Sunken Monkey-Party Scars

Bumface Records
2014

Self-described as "pop punk/alternative/rock" and first formed in the early "noughties" (something which makes a tad more sense once you've danced around a bit to the music of these foul-mouth rockers!) we have Lancashire, England's Sunken Monkey and their upcoming new album, "Party Scars". Serving as the group's sophomore outing, "Party Scars" is the the follow-up to a 2009, self-titled release and for a band (guitars/vocals-Spindle, guitars-Rob, bass-Adam and drums- Hendy) which has apparently had more then it's fair share of line-up changes since first coming together there is a remarkable sense of consistency flowing through these gritty numbers. And speaking of numbers, "Party Scars" (with it's run-time of the 38 minutes) comes packaged with 13 songs. Since 13 has always been a favorite number of mine (what can I say friends other then I'm dark!!) I was delighted to see an album that filled that particular quota! But what of the actual music I hear you asking? How is it other then gritty and (as referenced above) danceable? Well, despite the "alternative rock" bit that came with the e-mail promoting the new album "Party Scars" is more about one heartfelt band drawing upon their influences (in this case NOFX, The Menzingers, Rise Against and Four Year Strong) and then transferring all of the energy from said bands into a band of their own making that is part classic punk rock and part classic (heavy) pop-punk. Vibe-wise we're talking about one band that has the whole old-school appeal down flat while the catchy music that makes up the bulk of "Party Scars" comes across as genuine and sincere. It's no wonder then that England's Sunken Monkey has developed a loyal local following! Whether or not the group's last release is as good as this one is the question (or at least my question as this release, so far so good, is all that I've jammed out to so far), but either way "Party Scars" comes recommend.

www.sunkenmonkey.co.uk
 
www.facebook.com/sunkenmonkey
 
www.twitter.com/Sunken_Monkey

Pantaleimon-The Butterfly Ate The Pearl

Grass Girl Music
2013

"The Butterfly Ate The Pearl" makes album number five for England's Pantaleimon. And Pantaleimon is really "just" Andria Degens. Or for the most part. There are some guest musicians, but really this is the living and breathing art work of Andria Degens. This singer/songwriter is also a multi-instrumentalist and a talented/inspiring one at that! And Pantaleimon is her vision. Now, describing Pantaleimon is both simple and complicated. Simply stated this release, which was co-produced with Hugo Race, is psychedelic rock. Well, slowed down, progressive (or downright experimental if you want to be technical about "The Butterfly Ate The Pearl") and slightly dark and melancholy psychedelic rock, but still, it is what it is. When you slice into an album like "The Butterfly Ate The Pearl" though you get the sensation that there is so much more to the music of Pantaleimon. If only you could put your finger on exactly what that extra something is. It's there and it's not as if it is hidden, but putting into words seems like a rather fruitless endeavor. So the best hope that can be offered is that for Pantaleimon, who are rumored to have evolved into a different entity with "The Butterfly Ate The Pearl", psychedelic rock is a means to an end. Perhaps Andria Degens has taken Pantaleimon and helped it to emerge from it's own cocoon into a beautiful butterfly? That very well could be the case. I can't say for sure where Pantaleimon was prior to a release such as "The Butterfly Ate The Pearl", but where Andria has landed with album number five should be duly noted and yes, praised. Even-keeled and easy on the senses, "The Butterfly Ate The Pearl" (as both an album and a title track) had all the hallmarks of a lazy Sunday afternoon, mid-summer, where dreams and reality collide and you take in the beauty of nature while wishing that moments like that could go on forever. That isn't to say that "The Butterfly Ate The Pearl" is all "sunshine and lollipops". It should be stressed that Pantaleimon's latest work, while on the lighter side of psychedelic rock, is darkly romantic. It moves about at it's own pace and it does so without the need to add fake layers of glittery kitsch pop. And for that, a fresh approach at honest reflection, "The Butterfly Ate The Pearl" is all the more pleasing and warrants repeated listens!

