album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Day6 - ‘Unlock’ Album Review
Korean rock band Day6 are no strangers to shattering expectations. Their two full-length albums consisting of songs released as part of the Every Day6 project helped earn them public praise and expanded their passionate fanbase. Due to their originality, the quintet have set a high bar in terms of consistent releases through ideas that in an industry that could easily be described as formulaic, set them apart from the rest of the pack. Add two mini-albums to the mix, and you can see that their extremely solid Korean releases alone have built the band solid foundations, and have proved to people that there is no limit on how far they can go.
By Nathan Sartain7 years ago in Beat
Behemoth - 'I Loved You at Your Darkest' - Review
If for some reason you have been living under a rock for the last few decades, or who knows you might just be getting into the heavier side of music? If this is the case, welcome things are about to get really heavy! Behemoth is a three-piece blackened death metal from Poland, led by the only original member and architect Adam "Nergal" Darski. Nergal, who founded the band originally as a traditional black metal band in 1991 eventually filled out the lineup with a metal award-winning rhythm section in members know as Orion and Inferno. Being around that long they have accumulated a large back catalog that has helped lead the way in the evolution of extreme metal’s evolution. The album I Loved You at Your Darkest is their eleventh studio album and a follow up to the excuse the pun but behemoth of an album in 2014’s “The Satanist” which was a groundbreaking album not only for them be the album was a milestone in showing how far extream music has come. So how did they follow up something that has more accolades seemingly then words in this review? Let's dig in and find out!
By Rip Mitchell7 years ago in Beat
Adam Hopkins - Crickets
Adam Hopkins is yet another creative composer/bassist who steps out on his own, not only with a debut of his sextet but also with a new label that is not only to focus on creative music but also limited runs of visual art. Of course, Hopkins opens the doors of Brooklyn’s OOYH Records (Out of Your Head Records) with the self-titled release of his Crickets.
By Ljubinko Zivkovic7 years ago in Beat
Review of Twenty One Pilots' New LP 'Trench'. Top Story - October 2018.
The 2015 release of Twenty One Pilots' junior LP Blurryface had initiated an era of sensationalism for members Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. Their record’s transition away from quirky alternative pop and towards a more mainstream synth-pop outfit triggered a storm of industry recognition and mixed fan responses, placing Twenty One Pilots at the center of pop music discussion. After two years of relentlessly touring on Blurryface, the duo had stepped down from their international platform to begin working on what is now the fifth addition to their discography, Trench, released October 5. Comprised of their style’s chaotic charm and a backbone of heavy electronic dub, this concept album marks a new age in the timeline of this band’s ever-developing sound.
By Becca Carroll7 years ago in Beat
Zion.T - ‘ZZZ’ Album Review
Anyone who knows me knows my love for Zion.T. The idiosyncratic artist draws various aspects of music together and seemingly effortlessly blends it into something unique and palatable, never losing consistency. For this reason, when it was announced that his latest project, ZZZ, was set to be released, it almost immediately became one of my most anticipated releases of the calendar year. With both the uncertainty and excitement over which style and colour of Zion.T we’d see on display, and a host of clever collaborations announced, when the album was released today, it took me less than a minute to save it and start the journey into what I was sure would be one of this year’s shining examples of good music.
By Nathan Sartain7 years ago in Beat
The Rose - 'Dawn' EP Review
In 2018, it’s rare to hear of a band that started out through busking on the streets. It’s something that attracts me to a band on a personal level. It creates a feeling that the band or artist has a genuine passion towards music and they’re willing to be authentic. They haven’t set out for the fame and success, but rather they enjoy making music and want their hobby to become their life.
By Nathan Sartain7 years ago in Beat
Here’s to Now & to Nothing Else
As The Maine's lovely, little, lonely album era is coming to an end, I've been reflecting on the album and listening to it more than ever. If you haven't heard of The Maine, or only know them from their Warped-Tour style music from 2008, then I highly recommend you give their newest record a listen.
By Kacie Riordan7 years ago in Beat
Reflections on 'Recircle'
Phil Circle is an independent musician based in Chicago. In his album Recircle he reveals some of his lesser known recordings, partly for existing fans and partly for those who are new to his music (like me). The fact that there are only 100 copies of this CD makes it feel special—as though this is a gift for those loyal fans who have stuck with him and follow him closely enough to know about this release. The insert which comes with the CD feels like it is written directly to you—the reader. That intimacy in writing is a talent of Phil's and also comes through in his book An Outback Musician's Survival Guide.
By Sarah Jane7 years ago in Beat
A Review of 'Trench'
As I lay here in bed this morning, there is only one thing on my mind—one of my favorite bands has just dropped a new album and I have’t listened to it yet. Three clicks and a cup of coffee later, I’m on Spotify, bracing myself. I haven’t heard anything but their singles yet, and wondered how they would fit into the narrative of the story that lead singer, Tyler Joseph, always tries to tell.
By Will Jackson7 years ago in Beat
'Trench' Album Review
At last, Twenty-One Pilots have finally released their fourth studio album titled, Trench. The two piece from Ohio, added Trench to the list of their albums: Twenty One Pilots, Vessel, and Blurryface. This album was a year in the making after the duo took a break from their two year tour and had a year long hiatus. Following their most successful album, Blurryface, which is Gold and Platinum certified, and is the first digital album to have all of its songs RIAA certified, Trench has been much anticipated to say the least. It all began with the release of "Jumpsuit," an edgy opening song to the album which they teased in the beginning of July along with a music video. "Jumpsuit" really helped set the tone for the album, it gave it it's story and theme. They released "Nico And The Niners" the same day, a more mellow sounding tune, similar to "Lane Boy" or "Polarize." Then came "Levitate," and a cool music video to go along with it. A few weeks ago they released "My Blood," this song is my personal favorite off the album, not only is it completely different from their usual work, but its almost got a disco vibe to it; its pretty similar to "Heavydirtysoul" or "Semi- Automatic." Their sound hasn’t changed much, it’s just evolved. They know what they want to put out now, especially after the successes with Vessel and Blurryface. Each song is very diverse but extremely captivating, there's not a dull moment while listening.
By Sarah Rush7 years ago in Beat
