Reverted "Sputter The Worms"

I am really into this. Do you ever instantly get that feeling where you go “Oh yeah, this is the shit”. No? Well, perhaps you should be listening to Sputter The Worms.

Reverted is a four piece band from London, UK. Underground like most of the greatest bands were, this band is on the hunt for greater things. Listening straight from the off you can feel their inspirations. Slipknot, Korn, Metallica, Tool and I find perhaps even Nine Inch Nails but with less distortion.

“Don’t Try To Steal Me From The Inside”. Firstly what?! Is that possible? This song has a good intro. What I would call a “Get Set and Go” start. One, Two, Three and we’re off. You’ll understand when you listen to it. The point is it’s a good technique that I am personally partial too. I mean “Prison Song”. C’mon. We all agree that it’s awesome. They quickly release the low vocals, the deeper tone that perfectly sets the mood of the band. This contrasts immediately with the melodic rhythm of the guitar and drums. Well paced and with a consistency that is soothing. I promise. This is hard rock.

“Sputter The Worms” has the Nine Inch Nail factor. You take in the intro and I immediately recognise the feel and power of the band. Reverted have really hit such a good intro here. Perfect pace from the guitar that really empowers and controls the song. Tony Vega starts up with his duel lyrics. A touch that is always enjoyed. He consistently sings along with the music and doesn’t steer to far from the pace. This makes is easy to take in lyrics. Other bands spend too much effort having bland lyrics/vocals and try to have as many guitar solos you can fit into four minutes. It’s not a competition guys. Reverted really nail this one on the head. The second half of this song really picks up and makes an unexpected turn that I have enjoyed over and over.

If you could give yourself any job, I mean any job you could think of and you had to give yourself a really awesome job title, what would it be? Mangledonia (Harvester of Sin)? I think this would be pretty awesome to have on a business card. This song is immediately interesting. Immediately I think “where is this going?” and oh look. It’s a place that is awesome. Keeping their style consistent, you can already recognise the familiar feel of what Reverted serve. Great lyrics that have back up and are held at all the right moments. A “Chug” (Scientific Term) that is real head banging material. Heavy through out and music that you can just keep listening too. This song fades out really well at the end. It’s really good.

This next track is my favourite. I believe many would agree with me. “Tolerance” has a real feel to it with its immediate melody. Slowly bringing in the rest of the instruments to give it that build up it deserves. The vocals kick in and you understand what Reverted are about. This track is proof that this band is going places. Heavier than the rest of the tracks on “Sputter the Worms” but with the best mix of melody. It has three speeds that go from slow to medium to fast. It affects the whole song and then the cycle begins over. You’re constantly kept on your toes and each bit that they interest just makes you want more. This track is something special and you should have it. Trust me.

“Die My Saint” has a slow start but quickens up almost instantly. Followed by Tony it just gets better. Keeping the pace, they introduce aspects that haven’t been on the previous tracks. There is also a massive Slipknot connection in this track. The distorted shouting, the repetition of it and the way it affects the mood of the song. This is very inspired. Lyrically this track is my favourite. The words are sharp and in brilliant timing with the hard rock.

             Tony Vega, Ozzy Preciado, Luis L Valle and Daniel Ruiz have formed something brilliant. Consistent throughout this whole album and providing hard rock that just makes you want more. Melodic that mixes perfectly with the overall heavy feel of Reverted. It's daring but they dared and the came out the other side with hard rock that can't be faulted.

Suicide Silence "The Cleansing"

The Cleansing, consisting of 14 tracks, is Suicide Silence's first album. This album is the beginning of an unhealthy addiction to Mitch Lucker's vocals. I am also aware that he has been taken from this world. A motorbike accident on Halloween. It is a terrible tragedy and the heavily tattooed frontman will forever be in our minds. I'm also quite upset that he crashed a 2013 Harley Davidson, but that's my bikerself talking. 

Where were we? Oh yes, The Cleansing. 14 tracks (One hidden) of pure Deathcore metal. I was so pleased that my friend had their album lying around under the seats of their car. They let me borrow it to burn it to my iTunes and off I was. I knew about Suicide Silence and knew they were good. It was just unlucky timing that I found new albums by bands I knew and followed. Before I truly start this review, I would just like to say how happy I am that this is their first album. It's always nice to start from the beginning. Don't you think? 

Revelations is a gentle intro. 33 seconds to ready yourself for what is to come. You can gently hear it pick up momentum in the final few seconds and then we are off. 

"Where is your God? Where is your fucking God?" I'd answer him if I were you. "Unanswered" starts exactly how I imagined it would, insane! This heavy and quickly paced rhythm sets the mood. You can feel yourself in the music. Lyrically this song is simplistically awesome. The repetition of "Where is your God" is really effective. If you chose to truly think into what Mitch is asking, then it's smart. Musically, it's just a really good track. Can't criticize at all. 

"Hands Of A Killer" follows swiftly, keeping the whole theme going. I was worried that I was going to be force-fed Deathcore the entire album, but It's so moving. Pausing at just the right moment makes the music that more effective. 

The next song paints a very colourful picture. Not a pleasant one, but it speaks none the less. A man, on top of a woman with his hands around his throat. She has spent effort and years creating this false beauty and the man plans to revert and undo all that she has created. Ruin her and make the final product irreversible "What cosmetic will fix this mess?" This song is called "The Price Of Beauty" and I recommend you listen to it with your eyes shut so the image is more clear.

"The Fallen" is another track in which the picture has been painted for me. This framed picture of a person falling off a stallion comes to mind. I liked this song, not the best one so far, but it's enjoyable. It serves its purpose of keeping the consistency of the album.

