Psychostick "Do"

Now, if you've already listened to Psychostick's fifth album, then you know that no intro I write will compete with the opening track of "Do". The self-proclaimed "Humorcore" band set the tone immediately with their latest addition to my music library. If you were unsure of what Psychostick are, the opening track "We Are A band" should clear that up for you. The track itself has an excellent build up with Rob Kersey taking a personal call in the middle. WIth great comedic style, he cuts the call short explaining that they've hired an orchestra. I was already grinning by the end of the "We Are A Band" and the rest, as they say, is history.

"You Can (Maybe) Do It" really had me laughing. I don't know if it's because its relatable and I can picture many circumstances where this song could be applied. Mostly to those "Inspirational" pictures you get on social media. You know, the one with a sunset in the background with "Stay Strong" or "If you get knocked down, always get back up". I found this song poked a massive hole in those pathetic pictures to my enjoyment. One lyric in particular states "If I get knocked down, I get up. Sad about it". The humor is simple but brilliant.

Now the next track is fairly pointless but that it appears to be the point itself. The song is entirely about "Tuesday", the day of the week if that was unclear. Whilst Kersey is clearly very enthused about the day as he "Has no responsibilities", the other members of the band are not quite as keen. The difference and constant conflict of vocal styles are entertaining. I like this track for its simplicity but it doesn't rank particularly high for me within the album.

"Adulting" is the following and fourth track of Pscychostick's "Do". This song is riddled with references to video games and television shows. It also has a little shout out to "Obey The Beard" from their fourth album "IV: Revenge Of The Vengeance", one of their most popular tracks and one of my personal favourites. For those who are unsure or are over the age of 30, "Adulting" is completing an adult task. For a topic that is extremely uninteresting, Pyschostick go to great lengths to make it enjoyable. It is very relatable to any listener as no one wants to pay bills and do mundane tasks, but we all have too. Listen to this track whilst completing all your responsibilities makes it a lot easier. Hell, you may smile when your bank balance hits zero but, probably not.

The next track, is hands down, the best track on "Do", if not one of their greatest tracks to date. "From The Heart" had me crying with laughter over and over. I would describe this track as an excellent break-up track or simply a track for someone you really do not like. I mean, really do not like. No obviously, no one wants harm for anyone else. At least, they won't ever say it, "From The Heart" does that for you. Now, don't get the wrong idea, this song is hilarious but with its constant name calling and the stories of what would happen to the person whom you dislike, it is fucking brutal but as much as it's brutal, it's funny as fuck. It has an excellent acoustic intro which, along with the lyrics, set the scene and prepares you for what is to come. If you can only listen to one track on this album, let it be this one. But really, you could probably make the time to listen to this whole album so don't be a "douche canoe".


"Do" which is the name of the next song, same as the album, holds a lot of similarities to "NSFW" which is also a track from "IV: Revenge Of The Vengeance". As we already know, Kersey is able to make a whole song with only one word. This track is not a genius, nor as good as "NSFW" but it has an excellent sound which you can't help but bob your foot and nod your head too. Unlike its counterpart, Psychostick has made their own music to "Do" and it's great and consistent with who they are, which is funny as fuck. At the very end of the song, you can hear the band laughing themselves which is something I always love to hear. The music isn't just for the listener. It's a lot about the listener but it's about the band and to hear that they are having fun and enjoying themselves makes this track legit.

Now I shall not review each and every track or skit in this 22 track album. After listening to the album several times, I will review the best ones or at least, the ones I think are the best. after all, I like this band a lot and want you to spend your money on their album so they make more and I keep laughing.

Psychostick is known now for the "humorcore" style and the skits within each album. "Keys" is certainly one of the best skits. It's something we have all lived through at one time or another. Maybe each day if you're like me. It's a slow, beautiful song for which we live through the bands perspective. It's hard to big up a skit which is essentially just about finding your keys. But, having said that, this skit speaks to the listener. It is certainly one of the more entertaining skits on "Do".

The following track to "Keys" is "Gurrrrrr". The best way to describe this track is to say when I am listening to heavier bands such as Cannibal Corpse, or other artists with a similar vocal style, this must be what my parents or anyone who doesn't "get it" hears. If anything, this skit is an infomercial and a dig to people who don't listen to any sort of metal. "Gurrrrrr" is the gift that keeps on giving.

"Moving Day" is a great song about exactly what it says on the tin, moving house or helping someone move. The song's intro is genuinely funny and realistic. When someone asks you to help move them, you know it's a pain in the ass but you're a good person. So, you will agree even though every fibre in your body screams no. The song is a great expression of the emotions one goes through when agreeing and helping someone move. The heavy riffs take you on a journey as Pyschostick state all the faults with helping someone move and all the barriers you face. The lyrics are incredibly sarcastic at times with constant humor throughout their descriptions. This track is hilarious at points as you hear the band slowly getting more pissed off. It goes from "Up and down the stairs again" to "Fuck that door. We didn't need it anyway". Inevitably, the moving truck is set on fire and the possessions are attacked with a chainsaw. It's beautiful and a real whirlwind of emotions. At 5:25, the song gets really "chuggy" with a sweet riff. Sadly, the band is interrupted by the cops and Psychostick's infamous humor.

