E.P Review- Cairiss: Fall

“Fall”is a three song E.P by United Kingdom based Post/Black Metal group Cairiss and was released in June of 2016. I have to be honest up front and say that my knowledge on Black Metal doesn't go much further than Mercyful Fate, Venom, Bathory or say Celtic Frost. However, I have appreciated a lot more of the Black Metal bands that I've heard that actually put real skill and thought into making their music. Cairiss is one of those bands.

Track Listing

1.For The Lives He Stole- This song begins with this soft yet ominous acoustic guitar that sounds like it is being played in a cathedral and I really like the atmosphere that is building and has an almost classical element to it it as well. It of course comes right in with distorted guitars that sound huge and I mean huge. Their singer Freya Brown has an incredible voice that flips from beautiful to beautifully sinister on a fucking dime. I admire the band to write such an incredible piece of music especially for an EP. It has almost a power metal aspect to it in parts as well. I am truly blown away right off the start.

2.Disgraced- The opening almost feels like it has some Spanish guitar influence to it I really dig it and I really enjoy the guitar harmonies as well it really sets a good tone. The thing is, most black metal bands don't have that beautiful aspect to them like these guys do. They usually just go to the heaviest most blasphemous stuff aiming to just rip your head off but Cairiss manages to give an epic performance that even with the guttural vocals, it still has a beautiful sound and I find that amazing that they are able to balance those aspects so well. The song does run a bit too long in some parts but there is enough variety to keep you entertained throughout the almost ten minute ride.

3.Fall- This song has a sad feel to it in the beginning to me I almost picture a funeral with it but also someone walking through a tranquil forest it is really hard to explain. Again I truly admire the production here for what it is going for. It stay quiet for most of the time but toward the end it just hits you over the head with this epic riffing with Browns voice just soaring above it is really good and quite a somber end to this rather enjoyable EP.

Overall, I give this EP probably a solid 3 out of 5. I honestly was expecting a lot more of the extreme Mayhem style black metal I constantly see almost everywhere. However, these guys really pull a classical element that we see in most power metal bands today and they really put together three really good songs that keeps this at almost a perfect length. I am quite curious to see what else Cairiss has in store because with songwriters this talented, there are a lot of ideas they still could culminate. You can check out their EP “Fall” out at https://cairiss.bandcamp.com/

Album Review- Blood Ceremony: Lord Of Misrule

“Lord of Misrule” is the fourth album by Cult Rock band Blood Ceremony and was released on March 25^th, 2016. Blood Ceremony have been a group that has been off and on my radar since their debut album in 2008. They took Ozzy era Sabbath, flutes and cult imagery and created a band that was quite original in my book. My mind was blown the first time I heard “Into The Coven” and I've followed all of their records since. I was really excited when I got my hands on the new one that I had to cover it. But is it a worthy record?

Track Listing

1.Devil's Widow-Right away I really live the vintage production here similar to Brimstone Covens new album. The riffs are heavy and catchy as normal and Alia O'Briens flute playing is extremely immaculate as well. Here voice really sores over this song as well with a little of grit on the back end as well. This is an extremely well written first track with a lot of soloing from every one it almost reminds me of Deep Purples Burn in that it really shows almost a super group feel between all the members. I really like that they threw in a slow acoustic segment in this otherwise heavy cult rocker.

2.Loreley- This song has a really good atmosphere between the thumping pop sounding organ it almost sounds like Heart meets Black Sabbath and I really dig it, it's something different. It isn't really a rock song it has more of a dark 60's pop tone to it.

3.The Rogue's Lot- This song is one of my favorites on the album in terms of how catchy it is. It has that really heavy riffing that really picks up with that jazzy feel similar to the first Sabbath record. The last chorus really just punches you in the dug with how catchy it is.

4.Lord of Misrule-Another extremely catchy song with some haunting riffing and vocal harmonies opening. I really have to point out how awesome the imagery portrayed in these songs is as well. Another of my favorites. The flute solo is epic as well it flows so well.

5.Half Moon Street- Easily my favorite song on the album because of how it mixed bluesy riffing with a folk like attitude. I really love Sean Kennedy's riffing here it is dirty but melodic and his quick fuzzy solos are just barely visible in the mix to add just another layer to a very well written mid paced 70s rock song.

