Assimilate "Vicious Circles"

Next stop on the 5 Skull Express is Watford, Hertfordshire UK to check out a FRESH new release from Assimilate. This is the band's first full-length album, an accomplishment to be extremely proud of in this day and age of endless EP releases. Assimilate are no strangers to the EP release, having put out 2 EPs since 2013 between a healthy live schedule.

Assimilate classify themselves as Alternative Metal, and that seems to be a fitting title for their genre. Jake Aston (Vocals) shows his versatility on this album, frequently switching between harsh verses and eerily layered choruses. Aston's vocal influences reek of old school Corey Taylor or Chad Gray, but his tones are distinctly his own. His ability to switch between the raspy and the high is impressive and refreshing. These are catchy and also hard songs.

Chris Dixon and Matt Bown (Guitars) play together with a captivating and groovy style that pulls the listener in and keeps the head moving. "The Bliss Of Ignorance" begins with a dissonant progression, and although it is a short song, it does represent a complete thought.

Chris Rush (Drums) gets the pit moving with "Forgive and Forget," showing off his fast yet still groove-heavy songwriting.

"Insomniac" was the first single release from the album, and it is a solid representation of the band's sound. It shows off multiple sides of the band, with drastic changes between the verse and chorus parts. This is a head banger for sure, and it's also featured as their first music video from the new album.

Jack Cox (Bass) gets a nice moment to shine on the intro to "Last Words." He completes the rhythm section perfectly, blending nicely with the groove-oriented guitars on "Vicious Circles" as a whole.

My favorite song on the record is "Cold Reader" because of that intensely catchy guitar hook. Dixon and Bown forgo the flashy in favor of a great blend of dissonance and groove.

The last track, "Illusions" is the closest to a slower song that this band is going to give us on the album, featuring a delay-heavy intro and more enchanting choruses.

This record is catchy without being over the top. It's got groove and head nod for days. This is definitively a metal record without being too far on the extreme side. Metal elitists may say that the clean parts come off a bit whiny. I find it heartfelt and musically diverse. Aston's distinct tones may take a bit of time to sink in, but trust me when I say that YOU TOO will Assimilate. Of course, you should NEVER take my word for it! Go check this record out for yourself!

"VICIOUS CIRCLES"

Type: Full-length

Release date: August 4th, 2018

Label: Self-released

Artwork: Helen Hebenton at Uncanny Designs

Tracklist:

01. The Bliss Of Ignorance (1:23)

02. Forgive And Forget (3:13)

03. Insomniac (2:53)

04. Omens (2:42)

05. Left Behind (3:53)

06. Last Words (3:22)

07. Vicious Circle (2:58)

08. Cold Reader (4:02)

09. Count Your Blessings (3:50)

10. Illusions (4:24)

How to get it:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AssimilateOfficial/

Bandcamp:
https://assimilate.bandcamp.com

YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9fTl4HAQQsYWBPyaE8cqsQ

Bigcartel:
https://assimilate.bigcartel.com

THE VERDICT:

4 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀💀

Carry The Storm "Now Or Never" (VIDEO)

Great thing about the internet is that we can listen to bands from all over the world with just a few thumb presses or clicks. For this review, we're headed to Houston, TX to check out the FRESH new video from Carry The Storm.

From the very first notes of the intro, I can tell how tight and polished this band is. Lining up short hits in succession is no easy feat for even the accomplished musical group, and these guys pull it off like it's nothing. Of course, before the vocals even start, Kelly FitzSimons (Guitar) hits a solo which would be a feature on a lesser song, but serves as a taste of what's to come for these guys. Darren Robertson (Drums) and Joe Praetorius (Bass) round out this impressive group on instruments. In less than 1 minute, they've managed to all display a remarkable talent and mastery of their craft.

Carry The Storm is a power trio plus vocals, so let's talk about Nick Koumbis (Vocals) for a bit. Koumbis starts the song off with a breathy clean style, and switches effortlessly to a more aggressive scream. Some vocalists have one setting, some have two... Koumbis has developed his unique voice and displays that he has multiple intensities and tones.

Remember folks, quality matters. Carry The Storm make no sacrifices here, releasing a song and video with crisp, top notch recording and professionally shot scenes. These guys are on the pro level with their media.

