‘Native America’ Is A Powerful History, Tribute To Native Americans

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Distribution

Native Americans are some of the world’s most important peoples.  If not for them, America today might not have the governmental system that it has today.  If not for Native Americans, the world might not have many of the foods, clothes, medical and even scientific advancements that it has.  That is a massive statement, considering how intelligent Native Americans and their ancestors are and were.  Now thanks to PBS, Native Americans and their ancient ancestors have finally received the recognition that they have deserved for decades (if not eons) in the new docu-series Native America.  The nearly four-hour series (specifically three hours and 40 minutes) is a wonderful lesson on the importance of Native Americans, their ancestors and the importance of their contributions to the world.  It shows unquestionably that Native Americans and their ancestors deserve so much more respect and recognition than they get even today.  That is proven through the stories told in each of the program’s four separate segments.  Speaking of that segmentation, it is its own important part of this two-disc set’s presentation, and will be discussed a little later.  The double-disc set’s average price point makes it a presentation that viewers of every background can afford.  In turn, people of every background should spend the money and purchase this set.  They will be glad they did.  They will agree in watching this set that it is easily one of this year’s best and most important new documentaries.

PBS’ new new docu-series Native America is one of this year’s best and most important new documentaries.  It is a “series” that people of every background must see.  That is because it is one of the most in-depth and respectful presentations of Native American history and culture that has been presented to audiences in recent memory.  That statement is supported primarily through the program’s content.  That content displays, in full depth, all of the contributions and advancements made by Native Americans and their ancestors. One of the four episodes included in the series focuses intensely on the role of Native Americans who lived in what is now New York in the formation of today’s American government.  It openly states that Benjamin Franklin cited those tribes’ governmental establishment as the influence for the system created by the founding fathers.  The docu-series’ opening episode goes into just as much depth to present the incredible level of intelligence of ancient Native Americans, such as the Pueblo and Zuni tribes, living in the American Southwest in their measurements of the solar and lunar cycles.  Audiences will be awed seeing firsthand, the precise calendars etched onto rock walls that tracked those cycles, and the role that said tracking played in the tribes’ planting and harvesting. Just as interesting to learn is how one ancient ruler used corn as the source of his people’s very culture.  “New World Rising,” the “series”’ finale, points out the atrocities committed against the Native Americans and their ancestors by Europeans who came to the Americas, and the result of those atrocities.  Audiences will be shocked to learn of the role of the Catholic Church in those atrocities among other items.  Between all of the items noted here and so much more that is discussed throughout the course of the “series”’ nearly four-hour run time, the whole of the program is certain to keep viewers completely engaged throughout.  What’s more, it is just as certain to be quite enlightening for plenty of audiences, just as it was for this critic.  Keeping this in mind, the content shared throughout the program provides in itself more than enough reason for audiences to watch the program, not just during Native American Heritage Month, but during any time of the year.

The content presented throughout Native America’s four separate segments creates a solid foundation for the double-disc set, and – as already noted – gives viewers more than enough reason to watch the program.  Speaking of the segments, those behind the program’s construction are to be commended for that segmentation.  Each segment is its own presentation, lasting roughly one hour in time.  The segments each have a beginning, middle and end.  Given, there are a few minor transition issues, such as those in the program’s second segment, “Nature to Nations” and in “Cities of the Sky.”  Audiences will note that in both segments, the stories reach some points that feel like random changes of thoughts, almost like they were constructed in a stream of consciousness style.  Luckily though, those transition issues are not enough to derail the viewing experience and, in turn, viewers’ engagement.  Staying on that note, the fact that each segment is its own presentation, audiences are not made to feel that they have to watch the whole thing in one sitting in order to take it in entirely.  This is hugely important to the program’s new DVD presentation as it will add to viewers’ appreciation for the presentation in whole.  When it is considered along with the depth and breadth of the program’s content, the two elements together make the program that much more appealing for viewers.  Even with that in mind, it still is not the least or last of the DVD’s important elements.  Keeping in mind, the appeal of the DVD set’s content and its overall construction through its segmentation, its average price point proves to be its own important part of the whole.

