Album Review: Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

When a band of Foo Fighters’ calibre gets ready to release a new album, there is always a lot of anticipation involved. But with the spotlight placed firmly above them, the rock legends don’t know the meaning of the word disappoint. This, the newest edition to their extraordinary musical arsenal is no exception.

After the enormous success of 2007’s ‘Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace,’ many questioned where the Foo’s were to go next. From headlining Wembley stadium in front of 18,000 people to performing with some of the idols they grew up listening to, they have pretty much explored every avenue. Maybe it’s this that made the quartet decide to take a step back, take it all in and go back to basics. And you can’t get much more basic or old school then deciding to strip it down and record this album on analogue tape and in Dave Grohl’s own garage.

The opener ‘Bridge Burning’ is an upbeat hook-filled catchy rock track, whereas the first single ‘Rope’ is different but equally catchy. Its slower build up may have to grow on you.

‘White Limo’ has Grohl tearing out screams throughout making this a brilliantly heavy track while ‘These Days’ is the opposite. A chilled yet rough track, it showcases the great song-writing skills of the alt-rockers.

‘Back & Forth’ is just a great rock anthem, pulsating with grooves and a brilliantly constructed chorus it brings back the stadium-sized riffs and hooks, and it’s sure to become a fan-favourite.

The charged up ‘Miss The Misery’ is a showcase of flawless musical skill, much like the rest of the album. While there’s no over-blown guitar solos – the guitar work is immense - blending perfectly with the melodies of the album and taking it to another level along with the as-always brilliant drum skills from stick man Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl’s amazing vocals.

With Butch Vig taking the production reigns and Krist Novoselic appearing on ‘I Should Have Known’, you can just feel the history, nostalgia and electricity between them and Grohl, it being the first time the three have worked together since 1991 when they made that album you may have heard of. The result is a brilliantly chilled out song – the emotion evident in Grohl’s voice as he pays tribute to his friend who died in 2008 with the heartfelt lyrics. ‘No I cannot forgive you yet,’ You leave my heart in debt’, may also be a reference to a certain someone else as well. Probably the best track on the entire album, this one will surely give you goose bumps.

‘Walk’ is another belter with the words, ‘I never wanna die,’ ripped out throughout and showing that the Foo Fighters still have plenty more they want to accomplish.

All in all, ‘Wasting Light’ is vintage Foo’s. Its classic rock n’ roll mixed with the signature sound of the rocks most likeable band. And it’s one that shows the Foo Fighters still have plenty of life left in them and have no plans of slowing down. And who would want them to?

