Showing Teeth : " A Fate Worse Than Loneliness"

 This is a solo artist who works with session musicians. This would not be odd if it were a pop artist, but instead it's a commentary on where the genre is heading. She has a very specific vocals paproach that is not broken up with clean sining until the second song. Her clean vocals are the kind of smooth pop hook that we now expect from the pop-focused corner of the genre that is spreading the fastest; you can hear Spiritbox influence in this but without the same scope of songwriting. My first thought was this was being done by AI, as it takes a middle-of-the-road approach even at its angriest. 

"Make It Out" employs more groove. The pop vocals lead the way here; the chorus is not as explosive, and the song itself backs away from the metallic approach until midway in and then it feels predictable. She has a decent voice but is not Courtney.  Laplante has a more defined personality. Once we get to 'Rip," things take more ofa turn toward generic. There is a more technical aspect to the riffs bringing the chaos to this one that jerks you around a bit. 

"Shallow Grave" finds the screaming and chugging back in place.     It really does feel heavy or hooky at this time as it follows the formula KillSwitch Engage laid out over 20 years ago. "Paradigm' closes the album out. It's a ballad that finds you waiting for the other shoe to drop, because you know it will, as it's basically a power ballad. A pop beat comes in to keep it moving before the guitar comes in.  Like Nostradamus, my prophecy comes true, and the harsh vocals come in before the song ends. This drops on Spinefarm September  4th, and I am sure she will be hitting the big rock fest circuit stages. I will give ths album a 8.5, as it is effective at what it does. 

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Gothtober- the Damned : "the Rockfield Files"

 

Much like Killing Joke these guys have kept up with the times. Perhaps not not as sharply as Killing Joke. The first track is much more rock n roll. They fake you out making you think it is going to be more goth than it is, then go into something that sounds more like the Beatles. I can deal with Beatles influence even Type o Negative has it. This is a little happier than I want from them. Some of the keyboards soun like if an old hippy garage band got back together to recapture the magic. It is three of the orginal members with a new keyboardist. Pinch is on drums and this is his last recording with the band. . The keyboards are too high the mix is the main problem. 

Lyrically the first song is about the perspective of a bee going about his business. It sounds like these golden girls have taken to smoking a ton of  weed. David's voice sounds great. 'the Spider the Fly" he sounds a little like Tom Jones. He might be 63, putting at two years younger than Danzig. His voice sounds ten years younger where Danzig sounds every bit of 65. "Manipulator" falls closer to their more classic sound. It's more rock n roll than what I would call punk. There is more drive on "Spider the Fy" the 60s Las Vegas sound is forgivable as it's just a really well written song despite the Tom Jones tendencies. There is even a riff on here that reminds me of Steppenwolf.

This is one of the forefathers of goth releasing an album in October. Why did they not put out something that leaned into the them more. Are they thinking these hippy anthems. The lyrics to the last song 'Black is the Night" lines up more with what you except from them but this could be a Monkees reunion album. That might be more goth since most of the Monkees are dead. They are great musicians and solid song writers even if it leaves me wondering who passed Captain Sensible the bong. The songs did grow on me and it's a fun easy listen even if it's not exactly as dark as I want it to be so I'll give it a 9.

3.7

He is Legend : "White Bat"

6 albums in you pretty much know what you are going to get from these guys. Though there might be a more spastic energy to this album than what I have heard from them in the past. If Corrosion of Conformity smokes a bunch of meth, the results might be the same. The vocals are very dynamic. Typically in a throaty scream, he does let up and actually sing in places. It is a smooth yet grungy croon. This side of the band that delves into more melodic territory emerges on "When the Woods Were Young". The traces of the more emo influenced Myspace scene they formed among, can be heard on "Eye Teeth". There is still enough grit to make this not offensive. Though from some of the intervals the vocals use this era is not forgotten.

Some songs work better than others , there energy normally compensates on songs like "Talking Stalker" . When they lean more heavily into melody it pays off. "Bent" does not allow all the focus to be on the vocal melody as things stay frantic and chaotic underneath. "Resister, Resist Her" dials up the melody. There are still flourishes of guitar heroics, but it more balanced/. Melody is their strength especially when it is brooding and introspective as " Uncanny Valley" takes this  even further. They continue this winning streak with a well balanced blend of melody and the bite they like to lash out with. The guitar tones shift. The drumming is more nuanced, to make for a more dynamic performance.

There is more groove to "Skin So Soft" . The vocals are not as locked in as the previous songs, but it still works. The album closes with "Boogie Woman" its heavier than the second half of the album,. I am not sure the guitar and the vocals ar as entwined in their most interesting dance here. In fact this song begins to bor me mid way through. The first time that has happened on this album. This might have been better left as a bonus track. I will give this album a 9. It is most interesting at it's most melodic. I think fans of this band will have little issue embracing this album.   
  

Hellhorse : "s/t:

This band recalls the drug summer's of the late nineties in their take on post-grunge stoner metal. Vocally there is more rock to the singer's roar, while the band pounds behind him with a power that calls Soundgarden's and the Melvins more muscular moments. The only thing I don't like about this band is the fact they have two singers, and my theory is just have one singer who can do both. But if I try to block that out then this is a pretty fun ride. Production wise this album was meant to be played loud at it over powers my computers speakers with it's overdriven grit. I don't fee like the second song really holds up to the kind of power thrown around in the opener. I like the more blues baked dynamics to the melodies of "Fortune Favors the Bold". Which ever singer they chose to sing "Blood Boiler" is the one that needs to go. I do like the singer who sings more than the guy who does the punk yelling. It could be this song just doesn't play to the band's strengths even when they go for a more Clutch like thing.


 The alt-metal of "Hell of A Ride" has a better groove, but could use a stronger melody. The hooks just don't grab me as hard as this band is capable of doing. There is more of a metal gallop to "Raise the Black Flag" that justifies the bellow of the throaty vocals. There is a little more melody put into the melody of riff to "Hell Haven". The vocals set the baritone croon the yelled vocal, which can be a little awkward at times. They are heavier on the closing "No Fucks Given" which builds into a more southern gospel section, lyrically it's a little silly with the lines about joining the circus. I'll give this one an 8, it falls a little short of being something I need in my iPod for daily listening, but there are some really good songs, the first and the 3rd song being the most impressive. It's a little more middle of the road than where my tastes normally go and when I am in the mood to listen to this sort of thing I would listen to Clutch instead. But if you want so hard rock with a punk edge then this band from Denmark is worth your time.