Review: Secrets of the Moon - Priveligivm

Upon glancing at the album artwork Priveligivm, the new release by German black-metal band Secrets of the Moon, the only pre-conceived judgment I decided to make was that, without a doubt, the music contained would be dark in nature. But that goes without saying, both given the genre, and the fact that Secrets of the Moon, despite the fact no original members remain in the band, have always deeply rooted their music in occultism.

Priveligivm begins with the short intro title-track (that I will admit I will avoid trying to spell as much as possible throughout this review). The track I found to be surprisingly similar in nature, although longer and more intricate, to the intro to “Raining Blood” by Slayer. It leads seamlessly into “Sulphur”, a track noted by its, long, but intense, instrumental buildup into the verses.

For this type of music, the mixing and production tend to be very hit or miss. It has to be perfect, with just enough effect to enhance the music, but not to mask the original sound that the band intended to create.   Priveligivm boasts exceptional production, as seen in all tracks, my favorite example being “I Maldoror...” 

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Featured Artist: Deathalizer

So I've recently made a MySpace page. For bands and stuff.

In the few weeks I've had it, I've had indie bands add me, some exceptional, some much less so. I posted a blog asking if a band would like to be featured in The Pulse, to please contact me.
About a day later, I received a message from a band, known as Deathalizer, asking to be featured.
I always go into MySpace band sites with a high amount of skepticism. Usually they're either teenage bands that only have about a month's worth of experience working together and a GarageBand recording of themselves doing Smells Like Teen Spirit, or a label run page that has no personal affiliation with the band. But naturally I give it a shot. I've got nothing but time, and hell, it might be worth it.

Now would I be sitting here writing about it if it wasn't? Didn't think so.

Deathalizer is a four-piece unsigned metal band from New York. Adopting their unmistakably thrash style from the likes of Metallica, Slayer, and Pantera, they blend the best of what these bands showcase to create great, in-your-face metal.

Starting with The Angel's Fall, the first track from Deathalizer's album, It Dwells Within, kicks off with slow dark sounding acoustic guitars, breaking into similarly paced harmonized riffs, leading, finally, into the Metallica-esque "theme" of the song, in a sense.

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Review: Anata Wa Sukkari Tsukarete Shimai - Sweetness and Light EP

What do you get when you combine efforts of a Japanese singer-songwriter, an English rock musician, and a Scottish “ground dweller”, who go by the names _, Gnomefoam, and Bunny, respectively? Anata Wa Sukkari Tsukarete Shimai, which, I am told means “You are completely tired.” in Japanese. But from here on, I will refer to this collaboration as simply Anata Wa.

The members of Anata Wa, the most recent signing onto Bearsuit Records, met while working on their own individual projects for Rack & Ruins records. It was then they decided to work on a collaborative effort. The Sweetness and Light EP, released earlier this summer is what the effort has produced.

As someone who is partial to rock and metal music, I was a bit skeptical when asked to review something labeled experimental pop. But naturally, I gave it a shot. Nothing wrong with expanding my horizons-I will admit, I was a stranger to the genre, but upon listening I was fascinated.

The EP started with the track “Forsake”. There was a certain peacefulness...

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Featured Artist: Charm City Devils

Anyone that knows me knows I'm a huge concert-goer. I really enjoy live music, preferably good live music.
So, a couple Januaries ago, a friend told me about a concert, four bands, five bucks, and the closer was Egypt Central. Not a hugely known band, but I'd always really enjoyed their music. And hell yes, I can afford that.
So, day of the show rolls around. We go, it's at the Ottobar in Baltimore. Now, I had never been there before that time, but I wasn't surprised to find that it's basically a stage, a bar, and a thick layer of haze.
We got there early, because... well... that's what we do. Get there early, almost guaranteed a place against the stage. Not like it was really difficult, because the crowd wasn't huge.
First band was a local band called... hell... I don't remember their name. They were alright for what they did, but I wasn't really feelin' it at the time. Next band was Lennex, another local band. Highly entertaining. Good music. Third band was a Baltimore based band, Forty Acres. This was actually my favorite of the night. Egypt Central was good, but Forty Acres really stood out to me. Maybe it's because I'm a huge fan of the "throwback" style of rock: something reminiscent of the 70's or 80's. But they put on a damn good show. High energy, kept the crowd moving, including that drunk chick behind me, shakily holding her drink above my head, only to let it fall, dousing me with whatever alcohol she may have been consuming.
But that's neither here nor there. After the show, I felt compelled to buy the album they had on sale: Broken Promise, a self-produced album. A purchase I was glad I made, worth way more then the... $10? $5? Something.
All I know now is that I have kept up with this band since I saw them. And it's amazing to see how far they've made it.
They started out in vocalist/guitarist John Allen's basement. He already had a lot of useful experience in both songwriting and touring before, as the drummer for SR-71, a Baltimore local alternative rock band. This time around, however, Mr. Allen stepped up to the mic, and anyone like me, who's a fan of the band is glad he did. His voice is perfectly suited for the old-school rock'n'roll sound that they produce, and the instrumental aspect is equally well suited.
They played shows around the Baltimore area for a while, until they were "discovered." Discovered, I say, by Mr. Nikki Sixx himself, bassist for Motley Crue and president of Eleven/Seven Records.
After several name changes, going from Forty Acres to Chosen Son, and then from Chosen Son to what we now know as Charm City Devils, a tribute to the city they have emerged from, they were signed to Eleven Seven, among big names like Crue themselves, Drowning Pool, and Buckcherry.
Now what is it about Charm City Devils that make them unique?
Maybe it's the fact that unlike many so-called rock bands of today, they truly represent the whole, no holds barred, dangerous, raw sound of what rock once was. No frills, nothing too complex, just pure sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll.
Charm City Devils released their breakout Eleven Seven debut, Let's Rock-n-Roll, earlier this year. A fun release, preferred when played loudly, it still features that raw sound that was loved about Broken Promise.
They have just ended their run opening for Cruefest 2, and are now on the second leg of their tour, so if you get the chance, go see them.
So, if you like bands like Buckcherry or Jet, or simply like the idea of a band reviving the old school rock sound, I recommend you check out Charm City Devils.

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