The World is Ending; A Local Band That Is Not Hardocore/Screamo

Well that is an exaggeration, because there are plenty of local bands that are not hardcore/screamo. However, they seem to appear everywhere, but that is a rant for another time. Now is the time to discuss a local South Jersey band, Shattered Sanctity. They are a metal band that is difficult to classify. Original started as a sort of power metal project that ended after three keyboardists, the band is now reminiscent of the great Iron Maiden mixed with various other influences.

An actual judgement of their music is currently difficult due to a lack of quality recordings. However, this is about to change soon, as they are currently in the studio recording their demo. From what I have heard thus far, the studio version of their song "Everlasting Hell" is nothing short of awesome. One of the main reasons for this is they no longer attempt to add keyboards where keyboards are not needed. This allows them to a somewhat more aggressive tone. Regrettably, I have yet to hear a vocal version of this song, so any comments on that aspect are quite impossible. They are also recording their song "Eyes of the Warrior," which by going to their previous show I can say is my favorite song of theirs. That will be interesting to see how it turns out, and I am awaiting its release.

Their lead guitarist, Mike Hunsicker lends some entertaining solos and leads to the song, which are sure to grab the attention of many people who otherwise would not pay attention to them. That is not to say rhythm and sometimes lead guitarist Jake Butcher just sits around for the ride. Without him the live shows would be nothing short of boring with only one guitarist. One of the best parts about the recording thusfar is that the bass, masterfully played by Mike "AZN" Atkinson, can actaully be heard, which is very cool. Drummer Chris Kitchen is a beast on the drums, and definitely shows off some of his skill on "Everlasting Hell."

Currently the band is looking into playing shows again, so definitely watch out for them if they come by your area. The demo should also be released shortly, or at least relatively shortly. Defintely any fan of old school or power metal should check these guys out.

To infinity and beyond... well not really... no... not at all actually...

Time to go to the Edge of Infinity with Lunatica. Just by playing the first song, which granted calling the first song "Introduction" is not overly original it works. Why does it work? Well, it is one of the most ridiculously dramatic intros that is not a set up for a concept album. The closest thing it can be compared to is the front half of EPCOT at Walt Disney World.

Then the pace changes, and it turns into a pretty cool symphonic/power metal album. Like any good power metal album the choruses are pretty much all catchy and memorable. Though, what is impressive is they manage to do this while having a fair share of ballad type songs on the album. The overall feel of each song is rather entrancing and will most likely keep the listener curious about what is to come next.

Surprisingly, the pure ballad, "Song For You" (another one of those original song titles) is the best song on the album. Sure, it may be a tad generic, but the contrast between the female and male vocals is quite good; mainly because each singer conveys a certain amount of emotion that sucks the listener into the music. It is one of those uplifting ballads about trust and unity, and the two singers definitely let that be known. Still, the music behind it cannot go without recognition.

Throughout the album the music is always good. Never does there seem to be a recycled part. No instrument really takes the forefront, which allows for each to have an equal part that mesh wonderfully with the other parts. Overall, this is an album worth checking out. The vocals are pretty good throughout as well as the music. Plus, it has a sort of sci-fi feel in parts mixed with modern lyrical themes, making it a very interesting blend of lyrical content. Even the typical power metal lyrics are pretty good. Basically, even if you do not like metal, at least check out the ballad, it is definitely worth it.

Piecing it Together

Well, thanks to the new modern marvel that is Youtube, people are able to upload essentially anything they want to; whether it is flagged as obscene is another story. Still, it is a wondeful source for music and such, especially concerts. Ignoring the legality or rather illegality (if that's a word) of the uploaded videos I stumbled across an interesting concert of Hayley Westenra. Some may be saying Hayley who, which is understandable considering her only American appearance has been on PBS. It truely is a shame, considering her magnificent voice, which she also uses for performing with Celtic Women, also on PBS.

The concert on Youtube comes from her Live in New Zealand DVD, after all she is from New Zealand, so it is only fitting that she performs there. Though it is difficult to actually watch the concert in proper order on the site, it is not difficult to see how vocally talented she is. Some of the songs she takes on include "Down to the River to Pray," "Wuthering Heights," and "I Dreamed a Dream." True, she does not sound like the original exactly for either of the songs, but she does put her own style into it. Surprisingly, the least impressive out of them all is "I Dreamed a Dream," but that may be because the other versions are sung by older women with a better understanding of how to convey the emotion of the song (and no, I am most definitely not referring to Susan Boyle, more like a reference to Ruthie Henshall).

For being only 17 in the concert, Hayley shows how much talent is yet to come from her. Though it is a different genre, she still makes many American pop artists look really bad, which makes it quite sad that she has very little popularity in America. Regardless, the concert is definitely worth checking out, and can be purchased on many websites (and yes, they are American ones).

Thinking of a Name Change

Seeing as the new theme here seems to be Doctor Who, I think a blog name change is in order. Rather than being Music and Stuff, Music and Doctor Who may be a more focused title. Regardless, here is my review for the first episode of Doctor Who with Matt Smith, titled "The Eleventh Hour." Like most first episodes, especially those in which the Doctor has a new regeneration, it is not quite as serious as the rest of the season. This is true with this episode, but it still is a rather good episode in its own right.

