CD Reviews

Pupil Slicer “Blossom” Album Review

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2023

I was not familiar with the UK’s Pupil Slicer prior to their sophomore release Blossom making its way to me. Pupil Slicer blends elements of early metalcore/mathcore from bands like Converge and early Dillinger Escape Plan with elements of black metal, shoegaze, and dash of melodic punk. If it wasn’t obvious with all those descriptors, Pupil Slicer have crafted a truly eclectic and almost genre fluid album.

Decent production, I really like how the drums come through in the mix. They help provide a solid backbone for the duration of the album. Caulked full of amazing bass tones coupled with guitar sounds that really punches through with the significant use of dissonant guitar riffs. Only criticism is when the guitar utilizes some of the shoegaze elements it falls back in the mix making it a little less prominent under the drums.

Vocalist Kate Davies comes through quite clear and I think could make some black metal vocalists a bit jealous with her goblin like screams. Those screams seem to punch harder when interspersed with her more melodic clean vocals in the more punk prominent songs.

A concept album described as lyrically following a protagonist who loses touch with reality as they have a “kaleidoscopic voyage through another plane of existence where all is not as it first seems” after receiving a signal of profane and alien origin.

The black metal influences become very apparent early in the album with “Momentary Actuality”. Starting immediately with those goblin screams and blast beats right off the bat before transitioning to a more melodic chorus. Within how harsh a lot of the album comes across it has some surprising mellow and melodic moments which only serve to make the hard parts hit that much harder.

They also show they’re not scared to utilize electric and almost EDM sounding elements without the song loosing focus as seen in tracks like “Departure in Solitude”.

Fans of modern metalcore will be happy to note that Davis makes multiple uses of the “Blegh!” throughout the album, notably on “The Song at Creations End”. There is even a ballad on here that mixes primarily black metal/shoegaze elements with the various ‘core genres they take influence from.

The album closes with the single “Blossom” which is a bass driven punk track that features primarily clean and melodic vocals. That builds on itself culminating in a blistering guitar solo and a reminder that they’re not just a punk band.

Over all, not being familiar with them prior to this release I wasn’t sure what to expect. I can safely say that I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not sure anyone can fill the gap the Dillinger Escape Plan left when they disbanded, but I think Pupil Slicer is a good start if you want something eclectic and spastic. The album is set to release on 06/02/2023 from Prosthetic Records and will be available on all the usual streaming platforms.

Find everything you need to purchase or preorder at https://pupilslicer.Com

US Merchandise Distribution for preorders and purchases can be found at https://www.nightshiftmerch.com/collections/Pupil-Slicer

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

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