Wolves of Winter - Demo (Album Review)

Review by Love Among Ruins.

I wanted to introduce you to Wolves Of Winter, a desert stoner hard rock band from Arizona.  WoW has recently released a noteworthy demo on Bandcamp.  After I heard the demo I contacted the band and talked to Josh McGee, who established the band back in 2011 and he tells me they are planning to release their self titled debut album hopefully sometime this spring.  Coming from Phoenix, Arizona, the band is a trio consisting of Josh McGee who is the main vocalist & guitarist and responsible for most the writing on this demo, with David Weaver on bass and Mike Horn on the drums.   After a few lineup changes before this, Josh tells me he feels as if he has a real good group of guys that "really mesh and get along".

So what we have on this demo is a total of 10 smashing tracks at about 35 mins that give the listener much to chew on.  Ranging from classic rock, to grunge, to stoner & doom and back again this demo is sounding very promising for what could be their debut album.  McGee has some pretty slick guitar licks and shows off his abilities throughout the album with lots of soaring riffs, and clever hooks.  McGee also belts out these tunes with edge, grit and confidence.  The tracks "A Childs Reasoning" & "Tooth & Nail" came crashing though with their deep thumping bass & sizzling guitar riffs.

This trio of guys show a great deal of musicianship especially in the all instrumental progressive track "The Blind Leading The Blind", a lavish, doom influenced number that got my attention real quick.  The album finishes strong with tracks like the bass heavy doomy "Rubber Band" and the bluesy, sultry track "The Start of the Season" and finally the last song, and my favorite track titled "Astrothoughts" features a cool vibe and a catchy chorus that I can't get out of my head.

Bottom line:  This demo is a hard hitting album with tons of potential, it shows us listeners that there is a confident trio of guys that are serious about making a name for themselves not just around the Phoenix area but as far as the ear can hear.   I will be keeping track of the progress of Wolves of Winter and their upcoming debut.  To be continued...

Highlights include: "Astrothoughts" and "Blind Leading the Blind"

Rating: 4.5/5


Total Run Time: 35:12

Members:

Josh McGee (Guitar / Vocals)

David Weaver (Bass)

Mike Horn (Drums)

From: Phoenix, Arizona

Genre: Stoner, Desert Rock, Hard Rock

Release Date: December 20, 2013

Wolves of Winter on facebook
Wolves of Winter's Reverbnation

Sandveiss - Scream Queen (album review)

Cover artwork by Alexandre Goulet.

Review by Love Among Ruins

Newcomers Sandveiss just might have something real special with their full length debut release 'Scream Queen'.  Just released on December 11, the album consists of 8 tracks at just under 40 mins.  Sandveiss is a four piece group that formed just 2 years ago in Quebec City, Canada.  Current members are vocalist & guitarist Luc Bourgeois, with Shawn Rice who is also on guitar and Daniel Girard on bass & the drums are played by Dzemal Trtak.  They released a 4 track EP/Demo CD back in 2012 with the band’s original vocalist François Couture who left the band in May 2013 leaving their only guitarist Bourgeois taking over vocal duties.  At that point the decision was made to bring in a second guitar player and they asked Shawn Rice to join, now completing Sandveiss’ current line-up. Inspired by everything from classic rock to heavy metal bands from the 60’s/70’s/80’s to the stoner rock and doom bands of today.  They say they get their musical influences from bands such as, Black Sabbath, Mountain, Pentagram, The Melvins, Kyuss and Nirvana.

This debut album from Sandveiss is a rather impressive release, and a big surprise as they come flying in under the music radar.  This is the kind of album that gets me excited, and as I heard one person describe it as 'exhilarating'.  It's just a constant throw down of in your face, straight up hard rock. With nice catchy melodies, clean vocals and lots of guitar riffs with a strong rhythm section holding it together very nicely. 