It starts off where the last one left off, that is with the Doctor flying away in space, but his TARDIS catches on fire, he then crash lands right on top of a shed. This is when he first meets Amelia Pond (later called Amy, but sometimes Amelia). He leaves, but tells her he'll be back in a few minutes, it ends up taking quite longer than that, for she goes from being a little girl to a girl around twenty. This leads for some quick banter between the two, and then the story eventually unfolds.

The story is not overly complicated. There is an escaped prisoner that fled to Earth, locked itself in a room hidden with a perception filter, and eventually the Doctor realizes this, tells Amy, then Amy finds the prisoner. Eventually the plot unfolds so that the prisoner is captured, and it is a happy ending. Though, it does solidify Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor.

The episode, while being silly at times, has its fair share of dramatic moments; such as when Amy puts the Doctors tie in between a car door and finds out it really is him from all those years ago. Considering it is the debut of Matt Smith as the Doctor and Steven Moffat as the head writer I give this episode a solid 8.5/10.

Let's Continue With Stuff, Shall We...

So, I am taking a break from the music reviews for now. Which is good, because it is time for another Doctor Who review. This time for the second episode in Season 5, "The Beast Below." After raving about the third episode I must say this one does not have the same praise. This does not mean it is a horrible episode by any means, but it is lacking, or maybe over filled.

The beginning of the episode starts off promising enough. What with Amy being in space for the first time and landing on the future colony of England on a spaceship. All very science fictiony and what not. This is all well and good, until the plot decides to go off into what feels like a million directions, when it could have been simplified, and convey the same point but far more organized.

Soon after arriving on the ship, the Doctor and Amy split up. Eventually Amy is captured, put into a sort of voting both, and shown how the ship is moving without having any actual engines to propel it. She is given the option to forget what she sees or protest. She opts to forget, and is set free. At the same time the Doctor encounters Liz Ten, who later we find out is Queen Elizabeth the Tenth.

The story ends up revealing that the humans are torturing a Star Whale (yes, a Star Whale, a Whale in space) held captive under the ship to make it move. Eventually Amy realizes that the Star Whale came to help them, and if they do not torture it it shall move faster and be more productive.

Overall it is not a horrible premise, but within a 45 minute time slot there are many small nuances such as the Smiler's, who do nothing but add some rather useless parts to the overall progression of the story. Essentially, it seems as if the episode was made to be two parts, but was cramed into one. Though, it does make it clear that Amy is officially the new companion of the series, and makes some social commentaries about humans enslaving those they believe they can exploit. The final verdict for the episode is a 7 (or 6.5 still undecided)/10.

Time for Some Stuff

As the title indicates, this is a blog for music and stuff. Therefore, I feel it is time to have some stuff. Which is why there shall be a review of the new Dalek episode in the long running British science fiction show, Doctor Who. The episode, "Victory of the Daleks" brings back the true essence of the Doctor's number one enemy.

Instead of having the Daleks be emotional as the previous seasons in the new series, these go back to the old days. They are completely void of emotion, and their main goal is to destroy all in their path. This is a relief, and actually makes an otherwise boring episode enjoyable. After all, seeing the same enemy every year gets old, especially when they somehow magically gain emotions; that just is not cool.

Matt Smith continues to prove himself as a worthy Doctor. He does not seem to force any of his lines or movements, which is always nice. Karen Gillan may portray one of the best assistants ever in the show as Amy Pond. Though, this role does not truely come out until the next episode in the season.

Thankfully I watched the next episode. For, every episode always shows the story arc of a crack in time. While it was interesting the first time, it just gets annoying constantly seeing it. However, the trailer for the 5th episode (the one reviewed here is the 3rd) shows a promising reasoning for this crack in time.

All in all I give this episode an 8/10. It did what has been lacking for quite some time in a Doctor Who episode; that is, it is a fun episode without distracting emotional parts. This is a good thing considering the next episode incorporates a sort of emotional bond between characters. Though, this episode definitely proves that the season is not over before it started.

Escapexstacy

Following the end of the band Sentenced, singer Ville Laihiala went on to form the gothic metal band Poisonblack. Though, on their debut he opted to only play guitar rather than sing. This may have been the best decision he could have made. For, the guest singer on the entire album is by far one of the greatest gothic metal singers of all time; Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto. JP, as he is often referred to as, is the singer for the Finnish gothic metal band, Charon. His voice set Poisonblack on the right track, which makes it a shame that Laihiala's voice on the following three albums just is not up to par with JP's.

Regardless, their debut album, Escapexstacy is really quite good. The music has a solid feel to it, with remarkable guitar tone that manages to be gone for their next three releases. One of the main attractions is the lack of flashy guitar parts. True, this is a common theme throughout gothic metal, but on their other albums the guitar work is more rock and less goth. Though, the solos and leads on this album are done tastefully, which makes them enjoyable. Essentially, with the addition of keyboards, the album is almost like a heavier version of HIM, but with less aim towards high school girls. Speaking of keyboards, there are songs such as "The State" that use piano and keyboards to add a wonderfully dark tone to the music.

