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Behemoth Title: Ezkaton Label: Metal Blade Records Year: 2008 Rating: As black as the blackest horrorful tinge of your memories, this 7-song EP from Behemoth is a real nightmare come true. With nothing but pure black metal greatness throughout the album, Behemoth show why they're the real deal. On the new song "Qadosh," we hear the familiar sheer brutality of Behemoth with the added touches of madness. The new studio version of 'Chant For Ezkaton 2000 e.v.' sounds ruthless giving the new studio version a new meaing and life. "From The Pagan Vastlands" and "Decade Ov Therion," the live versions, offer a great instrospect to the band's live energy and monstrous sound. You can really get a good feel for Nergal's bloodthirsty vocal throat while he delivers guttural intensity while the band pummels hard and solidly through the two live tracks provided. I was quite surprised to hear a cover of The Ramones' "I'm Not Jesus" coming from Behemoth but hell, who am I to judge what they can and can't cover right? They totally pull it off and make it their own, Behemoth style. The album cover is also an ominous plus that adds to the cryptogram of the album and the band. If you haven't gotten a chance to listen to Behemoth, this EP would be a great introduction to the monstrosity that is Behemoth. Gian Erguiza - November 3, 2008 Jackson United Title: Harmony And Dissidence Label: Acetate Records Year: 2008 Rating: This record will get you rockin' in no time. Infused with the punk rock attitude mixed with straight up rock n' roll signified in their sound, Jackson United definitely has the chops and the talent to prove it. I was taken aback at first listen, finding out that Chris Shiflett actually has a voice beyond playing guitar for the Foo Fighters. I mean, all these years, I never knew he could actually sing let alone, lay down some very serious fretwork on both projects. I also love the fact that they throw in the group chants making for some great anthemic songs. Channeling a vast array of rock influences, 'Harmony And Dissidence' definitely has huge potential to rise above the rest and shine. Track 3 'Black Regrets' is most likely the best track on the record....among others that stand out like 'The Day That No One Smiled' and 'You Can't Have It.' With a little help from some known friends (Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins) manning the drum kit on different tracks, the album gets its boost factor and cherry on top. The record's sound quality is also a spectacle in itself capturing the clean tones, crispy driven guitars, bass, crystalized vocals, and the pounding drums. The band has put out an album that adds color to the music scene amidst the never ending sea of less fortunate bands clamoring to the top. Gian Erguiza - October 16, 2008 Order Of Ennead Title: Self-Titled Label: Earache Records Year: 2008 Rating: Time to get Extreme. In a world where extreme bands are constantly trying to bend the rules and come up with something new, enter Order Of Ennead, who simply does bend the rules and does it with controlled sheer brutality. The album ostentatiously feels like a new type of extreme music with different elements of death, black, thrash metal all thrown into one big ball of bloody fury. Deicide's Steve Asheim is the master behind the drum kit, brutally bringing the pain with undeterred precision and determination. Although, Steve does not blast his way song for song, he shows us that blast beats are not the only thing he has to offer but instead also offers flexible versatility. Drooling over the guitar work? Thanks to this talented young man in John Li, the album flourishes with heart stopping riffs and blistering solos. For a 19 year old, he can shred like his elders. Check out track 7 'Conferring With Demons' and you can judge for yourself the talent he possesses. The vocals on this album are surprisingly extra clear and I get the sense that the lyrics are actually not typical death metal with references to abolishment of negativity and exploration of existence. At the end, this debut is at most, extemely brutal. For Deicide fans wishing for blast beats from beginnig to end though, you may be dissapointed but if you can get past all of that, you'll definitely appreciate the work of Order Of Ennead. If not, it's time for you to 'Confer With Your Demons.' Gian Erguiza - October 20, 2008 Polysics Title: We Ate The Machine Label: Myspace Records Year: 2008 Rating: Talk about a band that straight up threw out the rules of making music out of the window. Armed with their own