This song is tough to stick a genre onto. I feel like this song, and this band, should put some of the big metalcore bands that have been slipping lately on high alert... I'm looking at you Killswitch Engage and All That Remains. Koumbis is right there vocally with Jesse Leach or Philip Labonte. However, I hesitate to call this metalcore because it has a distinct lack of breakdown. It's packed with guitar solos and leaves me wanting to see more of FitzSimons. Carry The Storm has somehow managed to chain him down long enough to both shred solos and craft beautiful melodic parts in the same song. I don't know what genre it is, but it's awesome. Carry The Storm will definitely make my playlist.

It just wouldn't be right here on 5 Skull Reviews if I didn't urge YOU to check out the song for yourself! I know I'll be looking into their new EP "i/E" post haste. Check the links below!

"NOW OR NEVER"

Type: Music video

Release date: August 2, 2018

Label: Self-released

How to get it:

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe1IFN0qfZcBT4DDuugdKdw

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/I-Explicit-Carry-Storm/dp/B072T71F4G

iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-e-ep/1247629250

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Ql98iaOwYZO65mBKDtHbM

THE VERDICT:

5 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀💀💀

DeadCentered "No Escape From The Human Race"

Baton Rouge, Louisiana based hardcore punk band DeadCentered are no strangers to heavy music. The band originally started in the early 00's but took a long hiatus to find the right members. Between sifting out big talkers and lining up schedules, forming a committed band is difficult! However, with DeadCentered, persistence has paid off and founding member Joshua Selser (Guitar / Vocals) has found his dream team.

This EP release boasts 6 songs, and a raw but clear recording style. Nothing seems buried in the mix, as is sometimes the case with independent releases. "To Live" begins with a sample and the dirty stylings of Bill May (Bass). This song shows off the band's ability to switch from fast riffing to tasteful, well orchestrated breaks, and a blast beat just for added flavor.

"Skin Deep Cattle" is an unhinged and rampant ride. Selser has a unique tone to his hardcore voice, like a lowered 80s Henry Rollins. In fact, this song reminds me of Black Flag quite a bit, but someone turned the heavy and the crazy all the way up. There are two kinds of people: Ones who would enjoy hanging out and getting wild with this band, and ones who might not make it through the night. Are you brave enough?

"Famine" is an oddly placed acoustic piece, with two distinct movements. It cleanses the palette and gives the listener a small reprieve from the hardcore punk styles that have been represented so far.

"Conflict" is a return to form, with more fast work from Mike Poole (Drums) and intricate parts from Selser and Jeremy Fish (Guitars), including an intriguing break and solos section before an extended scream from Selser. The song seemingly ends, and then the harp comes in. I was somewhat taken aback by this... a hardcore band with a harp?! What's going on here?! This song is very well put together and probably my favorite out of the bunch.

The EP continues on with DeadCentered's interpretation of the classic Guns 'N' Roses song "It's So Easy" featuring Selser's tortured screams. Poole shows off a pummeling tom beat during this cover as well. This is definitely a unique approach to this song, and it works for the band's abrasive style.

The final track, "Joyless Life Of Discontent" is a loud and raucous scream fest, and the vocal mix on this track serves to reinforce the wild energy of the song. Changing in points between a traditional hardcore punk feel and dissonant mathcore sounds a la The Dillinger Escape Plan, this song is the harshest track on the EP. It also contains the line for the title of the EP, breaking down at about the 4 minute mark with the chant, "No Escape From The Human Race." The song ends abruptly with a sad and detuned piano.

"No Escape From The Human Race" is an EP release that this band has obviously overcome struggle to accomplish. The seemingly random insertions of classical music into their fast and angry tunes came as a bit of a shock, but the band held my attention. This EP takes the listener on a journey, and introduces you to a band that is both talented and eclectic. Rooted firmly in hardcore punk, DeadCentered has found an interesting balance. I applaud them for their hard work, and I would like to encourage them to continue exploring their sound! Selser's vocals aren't going to appeal to everyone, but as a fan of old school hardcore I found them to be an interesting evolution toward the heavier side.

Being from Upstate New York, I had no idea there was such a thing as BRHC, but here it is folks. Underground music is really interesting like that, if you just ask, there's a whole world full of really great bands for you to discover! I will continue to do my best to find you new underground music to check out, but as always, YOU have to listen for yourself to find out!

