Former Saigon Kick member Jason Bieler releases new music
May 17, 2012 by Publisher
Former SAIGON KICK guitarist and vocalist Jason Bieler has just released two songs from his new project entitled Owl Stretching. The first songs released include the iconoclastic All At Once and the cinematic Satellite, both can be listened to and downloaded below.
After a brilliant ten + year run with Saigon Kick, Jason changed his focus and spent the last few years producing bands like Skindred, SikTh and Nonpoint at Bieler Bros. Studios alongside head engineer Matt LaPlant. Jason has also co-founded the indie label powerhouse Bieler Bros. Records (Karnivool, Fiction Plane, Deathstars, A Silent FIlm, Will Haven and many more). Jason has written, produced and performed on releases that have sold into the millions, he has also composed for major film soundtracks like American Pie, Miami Vice, Sky High and more. Jason’s tour history includes, Ozzy, The Ramones, Faith No More, Cheap Trick, Extreme, Soundgarden, Primus, Kings X and more. Read more
Meat Loaf Interview Available Online from TheCelebrityCafe.com
May 17, 2012 by Publisher
The Celebrity Cafe recently performed an interview with Meat Loaf about his new album and his upcoming Mad, Mad World Tour.
Discussing whether Hell in a Handbasket is any sort of continuation to Bat Out Of Hell collection and the kinds of experience planned to give fans on Mad, Mad World tour.
TheCelebrityCafe: “Hell in a Handbasket” is a very raw, emotional journey that contains everything from rock and roll to country music, what made you want to make such an eclectic album? Read more
LIVE! | Rise Against with A Day To Remember & Title Fight
May 17, 2012 by Publisher
by Sara McCarthy
Staff Writer –
May 7, 2012 at New York State Fairgrounds Chevy Court in New York, NY
On a very wet and dreary Tuesday night, Rise Against brought their tour to Syracuse, NY. Despite the horrendous weather, a crowd of about 4,000 descended on the New York State Fairgrounds, it takes more than a day of torrential rain to stop Syracuse rockers from attending the first outdoor show of the year.
Title Fight, hailing from Kingston, PA started playing at 6:00, which was the same time the gates were opened. This scheduling snafu prevented a lot of audience members from seeing the band perform. Formed in 2003, the band lists Blink 182 as a major influence and that is apparent in their music. A grinding mix of punk and hardcore, Title Fight gave an energetic performance and truly seemed to enjoy themselves on stage. Their last album Shed was released in May 2011 under Side One Dummy Records and recently announced their plans to enter the studio this summer and release their new record in September 2012.
A Day To Remember was next on the bill for the night. An already rowdy crowd went ballistic when band members took the stage. The band opened with “The Downfall of Us All,” and crew members threw dozens of large beach balls out to the crowd. For about five minutes it wasn’t safe to be a bystander, you never knew when you might get beaned with a wayward ball! Ripping through each song, this band held nothing back and neither did the kids in the audience. Fist pumping and singing right along; there was a constant stream of crowd surfers coming off the front of the crowd. At one point, just before playing “Homesick”, Vocalist Jeremy McKinnon crawled inside a huge transparent blow-up hamster ball, rolled off of the stage and ran/rolled all over the top of the crowd. Each successive song brought more energy and a larger response from the crowd, and a few different times it appeared as if the barriers in front of the stage were not going to hold. Finishing up their dynamic set with “The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle,” this group of guys from Ocala, FL left the crowd wanting more and primed for Rise Against.
Set List:
The Downfall of Us All
A Shot in the Dark
I’m Made of Wax Larry, What Are You Made Of?