We are once again blessed with the band's outtakes. If you're anything like me, you will enjoy listening to it. It confirms what I said earlier about the band enjoying what they do. This is really important and them sharing their outtakes makes you feel apart of that experience. Pyschostick is touring the US from October 24th 2018 until November 12th 2018. You check out the dates and their merch at www.psychostick.com. I'm gonna try an' get me a moose hat. Everyone should have a moose hat.

Bloodtribe “Repulse”

I had never heard of Bloodtribe before I was asked to review them and I have one question. “Why the hell was I not told about them before now?” I was actually a little annoyed by the lack of sharing throughout the metal scene. So, here I am telling you about Bloodtribe, and I assure you, you’re going to want to listen to them.

I was sent the album “Repulse” in the post and was quite excited when I opened my package. I immediately played it and the second it finished, I was already uploading it onto my iPod and throwing it in a playlist with “Bloodbath” and “Cannibal Corpse”. This 5 track E.P. is quite simply astonishing. It has deep growling vocals which, if turned up loud enough, could shake the very foundations in which you stand upon.

With Drew on vocals, Tom and Danny on guitar, Clay drumming and Matt on bass, they have formed a band which could rip the head off your staggering body. Bloodtribe proves that they have practiced and conquered their sound because I can’t help but listen from start to finish whenever I hear them.

The first song on “Repulse” is “Reflections”. My favourite by far and slowly becoming one of the highest played songs I have in my collection. This song is phenomenal. I enjoy the dark intro which introduces the drumming brilliantly. There is no beating around the bush with Drew’s vocal work. He’s straight into the savage vocals and some great, memorable vocals. “Reflection of your imperfections double in numbers as your body decays”. I love this track. Listen to it now or else.

“Manipulated Sexuality” is interesting. The intro contained a lot of symbol work which I wasn’t expecting and didn’t really think much of it. I was then getting into the mind-frame that “Repulse” would only have one decent song. Luckily, I was wrong. This song has some duel vocals with the heavy shouting vocals which we all love, but it also had screaming and strained vocals which was an awesome mix. “Manipulated Sexuality” also contains a great breakdown which I recommend that you indulge yourself in.

The third song is only 2 minutes 20 seconds which I thought was rather short considering how awesome the song is. There is a great opening verse in “A Scar for Every Sin” which is quickly paced and savage. You’ll be aware of the terrific drumming almost immediately. This song is just immense.

“Force Fed Suffering” is pure chaos. 30 seconds in and you can already feel a sense of an evil doom creeping down, past your ear drums to eradicate any happiness which remains in your soul (In a good way). Seriously, this song is the reason why metalheads exist. Pure suffering and brutality awaits those who listen to this. This song is awesome!

The final song on “Repulse” is smart. I like how it includes good imagery and some personification “From the dawn that dies”. This makes it easier to picture and as a result, makes this song memorable. It also contains some contrasting vocals and music to go with it. At one point you’ll have a heavy yet slow style of metal but in a seconds notice, we will be listening to a double bass pedal, quick riffs and a screamo vocal style. Love it!

If you hadn’t noticed, I really enjoyed “Repulse” and all of its content. Pure heavy metal here which I cannot fault. You’ll catch the “Bloodtribe Bug” the second you get into Drew’s vocals. Oh, and there is no cure, so good luck.

"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

Beast (Special Edition) by DevilDriver

I recently brought this album not knowing what to expect as I've never really given DevilDriver my full attention, only really enjoying the song "I Dream I Died" which is on their self titled "DevilDriver".

The first song on their latest album "Dead to Rights" is a good introduction into "Beast (Special Edition). Starting off with some great drumming then the guitar which I was catchy. The Vocals is exactly what I expect from singer Dez Fafara. All together, you can feel the passion of their music. This song is going to be a favourite.

"Bring the Fight (To the Floor)" starts a lot more melodic than the first song, but the vocals on this track is harsher with more sustained shouts. Right up my street. The chorus is quite fun and is music I would use to get myself in the mood for some brutal moshing before a heavy metal gig.

"Hardened" is a lot more like StoneSour in the beginning but then manages to get itself into some savage riff which I'm sure all budding guitarist will want to know. The vocals have two different tones which make this song enjoyable.

The rest of this album is really worth a listen, especially "Shitlist". This song is easily my favourite one for it's great, gentle introduction, followed by some great lyrics and a catchy and what I believe, is an epic chorus.

I recommend buying the "special edition" rather than the standard version as you get three extra songs, two bonus tracks and one live song. The live song is "Grinfucked" and it is brilliant! Never hearing this song before now, I really enjoyed it and have put it into my "Brutal Metal Playlist" on my iPhone.

You can easily see why DevilDriver are as popular as they are. Being signed with "RoadRunner" means that you have to be as popular as they are or they wouldn't be with that legendary label for much longer.

Overall, it's a great album, but I've only mentioned a few tracks. Buy the album for yourself and enjoy it's epicness for yourself.