"NO ESCAPE FROM THE HUMAN RACE"

Type: EP release

Release date: May 22, 2018

Label: Self-released

Track listing:

01. To Live (03:12)

02. Skin Deep Cattle (03:08)

03. Famine (01:09)

04. Conflict (04:41)

05. It’s So Easy (03:10)

06. Joyless Life of Discontent (06:41)

How to get it:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/deadcentered

Bandcamp:

https://deadcentered.bandcamp.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVAwwFuNqUj8YkdCb0CIkTg

THE VERDICT:

3 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀

5 Skull News!

Hello my fellow Skulls!

Hope this Friday finds you ready to rock out and enjoy the weekend, especially if it's with some good underground rock and metal!

I'll be busy for quite a while with underground rock and metal reviews here on 5 Skull Reviews, and I promised to do a shout out to Patrick from PM Star Promotions. I shot him an email asking for bands and they FLOODED my inbox! Here's to you Patrick, much love from 5 Skull Reviews!

Check out Patrick's links:

https://www.pmstarpromo.com

https://www.pmstarpromotions.com

https://www.facebook.com/pmstarpromotions

Here's what the labels are releasing today:

August 3, 2018

Abhorrent Deformity - Slaughter Monolith (Comatose)
Earth Groans - Rahab EP (Solid State)
Forest Green - Nothing Is Special EP (No Sleep)
Halcyon Way - Bloody But Unbowed (Agonia)
Integrity/Krieg - Split EP (Relapse)
Lord Of The Lost - Thornstar (Napalm)
Manticora - To Kill To Live To Kill (Vicisolum)
The Temperance Movement - A Deeper Cut (Snakefarm)
Ultraphonix - Original Human Music (earMusic)
Void Ritual - Death Is Peace (Ipos)


I've got my work cut out for me in the underground, but be sure to check out as many of these releases as you can! Just because a band has a record deal, that doesn't mean they sold out!!

Enjoy your weekend, and we'll see you back soon here at 5 Skull Reviews!

Remember, you can submit new music any time at
HageEntertainment@gmail.com
and 5 Skull Reviews will give you the straight dope!

Diluted "Legitimate Bastard"

A dangerous and thrilling mashup of styles, Rochester, NY based Diluted is back with a new EP that's so fresh, it burned my inbox on the way over. Diluted was gracious enough to send over an advance copy of their new offering "Legitimate Bastard" which will be released on August 18th, 2018.

"Legitimate Bastard" is a relatively short release, with its 4 songs all coming in around the 3 minute mark. Don't let the brevity fool you though, this band is explosive.

"Lose My Number" launches the EP with a vengeance, showing the band's angst-ridden rage right from the jump. Fans of NYHC bands like Sick Of It All or Vision Of Disorder will be immediately drawn to Patrick Mulligan (Vocals). Pure magic happens when Zach Coffey (Guitar, Vocals) joins on the chorus parts. The two voices harmonize in a beautifully creepy fashion. Mulligan shows the impressive skill of being able to both scream and sing clean parts. Diluted tells her how they really feel on this track, "Lose my number, you disgusting whore."

"An Innocent Onlooker" gives a different perspective, featuring more of the band's dissonant, angry side. This song also has an interesting breakdown "I thought it was bad before, it only gets worse" and a unique guitar part that reminds me of shoegaze to finish up this mostly hardcore tune. Diluted really are masters of blending styles.

Even more of this style blending / bending is evidenced by "Spintech," the 3rd song out of 4 on the "Legitimate Bastard" EP. This feels like a heavy dance tune, and comes on as a bit of a shock. Short bouts of distortion help this track remain cohesive with the rest of the release. Tyler Creller (Drums) shows off impressive hihat skills and the ability to switch quickly between this disco sounding beat and a heavy chorus part. Mike Kimak (Bass) is also featured prominently here, with the bass sounding loudly at just the right moments.

"Bothered" is the final track, and it is my favorite out of the bunch. Matt Helmer and Zach Coffey (Guitars) are standout performances here, mixing acoustic and electric guitars as well as a proper guitar solo. The overall feel of the song is slower, which makes this the longest song on the EP. This song forgoes the screaming, but the bittersweet emotion in the song is palpable and leaves me wanting another spin.