My Life For Hire
All Signs Point To Lauderdale
2nd Sucks
You Be Tails, I’ll Be Sonic
It’s Complicated
Homesick
Better Off This Way
Have Faith In Me
All I Want
The Plot to Bomb The Panhandle
The set for Rise Against featured five vertical rectangular video screens, evenly spaced across the stage. These screens lit up, showing movie scenes and dialogue taken from “The Shameless Opportunist” in Catch-22. As the intro concluded, band members took the stage, and opened their set with “Survivor Guilt.” The momentum started by A Day To Remember was continued by Rise Against, band members were all over the stage, playing it up for each section of the crowd. When they broke into “Help Is On The Way,” the video screens played clips of demonstrations and the clashes that can break out at these events. The main part of the set was finished up with “Prayer Of The Refugee” which drove the crowd insane; they started surging forward and once again called into question the stability of the barriers. Things cooled down a bit when vocalist Tim McIlrath brought out an acoustic guitar and played both “Audience Of One” and ‘Swing Life Away.” At this point in the evening, the rain started once again, drenching everyone in the area. The crowd stayed strong and when the opening strains of “Make It Stop (September’s Children)” started, the started jumping and screaming. This song deals with the problem of homophobia in today’s society and how it is affecting our children, with an increase in suicide rates. This is a band not afraid of serious and unsavory topics.
Rise Against put on an amazing show that left the audience satisfied that they got their fill of rock on a wet Tuesday night. As the thousands of people filed out of the exit gates, members of PETA stood handing out fliers, as Rise Against are active supporters of the controversial animal rights organization.
Set List:
Survivor Guilt
Ready To Fall
Collapse (Post-Amerika)
The Good Left Undone
Broken English
Help Is On The Way
Disparity By Design
Drones
Re-Education (Through Labor)
Blood To Bleed
Satellite
Paper Wings
Prayer Of The Refugee
Acoustic:
Audience Of One
Swing Life Away
Make It Stop (September’s Children)
Give It All
Encore:
Midnight Hands
The Strength To Go On
Savior
Rise Against & A Day To Remember 2012 Photo Gallery
Chris Laney of Laney’s Legion
May 15, 2012 by Publisher
by Alex Barbieri
Staff Writer –
Reason for the Legion: Interview with Chris Laney on Laney’s Legion …
Chris Laney: Producer, engineer, songwriter, artist. Classic Rock magazine called him, “One of Europe’s finest purveyors of sleazy but tuneful hard rock.” And Hardrock Haven wrote that Laney—along with his PLATFORM studio partner Anders Ringman—are “the Mutt Langes of the current hard rock scene.”
Laney’s production credits and client list are extensive: Candlemass, Europe, Crashdiet, Brian “Robbo” Robertson, Therion, Crazy Lixx, Steevi Jaimz, Zan Clan, Randy Piper’s Animal, The Quill, Vains of Jenna, Babylon Bombs, TV4, Dynazty and many more.
In 2009, he wrote and recorded his first solo album Pure, followed by the critically-acclaimed Only Come Out At Night in 2010. Now, Laney is ready to launch “his best band ever,” Laney’s Legion—now with the just-announced Rob Marcello on guitar.
Pull up a chair, pour a drink and let’s visit Laney at his studio in Stockholm, Sweden.
HRH: Chris! Good to finally talk again. Tell us the latest on Laney’s Legion: How is the recording going, and when do you think it will be released?
CL: The same man! The recording is pretty much done—but we are re-doing some guitars. Rob Marcello (Obsession, Marcello-Vestry, Danger Danger, House of Lords) joined the band a few weeks ago, so we wanna re-record the guitar tracks John Berg had recorded before.
I love John—he is like a baby brother to me, talented as fuck—but he just didn’t have that spark any longer. John’s heart wasn’t in the right place and to my joy, at that very moment, Rob calls me and wants to join the band … TIMING!!! I am so excited!
HRH: That’s awesome about Rob Marcello joining the band. Sounds like it was meant to be! His guitar work on Danger Danger’s 2009 Revolve album is nothing short of melodic rock brilliance. When will the Laney’s Legion album be released?
CL: I dunno when the album will be out, and I won’t rush it. I know we sit on a real treasure, so I want to give it the time it deserves.
If you think about it, I released two albums within two years (2009’s Pure and 2010’s Only Come Out at Night), so I still feel I can give it some extra love and time.
HRH: Who is in the band, and why did you decide to form a group instead of doing another solo project?
