Reviews Archives

Man Alive - Man Alive

By The Headless Horseman in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Man Alive Album: Man Alive Label: B& Recordings/Doghouse Records (US) Buy: The IVM Store Review by the Headless Horseman. 1. If You Breathe, You Bleed 2. The Things Left Worth Dying For 3. In Spite of All 4. Invincible 5. Stick Around 6. Mission Abort 7. Morningside 8. Laugh or Cry 9. Until Somebody Screams 10. Proud To Be Un-American 11. Myth vs. Fact There’s something great about listening to the artists we can still unabashedly call punk. Before I go on, let me clarify that: I am not here referring to bands like Black Flag, whom I would consider hardcore.… Continued →

Ocean Is Theory - Into The Mouth Of Lions

By Billy G in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Ocean Is Theory Album: “Into The Mouth Of Lions” Label: Independent Review by: Billy G Recording their debut EP, “Into the Mouth of Lions” with Matt Malpass (Copeland, Rookie of The Year) and Matt Goldman (Underoath, As Cities burn, Cartel). Ocean Is Theory is yet another group that severely impresses me. These guys are young,(Four out of the five members are still in high school) but that does not limit their musical ability at all. Recently being selected as one of the 16 winners of the New Band Showcase Contest for Cornerstone Festival, these guys have a very bright future ahead of them.… Continued →

Inhale Exhale- I Swear...

By Kimberly in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Inhale Exhale Album: I Swear Label: Solid State Records Review by: Kimberly J Tracklisting 01. I Need A Space Ship (Instead I Got Problems) 02. Its Myself Vs. Being A Man 03. The Impatient Will Suffer 04. Is The Fact That Im Trying To Do It, Doing It For You? 05. I Live The Bad Life (You Make It Worse) 06. No One Is Invincible 07. The Words That We Have Chosen 08. Drink Till We Drop 09. Ill Die with No Friends And A Grin On My Face 10.… Continued →

Jadon Lavik - Roots Run Deep

By JoshIVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Jadon Lavik Title: Roots Run Deep Label: BEC Recordings Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Come Thou Fount 02. Blessed Assurance 03. Tis So Sweet 04. My Father’s World 05. I Surrender All 06. Wondrous Love 07. Turn Your Eyes 08. I Need Thee 09. Take My Life 10. What a Friend 11. Amazing Grace I love hymns. To me, there is no way I’d rather worship than to sing those timeless songs. I realize the praise & worship movement is all the rage now but they will never have the same impact on me.… Continued →

Soul Embraced - Dead Alive

By bloodwater in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Soul Embraced Album: Dead Alive Label: Solid State Records Review by: Jason B I like music and lyrics that tell a story. I’ve always been a fan of records that, when listening to them, give the listener a feeling that they are partaking of something bigger than just a cd: records that seem to take individuals on a journey. Such is the case with “Dead Alive”, the latest release from Soul Embraced. Firstly, what stands out the most is the production quality in comparison to other releases from the band.… Continued →

Underoath - Survive Kaleidoscope

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Underoath Album: Survive Kaleidoscope Label: Tooth & Nail/ Solid State Records Release Date: May 27, 2008 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist (for both CD and DVD, unless otherwise noted): 1. Intro (Salmarnir)/ Returning Empty Handed 2. In Regards to Myself 3. It’s Dangerous Business Walking out Your Front Door 4. You’re Ever So Inviting 5. To Whom It May Concern 6. A Moment Suspended in Time 7. Young and Aspiring There Could Be Nothing after This [ONLY ON DVD] 8. Writing on the Walls 9.… Continued →

Destroy the Runner - I, Lucifer

By bloodwater in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Destroy the Runner Album: I, Lucifer Label: Solid State Records Review by: Jason B Track Listing: 1. Crumbs For the Murder 2. Isabella’s 3. Mr. and Mrs. Cuckoldom 4. A Bag of Marbles 5. I, Lucifer 6. It’s Always Cold In Paris 7. A Pathetic Psalm 8. Luxuria 9. On Falling Leaf 10. A Novel Of War 11. A Mountain So Big, A Question So Small When Destroy the Runner burst onto the scene in 2006 with their ferocious debut “Saints” they were filling four minute time slots of songs with familiar breakdowns, guitar solos and chug-a-chug riffs that would make the biggest of As I Lay Dying fans question whether vocalist Tim Lambesis had been replaced with another guy.… Continued →

