Tag: review

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Album Reviews Buzz Chart Music

Pierce The Veil

PIERCE THE VEIL
Collide With The Sky
(Fearless Records)

Don’t let the screaming and synths put you off. Pierce The Veil have crafted an album with a depth of sound and intricate melodies that you can totally get lost in. Singer Vic’s vocals soar above searing guitars and pummeling drumbeats but there are interludes of quiet amongst the full-on noise. The overwhelmingly heavy instrumentals are offset by the sheer melody of the vocals throughout although there’s admittedly the odd background scream here and there to keep the intensity up.

The riff on ‘Bulls In The Bronx’ is ballsy and bold, leading into a catchy melodic chorus punctuated with a guttural growl. A bizarre acoustic guitar picked interlude brings a samba-influenced flavor to proceedings before building back into the heaviness. Production is intense throughout this record, with the sound always feeling very big. There are also several guest spots on the album, the most notable being Jason Aalon from letlive. on the truly epic centrepoint ‘Tangled In The Great Escape’. His slightly deeper melodies intertwine with Vic’s higher pitched vocals to create something quite special. The chorus is one of the catchiest on the record yet unassumingly so and elegantly put together. It’s almost six minutes long and a lot happens in that time. Heavy and gracefully beautiful in twists and turns (see the piano epilogue), this is definitely a standout track.

With proggy, screamo, hardcore and punk elements, along with PTV’s unique ability to bring in the unusual instrumentals, this album is an ambitious and impressive effort.

Sarah Maynard

Categories
Buzz Chart Single Reviews

The Hickey Underworld

THE HICKEY UNDERWORLD
The Frog
(PIAS)
www.facebook.com/thehickeyunderworld

thehickeyunderworld_frogAn immense yet disconcerting music video accompanies this single which is the first to be taken from The Hickey Underworld‘s forthcoming second album. Can you figure out what’s going on in the below? Because we’re not entirely sure. Could be any number of scenarios leading to the neverending-suicide-attempt-loop. Definitely some fucked-up shit. The starring roles are taken by the members of the band and the single itself also has that unnerving air about it. A darkly driven riff with vocals edging towards a pained howl yet somehow sounding calm and collected at the same time. Basically cool-as-fuck.

This is an achingly brilliant piece of off-kilter rock and roll and when it’s played live, the volume is ramped up with both instrumentals and vocals making such a visceral and alarming impact that the air is knocked clean out of your lungs. And you may be left a little deaf.

Sarah Maynard

Categories
Skateboarding Product Reviews

Altamont Waster shirt

The summer may be late this year in the UK but there’s no point in being stuck in the heat once it drops without some new threads. You know that feeling of pulling on a new shirt once the sun is shining out there and optimism tells me that we are close to actually having some killer weather on the way. We are bloody well OWED some right now.

With that in mind, the good folk at Altamont sent us over some new threads designed by Andrew Reynolds’. I grabbed the Waster shirt because it was like picking up a puppy and throwing it on my untanned skin. This 100% cotton yarn dye plaid is SO soft to the touch, it’s jokes. Ultimate comfort, a great custom cut and one happy summer’s day will be primed once the vitamin D from the sky finally drops.

I’m ready are you?

Categories
DVD Reviews

Skate Sauce presents Hard Times But Good Times

A film by Amrit Jain
http://skatesauce.com

The independent skate DVD market is a lonely path to walk and anyone who decides to take it deserves your attention. I first heard about Skate Sauce via the odd internet clip or online forum post and my initial thought was that it sold skate wax. To be honest that’s not something I’m going to rush to the skateshop for and tell all my friends about when their DVD drops. However, I was wrong. It turns out that Skate Sauce is a skater-run operation that focuses on documenting, editing and producing skate videos and other media projects. The main man behind the viewfinder is Amrit Jain, a name that rang a bell, as he was one of the first filmers behind The Berrics video streams. Skate Sauce was launched in 2009 and Amrit took his little black book of Los Angeles skaters and international contacts to get to work on a video project by the homies for the homies: Hard Times But Good Times.

