Mattowarrior's Metal Madness

It is my pleasure with this review to introduce you to Herman Martinez (Video Version of this review available on the bottom).  Herman Martinez is an up and coming (though experienced in previous bands) musician to look out for with his newer solo project.  He plays an ethereal form of rock that crosses into many styles and influences. One of his admitted influences is the ever evolving musical auteur Steven Wilson, whose venturing into prog, alternative, metal, and psychedelic space rock styles have inspired a legion of like minded musicians to push the boundaries.  Herman Martinez is one of these people. I also hear some elements of shoegaze, Pink Floyd and related bands, as well as alternative/indie in Herman's new album, Secret Doors, Hidden Stairs (which appears to be his second release on Bandcamp). The surreal title and artwork is only a hint of what the music contains, because it definitely contains multitudes to paraphrase the famous poet Walt ...

Review: Ravenscroft- The Chase w/ My Dearest One (Single) Ravenscroft describes themselves as "a seasoned foursome of musicians whose individual backgrounds and eclectic educations present handsomely delivered melodic alternative rock. With some of the greatest rock performers in their favored list of influences, Ravenscroft synthesizes the monumental sounds of blues/early roots rock, the psychedelic/ acid rock of the late 1960’s, the harder rock and metal impact of the 1970’s and the 1980’s, the 90’s grunge influence of Seattle."  That may be a mouthful, but nevertheless, they deliver on this mix of sounds on their new single releases, "The Chase" and "My Dearest One".  "The Chase" is the heavier of the two songs, featuring doomy and grungy guitars. "My Dearest One" is a heartfelt ballad featuring some very soulful vocals and guitar solos. If you miss the ballads of the early 90's by the likes of Guns and Roses and o...

Back to Eden is the solo project of Guitarist/Bassist/Songwriter Edan Hoy from Melbourne, Australia. In collaboration with vocalist Aliz, plus special guest musicians from all over the world; according to their press release, they play 'Old School' Hard Rock/Heavy Metal, similar to that of Metallica, Judas Priest and Dio. Their new single, Twin Flame, has premiered and it is exactly what they describe it as, maybe with a little bit of Accept and other German sounds thrown in there. Reading the lyrics, now this is an interesting subject matter for a traditional/power metal song. It seems that they are talking about the idea of "Twin Flames" which is related to the ages old concept of "Soulmates" but a bit different and is often associated with a lot of the "New Age" movement.  The production of Twin Flame is good, pretty much standard, but I would say that it could take a few more chances. That said, I am mixed on a lot of the modern methods of me...

Here's another video rant I went on, about Gene Simmons as well as other rock stars recent statements and career moves ("controversial" as always! :) ) 

It's hard to stand out in an some would say, over-saturated market in music, especially within rock and metal nowadays. Bands need an edge to push them over the top as far as originality. One such band to emerge that comes close is IDEK (I don't even know?)  a self professed "Experimental" metal band, hailing from the Netherlands. The band says they are mainly influenced by Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon, and Katy Perry (!).  On their 2017 Self-Titled EP, they straddle the line between the Djent and Deathcore bands of today, but with plenty of things that stand out. One thing is that some of  the clean vocal parts recall vintage Mike Patton at times, something I find refreshing in a a glut of pop punk and emo sounding vocals that populate and can smear otherwise musically invigorating subgenres like the aforementioned Djent (just look at the ruckus over the clean vocal parts on any thread discussing Periphery, for example). Like the aforementioned bands...

As a long time fan, I posed the question- Is Danzig's career in decline? Is anything moving foward going to have the quality of performance, music, and production that was so evident in the past? Watch this controversial video to find out!