Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Across The Sea No. 7: Archaic Smile


From the ashes of a year’s hiatus, melodic hardcore band, Archaic Smile is now back with a new line-up and a drive to make the Bristol hardcore outfit be deservingly heard. They have played alongside mighty bands such as It Prevails and All Guns Blazing from their past experiences, thus, proving their worth.

Archaic Smiles’ new 2-track EP album, “This City”, has a personality of sticking to their English roots. The first track, same name of the EP, opens up fervent screaming vocals thorough followed by spoken sung that gives the listener a surprise of that strong rhotic Bristolian English accent. The second track, “Ocean Related Trauma”, pops a melody that is much present in modern hardcore but is well crafted ending with fading screams to present the feel of darkness through a lyrically “dark” track.

Archaic Smile gives me a hint of sublime young hardcore horde with the fanatical screaming vocals mixing a twist of their inhabitant accent, and old-fashioned melodic guitar works that works with a more contemporary hardcore drum beats. Modern melodic hardcore bands are notable for their triplets and tapping guitar and bass, but this EP’s work is pretty old school having to use more authentic standard straight distorted guitar riffs. And this however amazingly bonds together with a more modern double pedalled drum work. This is a good paradigm where the old and new collide to pull off a great incorporating jar of complex techniques to vanguard the well-constructed album. This is the thing I like about this album overall. For a comeback, Archaic Smile simply bears out their musically-driven merit.

You can download “The City” EP and song lyrics for free by visiting: 
www.facebook.com/ArchaicSmileUK

By  Aiko Ilagan

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Across the sea no.7: Oponente Interno



Voces Y Gritos EP
1. Voces Y Gritos
2. Activa Voluntad

Oponente Interno is a band from Ecuador in South America and they have a Digital EP called Voces Y Gritos that was released last year and this is available for free download. I always appreciate those bands who share their music for free, I strongly believed that music should be free specially if its on a digital format. 

Opening track Voces Y Gritos or Shouts and Cries in English is heavy, infused with some metal influence. This track sounds more like Earth Crisis and As I Lay Dying. Great guitar works and heavy pounding drums, high on energy, enough to start a moshpit and some sing along. On Activa Voluntad, the band tries to be melodic opening the song with bass line with complex guitar riffs reminds of melodic hardcore bands of the late 90's and early 2000. I just wish they include lyrics with translations or explanation since the songs were written in Spanish. 

For me hardcore is not just about music, it is always  important to have the lyrics sheet as well. I want to know the reason why are you screaming.

I am looking forward for a full length release from this band soon. You can visit the link provided above to download this EP.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Across the sea: #5 The Kingsford Run MMXI Demo


1. Clubbing seals
2. Arrows
3. Dead dogs for quarter

The Kingsford Run is a harcore/metal band from Simi Valley in California and they have a demo called MMXI available for free download. 

The opening track Clubbing Seals is song is full of energy, for sure to wake you up in a dizzy Monday morning. The second song Arrows continues with the same energy and passion, while Dead Dogs for Quarter is a slower compare to the previous songs but this is my personal favorite. Compliment to the guitar works and vocal parts. This is great demo, I am really stoked when I heard this. Can't wait for their full length to be released. 

You should check this guys out, just click on the download button at the top. Add them as well in Facebook. Lyrics is available as well on their website at http://kingsfordsux.blogspot.com/. 

*If you want your demos and albums to be featured or reviewed here just drop us an email at batangashcpunk@gmail.com.



Sunday, January 30, 2011

Across the sea #3: Hour of the Wolf: Decomposition Vol.1 LP

Hour of the Wolf is a band from Prescott Arizona, already released several EP’s under different labels. Honestly I am not aware of their brand of music, until I was able to listen to this album.  Thanks to Jenny Jensen of Think Fast! Records for sending me this material.  The first time I listened to Decomposition Vol. 1 it reminds me a lot of old school punk bands like Misfits and Black Flag. I started doing some research about this band and the two bands that I mentioned was their main influence. No wonder they sounded like this. "Decomposition Volume 1" is one half of a complete collection from 'The Wolf and Volume2 will be release sometime this year. Hour of the Wolf also did some covers on this full length like Fix me by Black Flag, Fall of all the American by The Nerve Agents, Breakin’ a memory by Kid Dynamite and I want to be your dog by The Stooges. Alternative Press also described their latest output as a "virtually perfect blend of fever, passion and raucousness". These guys are not pleasing anyone on this record but I am pleased to recommend this release to all of you. So if you like old school punk, you should go and get one.