Not enough can be said about JP's vocals. Every album from his band or song he guest appears on the listenere is guaranteed near excellent vocal delivery from him. The problem, well not really problem, but rather drawback is that every song essentially has the same lyrical theme concerning either sex or desire. Luckily it is not done nearly as tasteless as in the 80s, but it's still there. That's not to say none of the songs have good lyrics, and luckily they are serious enough to allow the listener to actually enjoy them, but it seems for a writer who has worked with Sentenced for quite some time that the lyrical realm would be a tad broader.

Basically, if you enjoy listening to a wonderful singer, well done music, and not great but still enjoyable lyrics then this is definitely an album to check out.

Back to the 90s, in a recording studio somewhere...

During 1991 the band Portishead was born. Three years later their debut album, "Dummy" was released. This is the topic of discussion today. An album that is difficult to categorize, but for the sake of categorization we shall call it experimental trip-hop. At the same time there will most likely be those who consider it to be drug music, which is understandable considering the spacy, atmospheric feel to the work as a whole. Alas, it can also be appreciated as a wonderfully creative work of art.

Upon pressing the play button on your cd player (or those new fangled mp3 player iPods) the listener is greeted by the first track, "Mysterons" with a calming wave of echoed keyboard notes. Then, within ten seconds a turntable comes in. Needless to say, this album is very interesting. The music throughout the disc is all very calm and soothing, which makes it a strong recommendation for night time listening. Even though there is this calmness, there are also quite a few catchy songs such as "Sour Times" and what may be their most popular song, "Roads."

Lyrically it isn't bad, but at the same time it's difficult to say how good they are. The vocal style of singer Beth Gibbons is guaranteed to enchant anybody listening to her. Because of this it is sometimes difficult to focus only on the lyrics rather than her soothing voice. This only adds to the wonderful, calm atmosphere of the album. This is truely a debut worthy of praise, and should be acknowledged by anyone interested in well written, relaxing music.

New Brides...

A relatively new, up and coming band is taking the stage in venues around the country. This band is no other than Black Veil Brides. After several years, this west coast band will soon be releasing their debut album this summer. One may wonder what this review is going to be about since the album is not out yet, but there are still a few songs that are out and and can be covered.

The band's single, "Knives and Pens" may be the best song to listen to for the direction of their sound. At least that's what may be thought until listening to their other songs. Each one has it's own sound, and it will be curious to see which direction the album ultimately takes. Regardless of the direction there is no doubt it will be an impressive debut. This is because each song, though somewhat different, is good. "Knives and Pens" takes a more traditional sound amongst other bands out at the moment, but songs such as "The Gunsling," "We Stitch These Wounds," and "Hello My Hate" all are unique. Ultiamately this will be good because it allows the band to be distinct from others that may have very similar sounds. There is no reason it should not be a highly anticipated album of 2010.

Well, since they have a unique sound in the studio, the question is whether or not it translates well to a live performance. The answer is most definitely yes. This past weeked I had the pleasure of experiencing them live first hand. Everything they did was spot on. They also played a few songs from their upcoming album which are not online yet, and they were quite impressive. Their singer knows how to be a proper frontman, but it was a tad hard to tell considering nearly the whole crowd in the front consisted of 15 year old girls. Still, this is a band that should not be ignored, especially because they have a sound that will most likely attract a large audience if and likely when given the chance.

The Trocadero (now home of one of the greatest concerts)

April 2, 2010, a night which will not soon be forgotten. The night set the stage for Glass Midnight, Powerglove, Mutiny Within, and Sonata Arctica. Every time a new band took stage the expectations grew. Though, that is not to say any one band was bad. Actually, the first two bands exceeded expectations.

Glass Midnight is a New Jersey based metal band. Their singer is a far above many bands signed to major labels. While listening to him it came to mind how poorly so many people sing. Asides from having good clean vocals, he also has an exceptional growl that surpasses many other singers who perform such vocal styles. Adding to this is the music, which did not fail to impress. Overall, this is a band that should not be missed, and their keyboardist dressed as a pirate, which was pretty great.

After them came on Powerglove. Now, I did not expect anything exceptional from them, but I was completely wrong. Upon coming onto the stage in incredible stage outfits reminiscent of classic videogames it was clear they came to please. The first song performed was the Tetris theme song, and from there it just got better. At one point the frontman/bassist took a gigantic bag of starburst and threw them into the audience. The set finished with the Power Rangers theme song. Never did I imagine that song could be quite so fun. From beginning to end the song was pure energy, which was essentially the running theme of their whole set. After seeing them live I am now a fan of this band.

Now to the two bands I initially went to see. Starting off is Mutiny Within. There are few words to describe how incredible their performance was. Chris Clancy proved that in the studio and live his voice is nothing short of amazing. While listening to their album it is easy to see how fantastic their guitar work is, but seeing them live allows one to appreciate their keyboardist. He may be considered an overlooked member of the band because he is often overshadowed by the other instruments, but by seeing him live it is easy to say that he is just as talented as the rest of the band, and together the band is the best metal band to come out in quite some time.


Alas, the headline band, Sonata Arctica. There are absolutely no words to explain how amazing this band is. Even before they came on stage they were amazing. This is becaue they started the show with a recording of their instrumental "Everything Fades to Gray." From there they set the new standard for what a show should be. Every song they performed was perfectly performed. Tony Kakko still shows that he is a great frontman, whether it is with talking between songs or what he does on stage during a song, he is always entertaining. Every member of the band demonstrated their skill as musicians, which is no surprise considering their extensive experience playing across the world. This band should never be missed by anybody, and when they come around again there is no doubt that I will see them again.



