Review: The Light Iris- Cities Built On Ruins Of Regret EP (2011)

Band: The Light Iris

Release: Cities Built On Ruins Of Regret EP

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Electronica

Members: Andy, Brandon, Alesandro, Edward, Dennis, Marco

Label: Unsigned

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLightIris

Tracklist:

1. Introduction

2. I Hate Song Titles Pt. 2

3. Battle For Athens (Feat. Aaron Pauley from Jamie's Elsewhere)

4. Betrayer

5. Architects

6. Weast

7. I Hate Song Titles Pt. 2 (iNexus Remix)

8. Architects (Skollie Remix)

Review: 7.4/10

The Light Iris is a new band on the scene that formed in late 2009, yet have already gained a following. Cities Built On Ruins Of Regret EP is their debut, of which they also self-produced.

Being a new band, most people will expect to hear a band that has yet to find their “sound,” meaning that they have yet to find their groove and to put their strengths into their songs. The Light Iris is a electronically infused post-hardcore band, and on this EP they threw on a couple dubstep remixes as well. The first song “I Hate Song Titles Pt. 2” has a uptuned riff over a basic breakdown with slight synths thrown in for good measure. The vocals kick in and they trade off between unclean and clean vocals throughout the song. This band reminds me of when post-hardcore first started coming around, when most of the popular bands of today were just starting out. If you have any idea of A Skylit Drive or Attack Attack! In their beginning days, then you would have a good idea of what these guys sound like.

“Battle For Athens” is the stand out track on the album, not only because it features Aaron Pauley from Jamie’s Elsewhere, but also that the music sounds noticeably polished as compared to the rest of the album. The clean vocals don’t sound as rough as the rest of the album, the guitars sound tightly composed, and the drums help keep it all in line. Being new in the post-hardcore genre, it’s hard for any band to truly stand out among other bands, as it’s likely that when they play a breakdown or bridge, it will sound like some other band.

One thing about the dubstep remixes is that they really lack the bass that most artists use in their songs. “I Hate Song Titles Pt. 2 (iNexus Remix)” is a case in point. It sounds like a weird cross of dubstep and electro music while only retaining the vocals and some of the drums. It really didn’t tickle my fancy, even though I am a fan of dubstep. It doesn’t really get good for me until around the 2:25 mark.

Overall, this could be a band to watch out for in the future. They don’t showcase it yet, but practice makes perfect. I have faith that these guys find a unique sound and rise above the so called “Risecore” bands of today.

Review: Dead Leaf Echo- Verisimilitude EP (2011)

Band: Dead Leaf Echo

Release: Verisimilitude EP

Genre: Indie/Electronica/Atmospheric

Members: LG, Ana B., Christo B., J. Parker

Label: Custom Made Music

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/deadleafecho

Buy Here: http://deadleafechonyc.com/shop

Tracklist:

1. Half-Truth (Fryer Remix)

2. Act Of Truth (RxGibbs Falling Away Dub)

3. Half-Truth (Elika Remix)

4. Woolgathering (Mark Van Hoen RMX)

5. Half-Truth (Spry! Remix)

6. Act Of Truth (DLE Remix)

Review: 9.2/10

The new Dead Leaf Echo release Verisimilitude  EP is actually a remix EP of 3 different songs from their previous release Truth EP, with the song Half-Truth remixed three times, Act Of Truth two times, and Woolgathering once. They are a atmospheric minimalist indie band, and this remix EP brings their music into new territory not previously explored, such as new wave and electronica. Since it is a remix EP, I will not delve too much into the lyrics and just focus on the music.