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- Amy Parker

Album Review: Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare

To say it hasn’t been an easy ride for Avenged Sevenfold since the release of their self-titled album back in 2007 would be a massive understatement. It was about a year ago that Huntington Beach’s finest began to write their fifth album. But tragedy struck them, when a mere two weeks before they were due to enter the studio to begin recording, the life of drummer and founding member Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan ended suddenly on the 28th December. The four surviving members - vocalist M Shadows, guitarists Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance along with bassist Johnny Christ were left devastated. And they were not only mourning the loss of their much-loved bandmate, friend and brother, but they were left to pick up the pieces. Decide where to go and what to do next. After much agonising over whether or not to continue without their friend they decided that the least they could do was pay tribute to The Rev, by releasing the album they had all written together. The last music The Rev ever created. And with The Rev’s favourite drummer, Dream Theatre’s Mike Portnoy coming to the aid of the band by recording drum tracks that The Rev had already written, the setting was set for an epic album. And while it may be that, it is also an emotional roller coaster.
The opening track, the title track, ‘Nightmare’ is a scorcher of a song. Combining gargantuan riffs with fast-paced drumming and intense vocals. From its simple, yet mysterious beginning to its explosive end, it showcases A7X at their very best.
‘Welcome To The Family’ provides a punk style infusion of heavy drumming and a catchy chorus while ‘Danger Line’ looks at the perils of war though a soldiers eyes with a powerful chorus and emotional lyrics. The complete opposite of this song would be ‘God Hate’s Us All’ – which is quite simply heavy as f*ck. This track sees absolutely brutal vocals, revealing the utter anger the band feels for having their friend taken away, collide with a ferocious chorus that is sure to be a mosh-pit favourite.
‘Buried Alive’ is a standout track. Starting off with a blues sounding guitar line that is arguably the best intro throughout the album, it draws you in. This is then driven into a smooth, yet powerful vocal line that eventually sees the song turn into a stadium sized rock anthem that has Metallica influence written all over it.
It’s in songs like ‘Natural Born Killer’ and ‘Save Me’ that you begin to contemplate the realisation that Mike Portnoy has captured The Rev’s unique sound and style of drumming like no other could. While the latter song is a gothic epic - both heavy and haunting with piercing guitars, ‘Natural Born Killer’ is punchy and edgy. One of the fastest songs on the album that bears an incredible riff that will go over and over in your head. The song is infectious with both a catchy chorus and guitar solo mixed with some incredbile and whinding vocal lines.
Throughout the album you can feel the overwhelming loss the band has gone though and had to deal with. Songs ‘So Far Away’ and ‘Victim’ contain gruelling lyrics that contain so much emotion it can be hard to listen to. Both songs make it sound like M Shadows could burst into tears at any moment while singing, ‘I have so much to say but you’re so far away’ and ‘Stories full of tears. Remembering your life 'cause we wish that you were here’. ‘So Far Away’ contains one of the guitar solos of the album; it’s both beautiful and emotional.
‘Tonight The World Dies’ reveals an eerie guitar line and showcases possibly the best ever vocals recorded by M Shadows as he tears out such intensity, emotion and passion it will give you instant goose bumps.
Easily the most difficult song to listen to on the album is ‘Fiction’ – the last song ever written by The Rev and containing some of his brilliant and unique vocals which create a great harmony with M Shadows’ vocals. Throughout the whole song, there is a haunting piano line that keeps the track at the same pace. The song is beautiful in its mystery as the words, ‘I know you’ll find your own way when I’m not with you tonight’ reverberate with more meaning than they were intended to when they were written.
Wherever The Rev is, he must be proud. The music that he had always said would change the world finally has its chance thanks to the courage and determination of the remaining Avenged Sevenfold members.

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- Amy Parker

Album Review: Metallica - Beyond Magnetic

Released to coincide with Metallica’s monumental 30^th anniversary - this EP is made up of four songs, each worthy of their place.

Seemingly left on the cutting room floor of the band’s 2008 return to form ‘Death Magnetic’ recording sessions there’s diversity abound.

‘Beyond Magnetic’, is a perfect blend of the classic thrashy riffs that Metallica helped invent and the pulsating grooves that they’ve refined throughout the years.

Both ‘Hate Train’ and Hell and Back’ are slow yet tantalising tracks with brilliant guitar work throughout. The first seeps with a gritty tone and a melodic chorus, bringing the thrash back into Metallica all the while keeping a constant steady pace. While the latter is a throwback to the band’s ‘Load’ days with its laid back atmosphere and sharp vocals mixed with plenty of attitude.

‘Just a Bullet Away’, flows effortlessly from start to finish with rhythmic vocals and an infectious riff. It all gets serious when a memorising breakdown comes in, which showcases Metallica’s ingenious song writing capabilities, as well as their individual musical talents.

Meanwhile, everything is taken to a whole new level when ‘Rebel of Babylon’ kicks in. It swerves all over the place. Whether it’s the fast-paced riffs and soaring guitar solos or the brilliant drumming, it builds up into 8 minutes of everything that makes exciting metal.

Even within four songs, Metallica have managed to capture their unique essence once again to deliver an EP with something for everyone. Hopefully once the band finally hit the studio again, they will continue to deliver the same.

                        

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-         -  Amy Parker

Album Review: Incubus - If Not Now, When?

It’s been a long time since the band’s 2006 album ‘Light Grenades’ hit the stores. It wasn’t a bad album - presenting some great rock anthems. But it failed to impress the die-hards, who sensed something was missing.

What was heard was the sound of a band drying up in what was once an abundant pool of creativity.

If that was the case then ‘If Not Now, When?’ will sound to them like a band that has finally dried up completely.

Straight away it’s evident that this album just doesn’t work for a band that once held the power to create exciting and original anthems. The moments of slap-bass and the blend of funk and rock seems to have gone. More importantly – it doesn’t sound like Incubus.

