album review

Seethe Offers Another Glimpse Into Darkness With New EP, ‘Schisms & Pendulums’

May 12, 2024 — Leave a comment

Alternative/trap metal artist Seethe has never been one to shy away from the darker side of the human condition, and his forthcoming EP Schisms & Pendulums is yet another testament to this. Set to be released May 15th, the three-song record takes on the harrowing subjects of modern organized religion and the battle with cancer.

“I was listening to Deftones’ self-titled album and Nirvana’s In Utero quite a bit while writing this EP,” Seethe explains. “Not that it can necessarily be heard [musically], but I feel I caught the vibe and essence of both albums. Dirty, yet clean enough to not sound like garbage. This is also thanks to the production by Vixlence Beatz and Gus Wallner’s mixing and mastering.”

As with much of Seethe’s creations, Schisms & Pendulums is an EP meant to be felt as well as heard. The first track, “Coalesce,” is filled with disgust and rage, which colors every lyric, intonation, and the stylings of the accompanying music. “It’s a stab at modern day religion,” Seethe says. “Not that God and Jesus don’t exist, but more how modern religion is propagated toward political welfare and also the alarming number of cases of sexual abuse and misconduct from clergymen over the last 20-30 years.”

“Coalesce” is followed by “Cascade,” a heart-wrenching ode penned from the point of view of a person witnessing a loved one struggle with cancer. Seethe wrote the song about his mother’s second fight with the illness, and the raw pain bleeds through in the words and the way in which he screams out the emotion from within. “Lights gleaming with a sense of purpose, dimming out over the cascade/Burning out without a purpose, crashing down to one’s knees…” It is an unflinching dose of reality, the bitterness borne from watching somebody wither away while trying so hard to stay strong.

“Dreary” is the other side of the same coin, a story told from the patient’s point of view. Fraught with frustration and anger, the narrator looks back on life and wonders “Why me? I’m a good person.” The sentiment is echoed in a line that is repeated throughout: “Cure me, please, you owe me this.” 

Schisms & Pendulums will hit all major streaming platforms on May 15th! You can presave the EP here, and visit Seethe’s other socials to make sure you never miss an update!

Shadows Calling Showcase Their Versatility on New EP, ‘These Scars’

April 15, 2024 — Leave a comment

Shadows Calling is a female-fronted alternative rock band hailing from Cork, Ireland. They released their debut EP, Spirit Shifter, in early 2023. Now, the five-piece outfit is back with These Scars, a four track EP that dropped March 22, 2024.

Shadows Calling boasts a group of musicians who delve into the many aspects of the rock and metal genres, paired with singer Jen Vaughan’s powerful vocals. The band utilizes a vast array of sounds and melodies on These Scars, which clocks in at 17 minutes and balances the fast-paced and upbeat with the slow, dark, and moody.

The EP kicks off with “Dead Long Enough,” a heavy opener with tasty guitar parts that will make listeners want to bang their heads and sing along. The song is a 2:47 driving piece that would be at home on any modern rock playlist. Shadows Calling switches gears with the title track, “These Scars,” which has a deliciously gritty groove that brings to mind such classic metal acts as Metallica and Black Sabbath. Jen toys with the rougher edge of her voice throughout, showcasing a range that is expertly manipulated to match the tone set by the music.

“The Lost” is another nod to the vintage, melodic with a hint of funk, and Jen’s vocals positively soar. I can’t put my finger on exactly why, but this is my favorite of the four songs. The EP closes with “Ships,” and here again the band ventures into different territory. This epic track takes the listener on a journey. The music itself runs through a hard rock start, a nasty heavy metal breakdown at its heart. Listeners are then granted by a brief interlude of nothing but bass and the ethereal facet of Jen’s singing before the song ends on a guitar fade out.

Shadows Calling has packed a punch with These Scars, making a statement that they will not be ignored with four catchy, captivating tracks that will grab you and not let go. For any fan of hard rock, metal, and/or grunge, this EP is a must-hear!

Be sure to follow Shadows Calling on their socials so that you don’t miss any updates or new music! The band has had quite a year, and I believe they have a promising future ahead.

Six Scars’ New EP Grants a Glimpse Into the Dark Side of Life and Love

March 3, 2024 — Leave a comment

Six Scars is a one-man metal project hailing from southwest Virginia. Heavily influenced by the many subgenres of rock and metal, Six Scars began his journey by exploring the more melodic and ethereal realms of shoegaze on his debut album, To Wilt and to Bloom. He has played with other subgenres, such as nu metal and alt-rock, in the intervening years, yet now, in 2024, he has returned to his roots.

