Killswitch Engage, Disarm the Descent

Killswitch Engage

Disarm the Descent

Reviewed by Antonio Staropoli

Formed in 1999, this Massachusetts-based band has just released their sixth studio album entitled Disarm the Descent. And if you've been following Killswitch Engage since their inception, you know this album welcomes back the original vocalist, Jesse Leach, since his departure in 2002. Before I continue, let me just say this: when listening to this album, you should spare yourself the comparative analysis between Howard Jones and Jesse Leach. Why, you ask? Because it's pointless and slightly insulting to both vocalists. They are both great vocalists in their own respects. Get over it and make a judgment based strictly on the music.

With that being said, let's finally talk about the album. It begins with Jesse growling along to thrashy riffs and blast beats, on the track “The Hell In Me.” It's apparent from the start that this is an album to be reckoned with. This intensity is balanced out by an equally melodic chorus that has lyrical intent: “Protect me / From the hell that burns inside me / No one can see / This is the hell in me / Will you set me free / This is the hell in me.”

The first single released from Disarm The Descent, “In Due Time,” is full of syncopated drumming and melodic guitar harmonies throughout. A perfectly placed bridge complete with operatic and guttural vocals is followed by a blistering fast guitar solo that brings the song together. Lyrically, the chorus is infectious and positive, “All in due time / See the world through different eyes / All in due time / Shadows will give way to light.” In fact, the entire album is laced with positive messages lyrically, which are very reminiscent of Hatebreed-type vocals.

“The New Awakening” is the second single off this album and probably my personal favorite track. It's very uplifting both musically and vocally. During the bridge, a hardcore breakdown style chant is recited, “I will not live in fear / Live life with no regrets / I will not live in fear / I will not live in fear.” The song is a perfect blend between hardcore chugging riffs, Swedish metal melodies, and thrash.

Other tracks, such as “You Don't Bleed For Me,” will make your head bob and your body sway. “Always” is a bit of a departure from the fast-paced heaviness throughout the album, but is still very melodic and ballad-like, serving as a good way to break up any perceived monotony.

Overall, this is one of those records that you really can listen to from start to finish without skipping any tracks. Quite frankly, it's a densely packed, well-written and admirable piece in the Killswitch Engage discography. It is currently getting the most play out of any playlist or album on my Spotify, and I recommend it to KsE fans and anyone with an appreciation for artistic metal. Welcome back, Jesse Leach!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Chris Bickley, Tapestry of Souls

Chris Bickley

Tapestry of Souls

Reviewed by: Rob Acocella

Tapestry of Souls is the latest solo release from professional guitarist Chris Bickley, released on Shredguy Records. From the start of the album, with the first few notes of “Race Car Guy,” you know this is going to be filled with some serious riffs and leads. Chris Bickley’s songwriting skills are top notch, if not slightly dated. I only say “dated” because it has that late 1980s Yngwie Malmsteen kind of vibe going on. He knows all the right places for hooks that snag your brain and won’t let go.

The only area that I feel the album falls short in is the vocals. There are four songs that feature vocals and, to be perfectly honest, none of the vocal stylings really grabbed me. In fact, most of them turned me off to the songs that they were a part of. It’s a shame that it had that effect on me because the songs themselves were really well written and executed, but something about them each time just didn’t sit well with me. Sometimes it was the sound of the person’s singing voice, other times it was their tone or delivery.

From an instrumental standpoint, this is a really strong recording and I urge fans of guitar-centric Rock to check it out. You can find more information, or buy the CD, at http://chrisbickley.net/

Rating: 3/5

Mitch Trupia "In Your Head"

Mitchell Trupia

Mitch Tru: In Your Head

Reviewed by: Rob Acocella

Mitch Trupia is a solo artist with some stories to tell. The first thing I noticed with this album is the very strong Classic Rock influence. There are flavors of The Who, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and even some acoustic KISS evident on In Your Head.  When I saw that the first track was titled “No One Like You” I thought I was in for a Scorpions cover, but luckily it was an original tune. Mitch has a pretty good following online for a solo independent artist, and the track “Can’t Change The World” is not only my personal favorite from the album, but it also seems to be the one that gets the most attention from his online fans.  Other standout tracks include “Straight Jacket,” “13 Sundays,” and the bonus track “I Would Do Anything.” Every song on here has it’s own unique groove, but they also all feel very connected by Mitch’s overall style and vibe. This is a quality album by a talented songwriter that definitely is deserving of your attention. Check out his Facebook page for more info and some links to his music: http://www.facebook.com/MitchellTrupia - Also, make sure to hit up CDBaby.com to pick up the album!

Rating: 4/5

Mike Grosshandler, Blue Skies Black

Mike Grosshandler

Blue Skies Black

Reviewed by: Rob Acocella

Blue Skies Black is the latest solo album from Mike Grosshandler (The Velmas, Above The Flood). We’ve been following Mike’s musical career since we started Paragon. He was not only a featured artist many times, but also a very good friend in the years we’ve known him. Blue Skies Black is different from Mike’s previous solo offerings, as it’s the first to incorporate electric guitars as well as many other layers of instruments not previously heard on his acoustic solo albums. The album leads off the with the title track, which I also feel is the strongest track on here.  “Status Quo” is the track that follows and every time I hear it I can’t help but think of Joe Elliot from Def Leppard’s vocal performance on “Two Steps Behind,” especially with the similar song endings and all. I also hear a little bit of Green Day on the extremely infectious song “Everything’s Fine.” Be careful with this track, it’ll be stuck in your head for days.