language, synthesizers, drums and awesome programming skills, The Polysics get the 'most original' band award for 2008. Hell, I've never heard new wave mixed with punk rock played this way before and they should add 'Spazztic Fantasmic' New Wave to their genre title. There is so much energy going on from all different directions at one time that it's really hard to pin-point what the Polysics intentions are really. All I know is that the originality and creativity of the music cut right through and leaves your ears with a pleasant feeling. Hiro's vocals are as peculiar as it gets, Kayo, Fumi, Yano do their best to keep everything together while making the music as eccentric as they can, making it work. As weird as the music sounds, it actually works. Most bands tend to try and get weird with their music but fail miserably by not making a connection or by simply making it, ahem, too weird. The Polysics have the charm as well with matching outfits, glasses, establishing them as a unit. 'Pony & Lion' is a track that is filled with the madness that is the Polysics with raging guitars, hyped up synths, and over the top vocals. All throughout the album you will also hear a lot of punk rock influences like on 'Arigato' where it's most imminent and alive. This stuff will blow your mind's peripherals. You wanted something different? Here are the Polysics for your listening pleasure. Gian Erguiza - October 23, 2008 Senses Fail Title: Life Is Not A Waiting Room Label: Vagrant Year: 2008 Rating: The junior album from the post-hardcore band shows some maturity from the band... from twelve to maybe, eighteen. Certain tracks can even be characterized as melancholy... but then again, what Senses Fail song isn't without a tinge of wistful regret? "Fireworks at Dawn" was definitely unexpected as an opening, but growly "Lungs Like Gallows" reminds you why Senses Fail has the fans it does in the first place. Track 3, "Garden State" is anthemic yet unexceptional, a good song for radio. "Family Tradition" hearkens to the angst that kids seem to have in leaps and bounds these days while "Wolves At The Door" is closer to punk than anything else on the album. I can imagine Track 6, "Hair Of The Dog" as the troubled college freshman's musical recourse after a tough day, "Four Years" his soundtrack when he drives drunk through the streets of the quiet college town wherein he is forced to reside for the selfsame number of years. "Ali For Cody" gives good energy that "Yellow Angels" slows down, thoughtful in its observation of the soul, within and without. "Chandelier"'s guitar riffs pound the listener out of his/her reverie, tempered by a headswaying "Map The Streets" and concluded by "Blackout" which fades out as appropriately as any ending should. Gayle Gatchalian - October 23, 2008 Six Feet Under Title: Death Rituals Label: Metal Blade Records Year: 2008 Rating: Chris Barnes and Co.'s latest offering is a a true death metal serenade. Not being enticed nor impressed by the last Six Feet Under record, 'Death Rituals' on the upside, delivers on all levels. This is most likely going to be one of their best efforts to date and will definitely be an instant Six Feet Under classic. In true death metal fashion, Six Feet Under deliver graveyard vocals and sepulchral riffing, ryhthms and beats. Their tried and true sound of mixing death metal over metal grooves strikes a chord on this album and death metal fans will sure appreciate this one with bloody open arms. 'Eulogy For The Undead' is darkness in a room full of light while 'Shot In The Head' is barefaced truth in all it's honesty. Track 1 'Death By Machete' is probably my pick for best track with it's sheer atrocity and that awesome Six Feet Under signature sound. With all of that said, I'm still not the biggest Six Feet Under fan. I think that the band definitely is true death metal and sets themselves apart from the rest but I'm just not too crazy about Chris Barnes vocals. Yeah, I know, what the fuck right? I am entitled to my own opinion, FYI. Bottom line, this album is a great death metal album with masssive teeth and barbaric strength. Gian Erguiza - November 4, 2008 Escape The Fate Title: This War Is Ours Label: Epitaph Records Year: 2008 Rating: After a change in the line-up which lead to a short break, Escape The Fate are back with their new album 'This War Is Ours' with newcomer Craig Mabbitt. Mabbitt, who left his previous band, blessthefall, has now taken the frontman reigns for Escape The Fate, giving the band a new attitude and style. Although the band has a new attitude and style, the album somehow does not have the 'wow' factor. Don't get me wrong, the album definitely has it's moments where it shines but there were moments where I was left to wonder if they could've made it more, well...Escape The Fate-ish, with more attitude and bite. I do like the direction of the album though with more rock and clearer vocals so that's a major plus. The fretwork on track 8 'This War Is Ours' is pretty polished and the song has the variations that all of the songs could've had. Vocalist Craig Mabbitt has his own unique style that he brings to the table which makes it work for this type of music. 