CL: The band is me on vocals and guitar, Mats Vassfjord on bass, Patrik Jansson on drums and Rob Marcello on guitar.
When we were asked to do the WASP tour, we talked about doing it as a REAL band, not just as “Chris Laney.” That is how we felt. But as contracts and shit were signed, we did the tour as Chris Laney. After that we had a meeting and decided to call it Laney’s Legion. That was Mats’ idea.
HRH: I read on Facebook that guitarist Rob Marcello was on a plane to Stockholm recently. How did that collaboration come about?
CL: Rob came to meet us and we had a blast, hit it off to the max. I have known Rob for years, but the other guys had not met him before. Rob will be coming over shortly to start the work on the album.
HRH: Do you have any touring plans for Laney’s Legion? Can you announce any show dates, and any chance we’ll get to see you live in the States?
CL: We will not tour or play any shows yet—we want to make sure everything is done the right way. Our first focus is on the album, then photos for the album, a video and then play live. U.S., hell yeah, this time we will play wherever they want us!
HRH: Cool. There are some fun summertime rock festivals in the States you should look into … the M3 Rock Festival in Maryland and Rocklahoma in Oklahoma, to name a few. Both are held in May. Maybe Laney’s Legion can play them next year! When you do play live with LL, will you just play new songs, or anything from your past solo and band catalog?
CL: We will play a lot of stuff from Chris Laney (solo), Laney’s Legion … we even talked about doing some other related stuff too. We are a band with histories and backgrounds—we do not underestimate where we all came from.
HRH: Aside from Laney’s Legion, what bands have you produced lately? Anyone we should know about and should be listening to?
CL: I produced a Finnish band called White Flame—their upcoming album is killer!!! Also check out the power pop album Casablanca with Ryan Roxie!
HRH: Have you ever thought about putting out a compilation album of all the artists you and Anders have recorded? That would be one killer hard rock album. I’d buy it!
CL: Thanks buddy!!! (Laughs out loud.) I already have one in my iTunes playlist! No, not really, but I have often thought of doing some of these songs live, like “Amazing” and “Something Good Something Bad” from the Steevi Jaimz album.
HRH: You just named two of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums of the last few years.
Side note: Hardrock Haven readers, if you’re a fan of melodic hard rock/glam, check out former Tigertailz singer Steevi Jaimz’ album My Private Hell, which Laney produced. Here’s the review I wrote a few years ago: http://hardrockhaven.net/online/2010/09/steevi-jaimz-my-private-hell/
HRH: What bands/artists are you listening to lately? What’s on heavy rotation in the Laney household?
CL: Sixx AM, Nickleback, Van Halen, Mummyheads, Carrie Underwood, Foo Fighters, Bad City.
HRH: What are five favorite bands and albums of all time? (I know this is a tough one.)
CL: KISS Unmasked, JellyFish Spilt Milk, Shotgun Messiah’s first album, Def Leppard Pyromania and WASP self titled.
HRH: This question is for the techies and studio geeks out there: Please describe your studio setup—what kind of software do you use, microphones, amps, etc.
CL: This is the very first time I ever got asked this question!!!! It took some 15 years to my surprise! I use Mac, Logic Pro, Waves, SSL, Lexicon, Genelec 1030 monitors. Most sounds you hear is me fooling around with different microphones. I never use the same except for vocals. Nowadays, I always record with the Sure SM 7, it really just does the trick. For guitars, I blend my IR cabs with real cabs and mics and powersoak with a Palmer and then direct to my DAW. I use Hughes & Kettner Coreblade and Tubemeister as my main amps, they are so damn good all around, I do not need to bother testing anything else—just different mics and cabs. On drums, it is all about the room and drummer. Sometimes I use trigs. I have built my own drums samples for ages and if you’d hear them by themselves, you’d laugh. (I find) a good drum sound to start, and then just add on the ugly stuff that makes it sound Laney (smiles).
HRH: Is there anything else you want to say to the rock fans and Hardrock Haven readers around the world?
CL: I’M BACK WITH THE BEST BAND EVER!!! Join the Laney’s Legion Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Laneys-Legion/220154594677951 and you will get the latest info and spread the word.
