Explanation

Currently, I am not working any musical projects. However, that may change in the very near future. Mostly, this page was going to be for that purpose, but for now, it's going to have some reviews I did for Wonkavision a while ago. While not much, it's something to leave here, instead of leaving it empty and barren.

Reviews

Made Out Of Babies - Ruiner. When I first heard Made Out Of Babies, I was a little put off. As a huge fan of Red Sparowes, and having liked a few Battle Of Mice songs, I listened to Triad, a three-way release between the bands. After listening to "The Ruiner," I take back everything negative I've ever said about the band (I don't think I've said anything really, but I'm being careful). The album is amazing in so many ways, from the crooning, almost haunting vocals of Julie Christmas, which switch between hair-raising growls and shouts and a schoolgirl-esque singing voice, the down-tuned, screeching guitars, the focused, rolling bass, and the hard-hitting drumbeats. At times, the album is almost disconcerting, and I felt something roll in the pit of my stomach. As I said before: haunting. The album is scary. Not "serial killer" scary, but the kind of scary that makes you feel genuinely creeped out. The shadow in your rearview mirror at night, the creak of floorboards when you're home alone; that kind of scary. Christmas sounds like a woman possessed, and I can only fear what the band's live show would be like with this banshee of a woman on stage, swaying back and forth between singing and screaming, the music rising around her like a hideous tide. The album is brilliant. It's fascinating. It's perfect. However, if you don't like being scared, and you have no appreciation for noise or sludge, I don't think you'll enjoy it that much. But hell, it's worth a shot. [by: Matt Weaver]

Crytopsy - The Unspoken King. If you're reading this, you should be fairly familiar with Cryptopsy. If you're not, I feel sorry for you. I'm not a huge Cryptopsy fan myself, mostly because death metal is not a genre I tend to like, but Cryptopsy has been around for years and they are doing everything right. Again, if you haven't heard of them before, I feel sorry for you. In addition to that, don't start by listening to "The Unspoken King." If you want a good judge of the band, don't start here. It's not your typical death metal album. Or start here. That's fine too. "The Unspoken King" is a great album. Boasting a brand new vocalist (Matt McGachy) and a keyboardist (Maggie Durand), the band's sound is more metalcore-influenced with clean vocals, a departure from their roots, but that's what happens when only one original member remains. The opening track, "Worship Your Demons," is as brutal as ever, starting out with Flo Mournier's intense style of drumming, followed by McGachy's high-pitched screeching throughout. The more melodic "-core" influences begin to surface going into the second track, but become more numerous throughout. However, the band never lets this take over, and it's more than balanced by the heavier aspects the band was founded on. However, the album as a whole is generic-sounding, lacking in innovation, and despite having a keyboardist, the instrument is barely found in any of the songs. The melodic aspects of the record are boring and not catchy, like you would expect them to be. A disappointment overall, but still not a terrible album. If you like Cryptopsy, you'll be disappointed with this album, along with a large majority of their fanbase. However, if you're new and enjoy Killswitch Engage's last album, pick up a copy using the change between the couch cushions. Otherwise, don't bother. [by: Matt Weaver]