The Silence and the Withering, the latest EP from Six Scars, was released on February 16, 2024. Driven by introspection, this record offers six hauntingly beautiful songs, written with self-reflection and painted in sounds.

The EP opens with “Another Scar,” a track lamenting wasted time and a life not lived. “Another scar, another excuse to not get off your ass and move/There’s a whole world waiting, but you already died,” the chorus erupts in frustration, and how often is this the case? How many times have we had plans, goals, dreams, that we were too afraid to pursue, and then suddenly, we’re looking back on the years that have passed with regret? “I wanna rewind, I wanna live my life,” our narrator says in conclusion, but that is an impossibility.

The next four songs – “Damaged From the Start,” “Dead Nothing,” “Dionysius,” and “Mausoleum” – are a tableau dedicated to the one thing none of us are immune from: love. Six Scars pendulums from the depths of heartbreak to a seemingly idyllic representation of that endlessly discussed emotion. For instance, in “Damaged From the Start,” he writes, “I owned you, you owned me, this orgasmic catastrophe,” hinting at a mutually toxic relationship. 

“Dead Nothing” ventures a step further, diving into the depths of manipulation and torment the narrator experiences – and the resulting desire for vengeance. “You played me like a puppet, dancing to your every whim/But not the tables have turned, and it’s your turn to face this sin.”

We are then taken back to when the love was new, pure, perfect, though there is still an acknowledgment that it was tainted from the start. In “Dionysius,” the narrator fondly reminisces on the past. “My Dionysius, my odyssey…we’d fly away into the ether, never knowing what we were leaving/And the cosmos united for us when we retreated…” However, he soon admits that he lost himself to his lover and their shared addictions, including what could be the most damaging one – each other.

The lovers’ tale ends with “Mausoleum,” and despite the title, it is not as dark as one would assume. “Holding onto each other’s energy to feel the grip of love, a burning desire to become one/Holding onto each other’s energy to feel the grip of love/A burning desire to fill this mausoleum.” In the throes of passion, perhaps our narrator finds himself so happy he could die? Their union is still referred to as “unholy,” the underlying awareness that they are not meant to be ever-present, yet it is easy to overlook when “I’m dreaming, I’m feeling alive for the first time/I’m holding onto you.”

The Silence and the Withering closes with “My Finale,” a song that seems to tie together the opening and the four-part tableau. He mentions wanting there to be “no regrets about the life that I have led,” then says “Leaving ever-after, I’ll see your face again one day.” This could be a reference to any number of people in his life, but I perceived it to be aimed at his lover. Interestingly, his final line is “I, the villain, close the curtain.” Was our narrator truly his own worst enemy? 

This EP is an unflinching study of the storyteller, and there are parts that will universally resonate with listeners. We have all wasted time, feared rejection, dragged our heels when we should have been chasing dreams. We have all fallen in love, romantically or otherwise, and been burned for our efforts. And we have all, by necessity, played the villain at some point in our own story.

The Silence and the Withering is available to stream everywhere now!

Links:

Seethe Spontaneously Drops New EP, Cavalier Dualities

February 12, 2024 — Leave a comment

Alternative/trap metal artist Seethe surprised his followers by abruptly releasing an EP, entitled Cavalier Dualities, to Bandcamp on January 29th. (It has since gone live on all major streaming platforms.) Staying true to the glitchy, yet melodic, sound that I have come to associate with Seethe, this trilogy of tracks is an eight minute, thirty-four second emotional purge – for both artist and listener.

Cavalier Dualities is a brief glimpse into the repeating cycle of various mental health issues, depression prevalent among them. Seethe never backs down from addressing darker subject matter, and this is again apparent in all three songs.

“Medicate” is the beginning phase. Whatever the struggle is with – mental health, addiction, etc. – this track references the attempt to best it, to medicate and cope and hopefully ascend from the depths, maybe even defeat it one day. 

This is followed by “Smile.” In Seethe’s own words, “Smile” is about how, in life, sometimes all one can do is smile and move forward. Throughout the fight with one’s own personal demons is the occasional necessity to fake it ’til you make it, as they say.

