Marilyn Manson-The Pale Emperor

 

In January of 2015, Marilyn Manson is set to release his new record, "The Pale Emperor".  After hearing this album, I was stuck on an opinion for a few days to be honest with you all.  I heard the first track released off of it, "Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge", and thought highly of the album probabilities.  Then, recently, another song was officially released titled, "Deep Six".  This song was mediocre, yet just not at the most intriguing to my ears.  Don't get me wrong, Manson's vocal sounds are something I've been drawn to over his career, however, the "quietness" and rather "non-rocking" tracks on this upcoming release, are a huge letdown.  There are some songs worthy of checking into though.  Take for example what is probably my favorite from "The Pale Emperor", and that being the song "The Devil Beneath My Feet".  This has Manson's expected lyrical tone, and he seems as dark as ever in this musical presence.  Another song to perhaps just snag for a few (total) off of I-Tunes upon the release of the album is the song "Worship My Wreck".  Lyrically, this is probably his best effort on the album, and it also has an uniqueness to it.  The only other songs worth grabbing would be the tracks "Fall Of The House Of Death (On Deluxe Edition Only)", and the song "Birds Of Hell Awaiting".  If you are a huge fan of Manson, then by all means, pick up a complete copy, just do not be surprised if it let's you down, because it does lack that sense and feelings you would get from his "Holy Wood" or "Antichrist Superstar" albums.  If you can steer clear of wasting your dollar or whatnot, please avoid the rest of the songs, as they are quite disappointing.  Songs such as "Slave Only Dreams To Be King", "Killing Strangers", "Cupid Carries A Gun", and "Odds Of Even" are disastrous, in my opinion nonetheless.  I'm happy there is new material from Marilyn Manson, but did we really deserve this??  At least it could have been worth the wait, but believe me, it was not.

Rating:3.0/5.0

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"The Pale Emperor"

 

The Dreaming-Alone (Single)

 

If you haven't heard of this band, it's about time you open up your ears.  Upon first hearing the vocalist of The Dreaming's vocals, you probably could recognize him from the industrial rock band from some years back known as Stabbing Westward.  Christopher Hall, the man behind The Dreaming and Stabbing Westward, proves he still holds a powerful voice and is a strong force in the industry.  Hailing from L.A., The Dreaming have undergone various lineup changes and label moves, but in my opinion, it's only made them tougher and much better!  They have released numerous EP's and have two very solid albums out thus far.  With their debut record, "Etched In Blood" and their follow-up, "Puppet", the band garnered many fans and toured relentlessly.  Well, I'm glad to announce they are on fire again with their brand new single, "Alone".  "Alone" is the first cut being released off their new label home, Metropolis Records, which is also home of a band known as The Birthday Massacre.  I am very impressed with "Alone", and it's return to "Stabbing Westward-type" arrangements and sound.  There seems to be a stronger, and throttling driving force behind "Alone".  As well, the very skilled band announced an upcoming third album due, this one called "Rise Again".  The effort is expected February of 2015.  I love "Alone", and I believe you will as well.  It is available at most digital outlets on the web, however, if you grab it off the Metropolis Records link below, you will find in addition to the alternate remix of the track, another version titled "The Sinister Mix".  Also, I believe the single is cheaper via that site, and more of the proceeds benefit The Dreaming as well.  The band's current lineup features the main man himself, Walter Flakus performing the programming and keys of their sound, and I have to admit-it is killer shit!!  With Carlton Bost on guitar, Johnny Haro kicking ass on drums, and Brent Ashley on bass; The Dreaming have never sounded so good.  I recommend picking up all versions of the single "Alone", which are the album version, the "Sinister Mix", and the "Reamped Mix".  You cannot go wrong, and will be quite rocking your damn head off to "Alone" and it's a pretty safe bet the song will be repeating on your I-pod, car stereo, or even your home player.  Grab "Alone" now!!

Rating:5.0/5.0

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"...the isolation tearing you apart...."

 

In This Moment-Black Widow

 

Maria Brink and her band are back, and they are still doing what they do.  The band, In This Moment, are set to release their new album, "Black Widow", on November 18th, 2014.  Featuring thirteen standard tracks, with another special edition holding fifteen songs, "Black Widow" contains some metal, ballad material, rock, sexual themes, and a rawness that makes this one of the most distinct bands today.  With their lead single, "Sick Like Me", there is diversity shown, and it is done well.  Here soothing tone at times, mixes well with the tempo, and it was displayed pretty solidly.  "Bloody Creature Poster Girl" and "Big Bad Wolf" are of a different breed than, say, "Sick Like Me" is.  Those previously two mentioned songs have a different groove, and they really add some different elements to the album.  My favorite track is the "ballad-like" song, "Sexual Hallucination", which features the lead vocalist from the rock band Shinedown, Brent Smith.  This is incredibly well conducted, arranged, mixed, and sung.  Brent's vocals soar and blend in so well with Maria's, it become almost surreal.  This record has some weak moments though, with the songs "Out Of Hell", "Dirty Pretty", and "The Fighter".  However, according to the going rate price, or at least the introductory pricing for "Black Widow", you really can get your money's worth here.  The final track I would like to mention is the strong one called "Bones".  I really enjoyed this song, and it holds some strong dynamics, and the lyrics/vocals are portrayed almost to perfection.  This would have to be a close second to my fave off the release.  I would say this album is one of In This Moment's best, and I recommend this to anyone seeking either something new to listen to or get into, as well as the regular In This Moment fan out there.  Grab it up either digitally, the Best Buy bonus track version, or even the standard edition on this upcoming Tuesday!