HRH: Chris, thank you again for your time. You’re always very gracious and a pleasure to talk to. Please give Anders our best from Hardrock Haven, and stay in touch.
CL: Thank you brother, and yeah, I’ll tell “Pants” or “Uncle Boobs” (Anders) you said hi!
Check out the official Chris Laney website:
www.chrislaney.com
Friend Chris Laney on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/laney.chris
Laney’s Legion Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Laneys-Legion/220154594677951
Chris Laney Myspace page:
www.myspace.com/chrislaney
Watch the Laney’s Legion teaser on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZLXl1WNLFE&list=UUuyzgwKvBM1dvJ7R-aYjeVQ&index=1&feature=plcp
Watch videos on Chris’ official YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/user/chrislaney72?feature=results_main
LIVE! | KC Rockfest 2012
May 15, 2012 by Publisher
by Shawna Luehring
Staff Writer –
May 12, 2012 at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, MO
The annual tradition started and carried on by the Kansas City radio station 98.9 the Rock moves into its 20th year. Celebrating the anniversary with 55,000+ fans at this year’s event was featured headliner Shinedown, Slash with Myles Kennedy, Five Finger Death Punch, Hellyeah, Volbeat and many more.
Like past shows, the artists split the time performing on two stages: Monster Energy Stage and the Jeremiah Weed Stage. Fifteen bands performed and delivered 12 hours of music at the largest one-day music festival in the U.S. Except for a little rain during Adelitas Way’s set and a brief power outage that caused Chevell to cut its set short and Slash to perform with no stage lighting, the concert was uneventful when compared with shows from the last few years.
Highlights of the concert included the debut of Denmark’s Volbeat, whose first appearance in Kansas City brought the crowd to their feet, and Hellyeah, dubbed “America’s heavy metal supergroup,” closed out the second stage with some serious hard rock. With such as a large crowd on hand, the promoters added large, enhanced HD video screens on each side of the Monster Energy, and the Jeremiah Weed stage was larger this year, standing a towering 10 feet tall.
Monster Energy Stage (Main):
Adelitas Way
Rev Theory
Theory of a Deadman
Chevelle
Slash (and Myles Kennedy)
Five Finger Death Punch
Shinedown
Jeremiah Weed Stage (Second):
Black Oxygen
New Medicine
Art of Dying
Cavo
Trivium
Black Stone Cherry
Volbeat
Hellyeah
KC Rockfest 2012 Photo Gallery
The Cult | Choice of Weapon
May 15, 2012 by Publisher
by Trevor Portz
Staff Writer –
After vowing not to make any more albums due the sad state of the music biz, public demand and the need for attention seem to have convinced Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy that “Capsules” aren’t necessarily the only way to continue recording. The result of that mind change is Choice of Weapon, their first full album since 2007’s less-than-spectacular Born Into This. Touching on just about all of the styles dabbled in by the band in the past—from the post-punk power of Love to the earthy hippiness of the Cult— Choice of Weapon is definitely a return to form.
Opener “Honey From a Knife” kicks things off in fine fashion, with a surprisingly not cheesy chant of “we got the drugs, we got the drugs.” This is followed by “Elemental Light,” which—lyrically and musically–would have been very comfortable on the oft-overlooked self-titled album from 1994. While that album was somewhat polarizing for long-time fans, smaller doses of its style work well amongst harder rockers.
“The Wolf” and “Amnesia” both return to the style of the classic, unmetallized Cult, with main riffs sounding like castoffs from the Love and Peace sessions. In fact, it would appear Duffy even pulled out some classic gear here, with the lead tone boasting the same echo-laden reverb that dominated “She Sells Sanctuary” and the pre-Electric version of “Love Removal Machine.”
Astbury’s voice isn’t quite as smooth as it was in his heyday, but has still held up exceptionally well, never losing its Gothic, shaman-like tone. Strangely, the more time that goes on, the more it seems Astbury and fellow crooner Glenn Danzig’s voices become increasingly similar. The appropriately titled “Lucifer” is a great example of this, as it feels very much like an outtake from Danzig’s Deth Red Sabaoth. It would be interesting to hear the two work together in some form, assuming ego and politics didn’t get in the way.
