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Showing posts with label Horns up rocks reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Horns up rocks reviews. Show all posts
At present time the Heavy Music scene in the tri-state area is going through a revitalizing process, in which we are starting to see more and more bands stepping up their game and getting away from a set formula. One of those bands is Misery, a band that after 10 years of hard work, is finally starting to get the recognition they deserve. With the release of their new album titled "Evil Is Crowned", produced by Joey Z from Life Of Agony, the band has evolved into a hard-hitting powerhouse.
When we arrived at Duff's Brooklyn to their Official listening party, we immediately felt the groove and our ear drums reacted to their furious blend of Heavy Metal and Hardcore by demanding "more volume"! The crowd's reaction was positive to songs like "Evil Is Crowned" and "I Hate Your Face", some were even bobbling their heads in approval.
When we asked their producer Joey Z how he got involved with Misery, this is what he to say: "The guys brought me a recording they had done somewhere else and were looking for a way to fix it. After listening to the recording, I knew they had a lot of potential but needed a producer that could help them achieve their goals. After seeing them perform live and realizing how tight they are, I offered to be their producer."
Recorded at System Two Studios Brooklyn, which is the same studio where Life Of Agony's classic album "River Runs Red" was recorded. "Evil Is Crowned" is an album that will take Misery to a new level; many are weighing them in as the next band from the New York area to become part of the elite. After their successful tour with Devildriver, they have already been asked to be part of another national tour. We have an EXCLUSIVE interview coming soon, so stay tuned!
Track listing for “Evil Is Crowned”:
1 - Evil Is Crowned 2 - Bullet 3 - Gone Tomorrow 4 - I Hate Your Face 5 - Break the Silence 6 - Social Anxiety 7 - The Hurt Spell 8 - Hangover in Harlem 9 - Mind Your Business 10 - Live Fast Die Slow 11 - Head Like a Hole (Nine Inch Nails Cover)
Things are looking bright for Misery, and if you listen to their new album “Evil Is Crowned”, it will all make sense to you. Here are some statistics about Misery:
- Misery was formed in the early 90's, in a time where Heavy Metal was resurrected by bands like Pantera.
- Their first full-length album is titled "Fifteen Years OF Aggression and it was released in August of 2008.
- In early 2009 Misery was named “The Next Great Metal Band”, by Jay Jay French of Twisted Sister, after winning the Metal Blade Records and J&R Music competition.
- Misery has shared the stage with: Biohazard, Pro-Pain, Overkill, Sheer Terror, Sworn Enemy, Death Angel, Buck Cherry, Suffocation, E-Town Concrete, Internal Bleeding, Bile, Napalm Death, Nile, Fozzy, Testament, Brand New Sin, Life Of Agony, Devildriver, My Mortality & Spoiler NYC.
After 13 years of waiting to see Brujeria, in my eyes and ears the #1 Mexican Heavy Metal band of all time thanks to their strong message. What I experienced at Webster Hall in New York City, is proof of two things: the impact of Heavy Music is stronger than ever and the influence of the Latin American culture in the United States is more prevalent than ever before. Out of a crowd of about 1000 Metaleros, 900 were of Latin American descent! And 899 were Mexican! Brujeria was formed in Tijuana, after Dino Cazares and Raymond Herrera decided that starting an extreme Metal band was the best way to sneak in some of their friends into the United States. I wouldn't be surprised if they also sneaked in 800 of the Metaleros that took over Webster Hall this past Sunday.
As soon as I arrived to the venue I knew it was going to be a crazy show and that I was going to experience something similar to when I saw A.N.I.M.A.L., a band from Argentina, back in Colombia in 1997. For the few hours I spent at Webster Hall I felt right at home with "la raza". In my opinion the passion we Latinos have when it comes to rocking out is unmatched by any other culture. Maybe the European crowds can match our intensity, but nobody can beat it. It is not arrogance, simply put: we do not hold back our emotions when we sell our ears to our favorite bands. I remember in the early 90's when Guns N' Roses played in Bogotá- the entire city was in rage mode! Kids were blasting GNR throughout the entire city. That night GNR destroyed Bogotá, literally. The kids were so riled up that they joined the destruction! Vandalism at its best!
Even though there were no acts of vandalism that I am aware of at the very first Brujeria show in New York City, the musical power of Brujeria took over the entire crowd before they even stepped on stage. People were moshing up and hassling the roadies as they did the sound check.