Rating:4.75/5.0

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Aurin-Catharsis

 

Way back in 2002, guitarist Andrew Wayne began an epic journey.  Then, in 2009, Andrew encountered the talented drummer Linda Medina.  The band was almost complete, except they needed a rockin' vocalist.  This is where the soothing, atmospheric, and haunting vocals of Sarah Anderson.  She became a perfect fit with this amazing band.  Sarah joined the band in 2010, and this machine was about to explode with powerhouse lyrics and a stunning vocalist.  Think of a haunting version of the band Flyleaf, or the International talent known as, Nemesea.  With the album completed, and the tracks are all laced up with inspiring vocals, pounding drums, and a blazing guitar-"Catharsis" is about to give the fans of music something to talk about.  My favorite track from their debut release is the song, "Over".  The intro of the song is well done, and the aspiring vocals are incredible.  The band has dealt with mental health issues, depression, and suicidal thoughts.  It's because of those issues that the music is dark, flowing, and such a force to reckon with.  "November", the lead song off the album, is a blast of energy.  The drums hit the ears so well in this track, and Sarah's dramatic voice does it justice.  You really cannot go wrong when you grab this up on it's release date of October 14, 2014.  I know you will enjoy the songs "The Other Side", "Hysteria", and the haunting of the song, "Last Wish".  With eleven tracks on "Catharsis", you definitely get your money's worth, I guarantee it!  "Stained" is an incredible release of energy, talent, vocals, and smooth transitions of the musical score.  "The Reprisal" and "Vermin" reached out and hooked me into the band's mind.  I mean, there is nothing wrong with this album at all, absolutely nothing.  Check 'em out with the links below, and hear/see for yourself what I am talking about! 

Rating: 5.0/5.0

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Come October 14th, you better be ready to rock to Aurin!!

Within Temptation-Dangerous [featuring Howard Jones] (Single)

 

Within Temptation are back and better than ever, with a ferocious new single off their

upcoming 2014 album, HYDRA.  "Dangerous", which features guest vocals from Howard Jones of Killswitch Engage fame.  This track, which rounds out at about five minutes in length, is one lethal bad ass dose of pure gothic and symphonic aggression.  Lead vocalist, Shardon den Adel, adds such blissful, and poetic grace with her harmonic vocals, and Jones grinds it right in.  The rapid beats kick off the song into bliss, and we all get to join in the race to move within the "temptation" of this good, nah, excellent track!  If this proves to be a sign of what the new record will be offering up in 2014, then you must get a hold of it the day it's released, no matter what country you are in.  Definitely, I assure you, you will not be disappointed as a fan of this band!  "Dangerous" is full of all the right elements, and crucial breakdowns that you will fall in trance to!  Grab it up!

RATING:9.25/10

 

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Upon Wings-Afterlife EP

 

Have you heard of Nightwish, or Tarja, or even Delain, or perhaps Shamrain?  Forget

about all of them.  Upon Wings has a vocalist that flies clouds and heavens above all operatic echoes any opera-rock, female fronted band could muster up.  Lead singer, Anne Autumn Erickson, is the force behind it all, and has a beautiful personality to give the fans with it.  A brilliant combination to bless all of us with, and it is heard with amazing results in this EP, AFTERLIFE.  The biggest smash hit off the effort, is the title track, "Afterlife".  This song soars high, rocks with high potential to rock out, I could place this on repeat all night......it's like Sarah McLachlan went straight operatic rock and roll on us all!!  Love it!!  This is my favorite track off the EP, and I feel so lucky to have come into contact with the band.  "You Are My Weapon" and "Take Away" remind me a lot of the gothic band, We Are The Fallen.  This is a good thing in my book.  We need more of this excellent music in the industry these days, like promptly.  To end, I'd like to say if you're an Amy Lee fan, you will enjoy the other song off the EP, as it is known as "The Dream".  The song is a soft, melancholy, of gothic and operatic heartbreak, yet there is somehow hope and chance still felt throughout this track.  Overall, I will admit, when Anne first sent me the email, I thought this would be just average music, but I was proven way wrong.  I love this.  I want a physical copy, like right now...add this machine to my collection of hits!!  Upon Wings will not need an "afterlife" because with this music, they'll live on forever.  However, it will be the beauty and strength of THE "Afterlife" song, that launches Anne and the band into an entire new orbit!!  To add more credit, the EP features production and guest vocals from Brett Hestla (Ex-Creed, Ex-Virgos Merlot, Dark New Day).  The record also features mastering by Grammy Nominated mixing engineer Glenn Brown (Kid Rock's recording engineer) and guitar work, production from Canadian-based Kevin Jardine.  Enjoy them from the links below, and get a taste of the true talent that's about to hit the scene hard with an "afterlife"!!