I don't think there is one track I don't like, but there were some real standout moments.  Opening up with a catchy number called "Blindsided" that immediately caught my attention with meaty bass lines and great guitar melodies.  Seriously good vocal delivery by Luc Bourgeois, this guy has the goods! He has clean yet passionate vocals and I would go as far to say I found him to be one of the best vocalists from a debut album that I have heard this year.  I also really enjoyed the track titled "Scar" at about the halfway point is an intense riff-fest showing off their excellent guitar skills.  "Bottomless Lies" my favorite track, with strong grunge influences and what sounds like a Jerry Cantrell lick on the guitar. There is a definite Alice in Chains sound that makes this song a big standout for me and I may just put it in my 'Best Songs of 2013'.

Then closing out this great album is "Green For Good" at 6:23 it is full of all the goods.  Long guitar solos, nice riffs & hooks showing a strong ending to this very impressive album.   Overall, this album sounds like it was produced by a band that has been playing together for years by maintaining that quality of sound and creativeness that is not often found with such a young band. This debut album looks very promising for Sandveiss.  

Highlights include: "Bottomless Lies" and "Blindsided"

Rating: 4.5/5

Tracklist 

1). Blindsided (6:24)
2). Do You Really Know  (4:30)
3). Untie Me  (2:53)
4). Scar  (5:57)
5). The Bomb  (4:16)
6). Bottomless Lies  (4:23)
7). Dead Man Stare  (5:04)
8). Green For Gold  (6:23)

Total Run Time: 39:52

Members:

Luc Bourgeois - Vocals & Guitar

Shawn Rice - Guitar

Daniel Girard - Bass

Dzemal Trtak - Drums

From: Quebec City, QC

Genre: Stoner, Grunge, Hard Rock

Reminds me of: Alice in Chains, Buffalo Theory MTL, Death Ape Disco, Tsar Bomba

Release Date: December 8, 2013

Sandveiss on facebook

GET IT HERE

Black Thai - Seasons of Might (EP review)

Cover artwork by Alexander von Wieding.

Review by Love Among Ruins

Since Black Thai is one of the bands I've been lusting over lately, I am excited to write up some thoughts on just why it is that their new 4 track EP, 'Seasons of Might' is on repeat in my media player these days.  I think we can all agree, it’s been a helluva good year for music.  So when November comes around and I think I've heard the best music the year has to offer, and I get blown away by a little 4 track EP, I think it’s something worth talking about.  Before I get too excited, let’s take a look at who is causing all the commotion. ;-)  Based in Boston, Black Thai is Jim Healey from We're All Going To Die on vocals & guitar...Scott O’Dowd from the band Cortez also on guitar...the bass player is Cory Cocomazzi and finishing out this four piece outfit is seasoned drummer Jeremy Hemond who is also from Cortez and plays for Roadsaw.  Black Thai formed in 2009 and released their first EP 'Blood From On High' in 2010 which, along with 'Seasons of Might' are available in digital format on Bandcamp and iTunes.  'Seasons of Might' is also available as a 12" 45 RPM in various colored vinyl on Bandcamp. 

First impression of this beast of an EP is that they mean serious business in capturing the listener's attention.  Releasing that beast out of its cage is the first track, 'Blood Dust',  highlighted by a relentless hammering of the drums and layered guitar harmonies.  Jim Healey's strong but melodic vocals hit the perfect tone with a combination of aggression and sultriness to create a sound that is very effective with this riff heavy music, and very pleasing to these ears.

They certainly got my attention on the next track 'Start A War'.  There is a kick ass riff-fest going on here opening up with a very catchy hook that just rips throughout the track, highlighted by clean yet aggressive vocals belted out with passionate lyrics about war and destruction combined with some creative rolls & fills from drummer Jeremy Hemond.  This is my favorite track on the EP.

'Doors To Nowhere' takes you on a crazy ride with its intense drumming and a fast paced rhythm. I am so picky about vocals and I love the vocals on 'Seasons of Might'.  I said this in my last review, but I am not a fan of too over the top aggressive or excessive screaming vocals.  I like passion but with control and lots of rasp and grit.  This is exactly what Jim Healey has going on here, perfect combination of all things heavy without losing the passion in the lyrics and the story behind them.

Closing out the nearly 23 minute album is the thought provoking track 'Reasons To Burn' a solid, heavy guitar riff with powerful, drumming and bass, which by the way is wicked as hell with a deep bone shaking tone which gives it more of a doomier feel to it.