HTGT reminds me of those early Tim Dowling or Daryl Grogan videos (Listen, Time Lapse) that focused on local Southern California scenes that mixed unsung heroes with the era’s poster boys. I might be wrong but there is a definite 90s-00s influence to this video with it’s focus of flat ground lines and ledge skating set to a soundtrack of Soul, Jazz and Rap beats. The modern take on afternoons spent on UCLA’s campus are evening sessions filmed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona (MACBA). Amrit obviously spent a while in Spain and built a bridge back home with his camera and enthusiasm. The lesser-known talent of Justin Guillen (last part), Brett Sube and Matt Gottwig is matched with headline acts like Tom Penny and Vincent Alvarez. There is also a re-birth of San Diego pride with footage Shorties team riders and Skate Mafia alumni. Sammy Baptista, Jesse Siley and Peter Smolik share runtime with Jaime Palmore, Jimmy Cao and Wes Kremer amongst others.

With such a wide range of riders on show and the loose editing style that blends chill lines with chill beats, I think HTGT would best be viewed on loop at the skateshop or after a long day in the streets at home with a brew or a buzz. Trying to digest the full 60 minutes before going skating could have the opposite effect and make you drowsy. If you’re looking for a quick fix, I suggest you enjoy the 7 minute opening section from Vincent Alvarez who rushes into spots at ambidextrous high velocity. Or Julien Guillen’s last part which showcases his technical skills and ability to skate anywhere with style and confidence (Note the bonus game of S.K.A.T.E. where he takes Jesus Fernandez to the edge). Tom Penny skates Barcelona asleep at the wheel and despite being exclusive footage of the legendary Brit, you kind of feel like you’re watching a pro on holiday in other words don’t expect any major stunt work.

If you are a fan of 90s-00s era skating and keen to keep up to date with the latest Southern California (and MACBA) talent then this video is for you. If you prefer something with a bit more pace and thrills then I suggest you take a look and move on. However, I must accentuate that Amrit Jain and the Skate Sauce crew have done really well in producing and putting out an independent skate video when the market trend would advise heavily against such a heartfelt move.

Ralph Lloyd-Davis
31 May 2012

Watch the lost tapes of Sebo Walker that was released yesterday below.

Categories
Buzz Chart

My Goodness

C’Mon Doll
FREE DOWNLOAD

mygoodness_photoSeattle’s explosive blues-rock duo My Goodness just left the UK after a full UK tour with friends We Are Augustines. Not the pairing you would expect if you compared them musically but both bands have a reputation for giving everything live and they did not disappoint at Dingwalls. So much so, we decided to interview them.

Their first UK release C’Mon Doll has a swaggers between rock and roll and a dose of filthy blues that RL Burnside would be proud of. On record, this track is underpinned with a heavy stomp but live, it’s gargantuan riffs bellow out through their speakers whilst the sweat pours from their brows. It’s a huge racket from a 2-piece and a highly recommended experience.

Produced by Chris Common of These Arms Are Snakes their debut single ‘CMon Doll’ and b-side track ‘Lost in the Soul’ paint 2 sides of this beast. One filled with a relentless drive and cry for help, the other sees the come-down, the lighter, more melodic and stripped back My Goodness that allows people to draw breath whilst they slay the stage.

My Goodness keep their blues-infused bluster simple by plugging in and letting rip. It’s about amplified, electrified music without the need for computer technology, samples or any bullshit and we dig it.

Download a FREE WAV of C’Mon Doll and the b-side below. The band have also released a film documentary featuring the making of the video here too. FREE from this soundcloud link below.

You can find them on Facebook here.

Categories
Album Reviews Buzz Chart

Cancer Bats

‘Dead Set On Living’
(Hassle)

cancerbats_deadsetonlivingWhilst it’s debatable as to whether Cancer Bats have improved with age (mainly because they’ve yet to release a less-than-great record), ‘Dead Set On Living’ shows that they certainly haven’t mellowed out. It’s amazing that they found time to record the damn thing, given their notoriously long and punishing tour schedules, but it seems that for these guys, there are no difficulties or problems – just challenges to be relished.

It seems appropriate that the Canadian quartet now moonlight as a Black Sabbath tribute band (‘Bat Sabbath’), as this record is stuffed with the kind of thunderous riff action that would surely win Tony Iommi’s approval. Opener ‘R.A.T.S.’ is a prime example; vocalist Liam Cormier unleashing the fury over a groove of seismic proportions, and it sets the tone for much of the album. In contrast, the hardcore influence is less prominent, although ‘Road Sick’ and ‘Old Blood’ would make great soundtracks to a raging circle-pit.