Once "Juan Brujo", "Fantasma", "Hongo", "El Cynico" and "El Podrido" started their set with "Pito Wilson" the entire room turned into a vulgar display of power. Luckily I found a great spot so I could show all of you what I experienced, this way I can make this story much more valid and you will know that I am not bullshitting you.
You may be wondering who the guys behind the masks are and why they're hiding their faces. Their front man Juan Brujo is "el mero chingon"! In English? The "big shot"! Juan Brujo is armed with a machete and extremely dangerous, he is one of the most wanted Metaleros in the world. Apparently, he beheaded the guy who dared to steal his hat during the show and as a result is fleeing from "la migra." So I think its smart for him to cover his face.
Fantasma(a.k.a. Pat Hoed) is Juan Brujo's partner in crime, and is also a professional wrestling commentator and radio personality. He is also hiding his face from "la migra". On axe, we have Hongo (a.k.a. Shane Embury) from British Grind Core legend Napalm Death. He hides his face because he doesn't want to steal the ladies from Juan Brujo with his good looks. On bass we have El Cynico (a.k.a. Jeffrey Walker) from British Heavy Metal masters Carcass. He hides his face because Juan Brujo snuck him into the US inside a van made entirely of marijuana. Finally, we have El Podrido from the most influential Swedish Metal band of all time, At The Gates! He is hiding his face because he owes tons of money to every venue in the country, from all the snare drums he has ripped in half!
Then there is Pinche Peach, the most pimp Metalero to ever cross the river (illegally of course). He is Brujeria's hype-man and maybe even their stage puppet. Regardless, Pinche Peach is fucking awesome and kept all of us entertained with his unusual stage tactics.
For over an hour, the band performed all their controversial classics including: "Matando Gueros", "La Migra", "Hechando Chingazos", "Division del Norte" and "Colas de Rata". After seeing Brujeria one thing is certain: they are no stage puppets! What you see is what you get! If Brujeria ever come back to New York City, I highly recommend you experience this amazing band! And if you don’t check them out, Juan Brujo will behead you!
Here is another video, this is "Marcha de Odio"!
Here is another video, this is "Colas de Rata"!
Here is another video, this is "Division del Norte"!
On St. Patrick’s Day 2010, I took the crazy train to Brooklyn and ended up at The Trash Bar, where I experienced one of the best parties I’ve ever been to. Now, I’ve been to some killer parties, but this one had a few special ingredients: Murphy’s Law, the New York Hard Core crew, the legendary Jimmy Gestapo, and a packed house! What went down was history in the making. I had been told so many times by my friends Chris and Greasy that I should go see a Murphy’s Law show, because they are an amazing band and they party like no other. So I was very pleased that all those rumors proved true.
I had a chance to steal Jimmy Gestapo and Raven from Murphy’s Law away from the center of the party and here is what went down.
HU: What’s up New York? What’s up the whole world?
Jimmy Gestapo: Chaos tonight!
HU: Yeah! We are at The Trash Bar. I am here with two of the members of Murphy’s Law. I got to be honest with you; it is the first time I’ve seen Murphy’s Law live, believe it or not. But all my friends where always like: “Yo, you got to go see them!”
Jimmy: Tonight?! Oh man! Dude! Fuck!
HU: Tonight, was my first night.
Jimmy: The cops here tonight, the cops love me... Firemen were here…
Roadie: What’s up? What are these?
Jimmy: Those are my le, le, le, le, lady, le, le… Nah, that is just the way a Murphy’s Law show goes. Just family!
HU: Amazing! Honestly, all my friends where always selling it to me but this was the proof of it. Dude! In case you are wondering who this is. It is Jimmy Gestapo. I mean you do not need an introduction… New York Hard Core legend, punk legend… And I liked what you said before, because it’s something similar to what I am going for. You joined the hard core and Punk scenes with Black N Blue Productions, and also by doing different things.
Jimmy: It changed from what it was. The crew that was started out when we where kids, it’s a different thing. Now with Black N Blue Productions we put out shows, we do security for shows, we stop problems at shows. But that is what that is.
HU: And of course Murphy’s Law is nothing new. You said almost 30 years? When is the anniversary?
Jimmy: 25? On New Years Eve! 25, yeah? 26 years?
Raven: Yeah.
Jimmy: Raven has been with me in the band the whole time.