It’s a repetitive affair with ‘Isadore’ doing little to impress despite a few memorable opening moments, while some may question the point in the short and dull ‘Defiance’, where nothing really happens or encourages you to keep you listening.

‘Friends and Lovers’ is ultimately a cheap and…well…boring love song, as front man Brandon Boyd sings the simple yet cheesy, ‘Because in the end, we are friends and lovers.’

There are some encouraging signs of life though. The title track – while it may throw people immediately off guard with its 80’s beats and rock ballady feel- is in itself an enjoyable track, it slowly builds up, all the while keeping a steady and controlled pace throughout. ‘Promises, Promises’, is another slow track, but a chilled out and catchy one. But it’s one that ultimately does nothing for the album. While once ‘The Original’ gets past its shaky opening and gets a few minutes in, turns out to be one of the best moments present.

One thing that is a constant is Brandon Boyd’s incredible vocals. This he effortlessly shows in the throughout. Especially in the first single ‘Adolescents’ – which is a touchy and more upbeat song while still following the same formula with an irritatingly slow pace.

‘Thieves’ is where the pace finally picks up. With its catchy melodies and superb chorus it’s sure to be one for the masses whereas ‘In The Company of Wolves’ is a seven minute blockbuster of the older-style Incubus’ calibre. Showcasing some brilliant guitar work and haunting tones enhanced by some great arrangements to show why the rock veterans have been so successful.

‘Switchblade’ is more like it. Immediately sounding like something off the band’s 1999 ‘Make Yourself’, it brings back the funky tones, offbeat drums and catchy choruses that Incubus has become renowned for. Although it’s still not enough to make up for what is ultimately a disappointing and lacklustre album.

For the occasional fan, ‘If Not Now, When?’ may impress in some places. But most die-hard fans looking for the old Incubus will be sorely frustrated.

All of this makes the band sound like one that may have run out of ideas. Precariously scraping the bottom of the barrel in hopes of coming up with a decent song, which even five years ago seemed to come to them so naturally. It’s a shame to say that Incubus’ best days seem to be far behind them.

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- Amy Parker

Album Review: Avenged Sevenfold - City Of Evil

City Of Evil is Avenged Sevenfold’s third album and their first being signed to Warner Bros. With the success of their 2003 album Waking The Fallen,  - a dark and mysterious one at that, thrusting them into the spotlight, you have to wonder why they would want to change a thing. But if fans ran out in anticipation to buy what they thought would turn out to be somewhat of a Waking The Fallen part 2, you would have to think they would be greatly disappointed to learn, that the blistering screams and scratchy production style that hardcore fans came to love is virtually non – existent. Then again that disappointment wouldn’t have lasted long. City Of Evil is an album that A7X simply needed to make. An album that will define how much their music has matured and just why exactly they are one of the best, if not, the best band in the world right now. It is an album that will ensure nobody easily forgets about them, at the same time, it will wash away any doubts you might have had about them.

Hailing from Huntington Beach, California, Avenged Sevenfold has always been greatly influenced by everything from Metallica to Guns N’ Roses, from The Misfits to Mr Bungle. They have become a band that is well known for its versatile playing and style of music. And with this album, they will become one band that can say they have discovered their own style of playing and can hold their own alongside any other band in the world.

With no track on this album lasting less than 5 minutes, and the longest lasting a lengthy near 9 and a half minutes long, there is a certain swagger about the band and music alike. Whether it’s front man M Shadows flexing his vocal chords beyond reason, or the fact that this album contains some of the most exciting and fascinating guitar solos and duels (performed by guitar maestros Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance) you will have ever heard, there is not an ounce of disappointment among the 11 tracks.

The first track Beast and the Harlot sets a precedent for the rest of the album. It has attitude, pulse-pounding rhythm and a chorus that is catchy as hell. More importantly, it’s turned straight up to 11! This continues throughout songs such as Blinded In Chains and the exceptionally harmonizing Bat County – a song based on Hunter S. Thompson’s brilliant novel - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Trashed And Scattered is a song that shows you just why Avenged are as clever as they are creative. A song that will leave you with a foot-print in your ear, you will understand why you would never want to get into a fist fight with any member of the band (as if seeing M Shadows wouldn’t convince you enough.) Musically, this album is as unpredictable as anything, the guys have gone all out with a string orchestra that presents itself on a number of songs, including the wonderfully over the top and pretty much epic Strength Of The World and The Wicked End, both of which are breath taking. The lyrics on the album deal with a lot of different issues. From war and ignorance to end of the world concepts and the tragic and devastating murder of legendary guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott – who greatly influenced lead guitarist Synyster Gates. The song simply titled Betrayed portrays the band’s feelings on Dimebag’s untimely and disgusting death at the hands of the shameful Nathan Gale with the up most emotion. This is very evident both vocally as M Shadows shows off his great vocal range and musically throughout the song, one that is dedicated to one of the greatest musicians of all time.