I have to mention the artwork by Alexander von Wieding which is a cool rendition of a woman's face divided into the 4 different seasons of summer, fall, winter & spring.  The face depicts the devastation to this beautiful woman by the elements of what might be the result of global warming or a post-apocalyptic time. 

Bottom line....This feels like a group of musicians that know their craft.  They play their instruments like they know they are a force to be reckoned with, but yet show great restraint to hold a melody, and tell a story throughout this short journey, I only wish the journey was longer.  Maybe this was the story they wanted to tell and four tracks was enough to send their message?  I don't know, but their message was short, sweet and to the point, and I got it.

'Seasons of Might' is a MUST have!

Highlights include: "Start a War" and "Reasons To Burn"

Rating: 4.5/5

Tracklist:
1). Blood Dust (5:25)
2). Start A War (5:23)
3). Doors To Nowhere (3:58)
4). Reasons To Burn (8:03)

From: Boston, Massachusetts

Genre: Stoner Metal, Southern Rock

Reminds me of: Deville, Sideburn, Valley of the Sun

Release Date: November 5, 2013

Black Thai on facebook

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Saturn - Ascending (album review)

Please welcome the one and only Love Among Ruins to the Paranoid family!  You may recognize the name from Bandcamp or last.fm.  She was the user who had the boobs and headphones profile pic.  It was almost as noticeable as user "Mike"s distinctive moon skull icon at the bottom of every single bandcamp album worth buying, or user "Scumbag"s evilly grinning green face alongside it.  Anyway, it was hard not to notice the Love Among Ruins icon and the accompanying short write-ups, a trend which continued on facebook and her song of the day selections.  Before long at all, I noticed that she could write and from there I saw the potential in her, so I decided to reach out and see if she wanted to expand on some of those ideas and songs of the day ... Happily she agreed to do it and she's prepared a little bio/introduction for herself:


Hey I'm 'Love Among Ruins' on bandcamp and last.fm.  A couple of weeks ago, to my pleasant surprise, Lucas messaged me and asked me if I would be interested in writing for Paranoid Hitsophrenic! Being an admirer of his blog for quite sometime now I was very flattered and kind of shocked that he would ask me. I've never done any writing on any blogs anywhere....only the small write-ups I do on Bandcamp, so I felt very honored and I want to give a big thank you to Lucas for giving me a chance. ;-)

I have had a huge passion for music, I have been surrounded by it my entire life. Born in 1985, I grew up in a house where both parents were children of the 60's & 70's and are true hard rockers through & through. As far back as I can remember we always had music playing throughout the house. With their influence of rock & metal bands like Pink Floyd, Sabbath, Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Hendrix, and blues rock bands like CCR, Free, Mountain,Ten Years After etc, etc. I have a deep rooted love for the classics of rock. As I grew up I went through many changes trying to find what I loved to listen to the most, but I always found my ears attracted to the heavier side of blues rock. About a year ago I really wanted to dig deeper into stoner metal and doom thanks to Bandcamp and a great little music forum on the web known as "Hard Rock Revolution" which I joined in April this year. The people there have been very helpful with recommendations from Bandcamp and guiding me through the murky waters of doom and sludge. But through all of that I still have a love of the blues, and when you mix that with heavy, hard rock and/or stoner metal, my ears have something to feast on that I thoroughly enjoy.

So with all that said, I am definitely a newbie, so bare with me and I hope you enjoy my writing's! ;-)

Her debut review, begins now:

I am stoked to do a review on Saturn's full length debut album titled "Ascending". It was released on November 3rd, 2013 with 8 tracks coming in at just over 43 mins. This album gives the listener a full range of diverse metal. They are offering a digital release at Bandcamp as a "Name Your Price" deal. Although they do plan on a hard copy release, its not yet available on CD.