'This War Is Ours' definitely has it's moments with lead single 'The Flood' which sounds like classic Escape The Fate. The whole album overall is not the record of the year. But if you're a fan of rock music with a touch of glitz, 'This War Is Ours' will do you right. Gian Erguiza - October 22, 2008 False Icon Title: God Complex Label: 13th Planet Year: 2008 Rating: The industrial monster also known as False Icon has made a formidable industrial record for 2008. Industrialized drums, evil syntheziers, heavy guitars and stirring vocals that soar all over the record make 'God Complex' an undeniable industrial record that industrial fans need to have in their artillery. In the song 'Transform' we get the upbeat groove, channeling early NIN but with a bit more conviction and substance. John and Brian's voice are most significant on the record and really give the record the edge that it needs. With Al(ien) Jourgensen on the mixing and producing helm, False Icon shines and sounds exactly what a 'real' industrial metal band should sound like: Heavy, Dark, and Synthetic. The album has a heavy and powerful ambience that resonates throughout the album without any dull moments. Staying true to the tried and true sound of dark industrial metal, the boys on Fasle Icon are on the right track. There's a visceral yet satisfying feeling that comes over after the records done which by the way, I don't get to much, the end of the record, so that's saying a lot. This record is a definite adventure in sound created by musicians with great talent. This one's a score! Gian Erguiza - October 19, 2008 The Human Value Title: Push And Pull Label: Big Deal Records Year: 2008 Rating: Upon hearing about this band, I was real excited to hear their latest release, 'Push and Pull.' After two tracks, I was sincerely dissapointed. It sounded like subjacent goth-rock made from an eerie garage somewhere in the dungeons of London with no hope for cure. Frontwoman Turu actually has a deep rare texture for a voice but the lyrics just didn't strike a note, falling flat on the unconvincing side. The band also has a nice sound but the songs just didn't have enough 'it' factor to really make a statement. Personally, the chorus on track two that states to 'why don't you keep your mouth shut' and right there and then, I wanted to turn it off. Not one to give up on records that easy, track 6 'Hold Of Me' had a nice change in pace and showed some nice potential. I liked the balance of the powerful vocals over the clean tones giving the song the 'best song off the album' award. At the end of the album, I had forgotten everything on it. I was really expecting something different and fresh but ended up with a mediocre album that would get lost in the shuffle real fast. Gian Erguiza - October 23, 2008 Michael Zapruder Title: Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope Label: SideCho Records Year: 2008 Rating: Michael Zapruder has taken my ears. He has taken my ears on a serene musical journey into the wild world of music. The journey is compiled of great melodies compounded into 11 calm and collected tracks full of emotion. Zapruders vocals are not the most impressive nor has the range of most great crooners but for a crooner to use his own disadvantages to his advantage gets an A+ in my book. The vocals comes across someone who's been drinking all day long with a couple of smokes in between, mixed in with some desperation making for a nice outcome. The album also does tend to be on 'crawl' for most of the time but it fits perfect with Zapruder's unique vocal style so it hardly matters. A definite stand out track in 'Ads For Feelings' sounds like we should all be naked in a beautiful forrest, enjoying life and all things offered. There is a certain honesty in Zapruder's voice that many vocalists don't have even though he may not possess the same range as most vocalists in this genre have. The creativity and arrangement of the songs on this album also has it's own unique texture and dexterity, like a handcrafted item, crafted into