STYGIAN – Fury Rising

Fury Rising is the second full-length album from these hard rockers from Philadelphia. Playing off a sound that can only be described as a mix of James Hetfield-inspired vocals with Disturbed-like guitar breakdowns, Fury Rising’s 10 tracks play it safe for the most part. The album is well produced and the music is well played, but it lacks heart. Sometimes when an album is over-produced, it loses that rawness that draws the listener in.

As mentioned, Frank Leary’s vocals attempt to mimic Metallica’s James Hetfield, especially noticeable in the slowed down acoustic song “My Regret.” Stygian seems to pull inspiration from all over the rock spectrum. “Last Redemption” and “The Fear” come across with an Alice in Chains sound. One of the bright spots with this album is Patrick Hayden’s guitar work, as he’s featured throughout the album on several solos. The guy can seriously shred! While there’s nothing terrible with Fury Rising, there’s nothing really special here, minus Hayden’s solos. It feels like nothing is original or unique to Stygian’s sound. As I said, musically and lyrically they play it safe. Nothing I can’t find on any ClearChannel radio station.

(Mortal Music Group, PO Box 661, Lake Zurich, IL 60047)

FUCKED UP – Couple Tracks

It could be said that 2008 was a turbulent year for the high-energy act from Toronto, Ontario. Releasing the highly successful album The Chemistry of Common Life and appearing on Canadian MTV — only to have their fans (and even members of the band) all but destroy the studio — Fucked Up now look to the future by taking a look at the past with their newest release, Couple Tracks. This two-disc collection of singles stretching from 2002 to 2009 captures the real essence of this band’s sound and intensity.

Fans of the group will rejoice to the tune of this release. No need to hunt eBay for limited seven- and twelve-inches; it’s all here! Besides the released singles, there are several unreleased gems and demos to thrill the true hardcore fans.  Those new to the punk-driven sound of Father Damian and crew should dig their signature mix of hardcore vocals and catchy pop-punked guitar riffs. Interestingly, Fucked Up are regarded in most circles as a “hardcore” act, but I hear much more than just loud hardcore sounds. If anything, many of their songs have a Ramones-esque sound with a hardcore twist. Nonetheless, those who like their music rowdy and rockin’ will find this collection stimulating.

(Matador Records, 304 Hudson Street, New York, NY, 10013)

CALE PARKS – To Swift Mars

Intertwining melodic harmonies with a retro electronic new wave sound, Cale Park’s newest EP combines a wide range of musical influences throughout it’s six tracks.

Each track offers a unique feel and sound that keeps the listener’s attention. “Eyes Won’t Shut” starts off the effort with something reminiscent of a Philip Glass-looped synthesized piece. By the chorus, its sound takes an electronic Depeche Mode turn. “Running Family” is a drum-driven piece accompanied by more synth. Halfway during the track I take in a synthesized sound symbolic of German electronic pioneers Tangerine Dream making it a definite highlight.

Park’s vocals are fittingly mellow and often manipulated with echo effects and mild distortion. There’s even a little touch of Bob Dylan in the harmony of the beat during “Knight Conversation.” “Crystal Air” is perhaps the most analog piece of music on this EP, with its driving drum and piano. The track likely to be pushed as the single would be the feel good party sound of “One at a Time.” The vocal distortion along with the funky bass line and beat are very similar to that of a Daft Punk sound.

Cale Parks might be one person making his music but he draws influences from all walks of musical life. Trying to label a sound like this is tough. One thing is for sure: it’s an interesting musical journey.

(Polyvinyl Record Co., PO Box 7140, Champaign, IL 61826-7140)

DOOMRIDERS – Darkness Come Alive

Mixing a hard and fast rock and roll sound along with splashes here and there of hardcore attitude is the latest album from Boston’s Doomriders, Darkness Come Alive. Seventeen adrenaline pumping tracks that are bound to keep the listener’s ears throbbing…but it a good way! A majority of the songs on this album could be described more along the lines of hard rock. “Heavy Lies the Crown” and “Come Alive” come across sounding heavily influenced by Danzig, while the tracks “Bloodsucker” and “Rotter” highlights the more hardcore side of this band. Overall, the musicianship here is solid and the cover is super creepy! Score one for the dark side!