The Famine - The Raven and the Reaping

By Caleb T in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: The Famine Album: The Raven and the Reaping Label: Solid State Records Release Date: May 27, 2008 Reviewed By: Caleb T Track Listing: 1. Scar The Earth 2. Behemoth 3. Consume, Devour, Repeat 4. The South Will Rise 5. Death Threat 6. Killing For Sport 7. Cut From The Stone 8. Ascend 9. Another Foot To The Shovel 10. Unending Silence 11. Stitched In Plastic When you think of the word “famine”, deep growling vocals, fast guitar riffs, and endless double bass usually aren’t the first things that pop into your head.… Continued →

The Hotshot Freight Train - The Devil Pays in Counterfeit

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: The Hotshot Freight Train Album: The Devil Pays in Counterfeit Label: Future Destination Records Release Date: October 23, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Love like Heroin 2. Zoltar 3. Liars Like Us 4. My Dear, Sweet Little Faith 5. Appalachia 6. Had I Known 7. Too Close to Let Go 8. My Holy Spirit 9. Don’t Fight It 10. This Train 11. On and On Combining punk with good old rock and roll, along with a swig of indie, The Hotshot Freight Train continue to perfect their sound and strive for originality with their latest release, The Devil Pays in Counterfeit.… Continued →

Jon Foreman - Spring EP

By bloodwater in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Jon Foreman

Album “Spring Summer”

Label: Credential Recordings

Review by: Sam E

Track Listing: 1. March (A Prelude to Spring) 2. Love Isn’t Made 3. In My Arms 4. Baptize My Mind 5. Your Love Is Strong 6. Revenge

Folks that have followed Jon Foreman’s work since the first Switchfoot album came out in 1997 have long been aware of the fact that he is a brilliant songwriter. Jon has always seemed able to deftly pen a song or ballad that both provokes the muse in all of us, and also cuts deep to the heart and soul.

… Continued →

Search the City - A Fire So Big The Heavens Can See It

By The Headless Horseman in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Search the City Album: A Fire So Big The Heavens Can See It Label: Tooth & Nail Records Buy: Smartpunk/Amazon MP3 Review by the Headless Horseman. 1. Son of a Gun 2. To The Moon, For All I Care 3. Detroit Was Built On Secrets 4. Ambulance Chaser 5. Talk is Cheap and I’ve Got Expensive Taste 6. The Rescue 7. Bigger Scars Make Better Stories 8. The Streetlight Diaries 9. In This Scene You’re Just An Extra 10. Clocks and Time Pieces Let’s talk about pop music.… Continued →

The Almost Show Review Rocketown 06-01-08

By bloodwater in Reviews | Comments closed

I attended The Almost show this past Sunday night and wrote some thoughts down about it. I have never done this before but thought it might be good for those wondering if they should check out this tour which includes in support Emery, Envy On The Coast and Army Of Me. At first I somewhat dismissed Army Of Me because I hadn’t heard of them before but these guys made me interested enough during their set to be my only purchase of their night. I picked up their album at the end of the night.… Continued →

Mini Thrice Show Review House of Blues 5-28-08

By Brandon J. in Reviews | Comments closed

Well, I attended the Thrice show last night at House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. (Downtown Disney) and it was quite a show. I got there kinda late and we were hungry so we ate in the restraunt portion of the venue while Aushua and Pelican were playing. I didn’t hear either band so I apologize if I can’t comment on them. We finally finished up our meal and I entered the venue just before Circa Survive went on….. Circa Survive went on and immediately I wanted to cover my ears.… Continued →

Ever Stays Red - On the Brink of It All

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Ever Stays Red Album: On the Brink of It All Label: VSR Music Group (EMI) Release Date: April 29, 2008 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Rocks & Reeds 2. On the Brink of It All 3. To Shine for You 4. Can’t Explain 5. Run 6. Love So Loud 7. Bright Eyes 8. Life in the Fire 9. Glorious 10. Say What You Will 11. Look to the Hills 12. Letters Despite a lead guitar riff during the intro track that is way too reminiscent of a certain sweet child of mine, On the Brink of It All actually shows to be one enjoyable record.… Continued →

Timbre - Winter Comes to Wake You

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Timbre Album: Winter Comes to Wake You Label: None (released independently) Release Date: April 27, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Autumn People 2. Veni, Sancte Spiritus 3. Fragile Forest 4. White on Red 5. Fjäril 6. Tes Yeux 7. Kyrie Eleison 8. Bringing Meaning to Winter 9. Chorea Amori 10. We with Unveiled Faces Chances are, you’ve heard the work of this harpist before, maybe without even realizing. She is the one that plays at the end of mewithoutYou’s latest album, Brother, Sister.… Continued →

Writer - Don't Wake the Sun 7"

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Writer Album: Don’t Wake the Sun 7” Label: None (released independently) Release Date: February 27, 2008 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: Side A: Don’t Wake the Sun Side B: I Think She Died My attention was caught immediately. “Mixed and mastered by Jason Martin.” Hey, that’s the dude from Starflyer 59! Awesome. And the release itself is actually worthy of bearing such a name on its packaging. This well-polished indie band released a full length last year, and this 7” is the follow-up of sorts.… Continued →