perfection. With songs being easy and adventurous, these songs were built to soothe your tired ears. If your ears have been yearning for something more collective in sound, make sure to pick this one up at your next stop. Gian Erguiza - October 24, 2008 El Guincho Title: Alegranza! Label: XL Recordings Year: 2008 Rating: It's party time! If you like Spanish chanting type vocals, served over tribal-esque the rhythms with a dash of fun, 'Alegranza!' is yours for consuming. Pablo Diaz-Reixa a.k.a 'El Guincho' has fairly made a record that no one else has made. Mixing all sorts of different styles from afro-beat to flamenco folk, this record will sure have you dancing in no time! Want to know something interesting? I popped this in for a few spanish speaking friends at a party and they totally loved it. A few shots were getting devoured and pretty soon, people were drunkenly enjoying the tunes, dancing around, laughing...as they should've. I must say though that the songs tend to get old after a while and repetitive with the chants starting to sound the same and the beats getting tired. 'Palmitos Park' is hands down the optimal track off the record offering El Guincho's best in all aspects, not to mention that catch melody that gets embedd in your head after the song, very communicable. That song really also made me feel like I should be drunk at some "Quincenera" or "Fiesta," enjoying the festivities and once you hear it, you'll know why that came to mind. 'Polca Mazurca' is another track off the album that glistens with a great vibe. From start to finish, the album is an alluring listen. This album is like watching tribal dancers go from a calm beginning to a frenzied climactic conclusion. Gian Erguiza - October 24, 2008 Infernophonic Title: Spark It Up Label: Godlyke Inc. Year: 2007 Rating: 'Spark It Up' from Infernophonic is an exceptional rock n' roll album that captures the essence of rock n roll. The album is filled with rock n' roll rhythms and melodies with a touch of modern day rock and classic rock. Vocalist Elaine Tuttle has a powerful voice that demands authority and definitely has the chops to be a great rock n roll vocalist. Guitarist and bassist Pat Piegari and Kevin Bolembach are graduated students of the school of rock and clearly presents their knowledge all over the album. Track 2 'Say Whatcha Mean' is a full on rock track complete with rockin' guitars and potent vocals. 'Thank You' is another track that shines with a great melodic pattern and lovely guitar tones. The band also incorporates great choruses with great hooks on most of the songs which gives the album a nice 'oomph' wherever needed. With all of that said though, something about the album falls flat. I'm not sure if it's the lack of originality or the lack of creativity. As talented as these musicians are, they seem to have stuck with one formula which prevents them from breaking out of the box and making a song with the 'wow' factor. I totally get it that their niche is with rock n roll but a little bit of diversity in music never hurt nobody. I would've loved to have heard them try something out of the ordinary or out of their comfort zone and like I said, with the talent that they posses, I'm sure whatever they come up with would absolutely be just great. Overall, the album shows us that Infernophonic has great potential to be one of rock n roll music's greats. Gian Erguiza - October 15, 2008 Ruby Isle Title: Night Shot Label: Kindercore Year: 2008 Rating: A generous twenty tracks of happy, pulsing electronica. The monosyllabic critics would say-- silly, fun, casual and unpretentious. There is absolutely nothing serious about the music Ruby Isle makes, and therein lies its beauty. The album maintains a steady energy level that carries the listener over for an hour, as though he/she just happened into a bar and witnessed the best jam session of drunk insouciants they would ever see in their lives. "Solsbury Hill" is endearing in its seeming randomness, "One Trip" takes me to Daft Punk, "Atom Bombs '09" is what whimsical would be if it were Japanese anime. The eighties synthesizers prove a powerful presence in all the tracks, but the childlike impetus in every song preclude categorizing the album as neo new wave. Plenty of the songs, on tune alone, could make it to a children's show... none more than "Shadow Falls" which admittedly, has an unexplainably quirky appeal. "The Plane of Baltimore" sounds more like a tribute to Chinatown. Listen carefully and each track has a storyline from nowhere than can amuse even beyond the length of the track. Call it ballads for electro... Night Shot is entertainment, pure and simple. Gian Erguiza - October 23, 2008 These Green Eyes Title: Ghosts Label: Blackledge Music Year: 2008 Rating: These Green eyes have a bright future ahead of them. This EP is a sneak peek of what's to come from the boys in These Green Eyes and I can fairly say that I'm excited to hear the full-length which has a tentative release date on February 3, 2009. Mixing off beat rhythms, catchy hooks, group vocals and powerful vocals, These Green Eyes are sure to make heads turn with their full- length but the taste test from this EP is quite delicious, a taste of the small fruit about to bear it's labor. 