The EP concludes with “In Two,” a heart-rending song in which our narrator realizes (s)he is back in the hole, that (s)he had a brief moment in the light but has yet again fallen into the rut. This brings us back to the start, the need to medicate, and the cycle continues.

The discordant music and vocal stylings seems to reflect the frustration and hopelessness that colors the whole sordid tale, a cry of “I’ve been here before and failed, but I have to keep trying.” And while Cavalier Dualities may be a story borne from the artist’s own battles, it is relatable to anyone who has ever persevered through a private, often unseen, war with oneself.

You can listen to Cavalier Dualities on your favorite streaming service! And once you’ve checked out the EP, ready yourself for Seethe’s next release: the new single, “Away,” which is dropping on Valentine’s Day!

Make sure you follow Seethe on his various socials so you never miss an update!

Album Review – Revolution Rabbit Deluxe: Control Freaks (2023)

November 19, 2023 — Leave a comment

Hailing from Wales, Revolution Rabbit Deluxe is a band with a sound that ranges from power pop and Brit rock to alternative/indie with strong punk overtones. This four-piece outfit has blended their many influences into a sound that brings the late 70s/early 80s punk rock and new wave movements firmly into the 2020s. (I was visited by heavy The Clash vibes.) This near seamless modern take on these genres is evident on the band’s latest album, Control Freaks.


Control Freaks was released on October 28, 2023. The record kicks off with the track “I’ve Got Nothing” and doesn’t relinquish its hold on the listener straight through to the finale. Within the twelve songs you will find everything from poppy, danceable bops, such as “Summer All Year Round,” to more socially aware (in true punk fashion) tracks like “Fabian Control Freaks,” which is extremely catchy and will have you singing along. Revolution Rabbit Deluxe even throws in a couple of slower, more heartfelt songs in “Mother and Child” and “The Girl From Irpin,” proving that this quartet can run the gamut of human emotion.


If you are a fan of old-school punk or alternative/indie rock, or if you simply want to lose yourself in something that is upbeat while making a statement, Control Freaks is a must-hear! The band’s promise that the album will “bring a smile to your face as we march headlong towards inevitable(?) oblivion” is more than delivered on.


Standout tracks: “Mother and Her Child,” “The Girl From Irpin,” “The Sweetest Things,” and “Glasgow Kiss”

Seethe Gets Personal With New Album

August 22, 2023 — Leave a comment

Alternative/trap metal artist Seethe has released his latest album, Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph. Carrying the listener through the subjects of mental health and a real-life hospital stay, Seethe has bared his soul to the world in these nine tracks.

Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph is an interestingly composed record, musically. It is comprised of a style that is not only heavy, but purposefully harsh and glitchy, with anguished vocals that resonate with rage and frustration. This raw and unfiltered emotion is contrasted with the occasional catchy, more melodic break, featured mostly in the choruses. The play of an almost lighter offering amongst the darker standard grabs the attention, keeping the ear intrigued.

The atmosphere that Seethe has created is often jarring, sometimes uncomfortable, an echo of the true story of his struggles with his mental health and the decision to sign himself into a psych ward. However, the overall message of Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph is one of hope. By sharing his own personal story and tackling a topic that most seem content to ignore, Seethe is breaking an invisible barrier. He is telling his listeners – and everyone else – that there is no shame in the struggle, that it does not mean you are weak, and that asking for help is the strongest action you can take. 

The two singles showcase the lowest and highest points of this autobiographical story. “Can’t Breathe,” the second track on the record, is the hopeless beginning, the bleakest moment, feeling overwhelmed and trapped, both by the four walls of the hospital and your own mind. However, by the time one reaches “Linear,” track eight of nine, a sense of balance is slowly being gained, a clearer headspace in which you are starting to take control of your life, having a better idea of what to do for your version of normal…because each of us is different, and what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for all. The songs in the middle are the journey between despair and the start of catharsis.

Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph is a triumph. Seethe grants his listeners a glimpse into the shadows, a foray into territories not often explored, and he reveals a message of solidarity, support, hope, and victory, both big and small. He has expertly crafted his music, lyrics, and vocals in the shape of the story he is sharing. This is a 2023 must-hear album. 

You can listen to Delenda: A Black Rose on the Epitaph wherever you stream music!