The first song Half-Truth (Fryer Remix) has a sort of spacey and otherworldly vibe to it. The vocals go back and forth between an echo and overlaying the track. Really touching song here and the overall style is excellent. Half-Truth (Elika Remix) is a more digitized version than the previous remix and it also has female vocals. It’s also more minimalized than the previous remix as well, opting for easy to access sounds without trying to go out and create a broad soundscape. Woolgathering (Mark Van Hoen RMX) is a gritty, creepy sounding track with fuzzy overtones and echoed vocals. It doesn’t ever really pick up the tempo and drags along (not saying that as a bad thing here) at the speed of molasses. Near the end, it throws an orchestral element and brings a sort of epicness to the track. Half-Truth (Spry! Remix) starts out promising enough and matches the rest of the album, but then goes into this repetitive thing with a faux-orchestra that reminds me a little of the water palace from Secret Of Mana on Super Nintendo.

I give this remix EP a high score because it’s a dreamy experience with a well executed atmospheric soundscape that few bands can pull off. The only letdown I had was the track Half-Truth (Spry! Remix). I look forward to what this band will do in the future.

Interview: Elliot Coleman (Of Legends, Of Man Not Of Machine, Sky Eats Airplane)

Interview @ 5/5/2011

“Like” Of Legends here: http://www.facebook.com/oflegends

“Like” OMNOM here: http://www.facebook.com/ofmannotofmachine?ref=ts

“Like” Sky Eats Airplane here: http://www.facebook.com/SkyEatsAirplane
Check out the Elliot Coleman and Zack Ordway soul/R&B songs here: http://soundcloud.com/elliotcoleman/sets/elliot-zack-songs/

Elliot Coleman is one of those guys you heard about now, but in about a year or two from now will be an epic driving figure in the music scene. I first heard about him when a friend of mine gave me some myspace rips of OMNOM and to this day I listen to the songs Snow Angel and Absence of Air on a daily basis. After doing my homework I found that not only was he added on to Sky Eats Airplane on the “Sounds Of Symmetry EP,” but also for Of Legends as the current bassist. If that wasn’t enough for your earholes, he also has a very promising soul-inspired side project with SEA and Of Legends bandmate Zack Ordway jokingly called Zelliack. People need to check out this guys work. You will be sorry if you don’t.

RB: So how did you end up in Of Legends? How long have you known Luis and were you on the Doomsday EP?

EC: Well, I had met Luis only about two or three times prior to me joining his band when he came out to a few SEA shows in Texas, he's know Lee and Zack for awhile. Our last SEA show was played without a singer, we decided we would just have a bunch of our friends from other bands help us through the set by selecting a song they wanted to do, Luis did "Disconnected". Luis already had planned to record his metal album not long after that, he hired Travis to play drums on it. Seeing that our band (SEA) was wasn't really doing anything anymore, so he asked us if we'd like to join Of Legends. I wasn't on the Doomsday EP, I wasn't on the "Stranded" album either, I joined after it's completion. Luis wrote and played all of the instruments himself for the entire album, except for Travis who took the drum parts that Luis originally wrote and "Orbinated" them. I'm extremely grateful to be in this band with such amazing people, and being able to continue my musical career with Zack and Travis is icing on the cake.

RB: What are your guys current plans since the tour has ended? Any new songs or shows coming up?

EC: We absolutely have plans for plenty more touring this year. The album just came out, so I wouldn't expect any new songs for a little bit.

RB: Do you ever plan on playing live or touring with Of Man Not Of Machine anytime soon? What is the meaning behind the band name?

EC: I'd love to play an OMNOM show, I don't think touring could ever realistically happen because of how much Misha and I tour, but I wouldn't rule out a show or two in our hometown. The band name, and the band itself for that matter, was Misha's idea. He had asked me to audition for Periphery years ago but I never did, we had been friends for a long time and he thought it'd be fun to have a project together. The name of man not of machine was chosen purely so the acronym would be OMNOM, pretty good marketing idea eh? Hahaha he's a clever guy.

RB: Have you guys gotten together to discuss about or write new material for OMNOM? Will there be a long awaited release soon?

EC: I was hanging out with Misha the other day, we'd love to do a official album, it just comes down to when we'd have time to do it. I'm sure it will happen at some point, but I can't truthfully say when.