'Sucker Punch (Won't Get Away With It)' is a beautiful blend of modern day rock elements interspersed with smart lyrics and rich melodies. Vocalist Collin Cunningham has a nice range built for this type of music and I'm sure that his vocal abilities will not stop here. Although I don't hear that much originality in the music, I see the potential of what the band can accomplish and that my friends is more exciting than having originality and not knowing what to do with it. With only four songs to go on, I'm sure you already know that my one and only complaint is that it's too short, duh. If what's to come sounds like the first two tracks on this EP, then what's to come is going to be a magnificent record, hopefully I'm correct. For fans of Thrice, I Am Ghost and other bands in that vein, These Green Eyes will easily fit into your collection without getting lost in the shuffle, I promise. Gian Erguiza - October 20, 2008 Einstuerzende Neubauten Title: Jewels Label: Self-Made Year: 2008 Rating: Einstuerzende Neubauten, according to their myspace, sounds like collpasing buildings. That sentiment could not be anymore true. You're probably expecting to hear some crazy, grinding and noisy sounds from Einstuerzende but to me, it's the soundtrack to collapsing buildings in slow motion, movie style. It's more what you feel while watching collapsing buildings in slow motion. Track 3'Hawcubite' takes a stab at some english lyrics and instead of understanding what the message is all about, I got lost more than I ever did. The album is sung in German most of the time but you can't help but appreciate the experimental factor of the music. The unidentified sounds that come from all sides, the clever takes on industrial music and the originality that they share is pure original. At one point in time, it felt like I was listening to what West Berlin would've sounded like before the collapse and I'm sure most of the music was inspired from then. I wish I understood the language more to give a definite take on the lyrics to get a real feel for what the message of the record really is, if any. The bottom line is, this album is actually quite the listen and even though the language barriers prevented me from enjoying most of it, I was not displeased by it. Hawcubite! Gian Erguiza - October 19, 2008 Unearth Title: The March Label: Metal Blade Records Year: 2008 Rating: Unearth's latest is a scorcher. A blistering take on their signature metal/hardcore sound that propels them into one of metal's top act. 'The March' is a heavy brick with bad intentions. The most significant part of the album is the homework that guitarists Buzz Mcgrath and Ken Susi have done. It is a total shredfest from start to finish without letting up. Of course, Trevor Phipps and the rest of band did their homework as well, most significant in tracks 'Crow Killer' and 'The Chosen.' Although Unearth didn't really break any new grounds, the album definitely stand on its own two feet. Who are we kidding anyways, Metalheads don't like to hear change but rather the same brutality from the first record to the most recent so Unearth is doing exactly what they should be doing and that is, creating metal music for metalheads period. The deadly breakdowns on this album will also give hardcore fans something to bang their heads to, or dance to if that's the kind of thing you like to do. Track 2 'Hail The Shrine' will get that circle pit going and I don't think a mosh pit call is needed for this song, it speaks for itself. A few people have voiced their opinions on how the last album was better but I beg to differ. I think that 'The March' has the goods to be one of metals best releases in 08', not surpassing their best effort which was their second album in my opinion, but should be one of 08's best metal records for sure. Unearth and the boys have once again made a metal album that's truly unnaplogetic, brutal and fucking metal as hell. Gian Erguiza - September 28, 2008 Powderfinger Title: Dream Days At The Hotel Existence Label: Australia - Universal UK - Dew Process Year: 2008 Rating: Poderfinger's 'Dream Days At The Hotel Existence' is a clever album from this Brisbane, Queensland, Australia five-piece. Churning out rock tuneage with complete honesty and authority, Powderfinger's latest is one serious rock album. The album is laced with great melodies built with great framework and arrangements. Vocalist Bernard Fanning definitely has pipes and from the way he delivers on thsi record, he is genuinely authentic. 