CD Reviews

WhiteChapel “The Valley” Album Review

Published

6 years ago

March 17, 2019

One of the godfathers of modern Deathcore, Whitechapel is back with The Valley. Ten new tracks of menace from the band who has brought you ‘This is Exile’. Whitechapel has been at the forefront of deathcore for many years and sought out to remind everyone of this by holding a 10^th anniversary tour for the Somatic Defilement album, and by playing the This is Exile album in its entirety live over the last two years. Now the band is back with what I would call a matured sound, gone is the angst and anger of their younger years, replaced by self-reflection and a refined approach to song structure.

Starting out the album is the track ‘Brimstone’, the track kicks off with the staple WC sound. Heavy guitars and vocalist Phil Bozeman’s harsh styled vocals and growls. The song has a bit of a lumbering cadence to it, with low tuned guitars carrying the listener through the track. This is just the toes in the water to what is to come.

Following up ‘Brimstone’ is the band’s single, ‘When a Demon Defiles a Witch.’ This song to me represents both the old and new stylings of WC. The beginning is very aggressive and abrasive, with the double drum patterns and quick paced guitar riffs. This all comes to a stop as the song begins to bloom, and Bozeman shows his vocal chops opting to sing in cleans, ratherthan his trademark heavy vocal style. This song has the kitchen sink thrown in as the song has several tempo changes, and switches between the very heavy and the melodic throughout the song.

One song that stuck out to me is ‘Hickory Creek.’ This track is a branch off from what WC has been known for in the past. This song has a more radio friendly style to it, a slightly driven clean voiced Bozeman sings throughout this song. If I was to compare the styling of this song it is very Stone Sour like, but very catchy and pleasing to the ear.

The Valley is a move away from the days of yesteryear and to a more modernized Whitechapel. With the addition of cleans, the band is pushing forward like many others who have decided to drop the overly heavy style for a more approachable market. If you are a fan of the older styled, in your face WC you may end up yearning for more from this album as those songs are few and far between, but if you are openminded there are many solid tracks to listen through. Some people see change as a bad thing for musicians, but that is only a matter of opinion as Whitechapel marches to their own beat.

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George Archibald

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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

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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.

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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