Slaves – Through Art We Are All Equals


Today’s review is about another very promising “newcomer”, even though I don’t really consider the quintet to be true newcomers since their lead singer is very well-known and him being famous definitely helped to put the band in the spotlight. However, I can’t hold it against Slaves for making use of that initial boost, since the rest of the musicians is a very talented bunch and their debut album Through Art We Are All Equals proves that on the whole line!

The California-based post-hardcore formation adds an interesting layer to their sound by using seven-string guitars, which results in a vibe similar to djent but with a highly melodic and a bit less technical approach. It sounds a bit weird written out but it works extremely well when you listen to it. The stringed instruments in general have a, for lack of a better word, bouncy feel to them and I must admit that I’m not entirely sure if it’s just because of the seven-strings or if the bass plays the same riffs and is prominent in the mix. All I know is that I absolutely adore the end result.

The drums pretty much cover every aspect, be it driving beats or intricate fills, and fit the ensemble perfectly, without ever diverting from the rest. To round it off, the production is truly massive but maybe too modern for some people out there. For me, this adds another plus point to these forty-two minutes though.

Earlier I said that the lead singer was well-known…that was a bit of an understatement, since Jonny Craig is probably one of the most notorious modern singers; many consider him a douchebag and he has been through some messed-up things, but from what I have read in the “press” this has changed. In the end, it doesn’t really matter because there is one fact that is undeniable: this man’s voice is one of the best ones in the entire genre, or even in the music scene in general. That’s what ultimately counts for me and he proves it yet again on these eleven tracks.

But apparently his soulful vocals weren’t yet enough to make everyone happy, so the band has recruited no less than four guest singers: Tyler Carter from Issues, Vic Fuentes from Pierce The Veil, Kyle Lucas and last but definitely not least Jonny’s sister Natalie Craig. All the guest appearances truly enhance the respective songs they’re on but especially the performance of the latter on The Hearts Of Our Young blew me away: talent apparently seems to run in the family and makes this song a true masterpiece.

To finish up here, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that TAWAAE is not only Jonny’s strongest work, both lyrically and performance-wise, in possibly forever but also an amazing record in all other aspects. Basically yet another very strong contender for my top 5 of 2014, filled with so many quotable lyrics. Head to the band’s Facebook page for more information and make sure to listen to the song below!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuj8PZBWZeg]

Each Other – Being Elastic

Ladies and gentlemen, today I bring you unconventionally charming indie rock by Each Other all the way from Montreal! I’ve only recently discovered their 1-and-a-half-year-old Heavily Spaced and have been listening to the small collection relentlessly for the past weeks. Upon further research, I found out that the guys released a LP entitled Being Elastic in March this year, and naturally came straight to my cosy lil’ El Gore music corner to write about it.

The first thing that hit me while listening to Each Other is how much they remind me of Women, another art/experimental rock band from Canada that struck a nerve with me in a really unique way a few years back. Something about wonky guitars and unhinged, progressive, outlandish musical structures instantly captures my attention and rarely lessens its grip on me over time.

The raw and garage-y vibe of Being Elastic is certainly conjured up, at least in part, by the fact that the Canadian trio recorded it to tape in their home-built studio during breaks between touring; they also just seem to have a penchant for it, as this exact characteristic in combination with the off-kilter nature of the songs is their unmistakable trademark. However, the tracks on Being Elastic seem to have a longer attention span than Each Other‘s previous tunes, which are filled with an exciting sense of urgency. There are still moments of nervous upheaval on this record, but it makes for a more level-headed ensemble. It releases its energy in bursts, with attention to detail, rather than coming at you like a full-on explosion of sound.

There’s also a distinct element of pop skilfully incorporated into the sonic whirlwind that is this album. Its cheery undertones make it appropriately summery to listen to while driving with windows down, but it at no point degenerates into a fluffy cliché — another testament to Each Other‘s creative prowess.

So, fans of adventurous, distorted, jangly, healthily and artfully fucked-up pop/rock: do not miss this band. You can stream Being Elastic for free on Soundcloud, Bandcamp and Spotify, and pay the band a visit on Facebook if you like!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBe6D8QnMeA]

Battleghost – Transient


Let’s face it: pop punk has been around for years and while there are a lot of bands in the genre, not a lot have what it takes to stand out from the mass. Today, I’m going to write a bit about Battleghost and their most recent EP Transient.