6.The Weird of Finistere- This is probably the most atmospheric song on the album as it really captures this dark unsettling feeling. The lyrical imagery is really interesting as well. There is a very classical music element that I take from here also. A very dark and beautiful well written song.

7.Flower Phantom- This song is similar to “Loreley” in its 60's pop feel. It almost feels like Jefferson Airplane took a dark turn or had a bad trip. It is a really catchy and haunting tune.

8.Old Fires- I get a really big UFO vibe from this song with the Schenker-esque riffing and The heavy organ in the background. O'Briens voice really pushes this song harder as well. It's a pretty good rocker and has that catchy as hell chorus as well.

9.Things Present, Things Past- The last track on the album. It is a more acoustic driven song and I think it is a very good one to take the album out on. It holds a lot of emotion within the playing as well as the really smooth yet gritty production. I love the flute playing as well it adds another layer of originality that most bands don't have. Superb group and the ending where it slowly starts reversing gives a really creepy vibe that I dig a lot.

Overall, I give this record a superb 9 out of 10. This is easily my favorite record in Blood Ceremonies discography as well. It combines a lot of different musical elements but still has a prime focus and doesn't become disjointed at any point. This is 70's Cult Rock at its finest.

Album Review- Diamond Head: Diamond Head

“Diamond Head” is the self titled seventh studio record by New Wave of British Heavy Metal legends Diamond Head and was released on March 11^th, 2016. Since pretty much day one I have been a pretty big Diamond Head fan. “Lightning to The Nations” and “Borrowed Time” I always had on constant rotation and Brian Tatler is a god in my book. He is a riff making machine and seeing how this band has been through so many line up changes, luckily he has been through the whole run pulling out mostly consistent material throughout the past thirty turbulent years. Now that they are back after seven years and with a brand new lead singer, lets see if the Head have anything left to prove.

Track Listing

1.Bones- Opening with a cool rolling riff with a catchy drum beat, this song starts really strong and oh when the vocals come in, they come in with a bang. Their new singer Rasmus Anderson has a very Sean Harris feel but his range is really great and he brings his own style to the table as well. The whole band is on fire and this song just sounds like old school Diamond Head but with a fresh take to it and its catchy as hell.

2.Shout at the Devil- No not a Motley Crue cover, thank god. This song is a total ripper and a bit more straight forward than the first song. It has that total NWOBHM feel to it and the chorus is really cheesy but it kicks so much ass. The soloing is really killer too this song has everything that Diamond Head is and has always been about. Better than Motley Crue eh?

3.Set My Soul On Fire- This song has a heavier chugging to it and the mid pace actually works fairly well. I love the chants in the background too it adds a darker atmosphere as well. A good jam.

4.See You Rise- The frantic acoustic riffing is interesting and really builds with the driving bass into a really hard driving riff. This almost sounds a bit like Tygers of Pan Tang but hey same movement similar styles so Im not surprised. One of the catchiest songs on the record easily.

5.All The Reasons You Live- This is one of the most well composed songs on the record as well with a very atmospheric opening that sets an impressionable tone and makes me albums think im listening to Amon Amarth. The song is very mid paced almost middle spot of a rock song and a ballad. However, I find it really works well.

6.Wizards Sleeve-This is another old school fast paced tune that is catchy like all the songs before as well. I really like how present the bass guitar is too. Sounds like it could've been on their first record and would've fit very well.

7.Our Time is Now- The dirty bluesy riff is really killer on this track and the bass really gets to shine during the verses which I really dig as well. This tune is a bit more laid back in terms of speed but still has that dark classic heavy metal feel to it.

8.Speed- Obviously this song had to be classic speed metal bordering on 70s hard rock and it still really works. There is some really nice heavy chugging that I catch my self bobbing my head to and the solo is really awesome as well. I hope they throw this one in their live set.

9.Blood On My Hands-This song sort of sounds like Lightning To The Nations but definitely is not. It has a much less straight forward tone to it and is a bit more foreboding. I really like the chorus here as well it works against the ascending note picking verses into straight riffing. Another great song.