Included on some versions of the album are the four studio tracks previously released on Capsules 1 and 2. While “Every Man and Woman Is a Star” is only decent, “Embers” is a dark, haunting piece that sits well alongside earlier epics like “Black Angel” and “White.” If anything, it’s great to include the tracks for those that missed out on the quickly sold out (and impossible to find on ebay) Capsules.
While it may not be as stellar as the criminally underrated Dreamtime, or as commercially appealing as Sonic Temple, Choice of Weapon does show that the Astbury/Duffy well has far from run dry. Who knows, maybe this will be the last full Cult album, and the band will return to releasing bits and bops as they feel like it. If that’s the case, at least fans can look back and be satisfied that the final Cult album was a fitting crown on a long career of great albums. Or maybe it’s the signal that rock fans still care about full-length releases, and not just three-minute digital nuggets. Let’s hope for the latter.
Genre: Rock
Band:
Ian Astbury (v)
Billy Duffy (g)
Chris Wyse (b)
John Tempesta (d)
Track Listing:
1. Honey From a Knife
2. Elemental Light
3. For the Animals
4. Life>Death
5. The Wolf
6. Amnesia
7. Lucifer
8. Wilderness Now
9. A Pale Horse
10. This Night in the City Forever
11. Every Man and Woman Is a Star
12. Embers
13. Until the Light Takes Us
14. Siberia
Label: Cooking Vinyl Records
Website: www.thecult.us
Hardrock Haven rating: 9.1/10
Teenage Casket Company | Best Kept Secret
May 14, 2012 by Publisher
by Mark Allen
Staff Writer –
If you get your jollies by discovering unknown bands that sound like they should be bigger than they are, then listening to Teenage Casket Company will get you more excited than the high school geek scoring a date with a hot cheerleader who promises the night will end with her pom-poms naked. The band’s bouncy, infectious, guitar-driven power-pop has been filtered through the fun-loving spirit of the ‘80s and filigreed with some dirty punk attitude, creating a sound that is both warmly familiar and yet anything but cookie cutter. It’s Butch Walker meets Cheap Trick and it’s plenty good enough to be on modern rock radio… if modern rock radio didn’t have its head up its ass most of the time.
Teenage Casket Company have been around for a decade now, releasing indie albums in ‘03 (Dial It Up) and ‘07 (Eat Your Heart Out). Originally a quartet, they are now a trio following the departure of guitarist Jamie Derelict in ‘09. The other members circled the scene a bit, touring and writing with The Bulletboys and Stevie Jaimz, but during this two year hiatus the band’s fans (called “coffin kids”) grew restless and demanded they get back together. So, armed with a new studio track (“Best Friend is My Radio”), Teenage Casket Company have compiled this “best of” collection to re-introduce their smart, catchy style of rock to the world. Here’s hoping the world is paying attention.
This is one talented bunch of guys; they possess skills that only come from a hearty work ethic and an eternity or two honing those chops out on the big bad road. Bands like Bowling For Soup and Danger Danger have publicly declared their admiration for Teenage Casket Company, so you know they’re not just a bunch of frat boys banging around in daddy’s garage and calling themselves a band. Teenage Casket Company may only be a threesome now (get your minds out of the gutter) but those three know how to play.
Whether or not you choose to call this “hard” rock depends on where you draw the line. It ain’t Metallica, but it ain’t Madonna either. Whatever you choose to call it, this is utterly addictive stuff, equipped with snarky lyrics and the kind of sharp hooks that instantly snag you like a fish hook in the eyeball. Take the new song, “Best Friend Is My Radio,” for example; with its fast rhythms, driving guitars, sing-along chorus, and punk-powered angst, it is a prime exhibition of the Teenage Casket Company style. That description can be applied to just about any track on this album except for “Believe In You,” which is a huge lighter-in-the-air ballad that proudly testifies to the band’s love of ‘80s hair metal. It’s one part Warrant, one part Firehouse, and all class. Put it up there with the classic power ballads we all know and love.