I asked Robin, the lead guitarist and back-up vocalist of the band, to give me a little background since this is the first time some of us are hearing their music. Saturn formed in 2010 in Borås, Sweden, a small town near Gothenburg with members Oscar Valentine Pehrson who belts out the lead vocals and plays a badass bass and the organ and Linkan Lindgren who shares lead guitar and back up vocals with Robin Tibebrink. The three started writing songs together and practicing as they searched for a drummer. Eventually they came across the versatile drummer Ted Carlsen, who can play everything from blazing metal, to a relaxed 70's laid back vibe. Now the stage was set to start writing and recording songs for their debut release. Robin says their influences come from bands like Budgie, Judas Priest, Rush, Deep Purple, UFO etc, the true 70's heavy metal.

My first impression of this album was of the vocals and how unique they were. I am very partial to clean vocals and usually that's the make it or break it element of most music when I am looking for something new. The lead singer Oscar Valentine Pehrson has a very distinctive vocal sound. With descent range and an upper register that can make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. His vocals are always clean with clear diction, and the harmonies with the other band members sound pretty descent. It's very hard to put this band into one genre and as I listened to it I heard thrash, psychedelic rock/space rock, progressive rock and some blues rock thrown in the mix also. But the main overall thread that ties all of this together is classic traditional metal with all the riffs you can handle.

In the opening track 'So,You Have Chosen Death' they bring all the elements to slap you in the face with clear riff driven traditional metal. This is one of those songs that I can’t keep still while listening to, it makes me want to shake something or break something. :) Similar to the second track, 'Rokktori', which has that classic 80's metal sounds of a shredding guitar and at times I felt as if I was listening to Megadeth, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. The stand out track and my favorite is 'Over The Influence' the longest track at 8:22 opens up with a bluesy, sultry almost Zeppelin-like number with smooth guitar tone and sweet solos, and a sexy rhythm. Usually I am partial to the blues influenced tracks on most albums, and this will definitely be one to remember and I hope they continue to write great music like this, excellent!! All the songs are engaging, but vary in their approach to capture the attention of different listeners. Like, for instance the track 'Leadersheep' which has a definite fast paced metal sound that reminds me of all the reasons why I loved early 90's thrash metal so much, bands like Anthrax, Megadeth and Metallica are a big part of my music background and when I hear something that reminds me of that time, it really does take me back to some good times. 'Peasant' is another one for the thrash lovers! This track shows off some tasty guitars riffs and soaring vocals. But it’s probably my least favorite song, just because I found it to be a little too repetitive or busy for my tastes. Like I said earlier I prefer the slow bluesy numbers that I can chill out to, which is just a personal thing and has nothing to do with the fact that the song itself is rather good, it just didn't grab me in the right place. But just as soon as I say that they go right back into a blues driven number called 'Tower Of Terror' which features passionate vocals and nice harmonies. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end that is sure to grab attention. This is a great song, definitely another one of my favorites. 'Last Man in Space' opens up with some soaring guitar solos layered with what sounds like a synth and/or organ. With a definite Rush influence, this track has a prog vibe to it as it takes on a life of its own with changing melodies and odd time signatures. It’s kind of all over the place, but I still like it. Closing out the album is the beautiful song Moonstone, an acoustic folk ballad showing off the bands ability to harmonize like a dream, it’s a fitting close to the album and leaves me feeling very satisfied.

Bottom line......Saturn is a young band with lots of passion and a drive to succeed which can only make them better with time. Given the proper management and exposure I think the sky is the limit for these guys. Robin tells me they are already writing new music and looking for a good booking agent so they can attend more gigs. I hope they do well and get the recognition they so deserve. I like this band, and the more I listened to the album the more I liked it. I want to see them produce a killer album and with a debut like "Ascending" I think they are on their way to do just that. 

Highlights include: "Over The Influence" and "Tower of Terror"

Rating: 4/5 Definitely worth a listen!!


Total Run Time: 39:54

From: Borås, Sweden

Genre: Metal, Thrash, Space Rock, Prog, Blues

Reminds me of: Rush, Megadeth, Led Zeppelin

Release Date: November 3, 2013

Saturn on facebook

Members:
Oscar Valentine Pehrson - Lead Vocalist/Bass
Robin Tidebrink - Guitar/Vocals
Linkan Lindgren - Guitar/Vocals
Ted Carlsen - Drums