AKissForJersey- Victims

By Kimberly in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: AKissForJersey Album: Victims Label: Tragic Hero Records Release Date: May 6, 2008 Review By: Kimberly Johnson Members/Duties: Zack Dawson- Vocals Cory Wood- Guitar, vocals Joey Allen- Drums Tyler Lucas- Bass, vocals Matt Bean- Guitar Track Listing: 1. Devices 2. Oh, Infamous City 3. Believe 4. The Fire 5. Parallels 6. A Tree And Its Fruit 7. Faces 8. Salus Suas Extanderealas Concedit 9. II 10. The Flood 11. The Evidence “Relief just for the night/ We all resist our will to fight/ Break forth and cry aloud by flocks and hoards we need you now…” In all honesty, there is nothing more musically refreshing then to hear words like these come from the opening track of a record.… Continued →

Y/Our Sparkle Heart - You, Me, and God

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Y/Our Sparkle Heart Album: You, Me, and God Label: Future Destination Records Release Date: February 26, 2008 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Messengers 2. Appointment with the Optimist 3. Return Home 4. Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There Is a Season) 5. City Folk 6. You Say I Say 7. A Song about Winter 8. Countryside 9. Banners and Fires 10. A Song for Martin It seems Future Destination have acquired quite an affinity for original-sounding, acoustic-based indie rock bands. One of the latest of these is the folk-infused, female-fronted Y/Our Sparkle Heart.… Continued →

So Long Forgotten - Beneath Our Noble Heads

By Elbon in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: So Long Forgotten Album Title: Beneath Our Noble Heads Reviewed by: Elbon Sprouse So Long Forgotten is a band that I fell in love with after seeing them for the first time last November with As Cities Burn. I must say just by talking to these guys I could tell they were amazing guys with hearts for the lost and praising God. Beneath Our Noble Heads is for fans of As Cities Burn, Manchester Orchestra, Mewithoutyou, and even Thrice. It’s also very diverse in the sense of being dark in some songs and being straight forward lyrically to moving into a upbeat folk feel that just has you praising God through lyrics and music!… Continued →

Passion - God of This City

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Passion/ Various Artists Album: Passion: God of This City Label: Sixstepsrecords/ Sparrow Records Release Date: February 5, 2008 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Chris Tomlin – Let God Arise 2. Charlie Hall – You Are God 3. Chris Tomlin – God of This City 4. David Crowder Band – O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing 5. Christy Nockels – Hosanna 6. Chris Tomlin – Sing, Sing, Sing 7. Kristian Stanfill – Beautiful Jesus 8. Charlie Hall – Walk the World 9. Fee – We Shine 10.… Continued →

Show Review- Hot Topic Tour

By Cory in Reviews | Comments closed

Bands: The Devil Wears Prada, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, White Chapel, Gwen Stacy Location: The Canal Club Richmond, Virginia May 1, 2008 This isn’t my typical hardcore show. Usually I’m not one for metalcore and especially southern metalcore for that matter, but I had a blast at this show. So please forgive me that I don’t really know these bands songs or anything. Just pretend this review is from someone who has just discovered the hardcore scene. Anyways, Gwen Stacy was up first. They went right into a breakdown when they got on stage, which whipped the crowd into a frenzy.… Continued →

Standing Small - Oh Sweet Child

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Standing Small Album: Oh Sweet Child Label: Future Destination Records Release Date: January 15, 2008 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. I Need You 2. Strings 3. Oh To Know 4. I’m Coming Back 5. Grace through Iniquity 6. When You’re Lost Standing Small are what I would categorize as “The impressive opening act.” You know the type. You went to see the headliner or maybe one of the bands in between, but after this smaller unheard-of band played the first set, you were rushing back to the merch table to pick up a CD (or at least trying to remember their name so you can become friends on myspace).… Continued →

David Crowder Band - Live at the Golden Dome (Feb. 21, 2008)

By The Headless Horseman in Reviews | Comments closed

Setlist: 1. The Glory of It All 2. Here Is Our King 3. No One Like You 4. Foreverandever, etc. 5. Remedy 6. Open Skies 7. I Saw The Light 8. Never Let Go 9. Wholly Yours 10. Never Ending 11. Everything Glorious 12. You Are My Joy 13. Rescue is Coming 14. O Praise Him (All This For a King) 15. Undignified 16. Sing Like The Saints Encore: Here I Am To Worship This isn’t really a review. It’s a fable. It’s a timeless tale intended to teach a lesson.… Continued →