The Mighty Wraith-The Awakening

Self-Released/Independent
2014

Calling Birmingham, England their home, The Mighty Wraith, a traditional heavy metal/power metal band that has seemingly come out of nowhere to conquer all with their Manowar-themed metal(!), offer up one of the best debut-albums that I have heard in a L-O-N-G time! Despite the unassuming nature of this ten-track album's artwork (yes, admittedly it leaves a lot to be desired and it sure as hell doesn't even begin to convey what awaits the listener once you dare to hit play on album opener "Fury of the Norsemen"!) "The Awakening", which was dutifully-produced by Danny Nardone* (Aceldama), is chock full off N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired leads (courtesy of Azza Potter and Jonathan Miller), furious drumming (Andrew Kirby) and top-on-the-world lead vocals (Matt Gore)! And speaking of lead vocals, Matt Gore is most certainly a highlight here as he's the perfect front-man that a band like The Might Wraith needs when it comes right down to making their personal take on traditional heavy metal work! Musically, besides the Manowar reference point mentioned previously, some of the more obvious influences spring to mind. Names like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Dio seem to be a more then fair starting point (as would be less-known acts like Heavy Load, Manilla Road, Sleepy Hollow, Dragonslayer and Dark Wizard), but The Mighty Wraith adds their own take to the genre and, thanks to some great lyrically-content, creates an instant heavy metal gem! From time to time new bands like The Might Wraith do actually pop up, ones that seem to have it all from the word go! With a fine debut-album like this already under their belts this UK-based heavy/power metal act looks poised to take that next step out into the battlefield of life. In the meantime why not take up arms and join them? As offered by not only "Fury of the Norsemen" (one spectacular opening number!), but "Nightmare World", "Dragonheart", "Awakening" and "Thunder Of The Gods", The Mighty Wraith take hold of the fire and head the battle cry! One can only hope that countless others (including record labels!) take notice of The Mighty Wraith as this young act comes across as hungry and driven. "The Awakening", which can be streamed here: http://themightywraith.bandcamp.com/, is already on my list of best releases for 2014 and, unless some other epic release comes around and blows my socks off (highly doubtful!), it will be my number one top debut-release of 2014! Don't take my word for it though! Hear for yourself why The Mighty Wraith has me heading the battle-cry at their bandcmap page above!

*Besides being responsible for the awesome sound on the 43 minute plus "The Almighty" Danny Nardone handles bass duites on t

Set To Rise-Set To Rise

Relium X Records
2014

As someone whose adult life has been spent in the company of local bands, spanning from co-workers in rock and roll cover acts to friends playing original material of the heavy thrash/death metal variety,  I try my best to give "preferential" treatment to underground and unsigned acts (as far as coverage goes!). So, when Set To Rise bassist/vocalist Jack Carter contacted Heavy Metal Time Machine about the possibility of covering his band's new self-titled EP I took them up on their request. After all it's either I cover new and up-in-coming bands who actually posses integrity and ingenuity or I review the gawd-awful likes of Metallica whose "One (Awards Show Rehearsal Version)" does to the thrash metal scene what Carrot Top does to stand-up comedy! I know what your thinking and yes, it is a damn good call that we go with England's Set To Rise! And speaking of which, on one hand Set To Rise is (self) described as nu metal while on the other hand we find them simply taking ownership of the (less-descriptive, but equally justifiable) term "metal". With the truth falling somewhere in-between (or at least one could argue as much), Kent-based Set To Rise, who started out in 2012 as (briefly) a cover's band before making the jump over to original compositions, list their influences as being Rage Against the Machine, Trivium, Faith No More, Disturbed, Papa Roach and System of a Down. The Rage Against The Machine reference point shows up in opener "Because Of You" and carries on over to one of the EP's two live cuts, a cover of Rage Against The Machine’s "Sleep Now In The Fire". The other live cut, "Taken", is an original composition and shows what this band is capable of in a live setting (hint: BIG THINGS!), but we're getting ahead of ourselves so let's turn back towards this EP's three studio tracks and Set To Rise's varies strengths (well, beside Jack Carter who lays down some drop-dead serious bass riffs on tracks like "Lost" and "Forgetting Me"). Starting with vocalist Adam Fisher (A British Zack De la Rocha?) and ending with drummer Steve Fisher, with skilled guitarist Jonathan Rennick probably the other real highlight here, Set To Rise prove worth on the three original compositions that are included on this 5-track self-titled EP. Of the three original studio cuts picking a favorite proved to be a hard chore as they each bring something different to the party. Then again so did the live track "Taken". Cover to cover what I liked about the band was their ability to mix things up (fantastic guitar solos abound!) while maintaining the one aspect of nu metal I did/still do like-the heavy ass bass backdrops! Even with the nu metal tag and the Rage Against The Machine reference point though there is plenty about a band like Set To Rise to appease traditional metal fans. First of all unlike 99.9% of nu metal bands this Kent-based act employees actual guitar solos ranging from punk ("Forgetting Me") to almost metallic hardcore ("Lost"). In-between Jonathan Rennick throws in (what could almost be described as) garage rock riffs disguised as street metal ("Taken"). And while Rage Against The Machine were more about mad rhymes then mad rhythms we find Set To Rise force-feeding HUGE metal moments to listeners all while lead vocalist Adam Fisher takes the mic so that he can maneuver his army his army into post-hardcore territory. So yes, regular metalheads could enjoy an EP like this one if they give it a chance. If there was any advice to be given on my end to the band though it would be to concentrate on original material first and foremost. Their own compositions stand up just fine and from Adam Fisher down each and every one of these four musicians has serious skill-sets to make Set To Rise a real legit force to be reckoned with. Also, if it were me leading this band (from a management stand-point) I'd advise the band to lean more on traditional metal then nu metal. Given the extreme talent of guitarist Jonathan Rennick and bassist Jack Carter the foundation is in place should Set To Rise ever decide to take up the banner of lean and mean heavy metal. One could only imagine what kind of post-Black Sabbath wonderment could be achieved if  Jack Carter suddenly decided to lay down some SOUL-CRUSHING, Geezer Butler-infused moments over-top of this band's punk and hardcore attitude! That would be insane! Still, I give this band props for who they are now and for how far they have come from covering other artists to writing their own material. This band warrants future listens and is worth following from this point on!