After the show I had the pleasure of meeting several band members. First was the drummer, keyboardist, and bassist of Mutiny Within, who all signed a cd and poster for me. Then were various members of Glass Midnight, who were all pretty cool. While waiting outside for Sonata Arctica I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Clancy. Also while waiting outside members from Powerglove were packing up their equipment and also giving out starburst. Then, after an hour and a half wait and standing outside in Philly at 1:30 AM Sonata Arctica came out. This will be one of the greatest momemts of my life, becuase they are rank highly amongst my musical idols. Pictures were taken with Tommy, the drummer, and Tony Kakko. April 2, 2010 is a night that will never be forgotten, and a show that will be hard to top.

Going from good to bad is one thing, but starting at bad is another

The internet is home to numerous things, good and bad. Recently, bands and artists have been getting popular over myspace. This in itself is not a bad thing, and a lot of good bands have been found this way. Still, the lack of quality in the bad artists is horrible. Though bad music is made all the time, it often goes un-noticed. However, this is not the case for The Millionaires.

After putting up a few tracks, the Millionaires became an overnight sensation. Upon listening to their "music" one may wonder why. Sure, it is a little catchy and is slowly getting better musically, but the lyrics are just unforgivable. Every song from "Alcohol" to "Just Got Paid, Let's Get Laid" screams senseless immaturity. This is a shame, because, as previously stated, the background music is progressively getting better.

Though, to take a glimpse into the world of the Millionaires, one song shall be chosen out of random, because each song is essetially the same. For fun we shall look at "Rated X-Mas." At first glance it seems like another song with some sexual references, specifically Christmas references. This is not a horrible concept, and can be a fun sort of song if done right. The problem is it is way to explicit, and not done right. It is possible to go on for quite some time about these lyrics, but this one verse may suffice:

I'm staring at the clock
Waiting for my santa cock
In an out my chimney
Cause he's been around the block

Just where to begin? Apparently Santa is, for lack of a better word, a player who sleeps around a lot. So, now you are probably thinking it cannot get worse, and if it is just this it is acceptable, well guess again:

As I'm licking on his peppermint
I'm gentle with his ornaments
Icing on my lips
Now it's time to open my present

Yes, this is real, and they are signed to a legit record label. Somehow it is possible to get signed when writing songs about, well Christmas porn. Though, these lyrics are to be expected with the pre-chorus that goes something like this:

I'll make you skeet like snow
As i take off my clothes

As any sane, thinking person can tell, these lyrics are just atrocious. Needless to say, there is no point in listening to this group. Though I have never tried it I cannot imagine the songs being any better while being under the influence, especially since their voices are ear piercingly screechy. When all is said and done I will not tell you I told you so, but if you listen to them remember you read this blog as your warning.

The Phantom of the... nah, we prefer the Ghost Opera

The latest album by Kamelot, a symphonic metal band from Florida, "Ghost Opera," may be taken as a fresh start for the band. It is the first album in quite some time to not follow a story, but still maintains its own feel. Overall, each song is dark, which is surprising for a genre that usually has somethin uplifting. Still, the choruses are relatively catchy, which keeps the record from being stale.



"Love You to Death" is definitely the stand out track, and is amongst their best songs. It revolves around two lovers, and the title is pretty self explanatory. Still, the song is rather sad. After all, the girl dies, and she knows she is going to as stated in this particular section of the song:

She got weaker every day
As the autumn leaves flew by
Until one day, she told him,
"This is when I die"

Adding to the atmosphere of the song is the video for it, which is all in black and white.

The album contains more interesting guitar parts than their prior release. This may be due to not having to follow the same story throughout an album, hence allowing for more musical freedom. Though, the album maintains a constant feel that has become the signiature sound of the band. Credit must be given to their singer, Roy Khan. Again, as with Mutiny Within, Khan is not from America. Rather, he hails from the land of Norway. As an aside, why are there no American singers who seem to be competent enough to sing well? Regardless, he has three years of classical vocal training, which he uses to add an impressive range to his voice and displays an emotional impact when needed. If nothing else, his voice may be reason enough for some people to listen to the band, and this album, and through that the rest of the band's talent will shine through.

"In my world love is for poets, never the famous balcony scene..." - Swanheart

Few albums have left me in awe as the first two songs on Nightwish's "Oceanborn" have. The band's maturity since their debut appears very obvious with this release. Surprisingly, their music on this release shines above most music released in 1998.



Lyrically, the album is particularly uplifting, well at least for every song except for "Swanheart" and "Sleeping Sun." Regardless, "Swanheart" may be the best ballad the band has ever recorded. Virtually every line in the song conveys deep emotions that simply are not found in most music. This is not because of the lyrics, though they too are good, but because of Tarja Turnen's vocal performance, which should be counted amongst the top female singers. "Sleeping Sun" does not lack any of the emotion portrayed in "Swanheart," but has an interesting subject matter. The song was inspired by a solar eclipse during 1999 in Europe, and has a dreamy atmosphere surronding it.

