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

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

Published

1 month 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

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

VENDED: Album Review

Published

2 months ago

September 20, 2024

JJ Ulizio

9/20/24 sees the independent release of the full-length, self-titled debut album from Des Moines, Iowa natives Vended. Featuring vocalist Griffin Taylor, Simon Crahan on drums, Jeremiah Pugh on bass, Cole Espland on lead guitar, and Connor Grodzicki on rhythm guitar.

On this album they have taken more abrasive elements of nu metal as seen in the late 90s from bands like Slipknot and Soulfly and utilized elements of metalcore to slap a fresh coat of paint on the style. There are elements that remind me of the more modern and spastic styles of nu metal, similar to a band like Tallah.

Griffin’s vocal styling showcases mid-range screams as the main driving force bending the vocals. True to the nu metal elements, the rage and anger perceived from the screams are offset by the occasional catchy riff or fast talking, almost rapping stylized lyrics.

Crahan shows an impressive command of rhythm with his double bass drum. Driving each track forward with a machine gun-like purpose, which makes the more groove-oriented parts hit much harder. Crahan, in addition to the rest of the rhythm section (Espland and Pugh), all really work together well to keep the momentum moving forward while not sacrificing said groove.

While I wouldn’t call it album of the year or anything. It’s definitely worth checking out. Standout tracks: “Nihilism” and “The Far Side”.

Vended can be found on the usual socials. And the album is available on all streaming platforms. And physical copies can be purchased though https://www.officialvended.com

About Author

JJ Ulizio

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CD Reviews

DevilSkin “Surfacing” EP

Published

6 months ago

May 22, 2024

Ron

It’s been 4 years since Devilskin’s last album, “Red.” The New Zealand band has followed up with their new EP, “Surfacing.”

This 6-song EP starts off with “Whale Song,” which just rocks and puts you right in the mood for what Devilskin is going to bring. I love Jennie Skulander’s voice; it works perfectly with the tone and grittiness of the album.

The EP has two covers on it. “Barracuda,” which we reviewed before and is a great cover song. The band also takes a swing at Dio’s “Holy Diver.” I am pretty critical about anyone covering Dio. Most bands try too hard to sound like Ronnie, which doesn’t always work out. However, I like this cover because the band takes their own path when covering it and makes it their own.

“Let Me Breathe,” “Insects,” and “Unborn” round up the rest of the EP. Which makes the EP a great listen from beginning to end. There has been a great resurgence of bands coming from New Zealand that kick ass. DevilSkin is on top of that list of bands. I hope that they make it over to the US soon so we can get a chance to check them out live. If you’re into a great rock EP and want to listen to something new and fresh, I recommend checking out this EP.

THIS IS A SPONSORED REVIEW BROUGHT TO YOU BY TAG PUBLICITY