SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: Death Disco
CD Title: The Proof
Press Pack Included: Yes
Review: The press pack included was very brief with only minimal info and one band picture. The EP cover from which this track is from was included in a ZIP file emailed to our hotmail.
Hailing from Italy, Death Disco describe themselves as “music concerning dark atmospheres although rarely melancholic,” and this is demonstrated by “The Proof.” Most of this track is bass heavy, á la Peter Hook while the guitar is sparingly used throughout. The pre chorus, chorus and post chorus have the guitar veering between melodic riffage and balls to the wall power chords while the drums circle a very familiar beat. The vocals are all in English and sound no different to any Anglo-American band, giving Death Disco a wider appeal than just in their native Italy. The music is not too heavy or dark, just as their claim suggests but there is an atmosphere to this song that transcends normal UK indie pop and most of the American stuff too, placing Death Disco firmly in the 80’s indie rock style (The Smiths et al).
Overall, a good track by Death Disco. Mixed well and well balanced throughout, there are no faults. It would be good to see if they can step it up a gear and really go for the jugular, but this is a good ease into their sound.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Review 20/04/10- Little Room "Little Room"
SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: Little Room
CD Title: Little Room
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This EP was sent to our hotmail account.
First track “Breaking Gnosis,” instantly draws you in with it’s prominent piano and almost sampled drums. This song sounds alot like “Walking After You,” by Foo Fighters, as it’s a low tempo, well mixed track with a great deal of compression and minimalistic instrumentation. As this track is labelled as “Edit,” we would like to see what has been cut from the overall ambiance of the song, but this is a well constructed edit. The second and final track is a rough mix of “Drowning In Mercury.” Even though this is a first mix, it seems that there are few signs of it not being mastered, sounding as good as some other bands polished work. This is a bit more cluttered, but that gives this track a marked difference from it’s predecessor. The drums fill and wander where possible meaning there is a more fluid structure to the overall sound while the guitars don’t get in the way with their riffs leaving the vocals to really shine through. There are a few indications of this track being relatively MOR á la Snow Patrol, but this is no bad thing in the current musical climate.
All in all, a good little package which demonstrates the band’s style well. It would be good to hear a full version of “Breaking Gnosis,” and a finished version of “Drowning In Mercury,“ in the future.
Band Name: Little Room
CD Title: Little Room
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This EP was sent to our hotmail account.
First track “Breaking Gnosis,” instantly draws you in with it’s prominent piano and almost sampled drums. This song sounds alot like “Walking After You,” by Foo Fighters, as it’s a low tempo, well mixed track with a great deal of compression and minimalistic instrumentation. As this track is labelled as “Edit,” we would like to see what has been cut from the overall ambiance of the song, but this is a well constructed edit. The second and final track is a rough mix of “Drowning In Mercury.” Even though this is a first mix, it seems that there are few signs of it not being mastered, sounding as good as some other bands polished work. This is a bit more cluttered, but that gives this track a marked difference from it’s predecessor. The drums fill and wander where possible meaning there is a more fluid structure to the overall sound while the guitars don’t get in the way with their riffs leaving the vocals to really shine through. There are a few indications of this track being relatively MOR á la Snow Patrol, but this is no bad thing in the current musical climate.
All in all, a good little package which demonstrates the band’s style well. It would be good to hear a full version of “Breaking Gnosis,” and a finished version of “Drowning In Mercury,“ in the future.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Review 15/04/10- Megahera "Lethal Noise Of Violence"
SCREAMLITE RECORDS LTD REVIEW FORM
Band Name: Megahera
CD Title: Lethal Noise Of Violence
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This EP was posted to us without a press pack.
Italian metal heads Megahera kick off their EP with “Let It Loose.” This song starts like all classic metal should, fast and loud. The guitars are chugging along at a great pace while the drums keep it all solid at the back. This is pure headbanging material, much like old school Metallica and even some of the really classic Sabbath moments. The vocals are low on volume but the echo effect used creates extra volume. The guitar solos are OTT, but perfectly executed for this genre, not leaving any part of the scale untouched. “Welcome Back (Heavy Metal)” is another fast thrash through the metal genre, but there are subtle nuances in the mix which make the guitars double in frantic energy with the added reverb and echo throughout the track. The drums are very similar to “Let It Loose,” but this is a genre trait. The double bass pedal keeps defying the odds and the vocals are again drenched in echo to create more volume. At around the 4 minute mark in this epic 8 minute song, the bass gets a starring role as the genre seems to shift to a more funk rock footing, with the guitar covered in Hendrix-esque effects and the drums going down in the mix. “Before The Night,” is next up and continues on the standard thrash metal theme. Again, the solos are OTT but well within thrash metal standards, the vocals are still low in the mix and echo throughout while the drums continue to pound away in the background. “Nasty Savage,” rounds off the EP starting with 4 part harmony before going straight into the same thrash guitars. However, the bass then again takes the lead with a very variant riff, something which holds the song together very well.
Overall, a good EP by Megahera. There are flashes of different directions in the EP but are rarely experimented with, which is very much a shame. But for a great example of ’83 era thrash from a modern band, this is well worth a look.
Band Name: Megahera
CD Title: Lethal Noise Of Violence
Press Pack Included: No
Review: This EP was posted to us without a press pack.
Italian metal heads Megahera kick off their EP with “Let It Loose.” This song starts like all classic metal should, fast and loud. The guitars are chugging along at a great pace while the drums keep it all solid at the back. This is pure headbanging material, much like old school Metallica and even some of the really classic Sabbath moments. The vocals are low on volume but the echo effect used creates extra volume. The guitar solos are OTT, but perfectly executed for this genre, not leaving any part of the scale untouched. “Welcome Back (Heavy Metal)” is another fast thrash through the metal genre, but there are subtle nuances in the mix which make the guitars double in frantic energy with the added reverb and echo throughout the track. The drums are very similar to “Let It Loose,” but this is a genre trait. The double bass pedal keeps defying the odds and the vocals are again drenched in echo to create more volume. At around the 4 minute mark in this epic 8 minute song, the bass gets a starring role as the genre seems to shift to a more funk rock footing, with the guitar covered in Hendrix-esque effects and the drums going down in the mix. “Before The Night,” is next up and continues on the standard thrash metal theme. Again, the solos are OTT but well within thrash metal standards, the vocals are still low in the mix and echo throughout while the drums continue to pound away in the background. “Nasty Savage,” rounds off the EP starting with 4 part harmony before going straight into the same thrash guitars. However, the bass then again takes the lead with a very variant riff, something which holds the song together very well.
Overall, a good EP by Megahera. There are flashes of different directions in the EP but are rarely experimented with, which is very much a shame. But for a great example of ’83 era thrash from a modern band, this is well worth a look.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Review 27/03/10- TLi "Live"
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.
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.
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.
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