Album Review: Tony Martin - Thorns (Heavy Doom, 2022)

The new Tony Martin album holds several surprises. That was the first impression that I learned quickly as I streamed the new record.

Tony Martin offers a modern album with traditional undertones. Lots of surprises to be found on "Thorns".

It all already kicks off with the opener "As the world burns". It's a ultra-heavy track ripping it hard. Would you expect such a track after 15 years of silence ? Neither did I. Such a full yet fine and good listenable tune this particular one is. Expect power to the max.

"Black widow angel" holds the next bag of unexpected sounds. A midtempo and doomy grooving number. But in full contrast to this a very high vocal performance. Tony Martin still reaches high regions with his voice. Anyway this one is not easy to enjoy. It may feel a bit stressy to some people but sure it opens ears. I think it's not to be heard too often these days that such a mixture of sounds comes our way. A daring selection to be included on "Thorns".

And the next one will also keep listeners of unusual tunes heavily at the stereo. Once again the tempo is held low but it's more to give room for atmosphere. It's dark toned and coming in a more middle layered voice region. "Crying Wolf" starts out a bit balladesque way but few moments later progressive heavy moments come along.

The vocals are kept high and underline the extraordinary way, Tony Martin is able to perform in these days. The atmosphere goes up and down on this one and I think the fans will appreciate this track.

"Damned by You" continues in a more modern way with the band riffing and grooving in the background while the vocalist shares the vocals with his high notes - happily not all the time and more at the proper moments.

It's a great treat that a bit easier track follows. "No Shame At All" is far more light in every way. It's shorter, has a good riff anyway but can be enjoyed on the go also it's fine Rock music as well.

A ballad follows and shows that Tony Martin and his followers are able to perform to softer notes as well. A welcomed moment on the album to take a breathe and dream for some moments.

This is not the end, as already the eight track speeds and riffs up. The fun here comes from the various arrangements constantly changing groove, riffs, clear vocals and even growl passages. Three more songs are to be found on the disc and they are no fillers, too.

All in all it's a modern album providing heavy minds with great new content. Tony Martin has still a lot to offer in his voice and his songwriting abilities are great, too. The eleven tracks shown on "Thorns" are well worth a purchase.

The only downside are the high pitched vocals. They are great but can sometimes get a bit too much. Just check out "Run Like The Devil" and I think you'll agree.

The album is available digitally on all bigger streaming services and in a limited edition Digipak from Battlegod productions. 

EP Review: Persecutor - Persecutor (Thrash, 2020/2007)

Real thrash metal is timeless. But sure as it is it's not that easy to create and record this music genre properly. This underground EP by polish thrashers Persecutor suprised me with it's fine and outworked production as well as dedicated songwriting showing the solid skills of the band.

A shining thrash diamond has be re-issued in digital format these days.

Also it's first release dates back to 2007 it shows what a underground act with much engagement and heartblood can put out if they want to. While the start "Embryonic Lifeform" goes the typical rough way to hit the listener quick and hard the other tracks evolve. The songs go a midtempo route every here and there and the vocals given more time now show the full glow a dark voice can offer given it's place in the music. "Dogs Of War" is the best example for that.

"Dementia" shows the diversity the band has in themselves. The song structures change from part to part and are a shed of joy to listen to. "The Art Of Killing" closes the release with a slower edgy riffing songstructure and blasting parts.

These days's this little shing diamond has been re-issued the digital way on all streaming plattforms. Below you can find a direct link to listen to the music on Spotify. So sit back, relax and let this fine notes sink in to power you up once more. t just takes few minutes duration.

CD Review: September Mourning - Volume II (Dark female fronted Rock/Metal 2016)

A smashing piece of female fronted rock/metal music taking you deep into the world of dark and grown-up comic characters without losing the sense for the real world.

The front cover of September Mourning's Volume II, (c) by September Mourning, used with kind permission

Summary

Some albums take you into another world. This particular one is a fine example for this. Besides the heavy and diverse rocking music tracks that invite you to have a good time and rock out to them this release contains far more.

It let's you sink in deep into a realm of comic characters that could be easily transfered from the real world. While the characters for sure are fictional you can easily connect with them if you look upon the story with adult eyes. It's like in the real world we are living in. The actions they do for sure aren't real but like in a fairytale you can see all the relations have a consequence and you may be able to learn something of the plot in the end.

It's for sure a album that aim's at the grown-up audience. Much to much of the story is based upon hard facts but if you like to take a brief time of your own life without going into a unrealistic realm this album is for you. The music screams out for a proper show on stage and I think the band should be worth a visit. Just look at the end of this review for US dates starting End of Feburary 2017. I hope they'll come to Europe/Germany some other day, too.

The music itself comes around hard and heavy. Often there are haunting moments inside of them - the vocals give express so much of what the topic of the song is all about. The guitars and drums push you constantly but also leave room to breathe every here and there. It's a thin line between heavyness and melody but this band has the ability it takes to provide songs that are authentic and lighter at the same time.