Diluted has, in 4 short songs, managed to show off at least 6 different styles of influence. They've also made me feel a range of emotions from anger to disgust to pain and sadness. The instruments are crystal clear and the recording quality is top notch. The vocal styles may take a few listens to grow on the general public, due to their harsh nature. I also have an issue with continuity here. The more I listen, the more I get a sense that this is a collection of songs that the band had time and budget to finish up rather than a complete thought. I feel like the first 2 tracks fit together and had a nice flow, but the thought was interrupted by the last 2 songs. I don't want that to be construed as a harsh criticism in any way, though, because these are GREAT songs and I feel like they were ordered perfectly. Each one is expertly crafted, with multiple layers built in to make each subsequent listen more enjoyable.

Diluted is a diverse and talented band that should be celebrated, and their fans will find this new EP to be - wait for it - Legitimate. I hope that this finds them even more fans and friends. As always, YOU need to go listen to this for yourself!

"LEGITIMATE BASTARD"

Type: EP release

Release date: August 18th, 2018

Label: Self-released

Artwork: Kelli Christine Porter

Tracklist:

01. Lose My Number (3:11)

02. An Innocent Onlooker (3:11)

03. Spintech (2:52)

04. Bothered (3:31)

How to get it:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/dilutedband

Bandcamp:
https://dilutedband.bandcamp.com

Official Website:
http://www.dilutedband.com

THE VERDICT:

4 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀💀

Symmetrical Defiance "Chrysalis"

Based out of Rome, NY, Symmetrical Defiance has been playing shows and making waves on the local underground scene for several years. Unfortunately, as is commonplace for many underground bands, they had to undergo several lineup changes to find their current form. I do have a demo of this band kicking around from a few years ago, but they're listing "Chrysalis" as their debut EP.

The EP starts off with an atmospheric guitar intro, which develops into a dark and heavy riff. The title track "Chrysalis" is a great representation of the band's sound, showcasing versatility and displaying the band's dark tones. Zodion Comstock (Bass) and Gabe Gonzalez (Drums) reinforce the many changes in this song. Just under 5 minutes goes by quickly as the heavy riffs continue on.

"Fate Of A Blackened World" comes on like a Slayer tune, but Joshua Franchi (Vocals) brings his signature dark style to bear on this song. His vocal tones are low and very harsh, akin to Emperor Magus Caligula (Dark Funeral) or Réne Wagner (Nargaroth). These low and wild black metal style vocals fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the riffs.

Black Metal vocals are not for the faint of heart, and this band's style makes it difficult to understand the lyrics. Their online material does not have lyric sheets. The physical release may be different however.

"Machine Of Defiance" hits hard, with dizzying guitar work and a faster pace. This is as catchy as it gets on this EP. This comes off as a blend of Death Metal style riffs and solos with the atmosphere and touch of Black Metal.

"Waiting In The Shadows" feels like a rainy day here, with a much darker and slower trudge to the intro and verse parts. Going a little slower in parts makes this the longest song on the EP by 2 minutes.

The final track, "Alliance" picks the speed back up and shows off Rexxavier McGee (Guitars) quite prominently.

This band is taking no prisoners. "Chrysalis" is a dark and energetic display of force. Friends who enjoy either Black Metal or Death Metal will get into Symmetrical Defiance. However, as always, YOU should listen for yourself! Check them out and support underground metal!

"CHRYSALIS"

Type: EP release

Release date: July 1st, 2018

Label: Self-released

Track listing:

01. Chrysalis (4:51)

02. Fate Of The Blackened World (4:16)

03. Machine Of Defiance (4:07)

04. Waiting In The Shadows (6:51)

05. Alliance (4:41)

How to get it:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SymmetricalDefiance

Bandcamp:
https://symmetricaldefiance.bandcamp.com

Bigcartel:
https://symmetricaldefiance.bigcartel.com

THE VERDICT:

4 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀💀

Shadowborn "End Of An Age"

Fresh music from Rochester, NY based Alternative Metal band Shadowborn today! Their debut EP "End Of An Age" is now available in digital format, and physical copies will be available at their CD release party on Friday, August 10th at Flour City Station in Rochester, NY.

Despite their self-imposed label of Alternative Metal, Jesse Halstead (Vocals) conjures visions of a long lost era of metal. With a towering voice that fits right along with the likes of Ronnie James Dio or Bruce Dickinson, Halstead shows the power of his vocals as well as his strong songwriting abilities all over this EP.