The quartet plays a rather classic formula of the genre, without any breakdowns or super heavy parts, which is interesting since that alone gives them a certain specialness because it strays a bit from the more modern, heavier, take on pop punk. This doesn’t mean that it’s soft music though: the guys keep up a nice tempo throughout the five songs and therefore boredom isn’t an issue.

On a technical level, it’s solid but if you go in expecting crazy solos, extremely insane guitar riffs or super intricate drum parts, you’re definitely looking in the wrong direction. However, the guys from Richmond, Virginia pulled off putting together a catchy sixteen minute experience…which is all that counts in the end, in my humble opinion.

The vocals are, as mentioned before, clean-sung all throughout with a few screams in the mix. It’s not the kind of voice that you’ve never ever heard before but it rounds off the ensemble rather satisfyingly.

All in all, Battleghost did in no way whatsoever reinvent the wheel of pop punk, but their newest EP definitely has a raison d’être and it’s not a waste of time to give it a shot, which you can do by heading over to the band’s Bandcamp page! Furthermore, you can visit their Facebook page or simply check out their video below! Have fun!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPZ7Kyb3ZkA]

Trash Monday CXXII


I’ve broken the tradition of choosing terrible songs for Trash Monday a couple of times in the past…and I’ll do so again today. I actually love this Dio cover by Killswitch Engage and I am very aware that the cheesiness of the video is on purpose but it makes me laugh every time, especially seeing their guitarist in Drag! Enjoy!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR7dG_m3MsI]

Everybody Looks Famous – Earth


I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m a sucker for pop punk with female vocals. No matter how good or bad the band is, I feel like I have to check them out and give them a chance. In the case of the UK-based Everybody Looks Famous that was actually a smart decision! They are about to release their new EP called Earth next week and they managed to bring something quite solid to the table.

The four tracks on the new endeavor of the quintet all have that really dreamy melodic feel to them, which is rather nicely achieved by frequent use of synthesizers accompanying the “classic” instruments. The latter are, I would imagine, deliberately held rather basic, but effective in the sense that they don’t take you away from the zone the music puts you in.

The vocals are mostly done by the female lead singer, but sometimes underlaid by the two, male, guitarists who serve as background vocalists, thus creating a fitting contrast and adding variety to their sound. There is nothing negative whatsoever I can say about the vocal performance in general, since it’s a flawless job…but I do have to say that the timbre of the singer is nothing I’ve never heard, so I wasn’t exactly awestruck.

The only real critique I have about these, mostly, mid-tempo fifteen minutes is that I would have wished for a slightly different mixing/mastering: in some passages the individual instruments are a bit too low in the mix, and in other cases the vocals are. But it’s just a minor gripe, that I can easily forgive since the overall experience is enjoyable enough!

In closing, I’ll say that while ELF are not breaking new ground, they are obviously passionate musicians that deserve to be heard by more people. So give Earth a listen on the 16th when it comes out and visit the band’s Facebook page for more information about their progress!

Sliver – Disobey Giants


A few weeks ago I went to a local show and since I was there quite early, I got to witness the soundcheck of the opening band Sliver. Having never heard of them, I was severely impressed by the two half-songs they played and I figured that I had to feature them on here and after their gig I was one hundred percent sure about it. Sadly, they didn’t have a recent release which is why I’m going to write a few words about their 2012 record Disobey Giants!

The quartet, which is composed of people from France, Belgium and Luxembourg, plays a hard-hitting mix of alternative rock and hardcore which sounds unlike most of the stuff you hear these days. Especially the omnipresent usage of synthesizers and keyboards is something that makes them rather unique in my opinion. The traditional instruments don’t fall short either though, by delivering a driving performance all throughout the twelve tracks.

The main concept of the band, and this album, is of a very anti-political and anti-capitalistic nature and the lyrics make that quite clear. While it might be annoying to some, because they prefer ignoring the sad reality, it is exactly that strong message that makes these thirty-seven minutes so special. On top of that you have the amazing clean vocal work, with that lovely “Frenglish” accent, and the screams which are amplified by a megaphone that just make it a blast to listen to.

All in all, there is absolutely no excuse for not checking out Sliver, especially since the entire album can be downloaded for free on the band’s Bandcamp page. I, for one, am very excited for later this year or early 2015, when the guys are supposed to release new music. As a closing statement, I’ll say that if you get the chance to see them live, do so; you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to sure to listen to my favorite track Small Is Beautiful below to give you an idea!