RB: On your new OMNOM page you made, I noticed it doesn't list Hat Malpern or Jake Bowen. Are they no longer in the band?

EC: Matt was asked to join OMNOM back before the was in Periphery, he was still drumming for Animals as Leaders then, he was totally into the project. Jake Bowen has been a great friend of mine for many years and he said he'd play bass for us if we ever played a live show. The only members are really just Misha, Mark Holcomb (Haunted Shores) and I. Mark was originally just going to be a live member and play all the guitar parts that I wrote but wouldn't' be able to sing and play at the same time, but he's just such a good guitar player with such an amazing ear for melody that it would be a waste to not have him be a active part of the project and contribute. Right when we asked him to join we sorta went on a song-writing hiatus, so his only contributions have been on the song "Absence of Air", but he's written tons of new material that kill, very excited to work on more of his ideas in the near future.

RB: On your Soundcloud account, you listed songs you've made with Sky Eats Airplane bandmate Zack Ordway. Will this be a full functioning project or just for fun?

EC: Of Legends is top priority, but I wouldn't rule out maybe a local show here and there for the time being.

RB: Do you plan on releasing your songs with Zack Ordway at any time?

EC: While I was auditioning for SEA, Zack and I were already talking about doing Soul/R&B inspired songs, we love that style of music just as much as metal, if not more. We'd love to put out an album of that material and I can't see why that won't happen at some point.

RB: So what is the news on the Haunted Shores release coming out? Are you just one of the many singers or full time singer?

EC: Just a bunch of singers singing on a bunch of songs. I've done one so far (My the Man) but I'll do as many as they want. I'm working on Immaterial right now.

RB: So what exactly is going on with Sky Eats Airplane? You all have seemingly dropped off the map since your latest release "The Sound Of Symmetry EP" and kicked out Bryan Zimmerman as well.

EC: Haha yeah I guess we did sorta just drop off eh?

RB: Are you the new lead singer for Sky Eats Airplane now? Any new tours, releases, etc.?

EC: I'm afraid the answer to all of these questions is no.

RB: Do you have any other projects you want your fans to know about? Any chance you will be working with Killtrox and The Motherships?

EC: I'm in no way a part of Killtrox, but I absolutely love the idea, concept, and music behind it. I'm trying my hardest to learn Area Fifty done on guitar because it's easily some of the best playing I've ever seen on guitar. In case there's anybody out there who hasn't seen his play-along video and is curious, check out this link and make sure you gotta fresh pair of undies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfR-2-SOV9w

RB: In your extensive writing and performing with your million and one bands, what guitars, basses and other gear do you prefer to use? Any difference between recording and performing live?

EC: Well, I don't really play guitar live, but I love Ibanez, they're the only guitars I own, I have five Prestige models. Two RG 1527's, one RG 3550, one RG 550, and one RGA 121. I at one point also owned a RG 2550. All of the six string guitars use 11-70 gauge strings. I played through a PODX3. I honestly don't know much about bass equipment, but I do enjoy the Fender Geddy Lee signature bass. I dunno, Ampeg makes good shit haha. When I joined SEA I used the previous bass player's backline, but now that it's all been sold, I'm going to be playing bass through the worlds most convenient processor, the Axe FX Ultra.

RB: Who are your biggest musical influences? What is your inspiration to go out and play music every day?

EC: Jeff Buckley, Bjork, Sly Stone are all big vocal influences of mine. As far as overall musicians though I'd have to say that my friends are what inspire me. I'm very lucky that I get to play/write with all of my close friends who also happen to be amazing musicians.

RB: If you had to give up playing music, what would you do to stay creative?

EC: I'm not sure, probably learn how to build and fix guitars.

RB: What sort of advice can you give people trying to start their own bands?

EC: Don't stop passing out those demos, I can't tell you how many OMNOM demos I passed out.

RB: Any shout outs you want to give?

EC: Naa

RB: Any last words for your fans?

EC: Thanks for listening

*You stay classy, planet earth*