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Texas Hippie Coalition- Dark Side of Black (review)

Ron

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Updated-Album-ArtTexas Hippie Coalition

Dark Side of Black

By Ron Senyo

 Texas Hippie Coalition has released their fourth studio album, Dark Side of Black on the Carved Records imprint.

The new album has a very crisp and punching sound along with a great heavy groove throughout the entire album. Lead howler, Big Dad Ritch describes the bands’ sound like nobody else can, “It’s like Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top had a child, and Pantera ended up raising it. We’re Red Dirt Metal.”

This release showcased lead singer, Big Dad Ritch amazingly dirty and gruff vocals and the soaring guitar attack of Cord Pull.

If you’re a fan of passionate and heavy southern rock this is the band and album for you you have been waiting for.  Dark Side of Black is loaded with 10 tracks that leave you wanting more and more. The album starts off with a ditty called “Come Get It” which is a perfect lead off to the album. The track lets you know right of the bat who this band is and what they have in store for you.

”Shakin Baby” is a song that will make the metal heads banging there heads, while the country types would be boot scooting and boogying.

“Villain” is perhaps my favorite track on the album. It’s a dirty and dark song that oozes all the elements that are Texas Hippie Coalition, with lyrics like “For I am the smasher of hopes, I am destroyer of dreams, I am the cancer of faith,  l am slayer of all good things”.

The CD ends with the track “Gods Are Angry” which carries an angry yet precise messaging and is an amazing way put a closing exclamation mark at the end of the CD.

Track List:

  1. “Come Get It”
  2. “Angel Fall”
  3. “Shakin’ Baby”
  4. “Knee Deep”
  5. “Villain”
  6. “Into The Wall”
  7. “Dark Side”
  8. “Rise”
  9. “Hit It Again”
  10. “Gods Are Angry”

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CD Reviews

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

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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

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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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DevilSkin “Surfacing” EP 

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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   

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