Beer Killer - What Else

Beer Killer - What Else (song review) |Dogozilla S.R.L.S, Start Living Or Die Today, 2015| 4/5 hardcore/punk

Beer Killer is an Italian hardcore-punk quintet. The musicians’ influences and sonic experiences vary from metal, hardcore and punk through funky and electronic-dance to classical and jazz genres. The line up includes Fulvio (guitar), Miki (bass), Manuel (drums), Panga (guitar), and Viktor (vocals). Their musical careers began at the end of the 80s, except for Panga who started playing guitar in 1997. They performed several live shows and their tracks were played on various local radio stations. In addition, Miki - a former DJ - collaborated briefly with the once famous indie electronic act Apollo 440.

"What Else" begins with a short electronic arrangement which could illustrate such lofty themes as the Universe and its galaxies, space travel, spirituality, and more in that vein, thanks to its vibration. It then turns into an in-your-face hardcore song, clocking in at less than 3 minutes. The arrangements are fueled with edgy guitars, rebellious vocals and a fast-paced rhythm that emanates rough masculine energy all over.
The two guitars collaborate nicely with the bass in both verses and choruses. The riffs are simple, yet graded to increase the sonic tension when necessary. The intensity and dynamics run high through the entire track and hit listeners like a tornado mixed with a twister. It should be noted that Beer Killer has a very skilled and convincing drummer - Manuel plays like a well-oiled machine on this track! In addition, the drum beat is very exposed, perhaps even stealing the show from other instruments. The vocals are aggressive and coarse, and would definitely sound homely in any hardcore song.

"What Else" is a potential hit to the point that you can definitely see yourself rooting for the band to perform it live. The production sounds a bit dirty however - maybe this is what real hardcore fans like - allowing for a virtual trip to a venue rather than enjoying the track on a home stereo alone. Moreover, the song's arrangements bring back the original feel of old-school American and UK hardcore-crossover sound represented by the likes of Agnostic Front, Disorder or Broken Bones - the bands that inspired Beer Killer to form their own group. If you're in love with Ministry on the other hand, the speedy riffs here will keep you pleased as well.

Beer Killer's forthcoming album Start Living Or Die Today will be out in September 2015, available on iTunes, Amazon and other digital distribution channels. Interesting trivia: the band received the permission of the Madrid Pardo Museum to use a famous painting by Hieronymus Bosch as its cover.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, August 1st, 2015. Proofreading: Mike 'Vesper' Dziewoński)
Source: http://industrialrock.net/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=559


Facebook | SoundCloud





Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine

ClosedHandPromise - [iam] Nemesis

ClosedHandPromise - [iam] Nemesis (song review) |self-released, [iam] Nemesis, 2013| 5/5

Most of the metal bands hailing from Texas come up with extremely powerful music - think of such famous acts as Skrew, Pantera or Rigor Mortis. Raging heat also radiates from this Austin based band, as if coming from a steel factory furnace.

ClosedHandsPromise was founded in 2004. Its line-up includes Domingo (Gitfiddle), Pumpkin Escobar (Slaps da bass), P-dro (Beatz), Colbonix (Propaganda) and K-Killa (Electrics). They've released Outer Space EP followed by a brand new [iam] Nemesis EP in 2013. The title track recorded with Tim Gerron (SOD, Skrew) and mastered by Roger Lian (Slayer, Candiria) offers a powerful and high quality sound.

Heavy metal arrangements mixed with hardcore influences and pumping dynamics are probably the first thing you notice about "[iam] Nemesis". The Greek mythology portrays Nemesis as the goddess of fate, justice and revenge, a personification of the gods' wrath. The song’s mood seems directly connected to these motifs.

"[iam] Nemesis" is a short, stimulating track clocking in at slightly over 3 minutes. The dynamics and the flood of arrangements change within the composition, keeping the song absorbing, both to your ears and brains.

The musicians cooperate together perfectly - the drummer comes into a forceful union with the bass player, while the guitarist supports the lead singer. Repetitive spirals of piercing riffs entwine with thorny, hateful and screaming vocals that add a serious set of claws to the music. Loud, angry shouts and a fast-paced stream of lyrics will fill your ears with an honest, in-your-face message, whether you're ready to hear it or not. Moreover, some parts of the song sound as if the vocalist was attacking the listener like an infuriated pitbull. If you enjoy growling, you'll get a serving as well.

