You can stream the new Man Overboard record online here! Don’t forget to pick up the CD and/or vinyl when it releases this Tuesday. Check out my review here.
Memphis May Fire now have a music video out for “The Sinner”, a song off their latest record, The Hollow (released by Rise Records). You can watch it here and check out the LMP reviews here.
Sleeping With Sirens have a new music video out for “If You Can’t Hang”, a song off their sophomore record, Lets Cheer To This (released by Rise Records). Check it out here and read the reviews of the album by LMP here.
SILENCE, SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
Sunsets
[Self Released]
Verdict: 5/10
Silence, Sleepless Nights reminds me a bit of The Plot In You; they’re brutal upfront, with some melodic guitar work at times, and their vocals are gargled growls. There in lies my problem with Sunsets. This EP leaves a lot to be desired. Other than some nice instrumental work sprinkled throughout, these six tracks sound much too alike. The main exception is the closer, “Cold City”, and that’s an instrumental! The other songs have basically the same feel. There’s very little diversity to be found here, and while I applaud the band for not going “scene” and throwing in a high-pitched singer, they really could have benefited from some sort of variety in the vocal department. As a result, Silence, Sleepless Nights rarely stood out to me during this EP. Playing the album was almost like a blur, due to the lack of exploration and expansion in formula.
Recommended Tracks: “Cold City”
Bottom Line: Silence, Sleepless Nights are very straight forward. Don’t expect anything deep to be found on Sunsets, despite the title. If you’re into that brutal, growling metal, then you probably will enjoy this one. Others may want to stay clear of it.
SECRET BAND
Secret Band
[Self Released]
Verdict: 9/10
This four track EP will be most notably recognized as the side project of Dance Gavin Dance, minus Jonny Craig. All the other members are here, fronted completely by Jon Mess. This means that Secret Band really does resemble DGD, with the exception that it composed of all screams and no clean vocal work. Fans of the heavier DGD material will probably love Secret Band the most as a result. Jon Mess is like a crazed man on the microphone, as usual, here. The instruments are all as diverse as we’ve come to expect from this team, which is great. The first track, “Devil’s Gospel”, is an excellent opener and probably the most memorable song on the EP. The track that follows, “Stuck And Glued”, is the most interesting instrumentally, from its jazz-like start to its curious pacing throughout. “Breakfast Time” will be most remembered with its humorous lines nearing the one minute mark, while “An Advertisement” has the most upbeat sound to it. As a whole, this EP leaves the listener desiring much more. A full length is much anticipated.
Recommended Tracks: “Devil’s Gospel”, “Stuck And Glued”
Bottom Line: Any fan of Dance Gavin Dance should surely look into Secret Band. It brings the most crazed sounds of the band to the front at all times, making for a highly energetic and fun debut EP.