RATING:9.5/10

 

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                                           Upon Wings-"Afterlife (feat. Brett Hestla)"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Davey Suicide-Davey Suicide

 

Well, after a successful EP release back in late 2012, Davey has released a full

length record here in 2013, and it is every bit of fun.  Think of it as a child of Wednesday 13, if you want to know what kind of music you're about to deal with when pressing "play" on the I-Pod, or the disc player.  I enjoy this release, truly.  I will admit, some parts, few, but some, annoy the shit out of me, but that is what makes me "jam" to this album.  "Sick Suicide" is an excellent track, and we all know that "Generation Fuck Star" is catchy as hell".  However, they both failed to be my favorite song off the debut album.  My favorite track is number seven off the record.  Davey likes to call it, "In My Chest Is A Grave".  It's not very "dance-like", and does not have a "grooviness" to it, but it has some screams and is dark lyrically, when Davey states he wants to "bury every part of you".  I love this song.  I've had it on repeat, like four times.  "One More Night", is another good, quality song.  It is a more clear, respectable, almost "love-like" song, at least for Davey, off this album.  It's quality material.  To end my charade of Davey's debut album rants, it ends with a dark, well-written, track, titled "I'll Take A Bullet For You".  It's a slower song, almost reminds you of a slower Manson track, with Davey's vocals.  I highly recommend you grab this album digitally, rather off of I-tunes, or Amazon.  If it becomes available physically at major retailers, grab it up.  As of now, it is now.  You can order it from District Lines, though I do not recommend that because that company is pathetic and slow, as far as my experiences with them, nonetheless.  Enjoy this album, it's well worth it overall!

RATING: 9/10

 

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Element A440-Whips, Knives, Candles, and Quills

 

Element A440 aren't new to the scene at all, and you can tell right off the

bat by their sounds.  If they remind you of a more industrial version of a pissed off Marilyn Manson, then you are headed in the right direction.  This band was introduced to me a bit back, by a former friend of mine, and I've been hooked since.  Their latest release, not simply titled, WHIPS, KNIVES, CANDLES, AND QUILLS, is a powerhouse of rock, industrial, and addicting music!  Their first single from the album, and my favorite from the effort as well, titled "Kookie Kutter", is fantastic!!  It is well put together, and lyrically stabs at you in every imaginable way.  The music video is featured below, and there are three versions, including one live cut, of the song on video, I've featured version one.  It's a simple lyric theme for "Kookie Kutter", the basic, "...if you like violence...say ya....if you like...."and so on, but the groove is catchy, and reminds us so much of Manson, you cannot help but get hooked somewhat to most of the fourteen track on the album.  Another highlight of the effort is "Something Cruel", which is a more dark and twisted song, somewhat slower than others on the album.  "The Sore" is an infectious track, with a hook the reels you in, and a disease the you just fucking love!!  The worst track on the latest album, if I was to pick one, would be "Godidiotocracy".  The title is just stupid, and it doesn't really catch my attention at any point in the song at all.  However, that being said, I would definitely grab the whole album at a digital outlet, it's worth the "infectious hook" it brings with it, and you'll enjoy it overall, I'm pretty certain of that much.  Oh ya, there is no doubt :)

RATING: 9/10

 

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Cylew-Not So Sleeping, Not So Beauty

                                   This being an artist's debut album, you're never sure what to expect.  After all, I've been lucky enough to obtain her second release, review it, and loved it!  This debut, though, is darker, more grim, and in my opinion, so much better.  It is like a blend of Sarah McLachlan, Amy Lee of Evanescence, and Tori Amos.  You could also toss in a flare of Within Temptation as well.  The lead track is dim, dark, and beautiful all in one, titled, ""Rival".  "Sinking", the third song on the record, starts to take it up a notch or two.  You can distinctly hear the beats, the guitars and drums unload and rise into a beautiful hook or chorus, done stunningly by Cylew.  This is one of my preferred tracks from the record, no doubt.  "Familiar", to me, if I had to pick one, would be the weakest track, mainly because the arrangement seems a bit off, but overall, I still find myself enjoying Cylew's vocals, and that helps sooth the musical burn.  My favorite song on the album, and I know many would likely agree, is the track, "Dying".  This happens to be the final song on the album, it is lyrically darker than most of her other pieces, and draws you because you become curious as to where all this "sadness" is coming from.  How can such a beautiful voice, be soaring so high about dying?  Cylew pulls this off brilliantly.  Without giving too much away, the final track I would like to review is titled, ""Let It Flow".  Singing about being in hospital rooms, and letting life take it's course sounds grim, but once again, her voice makes the beauty shine through.  Though, like I've said before, every single song I have heard from Cylew, on both of her releases, is amazing.  You can click on a link below to check more out about this talent, or even to purchase an album or two today!!  You cannot wrong with this :)
RATING: 10/10
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