Well hey, it's another music writeup. This time it's an E.P. called 'One Last Time' by a band called The Raven, which is the band that has the little widget in the first post. They're described as Euro-American metal/dance metal, which isn't as questionable as it sounds. They've got a bite to their music, but it is rather good to dance to, in that way that Sisters Of Mercy songs are. They're a fairly new band, having been kicking around since 2007, and this E.P. does have some weaker points to it, however it is still incredibly fun, being dark and atmospheric without getting too self-important, and the way the whole thing is put together shows that this is a band with a lot of potential.
Track 1: Fireflies - starts off with a nice guitar riff for seven seconds as an introduction before descending quickly into a snarling pit of music. Despite the initial scream, one of the nicest things on the track is Davey Strehler's voice, which is melodic and very nice, if a little mismatched compared to the rest of the song, however, the guitar adds crunching chords to the mix, and the drums pound in the background in a way that gives the song momentum and overall it is a strong opening to what is a thoroughly enjoyable E.P.
Track 2: Self Denial - here, Davey picks up the pace a bit as the track opens. The chorus itself is a snarling, jagged thing that manages to achieve that rare thing: screams that are decipherable as words without the help of a lyric booklet. Once again, the guitar and drums are what carries the song forwards, whole thing rushing along at a pace that really does bring to mind falling, which matches the lyrics well. The solo soars with ominous energy before launching into the final chorus.
Track 3: One Last Time - unlike the previous two songs, the title track is a calm breather, opening with a piano before the vocals and guitar enter the mix, followed by violins in what is a startlingly beautiful tune. But don't think this is the token slow song that is often weak on a CD. This too has the same drive and power behind the instruments that builds as the song goes on, with what are almost eerie returns to the piano riff playing on its own that send tingles up the spine.
Track 4: Eleanor Rigby - a brief silence leads into this next piece which starts with a melodic explosion of strings and guitars and thudding drums before a return to something similar to Fireflies in the way the guitar has returned to the same crunching style, however this keeps the melody and string section of the previous track, and also brings back the snarls of Self Denial, this time keeping them on the outskirts of the music as if lurking at the side of some dark road. The song then spirals into a strange yet hypnotic hybrid of metal solo and string section
Track 5: Devil's Path - and this is where the notion of 'dance metal' really takes centre stage. This song hurtles right back into the heavier territory of the first two tracks, with a thudding, addictive riff and a dark, heavy sound that has a beat you really could dance to. Here is also where Davey Strehler's vocals really come into their own. He keeps his deep, languid tones backed by snarls, but here is the track where he truly sounds like he is enjoying himself, which adds a whole new layer of playful seduction to the E.P. which makes it all the more enjoyable as this final song, with its catchy chorus and inviting melody, truly does entice you onto the dark devil's path of The Raven's music.
So there you go. In the space of five tracks, all kinds of influences can be heard that mesh together into an E.P. . I suppose this band could be hailed as 'the new HIM', except in my opinion they could actually be better if not comercially, then musically at least. So keep an eye on them, I think they could be big.
So go and take a listen. It's dark, sexy and atmospheric.
08/06/2009
20/04/2009
Monday Music - Billy Talent
Well, in order to soften the blow of the holidays ending (over here, at least) I thought I might distract everyone with one of my favourite albums: Billy Talent's self-titled debut. In case you haven't heard of them, Billy Talent are a Canadian rock band, and if you ask me, one of the greatest modern rock bands. So today I've decided to spread the music, or my opinion of it at least in an amateur writeup. But in all seriousness, the only way to get an idea of exactly what I'm talking about in this is to listen to the songs themselves.
If the song title has a link, it means that there is a music video to it.
Track 1: This Is How It Goes - Starting off, this has possibly one of the best openings I have come across. The first riff sounds tense and ready to snap at any moment, and then it explodes into the main song, before returning to the first riff in time for the verse. The lyrics themselves are powerful and angry and everything punk rock should be. The bridge calms down a little compared to the vicious attacks of the chorus without becoming weak. Overall, great way to start an album.
Lyric sample: "So I hold my breath 'til my heart explodes, 'cause this is how it is and this is how it goes!"
Track 2: Living In The Shadows - Another great opening. Here, everything is a bit tighter compared to the slightly chaotic first track, but not any less immediate. The message of the lyrics is clearer here as well, an angry rant against hypocrites and liars. Basically, This Is How It Goes grabs the listener's attention, and this draws them in with its addictive riffs.
Lyric sample: "Distant loud chuckles, keep me awake. Awkward instances won't make you hip."
Track 3: Try Honesty - This is where Billy Talent's melodic ability really begins to shine through. This whole song sounds like the shadows inside the mind of someone who's pretty much given up on life and is being driven mad. However, don't think it's veered off into moaning. The same power is channeled here as well, just in a slightly different way, with a greater use of vocal harmony and a killer chorus/bridge. Each band member's ability is shown on this track, with each instrument sounding brilliant, the final part of the song feeling like something has snapped, releasing whatever demons were lurking in the previous two tracks.