Seize The Day is a step in a different direction. Following in the footsteps of the great Guns N’ Roses ballads of the 80s, this song is much more smooth and passionate as well as harmonic.

M.I.A. is the final song. It’s a song that is just a astounding as the rest and deals with the turmoil of having friends of the band members fighting in the war. The song starts off slow with soothing vocals and eventually kicks into a thrashy and inventive skyscraper of a song with sweeping guitars and harsh drumming, a great way to end the album.

Through all of this, you will learn that Avenged Sevenfold has mixed their many influences together in an intensely creative way. Any other band and this combination probably wouldn’t work. But this band is different. They have stunning musimanship and a firm grasp on what it takes to make an amazing album. This album will shake things up like no other band has done for a long time. Certain bands and acts that will change the face of music forever and change the world forever. Not only will A7X do this, they will drag the face of music into the future and likely turn the world upside down and steal its lunch money!

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- Amy Parker

Album Review: Brand New - Deja Entendu

There’s a lot to be said for a band such as Brand New. A band of four young guys, who instead of succumbing to the temptation of fame and the fortune it brings, have stayed true to their morals, their hearts and their fans. They’ve taken the high road; declined countless offers to ensure them the commerciality that would surely see big paycheques rolling in. They have remained and plan to remain, a fan’s band. And for a band like Brand New to create a stunning album such as this, their second album, it is almost painful to realise just how much potential they have and how big they could become if only they took on one of those offers. At the same time, being so un-commercial is one of the main reasons they have the vast and passionate fan base that they do. But I digress…

Getting more to the point, the four alternative rockers, hailing from Long Island, New York, are positive to attract ever more followers and even more attention with the irresistible sound revealed within their latest musical instalment. Deja Entendu opens with a slow, melodic intro that leaves much to the imagination and instantly intrigues you as front man and lyrical saviour Jesse Lacey uses his soothing voice in almost a whisper on the track simply titled Tautou.

After this, a more upbeat sound graces the listeners ears. Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades, is every bit as powerful as it is mysterious. A song, which explores the physiological turmoil’s of sex and relationships in the cleverest of ways and holds a chorus that will instantly get a crowd moving and singing along.

Track after track, this record deals with conflictions of the mind on a much more mature level to the album’s predecessor Your Favourite Weapon. Songs such as, I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin light – which presents the pressures and downfalls of life constantly on the road and Okay, I Believe You But My Tommy Gun Don’t - which portrays enhanced feelings of anxiety, dread and paranoia in the most sincere of ways, are both poetic and deep. As Lacey spills out lyrics flooded with a smug humour, ‘I am heaven sent, don’t you dare forget’, there is no person who would doubt him or doubt that Brand New are serious this time.

Songs Guernica and Good to know… are highlights. They harbour some very moving melody lines and hooks that catch you and are unwilling to release their grip until you’ve listened very closely, until you’ve realised just how great this album and band are. Along with all this, the haunting rendition of Play Crack The Sky provides the finishing touches to a near-perfect album and still, it is sure to leave listeners wanting more.

If one thing is for certain, it’s that the band have a lot to say. Jesse Lacey exposes his very soul on every track with a powerful emotion. It’s almost as if the greatness of his lyrics can make up for all the other empty and ungraceful words seen in the world today. He just simply cannot be matched for his willingness to bear all, both the good and the bad. This adds to the spectacular musimanship – very much improved on over last couple of years as it showcases each member’s ability to be different and try new things. Throughout this album, the band stays in firm control of every song. They take their music through highs and lows, ups and downs and not at one point, do you feel they are lost. They know exactly what they are doing.

