System Syn: All Seasons Pass

System Syn 
All Seasons Pass
Reviewed by Mike Ventarola
      For those with a penchant for dark dance electronic music, you won’t need to look any further than System Syn’s latest album, All Seasons Pass, newly released through Metropolis Records. This is more than your bevy of tracks slated for eargasm club candy. The recording is a concept album based upon a true story and the last days of a young woman who went missing in 2006 only to be found four months later, after the winter’s thaw, with a gunshot to her head. These songs manage to encapsulate the last days of her life and the emotions of those around her.
      In a dark music scene that has gone somewhat static as of late, it is something quite bone-chilling to enjoy these tracks so much and, in the back of your head, realize the impetus behind their creation. Lyrics fraught with angst, fear and desperation are interspersed with infectious foot stomping beats. These aren’t just random lines of poetic lyrics as much as they are a tribute to a nameless victim whose short life somehow affected this band enough to pour through the case files behind this crime. The complete story can be found on the band’s web page at www.systemsyn.com 
      All of the tracks are constructed with detailed precision that, if one weren’t aware of the reason behind the songs, it would just appear as though the band had raised the bar on themselves to deliver the most comprehensive songwriting of their career. These really well written songs did not stoop to being overly mawkish and melodramatic, but aimed for introspection and psychological emotiveness. In less capable hands, the concept and lyrics could have easily veered into exploitive territory, but the band painstakingly avoided that from the collection we have on this CD.   
      Each song is enveloped with an otherworldly presence, clearly demarking this as a concerned and loving tribute to a young women none of us knew. The majority of these tightly crafted tracks will more than likely be in heavy rotation in your underground clubs across the globe. In essence, whenever we hear them on the dance floor, it will bring us back to ourselves to remember that life is precious and that a snapshot of someone’s life has been preserved eternally through this recording.

Rating: 5/5

Anthrax: Worship Music

Anthrax
Worship Music
Reviewed by Rob Acocella

      Anthrax is back with Worship Music, their first studio album of all original material since 2003’s We’ve Come for You All. It also marks the highly anticipated return of Joey Belladonna to the band. For an album that was originally started back in 2007, it’s safe to say it’s gone through a few revisions over the years, but the end result is one of their strongest albums of their career. It’s probably the album that everyone wishes they’d put out in 2011. It shows everyone that Thrash is still alive and well and that the older generation can still kick ass like they did when they first got started. The first song on the album is “Earth on Hell” which is a sonic assault of blast beats and ripping guitar tone. After that is the one-two punch of “Devil You Know” and “Fight ‘Em Til You Can’t” which are probably 2 of my favorite tracks on the album. “I’m Alive” finds vocals that are very reminiscent of Jeff Scott Soto on Yngwie Malmsteen's Marching Out album. The song that really is going to hit fans hard is “In The End” which was written about the deaths of Dimebag Darrell and Dio. There is also a song on here called “Judas Priest” which is obviously a tribute to the band of the same name.
        The production of the album sounds absolutely awesome, which is impressive considering that the band didn’t really record most of the album together; rather they all recorded near their own homes in different places around the country.  Overall, this is a powerhouse of a record for Anthrax, with amazing playing, signature vocals, and some of their most epic and anthemic songs. If only all bands could put out the kind of quality music that Anthrax did with Worship Music, the music scene and its community of fans and artists would all be better for it. Until that happens, we can rely on bands like Anthrax to reliably put out masterpieces, even if they do take a while in between them.

Rating: 5/5

The Empire Hideous: The Time Has Come

The Empire Hideous

The Time Has Come

Reviewed by Lisa Selvaggio

            The sad news is this is the last album for The Empire Hideous, a band lead by the talented and controversial Myke Hideous.  If you’re into Gothic music, The Misfits, and especially if you’re from NJ and you haven’t heard of these guys, something is wrong.  Definitely check out his previous releases with The Empire Hideous, ‘cause you’re missing out. 

            The good news is this album does not disappoint.  It’s a throwback to the Goth of yore with polished production to bring out every instrument and Myke’s haunting vocals.  In other words, it’s indie Goth/Rock as it should be.  From “Dance Dead Rhythms” that you can certainly dance along with, to the melancholy “Pretty Faces,” from “Stand Off” which is reminiscent of songs off Victim Destroys Assailant—proving that here is a musician who holds true to his sound—to the ethereal “Sahara,” there’s variety here, in songs discussing loving and losing.  Every song has something unique to offer yet all of them come together perfectly.  My only complaint is there are a few tracks of soundscapes that, I feel, could have instead been more music from this engaging, versatile musician whose project we will sorely miss. 

As an independent artist all these years, Myke has struggled, but there is no doubt that he has acquired an audience that respects him for all that he has put out there of himself, and this music certainly will not be forgotten in the Goth/Rock underground. 

