Meredith – Meredith III, EP (2015)

Meredith - Meredith III, EP (2015)

Meredith - Meredith III, EP (2015) Guitarist/singer Fred Lefranc and drummer Ben Delacroix are back with their third installment, a four track EP.
The previus EP, released last year “The Shape Of Things To Come” was an intense, modern mixture of alternative rock and metal with roots back to grunge and garage/noise rock. Now they sound more consolidated, mature if you prefer. The raw fury is there, but it got a polished make-up now which don’t mean they get any softer. The two guys managed to create a complex and intense music and surprisingly they filled up the spaces smartly, everything it’s nicely balanced. Rebels with cause – if you know what I mean.
I always liked about Meredith that they sound passionate and personal, they open up honestly and sometimes bring up unpleasant subjects like abuses or domestic violence with fair simplicity. Can’t fix issues if we refuse to step up and speak up. Read more Meredith – Meredith III, EP (2015)

Godsmack – 1000hp (2014)

Godsmack - 1000hp (2014)

Godsmack - 1000hp (2014) Rock is dead? I heard that in the 80’s, the 90’s and generally, at least once in a while somebody took that imaginary shovel and start digging that imaginary hole for this genre. And – surprise! – the genre it’s alive, kicking and evolving since the late 40’s.
You say “Godsmack”, you think of Alice In Chains and you start singing “Voodoo”. That self-titled 1998 album which contain that song entered the Billboard 200 at number twenty-two, and was certified 4x platinum by the RIAA in 2001 after being initially certified gold in 1999.
The next album, “Awake” debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, and has been certified 2x platinum by the RIAA. “Vampires”, a song on the album, also earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 2002. Two of the songs – “Sick of Life” and “Awake” – on the album were used in United States Navy commercials as background music.
They wrote a song, “I Stand Alone” for the soundtrack Read more Godsmack – 1000hp (2014)

The Black Widow’s Project – Heavy Heart (2012)

TBWP_Heavy-heart_2012 Think of Down and Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society with even more and more intense stoner infusion, add some weight from Kyuss/Queens Of the Stone Age and the right amount of Alice In Chains/Soundgarden flavor to got the essence of what really The Black Widow’s Project it’s about.
The Black Widow’s Project delivered a surprisingly mature and solid debut album filled up with 14 genuine songs, and forged throughout with good-old-fashioned fuzz, powerful riffs, a heavy blend of blues and rock with noisy garage sound.
Formed in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2010 by the lead singer-guitarist Al Castro and the drummer Math Sink, they quickly realize their first EP called “Benefit Of The Doubt” which arouse great interest among the audience and in underground venues. After several lineup changes, Raph Despas joined the band as the bass player which allows them to find an even more powerful and personal sound. Read more The Black Widow’s Project – Heavy Heart (2012)

Rescue Rangers – Manitoba (2012)

Chip ‘n Dale anybody? 😆 No, seriously, this is heavy, heavy Rock, Rescue Rangers reminds me of Kyuss/Queens of the Stone Age, Helmet, Clutch, Black Label Society, and some Grunge and Post-Grunge outfits as Stone Temple Pilots, modern Rock – and Post-Rock – bands such as Tool. Although, “Why So Serious” definitively reminds me of Alice In Chains, and their glowing shadow is pulsing discretely throughout in their music.
“Manitoba” it’s a dark, intense, perfectly build-up and biting Rock album, and almost surprisingly, although they are from Marseille, France, it’s sound very American. Pascal Mascheroni – Vocals & Guitars, Christophe Fresard – Bass, and Pierre Roulois – Drums, find that killer fat sound and write the most addictive riffs and grooves which make that kind of Rock kicking. Read more Rescue Rangers – Manitoba (2012)

Monks of Mellonwah – Neurogenesis, EP (2012)

Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Monks of Mellonwah are a four-piece Alternative Rock band, and their latest, second, ad deadly EP, “Neurogenesis”, was released on 24th May, 2012. MoM reminds me mostly of the British band Bush, they are selling on the same dark shaded seas of Post-Grunge/Alternative Rock, building-up their unique sound by blending different elements, having strong roots back to Classic Blues & Rock, to artists such as Hendrix, Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, but also incorporating influences from Red Hot Chili Peppers and more recently from Muse.
Their first E.P., “Stars Are Out”, has been highly praised since its release in 2010.
Thei are winner of the award for “Best Indie Rock Band” at the 2012 Artists In Music Awards and nominated for Best International Act at the LA Music Awards, the Monks of Mellonwah are entering some very exciting times. Dean Cramer of the influential blog Kings of A & R recently listed the Monks in his “Top 8 Emerging Artists”, and CMJ featured their track “Neverending Spirit” on their trendsetting mixtape series.

Read more Monks of Mellonwah – Neurogenesis, EP (2012)

Feuerzeug – Dead Wahines and Tsunamis (2012)

A band called “Lighter”? C’mon!! But digging into it, they sounds much interesting then most of the nowadays delivered, fancy-labeled, “post” whatever, obligatory Metalcore bands. Feuerzeug reminds me mostly of the Ricky Warwick leaded Scottish The Almighty, band formed in the late 1980’s and rose to fame mostly in the mid 1990’s with albums such “Powertrippin'” and “Crank”. True, probably Rick was most famous because he was formerly married to MTV’s Headbangers Ball presenter Vanessa Warwick.
So, Feuerzeug sounds pretty much like The Almighty, eventually more contemporarily, but still classy and with roots back to the American Stoner Rock tradition and adding some tasty post-Grunge. But this isn’t an American band, but another stainless delivery from Switzerland. Imagine Godsmack crashing into the tour bus of Kyuss, merging Grunge energy with Stoner Rock hardness and we’ve get pretty close to what Feuerzeug sounds like. And actually this is a pretty groovy and addictive material, classy and quality Rock. Read more Feuerzeug – Dead Wahines and Tsunamis (2012)

deepfield – Nothing Can Save Us Now (2011)

Currently based in Chicago, Illinois, deepfield (the “d” is always lower case) was formed in Charleston, SC in 2005 by singer Baxter Teal, guitarist Eric Bass (now the bassist for Shinedown), drummer Russell Lee (drums) and bass player J. King. After only shopping a 3 song demo the band found themselves playing a showcase in New York, where they were promptly signed by industry legend Bill McGathy to his new label, In De Goot Recordings.
“Archetypes and Repetition”, the 12 songs debut album produced by Paul Ebersold and Skidd Mills was released in the summer of 2007. The band toured the U.S. extensively from 2007-2009 with bands such as Shinedown, Chevelle, Puddle Of Mudd, Saliva, Saving Abel, Drowning Pool, Tantric, Nonpoint and The Exies.
Delivering a post-grunge flavored modern rock tied with solid hooks and pounding rock themes, deepfield sounds powerful, massive and mature, merging melodies and harmonies with energy and strength. Read more deepfield – Nothing Can Save Us Now (2011)