CD Reviews
Fallujah – Dreamless – Review
Fallujah
Dreamless
By: George Archibald:
California’s Fallujah just released Dreamless on April 29th through Nuclear Blast Records. This Atmospheric Death Metal quintet are looking to have further success as this is the follow up to 2014’s The Flesh Prevails, which hit #15 on the US hard rock album charts.
Founded in 2007, the band brings progressive metal together with a mix of death, programming, and ambiance. Each member of Fallujah is a master of their instrument as noted with the many stand out parts from every performer on this album.
To push promotion for this album, Fallujah released the single ‘The Void Alone’ and a music video for ‘Abandon’ prior to the album’s released. ‘The Void Alone’ starts off with a very clean echoing guitar riff before advancing with a heavy dose of progressive metal. This track reminds me of some of the old Cynic albums with the way the guitar uses tremolo to emphasize the riffs. As soon as that passes something fresh to the ear a bit of female vocals come in to accompany the track.
The ‘Abandon’ video showcases the theme of the album. Having a very dissonant feel with suppressed vocals in the beginning of the track. The accompanying guitars lead you up to a counterpoint of harmony and emphasis in this soundscape. Visually, the video is meant to make you believe you are watching dream and nightmare intertwining, while you catch glimpses of the bands’ performance.
This album doesn’t just follow one genre by sticking to just plain death metal, or progressive metal. The tracks ‘Fidelio’ and ‘Les Silences’ show the bands programming prowess. A mix of ambient and electronic drums along with dissonant vocal samples these two tracks lead you on an audio soundscape. This album also has a ton of atmosphere as Fallujah tries to fill every inch audibly for a enjoyable 360-degree experience. This album is meant to encompass it’s listener in a wave of sound with is evident in the beautiful mixing and mastering it contains.
If you are looking for a refreshing take on the progressive death metal genre or trying to escape the norm of metal, you will not be disappointed in Dreamless.
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BUSH 30th ANNIVERSARY OF “SIXTEEN STONE” VINYL
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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ALICE IN CHAINS “BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE” VINYL REVIEW
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
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VENDED: Album Review
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
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