'Ballad Of A Dead Man' captures the essence of Powderfinger while 'Head up In The Clouds' capture the unique creativity of the band. Even though the band stays within the same formula from start to finish, the band makes the formula work to their advantage. I also like the dismal track 'Black Tears' which has just a perfect shadowy and bleak sound. With all of these great things I just said, Powderfinger somehow falls a bit short of the four star mark because of their potency. As good as the album sounds, I didn't remember much of it after it left my player leaving me to think that maybe the record wasn't that good? I just somehow didn't get attached to it as most would so a connection was not made. All-embracing, 'Dream Days At The Hotel Existence' is a great rock record. Gian Erguiza - October 24, 2008 Erik Mongrain Title: Equilibrium Label: AlterEgo Musique/Prophase Music Year: 2008 Rating: Acoustically blessed and experimentally pleasing, Erik Mongrain's 'Equilibrium' is a wonderful trek into the world of guitar playing. A natural talent from Quebec Canada, Erik serves up some technical fretwork on his latest venture with added nobility and precision. One would really disagree upon the fact that he plays solo but indeed he does. Erik's 'laptapping' style give him the freedom to do adlib runs while holding down the rhythm or melody. This is an impressive style of guitar playing that not many guitar players in the world can do. With that said though, I wondered where all the leads went? For a guy with huge talent on the guitar, this album lacks the guitar leads. I get the whole direction of the album, concentrating on depth of the music instead of the song, but a little bit of guitar leads, even if he had to do a lead without laptapping, would've been just sweet. Aside from that, this album puts you in a state of trance and gives life to surroundings. After watchin a few YouTube videos of Erik, I instantly knew that this guy was the real deal. 'Equilibrium' is for those days where you want to relax while listening to music without words. Gian Erguiza - October 21, 2008 Strange Day Title: Face The Change Label: Self-Released Year: 2008 Rating: Strange Days 'Face The Change' is a rock album with grunge quips and progressive touches. After a few songs into 'Face The Change,' it was evident to me that this was a band that was still trying to find their sound. Borrowing the sound from rock greats such as Alice In Chains and other grunge bands from the 90's, Strange Day's sound will fall between the cracks if no change in direction is made. The band sounds great so don't get me wrong and I loved the whole grunge movement but if they were to play next to Soundgarden, they will eb easily forgotten. I somehow did not make a conncetion with Strange Days. It felt like I was listening to the band at the bar that nobody is paying attention to even though they have the chops and the style to back it up. Vocalist Fulgencio has a weird vibrato at times that could've been more controlled. Fulgencio's vocals do have power but even though the vocals have power, it didn't have it's own identity. The guitar licks on the other hand were pretty slick and sharp. The band does have it's shining moments but a dull repetitive sound prevents the band from breaking out of the pack. I wanted to hear them try and break out of the box that they're in for variations in the music without channeling the grunge bands from the 90's. I will say this though, these guys can play and hold their own, especially for being a three-piece. But as far as this album goes, It's not the record of the year and is not the best showing for Strange Day. Gian Erguiza - October 23, 2008

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Need more info about these bands?
Unearth
Polysics
Order Of Ennead
Jackson United
False Icons
Michael Zapruder
Behemoth
El Guincho
Infernophonic
These Green Eyes
Escape The Fate
The Human Value
Six Feet Under
Powderfinger
Erik Mongrain
Einstuerzende Neubauten
Senses Fail
Ruby Isle

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