(Deathwish Inc., no address provided)

RISE AND FALL – Our Circle is Vicious

Who would have thought that it would take a hardcore band from Belgium to present hardcore vocals I could actually understand? Reviewing this kind of music really puts the reviewer in a bind as far as what can be said in detail, especially if one is not an avid fan of the genre. Let’s be honest, hardcore music all tends to sound the same. In the case of Our Circle is Vicious, Rise and Fall uses elements from metal to punk and produces an album that truly impresses this novice.

As mentioned above, the vocals are actually audible. Nothing bothers me more than listening to vocals I can’t understand, a constant in the hardcore genre. “It’s a Long Way Down” is a two-minute song that truly highlights the drumming skills of Dann with its fast punk beat. With “In Circles,” they slow it down a bit but continue the unrelentingly brutal vocals of Bjorn. An interesting moment in the album comes during the instrumental track “Stillborn,” a real monkey wrench in the gears to say the least. The last thing I thought I was going to hear was a distorted drum and guitar driven instrumental (although there are some distorted vocals thrown in that are barely noticeable). The overall versatility of this band is what impresses me the most. Musically they are extremely well in tune and tight and their ability to switch up their sound throughout this album makes this a well-executed effort. Hardcore fans should rejoice.

(Deathwish Inc., no address provided)

FOREIGN CINEMA – Non-Synchronous Sound

There’s something very appealing about the minimalistic sounds of Foreign Cinema’s newest release Non-Synchronous Sound. It’s always nice to throw on an album and have its resonance flow through the space effortlessly until you realize the album has run its course. Imagine the mellow back beat tones of Thievery Corporation mixed with vocal structure similar to Depeche Mode. The track “Ice Machine” has a feel of something out of an old Spaghetti Western film, which oddly coincides with the feel of other tracks on this album. You could picture these sounds featured in old black and white foreign espionage films; obviously a goal, considering the band’s namesake. “Lovers and Killers” closes out this EP, a song which definitely comes through with a Depeche Mode sound. This would be one of those albums perfect for situations when you are sitting around with friends, sharing a bottle of wine or engaging in conversations. A full-length effort would be well accepted by this reviewer but this will be fine for now.

(Parallax Sounds, no address provided)

CARCRASHLANDER – Mountains On Our Backs

Dreamy soundscapes full of tweaked tones meet driving guitars on the newest album from Carcrashlander. This nine-track album rides like an audio road trip taking the listener through scenic ambient lows full soft tones, only to turn the corner and become thrown full-throttle into a raging instrumental barrage of guitars and effects.

The title track opens up the album with a mellow beat and feel but ends in a hectic guitar solo full of twisted peddle effects, all while the mellow beat plays along until the end. The vocals throughout this effort remain calm, even haunting. This remains the case during some of the heavier tracks like “Quoting Dead Comedians.”

One of the simpler but equally impressive songs was “Bone Noose” with its quasi-vintage surf sound, definitely a highlight of the album. Besides the use of peddle effects on guitars, there’s also the cleaver use of electronic feedback and even some trumpets, vibes, and flutes. I was impressed with the fact that even as the members of this band improvise into instrumental chaos on several of the tracks, it all comes to an end with the very mellow beat that started the song. It’s as if the beat survives the madness and continues on into the next track in order do it all over again.

Mountains On Our Backs will take you on a rollercoaster ride of sounds and leave you wanting more. Even through all of the intense musical intervals that dominate this album, you will be left feeling calm, yet musically satisfied.

(Jealous Butcher Records, PO Box 14306, Portland, OR 97293-0306