Purify The Horror-Untitled

Sociopathic Sound Recordings / Dissected Records
2013

Most people would take one look at that album cover and think of the newer film "You're Next". For me though it brings to mind  the1985' TV movie "Fortress". That movie was about a classroom full of kids that were taken hostage by men in rubber masks. They were dragged off into the country side where it became a game of cat and mouse in which you either killed or you would be killed. It's one of those movies that has always stuck with me. At first it was just the artwork that brought " Fortress" back to life. But then you look at the anonymous nature of this Birmingham, England-based act and you hear the actual "music" within this 17-minute debut EP. I'd imagine that this could have been the thoughts of these masked lunatics from "Fortress" as translated into filthy and vile grindcore. The madness that is witnessed in "Fortress", as well as other masked madmen films ("The Strangers", "The Purge", "You're Next" and probably more that slip my mind now), is similar in nature to the madness that lies at the heart of this "plague of savagery and chaos". Dual lead vocalists assure that the listener is kept off guard while the band, which reportedly does feature three prominent musicians from the underground music scene within it's ranks, unleashes blasts of psychotic noise. This one is dreadful (in a good way) in it's delivery so it's not suited for those with weak hearts! Make sure you know what you're in for. Find out more below.
www.facebook.com/pages/Purify-The-Horror/160598863968342 

Your Demise - Cold Chillin'

Impericon/Pinky Swear Records
2013

Yes, you had me with that cool cover. Seeing as I like anything having to do with monkeys I'm pretty much now just putty in your hands. Shape me as you will guys. All kidding aside I wasn't familiar with Your Demise before hearing this 4-track EP. Apparently this five-piece band was formed in 2003 and started out as a Suicidal Tendencies cover band. Well, it's easy enough to see that their hearts were in the right place. Or at least at one point. In 2005 the band recorded its first demo, "Your Days Are Numbered", with the band's debut album, "You Only Make Us Stronger" being released in 2006 on Zone 6 Records. Along the way the band built up a following and, it's worth noting, manged to share the stage with such bands as Biohazard, Parkway Drive, Comeback Kid, The Devil Wears Prada and Miss May I. Soon enough someone was able to pick up on all the noise they were making in the scene as late 2008 saw these guys being signed to Visible Noise. Moving ahead some it was after the band's second album, 2009's "Ignorance Never Dies", that Your Demise parted ways with vocalist George Noble. Former Centurion front-man Ed McRae took his place. This EP follows 2012's "The Golden Age" which was an album that ended up polarizing fans with the decision to include pop-punk/skate punk elements. The track "Nearly Home" betrays that same pop-punk influence on this EP. Thankfully it's the EP's shortest cut. It's "Karma", the EP's single, that opens up things and truly caught my attention. It manages to be strongest track here and the heaviness. "Karma" is reason enough to buy a copy of this EP. I don't exactly know what it's like in Southern England, where these guys call home, but it must be some kind of place to offer up this furious hardcore number! Like I said, that cut alone would be enough to recommend this one. It's not like the other 3 tracks aren't good or anything. The melodic "A Song To-No One" is solid as is "Just Like The End". Both numbers show a band trying to walk the line between their past work and a new sound. Neither track catches them in a bad light it's just that it's hard to improve upon things when your best cut opens up your release. Whatever the case this 4-track release is recommend people. It has it's own sense of  heaviness and offers up one monumental fury of a hardcore cruncher.  .