Author: Gabrielle DB

Review by Gabrielle DB Kingdom Of Giants have delivered a hard hitting album with Ground Culture. The growth of the band is prevalent in their second full length album with a well-balanced, technical sound. “Lion’s Mouth” immediately catches listeners in a brutal grasp, and then smoothly transitions into “Eternal Burn”. This track boasts some of the most powerful lyrics of the album, questioning putting one’s efforts into faith or love. “Endure” features fitting guest vocals from Ricky Armellino. The drums take the forefront on the composition of this track, with the guitars following slightly behind. The title track has magnificent angst…

Review by Gabrielle DB Remember that cool new sound that you were looking for? Here it is! Xerxes has truly created something unique with Collision Blonde. This album begins with the rising track “I Was Wrong” and infinitely grows from there expanding sound territory. “Chestnut Street” has an uptempo groove, with the dark lyrical content displayed throughout the album. “(but here we are)” is a spoken word performance, and a great one! The strength of this track carries over into the closing number “Nosedive”. Collision Blonde feels like life during a quarter-life crisis. These emotions are captured in the most…

Review by Gabrielle DB The Acacia Strain’s latest release off of Rise Records, Coma Witch, is as terrifying as it is technical. Current members Vincent Bennett, Kevin Boutot, Jack Strong, Devin Shidaker, and Richie Gomez have executed a brutal seventh edition to their already immense discography. The album opens with a sound bite with down-tuned guitars echoing in the back before ripping vocals tear into the show. Sound bites are littered throughout the album in the most appropriate places. The composition on this album is unreal. These musicians slay every track. The vocals are skilled and engaging, especially in “Cauterizer”. “Holy…

Review by Gabrielle DB Alive Like Me has crafted an incredibly catchy debut release off of Rise Records in Only Forever. These newcomers have the formula to hang with the forerunners of their sound without being a photocopy. The versatility of vocalist Jairus Kersey is impressive with opening track “Better Off” reaching enviable heights and seamlessly transitioning into “Slip Away” with snippets of beautiful coos. The music and mix throughout the album is top notch. Bassist David Knox, drummer Joel Riley, and guitarists Brandon Banton and Dakota Dufloth sync wonderfully. “Our Time Down Here” best exemplifies the band’s cohesiveness on…

Review by Gabrielle DB Birthed from a joke by musicians with a baseball podcast about merging the names of Major League Baseball player Yasiel Puig and Grindcore band Pig Destroyer, Puig Destroyer delivers seriously good music on their self-titled debut off of No Sleep Records. You may already be familiar with the All-Star lineup: Riley Breckenridge (drums) of Thrice, Mike Minnick (vocals) of Curl Up and Die, Jon Howell (guitar) and Ian Miller (bass) of Kowloon Walled City. The lyrical content on this album is extremely witty with every single track having a baseball theme. Fret not if you are…

Review by Gabrielle DB This album is incredible! Texas In July’s fourth studio release, Bloodwork off of Equal Vision Records is a valiant effort. As a fan of Texas In July’s entire discography, I was not sure what to expect on this release knowing that the band has had two member changes since the last release. To say that I was blown away within the first few seconds of the album’s opening track “Broken Soul” would be an understatement. I literally stopped in my tracks and stayed frozen. I even uttered ‘whoa.’ The following track, “Sweetest Poison” showcases a pleasant surprise that…

Review by Gabrielle DB My tattoo artist once told me that he would not put more than one word on a tattoo because the piece should be able to speak for itself; sometimes, the same can be said for songs. The self-titled debut EP from Alma Construct is not your grandma’s elevator music, rather auditory overload layered with synth, eerie keys, and abstract percussion. The tracks flow, each telling their own story. “On The Edge, Surrounded With The Shores Of Assudrey” is an inviting opening track that evolves as it progresses. “Deer Drink From The River” is an excursion with…

Review by Gabrielle DB The debut full-length release from Invent, Animate, Everchanger, off of Tragic Hero Records is a powerful metalcore album. A theme of a holistic community is felt while listening to this album: our own interdependence as biology on our bruised ecology. “Sol” opens the album, a great choice to do so. It grips attention in under five seconds, and it won’t let go. “Naturehold” showcases the amazing screams and growls echoed throughout the album. You can really hear the incredible emotion in Ben English’s voice. What’s more? Jesse Cash of ERRA is featured on this track, as if it were…

Review by Gabrielle DB The fourth full-length album from He Is Legend, Heavy Fruit, is quintessential Southern hard rock with wit. This album is an experience that flows from one track to another. Every song is mixed very well, each instrument given attention without having to compete. Reminiscent of fellow Southern hard rockers Shinedown’s The Sound Of Madness, He Is Legend has a gritty, gripping sound that is captivating throughout Heavy Fruit. The opening track, “No Visitors” instantly draws attention with pounding instruments and perfectly placed vocals. The album keeps consistent with the well articulated sound throughout with pleasant surprises inserted to refrain…

Review by Gabrielle DB No strangers to the tour circuit, and with astounding popularity on social media, Famous Last Words have been heard of. With their latest release, Council Of The Dead, they will be heard, period. Council Of The Dead is the epitome of a concept album. Famous Last Words thoroughly cultivates the requiems of a multi-charactered cast through awing songs that are haunting, genuine, and beautiful. Famous Last Words took their sound from the previous two releases from InVogue Records up a notch and a half. This concept album has direction, purpose, and a tidy plot with a full turn…