SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: TLi
CD Title: Live
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This EP was sent through to our hotmail account.
TLi, Westcountry based punks kill 2 birds with one stone by sending us a Live EP, which shows us what they’re like both on record and live, so that saves a bit of time!
“Fighting Cider,” is a fast paced, true punk rock track with loud but solid drums, fast distorted guitars and the odd screamed backing vocal line. It’s clear that they enjoy what they do as there is a slight laugh from one of the singers during the song, but that just adds to the live effect. It would be good to hear that song properly recorded as there are nuances that are just out of earshot on the live version. Final track ”Smallscreen Horrors,” follows the same basic principle as “Fighting Cider.” Again, fast, short and loud make this song another punk rock belter.
All in all, both tracks are good tracks and their rawness live is encouraging. It would be good to hear them recorded properly but if this is the raw base version, then there is great promise.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Review 27/03/10- Tiberius Project "Dream Over"
SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: Tiberius Project
CD Title: Dream Over
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This EP was sent to our hotmail account.
Brazil is not the first place people think of when you mention metal, but this isn’t the first Brazilian metal band that have come into contact! Tiberius Project kick off their “Dream Over,” EP with “Before Sunrise,” which sounds very much like a Megadeth track, heavy, sweep picked guitars, vocals that are growly and low, and drums which fill everywhere. The lead guitar is perhaps too prominent in the mix, making the vocals even harder to hear and the drums almost non-existent at times. This is a good song, just needs that little bit of polishing on the desk to get the drums as epic as they should be and the lead guitar to take it’s place in the mix without being the centre of attention. “You Bitch!” is better in the mix, the lead guitar being heard but not overpowering the vocals in this Metallica style thrash metal track. The drums let the guitars take the tempo strain while they keep a great platform in the back line. The vocals are more screamed this time, with what sounds like group shouting during the title line which adds more texture to the voice. Final track “Avenger,” starts with a Chinese scale and some samples before kicking in with some more furious thrash guitar and great solos and riffs. The vocals are again the main attraction in the mix while not swamping everything else. This is a straight down the line thrash metal track, no great deviation from the tried and tested formula which means that they can be an average thrash metal band, while the other 2 tracks showed their slight differences. Even the pan pipe solo during “Avenger,” is somewhat expected, but still a welcome textural change.
All in all, a great EP by Tiberius Project which demonstrates their differences and their similarities in the genre. Maybe “Before Sunrise,” needs a bit of a touch up in the studio to just get all of the levels right, but otherwise, great effort.
Band Name: Tiberius Project
CD Title: Dream Over
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This EP was sent to our hotmail account.
Brazil is not the first place people think of when you mention metal, but this isn’t the first Brazilian metal band that have come into contact! Tiberius Project kick off their “Dream Over,” EP with “Before Sunrise,” which sounds very much like a Megadeth track, heavy, sweep picked guitars, vocals that are growly and low, and drums which fill everywhere. The lead guitar is perhaps too prominent in the mix, making the vocals even harder to hear and the drums almost non-existent at times. This is a good song, just needs that little bit of polishing on the desk to get the drums as epic as they should be and the lead guitar to take it’s place in the mix without being the centre of attention. “You Bitch!” is better in the mix, the lead guitar being heard but not overpowering the vocals in this Metallica style thrash metal track. The drums let the guitars take the tempo strain while they keep a great platform in the back line. The vocals are more screamed this time, with what sounds like group shouting during the title line which adds more texture to the voice. Final track “Avenger,” starts with a Chinese scale and some samples before kicking in with some more furious thrash guitar and great solos and riffs. The vocals are again the main attraction in the mix while not swamping everything else. This is a straight down the line thrash metal track, no great deviation from the tried and tested formula which means that they can be an average thrash metal band, while the other 2 tracks showed their slight differences. Even the pan pipe solo during “Avenger,” is somewhat expected, but still a welcome textural change.
All in all, a great EP by Tiberius Project which demonstrates their differences and their similarities in the genre. Maybe “Before Sunrise,” needs a bit of a touch up in the studio to just get all of the levels right, but otherwise, great effort.
Review 27/03/10- Thee Chancers "Miss Morgan"
SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: Thee Chancers
CD Title: Miss Morgan
Press Pack Included: Yes
Review: This EP was sent to our hotmail with a brief biography and contact details for Thee Chancers.
