Montreal based Iron Asparagus released their new debut e.p. containing four songs. I love album and song titles like this one, so it was a hitter. This one starts aggressive in thrash metal vein but continues as kind of melodic doom on choruses and later on in the song, the title song is a hit and I like it very much, kind of like Overkill meets Sabbath patchwork. ‘Orbitoclast’ starts a bit atmospheric almost ballad like, continuing in the vein of stoner grease mixed with thrash metal. But, basically this song is ballad sometimes reminding me of Queensryche but maybe that is only me hearing that. ‘Mr.Molotov’ has eerie atmosphere with that melody being sung quietly in the start and end of the song and although not fast, it is probably the heaviest song on the record. Heaviness continues with ‘Diamond In The Dirt’ being somehow classic Bay Area influenced thrash metal with all the best this genre provided, also with some death metal growls in the vocals. Great debut.
Original Sharks are hailing from Brooklyn, New York, but they don’t play NYHC, they play melodic punk like it was played in the nineties on all those glorious bands and releases but also with some newer emo and pop punk thrown in here and there for good measure. There are eight songs on this little release, being quite short but effective. There you have your fast melodic skate punk in songs like ‘Old Standards’ or ‘Kit Carson’ but there are also slower more mid tempo heart rendering emotions of ‘Mudhound’. Vocals are a bit sad sounding, I mean like feeling sadness when singing and they are great. Backing vocal harmonies are just in right places and lyrics are personal, but written in a smart way and you can totally read them and think about and relate in your personal life, which once more confirms that music is life, life is music and we are in this scene because of that. This is a great band, so go support and throw some love their way. Record is ‘name your price’ but I am sure band will appreciate any kind of support and love.
Sunliner were already featured on the pages of this zine when they released their single from this debut album that came out with Lockjaw Records. UK scene is alive and thriving with some great bands and releases coming out every month and week. These Leeds based band presents ten songs on this new opus. The music can be described as that pop punk influenced melodic punk rock that somehow soothes and heals broken heart and soul. Music is mid tempo mainly, creating beautiful melodies also some post punk dreamy vibes like in ‘Jo, Joni, Mary and Maria’. Vocals are rougher edged but fit like glove to the overall atmosphere of the songs and what Sunliner tried to create here lyrically. Well, lyrics are so well written and personal that everyone can relate to. This might be seen as a concept album if you watch it lyrically as one man’s voyage through life. My personal favorites on this great pop punk record are: ‘4AM’, ‘Salad Days’ and ‘What A Time To Be Alive’.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 