If you absolutely must find something to complain about—though, really, this album is so much fun that bitching seems almost sinful, but if you must—then you could argue that all the songs kind of sound the same. But that is the curse of any genre and this sort of power-pop rock is no exception. You could also argue for a bigger backing vocal punch—a few more gang vocals would really hit the spot—but enough with the nitpicking. Even with these minor flaws, this album is fun and infectious from start to finish.
Teenage Casket Company have a name that conjures up images of dark, trendy, Gothic metal infested with garish ghouls and bloody-fanged vamps. Well, take that misconception, drive a stake through its erroneous heart, and bury it six feet underground. With their timeless, addictive, hook-laden approach to the genre, these guys truly are one of the best kept secrets in the world of rock and roll.
Genre: Rock
Band:
Rob Wylde (vocals, guitars)
Laney 74 (bass)
Spike (drums, keyboards)
Track Listing
1. Best Friend Is My Radio
2. Cocaine
3. Dial It Up
4. Down on Luck
5. Thank You For Nothing
6. Mirrors & Wires
7. Don’t Look At Me Like That
8. Believe In You
9. One Thing You Don’t Need
10. Eat Your Heart Out
11. Ain’t Got Nothin’ On Me
Label: JAMSYNC Music
Webpage: www.facebook.com/teenagecasketcompany
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
Empires of Eden | Channeling the Infinite
May 14, 2012 by Publisher
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer –
Former Dungeon guitarist Stu Marshall is back with another in his series of Empires of Eden projects. The latest album, Empires of Eden’s third release, is titled Channeling the Infinite, and once again it features an impressive array of guest vocalists. The singers lending their voices to Channeling the Infinite are Udo Dirkschneider (UDO, ex-Accept), Rob Rock (Impelliteri, Driver), Steve Grimmett (ex-Grim Reaper), Mike Dimeo (Creation’s End, ex-Riot), Sean Peck (Cage), Ronny Munroe (Metal Church), Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever), Carlos Zema (Outworld), Danny Cecati (Eyefear), Louie Gorgievski (Crimsonfire) and Vo Simpson (Darker Half).
Channeling the Infinite seems a bit less melodic and a lot more focused on traditional heavy metal power than the previous Empires of Eden release (2010’s Reborn in Fire). That makes perfect sense when you’ve classic metal vocalists like Udo Dirkschneider, Sean Peck and Steve Grimmett at your disposal. Marshall seems to have adjusted his songwriting to fit these singers, and he’s definitely brought the level of shredding up a notch (or ten). There are still some melodic moments here. “This Time” with Steve Grimmett and “Lions for Lambs” with Alessandro Del Vecchio have a melodic rock vibe, and stand out next to the pure blistering metal of songs like “Cyborg” (the album’s low point) and the title track. It goes back and forth like that throughout the album, and in the end it doesn’t feel like the album has a cohesive theme or overall style. Guitar wizardry and killer vocal performances (and there are some good ones here) aside, Channeling the Infinite just doesn’t wow the way Reborn in Fire did.
The album closes with a pair of alternate versions added as bonus tracks. The first is an “all star” version of “Hammer Down” that features Udo Dirkschneider, Rob Rock, Sean Peck, Carlos Zema, Vo Simpson and Ronny Munroe, and the second is a version of “Born a King” sung by Sean Peck. The bonus version of “Hammer Down” is the album’s best moment, as it brings together several great singers on a song that’s just 100% metal.
If you’re already an Empires of Eden fan, by all means pick up a copy of Channeling the Infinite. It’s not perfect, but there’s still more than enough to enjoy. If you’re new to the band, Reborn in Fire is probably a better starting point. Channeling the Infinite is still an album you’ll want to hear if you’re a fan of any (or all) of the vocalists involved.
