This is the place where we put reviews of CD's and Live Events/Concerts we've attended.
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CD Reviews
Album:
Alive at the Bat Cave
Review Title:
Spooktacular
Rating (1-5 scale):
5 stars
As a proud owner of the first Specimen album on vinyl, I was both happy & somewhat apprehensive to hear that they would be releasing a live album this year. I mean, it's a long way from 1983 to 2008. And, live albums are often unpredictable from any band. I'm very happy to say that after just one listen, all my apprehensions washed away.
Specimen has always been sassy sinister fun & this disc carries on the tradition in grand style. Fantastic live feel. Very impressive! The original "Vile 5" have achieved something very few other bands have, recapturing their sound & aura after a 25 year break.
"Alive at the Bat Cave" is a great live album experience - the performances are vibrant & well recorded. Also, the sound quality & separation of individual instruments is excellent, including solid thumping drums and thick pulsing bass lines, in beautiful abundance. The stage chatter adds to the charm without becoming too drawn out.
Just add your own supply of beer & cigarette smoke for
the perfect live Specimen experience. And, don't forget to dress up too. If that's not enough for you, add some vid clips from YouTube & you're there (
check the label's website for YouTube links).
As good as this disc is, the negative side is that it doesn't include any brand new songs. But, at least they did include the excellent song "Death Drive" - which is semi-new - from last year's Specimen CD "Electric Ballroom".
I hope this is a sign that Specimen will be releasing more new material. Great work guys, now give us some more, please!
- by DJ Zin
Some Links:
Label:
Eyes Wide Shut Recordings
Management:
Extreme Music Production
To order signed copies
Link to batcave video
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Album:
Your Pain
Review Title:
Pain and Gain
Rating (1-5 scale):
4 stars
Acylum's CD "Your Pain" is like a horror movie for your ears that thrills and haunts you at the same time. To say it's edgy would be an understatement - it blends elements of harsh industrial with the creepiest of Gothic vibes then cuts to the bone like an insane surgeon's scalpel in a frenetic nightmare.
All this is done without becoming cheesy in any way, it's all well done. If you like your music to send a chill up your spine, then Acylum's "Your Pain" should be your favorite. Now, just lie back and listen to your nightmares come alive.
- by DJ Zin
Album:
In the Acts of Violence
Review Title:
Fun With Knives
Rating (1-5 scale):
4.8 stars
This is one album that is destined to become legend. This L.A. based trio are here to show you what you're really afraid of. An instant club hit in each track.
”In the acts of violence”, technically the second full album release, delivers a crippling blow to shatter your sense of safety. Dark pulsing textures, haunting vocals, a flood of downright evil samples, and solid production make this release a must have for all. All subject matter centered horrors most people couldn’t imagine wrapped in devastating beats. I haven't heard such detailed production on an album since "Front Line Assembly- Hardwired". There is a new “Dawn” of EBM, and it promises more terror on the horizon.
- by DJ Legion Graves
Album:
Review Title:
Black & Blue Looks Good on You
Rating (1-5 scale):
5 stars
The Birthday Massacre was formed in 2000 under the name Imagica and relocated from London to Toronto, Ontario in 2001. Their diverse and captivating soundscapes have helped them to build a multi-genre fan base on multiple continents. Explorations into the themes of horror and tragedy mixed with humor and satire are used to help shape their versatile sound.
The new album “Violet” (2005 Metropolis) boasts an intriguing fusion of electronica with a sense of nostalgia and a forceful edge provided by heavy guitar work. The mix becomes intriguingly complex with melodic progressions that have a distinct cinematic appeal. The seemingly timid yet siren-like Chibi is a rare find in a vocalist. Her performance on the track “Blue” will draw you in instantly desiring to hear more from this band.
- by DJ Sin-i-star
Album:
Review Title:
All Chiller, No Filler
Rating (1-5 scale):
4.5 stars
Not for cars, or any other environment where outside noise could obscure the nuances of quieter parts of these songs. And,
it's in those subtleties that this material shows its true excellence. A quiet dark place is best suited for listening and
getting the most from this material.
The experimentation with new sounds and new elements of musical expression works most of the time. There's a lot of emotional
depth in this material as GN explores the darker sides of life and the human spirit. It was interesting to hear the 2 quite
different sounding versions of “Fold” that were included on the CD (my preference was for the “Alternate Version” which I
felt had a more aggressive feel).
Any artist that has been as successful and influential as Gary Numan inevitably faces an uphill battle to impress with any
new material they release. So, I probably had my expectations pre-set unfairly high before I even put this CD into the player.
I didn't quite get to hear something that redefined music as we know it, but was instead treated to a very good CD that can
be enjoyed by both fans & those previously unfamiliar with Gary Numan's work. Gary Numan's creativity has stood the test of
time & so does this CD, getting better and revealing more to like about it with each repeated listen.