Preview-Track

The album has been released via Sumerian Records.. Music is always worth it so please support those that provide us with such a great treat. I've added the video for "20 Below" to give you a quick first insight into the band's sound.


 
Tour Dates

Be sure to see the band live in the United States starting in February 2017 alongside Dope, Combichrist and Davey Suicide. Dates are given below:

02/27 @ Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
02/28 @ Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
03/02 @ Liquid Joe's - Salt Lake City, UT
03/03 @ Sunshine Studios - Colorado Springs, CO
03/04 @ Aftershock - Merriam, KS
03/05 @ Outland Ballroom - Springfield, MO
03/06 @ Underground - Omaha, NE
03/07 @ Gabe's Oasis - Iowa City, IA
03/08 @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall - St Paul, MN
03/09 @ Courtside - Dubuque, IA
03/10 @ Q&Z Expo Center - Ringle, WI
03/11 @ The Sandlot - Green Bay, WI
03/12 @ The Annex - Madison, WI
03/13 @ The Metal Grill - Cudahy, WI
03/14 @ The Agora - Cleveland, OH
03/15 @ HOME Bar - Arlington Heights, IL
03/16 @ Big Shots - Valparaiso, IN
03/17 @ The Apollo Theatre - Belvedere, IL
03/18 @ The Machine Shop - Flint, MI
03/19 @ The Music Factory - Battle Creek, MI
03/20 @ Trixie's Ent. Complex - Louisville, KY
03/21 @ Diesel - Pittsburgh, PA
03/22 @ Reverb - Reading, PA

The band September Mourning, (c) by September Mourning, used with kind permission

03/23 @ Highline Ballroom - New York, NY
03/24 @ Palladium - Worcester, MA
03/25 @ Fish Head Cantina - Halethorpe, MD
03/26 @ Arizona Pete's -Greensboro, NC
03/28 @ The Haven - Winter Park, FL
03/29 @ The Orpheum - Tampa, FL
03/30 @ O'Malley's Sports Bar - Fort Lauderdale, FL
04/02 @ Southport Music Hall - New Orleans, LA
04/03 @ Grizzly Hall - Austin, TX
04/04 @ Scout Bar - Houston, TX
04/05 @ Fitzgerald's - San Antonio, TX
04/06 @ Trees - Dallas, TX
04/08 @ Club Red - Mesa, AZ
04/09 @ The Regent Theater - Los Angeles, CA

CD Review: A Place To Fall - Lost Myself (2016)

What we have here is a bitter brutal post hardcore album that leaves no mercy as about it's message. This band screams out that they really want it all and they've put in so much energy that it will make your speakers blow. Find out how post hardcore should sound in 2016.

Introduction

The band came to my attention at a Open Air festival here in Lingen - the Rock am Dom. At that time the band was starting to form in line-up as well as soundwise but it was already clear that they would sound very promising. So I kept a eye on them and followed them further both on Facebook as well as live at the Rock am Pferdemarkt and a little later at the Abifestival contest. In the meantime the band wrote and recorded "Lost Myself" and over the gigs one could easily see and hear that the band has evolved quite a lot.

The cover of Lost Myself, (c) by A Place To Fall, used with kind permission

Summary / Album overview

The album has a lot of killer qualities. As I wrote above I was able to follow the development of the band but never expected such a result in the end. The record comes straight in with the intro for "The Rise", a dark haunting melody carving the way for what is about to come. The following "Your Fall" shows the heavyness the band combines along with great rhythm. The vocals come in quite harsh on this one but are always melodic and outworked with much passion.

The same goes for "All your lies". That song was already available as stream early at the band's Youtube channel but this version is quite different. The contrast of growls of guitarist Oliver and the clean parts of vocalist Sebastian gives this one a special kicking note. You'll remember this after listening. The tile track that follows shows a masterpiece in my eyes and a first high peak of the record. This one builds slowly crawling on the floor just to explode at the refrain directly into the listeners face. Don't miss out this one.

"New Hopes" goes a more straight way vocal-wise but I love the riffing and drumming on this one. It goes back and forth and shakes 'till the end. "We're Fading Away" has a anthemic refrain and is most melodic and straight forward of the album. The clear guitar parts have been my favorite from the first listen.

We continue on "Dream of Memories" that rips us up with a direct riff. Many vocal layers and variations on this one. Very heavy indeed. "Photographs" is next to go. It's a dark number which much heavy distorted guitar sounds and rhythm changes but a lot of brutal elements nevertheless. "Behind A False Light" closes the album in a straight forward way. The clean notes towards the end leave you with a redemption feeling.

Purchase-Link

The record is up on digital outlets such as Amazon, iTunes and Google Play for 8 Euro. The band also has physical copies on sale in a beautiful fold-out case for the same price. It is available through their webshop or you can message the band through Facebook if you don't have Paypal.

Player

The whole nine songs can be heard on Spotify or Deezer. I've also included the track "We're fading away" for all of you who don't have a acoount there or just want to quickly check out the bands sound.





Contact Data

The band has a cool Facebook page up and running and also offers a insight into the bands activities via Instagram. Also make sure to have a look on their homepage if you want to contact or book them.