Southampton based Thee Chancers are clearly a band with a bluesy background. “Tomorrow Morning,” kicks off this EP and boy, does it kick it off. There is an urgency, an energy coming off this track with the gritty vocal line and constantly riffing guitar. The drums back up with a solid beat which keeps this track bursting with energy. The breakdown during the song is clean and effective, just building the anticipation for another burst of energy. The guitar riffs near the end of the song are well constructed and well mixed. The title track “Miss Morgan,” is up next and it slows the tempo to a brisk canter, with layers of guitars working well together. The gritty vocals again make this bluesy while the drums yet again tap out a solid rhythm for everyone else to take their lead from. Final track “Colossal Seduction,” is a blues folk number with well written acoustic guitar riffs and chords while the drums take a back seat to let the rhythm guitar keep the beat going. The vocals are slightly less gritty here, but still just as bluesy as they have been throughout.
“Miss Morgan,” is very reminiscent of Rockburn’s EP with it’s clear blues influence and this is on a par with Rockburn too. Not as slick but with this style that Thee Chancers have built, it doesn’t need to be, it needs it’s slight ragged edges. This is a wonderful little EP and this band could do great things.
Band Name: Thee Chancers
CD Title: Miss Morgan
Press Pack Included: Yes
Review: This EP was sent to our hotmail with a brief biography and contact details for Thee Chancers.
Southampton based Thee Chancers are clearly a band with a bluesy background. “Tomorrow Morning,” kicks off this EP and boy, does it kick it off. There is an urgency, an energy coming off this track with the gritty vocal line and constantly riffing guitar. The drums back up with a solid beat which keeps this track bursting with energy. The breakdown during the song is clean and effective, just building the anticipation for another burst of energy. The guitar riffs near the end of the song are well constructed and well mixed. The title track “Miss Morgan,” is up next and it slows the tempo to a brisk canter, with layers of guitars working well together. The gritty vocals again make this bluesy while the drums yet again tap out a solid rhythm for everyone else to take their lead from. Final track “Colossal Seduction,” is a blues folk number with well written acoustic guitar riffs and chords while the drums take a back seat to let the rhythm guitar keep the beat going. The vocals are slightly less gritty here, but still just as bluesy as they have been throughout.
“Miss Morgan,” is very reminiscent of Rockburn’s EP with it’s clear blues influence and this is on a par with Rockburn too. Not as slick but with this style that Thee Chancers have built, it doesn’t need to be, it needs it’s slight ragged edges. This is a wonderful little EP and this band could do great things.
Review 27/03/10- The Reading Room "Running Without Rest"
SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: The Reading Room
CD Title: Running Without Rest
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This track was sent to be considered for Funderworld.
Coventry based folk duo The Reading Room may not quite be out of college, but they know how to put together some quality rhythmic folk. Within the seconds of “Running Without Rest,” it’s clear that these guys have honed their trade. There is a great rhythm to the wonderfully constructed, bright acoustic guitars, a certain jauntiness about the rhythm that is reminiscent of Seth Lakemen’s more fiery moments. The lead line (which maybe a guitar, maybe a mandolin) intertwines fantastically with the impact guitar and even the drums give impact without compromising the overall sound of the track.
“Running Without Rest,” is a beautiful track with great potential, well mixed and produced and with wonderful musicianship.
Band Name: The Reading Room
CD Title: Running Without Rest
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This track was sent to be considered for Funderworld.
Coventry based folk duo The Reading Room may not quite be out of college, but they know how to put together some quality rhythmic folk. Within the seconds of “Running Without Rest,” it’s clear that these guys have honed their trade. There is a great rhythm to the wonderfully constructed, bright acoustic guitars, a certain jauntiness about the rhythm that is reminiscent of Seth Lakemen’s more fiery moments. The lead line (which maybe a guitar, maybe a mandolin) intertwines fantastically with the impact guitar and even the drums give impact without compromising the overall sound of the track.
“Running Without Rest,” is a beautiful track with great potential, well mixed and produced and with wonderful musicianship.
Review 27/03/10- Swirl "Adrenaline"
SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: Swirl
CD Title: Adrenaline
Press Pack Included: Yes
Review: This was sent through to our hotmail with artwork and a brief explanation of the band’s beginnings and their relentless touring from 2009.
Right from the off, it’s clear that “Adrenaline,” is lifted straight from American classic hard rock with the glossy vocals, thumping drums and heavy guitars. This means that it is hard rock by numbers, but this is a good thing. The lack of genre deviation in this genre means that bands can concentrate on writing killer songs and making sure that they are perfectly versed in them. This is a prime example of such beliefs, with well executed guitar solos bringing a break from the solid rhythm work the guitar is doing. The track is well produced and well mixed, meaning that this really does fit perfectly into the American hard rock genre.
All in all, a good little track, nothing too special from Swirl but a great way to be introduced to the band as it leaves you wanting that little bit more.
Band Name: Swirl
CD Title: Adrenaline
Press Pack Included: Yes
Review: This was sent through to our hotmail with artwork and a brief explanation of the band’s beginnings and their relentless touring from 2009.
