Single Review: Drop Oblivion - Damaged Goods Reworked (Thrash, 2018)

I reviewed and introduced this track already some time ago. Ian Mortimer, the man behind the project has constantly worked on the song since then. Can a good piece of music still be upgraded?

The cover for Damaged Goods, artwork created by Barnaby Oakley Crossfade Productions, (c) by Drop Oblivion

Reworked for the better
The answer is: yes it can! It is nearly unbelieveable how different the new version sounds compared to the previous version. It feels as if a new song comes out of the speakers right now.

In detail "Damaged Goods" sounds much sharper and clearer now. Most of all the different parts and sections come out to the front. Now it's clear how many riffs and finer undertoned effects this track has in it. The guitars are much louder on this version.

A new drum sound also supports the easier understanding of the track - it's like it's putting marks and properly pointing parts into their direction now. It feels easier to get a fast grip of what the song is all about now.

The guitars got some new riffs in them I think. One section is brand new - the one where the guitars are quite for a few seconds.

The vocals have been completly re-done. They have a more constant line in them now. The overall tonality of the demonicness feels like one layer being constant through the whole duration now.

It's fascinating to hear how much one track can change with such a overhaul. Very well done!

Purchase-Link & Album Crowdfunding
Pick up a copy from the digital plattform Bandcamp. It costs 2 GBP. More platforms will follow in the coming days. I'll add them as them come in.

Currently a full album is in it's finishing stages. Please help to cover the expenses for mixing, mastering and worldwide release with pre-ordering a digital copy of "Narcissistic Councilor" for 10 GBP via Crowdfunder.

Contact Data
Be sure to follow this project further through the Facebook band page of Drop Oblivion.

Over Nemesis take a catseye look across the stars

Album covers can be something that catches your attention. Some of them may call a emotion or a memory in your heart or your mind.

This time around the cover of Sludge metallers "Over Nemesis" packed me with it's mysterious and big eyes on it looking into a misty surrounding, maybe into a sky or something. It reminded me of the eyes of a cat. I love cats and their eyes share a beauty and look into a different world.

A look at the cover of "Wink". It has been integrated into a nice full background picture that could be a cotinuation of the initial print. (c) by Over Nemesis, used with kind permission

That's maybe something that connects to the music of the band that also leads into another place. Fans of the Black Label Society should feel home very quickly. So don't hesitate and have your own look "Across the stars". The use of "yeah" at the vocals reminded me of older days and was a warmly welcomed cheer up on this very Monday. Thanks for that!

This one is a teaser for the full album "Wink" coming August 31st 2018. The album is available for presale on the webstore of Music-Records.
Alternatively you can also pick it up once it's out from

► the stand of the band as a digipack CD

► On 150 digital platforms for download

► Distribued in Europe, USA, Asia & Oceania as physical edition

Tracklist :
1 - Saint Bâle
2 - Vault of Blindness
3 - Mario and Sergio
4 - Across The Stars
5 - She Become Calypso
6 - Inside
7 - This Man
8 - Tears
9 - Light Of Hopes
10 - Until The End

Keep a eye on the band through Facebook.

CD Review: Mikey Cunningham & The Aftermath - Massive head wound (Instrumental Metal, 2016)

This record shows how much you can dive deeply into the world of instrumental rock sometimes slightly mixed with power and progressive elements.

The cover of "Massive head wound", (c) by Mikey Cunningham & The Aftermath, used with kind permission

Summary
The album let's the screaming six strings speak out loud and clearly to the listener. On most of the arrangements the start goes in straight forward with compact riffing and drums that power up the rocking message. Afterwards it's time to show some solo's and a lot of guitar technique's. It comes around a bit like in those days when Jimi Hendrix was alive and put out a new record. The world was stunned to hear what he was able to make of his instrument.

Something similar remains in my mind having listened to this disc. I like that these elements still add to the song as a whole so it's not only a presentation of solo's. The only downside is that nearly all the songs are build like this so after some time some feeling of repeat comes in. But this is the way it is - I think it's already hard enough to get something like this done at all. Please remember that instrumental artists cannot rely upon standard song structures so the pure sound is all they can offer. Sometimes I had to think of Jazz songs listening to the tunes of "Massive head wound" but this can be seen as a plus as I enjoy listening to that genre from time to time, too.