These guys, once they gear up, turn into a collaborative team of warriors. If you wish to learn more about ClosedHandPromise, it would be wise to buy their brand new album, support them through social networks and best of all, go see them play a live show. Solid, furious and memorable.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, December 22nd, 2013. Proofreading: Mike 'Vesper' Dziewoński)

This review on Fabryka Magazine http://industrialrock.net/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=506

http://www.closedhandpromise.com

http://www.facebook.com/closedhandpromise

http://www.reverbnation.com/closedhandpromise

http://www.soundcloud.com/closedhandpromise

http://www.twitter.com/closedhand

http://www.youtube.com/closedhandpromise

http://www.last.fm/music/Closedhandpromise

http://www.myspace.com/closedhandpromise

Buy: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/closedhandpromise3/from/fabryka

http://closedhandpromise.bandcamp.com/album/iam-nemesis

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/iam-nemesis-ep/id731439942

http://www.amazon.com/Iam-Nemesis-Explicit-Closedhandpromise/dp/B00G5X7Y4Q/

Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine

Tooms - Disgraceland

Tooms - Disgraceland (song review) |Industrial Strength Records, Disgraceland, 2013| 5/5

"Disgraceland" - the brand new single by Tooms is an in-your-face answer to the current mainstream metal music promoted through high budget advertising campaigns. This composition breaks through these unoriginal metal songs, which are represented by initially aggressive riffs that fall into soft, tendentious melodies. Instead, Tooms have made their composition angry, for a reason.

When it comes to audio values, "Disgraceland" carries fervid sonic madness brought by punching drum beats, memorable enhanced guitar riffs and censorious, fighting vocals. Passionate throughout, the track is rowdy but remains solid Hardcore. The vibe continuously probes into listener's ears.

Tooms musicians, Karl Pryor (drums, programming and production), Idene Roozbayani (vocals, programming and production), Phil Van D (guitars) and Eddy Liddle (vocals) have been well known for mixing a variety of dynamic music genres such as Crossover, Hardcore, Drum'n'Bass and Metal. Therefore, not only does "Disgraceland" sound innovative but remains as belligerent as a guitar driven metal song should.

This track is supported by a self-made but professional quality video. It fits the song motif very well with a rollercoaster styled montage and visuals that are kept in black, blue and orange color tones.
When you visit either the Tooms or Industrial Strength Records YouTube channels, you'll spot the "Disgraceland" video single featuring a heavy-toothed green monster that searches across a city and brings a night-scare. The video also includes riot-ready men wearing skull-like masks. Don't get me wrong, the musicians that make up Tooms are young and angry tattooed activists just like the 70's/80's British punk frontmen. However, Tooms make it clear that they could take the fight to the front line and that you should say 'No!' instead of nodding submissively.

Beyond their imagery, Tooms’ lyrics are also used to illustrate current issues and the failure of institutions which according to this British band, have been causing harm and motivating people to leave their homes to fight back through violent street protests: "Heading on out into a dark age, Rampage is how we trade, Broken Britain it never existed Caused by the hated institution inflicted".
Not only is ACTA/SOPA Internet censorship mentioned but so is the worldwide economy crisis, impoverished poor and middle classes, corruption and rigged elections, enormous education fees and many other manipulative systems being revealed every minute in every corner of the world.

Undoubtedly, "Disgraceland" is a direct call for action. At some point, we're all dependent on other people’s decisions. We must not allow others to lead us towards any imposed alternatives. The rebellious and rousing message behind the song may be summed up by the lyrics: "We've had enough of this nightmare, Took it out on the streets of England, We think that’s fair, Locked up frustrations left to rot inside, We won’t rest tonight".

The Disgraceland EP also includes four remixes made by the biggest names in Hardcore Techno and extreme Electronic Dance music. Artists include GRR, Lenny Dee, Lowroller and Dirty Fingers Licked. Furthermore, the EP had received support from the legendary US Hardcore label, Industrial Strength Records based in New York and it will be released via digital download on 02/15/2013.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, January 28th, 2013. Proofreading: SanDeE)


Official | Facebook | SoundCloud | ReverbNation | Last.FM | Myspace | Tumblr | Twitter
Buy this EP: Industrial Strength Records
Buy merchandising Bigcartel

Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine

Surety- random songs review

Surety - random songs review |self-released, 2012| 4/5

1. Tempered, 2. Ransom, 3. I Am The Influence, 4. Few and Far Between, 5. Desecrated

Surety is a heavy metal band located in Florida that was founded in 2012, however the musicians - Joe Page (vocals), John Page (lead guitar) and John Jones (drums) are by no means novices to the metal music scene. Their previous band which was formed in 2004 was called Metal Reign. They self-released a full length album entitled 8 Fingers of Whiskey and played a lot of shows in South Florida during that time.