Would a comparison to Pantera be considered blasphemy? In terms of creating a record that’s both catchy as hell and heavy as hell, this is probably the closest that Cancer Bats have come to their own ‘Vulgar Display Of Power’. A step-up to rock’s big league surely beckons, and on this form, they’ll take it in their stride.

Alex Gosman

Categories
Features Skateboarding

City of Rats London Premiere gallery feature

Last night, the Prince Charles Cinema played host to Slam City Skates’ first ever skate video, City Of Rats, celebrating 25 years of service in London’s skate scene. The grins of the 6.30pm sitting were ever present as they left the screening making way for the final showing for Slam staff, various pro’s from all over the country and London skaters keen to see what has been in the making now for a few years.

The 56 minute video put together from the hard work of Henry Edwards-Wood was kicked off by Nick Jensen following a well received dedication to Bingo (RIP), whose huge pop reached many London window sills, ledges and benches to a mellow, 60s tune. Joey Pressey’s part and a cameo by Benny Fairfax dropped before Snowy and Joe Gavin (who has big news coming soon) got into the mix and raised spirits in advance of a mates section, where Jason Caines‘ massive road gap ollie received a huge applause, and tricks from Ben Jobe, The Gonz and many more skaters, old and new, provided the entertainment.

Southbank legend Femi Bukumola raised the roof with some vocal skills introducing Palace Am, Karim Bakhtaoui, whose 5 stair magic ender once again brought more howls before Jin Shimizu rolled the City streets. Robbleyard, Tanner, Howes, Todd and Danny Brady shared footage to Radiohead’s Black Swan tune followed by the Vagrants section that has some great skating from Madars Apse and the euro contingent before two of Blueprint’s finest, Neil Smith and Jerome Campbell both stepped up with a fantastic joint part that brought cheers from a stoked crowd.

The Slam shop crew have a section in this alongside a huge pick of friends and family who all have tricks filmed in various spots around London, Bromley and beyond. This makes the shop video feel as real as it can get as it includes extended family which rightly part of the successful blueprint of 25 years of Slam being in business who rightly boast at the intro of this film are the oldest skateshop in Europe. So, it’s not just a collection of bangers from the likes of Chewy Cannon, Lucien Clarke and Steph Morgan who have a section dedicated to them towards the end, the film has tricks from everyone which again, proves popular tonight from the full house that are witnessing Henry’s hard graft.

Casper Brooker‘s section is packed with goodness. Really impressive stuff. Rory Milanes then closes the show with a fantastic section that deserved its placing within this huge montage of (mostly) UK skateboarders and gives you an insight into what’s to come from Palace in the future and where Hold Tight Henry leaves us hanging before his next chapter wherever that will be. He was nothing but relieved on the night after a gruelling fight to get this one finished and hats off to him for the dedication.

As far as shop videos go, City of Rats will take some beating, but as we all know, your local skater owned shops are the ones who supply the goodness for everyone and they will have their turn to try and match this once the dedication is recorded onto a hard drive. This week though, the honours have gone to Slam and now it’s up to the rest of the UK’s independent scene to step up to this mark. Roll on Great Britain.

Here’s a few shots from the night (thanks to Mark Brewster), pre order your copy of the DVD here.

Categories
Buzz Chart Music Single Reviews

Life Size Maps

‘Weird Luck’ EP
Free Download

lifesizemaps_weirdluck_epWeird luck is when you are on the web doing stuff and then the next thing you know, you are listening to a new band from Brooklyn who are blowing your ears off within seconds of pressing the play button. That’s how we discovered Life Size Maps here who release a 3 track EP this month.

This trio have some quality noise on offer that sits above some fantastic pop melodies fueled by Mike McKeever’s brash guitars and warming vocals, Jordyn Blakely’s powerful drums and some amazing cello playing from Rob Karpay. Now, the cello may sound like an odd call, but the production on opening track Weird Luck is a masterful mix of noisy indie rock led by a fantastic synth piece that swirls and drives its anthemic chords into a very welcome sonic explosion!