The fine sound of the production made me feel comfortable and added a lot to the listening pleasure. The guitars are sharp but not to hard so they remain enjoyable. Drums are lound and clear most of all the snare set's a mark. It's a pleasure  to hear the band feels as one so it's not guitars all the way with nothing behind it. Surely a strong band backing a cool guitar performance. Don't miss this one out instrumental heads out there.

Purchase- and Preview-Link
You can pick up the album as download through the widget on the band homepage. It costs 9,99 Dollar and you can pay with Paypal. Here we have the track "Creepy Halloween Cat" for you to check out.

Contact Data
Follow the instrumental band on Facebook for show updates etc.

Corners Of Sanctuary push harder on "Finding Sanctuary"

What I like so much is to see bands evolving. It's always great to have a ear and eye at the start and to see what happens next. Corners Of Sanctuary have developed a lot throughout the time that lays beyond.

Having always been a solid metal band that kept it mostly mid-tempo the band has revamped it's sound with much more power (lot's of double bass drum attacks on this one) and extended work on the vocal side. Their newest track "Finding Sanctuary" taken of the best of compilation album of the same name displays that perfectly for me.

Would like to have and keep that song? Now problem, it's currently up for free download from the band's homepage.

The complete “Finding Sanctuary” album can also be downloaded for free when fans purchase a limited-edition “Kiss Your Ass Goodbye” tour shirt exclusively designed and distributed by LA’s rock fashion guru Metal Babe Mayhem. To receive a 15% discount, use promo code COSMBM15 at checkout by visiting the official Corners of Sanctuarty website by July 10th. 

Update 2018/07/13: The deadline has been extended 'til July 21st. This means the shirt is still available with the same discount code from the link above. Every order also comes with a free download of the "Finding Sanctuary" album.

The new collection, which was mastered by legendary LA producer Bill Metoyer (Slayer, W.A.S.P., Armored Saint), contains 11 tracks, including four completely re-envisioned songs: “Unsung Hero,” “Ready for Battle,” “Eighty-sixed,” and the titled track “Finding Sanctuary”. The physical version of the album is only available at the band’s live shows in either CD or cassette format.

The cover for Corners Of Sanctuary's release "Finding Sanctuary", (c) by Corners Of Sanctuary, used with kind permission

Speaking of live shows: the band will tour Germany in a few weeks plus do more gigs in the US in 2018. Here are the full dates:

July 13th - Hanover, PA
July 20th - Ardmore, PA
August 10th - Frankfurt, Germany
August 11th - Uelsen, Germany
August 13th - Genk, Belgium
August 15th - Hanover, Germany
August 17th - Oldenburg, Germany
August 18th - Lingen, Germany
September 2nd - Long Branch. NJ
October 14th - Baltimore, MD
November 4th Santa Ana, CA.
November 7th - North Hollywood, CA
November 9th - West Hollywood, CA
November 10th - San Diego, CA

A brand new studio album has also been put out in the meantime. Corners of Sanctuary’s fifth album, “The Galloping Hordes,” released on Killer Metal Records, is now available digitally and will be released on CD in the beginning of August.

The Dry Mouths share strong summer feelings with new video

Summer is finally here! So we need the proper soundtrack to celebrate those long lasting days and endless evenings. The Dry Mouths have just released a new video that fits to what I'm looking for.

"This Could Be The Beginning Of A Beautiful Friendship" is a beautifully worked out song - so warm and intensive. This time it's a more slower tune that the power trio released but it changes towards the end with few more rougher moments worked in. The same goes for the pictures. They seem to me like filmed through the lens of those feelings related to my favorite time of the year. Feells like in the old days and reminds me why I love watching music videos so much.

You can pick up the song as part of their current EP "When the water smells of sweat" which is available for a few bucks on CD and Vinyl (or a package of both) from the Band's store or via Email. 

The cover of the 2018 EP of The Dry Mouths "When the water smells of sweat", Artwork by Iván Carreño. (c) by The Dry Mouths, used with kind permission

Also check their social page on Facebook to see's what's going on further with the band from Spain.