The Vacant: Music Reviews: los angeles

Showing posts with label los angeles. Show all posts

Saturday, November 15, 2014

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...."

Friday, December 20, 2013

ISSUES-Stingray Affliction (Single)

Issues are here with their blistering new single, "Stingray Affliction". The song serves up as track seven off their self-titled album, which is a follow up to their successful EP, which began as a Hot Topic "only available" item. This track slams into high gear right away, with gritty vocals, screams, and thrashing guitars, all of which definitely get your attention! I wasn't quite sure about the song, until I started to hear the breakdown portions of the track throughout the song. The more and more I heard the thunderous beats of those riffs, and lyrically how much angrier and better this song was than just about their previous, entire EP was, I began to dig my mind into jamming into this piece of art. This is a mosh pit waiting to happen, and the anger waiting to be unleashed, is going to be echoed as soon as you hear this little tune known as "Stingray Affliction"! I believe you should do not only the band a favor, but your ears, and stereo a favor, and hop onto I Tunes and pre order the album while you're there, and for about a buck or so, grab this track, since the album drops in mid-February. This will hold you over until then, and you will be salivating for the masterpiece to be unleashed by the time it is due!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Varna-This Time, It's Personal

Female fronted rock/pop group, Varna, seems to have unleashed to us a hit, with their

single, "Down". The song hits hard, has melodic grooves, and is quite the catch. It made me want to purchase this three track EP right away, Tiana's vocals are incredible!! Tiana Woods, the female singer of the band, seems to have found a way to entertain music lovers with passion, desire, and a will to draw fans in like crazy. Ahh, the insanity! Lyrically, "Down", is the strongest track in my opinion as well off the EP. Granted, I only had to pick out of three, but the three have made me so, so thirsty and hungry for more and more from this astounding band. Lines such as "....I'm going down, going down, don't know how much further I can go....", show depth in this band. I simply love this ep, and below I have placed links for you to check out the band, and also pick up this EP. I highly suggest you grab a copy as soon as you can, "This Time It's Personal" is here to grow on us, feed on us, and become a "secret smash hit" that will one day, become a force to be reckoned with, know the name, Varna. They are here to stay.

RATING: 10/10

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

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

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Orianthi-Heaven In This Hell

The famed female guitarist is back with her most ferocious release to date yet.

Orianthi is releasing HEAVEN IN THIS HELL on Tuesday March 12th, 2013. The album, which features my favorite song as well, off the release, titled "Frozen", is amazing. From top to bottom, her guitar blaze across the sky and she unleashes her soul through the strings of that guitar and the needles in her outstanding female vocals. Orianthi, if you were not aware, was all set to tour with Michael Jackson, before he passed away tragically a couple of years ago. She shows us exactly what he must have seen in her talent in this record, no doubt. Another excellent track, "You Don't Wanna Know", shows her lyrical talents off very well, and you can foresee her brilliance as both a writer, guitarist, and vocalist. She is one amazing talent, I promise you. This is her third full length release overall, and she has grown quite well, showing greater confidence and talent. "Filthy Blues", another excellent track, showcases just that, her blues side, and boy does she have one. Her melodies and music remind me of Billy Alexander and another guy you may know as Jonny Lang. Billy Alexander plays alongside various players, one specifically, Alaina Blair. You'll wanna check out her review and music as well, from this site. Orianthi has many hit tracks on this album that could easily be radio singles as rock, blues, or other genres to jam to. My last comment on this record is that I wish there was more to it. It contains only twelve tracks, and it leaves you wanting more. Now, as of today, I am not aware of a deluxe version coming out, perhaps in the future one will. Bottom line is that you should either pick this up digitally or physically, I believe hard copy-wise, it is around ten bucks. The choice is yours, though the point is, you definitely do not want to miss this!!

RATING: 9.5/10

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Friday, February 22, 2013

Meg Myers-Daughter In The Choir

Meg Myers, a beautiful and bright young talent, doesn't really have a lot to say

about her past, or growing up. She simply says she didn't go to high school, she moved from the mountains to a bigger city, in Los Angeles. Meg, however, is very gifted indeed. Her first known release, this EP, titled DAUGHTER IN THE CHOIR, sounds like a pissed off Fiona Apple. If you want an album comparison, compare it to Fiona Apple's debut release, TIDAL. These tracks by Meg, are more along the shorelines of Fiona's track, "Shadowboxer". Meg plays guitar, the bass, and the delicate piano throughout most of the EP, and does so brilliantly. Her best song, to me, is the track "Monster". She even has a music video, which you can view via the you tube link below her rating on this site. You are able to also download this entire EP for free, legally, or help Meg out some, and grab it off of I-Tunes, links available below also. Meg Myers is gifted, indeed, and I couldn't help but fall in love with this music, it's incredible, one of the most talented vocalists I've ever known. Grab your copy in some way, shape, or form, and relax, enjoy, and groove with Meg, I promise she will not let you down, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

RATING: 10/10