Single Review: Not Another Prayer - Vicious Circle (Progressive Nu Metal, 2022)

This band just started it's journey and the very first release already put's a spotlight on them.

Hour one has just begun at the Not Another Prayer camp.

What makes this release stand out? It's the fact that it builds up and rises throughout the long duration of over six minutes. In the beginning things are basic and more like you would expect of a Nu Metal band. 

But as the time passes by new and more new elements fly in and add themselves to the sound of the Italian formation. These elements include a lot out of the progressive direction of music. They fit in well and are left off whenever the deeper Nu Metal style comes back. 

Finally the whole package shows it's full power and starts a instrumental sonic rampage towards the end of the track. It leaves behind a listener that starts a second round to see how the song turns out this time...

...similar thoughts but the focus is more on the vocals which change and morph. The keyboards are a surprise at the last third of the release. 

You can listen to the track on Spotify or directly here in the YouTube player.

I'll keep a eye on Not Another Prayer on Facebook or Instagram. Let's see how the mission continues...

CD Review: Static-X - Project Regeneration Vol. 1 (Nu Metal, 2020)

Sometimes there are these tunes that give you hope. This happened to me as I heard the new Static-X album "Project Regeneration Vol.1". One of the good sides of listening to music is that it is a source of good feelings. These came up quickly as I had these songs pumping out of the speakers.

It's the mixture of the heavy riffing with the driving force of the drums on the one hand that gave me good feelings. But all of this was topped by the vocals that always kept going up and down and always shining through in deep emotional shapes. It feels as if at times my feelings could speak through the noise that can be heard.  

Most of the time it's pure aggression coming out but on some tracks like "Bring You Down (Project Regeneration)" it also comes in waves of fear and sometimes despair. Few electronic effects underline this. That's something I love to hear.

A track like "My Destruction" illustrates the band's potential to transform today's merciless society's behaviour through straight and rough thrashing. It has lot's of mean laughs in it that sound like the evil showing it's face in it's many incarnations. Impressive to hear that music can make such things visible to the human ear.
 
The keyboards on "Something Of My Own (Project Regeneration)" follow more positive vibes, yet it has broken feelings in it the track shines a more lighter and better note out of it.
 
These are my favorites of the album. What are your faves ? Let me know in the comments below.
Make sure to buy a copy out of the band's hands.

Single Review - BI·AS - Hesitation (Alternative / Nu Metal, 2019)

Fear can be a powerful feeling putting you down. This brand new single talks about that and how to overcome it.

The cover of "Hesitation", (c) by BI·AS

BI·AS is a new formation featuring David Silveria (original drummer of Korn). The single is a preview to their much-anticipated debut EP due out in 2020.

What I like so much about the track is the mixture of the heavyness with lot's of softer notes flying in between them. In detail the track opens up with a short drum intro and direct start of the melodic vocals.

It's those vocals that have heavily been worked on that give the tracks it's characteristic extra note. Here and there few guitar notes come in and finally the roughness kicks in but only with as much heavyweight as needed not breaking you down.

The second half of "Hesitation" goes a slightly rougher route. The drums already announce the new path with a dry electronic snare. Finally the track breaks all barriers at the end giving the full energy outload to the listener. It's like it's just there to give you the power you need to overcome anxiety.

I'm looking forward on how the band will move on. For the first here are some dates the band is going to play. BI·AS are currently booking shows till the end of the year.

Aug 23 - Costa Mesa, CA - Tiki Bar
Sept 26 - Logan, UT - The Cache
Sept 27 - Pocatello, ID -  Bannock County Fair Grounds - Elk stage

You can purchase the single at iTunes and Google Play just to name two. More links and the lyrics can be found at the description below the YouTube video. Follow the band on Facebook to stay up to date.

Dirty Machine release heartouching and groundshaking new video

I love music videos. They can be such a strong force to express a topic in a way few other things can do. It's the combination of music and moving pictures that also caught my attention on this one.

From my perspective this one talks about problems in relationsships. It seems as if the woman wants to talk but the guy refuses to show any reaction. How does it end? Look for yourselves - just sayin' that the end surprised me...


This video single comes of the hand's of Dirty Machine, a nu metal band. It's impressive to hear how hard this style can be. After a mixed start it unfolds it's massive sonic detonation through the mixture of the vocalist performances that complement each other to erupt at a full explosion at the end. The hard knocking drums with the fine notes on the guitars put it even deeper in my mind and the DJ effects throw in more drive to the already explosive mixture.

The coverart for "Further from you" created by Jayden Braley and Jason Lindley. , (c) by Dirty Machine, used with kind permission

The track is the latest single of the band. Check the subpage on the band's current label Zombie Shark Records for a list of retailers that sell the track and keep a constant eye on Dirty Machine (I'll do for sure) - on Facebook.

A quick roundup of Zombie Shark Records

Have you ever been discovered a new label but didn't knew how to get a quick idea of all the bands they offer? Sure some of them have a band roster on their site but it's cumbersome to click through to all of the single pages and press the play button of all the videos and soundsnippets.

Zombie Shark Records has found a far better way to give a comfortable overview to you with just one click. The label features Alternative Metal, Nu Metal, Hard Rock and Industrial.

They've uploaded a video to YouTube showcasing and zapping through all the combos that are currently active at the record label's home. In just around 4 minutes you'll quickly get a entertaining idea what they offer.

You can contact the label through their website or give them a shot on Facebook.

Kings Bounty preview album and open for Korn and P.O.D.

I like to have a sneak into new material from time to time.It's exciting to know things are in the makings out there and to have a thought what 2017 may have in store for us.

Kings Bounty from New York City give us a taste of the debut album "Broad Daylight" they are currently working on with Chris Collier who is known for his work with bands like Prong and Korn. The last mentioned band comes to my mind at the first run-through of the video but as quick as you realize they have something in common with them you also know they put in their very own personality. It's the special potion of heavyness I like so much in this one all along with the vocals changing all along the whole track. The drums are kicking in with much groove. A good positive push comes along with this one.

If you're quick enough you may be able to check out the band live as they've been picked to open up for P.O.D. and Korn this very weekend and the upcoming week:

Saturday March 4th 2017 – with P.O.D. Morongo Casino Resort Cabazon, CA
Monday March 6th 2017 – with Korn House of Blues Anaheim, CA SOLD OUT

The full album "Broad Daylight" is set for release during the latter part of 2017.

A live shot of Kings Bounty, (c) by Like no Other Photography, used with kind permission

Anyway, make sure to have a look at their brand new website which holds more album teaser material. Their social sites are available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.