A random selection of five Surety tracks were recorded during their recent live shows. You may notice great, predatory vocals which are underlined by high energy and a mean atmosphere amongst the songs. These aspects are spiced up with matching guitar, bass and drum arrangements that are not only characteristic for metal, but also hardcore sub-genres. Musical similarities may point to bands such as Pantera, Testament, Crowbar or Madball as well as representatives from the New York hardcore scene that are best known for their heavy and powerful sound.

The song entitled "Tempered" is filled with rebellious moods. You'll discover thrash metal riffs, but also fiery screams. Vocals and instrumental parts match together very well, however there's also elements of high tension and restless dynamics rolling on throughout the entire composition.

When it comes to "Ransom", this track sounds somewhat dangerous and brings an atmosphere of hunting for something. You may first think of a leopard sneaking around, then running at full speed with conviction towards a chosen victim. You may also visualize street fighters or gangsters who are solving 'this little problem' with guns and machetes. The drums and bass play a main role in this composition, but edgy vocals and guitars are not hidden either. The track sounds memorable and has hit potential as well.

Tough, heavy guitar riffs open "I Am The Influence". This in-your-face composition brings solid arrangements with amazing vocals, chunky guitars and smooth soloing which tightly fill in the track. These aspects equally match the technical styles of Pantera, although Surety left no room for wonder, just motivation and the joy of being carried away due to the overall pugnacious vibe.

"Few and Far Between" begins quite innocently, but later becomes as brooding and raw as the music of Drown which is notable and remains heavy until the very end. This song doesn't lack metal hostility. John Page's guitar soloing brings well known hard rock staples into the mix which compliments an interesting echo effect that was utilized on a few of the vocal parts.

The last composition, "Desecrated" showcases the brilliant cooperation between all the musicians of Surety. The track sounds passionate, although undiluted fury maintains control as much as a raging boxer delivers spot-on blows. Leveled guitars are accompanied and strengthened by the drums which create a connection that sounds indestructible. "Desecrated" seems to be the kind of a song that major metal labels should become interested in if they still wish to deliver high quality angry music instead of promoting wannabe-metal bands.

All of the above tracks are available for free download at the bands official website. It should be noted that Surety has decided to avoid releasing any albums. Alternatively, the musicians will provide their fans with a few new songs released every several months and presented on their official website. Since they are not dependent on the resolutions of any record label and prefer DIY, they don't have to work under the pressure of time constraints or deadlines. Surety would love it if new listeners checked them out on their official website, communicated with them via social profiles as well as watched a comedy channel known as OMG!Beer which is dedicated to alcohol.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, January 15th, 2013)
This review on Fabryka Magazine http://industrialrock.net/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=464

Official | SoundCloud | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | OMG!Beer

Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine

Gramilla - Paradox

Gramilla - Paradox (song review) |self-released, Villains, 2012| 5/5

If you're a fan of rock or metal music and come across a band tagged with these genre names, your appetite for heavy tunes and brooding vibes increase immediately. In the case of Gramilla's song entitled "Paradox" which was released on their Villains album, you'll get these impressions pretty fast.

This quintet was formed in California in 2009 and is represented by the following musicians: Efren Pacheco (vocals), Kerr Leonard (guitars), Craig Leonard (guitars), Matt Bird (bass) and Arture Bezie (drums). After releasing their demo in 2010, the band then worked on their first full length album which features 10 songs and brings with it mostly alt-metal and hardcore rebellious sounds (don't miss "Every Mans Vice"!)

"Paradox" is the second song, however one of the shortest tracks on this release. It begins with dark guitar riffs followed by screaming vocals that bring an element of protest and criticism into the song. Efren sounds like very good and highly accomplished singer. His voice has a bit of a dirty tone with elaborate colors, so it perfectly corresponds within the context of the rock and roll style, but could also be successfully matched to sub-genres such as grunge, punk or hardcore as mentioned above.

The mid-tempo of "Paradox" is underlined by groovy drum beats and bass lines. The guitars are layered quite wisely and the solo's sound almost like sewing stitch riffs placed in the right spots. These methods of arranging a song allowed Gramilla to break any possible monotony amongst the rhythm while taking the irascible moods to a higher dynamic when synchronized with less rhythmic notes.

