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DEGREE ABSOLUTE - DEGREE
ABSOLUTE |
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Sensory
/ Lasers Edge
Out Now
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Degree Absolute was formed in the fall of 1999 by
multi-instrumentalist Aaron Bell. Aaron is a former music instructor
who has been involved with various bands and studio projects over
the years as a guitarist, bassist, and vocalist. In the spring of
2000, Aaron recorded the initial Degree Absolute demo, performing
all of the instrumentation by himself. With the demo material
complete, Aaron decided it was now necessary to recruit other
musicians. Joining him are bassist Dave Lindeman, and Doug Beary on
drums.
In the summer of 2001, the trio recorded a six-song demo. This demo
led to a record deal with the highly reputable American label,
Sensory Records. Mixing was performed by Neil Kernon (Nevermore,
Nile, Queensr˙che, Spiral Architect, etc.) at Sonic Ranch in
Tornillo, Texas; mastering by Alan Douches (Yes, Dillinger Escape
Plan, etc.) at West West Side Music. The self-titled album was
released on at the end of Jan on Sensory Records.
Musically Degree
Absolute play modern metal with progressive influences with
similar sounding bands coming more from the Everygrey side of things
than Dream Theater. Their are plenty of de-tuned guitar riffs
and double bass drum work to satisfy most metal heads and the band
also showcase a suprising amount of melody albeit in a dark fashion.
The band display a large sound for a three piece with the majority
of instrumentation coming from guitar and bass textures. Aaron
Bell's vocals are a little monotone but there is much worse out
there on the scene at present, his guitar work is good yet does not
display a great deal of individuality preferring to run through a
myriad of styles which does keep things fresh - but I think I would
fail to pick him out in a crowd. Bell also delivers a number
of classy harmonised lead lines throughout. The opening gambit
of Exist and Laughing Alone give a good indicator of
what to expect from the heavier scale of things on the album, yet
there are also more straightforward tracks such as Questions
which has a very good riff and some keyboard textures add depth here
and the lead guitar is also more inspired as well.
Confession is another track that deviates and is track of the
album home to a good vocal melody, a good chord progression and the
vocals are much more varied here. Distance is another
highlight - instrumental and laid back it has an almost fusion air
to it and the start of a few instrumentals which are mostly
collections of riff and sound fx! Ask Nothing Of Me
sees the vocals kick back in and the track is home to what reminded
me of Graham Bonnet harmonised vocals (ala Alcatrazz)!! this is a
great track and another highlight. Ergo Sum clocking in
at over 11 minutes could be described as an "epic" but its a little
drawn out to me, and could have been stronger had it been more
compact. Tagged onto the end of the album is an untitled track
that is basically bass noises and other sound fx - weird.
Degree Absolute have
come out with a disc which is not that easy to get into, but persistent
spins it becomes a little clearer. 10 spins plus down the
line and I am still not sure how to best describe this album other
than a dark metal album with progressive influences and few oddities
as well. Had these oddities been missing would have seen higher
marks.
Rating - 80%
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TY OLIVER - HEALED THROUGH TIME |
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Independant
Release
Out
Now
www.tyolivermusic.com
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After getting his hands on a
friends new bass in 1992, Ty Oliver knew immediately that
music was something he wanted more of in his life. Later that year
Ty got his first drum kitand started jamming with some friends. In
1994 Ty took all of his drums and traded them for his first Guitar
Rig. This would be the first of many times the same trade off would
occur, until finally settling on guitar in 2000.Now that the
instrument of
choice was finally in place, Ty still had to choose between
playing rock or metal. And with or without vocals. He soon decided to
play instrumental music, and together with some friends
Ty recorded a 3 track instrumental demo.
In 2001, after a
nearly 6 month layoff from guitar, and nursing a broken heart,
Ty began writing some of the material found on “Healed Through
Time”. Ty was really getting in touch with expressing himself on
the instrument, listening to tons of Satriani and Vai, getting
incredibly inspired by their ability to capture feeling and emotion.
The results of all this are a debut cd filled with songs which
come straight from the heart. 8 of the 10 songs are
emotional played instrumental rock ballads, clearly influenced by
his idols Vai and Satriani. The two songs “Driven” and “Race
Day” are great up-tempo rockers. "Healed Through Time” is a very
personal, emotional filled instrumental rock debut cd by Ty Olliver,
clearly inspired by Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Jan Cyrka.
