Drowning Pool – Full Circle (c) 2007 Eleven Seven Music Drowning Pool’s new release Full Circle is an amazing celebratory release for the legions of rock festival attendees and mullet-sportin’ heshians around the globe. I have to imagine that an insane amount of meth deals have gone down while Drowning Pool served as a backdrop. Despite the pinnings of being a Hard Rock band from the American South nowadays, these boys have their hearts in the right place. After suffering the tragic loss of their lead singer, the band persevered. After parting ways with their next vocalist, again they kept it on track. Now with a new release and back on top of their game, they are lobbying congress for better treatment of injured US soldiers. I don’t care what your standpoint is on war, the people that have been wounded, both physically and mentally, ought to be given proper medical treatment. So hooray for Drowning Pool to have the wherewithal to stick up for people that legitimately need help. As for the CD, well it ain’t my cup o’ tea. I kinda grew out of my metal phase years ago. Let me put it this way, if you totally can’t wait to go to Ozzfest, then you should totally check out Full Circle by Drowning Pool–Jerry Actually
The Warriors [Genuine Sense of Outrage]
The Warriors – Genuine Sense of Outrage (c) 2007 Victory RecordsBrand new on shelves today is some solid hardcore on Victory Records. Genuine Sense of Outrage, by Oxnard’s own The Warriors, thankfully brings some guts back to the cadre of Victory releases. Featuring 13 tracks of slightly melodic East Coast style hardcore amply laden with fearsome thrash metal riffs. (albeit from California) Despite the misgivings that some may have against West Coast Hardcore, The Warriors obviously bring it enough to have guest vox from Sick Of It All’s Lou Koller and thee Lemmy Kilmister. The Warriors hold true to the roots of harcore and let the world know that they are fucking pissed, that this ain’t a fashion show and that they can bring some heart back to the scene. –Jerry Actually
The Unseen [Internal Salvation]
The Unseen – Internal Salvation (c) 2007 Hellcat Records The Unseen's latest, Internal Salvation, is the groups second release on Hellcat Records and the follow up to 2005's State of Discontent and just one of some 15 odd releases over as many years. Practice perseverance and dedication have proven yet again that punk is only as dead as the people that give up on it. Internal Salvation presents 13 new tracks replete with angsty wailings of personal tragedy and societal woes. Short and sweet like punk rock ought to be, clocking in right about 30 minutes. Despite all the talk bandied about that The Unseen has sold out, I say, "Bite Me! Let's see you been in a punk band for almost 15 years and still sound that real." –Jerry Actually
Gallows [Orchestra of Wolves]
Gallows – Orchestra of Wolves (c) 2007 Epitaph Records Ok, guess who kicks ass? Give up? Gallows, that's who!. I'm in agreeance with anyone and everyone that says Gallows is the best new punk band to come outta England for a damn long time. Orchestra of Wolves, the band's Epitaph debut contains 14 blistering scathing rants of social commentary and urban survival as well as an homage to Black Flag with a cover of Nervous Breakdown added as a bonus. While I'm not going to comment on each and every track, I will say that Gallows packs a lot of them same energy and vitriolic sonic swirl as the Nerve Agents. Orchestra of Wolves is frenetic and fierce. The songs lash out at you in a disjointed swagger that at every turn threatens to explode. The oddest parts is that while every track is perched on the brink of its own destruction, the same discord keeps everything firmly glued in place. This disc is due out on July 10th. Do yourself and everyone you know a big favor and listen to this as soon as possible.–Jerry Actually
Tiger Army [Music From Regions Beyond]