"Paradox" doesn't carry many positive moods, although it's not happiness that we usually expect from heavy music. Most listeners of heavy music desire these sort of compositions to let them release their frustration and anger. This is due to many common and ordinary life issues that fans may encounter on a daily basis and which can accumulate pretty fast. However, if you think 'harsh' doesn't go along with 'melodic' or 'catchy' in terms of moods, then "Paradox" can certainly change your mind. The vocal transitions along with the guitar solos are all it takes to prove this point extremely well.

Gramilla sounds like a great new band with the potential to be discovered. Become a fan of theirs and offer your support by purchasing their music, checking them out on-line and seeing if they're playing live at a venue in your city.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Magazine, December 19th, 2012)
http://industrialrock.net/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=458





Official | ReverbNation | Facebook | Myspace | YouTube
Buy: Reverbnation store | Outbound Music

Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine

Tooms - When Two Worlds Collide

Tooms - When Two Worlds Collide |Tooms, 2011| 4/4

1. Head Bang / Head Crash, 2. Silence The Colossus, 3. Cutting Faces

Tooms is a British band, established in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2011. However, the musicians have spent over 10 years in the music industry and in hardcore-metal bands like Upon All (where the guitar player Phil Van D hails from) and Blunt Wound Trauma (of which Idene Roozbayani – vocals, Eddie Liddle – vocals and Karl Pryor – drums were members of). The sound of both bands has had an impact on their collective new project.

When Two Worlds Collide is a demo containing three tracks which overpower an unsuspecting listener with dynamics and crossovers of rage that are underlined by broken electronics reminiscent of jungle or breakcore.
However, it should be noted that such original connections do not cause any dissonance. This manner of songwriting should help Tooms earn acceptance from fans of the above mentioned styles, but does not limit their potential of appealing to a wider demographic. Breakcore (as well as drum'n'bass) has been utilized by bands from the United States industrial scene such as Acumen Nation, while British acts such as Pitchshifter have been smuggling similar ideas into their tunes since the 1990's. It is refreshing to hear these elements of sound that do not seem to be extensively explored or popularized yet.

The opening track entitled “Head Bang / Head Crash” is kept in both hardcore and breakcore moods, with biting vocals from Eddy Liddle and Idene Roozbayani that come across as if they are pointing fingers at the misguided in every little corner of the world. The song is dominated by intensive dynamics that are largely based on guitar riffs, but broken with electronica that is layered either in the background or below the riffs. The guitars are as noisy as machine gun fire, but certainly may be welcomed by listeners who prefer to get jammed by to-the-point vibes or those who are hooked into the rhythm first.

The following song entitled “Silence The Colossus” begins with phat beats joined by flat-spread guitar riffs. This mixture meets with screaming vocals, then carry them away until they lift up like a roller-coaster while a unique tempo slows down until it seems it cannot fall any longer. The tempo then smashes down for a while, until it mildly stops long enough to let the listener switch into a stressless state before going to the next track.

The last song on this demo reminded me of classic visions reflecting the turmoil of Purgatory. It is laden with diabolical vocals and guitar riffs mixed with rough but dynamic electronics. The dominating rhythm and heavy moods in “Cutting Faces” stands out among the rest of Tooms songs. The methods are still harmonic and take the imagination to place where horses run, but from the inside of a twister where the remnants of things rise and tumble, constantly spinning. It is not clear to the listener when this tornado weakens or what direction it moves to next.

Tooms lyrics do not seem to point at specific reasons for aggression, but may mirror some of the every day frustrations faced by fans of music. The compositions are not easy to remember. This is mainly due to the complicated arrangements, but we are talking about non-pop music after all.
It seems that British musicians like experimenting. Thanks to this need to push boundaries there have been a few meaningful styles of music created so far. The sound of Tooms may need a specified label sooner or later because it is not really possible to avoid categorizing. On the other hand, a correct classification will help fans to better identify with the band and improve the possibilities to be found online, either by those researching music catalogs or looking up music social networks and browsing available genres.

Idene Roozbayani along with Karl Pryor wrote and produced the songs which were grabbed from their EP and placed on When Two Worlds Collide, while Thomas McLaughlin mastered the demo. “Head Bang / Head Crash”, “Silence the Colossus” and “Cutting Faces” will be re-recorded and should be released on the upcoming Tooms album near the end of 2011.
The music is original and thankfully not a mixture of popular styles. This may be the formula that will attract several significant followers and drive them towards the bands sound in the near future. (Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz, August 11th, 2011)

http://www.toomslive.co.uk
http://soundcloud.com/tooms-official
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tooms/127686734809
http://www.youtube.com/user/ToomsOfficial
http://twitter.com/Tooms_Live
http://toomslive.tumblr.com

Reviewed by Google+ Music Reviews