Rating : 86%
Review by Ronny Elst
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MICHAEL KATON - MK |
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Mascot/Provogue
Out Now |
Pure rock-n-roll
beating from a blues heart as earnest as they come--a place where
roots run deep and the roadhouse is always open is how Michael
Katon's official website sums up this down and dirty guitar
monster from Ohio, USA and its a great summary.
Michael Katon
has been on the scene for over 2 decades and still is probably better
known for his live show than recording output. His new album
'MK' will hopefully change all that is this is a monster roaring dirty
blues release that is probably Katons heaviest work to date.
The pounding opener Back
To Your Cages gives a true statement of intent with an almost
Black Label Society aggression within, complete with some mean slide
work. On The Prowl For A Hoochie Mama starts out delta
blues before kickin in with a mean slide guitar chorus, Katon's mean vocals are suitably down and dirty here growling
like a whiskey soaked coyote on a dry desert night. Diablo
Boogie snarls and sounds like Katon's amps are about to explode
whilst the Hendrix blues guitar workout of Need It Awful Bad is
a highlight with the rich univibe tones (vocally Katon sounds like
Capt. Beefheart here). Rock n Roll Man is another strong
rocker this time with a cool harmonised riff coming into play - again
that bottom end with unstoppable. Whiskey Hill is a prime slice
of ZZ Top inspired boogie and very enjoyable with it, a dirty slide
solo sends you further to the delta. In The Land Of Rock n Roll
sounds almost out of place as its much cleaner sounding yet the blues
vibe is heavy still. Dirty Thang is another great hard
blues stomper, Katon's tone being very rich here. Luv A Dawg
is a slow blues and allows Michael to really reach into his soul for
some fine lead lines (accompanied with the swirling univibe effect).
Album closer Motorcycle Blues is not a million miles away from
the rockers associated with Joe Bonamassa, the title lets toy know
this one is pretty rocking and the track is a strong way to end the
album.
Overall Michael Katon
has produced the best album I have heard from him to date in MK.
Fans of works such as Joe Bonamssa, ZZ Top, Stoney Curtis Band etc be
sure to check this one out.
Rating - 84%
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SUSPYRE - THE SILVERY IMAGE |
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Independent Release
Out Now
order from
http://www.suspyre.com/merch.html |
With Suspyre, we have another
interesting progressive power metal band from the U.S. . “The Silvery
Image”, their debut cd, is a must have for every fan of Symphony X,
although Suspyre plays their songs in a more melodic way.
Their compositions are a mix of
progressive power metal with epic orchestration, neo-classical
ingredients and a few jazz influences. Not only the musicianship is
excellent (especially guitarists Rich Skibinsky and Gregg Rossetti),
with Clay Barton the band has also got a great progressive metal
vocalist in Clay Barton (Russell Allen style).
Other bands to refer at while listening
to their cd are Rhapsody, Angra and Kamelot. Suspyre is, together with
Stride, the best U.S. prog/power metal newcomer in recent times.
Rating : 88%
By Ronny Elst
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MICHAEL ORLANDO - SONIC STOMP |
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Independent Release
Out Now
order from
http://www.mikeorlandomusic.com |
Sonic Stomp is
the debut CD from Mike Orlando. The CD's 12 instrumental
tracks are a collection of tunes that showcase Mike's over the top
guitar work as well as his different moods of musical landscapes.
Mike Orlando is a guitarist that not only fronts his own Sonic Stomp
instrumental band, but also plays in his own hard rock band as well
entitled TRE who feature Twisted Sister drummer AJ Pero.
.Mike also owns his own recording studio where he handles everything
from engineering to mixing to producing and mastering. All
this can be heard on his debut CD Sonic Stomp!
What we have on
Sonic Stomp is 12 tracks of smoking guitar work. There is
nothing here that I really points to a totally original style but I
think Mike sound is something of an amalgamation of Zakk Wylde,
Jason Becker and Steve Vai - the guy can play no question.
Mike has some incredible runs and his backing tracks are also of
high standard that allow a number of style of guitar to be
presented. Fans of hi-octane lead work that sees tremendous
right hand picking will find a lot to enjoy here. Tracks that
standout include the Satriani-ish Horizons and Velvet Sky,
which are slower in tempo and home to more melodic style of play,
the grooving Slam and the shred delights of the title track Sonic
Stomp.
Fans of energized
lead work be sure to check out Mike Orlando now.
Rating - 85%
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