Right from the off, it’s clear that “Adrenaline,” is lifted straight from American classic hard rock with the glossy vocals, thumping drums and heavy guitars. This means that it is hard rock by numbers, but this is a good thing. The lack of genre deviation in this genre means that bands can concentrate on writing killer songs and making sure that they are perfectly versed in them. This is a prime example of such beliefs, with well executed guitar solos bringing a break from the solid rhythm work the guitar is doing. The track is well produced and well mixed, meaning that this really does fit perfectly into the American hard rock genre.
All in all, a good little track, nothing too special from Swirl but a great way to be introduced to the band as it leaves you wanting that little bit more.
Review 27/03/10- Starblood "Starblood"
SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: Starblood
CD Title: Starblood
Press Pack Included: No
Review: These tracks were sent to our hotmail account.
“Haunted,” kicks off Starblood’s 2 track demo and it begins with something Joy Division would be proud of. Droned synths, digital sounding drums and a sense that this track is going to live up to it’s title. The synth ends up becoming an all too obvious loop which after the 3 minute mark becomes quite grating and too repetitive. It does eventually breed a new riff for a brief period but this is too late as by this point in the track, you’ve begun to switch off. “Door Into Summer,” introduces an acoustic guitar which seems to bring a bit more life to the track, overdubbed riffs sit side by side and work well together while the synth is used for backing music only, while the drums are also overdubbed to create 2 separate rhythms. The introduction of the electric guitar makes this track sound a little like The Cure’s “Wrong Number,” just without being too over reliant on the original loops.
Overall, a good couple of songs, however the repetitiveness of the first track may mean that listeners never get round to the second, much more entertaining track.
Band Name: Starblood
CD Title: Starblood
Press Pack Included: No
Review: These tracks were sent to our hotmail account.
“Haunted,” kicks off Starblood’s 2 track demo and it begins with something Joy Division would be proud of. Droned synths, digital sounding drums and a sense that this track is going to live up to it’s title. The synth ends up becoming an all too obvious loop which after the 3 minute mark becomes quite grating and too repetitive. It does eventually breed a new riff for a brief period but this is too late as by this point in the track, you’ve begun to switch off. “Door Into Summer,” introduces an acoustic guitar which seems to bring a bit more life to the track, overdubbed riffs sit side by side and work well together while the synth is used for backing music only, while the drums are also overdubbed to create 2 separate rhythms. The introduction of the electric guitar makes this track sound a little like The Cure’s “Wrong Number,” just without being too over reliant on the original loops.
Overall, a good couple of songs, however the repetitiveness of the first track may mean that listeners never get round to the second, much more entertaining track.
Review 27/03/10- Splyce "Splyce"
SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: Splyce
CD Title: Splyce
Press Pack Included: No
Review: These tracks were sent for Funderworld consideration.
The package sent through by Splyce starts off with “Infatuation,” a rock stomper with great vocals and guitars that are overdriven and heavy without going too overboard. This track has got a distinctive groove with the bass and drums holding a good rhythm throughout. The track is well mixed, with vocal overdubs that don’t interfere with the well constructed guitar riffs. The second track sent through is “Shame,” another hard rock stomper with a hectic yet wonderfully executed riff as it’s intro. Again, the drums and bass are mixed well and keep a great rhythm throughout. There are moments in this track where the singer is giving his all, and that shows with the slightest break during a long note, but this is all cleaned up so effectively that a casual listener would not notice the change.
All in all, great couple of tracks from Splyce. It would be good to see if they can deviate from their standard a little more, maybe get a cutting edge in an already crowded heavy generic rock market, but they would certainly enjoy some success before having to make any radical changes.
Band Name: Splyce
CD Title: Splyce
Press Pack Included: No
Review: These tracks were sent for Funderworld consideration.
The package sent through by Splyce starts off with “Infatuation,” a rock stomper with great vocals and guitars that are overdriven and heavy without going too overboard. This track has got a distinctive groove with the bass and drums holding a good rhythm throughout. The track is well mixed, with vocal overdubs that don’t interfere with the well constructed guitar riffs. The second track sent through is “Shame,” another hard rock stomper with a hectic yet wonderfully executed riff as it’s intro. Again, the drums and bass are mixed well and keep a great rhythm throughout. There are moments in this track where the singer is giving his all, and that shows with the slightest break during a long note, but this is all cleaned up so effectively that a casual listener would not notice the change.
All in all, great couple of tracks from Splyce. It would be good to see if they can deviate from their standard a little more, maybe get a cutting edge in an already crowded heavy generic rock market, but they would certainly enjoy some success before having to make any radical changes.
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