Shadow Reborn Invites You to the Realm of the Wicked (Review)

May 30, 2023 — 1 Comment

Shadow Reborn is a theatrical goth metal band from southern Florida. I’m a bit late to the party, I’m sorry to say, and have only just delved into their latest EP, Realm of the Wicked, which was released back in February 2022.

It is immediately apparent that Shadow Reborn is a band that values a thematic approach to both their appearance and their music, and Realm of the Wicked offers a tantalizing glimpse into their dark, glamorous world. With a running time of 26 minutes and 52 seconds, this EP is sure to carry you on a carnival ride of the macabre.

The atmosphere is set with the brief “Intro,” building anticipation before the jazzy cabaret that is the opening to “Danse Macabre” (my favorite track). Here, the listener is given a taste of the talent that Shadow Reborn possesses, as well as a heavy nod to their influences – The 69 Eyes, HIM, and Type O Negative, just to name a few.

While centered around the goth metal genre, further exploration into the EP showcases elements of 80’s glam and dark cabaret a la Emilie Autumn or Marquis of Vaudeville. “Danse Macabre” and “Tonight is Ours” are guitar centric songs, while “Her Mortal Embrace” has the addition of a more symphonic sound, given weight by the orchestral arrangements and haunting guest vocals provided by Hali Laso. “R” jumps out as the most unique track, a faster and harsher arrangement throughout which is threaded shredding guitars that are speed metalesque.

The EP is wrapped with a cover of Motley Crue’s “Ten Seconds to Love,” a tribute that stays quite true to the original. I personally prefer the slower, deeper voice of Shadow Reborn’s front man; it sounds shockingly similar to Jyrki 69 and I am a huge fan of The 69 Eyes.

Realm of the Wicked is a must-hear for all the rock and metal fans out there who enjoy the theatrical, the gothic, the glamorous, but I believe it also stands strong against the critique of those searching for more. Shadow Reborn is a gifted band with something to offer most rock/metal fans, so do yourself a favor and check them out ASAP!

Album Review: Shinedown’s Planet Zero

July 16, 2022 — Leave a comment

Band: Shinedown

Album: Planet Zero

Genre: Rock

Release Date: July 1, 2022

Standout Tracks: “Dysfunctional You,” “Dead Don’t Die,” “America Burning,” “A Symptom of Being Human,” “Sure Is Fun,” and “What You Wanted”

I know it’s been more than two weeks since Planet Zero dropped, but I was instructed to give this album my full attention before forming an opinion and, unfortunately, my first 3-4 plays of it were in my car while driving. I don’t consider that a deep dive, since I was trying to focus on the road at the same time. Lol.

I have since run through the album in its entirety several times, and the only thing I can say is… I love it. I love everything about it. There’s not a single track I find it necessary to skip, and there are several – even more than listed above – that I absolutely must hear every day.

It’s Shinedown. I don’t know how else to explain it. Planet Zero encompasses all the elements that make this band great. It’s raw and emotional. They hit the listener straight out of the gate with “No Sleep Tonight” and the title track, a no-holds-barred commentary on cancel culture. Then they strike the emotions with the encouraging “Dysfunctional You.” After that, we’re back to the unfiltered anger and frustration in “Dead Don’t Die” and “America Burning” before again offering a sense of solace with “A Symptom of Being Human” and “Hope.”

The second half of the record seems to stem from that – hope. While “Clueless and Dramatic” continues the theme of our current WTF society, it simultaneously serves up a solution. “Turn it off!” vocalist Brent Smith insists in the closing refrain. “Save yourself from the clueless and dramatic!”

We next enter the might-as-well-enjoy-it phase with “Sure Is Fun,” a personal favorite of mine. This is followed by the heartfelt, meaningful “Daylight,” because what would a Shinedown album be without at least one tear-jerking balladesque song? (Be ready for that track live; I’ve seen it and it’s magical.)

The record concludes with that sense of hope still intact, if fatalistic, and an acknowledgement that this is our reality and despite the state of things, none of us can look away. But there is also a rationale, a kind of plea to those in power – and all of us, in general. “Is this what you wanted?” the band asks, to which the answer should be a very plaintive no.

There are a lot of complexities on this album, a confusion and angst that reflects what many of us are feeling these days. However, I think that, at the core, the band maintains the one thing they have always preached: we are all human, we all have flaws and shortcomings, we are all victims of the human condition, so just be good and be kind. Turn it off and focus on being a human. We don’t need the media – social, mainstream, whatever – telling us how to do that. It’s simply in our nature.

