Single Review: LeatherJacks - Spells and zombies through the night (2018)

If you need music that grab's you directly at heart take this fresh single from brasilian rockers LeatherJacks to bring in a dose of energy that lift's you up.

The cover of LeatherJacks single release "Spells and zombies through the night", (c) by LeatherJacks, used with kind permission

Summary
This band is lead by Mauro Cordeiro. His outstanding and always changing vocal performance along with a good potion of riffs creates this special atmosphere being present in the music of LeatherJacks. Having put together a full album and one more single this new piece of music was expected eagerly by me. How would the music evolve further?

It remained the same as it goes for the main attempt at it's core being full blown rock music. But it comes infused with modern techniques in songwriting at least when it comes to the first number "Spells and zombies through the night". This time around the vocals go all on it throughout the whole track duration. The refrain is integrated into the overall sound structures. You can think of this as a feeling being created out of one piece.

The voice shouts it out more agressively in the verses but keeps it softer when it's time for the refrain. Guitarwise this one nails it down with heavier riffs compared to the slightly older material available so far. The drums follow this idea with's it attacking double-bass pattern. The refrain parts are kept longer and more extensive something not be found too often in rock and metal music.

Next to go is the track "Persona non grata". This nearly five minute long song fires way around with a easier mix of riff and drumming. It's way more melodic and catchy. The refrain stands out with it's extra punch it provides towards the end. It's for sure a track you'll remember once heard and will want to enjoy times again. Happily it's part of this single package release already.

Purchase-Link and Preview-Track
Currently the single is up for purchase at iTunes and Amazon.

Paying a little for this helps the band to record more music for you in the near future. So in the end spending some bucks is a investment into your own music world - it rewards you like a plant. Once you care for it it may pay you back with lot's of joy with more flowers that it spreads. Check out the title track below to get a quick taste of the band's sound.

Connect with LeatherJacks
Keep a eye on LeatherJacks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

CD Review: Amelia - Amelia EP (2015)

What happens when two women dedicated to music come together to express their musical abilities? I think the answer is a quite hard but also melodic direct sounding Rock / Hardcore experience like Amelia deliver with their first EP.

Short Introduction

With strikingly similar styles fueled by passionate musicianship, Jenn Elizabeth’s (vocals/guitar) and Tessa Breitbach’s (drums) collaboration forged the rock/hardcore band, Amelia. With their energetic sound just breaking the horizon, the band based out of Oregon, stands to become an inspirational staple to the current music scene.

In March 2015, the band ventured to Michigan to record their first EP “Ameila” with producer Josh Schroeder. 

Amelia’s focus is on creating more than just an aggressively unparalleled sound, but a distinct voice. Jenn articulates the theme illustrated throughout the album, “The EP is about individuality – never giving up on what you love – your true passion – despite any perceived obstacles. Simply, just being true to yourself.”

The cover of the first Amelia EP, (c) by Amelia, used with kind permission

Summary

The five tracks on the first EP feature a hard and edgy sound. It's kept hard, direct and live sounding. The tracks show a lot of variations in them. You'll need to make several rounds to get to all the details that are put inside the music. You'll feel the agression, the energy that these both women have layed down on tape. It's really crushing und pushing all the time.

Through all the heavyness you'll still be able to catch up a lot of fine melodies and lot's of precise rhythm patterns. At some points I've asked myself how they've put all of this together. It must have really taken a lot of time to get to this tight form. It's a modern sounding recording no question The vocals range from softer tonality up to a rougher range up to the darkest growling at some points. I love all of the rough energy you can feel when listening to Amelia. It's as if they've captured their rawest and purest of emotions upon the disc sharing it along with their points of view.

EP overview

The EP has a very diverse structure. The first two tracks are a more complex thing as they feature a lot of variation in them. They'll won't kick you on the first listen but will grow with every spin more you give to them. It goes over to a rather more easy style with "Let Them Fight For It". The climax is reached with "The Truth Is" which will throw you upside down with all it's rhythmic heavyness along with great sing along and hard guitar riffing. The last number "Before The End" throws it out the roughest and hardest just at the very end of the EP. 

Player / Purchase Link / Tourdates

The album is up for free listening on Soundcloud. If you would like to have a copy then you can get a download of the EP on itunes. You can also grab it from digital stores such as Amazon or Spotify.

There also the possibility to purchase a physical copy on CD for five Dollar plus shipping and handling at the band's online merch store. There are also beautiful shirts and EP bundles up so don't miss this chance.


Amelia will do some local shows in the upcoming time, here are the dates.

3/12 Hawthorne Theater Lounge, Portland, OR
3/18 Tony V's Garage Everett, WA 
3/18 Studio Seven Seattle, WA
3/22 Analog Cafe and Theater, Portland, OR
4/14 Black Forest Eugene, OR
5/13 The Night Light Oakland, CA 

Contact Data

Stay in tune with Amelia: facebook.com/ameliamusic | Ameliatheband/Twitter

Ways. use silence perfectly on first single

"The music is not in the notes,but the silence in between."

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This quote crossed my Facebook feed some days ago and I think it perfectly fits to the song "Misty Hope" of the Rock/Hardcore band Ways. from Paris (France). This is a unique song! Wow, not many bands manage to put out such unique stuff on the first attempt.

Besides putting the silence on the right places it's also the mixture between softer and heavier guitar parts that makes this track sounding so great. The vocalist put's his all and everything into the vocals and it's one of the few times in a videoclip that I have the feeling to stand in the first row where you can feel the rough energy of the musicians coming directly your way.



This is the first single of the bands upcoming EP named "Watching From Afar" which will be available soon via the Bandcamp page of Ways. That's also the place where you can pick up a free download of "Misty Hope" in the audio format of your choice, so don't miss out this chance to grab a great song.

The cover for the EP "Watching From Afar", (c) by Ways. used with kind permission

Make sure to follow them via Facebook or Twitter as well as Instagram for all the latest updates coming along with the impending EP release.