The melodies within these 3 tracks are irresistably catchy. When Wind In The Furnace breaks into its uplifting chorus, euphoria is unleashed on an epic scale accompanied by another heavy pounding of noise. No change here for third track Copper Mirror that ends this listening experience on yet another musical high with stabbing guitars, psych synth and yet another huge chorus. It’s addictive, it’s loud but it’s also beautifully crafted, so let’s hope that this band are able to drive by map and appear in London sometime soon.

Download this EP for free from here and watch this clip of the band playing in Williamsburg, NYC to get the full picture.

For fans of Dinosaur Jr, Superchunk, Flaming Lips and Trail of Dead.

Categories
DVD Reviews

5Boro Join Or Die

5boro_join_or_dieThe first time I watched 5-Boro’s new video Join Or Die I wanted to rush outside and skate. The second time I watched Join Or Die I wanted to skate even more. The third time worked a charm and so on and so on. This is a no-nonsense production; there are no slo-mos, HD effects or skits; just top-knotch skating with a banging soundtrack.

Steve Rodriguez, Tombo Colabraro and Mark Nardelli didn’t try to introduce the audience to some obscure indie bands or impress viewers with a pompous tailor-made score. They went to the source and picked music from crowd favourites: Bad Brains, Nas, Wu Tang Clan, Joy Division, Dire Straits and The Rolling Stones.

With a 25 minute runtime the editing is quick and concise. It took a few extra viewings to pick up on some truly gnarly stunts performed by the team. The newest pro’s Willy Akers and Joe Tookmanian serve as book ends with Willy’s balls-to-the-wall ATV antics opening the show and Took’s ridiculous switch skills closing off the session. Jimmy McDonald and Dan Pensyl’s sections each leap some super tight and super wide bank to bank launches. Jordan Trahan has one of the most remarkable tricks in the montage section with an asleep-at-the-wheel skid and jump going mach 10 down a hill. It was cool to see Bordeaux resident Guillaume Dulout get a section to himself. The Frenchman and his buddies have been repping 5-Boro for a few years already so it’s great to see them get their shine just as much as the resident New Yorkers.

Finally, no 5-Boro video would be complete without some lovely 8mm footage of the city streets and skylines. The DVD also has a couple of sweet web edits as bonus sections that are bite size delights. I have to take my hat off to 5-Boro for putting out a DVD and then posting its entirety on the web. Obviously the video market is slim pickings and awash with mediocrity nowadays so putting the time and effort into a small masterpiece for free is worth everyone’s support and respect.

Ralph Lloyd-Davis

Categories
Skateboarding Product Reviews

Polar Skateboards Cut-Out team deck

Cut-Out Team Red (8″ x 32″)

Polar Skateboards is the brand new brainchild of Swedish über-skater Pontus Alv. Pontus has already established himself as a freethinking individual with his numerous cinematographic and cement mixed solo projects. It was only natural for someone with such an abundance of talent to push the “Do-it-yourself” ethic into a fully-fledged business. I’m not sure business is the right word though because Polar Skateboards is definitely focused on the aesthetic value of its products and team riders more than the simple profitability. That said, the Cut-Out Red team board I have been riding recently is worth every penny, kroner or cent on the tag.

Already, the graphic is great taking inspiration from French modern artist Henri Matisse with statuesque silhouettes laid from nose to tail. See the Blue Nude II for inspiration. Pontus has taken a bold step in his art direction and the use of bright colour and simple imagery places his product head and shoulders above the usual hogwash of cartoons and skulls that emblazon a lot of mainstream board company decks these days.

Pontus likes to ride everything so the Polar boards come with enough concave to carry your board and body over the steepest wallies and roughest surfaces. The nose of this particular model is rounded off to exactly 7 inches with the tail running just shy of 6.5 inches, which makes it easy to handle either way around. I imagine poor weather conditions were on his mind when Pontus went looking for the best manufacturer for Polar boards. The board was pressed in Germany and has so far withheld the terrible damp of winter and the brunt of unfortunate cracks in the pavement.

Check out Polar Skateboards at http://www.polarskateco.com or via Pontus’ blog.

Ralph Lloyd-Davis