Genre: Melodic Metal, Power Metal
Band:
Stu Marshall (g) (b)
Jason Manewell (d)
Track Listing:
1. Cry Out (featuring Rob Rock)
2. Hammer Down (featuring Udo Dirkschneider)
3. This Time (featuring Steve Grimmett)
4. Channeling the Infinite (featuring Sean Peck)
5. Lions for Lambs (featuring Alessandro Del Vecchio)
6. Cyborg (featuring Carlos Zema)
7. World on Fire (featuring Louie Gorgievski)
8. Your Eyes (featuring Mike Dimeo)
9. Born a King (featuring Danny Cecati)
10. As Flames Scorch the Ground (featuring Vo Simpson)
11. White Wings (featuring Ronny Munroe)
12. Hammer Down All Star Version
13. Born a King (featuring Sean Peck)
Label: Music Buy Mail
Website: www.empiresofeden.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10
Cyclone Temple | My Friend Lonely
May 14, 2012 by Publisher
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer –
When groundbreaking Chicago area thrash metal band Znowhite lost vocalist Debbie Gunn (she decided to join Sentinel Beast), guitarist Greg Fulton, bassist Scott Schafer and drummer John Slattery III decided to soldier on, bringing in a new vocalist and eventually changing the band name to Cyclone Temple. By the time their second album – My Friend Lonely – came out in 1994, Cyclone Temple was on their third vocalist, and faced with a changing musical climate that didn’t exactly favor thrash metal. The album, released on a much smaller independent label, went largely unnoticed, and the band went their separate ways soon after.
It’s a shame Cyclone Temple never reached a wider audience, because they were more than just your average thrash metal band. You hear that clearly on My Friend Lonely, an album that reveals a surprisingly diverse set of influences beyond the usual machine gun riffing. There’s a bludgeoning heaviness in the guitar sound that brings to mind Prong, and Sonny DeLuca’s soulful vocals are just as heavy in their own way. The album has a hardcore meets groove vibe that fans of Pantera will recognize, but it also makes sharp, if brief, shifts into almost reggae territory on occasion. This may prove to be a bit too… out there…for some, but Cyclone Temple’s willingness to experiment is a huge part of what makes My Friend Lonely so remarkable all these years later.
Divebomb’s 2012 reissue of My Friend Lonely not only features the original album, fully remastered by Jamie King at Basement Studios; it also includes a newly remastered version of the rare 1993 EP Building Errors in the Machine, which featured Marco Salinas on vocals. The EP is a very interesting addition, as all of the songs on it were later re-recorded for My Friend Lonely. Salinas did a solid enough job, but it really highlights just how much DeLuca brought to the band. The remastering is incredible, but that’s to be expected given King’s track record for restoring older metal gems. The liner notes include an essay/band interview by AOL Noisecreep Editor Carlos Ramirez.
Chalk up another first class thrash metal reissue for the Divebomb label. This upgraded version of My Friend Lonely is not only a must-have for Cyclone Temple (and probably Znowhite) fans, it’s also an album that will appeal to fans of forward-thinking, innovative thrash metal in general.
Genre: Thrash Metal
Band:
Greg Fulton (g)
Scott Schafer (b)
John Slattery III (d)
Sonny DeLuca (v, tracks 1-9)
Marco Salinas (v, tracks 10-14)
Track Listing:
1. Hate Makes Hate
2. Down the Drain
3. My Friend Lonely
4. Me, Myself & I
5. Drug of the Masses
6. Comfortably Superficial
7. Killing Floor
8. Time Heals All
9. The Law of Relativity
10. Hate Makes Hate (alternate version)
11. Me, Myself & I (alternate version)
12. Down the Drain (alternate version)
13. Killing Floor (alternate version)
14. Drug of the Masses (alternate version)
Label: Divebomb
Website: www.myspace.com/cyclonetemple
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.25/10
69 Chambers | Torque
May 14, 2012 by Publisher
by Joe Mis
Staff Writer –
Swiss female-fronted metal trio 69 Chambers has just released its sophomore effort entitled Torque and it is a fine follow up to their 2009 debut, War On The Inside. A bit alternative, a bit Gothic, and a bit old school, 69 Chambers delivers 14 varied and interesting tracks that should appeal to fans of almost any of the darker genres of metal.
