Music reviews with KCSU
The Crown
“Posessed 13”
Jon Barr, Host of The Dreadful Hours (Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to
noon)
Sweden’s rebel angels, The Crown, have just released a new album
under the chilling moniker of “Possessed 13.” This new opus, out
just in time for Halloween, marks a return to their patented
thrash-death roots and of their former vocalist Marcus Lindstrand.
The 13 tracks on this album show The Crown playing at a pace that
would make Slayer envious. Their music has very few mid-paced parts
and is void of any cheesy acoustic interludes. The Crown play metal
the way it was supposed to be played, blisteringly fast,
unrelenting, genuine and completely unadulterated. But this album
isn’t just about screaming and down tuned guitars. It brings
together the twin guitar attack of Iron Maiden, the melodic aspects
of fellow countrymen, At The Gates, and the hate filled screams of
Germany’s Kreator. Just like every album The Crown has put out,
“Possessed 13” proves that guitarists Marcus Sunesson and Marko
Tervonen are some of the best in the business. These axmen have an
uncanny ability to create catchy riffs without ever sacrificing the
ferociousness of the music. They play both fast and melodic, coming
up with some of the most original guitar parts in the underground
metal scene. All in all, if you are a fan of bands such as Slayer,
Sepultura, old Metallica or if you are looking for something new
and refreshing, check out The Crown’s ‘Possessed 13,’ and be
prepared to lock up your daughters and call the cops, because The
Crown is coming to get you, no matter how far.
The Misfits
“Project 1950”
Kevin Rigotti, KCSU volunteer
“Project 1950” is the latest from two-and-a-half-decade-old punk
legends The Misfits, or what’s left of them. Jerry Only is the one
original member that is still in the band and remains the driving
force that keeps The Misfit name alive.
This latest album is a collection of ten 50s cover songs
performed in a way only the Misfits can deliver. “The Drifters,”
“This magic moment,” “Dion and the Belmonts,” “Dream Lover” and
Jerry Lee Lewis’, “Great Balls of Fire” are the best songs on the
album. Coincidentally enough these are also the best originals.
Over all the album is fairly catchy and will get your oldies
bones jumping, but it is hard to think of it as The Misfits. The
“new” Misfits reflect the sound of the “original” Misfits, but can
still not come close to capturing the same mood of the band in the
70s. Power cords, repetitiveness, and inferior recording
technologies are characteristics The Misfits were founded on, but
are no larger present in their music today.
With a great cover of “Monster Mash” this album will do well at
almost any Halloween party.
Bleach
“Astronomy”
By Abbie Tippie, Christian Rock specialty host
The eerie glow of flickering stars in the dark expanse of night.
Is this your vision of Halloween? Bleach’s newly released album
entitled “Astronomy” may be heavy and dark as it examines the great
expanse of the uncertainty of life, but it doesn’t leave the
listener spooked.
“Astronomy” is an album that speaks to the listener as well as
Bleach band members alike. Earlier this year, two of the band
members Milam and Jared Byers lost their brother, Captain Josh
Byers, in action during the war in Iraq. When writing the lyrics to
their songs, Bleach did not realize how personal their songs would
become.
“Tired Heart” was written specifically for Josh as a message of
peace amidst the stress, chaos and fear of war. The overriding
theme throughout the album is a cry for hope when recovering from
tragedy.
“Jaded Now” gives the listener confidence that “I will make it
through, You will make it through.” Songs like “Plan to Pull
Through” and “Moving One” address that God has a bigger plan than
we can ever understand. The guitar-heavy rock tracks interspersed
with the occasional slower and simpler piano ballad uphold this
album dedicated to Captain Josh Byers.
“Astronomy” is an album to find solace through the scares, fears
and frights of life.
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