So what separates this band from traditional Power Metal? Well, for one thing, they're not telling fantasy stories. These songs are based on their experiences in forming the band, dealing with troubles, and the long and arduous journey to band practice.

Keith Goehner and Sean Augustus (Guitars) weave an intricate web of melody throughout this mostly fast paced offering. There are soulful passages as well as blistering, note-laden solos. Patches O'Brayer (Bass) shows a flashy and unique style on his instrument, with a definitive set of tones. Troy Olmstead (Drums) plays a style that serves the songs perfectly rather than one that's too risky or egocentric.

These songs sound crisp. Every instrument is clear and easy to pick out in the mix. "End Of An Age" is a pro level recording, which is great news for a debut EP for this band. Usually, I would have something to say about the mix of an independent recording, but this is not the case with Shadowborn. Quality matters, folks.

One of the most difficult challenges as a reviewer is to provide some kind of constructive criticism. In this case, it's very difficult because this is a rock solid release. I could say that the ballad feel of "Bygone Times" interrupts the fast pace of the other songs, but that only serves to show that this band has dynamic capability. Run times longer than 5 minutes may find trouble making it to radio, but the second song "Empire" solves this by coming in just a touch over 4 minutes.

Classic Metal isn't going to appeal to everybody. Modern metal is full of growlers and punching double bass runs. Shadowborn doesn't care about that stuff, and they prefer to write music with melody and feeling. If you can't respect the classics such as Iron Maiden, Dio, and Deep Purple, are you even a metal head? Is there some new term for the new school of listeners?

Hopefully this release goes well for the band and they find it necessary to record more songs!

But of course, YOU should always judge for yourself! Be sure to check out "End Of An Age" right away!

"END OF AN AGE"

Type: EP release

Release date: August 1st, 2018

Label: Self-released

Track listing:

01. End Of An Age (5:08)

02. Empire (4:08)

03. Bygone Times (5:15)

04. Follow The Stones (6:08)

How to get it:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/shadowbornmetal/

Bandcamp:

https://shadowborn.bandcamp.com/album/end-of-an-age

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fPXUqS5TEXNC12klZkyM5?si=4Q0-_9AYR2yeTmAncyvkTQ

Soundcloud:

https://m.soundcloud.com/shadowbornmetal/sets/end-of-an-age

THE VERDICT:

5 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀💀💀

Caligula "Era Of Perdition" & "Disillusion"

Cleveland, OH based metal band Caligula is the definition of FRESH.

They list their genre as Metal/Death Metal, but what sticks out to me the most upon my first few listens are the ridiculous vocals of singer Anthony Shields. This guy sounds like he's taking lessons right out of the deathcore books. He has excellent control of his absolutely evil sounding voice, drawing comparisons to deathcore greats such as Alex Kohler (Ex Chelsea Grin) or Jonny Davy (Job For A Cowboy).

So what happens when a death metal band mixes it up with a deathcore style vocalist? Awesomeness. You get complex riffs (I'm not talking your typical chugging deathcore breakdown riffs here) matched up with straight blood curdling screams. This is a band that's not afraid of technical riffs or blast beats, but also one that doesn't rely on one or the other exclusively. It's a great blend of styles and places them in a unique position going forward.

Their first single "Era Of Perdition" comes out of the gate swinging. This song is FAST and HEAVY. It's a thoughtful piece as well, addressing humanity's unwillingness to learn from our mistakes, and the fact that humans have been subjecting each other to slavery in one form or another throughout history. Being that it's such a fast song, it winds up coming in at a relatively short run time, only just 3 minutes. The official video is a little misleading as well, because they left a whole extra minute of silence on the end of the track. I like this song a lot though, it's solid. This single is quite fresh, having been released on July 3rd, 2018.

Their BRAND NEW single "Disillusion" is literally the freshest thing out there, released less than an hour before I type this review. This single features the same tones as their first single, which leads me to believe that they were recorded at the same time, or at least in the same place. This song allows Shields to show off his pig squeals, which are impressive. Okay, pig squeals aren't for everybody. They're not long enough to take over the track. More fast riffing here, and a really cool tom riff at about a minute in. These guys don't let up the breakneck pace at all, and wind up with another 3 minute song here. Kevin Curtis (Drums) shows off on the double bass for this track as well.

