Cleveland thrashers Chimaira have definitely transcended themselves with the latest addition to their arsenal. A combination of dark, heavy composition and in-your-face social outcry, Resurrection is their best work to date ... and I gotta say, "I dig it!" I've heard a few of these guys' albums and, while they've all been okay, I can't say I was ever truly impressed. That all changed when I popped Resurrection into the player. Immediately the title track hit me in the jaw with a vicious intro that can only be described as four rhinos entering Tiffany's after a hard night of Red Bull and Jager ... so begins the journey through the band's slightly-more-than-intense world of rage and reality...
If ever there were times I loved listening to music for a living, this would be one of them for sure. Atlanta's Rockets To Ruin recently sent me their debut album, Love*Drugs*Rebellion. After a few spins I've gotta say they're off to a damn good start. R2R's style stems from the heyday of hard rock with deep inspiration from bands like Motley Crue, Kiss and The Ramones. But, don't let their influences fool you. While this record is a tribute to everything good to ever spout out of an amplifier, these guys do it their way with all the style and attitude that fans of the genre demand...
When you consider the bigger picture, many of our lives are rather insignificant. The reality is that we were all put on this planet to fill a role, which may or may not be determined before we're born. Regardless of our worth, we all affect the lives of the people we touch ... it's up to us as to how. Such is the case with "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. Not even he could have predicted how much of an inspiration he would be when he picked up his first guitar, yet the impact he had on the world was undeniable in both his life and his death...
Old school headbangers will surely rejoice over this debut release from Southern California's Crescent Shield. The Last Of My Kind serves up eleven tracks of unadulterated, traditional heavy metal that's sure to leave your fingers numb from playing air guitar and your brains rattling in your skull...
Not many bands had Skid Row's impact on the scene in the late '80s and early '90s. Between several monster hits, a volatile yet charismatic front man and adversity in the face of grunge, it's amazing any of the members even lived to tell the tales. Now, with a new record on the rack and a renewed sense of self, it looks like the guys might have the power to reclaim their place in the annals of rock stardom...
Michael Garrett may very well have achieved an instrumental guitar masterpiece with his latest effort, Watchful Eye. The sheer tenacity of this album makes it a keeper, but the absolute genius makes it a classic. The title track launches this album into a brute force frenzy with a fast-paced romp through a metal mesh of crunchy chops and bouncy percussion, giving way to an implicit cornucopia of lead guitar virtuosity. The next few tracks keep up the pace nicely with a classy blend of tight, expressive leads wrapped around some monster grooves and surprisingly catchy rhythms...
When you think of social outcry, freedom of speech or even just heavy metal, Brazil's Sepultura may not be the first name to come to mind, but that's okay with now front man Derrick Green. A relative newcomer in the the band's saga, Derrick's got no bones about jumping in head first ... inadvertently reshaping the direction of what most people would consider the world's most brutal thrash metal band. Now, with a new album and a fresh approach, Derrick Green and Sepultura may be on the high road from an historical underground existence to the forefront of the metal scene and a huge record...
Throughout this series I've been trying to provide tips and the dos and don'ts of a more effective PR behavior - from the standpoint of the press; however, Public Relations doesn't always fall into the category of press releases and media kits. What the public sees and how you work with other bands will also become a defining factor in your success.
One of the most annoying situations for us press folk is the unending barrage of SPAM we receive from acts that we've contacted, reviewed or otherwise supported on some level. I can't stress enough how destructive these emails can be - especially if I didn't grant permission to receive them...
Your first contact with people in the biz is probably the most important piece of correspondence you'll ever have with them. Whether or not you keep in touch afterward is of no consequence ... the wrong first impression could create a shockwave, which may have a lasting effect on the way you're forever viewed by the rest of the community....
Without press there'd be no public relations. The general idea is to get the word out in order to create interest. The biggest problems I see in this department are news stories that are either anorexic or impossible to decipher - and I'm a writer. Taking that into account, how do you think the general public will receive these announcements? A press release should intentionally be an easy read while providing its audience with the relevant info they need to get what its actually saying.
When it comes to Public Relations you don't want to screw around. Your publicist is the liaison between you and the rest of the world, so it's vital to choose someone who's going to care and produce. This means someone with contacts, experience and a decent record - you didn't pick your instrument out of the dime bin and you should take the same care when choosing your PR...
As publicity goes, you're probably going spend lots of time at the post office. I know it sounds like a lot more work than it's worth, but it really isn't if you're serious. Much of your success and exposure will hinge on your media kit - what it contains, how it's presented and to whom you send it. Believe me when I say that I've seen thousands and I'm unimpressed for the most part -
I remember listening to music in my early years, basically what my parents listened to. Some songs I liked, some I didn't - we've all been there, eh? Years later, as a musician, I noticed the differences in the way the signals were processed. I looked at music a different way - from the back end, not the end product. This would ruin music for most, enhances it for me...
Publicity and networking are the two most important parts of any successful music project. Unless you lack aspirations to venture beyond your local scene, your career risks stagnation without them. This is why it's important to get a handle on how to conduct yourself when interacting with radio, publications, labels or any other facet of the music business...