"No Pity For A Coward". Now that is what I call a name for a track. Several things shoot through my mind, all gory with a body hitting the floor at some point. This song contains two styles of vocals. You have the high pitched scream mixed with the deep, grunting vocals. This has always been a style I've enjoyed and will continue to do so. "Seconds from the end. What's it gonna be? Pull the trigger bitch". I mean come on! That is just epic. That kind of genius gives me the chills. I may have myself a favourite Suicide Silence track.

"The Disease" is us. The human race. We are the sickness that is destroying the world. That's a pretty big accusation, but after listening to the music, you realise that Suicide Silence can defiantly talk, but are also able to walk. Simply listen, and you shall understand. I'll say no more about this track. 

I don't even need to mention the imagery on this track. "Bludgeoned To Death" has once again shown us that Suicide Silence can have, what I refer to as "Duel Vocals". The pace forever changes keeping the music interest, therefore enticing you further into the album. There is another brutal line. "And doctors won't be able to recognize your fucking face" Wow! Pausing the music so you can only hear these lyrics gave me shivers. Just epic.

This song doesn't hang about when getting into it. This pleases me as it flows and continues the album. "Girls Of Glass". There is a story in these lyrics, like most songs on this album. It's really interesting and it makes you think. This isn't just noise unlike a lot of bands who share a similar sound. Sophistication has been established within the music and lyrics. 

"In A Photograph" is, I'm sorry to criticize, not great. The repetition of lyrics is usually alright with me and effective when making your point. I hate to be negative but you can't like them all. "Duel Vocals" make it a lot better, but it's a very average song. Semi-interesting lyrics. Listen anyway, because you may enjoy it. 

Now, "Eyes Sewn Shut" is a tune! Double bass and chugging (You know what I mean). Headbanging music. The contrast of vocals and then the duet as well. Really good track from Suicide Silence. I am pleased that we are this far into The Cleansing and decent songs still appear. Very encouraging indeed. 

Green Monster has "Marxist" influences. The rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. An interesting twist and idea to incorporate into a track. Music, after all, is about expressing yourself and your views. I love songs like this. Simply because thought went into this and it shows. The music itself is brutal. Consistent with the rest as expected. 

There are two more tracks on the album, "A Dead Current" and "Destruction Of A Statue" (Not that very well hidden at all and I felt a hint of "Unholy Confessions" by Avenged Sevenfold). These two songs are consistent with what Suicide Silence delivers. I really enjoyed this album overall and would happily purchase the following album. I recommend that if you like screamo vocals, you defiantly give these guys a fair chance. 

The Great Gamble "Book 1"

Progressive Metal is becoming a huge part of my day to day listening and The Great Gamble is on my list. From Scranton, PA, The Great Gamble has recorded their new concept album “Book 1”. Instantly upon flicking through the tracks, you can tell that they love what they do. Once I found myself with a spare hour, I quickly removed myself from the outside world and involved myself in their music.

“Release The Kraken”, the opening track to “Book 1” is a lengthy 10:06 long. Instantly, I could tell that I had stumbled upon something brilliant. Starting off slow but strong, the song is the definition of progressive rock/metal. It is unpredictable, but as each layer unfolds, you get a pleasant surprise (An exciting version of pass the parcel). There is so much going on but each layer is as intense as the next. A remarkable opening to what feels like an awesome album.

The second track is purely instrumental. It starts off mellow and maintains it (To a certain degree. “The Marketplace” is short and is mostly there to set up the following track.   

“Legends Of The Symmetria” continues on from track 2, but you can hear the build up rather quickly. At 8:56, we have another long track. This pleased me very much as I knew we would be blessed by progression once again. The Great Gamble did it so well in the first song, why not do it again? I would also like to make note that by now, you should have got a feel for the vocals. I thought it was a similar style to Gojira, but we all think differently. It is nice to hear such good lyrics with awesome music. They truly compliment each other to make something better.

“The Ghost Of Three Reflections”. I would just like you to notice how fucking awesome that song title is. This song starts off with the feel of a power ballad. Everyone enjoys a good power ballad, so I was pleasantly surprised by The Great Gamble. With beautiful vocals to begin this song, but after a short while, the progression begins. It keeps the power ballad feel but steadily gets heavier. This is my favourite track on “Book 1” if you were interested. I just love the ending as it picks up the pace and gets brutal. Progressive metal/rock at it’s finest!

“Breach At Fort Mycenae” reminds me a lot of Avenged Sevenfold, especially with the backup vocals. It’s a good track. I can imagine a theatrical music video and lots of screaming metal chicks (Metal band’s dream right?). The vocals are mesmerizing is all I can really say. I got lost in the music. Taken from my world and placed in theirs.

To finalize “Book 1”, they have a 16:35 song. I was half expecting an advert for car insurance to pop up halfway. Luckily, that wasn't the case. It’s quite a long song, people could argue too much. I enjoyed it for sure, but it was long. This is once again, a rather theatrical song.

The band consist of Al Joseph on lead guitar and vocals, Christopher Joseph doing back up with vocals and bass, Steve Michael also doing back up vocals as well as drums and finally Matt Weaver on keyboard and Violin (Nice touch by the way).

I recommend them and now when asked: “Progressive metal band you recommend?” I say “Oh, listen to The Great Gamble”. Once you've listened to them, I think you’ll be saying the same. Once I had listened to all 6 tracks, I may have decided I was going to sit there and do it all over again. It was 2 hours well spent.