Often sounding like a sombre tribute to life and its tests, Deja Entendu is an album for any music lover and definitely an album for anybody needing a shining light to guide them through all the struggles life can sometimes bring. It will take a while to find another record quite like this, one that drips with honesty and exhales inspiration. A record that can at times take your breath away, yet at the same time, can breathe life into you.

Brand New have always been underdogs - intensely artistic and rare underdogs at that. So much so, that with a hint of cynicism, they shrewdly named this album Deja Entendu – which derives the French meaning of already heard. After listening to this album, you will realise that no words have ever been more misleading and yet ironic at the same time. But this is all part of what makes Brand New such a special and enigmatic spectacle of a band. Accordingly, their second album happens to be the very epitome of passion and creativity.

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- Amy Parker

Live Review: Iron Maiden (5th July 2008, Twickenham Stadium)

There is an excitement in the air, it’s unavoidable, contagious and seems to be seeping through the veins of every fan standing on a curb or corner outside Twickenham Stadium. It’s there because Britain’s biggest and greatest heavy metal band has finally come home after a 2-year long absence.

As you walk into the stadium, it’s now that you realise you are part of history and tonight is going to be one of the best of your life.

Lauren Harris (daughter of Maiden guitarist and founder Steve Harris) is the first of the support acts on stage. When you’re playing to a 50,000+ crowd, this is a tough slot to fill. Lauren and band managed to put on a sturdy performance, although at times, seemed to lack the stage presence that would be discovered with a little more experience. Lauren was promoting her album, ‘Calm Before The Storm’, released in June, with powerful vocals and heavy guitars it looks set to do well.

The second band on, Within Temptation have been around for a while, forming in 1996. Because of this, they know how to work the crowd and use the size of the stage to their advantage. They play crowd-pleasing songs, ‘What Have You Done’ and ‘The Howling’, from their latest album, ‘The Heart of Everything’. All the songs were complemented by front woman’s Sharon Den Adel’s ever operatic vocals, the band played greatly, supported by the fans.

The third and final support act, the mighty Avenged Sevenfold seem to have been influenced by the crowd’s excitement as they kick into gear and use the whole stage to prove just how passionate about music they are. They entice the crowd with songs, ‘Almost Easy’ and ‘Afterlife’; this causes a mosh – fest. ‘A7X’ have come a long way in the 9 years since they formed and it’s very likely that in the future they could be headlining stadium’s like Twickenham themselves, with incredibly powerful vocals, intense drumming and heavy intertwining guitars. It’s unfortunate that the band had to cut their set – list a song short due to frontman M Shadows spotting somebody in the crowd who needed medical attention. The band received a massive reception as they exited the stage. But even as Avenged Sevenfold themselves said, tonight is about Iron Maiden.

The fans now start up chants of, ‘Maiden! Maiden!’ and the atmosphere and volume turns up. A few minutes later, the lights go down and a wave of throaty roars bounce around the stadium. Iron Maiden burst onto stage with ‘Ace’s High’, like the veterans of performance they are and all hell breaks loose! It’s now you begin to notice the amazing stage scenery with an Egyptian theme and different backdrops for each song. This adds to the already extraordinary atmosphere and Maiden continue to play favourites such as, ‘The Trooper’ and ‘Run To The Hills’ – which has every person in the stadium singing along to the some of the most legendary choruses of all time.

The eerie feel of ‘Fear of the Dark’ is mind-blowing as front man Bruce Dickinson runs around the stage with ease, more like a 20 year old rather than a 50 year old as he shows the younger bands of today exactly how its done. A stunning rendition of ‘Wasted Years’ throws both band and crowd into chaos with flawless vocals – showing that Bruce Dickinson’s astounding vocal range is still very much in tact. This combined with the great musimanship shown by Adrian Smith and co creates a union of incredible music which the fans were loving every minute of.

If there’s one thing you can take from an Iron Maiden show, it’s that it is that, a show. It’s an unorthodox performance in every way possible. Theatrical, exciting, unpredictable and most importantly, the performance shows the band still has it. Tonight’s extraordinary range of fans aged from 8 – 70 proves this theory. Dickinson says himself with chipper humour that a lot of the fans up front were nowhere near being born when Iron Maiden was. This shows the appeal the band still has after 30 years on top and judged on tonight’s performance – will have for a very, very long time to come.

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- Amy Parker