The trio is led by the expressive vocals and multi-instrumental talents of Nina Vetterli-Treml (who is an automotive and motor sports journalist when not performing). Her voice is well-suited to the genre, and runs the gamut from soft and smoky to gritty and intense. She also contributes some fine bass and guitar to the album. Nina is backed nicely by standout guitarist (and husband) Tommy Vetterli (Coroner, Kreator) and drummer Diego Rapacchietti. The tracks on Torque stylistically range from the standard rock ballad to “beauty and the beast” metal to near pop-metal, but no matter which genre dominates melody is always present. The band’s musicianship is excellent, and the production values of the release are high.
The album opens with a bit of electronica during the intro to “Cause And Effect,” a thrashy track that sets the gritty tone for the remainder of the CD. Nina does a bit of back and forth with growling vocalist Chrigel Glanzmann (Eluveitie), and the pair change from sweeping melodic metal to snarling near death metal without difficulty. A more alternative sound (with a hint of pop metal) takes over with “Bring On The Flood.” This track features some great drum / bass coordination and a smooth layered chorus – a nice job all around. The band goes doom metal with the gloomy, guitar driven “Naughty Naughty Naughty,” and Nina adapts her vocals perfectly, coming across as a bit sinister. “Anhedonia” is a more conventional metal track with some manic drumming, well done vocals, and interesting rhythm guitars. Nina’s voice and passion are apparent on the conventional bass oriented rocker “Burn Some Gasoline.”
“The Peep Hole” is a very dark gritty track with great vocal performances (including some cool growls) and a complex rhythm line. “Ring A Bell” has an electronic opening and a bluesy vocal line. It would be a great track if it wasn’t for the distracting electronic manipulations of Nina’s voice. These last two tracks don’t seem to fit the image that 69 Chambers is trying to build – they are better suited to a pop-rock band, especially when followed up by the very dark and Gothic “Closeure” and the doomy “And Then There Was Silence.” The latter features some excellently brutal growls by Nina and slick guitars throughout. Unfortunately this track is marred by an annoying spoken (well, yelled actually) section at the end. “Temple Down” is another well-done Soundgarden influenced rocker.
The ballad-esque modern rocker “Your Fool” is a nicely done song, but again lacks the brutal edge of most of the other songs and as a result it seems a bit out of place. Fortunately the band dials the intensity right back up with the guitar-heavy and drum-centric “The Doom Of Her Power” – one of the best tracks on the release on lyrical, tone, and performance levels. “Grace” conjures up a bit of Lacuna Coil with its somber mood and strong bottom end. The soft and smooth “Elegy” wraps the album and features an emotional and heartfelt guitar solo. This final track really highlights the full range of Nina’s voice and the talent of Vetterli and Rapacchietti, as well as the stylistic depth of their songwriting skills.
69 Chambers Torque should appeal to most alternative metal fans, and to those who are into the Gothic or groove metal scenes. The band writes good dark songs without being overly morbid and depressing, and delivers them for the most part with appropriate levels of emotion and enthusiasm. The variety of styles highlights the band’s versatility, but leads to some tonal inconsistency. Not a perfect album by any means, but one that comes from the heart. Solid performances and gritty lyrics, coupled with good production techniques make 69 Chambers a band to watch in the future.
Genre: Alternative Metal
Band:
Nina Vetterli-Treml (vocals, bass, guitar)
Tommy Vetterli (guitars)
Diego Rapacchietti (drums)
Guest musician: Chrigel Glanzmann (vocals on “Cause And Effect”)
Track Listing:
1. Cause And Effect
2. Bring On The Flood
3. Naughty Naughty Naughty
4. Anhedonia
5. Burn Some Gasoline
6. The Peep Hole
7. Ring A Bell
8. Closure
9. And Then There Was Silence
10. Temple Down
11. Your Fool
12. The Doom Of Her Power
13. Grace
14. Elegy
Label: Massacre Records
Website: http://www.69chambers.com/
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10
