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. 

Album preview: Vortex - The Asylum

Ok, let's sneak a bit into a upcoming record. We haven't done this in a whle here on the blog but this new album trailer of the canadian metal band Vortex somehow got me.

The band Vortex, (c) by Vortex, used with kind permission

Besides the growls there's something in the compact and pure sounding recordings that found my attention.

I think it's the coolness of how the band performs the different song segments. It's also the many changes in the song structures that made me like them. It doesn't get montone so quickly and most of all with the lighter overall feeling the sound remains enjoyable while still staying in a heavy tonality.


The brand new record "The Asylum" will be shipped out on Friday the 13 via their label PRC music. You can pre-order the silver disc on the website of the label. So it looks as if that day will hopefully not be a black friday. :-)

Check out Vortex's Facebook page to see a video for a first full song of the album.

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