Similarities and influences aside, Blue Skies Black is a really strong recording from Mike, which I know took a long time to put together. It was well worth the wait and there are lots of varied styles and sounds on here. All while being true to the feeling we’re used to from Mike.  A few more stand-out tracks are “Florida”, “Too Many Reasons”, and “Nothing Much.” I know this isn’t the last we’ll hear from Mike on the solo front, and I anxiously await new music from him, as he never disappoints. Now if only he could get himself down to our neck of the woods for a show…

Rating: 5/5

Halestorm, "The Strange Case Of..."

Halestorm
The Strange Case Of...
Reviewed by Rob Acocella
Rating: 4/5
      Until now I've never had my hands on a full album by Halestorm. I have to be honest here and just say that before now I hadn't been all that interested in them. I've seen them live a handful of times as an opening act or direct support to a few great bands, and I did enjoy their live show, but I never had the motivation to buy their music. That changed when I heard a sample of their lead single "Love Bites (So Do I)" and immediately realized what I had been missing out on.
      Overall, the songwriting on A Strange Case Of... is really good, with a few exceptions where I feel they kind of fell short lyrically. Still, for a band I'm technically new to, the album is impressive. First thing's first: this is fun Hard Rock, so if you're looking to find hidden messages or the Fibonacci Sequence in the songs, you've got the wrong band. However, if you're looking for something to crank on a Friday night on your way to a concert or party, this is the album to grab.
      Lzzy and company mix equal amounts of old school female fronted Rock with some more modern influences. "I Miss The Misery" sounds so much like a Three Days Grace song, I was half expecting Adam Gontier to be doing some guest vocals, while "Freak Like Me" and "Daughters of Darkness" are perfect crowd-rallying songs. My only complaints are right in the middle of the album where the songs go a softer route. In my opinion it derailed the flow of the listening experience, and I have to be the bad guy here and just say that I don't really feel Lzzy's softer, more "girly" vocals are all that good, on top of the lyrics being very weak and cliche at times.
      Despite my minor complaints, I still find myself reaching for this album when I want to listen to some fun and aggressive tunes. I do give the band credit for including some softer tunes despite what some people may think of them, as it shows a maturity and willingness to take risks that so many newer bands these days don't have. Aside from the tracks I already mentioned, some other favorites on here are "Mz. Hyde," "You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing," and "Here's To Us."

Mindless Self Indulgence: Tighter

Mindless Self Indulgence

Tighter

Reviewed by Tara Salamone

Rating: 5/5

     I've been listening to Mindless Self Indulgence for eight years so, like any long-time fan, I have been coveting their 1999 album Tight. I would see it pop up on places like Amazon.com and Ebay.com but it's usually way too expensive, sometimes up to hundreds of dollars. When Tighter came out, my prayers were answered. It comes together with 15 original re-mastered tracks plus 12 previously unreleased tracks.

     The original tracks did not require re-mastering, considering they're not that old anyhow and they were mostly recorded in mono in the first place. It wasn't needed but I welcome the added bass and they sound slightly more polished, but not by a lot. There is definitely an eclectic mix of different versions of classics like "Bring the Pain," including demos, live tracks, etc. The unreleased tracks took me back to their original raw sound of Electronic/Punk but I was also surprised to hear songs such as "Free As A Birdie," which shows off Jimmy Urine alone with an acoustic guitar. Don't get me wrong, I am not surprised by his total lack of holding a tune, but it was way more organic than what I am used to hearing from them. I like it all the same, though, as their lyrics never take themselves too seriously. MSI's music is meant to make you laugh, gasp, and dance. Perhaps all at the same time.
     Overall, I would recommend Tighter to old time fans. All bands evolve and change but people sometimes have a preference for a certain sound. Some tracks could be considered fillers, such as "Agents," but, again, if you've been listening to them since Tight or at least Frankenstein Girls Seem Strangely Sexy, it's pretty interesting to hear about the beginning of the band. My personal favorites are "Cake" and "I Hate Everyone," given that they stick to the usual formula of their older stuff without sounding the same as everything else. I would have to give the album a 5/5 for keeping their fans from the beginning in mind as well as providing a good range of 27 tracks.

Jason Charles Miller, "Uncountry"

Jason Charles Miller

Uncountry

Reviewed by Rob Acocella

Rating: 5/5

When you think of Jason Miller from Godhead, you probably don't think cowboy hats and Civil War memorabilia. However, as he explains in the album title track "Uncountry" there ain't nothin' uncountry about him. 

I'm not exactly the biggest fan of Country music, so the few bands and albums I do like have to really have that something special to make them stand out to me. Jason's version of Country isn't your Garth Brooks or Honkey-Tink this-or-that. Coming from a much heavier style of music, you are guaranteed it's going to have an edge, and an edge it has. I would liken Uncountry to Zakk Wylde's Pride and Glory. Even though Zakk was known as the monstrous young guitar player for Ozzy Osbourne, most fans were pleasantly surprised to hear what his softer, more, um, twangy song writing was like. The same goes for Jason Miller. You can hear shades of Pride and Glory on Uncountry, as well as moments that really reminded me of Vicious Cycle, which was my personal favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd album. You can hear Jason's signature Goth-Industrial vocals peering through at times, which is reassuring when the album goes a little deeper into the Country vibe.

There are a lot of stand out tracks, and my personal favorites are "Uncountry," "The River," "You Must Have Loved Me A Lot" and the stickiest song on the album, "The Devil." I dare you to listen to "The Devil" and not walk around singing or humming it to yourself all day. Hell, I haven't listened to the album in 2 days and this morning I woke up with it in my head out of nowhere.