- by DJ Zin
Album:
Review Title:
A Return to Greatness
Rating (1-5 scale):
5 stars
I have to start by saying that I’m a huge fan of KMFDM and have been for a very long time. If you think that means I’ll automatically give anything by them a good review, think again. Instead, it means that I have very high expectations and hold them to a very high standard. Okay, now that’s out of the way, on with the review.
Hau Ruck is without a doubt pure excellence! As I listen to it, I get the feeling that KMFDM is back in full force to strike fear into the hearts of the nonbelievers. Not that they ever were really “gone” but simply that the last couple CD’s were okay but not as great as their older stuff. For example, WWIII especially felt a bit off the mark - sure it had some decent material in spots but overall seemed to lack a certain polish. However, with Hau Ruck I get the feel that the new lineup has really become solid, like a well-oiled machine delivering its full force. It’s like an energy drink for your ears, pure exhilarating greatness.
In addition, this great CD gets better the more you listen to it - always a good sign. Perhaps Hau Ruck will supplant Nihil as the CD most often mentioned as the favorite of “true” KMFDM fans and the CD recommended for newcomers as an introduction to the band.
After so much brilliance, the last track threw me off. What was up with that? I’m guessing it was some sort of inside joke. Nonetheless, I decided to let it slide, and in an odd psychological way, it works because it leaves you wanting more of the good stuff.
Did I mention that I really liked this CD? Oh, and I almost forgot to say the official, “KMFDM Sucks.” ;-)
- by DJ Zin
Album:
Crwn Thy Frnicatr
Review Title:
Embrace Your Fear
Rating (1-5 scale):
5 stars
Riding the powerful force of their past release into the Dark Electro scene, San Francisco based Psyclon Nine bring us the new album “Crwn Thy Frnicatr.” (2006 Metropolis) Darker than it’s predecessor, this album features 11 unsettling yet, hypnotic tracks of scary eviscerating beats overlaid with disturbing melodies and screaming serpent-like vocals.
The tracks “Parasitic” and “Better Than Suicide,” present an all out attack on the senses and provide a good place to start the building of the riot. The later track draws you in with a catchiness that fans have come to expect from Dark Electro’s most evil band. This new sojourn into the complex thematic world of Psyclon Nine is an experience that has to be repeated gratuitously and will leave you as a new fan of the genre and band.
- by DJ Sin-i-star
Album:
When Things Are Better EP
Review Title:
Candy Coated Razor Blades
Rating (1-5 scale):
4.5 stars
I became a fan immediately and I want more! They are really on to something great with their style. Romance creates an elegant and enchanting mix of sinister creepiness that’s enveloped in a succulent coating of delicious sugar sweetness -- like an exquisite candy coated razor blade. They mix the elements well, so much so that on their next release I'd like to hear them extend the boundaries, adding more darkness while also adding more sugar at the other end of the spectrum to make the bitterness even more creepy by contrast.
I look forward to their next release whether it's more of the same or if they do push the boundaries a little, either would be good. On the other hand, rather than messing with their current style, maybe they could continue with the same style but also do alternate versions of the songs where the disparate elements of dark and light (bitter & sweet) are pushed even further -- that way us fans would get the best of both worlds (sort of a 2 for 1 deal). Based on their already excellent stylistic foundation, I think this would crank it up a notch, like delicious candy coated poison, yummmm! (sort of a sinister evil wolf in sheep's clothing, or the grim reaper saying he's not going to hurt you in a sweet voice just before he hacks your head off). ROMANCE is excellent!
We've added ROMANCE to our Rising Stars list.
- by DJ Zin
Concert Reviews
Artist: Hanzel Und Gretyl
Hanzel und Gretyl kicked ass last night!!!
I'm not sure I need to say more, but here goes anyway. The show was awesome!!! Bella Morte was great too!
Go go go, go see them. Bring lots of friends.
Great music, great energy, lots of lights, and much out of control crazy fun. Loopy stage diving, Vas shaking the rafters, Jon making those drums beg for mercy then standing on top of them. ...did I mention shots of Jager?... well there was plenty that too.
Then there was Loopy inviting everyone to join HUG on stage. The stage got packed to capacity, the mic got passed around and all the time HUG kept playing. I've seen a lot of shows over the years, but never have I seen a band do this - it's Fukken Uber!!!
Before the show, we got the chance to sit down and chat with HUG. The interview was great! I'm not sure we'll be able to reveal absolutely everything they told us, we were sworn to secrecy on a few things - gotta check the recording & notes about that. But, rest assured that it's going to be fun to read (& if the audio quality came out well enough, we may have some sound bites for you too).
It'll take us some time to get the interview & photos up on our web site - we'll send out a bulletin when it's done.
In the meantime, go see HUG live for yourself.
Special note: THE temporarily cancelled NEW ORLEANS GIG IS BACK ON!!!
- The Goth Radio Staff
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