucci on vocals, Kevin Anderson on guitar, Mark “Tree” Trefelner on drums, and Herm Staving on bass.

Downfall spent over 15 years playing through the bars, clubs, and any other location that would have them in the Western Pennsylvania/ tri-state area. Specializing in wrecking the necks and destroying ear drums of all those willing to witness that which was Downfall. Arguably the heaviest metal can be without venturing into the realms of death metal.

Playing their final show on 12/21/12, prepping for the end of the world they promised their fans that all the new songs they had been playing live would be released onto a final album. 4 years later, (8 since their last album) they delivered on their promise and did not disappoint. Playing to all their strengths the album is their hardest and heaviest effort to be released yet.

The album starts off with a kick in the teeth titled “No Dice”. A skin blistering scream and whiplash inducing drum pace thrashes through until you get to the first verse past the intro that catches you into a solid groove. Rumbling bass lines, thunderous drums, and undeniably metal riffs keep the song driving forward to the guitar solo before its final ride out.

Song after song pounds and drives through as if it were designed to inflict neck injuries. A true head banging album with songs like “Unraveling”, “Self Inflicted”, “Forsaken Desire”, and “Dead Inside” you can feel the anger and rage from vocalist Christopher Lucci as he sounds like he is about to reach through the speakers and slam your head into the wall. Tree’s drumming slams through at formula one speeds, but still accents at the right times to make the grooves or breaks in the music crash that much harder. Herm’s bass playing provides the perfect backbone for the album. Adding a thickness and a rumble to the riffage while still showing off what his nimble fingers are able to do with a bass guitar. Kevin rounds things out perfectly with dark and crunchy guitar tones that come together to form the perfect riff machine.

Downfall

Currently they have no performance plans to coincide with the release of the album. Recently I caught up with Tree, their drummer, to see why after all this time did they still release the album or finish it at all. He responded “We’ve always been all about recording everything and putting it out there properly. Just because the songs weren’t all finished being recorded by the time we split was no reason to not finish the disc. With all of us being married now and growing families and living further apart, timing was an issue. We’re really proud of what we did during the Kevin years and we’re glad to finally put it out there for everyone to enjoy! Go buy it now fuckers!”

I am obviously gushing about it, but I have been craving something hard and harsh to break my neck to for a while now. If you are a fan of bands like Machine Head, Pantera, & Lamb of God or the riff driven heaviness of bands like Corrosion of Conformity & Down then you should check this album out. I give it two thumbs up. Do yourself a favor and pick it up. You can find it on iTunes & Spotify or you can get a hard copy here. It is a solid metal album. They can also be found on Facebook by clicking here.

Featured below is my favorite track from the album. Check it out and go buy it if you like it.

Downfall – Unraveling

About Author

JJ Ulizio

JJ has been a contributing writer and huge asset to Empire and Empire Extreme since the very begining. He is always digging for new bands and has a true heart and desire to see the bands grow and succeed.

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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

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