Raven: The funny thing about it was that Jimmy saw me playing with another band called The Stimulators. And Harley Flanagan (co-founder of the Cro Mags), you know who Harley is, was playing drums and at the time he was like fourteen. Jimmy saw this; I was completely jazzed by the idea of having a band. That’s how we hooked up all those years ago.
Jimmy: Raven played in a band called the The Stimulators and it was like the first punk rock hard core band. And then him and I became friends. And we have been on tour together as friends and family forever man.
Raven: Yeah.
Jimmy: He is an amazing horn player. I chose to have horns in the band from like X Ray Spex and stuff like that. Punk rock bands are like metal based. But my band and my friends’ band is based on punk rock, ska, hard core… punk rock! Really. (Laughter.)
HU: It is a great jam. I mean, honestly.
Jimmy: Nothing to do with metal though.
HU: One thing that is amazing about you guys is that you persevered for so long and you have never compromised your music. You have been doing your own style, you created your own thing. And that is something that whoever does not appreciate that, does not know anything about fucking music.
Jimmy: As you saw with the cops rolling on me about some guy… street shit still happens and kids still take my back. I am big, very big. And that is why I said tonight, I was like: “Do I need a gun?” And everyone raised their hands and said no! And that is what I told the cop. I was like: “I do not need a gun.” I laughed at the cop. I was like: “Do you understand that if I have a problem here everybody has my back?” He is like: “There’s a lot of kids here.” I was like: “Yeah, all those kids are all my bullets. They are my family. They are my friends.” And the only reason they take my back is if somebody… like the creep that called them, calls them. It was really kind of weird but it was enlightening for the cops and for myself tonight. What’s so cool is that it still happens though. Street shit.
HU: Exactly dude. That is how it has been since you have been around.
Jimmy: Yeah.
HU: Tell me Jimmy. What did you grow up listening to?
Jimmy: Sex Pistols, Stimulators, SVT Jack Casady, The Heartbreakers, Iggy and the Stooges… I grew up with punk rock. The Saints. You know? But now a lot of bands are very generic.
HU: And dude, when you started getting involved in the New York Hard Core scene, it was such a small thing.
Jimmy: We started the New York Hard Core scene! (Laughter). There was no hard core scene; there was a punk rock scene.
HU: And look what it is now. And I mean you are one of the ambassadors.
Jimmy: It is an international thing. It is crazy!
HU: It is amazing.
Jimmy: It is crazy, but it is cool man! (Laughter.)
HU: It is awesome when you see fucking hard core in Japan, in Australia…
Jimmy: That is where hard core is. Hard core is in Brazil, in Puerto Rico, in Cuba and Colombia where I am going. Its working class kids, kids that work… may be punk rock or hard core. Its still working class, just like all the kids that listen to what we listen to... even if they do not like hard core, punk rock, whatever… I am 44, they all work man. Its all working class kids, all kids that struggle. It is not a rich kids thing, its not like disco. It is not like Gaga! Like Lady Gaga.
HU: (Laughter). Everybody keeps mentioning Lady Gaga.
Jimmy: Lady Gaga is awesome! She used to be a punk rock girl.
HU: Yeah, she is doing her own thing. You know what I am saying?
Jimmy: Ahhh, she is punk rock!
(Roadie hands a bottle of Jagermeister to Jimmy)
HU: There you go! Cheers! Ohhh what?! He gives you an empty bottle?
Jimmy: Yeah, we use it as a cowbell usually.
HU: Dude, I was thinking… I never have seen a band drink like this on stage since Pantera man.
Jimmy: Pantera?
HU: Since fucking Pantera!
Jimmy: Pantera? No we are not talking about that…
HU: No, raging the way you guys do. It is like fucking mayhem, the booze was everywhere!
Jimmy: Pantera. Phil does his own thing man. COC, Down… those are my people man! But Pantera, they do not do it like hard core and punk rock man. They never supported a band like that. There are other bands that try to get down with our family now. Too late man… Too late!
HU: Right. The foundations are laid down.
Jimmy: Yeah. The relation is already laid down. Too late man, you know?
HU: And you mentioned you are going to Colombia. I am personally from Colombia.
Jimmy: Cool!
HU: One of the things that brought me to New York was hard core. I was listening to Madball, Sick of It All…
Jimmy: It is an honor to me but I am not in Madball. Madball has got a label, Madball is… Freddy is my brother but Madball is huge man! The people from Colombia reached out to me to play and I was like: “Wow! Holy shit!” Real cool!
HU: When is that happening?