Tiger Army – Music From Regions Beyond (c) 2007 Hellcat Records Music From Regions Beyond, or if you are like me, Tiger Army:IV is the much anticipated release from SoCal Psychobilly mavens Tiger Army. This is the fourth full length release (not including The Early Years) and the band’s most polished effort yet. I have to be honest, I was very anxious and a little nervous that this release would be a vast departure from the Tiger Army that I enjoy. I was fearful that it would be more ‘commercial’. I’m pleased to announce that despite all the hype, Music From Regions Beyond remains true to form. All the darkness and soul searching is still intact in Nick 13’s songs. Despite the obvious pop rock production value in the recording, the tracks aren’t calling out to be majorly embraced by the radio rock community. As much as I wish Tiger Army success, I hope that they continue to achieve it while remaining true. So far so good. 2.) Hotprowl 3.) Afterworld and 9.) Hechizo de Amor are some of the stand out tracks, however, each and every one of them are damn good. All said, Music From Regions Beyond is a bad ass disc that will be loved by fans old and new.–Jerry Actually
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars
Sierra Leone's Refuge All Stars – Livin Like A Refugee (c) 2007 Anti Records Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars make Reggae flavored World/Affrobeat music. They are decent at what they do. However, If you heard them in the background, you might not even pay that much attention. They don't break any sonic barriers. They aren't going to astound you with their radical new approach to music. Why, you ask, should I even bother then? I'll tell ya there fella. The story is what makes them amazing. 11 musicians from in or around Freetown Sierra Leone, Africa, all living in a refugee camp in Guinea forge together and triumph over adversity. Imagine being torn from your home and sent to a foreign land to live in makeshift camps, not knowing your fate from one day to the next and still having the time and wherewithal to come together as a group. That is freaking awesome. The rising above the pain and struggle through music. It is the core and essence of humanity. Plus, despite what I said at the top, this is a good disc. It is musically apt and enjoyable to listen to, even if it isn't incredibly innovative. So do the world a favor and say hello to your neighbors from Sierra Leone.–Jerry Actually
Driver Side Impact
Driver Side Impact – The Very Air We Breath (c) 2007 Victory RecordsFile under “Also Ran”–Jerry Actually
My New Vice
My New Vice – S/T EP (c) 2007 My New Vice: 1. A brand new band on the NorthWest scene. 2. A brand new EP from the aforementioned band. The new self-titled EP from Portland based My New Vice offers five solid tracks of darkly melodic post-grunge heavy rock. There is a punk edge here, but the song writing and arrangements come across as a bit more mature. Tracks three, “The Dead Never Lie” and four, “Mr Tremens” stand out particularly in their diversion from the usual pablum. Both offer fairly different sounds with the former being bouncing yet brooding and the later having more sonic diversity with a soft jangly intro the quickly melds into what is easily the heaviest (though not the fastest) track on the EP. The final track, “Hell America” brings it home by kicking the tempo up and showing off the some of the more punk rock roots. All in all, My New Vice pulls together some heavy rock while portraying a possibly dystopian future. If you live in Portland, by all means pick up a copy and check ’em out at a show.–Jerry Actually
Murderland [Lights Out]
Murderland – Lights Out (c) 2007 Pirish Records Welcome one and all to Murderland, a four piece horror punk act from Santa Barbara, California. Lights Out ponies up seven tracks of ghoulish macabre ala The Misfits, Balzac and others of the genre. Albeit the Misfits influence is prevalent in the vast majority of horror punk style bands, Murderland doesn't fail to bring it with a contagious aggression of their own. If you like your rock all punked up and ghastly scary, pick yourself up some Murderland, crank it up and lurch around your room like a zombie.–Jerry Actually
Third Grade Scuffle
Third Grade Scuffle – Secrets Don't Make Friends … (c) 2006 Hailing from, of all places, Oklahoma. Ok, so maybe there is a college that happens to be in Norman. I guess that there would have to be to get a CD packed with horns and political ideals. All kidding aside, I'm pretty damn pleased by what I'm hearing. "Secrets Don't Make Friends, But They Can Rule The World" from Third Grade Scuffle is a pretty tight little EP. The sound is reminiscent of Bosstones and/or LTJ, but with more aggressive attitude ala H20. Add to that a political bent and you've got a damn good mix of hardcore and horns. My only regret is that this is only an EP.–Jerry Actually