The average price point for Native America – using prices listed at PBS’ online store, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million – is $21.89.  Even adding in shipping and handling, that price increases, obviously.  Regardless, that increase is still not enough that it should dissuade consumers from purchasing the two-disc set.  Prices obviously vary from one outlet to the next, and regardless, each price is still worth the money paid because of the program’s ability to pull in audiences and keep them engaged.  What’s more audiences will find themselves more enlightened by the program’s end, and perhaps even having more appreciation for Native Americans, their ancestors and the cultures of each tribe and peoples.  Keeping this in mind, the whole of Native America proves to be a two-disc presentation that is, again, the best history of Native Americans to be presented in many years.

PBS’ recently released history of Native Americans, aptly titled Native America, is the best presentation of said history to come along in a very long time.  That is proven in part through the content presented over the course of its four separate segments.  The very segmenting of the program makes the program that much more appealing for audiences, as it does not leave them feeling that they have to be so fully committed to watch it in one sitting.  The average price point of the set adds even more appeal for audiences, especially considering the program’s ability to keep audiences engaged from start to finish of each segment with its in-depth history lessons.  Each item is important in its own way to the whole of Native America.  All things considered, they make the double-disc set a solid, positive new effort from PBS that will appeal to audiences not only during Native American Heritage Month, but throughout the year.  More information on this and other PBS programs is available online now at:

 

 

 

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What You Need Debuts New Live Track

Independent metal outfit What You Need debuted a new live recording early this month.

The band debuted the audio recording of its performance of its song ‘Burn Together’ on Nov. 5.  The performance was recorded at a recent performance at Blackthorn 51 in Elmhurst, New York.

The band said in a collective statement that the recording marked the first time the band performed the song live.

“We’d actually never performed this song, but being so locked in that show, it was an opportunity to challenge ourselves,” the band said.  “It’s a privilege to play with a group of guys with such a deep trust, musically and otherwise.  I believe that shows through in this recording.”

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

More information on What You Need’s new recording is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.wyntheband.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wyntheband

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‘The Face of Fear’ Shows Artillery Still Has Plenty Of Ammunition

Courtesy: Metal Blade Recprds

It’s hard to believe, but in a little more than a month, 2018 will officially over, and 2019 will be here.  It goes without saying that this year has been another impressive one for the metal community, with powerful new releases from acts, such as Soulfly, Tesseract and Nonpoint just to name a few acts.  Though the year is almost over, the year’s stream of new releases is not yet over.  Veteran metal outfit Artillery released its latest album The Face of Fear on Nov. 16, and it will make critics’ decisions on their year-ender lists that much more difficult.  That is because the Danish band’s ninth full-length studio recording’s far-reaching appeal among thrash and metal fans alike.  This is evidenced right from the album’s outset in its opener/lead/title single.  ‘Sworn Utopia’ does just as much as the album’s title track to support that statement, and will be discussed shortly.  Much the same can be said of ‘Preaching To The Converted,’ which will also be discussed later.  Each song shows in its own way, what makes The Face of Fear yet another strong addition to this year’s already outstanding list of new hard rock and metal albums.  When they are considered along with the album’s other songs not noted here, the whole of the record’s 11-song, 45-minute a work that every thrash and metal purist will appreciate.

Artillery’s latest full-length studio recording, The Face of Fear continues what is for the veteran Danish metal outfit, a long-running tradition of success.  It is a work that will appeal to a wide range of thrash and metal purists from the band’s homeland to America and beyond.  That is proven in part through the album’s opener/title track/lead single.  ‘The Face of Fear’ is an important opener and addition to the album considering the state in which the world currently exists.  As the band noted in a discussion on the song’s lyrical content, “the song is about dealing the end of man by himself.  We create our own phobia about the destruction of the world, but remain disrespectful to the globe.”  Front man Michael Bastholm illustrates that message here, singing right off the top, “The world is gonna fall,” adding in the chorus, “Under crimson skies/Our hopes and dreams, they die/This reality/Why can’t we see.”  Additionally, he sings, “No heeding the signs/No wait for tomorrow/Ready between the lines/the face of fear/The scenes will be erased/The trials that we face/Miasma amber mist/the face of fear/It whispers in your ear/It all will end in tears.”  From here, Bastholm reprises the song’s chorus, driving home even more, the song’s blatant warning of what we as a species are doing to the planet.  The song’s official video serves to illustrate Bastholm’s message even more, featuring images of warplanes dropping bombs, missiles being fired, power plants spewing gases into the atmosphere and mushroom clouds, clear-cut forests and mounds of trash piled up in a landfill.  The images, coupled with the song’s intense lyrical message makes The Face of Fear a star wake-up call of what truly is fear-inducing.