Though these songs are slow and emotional, there are faster, more upbeat tracks. One such is "Gethsemane." Honestly, I cannot figure out what the song is exactly about, but it seems to have religious overtones. This likely is true considering that gethsemane is the place where Jesus and his disciples went to pray the day before his crucifixion. Also, there is the line in the chorus that is inspired by Christianity, which reads: "You wake up where's the tomb? Will Easter come, enter my room?"

Other songs such as "Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean" are quite dark in content, but have an uplifting section. Particular, in this song there is this verse:

"We shall come to set the dolphins free
We shall wash the darkened bloodred sea
Our songs will echo over the mountains and seas
The eternity will begin once again in peace"

As their previous album was musically interesting, this album has much improved technically. Particularly with the guitar work. This release sees the growing skill of guitarist Emppu Vuorinen. There are many songs that have guitar and keyboard harmonies, which lend to a fuller sound not found on their debut. Many, including myself, believe this is the bands greatest album, and it should not be missed by anyone remotely interested in wonderful female vocals and interesting song writing.

The 13th Floor

True, it would have been clever to make this the thirteenth post, but this album simply cannot wait. the latest album by gothic metal band Sirenia has matched the level of their debut. Though, rather than being another overly depressing album likes so many gothic metal albums are, this has a sort of upbeat feel to it. The songs usually have a catchy chorus, but never actually become too popish.

Naturally the lyrics need a singer, and though there are two singers on the album, only one really is significant with the exception of one song. Ailyn joined the band for this album, and her voice really helps in making the music interesting. It is hard to say whether or not she has a great vocal range or anything because it was her first album with the band. Still, looking back on past videos and recordings she has without the band it is evident that she will be able to led a lot more vocally on the next album. After all, being selected out of more than 500 possible candidates for their new singer is quite impressive.

The other signer is Morten Veland, who is also the lead guitarist, songwriter, and programmer. The final track, "Sirens of the Seven Seas" is sung only by him, and really shows off his vocal ability. Other than that song he has various parts within other tracks, but he performs death metal growls on them that are becoming weaker with each album. Still, his main role is to be the songwriter, which is does a solid job with throughout the whole album.



Going back to the catchy parts of the album there is the reoccuring keyboard riff in "Winterborn 77," which is one of the best songs the band has ever produced. Surprisingly the chorus in "Sirens of the Seven Seas" is catchy. This is surprising because it is done completely by a chorus that sings in what I believe may be latin, though I may be wrong.

Overall this is a very solid album. All the parts fit perfectly with each other. It will be interesting to see how their next album turns out if they still have Ailyn as their singer (they seem to have a problem keeping the same singer for more than one album). Though the most amazing part of this album is that it can be found at Hot Topic. Even if you do not like the album you can check out Ailyn's solo wor, though because she is from Spain it is mostly in Spanish, but still good.

Angels Fall First

Bringing symphonic metal from obscurity to popularity,"Angels Fall First" is the debut from the Finnish band, Nightwish. During a time when every unsigned band tried too hard to be the same this band stood out. Rather than having largely overdone guitar solos or any other generic element of metal, their first demo was all acoustic. That is, acoustic with a female opera singer. Needless to say, this was definitely new at the time, and because of that they were quickly signed to a label and created "Angels Fall First."

Originally the band wanted to be an acoustic only project, but then they realized the strength in Tarja Turnen's voice. Though, there is still an acoustic vibe on the album, with a majority of the songs either being exclusively acoustic or having acoustic parts in them. Most notably is the title track, which is solely acoustic.
Notable because of the wonderfully heartfelt lyrics. For an example read the following lines:

"Yesterday we shook hands
My friend
Today a moonbeam lightens my path
My guardian"

Needless to say, the song is about how death can happen at any time to anyone. Though it is impossible to escape death there is still faith that the deceased may ascend to heaven to watch over and protect those they love.

Do not be tured off if you are not a fan of ballads and the like, because there are many upbeat songs on the album. The problem is that if you are not a fan of fantasy or Disney then you most likely will not enjoy the lyrics. The song "Beauty and the Beast" is based soley on the Walt Disney adaptation of the story.

Still, the music itself is quite good for a relatively low budget album. Surprisingly the keyboard orchestra and strings sound not too bad, and the rest of the keyboard effects are pleasent. Even if this album does not fully impress you it must be noted that their sophomore release taps further into their potential, and is arguably their best album. This will be reviewed at a later date, but for now experience the album that started it all.

Anyone up for a cabaret, well dark cabaret that is

Lurking in the shadows of the music underground is dark cabaret. A wonderful genre of music that has yet to become even remotely popular. This is still fine, because the music is quite enjoyable to listen to. Often, the music is made to have a fun, upbeat tone, while still maintaining dark or sarcastically dark lyrics. There actually are a large amount of these types of bands, but they essentially reside in the underground. Rather than discussing them all, I shall focus on one in particular, and eventually will come back to some other ones later in the blog. The band of choice is Birdeatsbaby.



The band is from the United Kingdom, and right there a little light should go off in your head telling you they are probably good. Well, regardless of whether the light went on or not they are a good band. Without listening to their full debut album, Here She Comes a Tumblin' it is still evident that they are quite talented. Instead of having guitars, they use a violin and cello. These instruments often contribute a dark, hypnotic tone to the music. Surprisingly, every song they write is original, and hard to compare to anything else. Mishkin, the piano player and singer does not have a lack of passion while playing. This translates through there music and her voice.