Jordan Critz - Nightlights and Melted Ice

By Eric Pettersson in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Jordan Critz Album: Nightlights and Melted Ice Label: None (released independently) Release Date: July 27, 2007 Review by: Eric Pettersson Tracklist: 1. Somehow 2. Fade Away 3. Leading Me 4. Cold Sunshine 5. Gravity 6. Off My Mind 7. Take It Back 8. Run Too Far 9. The Line 10. Every Moment 11. Brand New Day 12. Begin Again 13. Until We Meet Again “Nightlines and Melted Ice is a symbolism of hope in the dark; of taking steps on faith and the hope of new life after the winter has come to an end,” explains the insert booklet.… Continued →

Burning Tree Project - Time and Color EP

By The Headless Horseman in Reviews | Comments closed

Artist: Burning Tree Project Album: Time and Color EP Label: Independent Buy: The Burning Tree Project Webstore Review by the Headless Horseman. 1. Dear Valentine 2. Hero 3. Hello 4. Free 5. Put Your Helmet On 6. Less of Me, More of You The best thing about reviewing CDs is that you can lie to people. Many reviewers seem to hit the ground running with this. I don’t mean so much that reviewers don’t accurately state their feelings about a CD. All of them, so far as I know, do that quite well.… Continued →

Saving Grace - Behind Enemy Lines

By Jeremie in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Saving Grace Title: Behind Enemy Lines Label: Harvest Earth Records Release Date: 4.22.08 Review By: Jeremie Tracklisting: 01 – Behind Enemy Lines 02 – For So Long 03 – The Most Beautiful Promise 04 – A Poets’s Burial 05 – Just a Second 06 – The Eye Of The Storm 07 – Even As I Bleed 08 – In Your Own Hands 09 – U Becoming You 10 – Last Chance to Dance Members/Duties: xNikx (Vocals) xPigx (Guitar) George (Bass) Papa Bear (Drums Let there be mayhem!… Continued →

With Blood Comes Cleansing - Horror

By JoshIVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: With Blood Comes Cleansing Title: Horror Label: Victory Release Date: 1.22.08 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Intro 02. Hematidrosis 03. Condemned 04. Forsaken 05. Filthy Stains 06. The Suffering 07. Blood And Fire 08. Abaddon’s Horde 09. Horror 10. Carinverous Consumption 11. Damnation 12. Eternal Reign Members/Duties: Dean Atkinson: Vocals Jeremy Sims: Guitar Scott Erickson: Guitar Dennis Frazier: Bass Matt Fidler: Drums I can’t tell how you much I was anticipating the new release from With Blood Comes Cleansing!. Their debut on Blood & Ink had been one of my favorite discs in 2006.… Continued →

Stellar Kart - Expect The Impossible

By JoshIVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Stellar Kart Title: Expect The Impossible Label: Word Release Date: 2.26.08 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Innocent 02. Automatic 03. Jesus Loves You 04. The Right One 05. Sunshine 06. Pray 07. Shine Like The Stars 08. Eyes 09. I Give Up 10. Letters Members/Duties: Adam Agee: Vocals, Guitar Cody Pellerin: Guitar Jordan Messer: Drums Brian Calcara: Bass What can I say about Stellar Kart that hasn’t already been said a million times. They pretty much do the same thing each album. They need to work with a new producer.… Continued →

MyChildren MyBride - Unbreakable

By JoshIVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: MyChildren MyBride Title: Unbreakable Label: Solid State Release Date: 2.26.08 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Faithless 02. On Wings of Integrity 03. The Machinist 04. HEADSHOT! 05. Boris The Blade 06. Severance 07. Versus 08. Waves Of Oppression 09. Circle The Sky 10. Choke Members/Duties: Matthew Hasting: Vocals Kyle Ray: Guitar Robert Bloomfield: Guitar Brian Hood: Drums Joe Lengson: Bass I have been a fan of MCMB and always had figured they’d end up signing with Solid State. In fact I wondered why they hadn’t already.… Continued →

Common Yet Forbidden - Struggle

By JoshIVM in Reviews | Comments closed

Band: Common Yet Forbidden Title: The Struggle Label: Bombworks Release Date: 9.7.2007 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. The Struggle 02. The Prodigal 03. Lake of Fire, Wake of Souls 04. Saints O’ Saints 05. Face of the Father 06. We Only Chase Wind 07. Anthem 08. Dead Alive 09. Still We Remain 10. Riff List (Instrumental) Members/Duties: Carl: Vocals Chris: Guitar Phil: Drums Jordan: Bass Common Yet Forbidden’s debut is probably one of the first releases on Bombworks that will appeal to the new wave of metal fans in America.… Continued →

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