Dan Fortuna (Rhythm Guitar) and Erik Hendershot (Bass) deliver pummeling riffs that change as quickly as they began. Josh Shaffer (Lead Guitar) gives off tasty leads without being overly flashy or long. In the future, I would like to hear Shaffer have a little more time for his solos, which may extend the track length just a little bit. This band also seems to have a penchant for very abrupt endings.

Caligula will punch you right in the face and then suddenly disappear. If these first two songs are an indication of their overall style, they are BRUTAL. Fans of old school Job For A Cowboy, Aversions Crown, and Thy Art Is Murder will enjoy this band very much. I look forward to hearing more from this band, and I encourage YOU to check them out for yourself. Stay metal, my friends.

"ERA OF PERDITION" & "DISILLUSION"

Type: Released singles

Release date: July 3rd & July 31st, 2018

Label: Self released

How to get it:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Caligula-259522257419322/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbF6gk0fvv0IwtiIu4Whb5w

THE VERDICT:

4 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀💀

Skeletal Prison "Obsidian Temple Demo"

Skeletal Prison is a metal band from Rockford, IL. Despite forming in 2017, the band has only just recently began posting updates. In fact, their earliest update on Facebook is only from July 14th, 2018. Let's consider this band FRESH.

That being said, these aren't just a couple of 15-year-olds just starting a garage band. They're made up of former members of longer-running projects Sleeze (Psychedelic Groove Metal) and Untold Legacy (Melodic Progressive Death Metal). I'm not going to theorize whether those bands are active or what the scoop is there, because I understand that sometimes bands change up. Either way, it seems that Skeletal Prison is standing on its own and the members seem to be enjoying working together. That fun attitude is present in their music, and that's important.

So why am I talking about a band that has literally one demo version of a song recorded? Because they submitted it to my email, that's why! Bands that are willing to put themselves out there deserve a chance too, not just the ones that are able to pay their way on to a big website or a magazine. That's why we're here, and I hope you give this a chance.

SO what's "Obsidian Temple Demo" like? Well first of all it says Demo on it, so let's get the recording quality out of the way first thing. It's not bad. The vocals are a little low, and the bass is a little high. There is a bit of mid-range muffle going on. They're not using sampled drums or expensive mixing software. Does quality matter? YES. However, with a good enough song, it tends to matter a little less. I would like to hear this recorded at a pro studio in the future.

The song starts off with a clean build, reminiscent of Slayer's "Seasons In The Abyss," with eerie chords to start. The bass and drums join slowly. Next, the song properly starts, with a completely new type of riff. This is more thrashy. The vocals come in, which are low and harsh but a good fit for the style of riffing. This song makes use of double bass drums, extended guitar solos, and a cool rhythm section while retaining an eerie dissonant feel. I didn't have access to any lyrics, so it's hard to guess what the song is really about. However, it feels like the subject has been transported to the Obsidian Temple, a place where time stops, and is shown a horrible future of destruction by an evil goddess.

The song is relatively long, coming in over 7 minutes. The changes are distinct and somewhat abrupt, however welcome. It reminds me of Slayer and Death a bit, but with a unique lower vocal style. Definite points for creativity and original style.

I look forward to hearing more from this promising new band, especially studio recordings! Thanks to Skeletal Prison for being good sports and submitting their first demo to 5 Skull Reviews.

"OBSIDIAN TEMPLE DEMO"

Type: Demo recording

Release date: July 29th, 2018

Label: Self-released

How to get it:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Skeletal-Prison-262219427918196

ReverbNation:

https://www.reverbnation.com/skeletalprison/songs

THE VERDICT:

3 out of 5 Skulls

💀💀💀

Ultra-Violence "Operation Misdirection"

Ultra-Violence "Operation Misdirection" was released July 27, 2018 via Candlelight/Spinefarm Records. The band hails from Italy, and features a young cast of talented thrashers. This is their third record, and it shows clear progression as songwriters and as players.

I'm absolutely loving the modern thrash revolution. Bands like Power Trip and Havok are out there making thrash metal modern and relevant, and Ultra-Violence deserves a place right on that lineup. This record is really good. Thrash metal tends to get a bad rap for being somewhat repetitive, sacrificing creativity for raw speed. "Operation Misdirection" keeps the listener on his or her toes.

The first track, "Cadaver Decomposition Island" is the first single for the record. Coming in at just over 6 minutes, it keeps you guessing with fast changes and banging riffs. It's a wild ride and a must listen for open-minded metallers.

