Devil To Pay – Fate Is Your Muse – CD Review

Devil To Pay
Fate Is Your Muse
Ripple Music
Release Date: Out Now
Review by David Norris

The thing that has always impressed me the most about DEVIL TO PAY is that based purely on appearances, this Indianapolis 4-piece doesn’t seem to be the type of band to offer any intellectual stimulation for the listener. As the old adage goes, looks can be deceiving.

Triton Festival announces first bands

The Vampire Freaks are turning on the Triton Festival this year in New York. The three day festival will feature 21 bands at the Irving Plaza.  Bands announced on the line-up so far include:

Combichrist + Assemblage 23 + The Dreaming + Psyclon Nine + FGFC820 + Unter Null + Dawn Of Ashes + Ego Likeness

The festival will take place from Friday 6 September to Sunday 8 September 2013.

More bands are expected to be announced soon.

More information can be found at the Triton Music Festival website. http://www.tritonfestival.com

Photos: All Tomorrow’s Parties

All Tomorrow’s Parties, Melbourne
Melbourne
Photos by Rod Hunt

 

Photos: Electric Horse + Epidemic Over + These Four Walls

Electric Horse + Epidemic Over + These Four Walls
The Tempo Hotel, Brisbane
23 March 2013
Photos by Shaun Watson

Photos: Tensions Arise + The Damned Humans + Creo

Tensions Arise + The Damned Humans + Creo
The Factory Theatre, Sydney
22 March 2013
Photos by Jess Miller

Jericco – Beautiful in Danger – CD Review

Jericco
Beautiful in Danger
Release Date: 19 April 2013
Independent
Review By: Rod Whitfield

When a band has a significant change in sound and style after it has been well established, the question is always ‘is the change for the better or worse?’

In the case of Melbourne alternative rock act JERICCO, the change has come, and the answer to that question is a resounding ‘neither’. Formerly a far more progressive heavy alternative rock act, with heavy Middle Eastern overtones, the band’s first two EPs were superb, powerful progressive rock juggernauts, with lengthy songs and a strong TOOL influence.

That has been replaced with shorter, more streamlined rock tunes, with a greater sense of variety and urgency. In short, they do the latter just as well as they were doing the former.
Variety is the key here. There are still plenty of powerhouse anthems for serious rock fans to sink their teeth into. ‘Monsters’, ‘Cigarettes and Conversations’ and ‘The Executioner’ rock hard, with intensity, conviction and meaning. Songs such as these will still get fists pumping, hearts racing and blood pumping, especially in a live setting.

But then there’s tracks such as the acoustic ballad ‘Moonlight Highlights’, which while quite dark is still singalong catchy and features some very tasteful, counterpointing strings. Isn’t it amazing how acoustic guitars and subtle string virtually always work a treat. Plus, in the title track, they have scored an absolute winner. Based on an ‘oud’, which is an Arabic lute-like stringed instrument, the song is a beautiful, unique piece of art, and rounds the album out in compelling, atmospheric and idiosyncratic fashion. And reminds the listener of their Middle Eastern routes.

‘Beautiful in Danger’ is the perfect name for an album such as this. It is indeed beautiful, but it’s also kinda fragile at the same time. That fragility is carried superbly by the voice of singer Brent McCormick. These guys have crafted an album that is powerful, anthemic, but subtle and ambient at the same time. It’s a debut of rare quality, and should put them on the map in Australian rock in a big way.

Jerrico
http://www.facebook.com/jericcoband

Test

Photos: The Mark Of Cain. The Metro Theatre, Sydney. 23 March 2013

The Mark Of Cain
The Metro Theatre, Sydney
23 March 2013
Photos by David Youdell

Nouveaux announces EP launch

Sydney industrial metal band, NOUVEAUX will launch their new EP, ‘Evolve’ in Sydney on 5 April 2013.

‘Evolve’ marks the bands continued transgression from its beginnings as a 3 piece industrial/ aggrotech project to the full blown, 6 member industrial metal outfit it has become. Taking influences from band like STATIC-X, FEAR FACTORY, KMFDM and PSYCLON NINE, the EP demonstrates a stronger emphasis on heavy guitar driven songs while still maintaining the large synth backgrounds and Industrial atmospheres they were born from.

NOUVEAUX EP Launch
Friday 5 April
Imperial Hotel, Sydney
7pm
$15
With VIRAL MILLENNIUM, AMODUS, ILCONTENT, FOUNDRY ROAD and LARRY LEADFOOT

‘Evolve’ is out now via RTD Records.

Nouveaux
https://www.facebook.com/noveauxofficial

RTD Records
http://www.rtdrecords.com/

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Countdown to Pennywise: Unknown Road

Every day for ten days we’re counting down PENNYWISE’s studio albums in the lead up to their Australian tour.  Today we’re focusing on their second album, ‘Unknown Road’.

Released on 17 August 1993, this album made no impact on the Billboard Magazine charts, but this was the second and last album to do so.  This was the album that gained the band support spots with high profile bands like THE OFFSPRING.

Vocalist, Jim Lindberg, left the band briefly before returning to record this new album.

So what’s your favourite song from this album?  Tell us by posting a comment below and you’ll go in the running for signed PENNYWISE CDs and posters.
1.     Unknown Road
2.     Homesick
3.     Time to Burn
4.     It's Up to Me
5.     You Can Demand
6.     Nothing
7.     Vices
8.     City Is Burning
9.     Dying to Know
10.     Tester
11.     Try to Conform
12.     Give and Get
13.     Clear Your Head

PENNYWISE Australian tour dates

TUESDAY 2 APRIL  – PERTH, METRO FREMANTLE – 18+
www.oztix.com.au

THURSDAY 4 APRIL – MELBOURNE, THE PALACE – 18+
www.oztix.com.au / www.ticketek.com.au

FRIDAY 5 APRIL – SYDNEY, UNSW ROUNDHOUSE – Lic A/A
www.ticketek.com.au

SATURDAY 6 APRIL – BRISBANE, THE TIVOLI – 18+
www.ticketek.com.au
Under 18 ticket holders for the Brisbane Eatons’ Hill show can obtain a full refund from the point of purchase.

SUNDAY 7 APRIL – GOLD COAST, COOLANGATTA HOTEL – 18+
www.oztix.com.au

TUESDAY 9 APRIL  – ADELAIDE, HQ – 18+
www.oztix.com.au / www.venuetix.com.au

Check out ‘Homesick’. Is it your favourite?