10.Diamonds- This song almost has a jazzy feel to it in the beginning but then heads right into old school speed metal riffing. I kind of think this song is a statement with the chorus screaming Diamonds are forever, I hope so indeed boys.

11.Silence-Opening with another atmospheric mood and some nice acoustics, I really like how it really builds up with more of the band slowly coming from the shadows. It almost has a stargazer feel to it and I really like to see how well this song is for a more straightforward band like these guys. This is is an excellent closer to the record because it really has an epic feel to it like most closers do and shows how matured this band really is and how well of song composers they are.

Overall, I give this record a stellar and solid 9 out of 10. Diamond Head are back, and in a big way. Despite the numerous line up changes, Brian Tatler and the boys really pulled together a solid record that takes old styles and makes them fresh. They really do say diamonds are forever and I believe Diamond Head are the definition of that.

Album Review- Jorn: Heavy Rock Radio

“Heavy Rock Radio” Is the third covers album released by Norwegian Heavy Metal act Jorn and was released on June 3^rd, 2016. Before this release I rarely had heard of the band and most notably vocalist Jorn Lande who actually has a pretty impressive track record for the past twenty years or so. Before putting this album on I went through his back catalog a bit and found that he is a pretty good vocalist and very Ronnie James Dio-esque(Well he did release a full tribute album to the man). However, with seeing how many cover albums he has, does he have a really original sound? Or does it just sound like someone trying to make a quick buck. Well I suppose lets find out.

Track Listing

1.I Know There's Something Going On(Frida)- The opening song and a pretty good cover of a rather cheesy eighties song. It is a relatively simple cover but Jorns voice holy hell does it really fit and makes this track metal. Its a fun opener.

2.Running Up That Hill(Kate Bush)-This cover is a really simple pop song as well but adding that heavy metal aspect really makes it even catchy. I feel Jorns voice is too high in the mix though for some reason. This one feels sort of awkward to me I just don't feel like it quite gets to that “fun cover” feeling.

3.Rev One The Red Line(Foreigner)- This is one of my favorite Foreigner songs and I think Jorn does better with this song and I love the heavy keyboard presence in the background. This is a fun cover and pretty faithful to the original.

4.You're The Voice(John Farnham)- This song really got put into overdrive and really works with a heavier sound as well. Jorns voice fits this song perfectly it is a really good cover with an original sound to it I believe.

5.Live To Win(Paul Stanley)- I always found the original pretty comical because it sounded so unbelievably cheesy but I like Jorns version it has a bit of a harder hitting feeling. It also is not as high as Stanley sang it and it gets points for that as well.

6.Don't Stop Believin'(Journey)- I can't really say anything about this one, it's just a song I've heard so much to the point where I cant hear it anymore. If you still can then it's not a bad cover it's just a cover.

7.Killer Queen(Queen)- This cover is interesting, it has a lot going on in the back as well. I think Jorns voice is too low for this song specifically but I do like the verses they sound very modernly pop which is interesting to hear.

8.Hotel California(The Eagles)- Another song I am honestly sick off honestly thanks to nonstop classic rock station rotations. Its a cover that's all I can really say about it.

9.Rainbow In The Dark(Dio)- A bit more familiar territory on this track and I can see where most of Jorns inspiration comes from. I like the alternative opening as well and his voice fits it perfectly even though It's a bit lower. A pretty fun cover.

10.The Final Frontier(Iron Maiden)- A recent Maiden cover which really peaks my interest as well. It is a pretty good cover and his voice almost parallels Bruce's which is almost a bit creepy but cool nevertheless. This cover is probably the closest sounding to the original song than any other track on this album.

11.Stormbringer(Deep Purple)- One of my favorite Hughes/Coverdale tracks and I think they nailed this cover it is a pretty fun faithful and 80s drenched sounding one. Really digging it.

12.Die Young(Black Sabbath)- A cover of my all time favorite Dio sung tune and it really caps off the album in good light I believe. It is still a bit laid back but Jorns voice fits extremely well. Probably one of my favorites on the album.

Overall, I give this album a 6 out of 10. Honestly, it is a covers album so it is nothing really ground breaking. However, this album, even though s bit stale at parts has some really fun renditions of some of our favorite songs and for a casual Heavy Metal listener, I would give this one a fling, you might find some enjoyment out of it.