Album Review: Alter Bridge’s Walk the Sky

October 24, 2019 — Leave a comment

Band: Alter Bridge

Album: Walk the Sky

Genre: Rock

Release Date: October 18, 2019

Standout Tracks: “Godspeed,” “Indoctrination,” “Forever Falling,” and “Walking on the Sky”

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Alter Bridge is back with their sixth studio album, Walk the Sky.

Staying true to form, Alter Bridge has again created a unique collection of fourteen tracks that don’t sound quite like anything they’ve done before. There are touches from past records evident — the heaviness of The Last Hero, the deeper lyrical content of AB III, even a tip of the hat to Tremonti’s latest solo effort, A Dying Machine — and yet, Walk the Sky stands strong on its own merits.

The album opens with “One Life,” a soft and melodic intro clocking in at 1:23, then immediately hits the listener with the blistering “Wouldn’t You Rather,” an offering of sage advice. “There is no gain worth the commerce of self,” front man Myles Kennedy warns, before asking “Wouldn’t you rather live from the heart?”

“Godspeed” is a beautiful ode to a lost loved one (and the song that made me cry; there is always at least one). With the opening piano setting the mood, Myles delivers a heartfelt goodbye that touches the soul.

“Native Son” and “Take the Crown” are two of the harder tracks, followed by the raw, gritty, dark “Indoctrination” (a personal favorite). “Pay No Mind,” which was the second single, has grown on me exponentially with each listen.

Guitarist Mark Tremonti takes lead vocals on “Forever Falling,” a change that always goes over well with the Alter Bridge fanbase. The chorus serves up the absolute magic that is Mark and Myles’ intertwined voices, a combination I’ve loved from day one.

“Walking on the Sky” struck me with my very first listen of the album. I can’t even explain it. Perhaps it’s the aforementioned Myles/Mark harmonies; perhaps it’s the flawless shifting between the softness of the verses and the heavier chorus; or it could just be these words — “And if you fall, at least you tried/As you tremble on the wire/Walking on the sky.”

The record ends with “Dying Light.” Alter Bridge gifts their listeners with catharsis, assuring all who hear that “In the dying light, we can learn to live again/When we wake up to eternal life.”

I definitely encourage everyone to check out Walk the Sky. Alter Bridge has granted us an eclectic mix of the elements that make them one of the best bands in the business (the best, in my opinion). This record will surely be on repeat for months to come. 4/5 stars.

Bands You Should Know: Common Rarity

August 27, 2018 — 1 Comment

Last weekend, I went to 11th Frame Live to see Common Rarity. I was excited because I had familiarized myself with the Tuscaloosa-based band while writing the Alabama edition of “5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following.” Now that I have been to a show and heard their debut EP in full, I have plenty more to say.

First and foremost, I really really enjoyed Common Rarity’s performance. A balanced combination of talent and image, the band had a lot of energy, and their set list consisted mostly of covers meant to encourage crowd participation: “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “School’s Out,” “Rebel Yell,” etc. Singer/guitarist Bailey Rollins was a less exuberant showman than his band mates, particularly bassist JD Smalley and drummer Jaxon Hubbard, but it fit the vibe of their show. There was never a dull moment, the audience was definitely feeling it, and I had more fun with Common Rarity than I’ve had in a while.

Needless to say, I immediately bought their self-titled EP after their set. A mix of alternative, progressive, grunge, and the theatrical, Common Rarity has plenty to work with. The quartet channels Alice in Chains, The Cure, REM, and others while injecting their own flair, putting a more current spin on that late 80’s/early 90’s sound. Bailey is often reminiscent of Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), yet he can use his voice in a variety of ways, lending to that unique something that is simply Common Rarity.

Their standout tracks, thus far, are “Meteorite,” “The Fine Print,” and “Astray.”

In addition to this so-called review, I have to say that there is a lot going on for Common Rarity. The current lineup has been together for three years and are already very proficient at their craft. Talented, driven, and young, there seems to be nothing holding them back from achieving their goals. The members are also sweet and extremely fan-oriented, traits that — along with the music, of course — will draw even more people in.

After chatting with JD and Jaxon at the show, it is apparent the band have a pretty clear idea of what they are doing and what they want to do in the future. I have little doubt Common Rarity will become even more amazing, as they have been on an upward trajectory for a while now. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them!

Check CR out on Facebook and Spotify.