Lyric sample: "Insane assault, so sly. Your well of lies ran dry."
Track 4: Line And Sinker - Starting off with a shout that sums up the whole song. Here, the vocals are defiant and the riffs quick and deadly. This is where the tension from the previous songs gets released to really get a good kick into the eardrums. It ends just as abruptly as it starts, leaving the listener to sit back and recover slightly.
Lyric sample: "What you see is what you get!"
Track 5: Lies - A much more melodic and slightly slower song that shows that Ben can carry a song without screaming. Aaron's drumming is as solid as ever, and the combination of Ian's guitar and Jonathan's bass creates a wall of music that supports the song perfectly. Once again, the song builds up towards the end, showing there is only more to come.
Lyric sample: "The rug has not been pulled over our eyes you fool, we can see right through!"
Track 6: The Ex - Another vicious attack, except this time it is much more personal. Everyone has been here, wondering why the hell someone who we loved has decided we're just not good enough. Once again, the aggression that is the driving force behind many songs is here in full force, but it never becomes too overbearing, and keeps on track the whole time.
Lyric sample: "She can go to hell I'll never be the same"
Track 7: River Below - This shows a subtle difference from the other tracks here, being almost like a demented march in the call-and-response verses (with lyrics that are incredibly playful compared to the subject matter) and strict rhythm, telling the story of yet another person sick of the lot they're given, yet this time something pushes them to take action against the world.
Lyric sample: "New monster... to burn your family tree down."
Track 8: Standing In The Rain - Things calm down a bit once again as we enter the world of a woman walking the street every night for twenty years, addicted to drugs, rained on, used up and slowly dying away. The whole song sounds almost like a death march, especially the bass line. This song isn't so much an attack like the others as the portrait of someone saying that they just want it all to end as the song goes around in circles, dragging itself down its own spiral.
Lyric sample: "Milk carton mugshot baby, mother I have lost my way."
Track 9: Cut The Curtains - Here, the music sounds deeper and darker, with a renewed energy as the persona becomes someone ready to drop everything to run off and follow their dreams with the one they love. Every note here sparks with life and passion and an exhuberence that makes this track different to all the others before it, as well as a very rewarding use of quiet-loud dynamic changes and a very fun guitar solo.
Lyric sample: "So don't be, a grey cloud when there's none in the sky."
Track 10: Prisoners Of Today - Almost a companion to the previous song, this one sounds almost sad right from the start, telling the story of people just as idealistic as those in the other song, yet these are trapped in their lives already. The riffs here, particularly in the guitar, are almost schizophenic, seeming to switch between the sad and downtrodden and powerful and energetic with no warning.
Lyric sample: "So tell me why should we stay, prisoners of today?"
Track 11: Nothing To Lose - This is the saddest song in the album, an almost painful account of a teenager driven to suicide. Once again the bass assumes a trudging death-march, and the drumming is incredibly subdued throughout the verses, and the guitar plays a melody that seems like it is trapped within this broken persona in the lyrics. The whole song builds up throughout, leading to the inevitable conclusion that still gives a shock to the system when it is finally revealed.
Lyric sample: "Need more friends with wings, all the angels I know put concrete in my veins."
Track 12: Voices Of Violence - This track makes the album go out with a bang as every member of the band rallies for one final assault on everything wrong in society, showing that despite the misery in the world, they're not going to lie down and die, but instead put up a fight. This song is fast and loud, with throat-ripping screams tangling with singing that is almost like a warcry. It also has a brilliant instrumental/solo section that is possibly the best out of an album of great ones, ending with a kick.
Lyric sample: "Don't wait for, a knight in shining armour. Your saviour's reflected in the mirror."
So the whole album is one huge wake-up call that refuses to be kept down, not to mention great for blasting away those beginning-of-the-week cobwebs.
Sorry if my writing style is a little clumsy. This is my first attempt, and I hope to get better over time.
And as a little piece of trivia, this is the album that got me listening to music. Before, I pretty much point blank refused to listen to music, but my friend showed me 'Nothing To Lose' and 'Lies', and something clicked. Since then, music has become a very big part of my life. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
If the song title has a link, it means that there is a music video to it.
Track 1: This Is How It Goes - Starting off, this has possibly one of the best openings I have come across. The first riff sounds tense and ready to snap at any moment, and then it explodes into the main song, before returning to the first riff in time for the verse. The lyrics themselves are powerful and angry and everything punk rock should be. The bridge calms down a little compared to the vicious attacks of the chorus without becoming weak. Overall, great way to start an album.
Lyric sample: "So I hold my breath 'til my heart explodes, 'cause this is how it is and this is how it goes!"
