The Vacant: Music Reviews

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Soy Suspenso-The Anchor (feat. Tim Rosales III of I Am Ghost) (Single)

Hailing from the musically eclectic world of Mexico, Omar Montanez and his band, Soy Suspenso, have a "charged up" record called HOTEL VENGANZA. The first single, "The Anchor", is a solid rocker, and delivers nothing short of an edge! If you have heard of Omar's name before in the United States, it's because he's the gritty vocalist behind the California band, Fiction Killer, another one you should check out! Soy Suspenso are incredible at what they do. "The Anchor" kicks off with a catchy ass beat, guitar riffs, and the vocals make you want to jam from the very beginning. The style is very similar to the beats and rhythms of some I Am Ghost tracks, if you were a fan of that band, I highly suggest this artist as well. This is well done, immaculate, and deserves more recognition than it has gotten, there is no doubt. I could see Soy Suspenso on future Warped Tour dates, and even some Taste of Chaos dates as well, yes, they are that good. "The Anchor" is a fitting lead single, it gets you immediately hooked, and your there to enjoy the scenery of Soy Suspenso, all the fucking way from Mexico, which goes to show me, and you all that talent comes from anywhere, and like I've already said, this is a smash hit.....check them out at a link below!!

RATING: 10/10

Monday, August 26, 2013

Nine Inch Nails-Hesitation Marks

Industrial rocker, and music icon Trent Reznor's new look Nine Inch Nail's line up on tour, hasn't seemed to affect the music he pours his soul into. Introducing the record is the entrancing short intro titled "The Eater of Dreams". It leads way into the first full length song, which kicks into gear as

"Copy of A". This song, along with a track called "Everything", are sounds of very early Nine Inch Nail's material, and lacks the heavy chords we lust and wait in lines for. Our anticipation most assuredly wasn't hoping for this. "Came Back Haunted", is a solid tune, which was their first single released off the album, and its similar to a cut, in my opinion from their solid album, WITH TEETH. "Find My Way", sounds like a more bluesy, Johnny Cash influenced track. Nothing against the legend himself, I just think Reznor could have used more anger, and much less boredom and sadness thus far into the album. "All Time Low" hits the spot for me, it definitely is my favorite track from the record. Even still, the WITH TEETH feel remains, but you get more of a FRAGILE residue from this one, and that rocks, in my accord. The vulgar language show Trent still has the attitude, and knows what he's doing lyrically, I don't he's lost it with this album, I just think the diversity with it may be too much for the great anticipation. "Various Methods Of Escape" takes us on a journey that reminds you of THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL days, with a bit less of anger. Nonetheless, its a major song to reckon with on HESITATION MARKS. "In Two", shows an '80's vibe, with an electronic twist, and aggressive tone, and a reserved tank for anger that Trent readies for release at any moment. "Black Noise", is a perfect ending to the Non-Remix disc of the deluxe edition. It is highly instrumental, holds ups and down, very dark and grey in areas, and has scratchy moments that give the listener reason to believe Nine Inch Nails is not over with as a band yet. This is a hesitation..........I say, don't "hesitate", on September 3rd, pick a copy of the record, HESITATION MARKS up ,and give it time, you'll enjoy this. No disappointment overall!!
                                                                    RATING:9.70/10

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Sunday, August 25, 2013

Ghost Of April-Dead Philosophy

Amar Okanovic, the lead vocalist for the band Ghost of April, promised a different approach on this album, and boy, we sure have gotten that delivered. The band, which features members like Ian Gardea, who has multiple duties within the band on electronics, lead guitar, and most recordings. Joshua Ray lays out his heart and soul on the drums, especially on the track from DEAD PHLOSOPHY, titled "The Game". Kicking this full throttle record into gear is the pulsating music in the song "Breathe". This is a killer track, and combined with their sound overall, it seems to push this record to a much higher degree than their prior releases. Amar is more passionate about this record then any other previous release by his band. This is more of an alternative, screamer, and it would definitely have fit on the Warped Tour, at least from the 2012-2013 eras. The album cover is nice, and the uniqueness of it draws fans into their style. This is exactly what Ghost of April needs, and they definitely get it from this record! "Erased" and "Drowning" are fully killer songs, with explosive attitudes, and have definite tones that make you want to pound your fucking skull into the air!! Let the music roll in, and twirl the angst in the sky, and dance into the river of the music skys filled with melodies like "Strong", and sit your ass down and take some lessons in some "Dead Philosophy".!!

RATING: 9.40/10

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Used-The Ocean Of The Sky

Bert McCracken is known for antics, and doing whatever he seemingly wants to do. That's what he and his band mates have accomplished with their latest, independently released effort, the EP titled, THE OCEAN OF THE SKY. Without a doubt, the lyrical content of this release is down right to the point, and explicit. I love it! I mean, lots of artists these days seem to sell out to what labels want, and this band, though they have their own music group, titled Anger Music Group, still gives the fans the music they knew when the band started out over thirteen years ago. This release, which is released through Hopeless Records, was not even released in retail stores, at least not as of the date of this review. Check the links below, as to where you may purchase it, of course it's available digitally online most everywhere. The lead track, "Iddy Biddy", is a definite lyrical smack in the face of religion and emotional issues, without a doubt. Without repeating the exact words, it lashes out about Jesus, Muslim faiths, the mental health disorder of "cutting yourself", and starvation. Yet, this is my favorite song off the EP, simply because the musical arrangement tears it up, it rocks, and the addictiveness is outstanding! Follow that up with "Quixotica", the second song, and you get another solid outing......a great one-two punch. Drums rattling, beating from the get go, this song is a thriller, and reminds us of the early material from The Used. "The EP's title track, "The Ocean of The Sky", is quite a different take for the band. It is not as aggressive in nature, almost has a feel for their famous track, "All That I've Got", but is a little more slower in the beginning. This song is well written, and deeper in meaning, and fits well within the five song frame of the release. To complete the EP is a long, over twenty minute instrumental track called "Tethys". It's a bit strange sounding to the ear, but a bit disappointing to be on an EP, if you ask me....however, to look at this as an art, I can see where it fits the "piece of work". Pick up your copy today, if you didn't grab it at the Warped Tour this past Summer, check it out, it's pretty solid!!

RATING: 9.25/10

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Jonny Lang-Blew Up (The House) (Single)

As if Jonny didn't rock enough, the young blues guitarist and vocalist is back at it, shredding again. The lead single, "Blew Up (The House)", is a song that sounds very reminiscent of a track off of his previous album, WANDER THIS WORLD. However, the guitars are more slick, the lyrics are much more aggressive, and the vocals are more clear and stronger on this song. Jonny has his background vocalists chanting along, especially during the hook, and the song echoes with enthusiasm and makes you want to groove right along with it! "Blew Up (The House)" runs just under five minutes long, but you enjoy every minute and second of the song, and the rhythm grabs you, the tone twirls you around, and the blues attitude that the track brings to your ears is enough to make you crave more. That is exactly the aim here. Jonny's new album, which is due out in the US, on September 17th, is titled FIGHT FOR MY SOUL. You can sense the fight in Jonny, the attitude, the young blues sensation is back, and I must say I am loving this one, and looking forward to the full length for certain, come September!! "Blew Up (The House)", blows up your stereo, your speakers everywhere, and be certain to catch Jonny live at a venue near you, before he sells out!

RATING:9.80/10