"Shark Bites and Lightning Strikes" by Loss of Reaso

Loss of Reason is a five-member band who are raising the standards of metal everywhere. Ian Tobey/Vocals, Chris Love/Guitar, Clarence Freeman/Guitar, Ryan Ware/Bass, Andrew Hess/ Drums have made an EP, “Shark Bites and Lightning Strikes”, that is astonishing and just plain savage. Their influences vary from “Rage Against The Machine” and “God Forbid” to bands such as “Muse” and “Eric Johnson”.

The opening track, “I’m an F.18, bro”, is a great intro that grabs the attention of the listener and encourages them to continue on. It has an enticing melodic sound that, in partnership with its heavy guitar riffs, gives promise of an epic sounding EP. One track in and I was already suggesting Loss of Reason to friends.

“Party, Jannetty, til the Break of Dawn, Michales” introduces Ian Tobey’s contribution to the band as a brilliant vocalist. With his ability to use clean vocals as well as screamo, he has proven to be an essential part of the band. The song itself drew a picture for me. I can easily imagine myself at the front of a crowd, climbing the barrier with the rest of Loss of Reason’s fans. I can just picture myself moshing with the rest of them and enjoying a great performance.

The following two tracks show off this band’s drumming and guitar techniques as well as the level of skill in which they are played. Loss of Reason is competent when synchronising their instruments with vocals. It really gives this band the credentials to be up there with the best.

This EP has already been put onto my iPod but “Helpful Phil” is the most played song out of the six songs which form “Shark Bites and Lightning Strikes”. I just love this song. Its intro is genius without effort but also introduces breakdowns which cause the listener to unknowingly tap their foot and headbang along.

It is always great to finish on a high, which is exactly what Loss of Reason have accomplished. Kurtrusslecrowe is an epic finish to an epic EP. This track alone shows the potential of this band. They show promise and this is one band which I would love to see live on stage.

This EP, in my opinion, is just overall awesome. I have it mixed into my regularly used playlists. They have joined my “Savage” playlist alongside bands such as All That Remains, Dead By April and Bring Me The Horizon. Loss of Reason is one band I will recommend when asked “Name an awesome metal band with dual vocals.”          

"Decades" by Saving October

This is Saving October’s first album that has been released. It is a serviceable first album which I enjoyed listening to. They’re a heavy metal band who deal in a mixture of screaming and heavy vocals backed up by the expected chugging riff-age. They have a memorable guitar riff which is suitably heavy and the foundation of most of their songs. They deploy this style of guitar riff often which at first gives the album a dynamic and cohesive feel, but I thought that perhaps they're over reliance on it smacked of playing it safe. This being their first album it is understandable that they may not want to take risks but this does lead to this effort sound over familiar to anyone who is a fan of the genre.

Saving October consists of 5 members Danny Scythes/Lead Vocals, Seth Cordrey/Guitar, Ross Elliot/Guitar Zane Maxwell/Bass and Patrick Liberatore/Drums. There have been a few switches with band members since they begun in 2009, but all of the members have live show and recording experience. The band has written two EP’s, “Cut your Losses” and “Hail the Captain”. Decades is their first full album that screamo band has produced.

“Striking an Artery” has to be my favourite song on their album. It’s intro is melodic which stood out from the rest of their album. It has Saving October’s preferred riff present and correct within the song but I found that the contrast between it and the melodic side really made this song brilliant.

Another stand out track is “Roger Rabbit What’s Your Habit?” With its double bass and duel vocals this song really kicks the album off and sets out Saving October's stall early. Lyrics like “I need you like I needed sleep” really stood out in this song. They gave out some emotion which worked well with the gloomy guitar, which lasts throughout the song.

Most of Saving October’s song are similar. They all sound the quite similar with one or two standing out tracks, as mentioned. If you enjoy their style of music (Which I do), then there is not an issue, but others may criticise this and be put off. “Infamous” is one that, even though it sounds similar to the others, is a song that can be recognised. Apart from the vocal style, I felt like I could be listening to Pantera. I enjoyed this track because the guitarist and drummer sync. It sounds epic. I highly recommend this song.

Another thing I found with “Decades” is they have a intro and an outro. If you listen to the album from start to finish then you’ll get to enjoy it more. I like the way the radio broadcast bookends the album pulls it together. I am not sure of the broadcast itself, but the fact that the style is there at the beginning and end means that I earns a few bonus points.

“Decades” is an enjoyable album, not a masterpiece, but defiantly a starting point for a band which I would like to see a lot more from. I hope that “Dark Harvest Records” have plans for Saving October.

You can listen to “Decades” by Saving October at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/decades/id494464869

Slipknot On The Cover Of Kerrang Magazine Issue 1358 April 09 2011

This weeks issue of Kerrang, http://www.kerrang.com/, held a top 20 list of Slipknot songs, chosen by the Maggots (Slipknot fans) to celebrate Paul Gray's (Slipknot's bassist who died on 24th May 2010) birthday which is the 8th April.

Counting down from 20:
20: All Hope Is Gone
19: Purity
18: Disasterpiece
17: My Plague
16: Sulfer
15: Eyeless
14: Left Behind
13: Dead Memories
12: Vermillion
11: Duality
10: Before I Forget
09: Snuff
08: (Sic)
07: Psychosocial
06: The Heretic Anthem
05: Spit It Out
04: Pulse Of The Maggots
03: Surfaceing
02: People=Shit
01: Wait And Bleed

I actually can see why this list is in this order. I was surprised about "Duality" and "Before I Forget" but I am very pleased with "Wait And Bleed".

I recommend picking up this copy of Kerrang soon as it has new interviews about their songs from Corey Taylor and other members. Slipknot are on the cover. You can't possibly miss it with "Ok" and "Hello" either side of it on the shelf.

Slipknot are playing at "Sonisphere 2011, http://uk.sonispherefestivals.com" which is 7th - 10th July. Hope fully see you there.