CD Reviews
White Chapel – Mark of the Blade (review)
White Chapel – Mark of the Blade (review)
Reviewed by George Archibald
Knoxville natives White Chapel are currently celebrating 10 years in the industry with their Decade of the Blade tour. Along with this tour the band is gearing up for the release of their 6th studio album, Mark of the Blade, available June 24th via Metal Blade Records. Mark of the Blade is the follow up of 2014’s Our Endless War, which peaked at number 1 on the US Hard Rock Charts. This week the Van’s Warped Tour website has allowed anyone to come and stream this album for free, before being able to purchase the album on its release date.
Over the last few albums White Chapel has shifted their songwriting to more of a melodic sound rather than a technical death metal sound. Mark of the Blade brings further experimentation for the band with the addition of clean vocals. It’s a different step for vocalist Phil Bozeman who is known for having a very aggressive vocal style with growling lyrics and deep gutturals. You can have a listen for yourself on the track “Bring Me Home”. It is very somber song allowing this dynamic to shine through. I think the addition of clean vocals can be a well utilized tool for the band in the future.
Mark of the Blade continues to follow the themes that made Our Endless War popular, with content about rebellion and resistance to authority, and themes of togetherness. The instrumental track “Brotherhood” is also a nice break in the album to hear the stylings of guitarist Alex Wade. An acoustic guitar intro leads you into a very lead driven riff accompanied by a solo. This track creates a sense of menace as it plays on, with several eerie guitars riffs carrying this track into a build up before the instruments cut out to a piano outro.
The track “Dwell in the Shadows” is a nod to older White Chapel songs; very quick paced technical guitar riffs push the tempo of this song. The drummer is using blast beats and double bass stylings which are reminiscent of the old days of WC. Mark of the Blade kind of left me wanting a bit more of the old stylings of WC while keeping me interested in what they will do next. This is Exile; this is not, but rather a matured sound for the band. It would have been nice to have had Phil cut loose more on some of the songs. It seems like they are lacking that fire that the band had on some of their previous singles. Overall this album is fair, if you are a fan of the older albums you may be searching for more from the band. If you are a newer listener this a great introduction to this chapter of White Chapel.
About Author
Share this:
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
Share this:
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
Share this:
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
About Author
Share this:
King Diamond brought the Halloween party to Silver Spring MD
INTERVIEW WITH JACK GRIFFITH OF NOVO COMBO
ITS TIME TO GET YOUR BODY BEAT AND LET THE BLOOD FLOW
LUDACRIS : THE HALL AT LIVE
FIDLAR 930 CLUB REVIEW
KING DIAMOND TOUR 2024
THE BEG TO SERVE TOUR 2024
ALICE IN CHAINS “BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE” VINYL REVIEW
FORGET THE WALL OF DEATH…..ITS ALL ABOUT THE WALL OF LOVE
Jinjer came back to Baltimore bringing with them Japan’s Hanabie.
Seether Live Review Pittsburgh, PA
GERMANY PROVES THAT NUDITY AND DEPRAVITY CAN STILL BE FUN
VENDED: Album Review
LORD OF THE LOST/Julien K Baltimore
FREAKS ON PARADE 24
W.A.S.P. Album One Alive 2024 US Tour
INTERVIEW WITH BOONE FROGGETT OF OTIS
MARILYN MANSON IS BACK. SINNERS REJOICE
ASHES OF LEVIATHAN TOUR:PITTSBURGH SHOW REVIEW
STYX/FOREIGNER JIFFY LUBE LIVE 24
INTERVIEW WITH JEFF PILSON OF FOREIGNER
THIRD EYE BLIND/YELLOWCARD PITTSBURGH REVIEW
-
Concert Reviews1 year agoCradle of Filth/DevilDriver Baltimore Show Review
-
Empire Interviews1 year agoPsychostick Interview w/ Matty J “Moose”
-
Concert Reviews1 year agoThrill Kill Kult: Soundstage Show Review
-
Concert Reviews1 year agoStatic X/Sevendust Lancaster Show Review
-
Concert Reviews1 year agoUnEarth/Revocation/Entheos/High Comand Show Review
You must be logged in to post a comment Login