Jimmy: July 4th! (Laughter).
HU: (Laugher).
Jimmy: Independence Day in America, Independence Day for Jimmy Gestapo in Colombia.
HU: Amazing! And have you been to Colombia before?
Jimmy: No! I cannot wait to try the coffee… (Laughter).
HU: The coffee, the women bro…
Jimmy: (Laughter). I cannot wait to just go to Colombia man. You know? Murphy’s Law never had a label or anything. I played Japan. I played Japan like 32 shows, not 9 shows. So its my friends, I cannot believe what my life has become. But I still work every day. I do carpentry and stuff with a bunch of punk rock guys. You know, my life is a two way street.
HU: Right, you are promoting shows with Black N Blue constantly.
Jimmy: Working class motherfucker. Working class right to the police.
HU: I mean you never stop... You guys have been doing Black N Blue productions for how long already?
Jimmy: Black N Blue? I have been in Black N Blue for 20 years.
Roadie: We had a really great night tonight and nobody is cooler than Jimmy!
HU: (Laughter). There he goes.
Roadie: So fuck yourself!
Jimmy: Thank you man!
HU: Hellyeah man!
Jimmy: Thank you bro!
Those where the true words of a man who cares about his family and his friends, beyond it all, which ultimately is the whole concept behind the New York Hard Core crew. Many misunderstand it, many are jealous of the camaraderie that exists within the crew. Regardless of where you stand, the music that Jimmy Gestapo has created with his band Murphy’s Law is timeless and do not even think they are going to finish their extensive career anytime soon.
It was announced by Cuz Joe from Black N Blue Productions that the band is working on a brand new record! According to Jimmy, the album (which will be released by I Scream Records) is in the works, with no release date yet.
After seeing Murphy’s Law take over The Trash Bar in Brooklyn and proving that New York Hard core is alive and well, all I can say is that whoever questions the musical power that has existed in New York for such a long time, does not know anything about art of music.
Here is a live clip of Murphy's Law doing their classic "Panty Raid" on St. Patrick's Day!
Well, this is the first time I’ve “reviewed” an album. So here it goes. "Option Paralysis" is the fourth Dillinger Escape Plan record. (If you exclude "The Under The Running Board" and "Irony is A Dead Scene" EP’s.)
It starts off in a typical, spastic Dillinger fashion reminiscent of “Calculating Infinity” boasting some lunatic riffage, speedy, precise drumming and some gnarly sound effects. The overall mix on this album is great. I am a HUGE fan of the nice roomy drum tone. (Kudos to the engineer Steve Evetts! And obviously Bill Rymer’s awesome playing.)
In my opinion, “Option Paralysis” really shows off the song writing talent/abilities of the band. The track “Widower” is a nice example, starting off with a jazz inspired piano intro and slowly morphing into a beautifully catchy hook with some sweet harmonies. By the middle of the song, you are banging your head so hard that your gray matter is oozing out of your ear drums and all over your favorite chair, until you are immediately flung back into a ballroom slow dance. Got to love it! The track “Parasitic Twins” has sort of an eerie and mysterious quality to it ala Gorillaz meets NIN. Fucking Sweet.
I honestly was never a big fan of putting bands into “sub-genres” and I know a lot of people consider DEP a “mathcore” band, but I really think these guys could probably put out an album in just about any genre they choose. Every song keeps you guessing.
In the end “Option Paralysis” is an album no Dillinger fan would be disappointed with. You have all the insanity you could ever need with some polished edges, solid songwriting and production. Overall I think this is a great fourth addition to their catalog.
Also I will always love DEP because I saw them perform a cover of Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher” at Irving Plaza in NYC a few years back and that pretty much blew my balls directly the fuck off.
"Option Paralysis" gets this lifeless douche’s seal of approval. 10/10 Horns. (Sorry, I got pretty jacked up off gummy bears and Arizona iced tea while writing this. Hopefully my next review will be more entertaining).
For more rantings about eating sweets, playing drums and Metal. Follow me on twitter @Lifelessone.
At present time the Heavy Music scene in the tri-state area is going through a revitalizing process, in which we are starting to see more and more bands stepping up their game and getting away from a set formula. One of those bands is Misery, a band that after 10 years of hard work, is finally starting to get the recognition they deserve. With the release of their new album titled "Evil Is Crowned", produced by Joey Z from Life Of Agony, the band has evolved into a hard-hitting powerhouse.