Track 2: Living In The Shadows - Another great opening. Here, everything is a bit tighter compared to the slightly chaotic first track, but not any less immediate. The message of the lyrics is clearer here as well, an angry rant against hypocrites and liars. Basically, This Is How It Goes grabs the listener's attention, and this draws them in with its addictive riffs.
Lyric sample: "Distant loud chuckles, keep me awake. Awkward instances won't make you hip."
Track 3: Try Honesty - This is where Billy Talent's melodic ability really begins to shine through. This whole song sounds like the shadows inside the mind of someone who's pretty much given up on life and is being driven mad. However, don't think it's veered off into moaning. The same power is channeled here as well, just in a slightly different way, with a greater use of vocal harmony and a killer chorus/bridge. Each band member's ability is shown on this track, with each instrument sounding brilliant, the final part of the song feeling like something has snapped, releasing whatever demons were lurking in the previous two tracks.
Lyric sample: "Insane assault, so sly. Your well of lies ran dry."
Track 4: Line And Sinker - Starting off with a shout that sums up the whole song. Here, the vocals are defiant and the riffs quick and deadly. This is where the tension from the previous songs gets released to really get a good kick into the eardrums. It ends just as abruptly as it starts, leaving the listener to sit back and recover slightly.
Lyric sample: "What you see is what you get!"
Track 5: Lies - A much more melodic and slightly slower song that shows that Ben can carry a song without screaming. Aaron's drumming is as solid as ever, and the combination of Ian's guitar and Jonathan's bass creates a wall of music that supports the song perfectly. Once again, the song builds up towards the end, showing there is only more to come.
Lyric sample: "The rug has not been pulled over our eyes you fool, we can see right through!"
Track 6: The Ex - Another vicious attack, except this time it is much more personal. Everyone has been here, wondering why the hell someone who we loved has decided we're just not good enough. Once again, the aggression that is the driving force behind many songs is here in full force, but it never becomes too overbearing, and keeps on track the whole time.
Lyric sample: "She can go to hell I'll never be the same"
Track 7: River Below - This shows a subtle difference from the other tracks here, being almost like a demented march in the call-and-response verses (with lyrics that are incredibly playful compared to the subject matter) and strict rhythm, telling the story of yet another person sick of the lot they're given, yet this time something pushes them to take action against the world.
Lyric sample: "New monster... to burn your family tree down."
Track 8: Standing In The Rain - Things calm down a bit once again as we enter the world of a woman walking the street every night for twenty years, addicted to drugs, rained on, used up and slowly dying away. The whole song sounds almost like a death march, especially the bass line. This song isn't so much an attack like the others as the portrait of someone saying that they just want it all to end as the song goes around in circles, dragging itself down its own spiral.
Lyric sample: "Milk carton mugshot baby, mother I have lost my way."
Track 9: Cut The Curtains - Here, the music sounds deeper and darker, with a renewed energy as the persona becomes someone ready to drop everything to run off and follow their dreams with the one they love. Every note here sparks with life and passion and an exhuberence that makes this track different to all the others before it, as well as a very rewarding use of quiet-loud dynamic changes and a very fun guitar solo.
Lyric sample: "So don't be, a grey cloud when there's none in the sky."
Track 10: Prisoners Of Today - Almost a companion to the previous song, this one sounds almost sad right from the start, telling the story of people just as idealistic as those in the other song, yet these are trapped in their lives already. The riffs here, particularly in the guitar, are almost schizophenic, seeming to switch between the sad and downtrodden and powerful and energetic with no warning.
Lyric sample: "So tell me why should we stay, prisoners of today?"
Track 11: Nothing To Lose - This is the saddest song in the album, an almost painful account of a teenager driven to suicide. Once again the bass assumes a trudging death-march, and the drumming is incredibly subdued throughout the verses, and the guitar plays a melody that seems like it is trapped within this broken persona in the lyrics. The whole song builds up throughout, leading to the inevitable conclusion that still gives a shock to the system when it is finally revealed.
Lyric sample: "Need more friends with wings, all the angels I know put concrete in my veins."
Track 12: Voices Of Violence - This track makes the album go out with a bang as every member of the band rallies for one final assault on everything wrong in society, showing that despite the misery in the world, they're not going to lie down and die, but instead put up a fight. This song is fast and loud, with throat-ripping screams tangling with singing that is almost like a warcry. It also has a brilliant instrumental/solo section that is possibly the best out of an album of great ones, ending with a kick.
Lyric sample: "Don't wait for, a knight in shining armour. Your saviour's reflected in the mirror."
So the whole album is one huge wake-up call that refuses to be kept down, not to mention great for blasting away those beginning-of-the-week cobwebs.
Sorry if my writing style is a little clumsy. This is my first attempt, and I hope to get better over time.
And as a little piece of trivia, this is the album that got me listening to music. Before, I pretty much point blank refused to listen to music, but my friend showed me 'Nothing To Lose' and 'Lies', and something clicked. Since then, music has become a very big part of my life. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
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