Saturday, October 31, 2009
Please Read: Close to Home.
Posted by Sara at 8:55 PM 0 comments
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Review: Harley's War - Hardcore All-Stars
Posted by Sara at 12:03 PM 0 comments
Monday, October 26, 2009
Review: Loda Dimes - 10 Cent Instant Rebate
Posted by Sara at 1:08 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Review: Automatic Fire - Summer 2009 Demos
Posted by Sara at 1:05 PM 0 comments
Review: Moraine - Manifest Density
When a band or artist decides that they want to create their own sound, like every good, or at least unique band does, they often break a few rules and cross that dreaded genre line. This has the potential for either being a huge success, like the thrash metal movement of the 1980s, which combined the speed of hardcore punk and metal sensibilities, literally changing the face of music. It also has the potential for fleeting popularity and eventual ridicule in some circles, much like the fate of nu-metal, which had its basis in the already iffy combination of rap and rock music.
Posted by Sara at 1:03 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Review: The Del McCoury Band - Family Circle
Posted by Sara at 1:02 PM 0 comments
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Concert Review: Metallica
Where? JPJ Arena / Charlottesville, VA
When? October 17, 2009
After having seen Iron Maiden, Tool, and a number of my favorite bands in the past, this left one major concert-going goal: my favorite band, Metallica. I had already missed the opportunity for the pit in DC, and eventually the show sold out as it was. So upon hearing they would be coming, at least within the distance of a long drive, I was determined to get there. So obviously I did.
We got to the show late, midway through Lamb of God's set. Admittedly, I wouldn't have minded to see their full set, and Gojira as well, but I was there for 'tallica. And that's all that mattered, really. I will say however, that the little bit of Lamb of God that I DID see, that they are excellent live. Nothing too flashy or anything, BUT the musicianship was on point.
Lamb of God got offstage, and the lights went up. As the minutes counted down, the excited tension of the place increased. And then, the lights went out. Completely. And all one could hear, at least beyond the crowd, was Ennio Morricone's chilling The Ecstasy of Gold. It led straight into the heartbeats the began That Was Just Your Life. A dark blue light lit the place, and then, as soon as the distorted guitar kicked in, there were lasers. Oh my God, there were lasers. They changed colors with each chord struck, and changed motion with the tempo. It was both ridiculous in the best way possible, and just plain amazing. Metallica sounded on point, as expected, and I was blown away. By the first song.
To go through song by song and just talk about how amazing it was, would... well, take forever. So I'll give a summary of the highlights:
- Creeping Death - Definitely glad the old stuff showed up so early. It was heavy as hell. A lot of people say that James' vocals have gone for the worse when doing old stuff, but seriously, he was on point that night. No wah abuse :D Great stuff. First time the coffin light fixtures were lowered, everyone was kinda surprised. This and Fuel, I'm pretty sure they played faster than the studio versions. It was insane.
- Fade to Black - This was literally perfect. Better than the studio version. Low lighting, perfect solos. Everything was just... amazing. I can't say that enough.
- One - I'm just going to come right out and say it, the pyro gives Iron Maiden a run for their money. The multicolored flames, the floor fires during the intro. Awesome.
- Nothing Else Matters/ Enter Sandman - Nothing Else Matters was played absolutely beautifully, exactly as it should be. But as soon as that last note of that powerful solo was played, it led right into the distinct opening riff of Enter Sandman, a song every fan in the audience seemed to go nuts over.
- Encore -- Started with an absolutely on point cover of Stone Cold Crazy, originally done by Queen. Then, a huge surprise for the fans of the old days, they played Trapped Under Ice, the first time in.... a long time, if I'm not mistaken. Really good. And then there was Seek and Destroy. Throughout the song, the Metallica beach balls fell from the ceiling to the fans below, as they played, and the audience screamed every word. It's their usual last song for them, but is still an amazing closer to an amazing concert.
Setlist:
- That Was Just Your Life
- The End Of The Line
- Creeping Death
- Fuel
- Fade To Black
- Broken, Beat And Scarred
- Cyanide
- Sad But True
- One
- My Apocalypse
- The Day That Never Comes
- Master Of Puppets
- Blackened
- Nothing Else Matters
- Enter Sandman
Posted by Sara at 7:21 PM 0 comments
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Featured Artist: Scouting For Girls
SFG is a London-based indie pop band comprised of Roy Stride (vocals/keyboards), Greg Churchouse (bass guitar), and Peter Ellard (percussion). This phenomenal three piece manages to maintain the ability to write a song that is, quite frankly, catchy as hell, but don't come off as too mainstream or poppy. Their songs range in subject matter from crushes and love to... spies? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, spies. The song "I Wish I was James Bond," easily the most recognized track thanks to YouTube, states the speaker's wistful desires to "kiss all the girls and blow the bad guys away," much in the fashion of his idol, James Bond himself.
SFG takes a different approach to alternative musicianship as well. Instead of opting for the typical guitar-bass-drums style of many indie bands, SFG takes advantage of the versatility of the piano instead of the "standard" guitar. Some might find themselves initially skeptical on this front, but I assure you it actually produces a refreshing sound. I mean, I'm saying this, and as a guitarist, I'm automatically biased, and I'm saying good things about it. Come on now.
Despite the UK's adoration for SFG, I've noticed that the only real US recognition they've received is one of their songs in a Vonage commercial. Unfortunately, unless something's changed, the album is not available in the US iTunes store, but they have an EP available on their official website for free download so I recommend you check them out.
Posted by Sara at 1:49 PM 0 comments
Review: The Hit & Mrs. - Ashes of Bridges
Posted by Sara at 12:59 PM 0 comments
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Review: Clandestine - The Invalid
Posted by Sara at 12:53 PM 0 comments