The coupling of the song’s straight forward warning in its lyrical content and the visuals, which drive the song’s message home even more does plenty to make ‘The Face of Fear’ an important addition to The Face of Fear.  That is because of the clarity that they create together.  While they are obviously an important part of the song, they are not its only important elements.  The song’s musical arrangement is just as important to discuss as its lyrical theme.  Bastholm’s power metal vocal delivery style set against the song’s old school thrash arrangement creates an interesting dichotomy for which audiences have already shown their appreciation.  One could argue that juxtaposition harkens back to a style made popular by acts, such as Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax in the early 1980s.  Keeping this in mind, the combination of the song’s musical arrangement, its lyrical content and even its visual content clearly shows why ‘The Face of Fear’ is an important to its namesake album.  It is just one of the examples of what makes the album in whole another successful offering from the band, too.  ‘Sworn Utopia,’ which comes a little later in the album’s run, is another example of the album’s strength.

‘Sworn Utopia’ stands out in its own way in the overall picture of The Face of Fear in part because of its own musical arrangement.  As with the album’s title track (and so many of the album’s other songs), Bastholm’s power metal vocal delivery style couples with the thrash style approach that is so prevalent throughout the album for another powerhouse arrangement.  The song’s bridge conjures clear thoughts of Megadeth while the verses and chorus add a touch of Judas Priest influence.  Again, that collection of musical influences, which throws listeners back to the heyday and thrash (and power) metal cannot be ignored in its importance.  It is only one part of what makes the song, though.  The song’s lyrical content is just as important to discuss here as the song’s musical content.

The song starts off with the ringing of church bells before Bastholm and company launch into the song, with Bastholm singing, about altar confessions, priests’ celibacy, altar boys and faith put to the test.  He even goes so far as to directly indict the church (apparently the Catholic church) as he sings, “Your law’s religion/Dramatic and vile/Imprisonment…like a child/You must stay absent from glory and joy.”  Little doubt is left as to the song’s target, considering what can be deciphered from Bastholm’s rapid fire delivery.  If any doubt left at this point, his further statement of “For all I care/Make your peace/But don’t you take/It out on kids.”  At this point, there is no doubt left as to the song’s lyrical topic.  It is a full-on indictment of the Catholic church and the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the church.  Given, it’s not the first time that a band ever took on any religious establishment, but considering the reality of the issue and its importance, it is another pressing matter.  To that end, the fashion through which Bastholm addresses the issue here is powerful in its own right.  The addition of the fury in the song’s musical arrangement helps to illustrate the urgency with which the issue must be addressed and the importance of the matter.  When both elements are considered together, they make the song another clear example of The Face of Fear’s strength.  Even with this in mind, ‘Sworn Utopia’ is still not the last example of what makes The Face of Fear another positive offering from Artillery.  ‘Preaching to the Converted’ shows just as much as ‘The Face of Fear’ and ‘Sworn Utopia’ The Face of Fear’s strength.

‘Preaching to the Converted’ is another full-throttle trash opus that fans of the genre will welcome with arms wide open.  Right from the song’s outset, the old school Megadeth and Metallica influences are on full display, as is even a touch of Exodus.  That is evident in the screaming guitar solos and solid time keeping from the drums.  Lyrically, the song comes across as a socio-political commentary of sorts.  This is inferred as Bastholm sings of people being “shackled” by politicians, those in positions of power “feeding lies” to the populous and mind control of sorts created, again, by those in power.  It is an interesting work that is certain to generate plenty of discussion if it has not already done so.  Discussions aside, it can be said with certainty that this is another work that indicts those in power for what they are doing to the masses.  That includes the world’s political leaders and maybe even military leaders.  Again, it is not the first time that a band has taken this road, but it is no less powerful here than in other acts’ presentations.  To that end, that message, coupled with the song’s full force musical presentation makes the song in whole yet another clear example of what makes The Face of Fear another welcome offering from Artillery.  It still is not the last song that can be cited in supporting that statement, either.  One could just as easily cite the seemingly tongue-in-cheek nature of ‘Dr. Evil,’ the direct discussion of what goes around comes around in ‘Crossroads To Conspiracy’ and the warning about the dangers of alcoholism in ‘Pain,’ the album’s strength becomes that much clearer.  The somewhat Dio-esque ‘Thirst For The Worst’ adds even more depth to the album as does the Metallica-esque sound of ‘New Rage’ and its seeming message about someone who has been wronged.  Between all of those songs and the works directly discussed here, the whole of The Face of Fear clearly shows itself to be another welcome offering from Artillery that shows this band still has plenty of ammunition.

