Review: Izeovasis- Bound By Design EP (2011)

Band: Izeovasis

Release: Bound By Design EP

Genre: Progressive Metal/Djent

Members: Jason, Nick, Jamison, Derek

Label: Unsigned

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Izeovasis/165678580151365

Tracklist:

1. Already Forgotten Words

2. Because Of Me

3. Corrupted By Mistake

4. A Thousand Times More

5. Weightless

Rating: 8.3/10

Izeovasis is a band from Livermore, CA that I really haven’t heard of till they sent me their new EP Bound By Design. They play a aggressive, slightly technical metal style not unlike bands like Periphery or Sikth. Although they are nowhere near as spazztic as Sikth, they resemble them more closely than any other band I can think of.

“Already Forgotten Words” starts out as a head slammer track that has very much resembles Periphery’s song “The Walk.” Most notably the guitars have the same tone (but with a lower quality mix) and the drums blend with the guitars in the same style as well. But it’s their aggressiveness they bring that sets them apart from other bands. With the transitions between breakdown moments and the faster parts, they really know how to keep it going without losing any momentum.

“Corrupted By Mistake” is a slower but really heavy song that can bring a live set into a huge hardcore pit for the dancers. Nothing really technical like the rest of the EP, but still pretty good. They have a few transitions but they all remain in the same tempo throughout the song and doesn’t speed up. It’s a good change of pace.

“A Thousand Times More” sounds a lot like the last song, but has enough to make it stand out on its own. It has the crunchy math core sound like some of Periphery’s songs with hoarse, screeching vocals and drums that are almost on a permanent breakdown state. I would have to say this is the best track on the album, though I feel it’s way too short.

Overall this is a pretty good EP, though it needs some elbow grease and polish. I know that with the right producer these guys will turn out to be an awesome band. 

Review: A Holy Ghost Revival- Keepers Of Light EP (2011)

Band: A Holy Ghost Revival

Release: Keepers Of Light EP

Genre: Metalcore/Metal

Members: Johnny, Kyle, Craig, Chadwick, Cory, Derek

Label: Unsigned

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

Tracklist:

1. Measure Of Man

2. 2

3. Winds Of Intelligence

4. Keepers Of Light

5. The Dreamers Within

Review: 8.5/10

A Holy Ghost Revival is a hardcore band from Oroville, CA that blends metalcore with heavy keyboards and progressive elements. I managed to get their demo before their new album to get a better understanding of how they have matured.

The demo is pretty good. The track “Searching For The Holy Ghost” is like a metalcore song all the way throughout, but with a slight breakdown tinge that lasts the whole song. Not exactly anything I’ve heard before, so I felt that was noteworthy. “Eyes Of Gold” starts off as a pretty sweet, heavy break down, coupled with legit piano notes to give it a unique edge, then goes off into fast, pummeling drumming with larynx shredding vocals. Now on to the new EP.

“Measure Of Man” is the first track, and it’s pretty awesome. The breakdown in the beginning is kind of subpar, but the rest of the track is good. The transition between verses in this song is pulled off seamlessly, the blast beats over symphonic keys are sweet, and the breakdown in the middle of the song is killer.

“Winds Of Intelligence” is a track that I can imagine being a live show staple for AHGR. The double bass drums over subtle guitars is sure to be a crowd pleaser and get them pumped up. The keys really just give the entire track that much more life than if it didn’t have them to begin with. The guitars, although not technical or anything like that, are really good and keep it moving nice and fast, and at times give an uplifting emphasis.

“Keepers Of the Light” Is probably the mellow, but powerful track on the album. The track is heavy and the keys are more prominent here than the rest of the album. It’s also more metal tinged than hardcore, apparent in the guitars and bass throughout the track. The piano is very soft and almost soothing, even when the band kicks into gear in the beginning of the song. There are some headbanging moments as well, which isn’t too common for a hardcore band (at least, in my opinion). At one part, the keys actually sound like something straight out of a movie.

Overall, I really like the direction these guys are going in terms with their music. Their use of the keys I feel is unique and gives them an edge in the music world. I hope that they get signed soon, a full length album is much needed.

Interview: Thomas of Undefined

Interview @ 4/10/2011

"Like" Undefined here: http://www.facebook.com/undefinedonline

If you're open minded to a political-based metal band from Brazil (or a fan of Puya or Sepultura), then go check out Undefined. I decided to talk with Thomas (center in above picture) and see exactly what motivates them into making their music.

1. So tell people who don't know about you guys a little about Undefined.

 
T: We are a  metal/experimental band from Brazil. We´ve been together for two years now and we´ll be releasing our new cd in May. Huge changes will come!

2. Whats the meaning behind the name Undefined?

   T: Since the beginning, we did not want be restricted by any kind of metal genre. We wanted to make a sound that was heavy with a lot of influences: from samba to jazz, classical music, etc.

3. What are some of your musical influences?

   T: Each member has its own preference. Me (Thomas, vocals and guitars), I love metalcore, death and thrash metal; classical music, jazz and bossa nova too. I am also into some eletronic stuff, punk rock/hardcore music and almost all styles that have the word "rock' on it.

4. I noticed when looking at your Tumblr (http://undefinedonline.tumblr.com/) that you're very much into politics. Is politics the main source of your lyrical content as well?

    

    T: Yes,and I´m glad that you´ve touched this point. All lyrics have political content. I try to write them in a way that they are not so easy to decifer because it´s way to make people think. It´s not a poetry if you ask, but it´s something between a political pamphlet and poetry.

5. If you could play a dream show, what other bands would you perform alongside by?

T: Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying and Metallica.

6. Is there any upcoming albums?

T: Yes, there is. we´ll release our new album on may. we´ll let people download some song from our website and it´ll be available for buying from our website too.

7. Do any of you have any other projects you want fans to know about?

T: For now, no.

8. What advice can you give to people wanting to form their own bands?

T: Never give up. I think Undefined is my sixth band. I never stopped dreaming of having a band . I think that´s what´s all about.

9. Any last words you want to give to your fans?

T: Thanks very much for this space you made available for us (fridayreviews.blogspot.com). We would also want to thank everyone that supports us around the world.

*Bring forth the revolucion*