Misgivings are in no way strangers to the pages of this zine, I reviewed their debut record couple of years ago. Now it is time for their sophomore release with Lockjaw Records. Misgivings are celebrating their tenth birthday and what better way to celebrate it than with releasing new album and also documentary about studio time, featuring interviews with the band. This new one contains ten songs and I can safely say that band evolved further in songwriting making this one even stronger than debut album. What do we get here? Melodic, heartfelt and emotional punk rock with superb vocal melodies, guitar work, backing vocal harmonies and smart and beautiful lyrics which address mental health, endurance in today´s world, dependency and similar topics that I as a listener can totally relate to. My personal favorites on this record are Loyal Souls, Sober Forever and Token Gesture, but you must find yours. I love how this record plays with listener´s emotions, bringing joy and melancholy at the same time. Great second effort.
Canadian label Dental Records keeps giving great stuff to the scene and here is already third compilation of new music just waiting for you to discover it. This time, there are 13 songs by ten bands and I must admit that besides Ink Bomb and No Breakfast Goodbye all the others were total unknown to me prior to this record. I found couple of great bands to peel my ears and eyes too in the future, that being The Softer Side from Florida playing fast melodic skate punk just the way I like it. Also, The Young Rochelles from NY are my personal favorite with their Ramonescore reminding me of Teenage Bottlerocket in a way. Last Chance Marie from Canada are also great with kinda rough yet melodic punk rock delivering punch in my face how good their music is. Big Spin from Mexico are also fast and full of energy just the way I like it.
Another great compilation indeed and more great bands I discovered!
Metal Blade Records are one of the biggest and most important metal record labels out there. Their impact on the scene has been enormous and legions of fans and all of the fantastic releases can testify that and leave us legacy that can hardly be surpassed. But, do not get me wrong, this label still goes strong now almost fourty years since its inception and this book is the story about how Brian Slagel, lifer in metal started it all. From early eighties and first Metal Massacre compilation till today, Brian tells us story about start of label in his mother´s house, gradation to being big, nineties grunge invasion and downfall of metal retreating to rebuild and regroup across metalcore and bringing story to temporary closure in nowadays of digital download and streaming. Story is told through Brian´s eyes but also through interviews with many scene people like James Hetfield, Johann Hegg, King Diamond, Brian´s friends and associates from the label and many more. What I like about this book is that it taught me a lot. Business side of things, a bit of luck you must have and also there are lots of anecdotes in this one, making it one nice read. Above all and most important is Brian´s love for metal and lifetime devotion to the scene he helped create and much respect and love for that.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 