Often, the lyrics are rather odd, but so is every other dark cabaret artist. Some songs focus more on sexuality, such as "Miserable." Then there are those songs that go where most songs won't go, such as "Jim," where Mishkin starts the song off by asking:

"So do you still
Think of me?
While you’re masturbating slowly over Kiera on TV"

Ah, the best part of the band is that they are from the UK. You may be wondering why that matters. Well I shall tell you why. Their music videos are so absolutely English. In other words, they are subtlely witty and charming. Just watch their latest video for "I Always Hang Myself With the Same Rope," and you will see exactly what I mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2F8ZzjW610

Still, it is worth watching their ultra-low-budget video for "Miserable," just because it shows how much can be done with so little.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zdqh28jPB8&feature=related

Essentially, if you are even remotely interested in entertaining music that is original then this is most definitely the band for you.



*(insert links into search bar)

Representing New Jersey

Some, including myself, may have lost hope in New Jersey the second that My Chemical Romance signed to a record label. Alas, we can now rejoice, for a new band, amongst several other good ones belive it or not, has emerged. This band is none other than Mutiny Within.

They are a blend of power metal with progessive metal. In other words, they are a recipe for greatness. Throughout the album it is apparent that every musician in the band is wonderful at their respective instrument. Even the bassist has his moment(s) of glory with intricate bass lines. Mixing in keyboards lends a fuller, atmospheric feel to the album.

The singer, Chris Clancy, is the hardest member of the band to forget. His vocal capabilities are quite impressive. He appears to change his vocal style for almost every other song. All the while it does not seem out of place, but rather adds to the diversity of their music. Sure, he can do the harsh metal growls, but he really shines with clean vocals. His range is quite impressive, especially when he hits the high notes.

Lyrically it is difficult to comment upon because the lyrics are not yet online. Therefore, I do not want to falsely critique lyrics because of not knowing them all. Still, what I recall of those I know are not that bad, but still not at the point of being quite as exceptional as the rest of the album. Still, this may just be because I do not know all of them.

For anyone interested in metal and from Jersey this is definitely not an album that you want to miss. It has the perfect blend of heavy guitars mixed with power metal and clean vocals. This is a unique album that should make anyone proud to be from the Garden State.

Sonata Arctica - The Days of Grays

Perhaps one of the most fluent albums of 2009, "The Days of Grays" is also one of the most discussed amongst the symphonic/power metal community. The album is the sixth by the band, and is drastically different from prior releases. Interestingly enough there are those who do not like this album but claim that previous albums copied other artists too much. Still, this album is worth listening too because it is such a departure from their previous sound. Rather than having excessive solos at impossible speeds they have decided to go for a more melodic tone. This is to be expected considering that their keyboardist, Henrik Klingenberg has reported that it is darker than previous albums by the band.

The darkness of the album lends to a more emotional approach. This is further represented through the vocals and lyrics, both done by Tony Kakko. Some of the best lyrics are found in the beginning of the disc. With lines such as

"In the eyes of every newborn, I see the past times
A familiar face
I close my eyes and see them, waiting for me
Amongst the amazing grays"

there is no surprise that there are emotional references to ones own mortality.

The song "Juilet" is a distorted version of the classic Shakespeare play, "Romeo and Juliet." Right from the beginning it is clear that it is a dark tale of the tragedy.


"I hold your hand, close my eyes all I love finally dies
Drank the poison most foul with you...
But why do you smile?

...Don't smile
Don't you smile
You were supposed to wither away with me, so, Juliet
Please don't smile
I'm paralysed and you are still alive"

Towards the end of the song he professes his love and devotion, but not before falling to his death.

"It is too late to regret anything tonight
After what has come to light
...You have played me for a fool, for all this time?
The story may rewrite itself after I'm gone
One more breath, the day will dawn

How hard it is to understand
My wish to die hand in hand?
These wounds stay open all night long,
You are the last thing I will see...

I lived only by you,
My scar, my heart, my truth,
My sole reason to die... for
There's no life without you"

There are, of course other songs on the album, but to take on a challenge as large as a classic Shakespearean tragedy is quite impressive. Sure there are pretty great lyrics throughout the album, but there are also instruments (those important things that make sound and what not). Before getting to them it is also worth noting that as a guest singer on a select few tracks they used Johanna Kurkela, a Finnish solo artist. Her work can be heard on the songs "Deathaura" and "No Dream Can Heal a Broken Heart." Back to the instruments, which are not always complex, but are always layered enough with orcestrated effects to add to the dark tone.

There is definitely something on this album for everybody. There are songs that may be considered epic, but there are also the ballads, which by far are the star of the disc. Surprisingly this can be found at any local store, and is worth picking up.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

"Nightfall in Middle Earth" may seem like an album made for every Lord of the Rings geek out there, but it is much more than that. This album is one of the few that is worthy of being called "epic" (a word I try to refrain from using). Rather than following the story of The Lord of the Rings, it focuses on the First Age of Middle Earth. This provides a refreshing take on the genre rather than just riding the success of the movies, and at the time the books.