Rating: 5/5     

Astral: Forever After

Astral

Forever After

Reviewed by Lisa Selvaggio

            Although Astral have been garnering a lot of attention since 2003, making quite a name for themselves with their debut album Orchids, I’m only now getting a taste of this band.  They’ve been consistently touring for the past few years, with names that include David J (Bauhaus/Love & Rockets) and Lisa Dewey (who recorded with Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins).  Their newest album, Forever After, comes out on October 25, 2011 and proves that the band will keep making new fans. 

            A lot of labels describe Astral, from Indie to Post-Punk, to Dream Pop and Dream Rock (whatever those mean), and this band has a pretty classic Goth sound.  They’ve also been compared to The Cure, and that’s a fairly accurate description, but a very narrow one as well.  Slow to mid-tempo tracks on this album are groovy and soothing (now I know why they’re called dreamy).  Check out the tracks “Fall Away,” “All is Said and Done,” and “Dahlia’s Falling” to get an idea of what they have to offer. 

A modern band with an old-school Goth vibe, here’s hoping they continue their climb.    

Rating: 4/5     

Shinedown: Somewhere in the Stratosphere 2CD/2DVD

Shinedown
Somewhere in the Stratosphere 2CD/2DVD
Reviewed by Lisa Selvaggio

           
As a big Shinedown fan, I have seen them live more times than I can count, so when I heard that a live DVD of not only their Carnival of Madness show but also their Anything and Everything acoustic set would be released, I was stoked. The 2 CDs in the package are the audio from the shows, and it goes without saying that the band sounds incredible live.

Carnival of Madness DVD: The footage of this concert is far too "produced." When I watch a concert DVD, I don't want to feel like I'm watching a music video, with everything from choppy, rapidly changing scenes to super-imposed backgrounds and lights behind the musicians, and slow-motion stop-and-go. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed by the way this video was put together. You can see that the audio sometimes doesn't match the performers' motions, and you even begin to wonder if backgrounds weren't the only things that were superimposed. Also, one of the best things about Shinedown shows is the inspiring messages Brent has for his audience, which weren't included here.

Anything and Everything DVD: This video was a lot more organic, and therefore a lot more to my liking. It was great to hear Brent explain all of the songs in the set. The bonus backstage footage was a pleasant surprise as well. And this is probably the highest-energy acoustic show you'll ever see.

Being that the band's been touring since the release of Sound of Madness in 2008, it's great to get some of it forever stored on video, and now we just have to wait for their next release.


Rating: 4 out of 5

Monica Richards: The Strange Familiar

Monica Richards
The Strange Familiar (EP)

Reviewed by Lisa Selvaggio

Monica Richards has released an EP entitled The Strange Familiar in anticipation of a new solo album coming this summer. These are five songs that show her at her best. Four tracks are brand new and the fifth is a remix of the beloved “A Good Thing” off the album titled InfraWarrior. Monica is ever evolving with a keen sense for poetic expression, and these songs reach to the depths of despair and to the heights of resurrection. Listen to the lyrics and you can actually feel the emotions that Monica puts into her songs.

As any true artist can, she’s created an eclectic mix of songs, from music that you can dance to, to a spoken word track that tells a tale that is personal yet relatable (“The Mighty”). “Armistice” is reminiscent of classic Goth, an upbeat song with pounding bass leading the way. “The Strange Familiar,” a personal favorite, sticks in your head long after it has ended. And “Oreiades” is haunting violin and Monica’s voice alone, “recorded in the caves of Castle Cottenau in Upper Franconia.” I cannot say enough that this is true artistry, true uniqueness. But it’s just a teaser for something even better to come. For a longtime fan, it’s great to see Monica get better and better. But we must patiently wait for more.


Rating: 5 out of 5

The Haunted: Unseen

The Haunted
Unseen
Reviewed by Rob Acocella


The Haunted are back with their highly anticipated new album Unseen. I'm going to come right out and say up front that I've never been much of a fan. I didn't hate the band, I just never got into them. I'm very happy to say that I went into this with no expectations at all, and came out really liking the album.

I'm not in love with the band yet, but I do like what I'm hearing on Unseen. I'm not sure what changed or what was done differently, but I'm actually catching onto some of the hooks and grooves on this album. There are some really great heavy moments that make me want to swing my fists around, and then there are  songs like the title track that are just so damn toe-tapping groovy that you can't get them out of your head.

Some of my favorite tracks would have to be "Unseen," "Catch 22," and "Them."

As a side note, I think that in the past The Haunted were almost too heavy for their own good, and not in a good way. I think their songwriting and production was always pushed a tad too hard, creating something that worked for a niche group of fans. Unseen has a more broad feel to it, closer to really Hard Rock rather than the brand of Metal that they are known for. Personally, I like that about this album, but I can see how some long-time fans might be a bit disappointed. But hey, everyone takes a turn that pisses off some fans from time to time. Anybody remember St. Anger?


Rating 3/5