National CD Reviews
Issue 240 / December 2008 More from this Issue
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Alaska in Winter
Holiday
Milan Records
Street: 11.18
Alaska in Winter = Beirut + M83 + All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors
I might be inclined to call this album pretentious if it wasn’t so damn good. Perhaps I’m thinking about the image of Alaska’s only member, Brandon Bethancourt (think posing for photos in tight jeans, G-Star jacket, and colorful high-tops amidst a beautiful Icelandic landscape while touring there), but that’s beside the point. It’s clear that this urban playboy can do just that—play. The album really is like spending a winter in Alaska, or at least it makes audible what I imagine spending a winter there to be like. Soothing yet powerful, adventurous and tinkering, the album’s echoey essence gives it a dreamy quality that sets it a mile apart from other synth constructions. There are no actual instruments being played on the album save for a small keyboard, which is why the outcome is very synthesized, but still, it’s never repetitive and it’s always invigorating, like taking a deep breath on a crisp Alaskan morning. –Erin Kelleher
Bible of the Devil
Freedom Metal
Cruz Del Sur
Street: 11.25
Bible of the Devil = Monster Magnet + Iron Maiden + Slough Feg
A couple years back, I witnessed what Bible of the Devil could do with their Diabolic Procession album, yet despite the album’s greatness, the band got pushed into the back of my head like too many bands. Thankfully, I am graced with the latest from the Chicago-based foursome, who bring about a stunning revelation. I forgot how much this band rocks! Freedom Metal isn’t your typical stoner rock, they are more in the realm of classic metal than anything stoner. Everything about this record is so far above the mediocrity level, making listening a great mental diversion rather than a chore. The lead guitar on most cuts is either playing one gigantic-ass solo or just lead after lead propelling the rhythm and bass into ultimate metal-domination. There are some semi-acoustic-type tunes that bring out some country styles. The entire record, is totally fresh and filled with great songwriting, fun and intricate melodies and a voice that remains in your head long after the album has ended. –Bryer Wharton
Bloodbath
The Fathomless Mastery
Peaceville
Street: 10.28
Bloodbath = Dismember + Entombed + Opeth + In Flames
Bloodbath was formed in 1999 by members of Edge of Sanity, Opeth and Katatonia in an effort to rekindle the dying embers of Swedish death metal. It’s undeniable that they’ve mastered the mechanics of this particularly melodic subgenre, as this 40-minute release is precise, crisp and relentless. Unfortunately, it’s not particularly memorable, coasting by fancy fretwork and neglecting the hooks. Fans of vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt (also of Opeth) will have their riff-hunger sated, but I’d point buyers towards the Nihilist demos collection as a superior specimen. Why watch the remake when the original is superior? I’ll admit this much, though; the cover artwork by Dusty Peterson is the finest I’ve seen in a long while. –Ben West
Born in Winter
Paper and Roses
Self-Released
Street: 08.22
Born in Winter = In This Moment + Flyleaf + Killswitch Engage
Denver-based Born in Winter fit right in with the current trends of popular metal; their music is catchy, the songwriting is solid and the female vocalist has a fantastic voice. It’s a wonder that a label hasn’t picked the band up, like Century Media, using a lot of their promotional resources on such a crap band as In This Moment. Paper and Roses could use some production help; the mixing of the guitars could be better … making the album come off much cleaner and precise, and unfortunately, the guitars at times overpower the vocals. Despite the production flaws, the album is solid; the lead guitar is thrashing at times, with melodies that are new and refreshing in a world of re-hashing sounds. My only real big complaint is the use of growled male vocals on the record are out of place and not that well done. In the end, Paper and Roses is a pleasing listen that does not tire; fans of melodic modern metal can easily enjoy this output. –Bryer Wharton
The Bronx
III
White Drugs
Street: 11.11
The Bronx = Turbonegro + Hot Snakes + Mudhoney
Behind the feminine album cover of a tripped-out flamingo lies a piece of punk magic. Released on the Bronx’s own label, White Drugs, III picks up where the last full-length, II, finished. The transition from II to III is like an unspoken promise to kick more ass—and certainly they have. The drive and enthusiasm that seeps from the tracks makes it seem as if they are aware of how significant this album will be. A majority of the album is hard, fast and in your system quick. There are more melodic songs, like" Young Blood," that I promise in time you’ll be singing aloud. Singer Matt Caughthran has vocals of steel that translate lyrics you can understand by simply listening. III shows The Bronx aren’t caught up in making music any other way than what’s theirs. If you’re ready for an aggressive, seductive assault, you’ll find it here in one of the more pleasing releases of 2008. –Nicole Dumas