The album has twenty-two tracks, with half being short instrumental interludes and the other half full length songs. Interestingly, it begins at the end of the story, which may be confusing to those who have never read up on the backing story. Luckily, the songwriting far surpasses any issues one may have with the set up. Every song follows the same theme, but manages to have a distinct feel to it, giving them all their own personal touch. This is partly due to the wondrous voice of lead singer Hansi Kursch. He fully utilizes his ability to overdub and harmonize numerous times with himself in order to create the atmosphere of a full choir.

The whole scale of the music fully immerses the listener into it. Mainly because it is something that is rarely done with vocals. Often bands will have various orcestrated pieces, but rarely will they attempt to make a fuller sound with just one singers voice. Aiding him are various classical inspired guitar parts mixed with non-traditional metal instruments such as flutes, horns, and various forms of stringed instruments.

This album is definitely not for everyone, but on a musical standpoint it is definitely one of the most unique albums to date. Whether you are a fan of vocals or instruments this piece of art will most likely satisfy. At its roots it is still a power metal album. Though, due to its incredible scale it ranks among one of the best, and if by some chance you are a fan of the genre and missed this album it is highly recommended to give it a listen.

The Victoriandustrial Age is Upon Us... Well at Least for One Artist it is

What happens when the whole premise of using electric guitars is substituted with the use of an electric violin? Well a few things can happen, most of which are not important, except for one artist: Emilie Autumn. She blends various musical genres together to make what she calls "victoriandustrial." This portmanteau is used to represent the industrial elements of her music mixed with strong victorian influences.

Her "Opheliac" album found its way to America on October 7, 2008. Prior to this release date the album was released around Europe from 2006 to 2007. This would not be a problem is she was from a foreign country, but she is from the United States. Regardless of release dates it is a relief that the album finally made its way back to America. Well, it is what music should be, an artist expressing themself rather than purely attempting to make a quick buck.

The album has a constant industrial sound to it, but is not afraid to add a classical victorian flair here in there through instruments such as violens, cellos, and harpsichords. The title track, which is also the first song, does this this. It starts off with about a minute long introduction with a harpsichord, and then segues into a more alternative industrial sound. The song makes countless allusions to Shakespeare's "Hamlet," specifically the character Ophelia, but in some parts Hamlet too. The song goes as far as quoting the letter Hamlet wrote for Ophelia in Act 2 Scene 2; "Doubt thou the stars are fire;Doubt that the sun doth move;Doubt truth to be a liar;But never doubt I love."

The lyrical content of the remainder of the album is largely up to interpretation, though Emilie Autumn has explained several of the premises for them in various interviews. Most, if not all, of the songs have to do with her personal life, which allows her to perform them in a deeply emotional way. Songs such as "Liar," "I Want My Innocence Back," and "Gothic Lolita" revolve around the theme of betrayal. While there are subtle differences in themes they all have a dark, gothic feel about them. Also worth noting is that she bases her song "Shalott" on the victorian ballad "The Lady of Shalott," by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

There is also a bonus disc, which is shorter but still entertaining. The songs "Thank God I'm Pretty" and "Marry Me" possess a dark humor. Both songs are void of industrial influences and focus more on classical styles, which fully appear on the second instrumental on the disc, "Bach: Largo for Violen." There are three poems of various lengths, an interesting classical industrial instrumental that mimicks a movie soundtrack which blends into a melodic industrial track. A few bonuses on the album include an interview with her, outtakes, and bonus video footage accesable through the computer.

At the very least the album is worth listening to, but is worthy of being bought by anyone interested in the wondrous, but rare art of genre blending. Perhaps the hardest part is finding the album, but most Hot Topic stores have at least one copy of it.

Final Score: 8.8/10

My band: Summer Solstice

I feel it is time for a little shameless self promotion. This shall be done for my sorta band, Summer Solstice. As of late there has been a sudden increase in profile views, from around 400 to more than 3000. All this within a span of three and a half weeks. Due to this, I am inclined to care more about the page, but there is a major problem; there is no band.

The project was started early 2009, and never really did much, but now it is time to act. Members needed for the project include:

-singer (female or male, or both)

-keyboardist

-bassist

-drummer

-possibly another guitarist

Major influences include Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, Leaves' Eyes, Tori Amos, and various power/symphonic/gothic metal bands. There is always room for genre blending. Afterall, too much of one genre gets stale, which is why it would be very interesting to include some dark cabaret into the mix, along the lines of bands such as Stolen Babies and Birdeatsbaby. Honestly, it would be very interesting to have a male and female singer, which would open up room for duets and vocal harmonies.

If anyone knows anyone interested in joining a band it would be appreciated if you tip them off about this one. At the moment the myspace page is pretty empty, with the only music being demos and concepts to be included in future songs. I am currently recording a new song which I hope to upload sometime this week. Still, if you're interested then you can check out the page here http://www.myspace.com/summersolstice55

Any help is much appreciated, thanks, have a great week.

Tarja Turunen - My Winter Storm

Embarking on her solo career after being asked to leave her former band, Nightwish, Tarja released "My Winter Storm." Unlike her previous band, there is a noticable abscence of a heavy metal sound. This comes as no surprise considering that she trained as a classical singer in college, and was not into metal when first joining Nightwish. This may be a turn off for some, but it's quite the opposite.