The album continues on, addressing some of the problems of the modern generation in between insane guitar and bass solos. "Nomophobia" is a name for the fear of being away from your cell phone, which is something that modern people absolutely suffer from. Go to a show, and watch people just behind the mosh pit scrolling on Facebook or Instagram instead of enjoying the experience that they paid to see!

There's also an excellent thrash cover of "Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits on this album. I'm normally very hard on covers in general, but this reworked version is pretty fun to check out.

The elephant in the room here is that it's very tricky to be a modern thrash band without being compared to Havok. Is Ultra-Violence actually Havok, Jr.? NO. There are so many interesting elements to this record, from keyboards to acoustic guitars. I would almost be willing to call this a progressive thrash record because of all the changes, but I know that will definitely draw some haters.

Hate it or love it, thrash metal is modern and here to stay. I lean towards loving it. The modern production quality here is a great addition to the genre. Critics of thrash might say that the vocals are a little monotone, and that the whole gang chant thing is overdone. I think it's used tastefully.

If it was up to me, I would have changed the track order and put the last two songs (which is really an instrumental intro and a full song) first... but what do I know.

"OPERATION MISDIRECTION" 

Type: Full-length 

Release date: July 27th, 2018 

Label: Candlelight/Spinefarm Records 

Artwork: Ed Repka

Tracklist: 

01. Cadaver Decomposition Island (6:12) 

02. Welcome To The Freakshow (2:54) 

03. My Fragmented Self (6:15) 

04. The Acrobat (4:25) 

05. Nomophobia (5:51) 

06. Money For Nothing (Dire Straits cover) (4:29) 

07. The Stain On My Soul Remains (1:59) 

08. Shining Perpetuity (6:32)

How to get it:

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ultraviolencemetal

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwzF4C44hJA

Bigcartel:

https://ultraviolencemetal.bigcartel.com/

THE VERDICT:

4 out of 5 Skulls

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Welcome!

Welcome to 5 Skull Reviews. 

My name is Matt and I've been doing music reviews on my personal Facebook page for a couple months now, and my friends seem to dig it. SO I've decided to start this blog to let the world know how I see music. Let's get started by laying down the rules.

I'm going to focus my energy on new music. I'm going to shoot for releases that are less than six months old. I may promote my own music at any time, I play drums in three bands currently. Otherwise any content that I review or share will be the copyright of their respective owners. I suggest that any readers or listeners out there support their musicians by purchasing music that they enjoy.

I will absolutely take suggestions or submissions. You can send submissions to HageEntertainment@gmail.com at any time. I will get to them on a first come, first served basis.

PLEASE if you submit something, include a link to either a YouTube video or a Bandcamp page. I do not use SoundCloud or Spotify and I don't want to buy a whole bunch of silly apps. If it doesn't have an easy way to see or hear it from my phone, I'm probably going to skip it and that sucks.

How the rating system works:

I will write an article about each piece of music. These articles may be short, in the form of a couple hundred words, or possibly very long depending on what the music compels me to write. I am a college graduate and I do have experience in writing music reviews and papers. I am not afraid to be verbose. I am also not afraid to tell it like it is. I am not a corporate slave, I am not doing this for money or recognition. I will not sit here and tell you that a steaming pile of hot garbage is the new greatest record. I also do tend to be a bit more forgiving to different styles of music.

After each article, I will boil it down for you TL;DR folks and give a skull rating. These are on a scale of 0 to 5 skulls, hence the name of the blog. There will be no half skulls awarded. Skulls can be added for originality, groove, creative lyrics, great recording quality, etc. Skulls can be taken away for poor instrumentation, poor composition, poor or boring lyrics, or any other reason I damn well please because this is my blog.

If you don't agree with my ratings, you can feel free to speak up in the comments but please be civil and respect the opinions of other commenters while explaining your position. I may publish amendments to my ratings if I so choose. Sometimes a composition grows on me.

The bottom line

Rock and metal needs reviews that aren't huge sites with corporate sponsors. I understand how those sites work, and it's pretty slimy. The biggest names in the genre pay to have their stupid opinion featured all over the internet while the unsung heroes of the genre continue on forgotten.

I don't care if a band is on a huge label, or if they're in the garage. Great music is simply great music. Let's enjoy!