Holiday
Milan Records
Street: 11.18
Alaska in Winter = Beirut + M83 + All Natural Lemon & Lime Flavors
I might be inclined to call this album pretentious if it wasn’t so damn good. Perhaps I’m thinking about the image of Alaska’s only member, Brandon Bethancourt (think posing for photos in tight jeans, G-Star jacket, and colorful high-tops amidst a beautiful Icelandic landscape while touring there), but that’s beside the point. It’s clear that this urban playboy can do just that—play. The album really is like spending a winter in Alaska, or at least it makes audible what I imagine spending a winter there to be like. Soothing yet powerful, adventurous and tinkering, the album’s echoey essence gives it a dreamy quality that sets it a mile apart from other synth constructions. There are no actual instruments being played on the album save for a small keyboard, which is why the outcome is very synthesized, but still, it’s never repetitive and it’s always invigorating, like taking a deep breath on a crisp Alaskan morning. –Erin Kelleher
Bible of the Devil
Freedom Metal
Cruz Del Sur
Street: 11.25
Bible of the Devil = Monster Magnet + Iron Maiden + Slough Feg
A couple years back, I witnessed what Bible of the Devil could do with their Diabolic Procession album, yet despite the album’s greatness, the band got pushed into the back of my head like too many bands. Thankfully, I am graced with the latest from the Chicago-based foursome, who bring about a stunning revelation. I forgot how much this band rocks! Freedom Metal isn’t your typical stoner rock, they are more in the realm of classic metal than anything stoner. Everything about this record is so far above the mediocrity level, making listening a great mental diversion rather than a chore. The lead guitar on most cuts is either playing one gigantic-ass solo or just lead after lead propelling the rhythm and bass into ultimate metal-domination. There are some semi-acoustic-type tunes that bring out some country styles. The entire record, is totally fresh and filled with great songwriting, fun and intricate melodies and a voice that remains in your head long after the album has ended. –Bryer Wharton
Bloodbath
The Fathomless Mastery
Peaceville
Street: 10.28
Bloodbath = Dismember + Entombed + Opeth + In Flames
Bloodbath was formed in 1999 by members of Edge of Sanity, Opeth and Katatonia in an effort to rekindle the dying embers of Swedish death metal. It’s undeniable that they’ve mastered the mechanics of this particularly melodic subgenre, as this 40-minute release is precise, crisp and relentless. Unfortunately, it’s not particularly memorable, coasting by fancy fretwork and neglecting the hooks. Fans of vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt (also of Opeth) will have their riff-hunger sated, but I’d point buyers towards the Nihilist demos collection as a superior specimen. Why watch the remake when the original is superior? I’ll admit this much, though; the cover artwork by Dusty Peterson is the finest I’ve seen in a long while. –Ben West
Born in Winter
Paper and Roses
Self-Released
Street: 08.22
Born in Winter = In This Moment + Flyleaf + Killswitch Engage
Denver-based Born in Winter fit right in with the current trends of popular metal; their music is catchy, the songwriting is solid and the female vocalist has a fantastic voice. It’s a wonder that a label hasn’t picked the band up, like Century Media, using a lot of their promotional resources on such a crap band as In This Moment. Paper and Roses could use some production help; the mixing of the guitars could be better … making the album come off much cleaner and precise, and unfortunately, the guitars at times overpower the vocals. Despite the production flaws, the album is solid; the lead guitar is thrashing at times, with melodies that are new and refreshing in a world of re-hashing sounds. My only real big complaint is the use of growled male vocals on the record are out of place and not that well done. In the end, Paper and Roses is a pleasing listen that does not tire; fans of melodic modern metal can easily enjoy this output. –Bryer Wharton
The Bronx
III
White Drugs
Street: 11.11
The Bronx = Turbonegro + Hot Snakes + Mudhoney
Behind the feminine album cover of a tripped-out flamingo lies a piece of punk magic. Released on the Bronx’s own label, White Drugs, III picks up where the last full-length, II, finished. The transition from II to III is like an unspoken promise to kick more ass—and certainly they have. The drive and enthusiasm that seeps from the tracks makes it seem as if they are aware of how significant this album will be. A majority of the album is hard, fast and in your system quick. There are more melodic songs, like" Young Blood," that I promise in time you’ll be singing aloud. Singer Matt Caughthran has vocals of steel that translate lyrics you can understand by simply listening. III shows The Bronx aren’t caught up in making music any other way than what’s theirs. If you’re ready for an aggressive, seductive assault, you’ll find it here in one of the more pleasing releases of 2008. –Nicole Dumas
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