The whole album feels like a movie soundtrack, and though it's not perfect, it is quite enjoyable. First, why it is not perfect, and to put it simply, the album is confusing. Confusing because she attempts to incorporate characters into it that never really coincide or fit with each other. Now, this could be taken as each song being completely unrelated, and in that sense it's acceptable, but in her first music video she has each character in it, and while it may look interesting it is also confusing. It is worth noting that her first video was for the song "I Walk Alone," which is a reply to being told to leave her former band, and the song essentially says that she does not need them to have a successful music career.

Musically the album is interesting, with the exception of a few out of place tracks. Most notable is "Ciaran's Well," which tries too hard to be a heavy metal song, but it comes out forced and out of place. Then there is "Oasis," a song that never ends, or for that matter begins. The middle of the song has her singing in Finnish, which is interesting and done well, but the rest is a dreadfully long, uninspired, string instrumental that drags far too long into the song.

Though, the amount of good songs outweigh the bad. After playing the song "Boy and the Ghost" to various people and having them all display the same reaction proves that the song accomplishes its goal. That is, to put a feeling of hopelessness into the song, which then turns itself into a beautifully depressing song. Truth be told, there really isn't an uplifting song on the entire album except for "Sing for Me" and surprisingly, when translated into English, "Oasis."

If anyone has been following Nightwish the they are either going to hate or love Tarja's voice. For those who have never heard her refer do not rely on just one Nightwish album to demonstrate her talents, instead listen to "My Winter Storm." It would be a cliche to say that this is a hidden gem, and it actually isn't, only in America it is. In an age where it is possible to listen to a whole album online there is really no reason not to give it a chance. When all is said and done the final grade for this album is: 8.5/10

A little FYI concerning the previous blog

I mentioned symphonic metal in the above blog and then realized that most people probably don't know what it is. Without copying and pasting a definition I shall attempt my own description of said genre. Like all metal there are guitars, bass, drums, and a singer or two or three or six depending on the band. What makes the genre different is that there is the incorporation of orchestrated pieces throughout the album. These bands often start off with keyboard orchestra simulations, but often use synthesized strings. Eventually, many of these bands are able to afford full orchestras either for recordings or live shows. Often they will use only parts of orchestras for recordings as to cut down on costs, and if they don't do even that they will overdub enough keyboard simulations to make it sound as if they recorded with a full live orchestra. Also, but not always, there are some bands that incorporate classical influences into their writings.

It is a common misconception that this genre is exclusive to upbeat, female fronted bands with singers who attempt to sing classically, but in reality only a few singers actually know how to sing in such a way. This misconception came about due to Nightwish, the first female fronted symphonic power metal* band that became popular, with a singer who actually studied classical singing in college. Many bands came before them in the early 90s that mixed symphonic with other genres such as black metal, which has a plethora of subgenres.

*power metal: not quite sure of the exact origins, but it is safe to say that Ronnie James Dio and Iron Maiden are amongst the originators of the genre. Often it consists of fast, upbeat music, but as of late has become somewhat more complex as many artists mix it with progressive metal. Notable bands in the genre consist of Stratovarius, Helloween, Sonata Arctica, Hammerfall, and Blind Guardian.

Starting off

Tis a pseudo-historic day. For it is the first of many posts to be found on this page. No sense wasting time rambling. Instead I shall go right to an album review.

Hailing from Norway, Leaves' Eyes are gradually making their mark on the European symphonic metal scene. "Vinland Saga" is the sophomore release from them, and unlike their debut there is a concept to the album. It tells the tale of Leif Erikson, the original founder of North America, and throughout the album is seen through the perspetive of either his crew or their wives back in Norway.

Contrary to numerous metal albums of all subgenres, there are virtually no mind blowing guitar leads. Rather, the band opted for a more atmospheric sound, incorporating movie like scores which compliment traditional band instruments (i.e. guitar/bass/drums). Additionally, various instruments are added to lend a native Norweigan tone to the music. To pick a standout track would be difficult considering that they are all on the same high level, though if one was to be chosen it would be "Misseri (Turn Green Meadows into Grey)" and for an acoustic song, which there are several of, "Mourning Tree" takes the lead.

"Misseri" goes through the emotions of a wife who's husband has gone off on the voyage to the new world. The lyrics are not particularly complex, but their simplicity contributes to a realer emotion for the character of the wife. In the second verse she becomes lonely enough that whenever she hears "rain patter against [her] window" she desperately wants to believe it's her husband come home.

Coincidently, "Mourning Tree" is also about the wife. Though, instead of having a desperate tone it is somewhat optimistic. Throughout the song she expresses the connection that they will forever share no matter how far apart. This comes right after the song in which the listener learns that her husband and the crew have found new land, and the two songs following "Mourning Tree" are about his return home to her.

None of these songs would be memorable if it wasn't for singer, Liv Kristine. Often times she sings both parts, with the exceptions when Alexander Krull who does all the studio keyboard recordings and at times appears with death growls in the more aggressive parts of songs. When singing in her native tongue her voice may make the listener wonder why so many singers with processed voices get so much praise and this band is relatively unheard of.

All in all it is definitely worth checking out this album. Naturally, this will not appeal to everyone, but there may be those who find it quite interesting. Surprisingly this album can be found at most major retail stores such as Best Buy and FYE. Anchors aweigh, and let the Vinland Saga begin.