Artillery’s ninth new album The Face of Fear is a strong new statement from the veteran metal outfit.  It is a work that from start to end, shows this band can still hold its own with any of today’s up-and-coming metal acts.  This is evidenced right from the album’s outset in the warning to the world about what it is doing to the planet, its equally stark musical arrangement and accompanying video.  ‘Sworn Utopia’ serves to support that statement even more, as it takes on the atrocities committed by so many members of the Catholic Church.  The seeming indictment of the world’s political leaders through ‘Preaching to the Converted’ supports that statement of the album’s strength even more.  When it is considered along with the likes of ‘Crossroads to Conspiracy,’ ‘Thirst For The Worst,’ ‘Pain’ and the rest of the album’s works, the whole of the record shows that artillery still has plenty of ammunition, and can still hold its own against today’s younger, up-and-coming metal acts.  It is available now.  More information on The Face of Fear is available online now along with all of Artillery’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.artillery.dk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ARTILLERY.DK

Twitter: http://twitter.com/artillerymetal

 

 

 

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‘Sesame Street: The Magical Wand’ Will Work Magic On Audiences Of All Ages

Courtesy: Sesame Workshop/Shout! Factory

PBS’ hit educational series Sesame Street has for decades, been a source of great educational and entertainment for audiences of all ages.  From teaching numbers and words to teaching equally invaluable lessons about cultural diversity and more, Sesame Street has proven time and again to be one of the most important series on television.  Even as the decades have passed and times changed, the series has changed along the way to stay up with the world, but has not changed to the point of losing any of what it has done.  The show’s latest DVD, Sesame Street: The Magic Wand Chase is proof of that, both in its primary and bonus content.  Each item will be discussed here, as each is equally important to the DVD’s overall presentation.  Those items make the DVD’s average price point, the last of its most important elements, money well-spent.  Each item is important in its own right to the DVD.  All things considered, they make Sesame Street: The Magic Wand Chase more proof of why Sesame Street remains today one of television’s most important programs.

Sesame Street: The Magic Wand Chase is an enjoyable new offering from Sesame Workshop and Shout! Factory that clearly proves the series remains today, one of the most important series on television.  That is even considering programs in other genres.  This statement is supported in part through the DVD’s primary content, the feature presentation that gives the DVD its name.  The primary content finds Abby Cadabby, Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover and Rosita chasing down a bird in order to recover Abby’s magic wand after Abby accidentally drops the wand during a balloon ride.  Abby and the others were taking a balloon ride in a trip of balloons, and when she tried to get herself and her friends back to Sesame Street, she dropped the wand, leading to the chase.  Looking at the “movie” from an analytical standpoint, this is actually a good way to set up the chase that follows.  As Abby and company chase down the bird, who uses Abby’s wand to hide her identity at points, the group encounters children with various ethnic backgrounds – Chinese, Mexican and African – leading to lessons about their people’s cultures and the value of those differences.  Of course there is plenty of hilarity along the way thanks to plenty of family friendly jokes (including a laugh riot tribute to Benny Hill), and Abby eventually gets her wand back.  Those lessons of cultural diversity, though, is the most important item to note.  As noted previously, this is nothing new for Sesame Street.  What is important here is the way in which the show’s writers executed the lessons.  They used a new, enjoyable way to present the lesson on cultural diversity.  To that end, the story and its familiar and welcome lessons promoting cultural diversity form a solid foundation for the DVD.  The bonus content included with the DVD strengthens that foundation even more.

The bonus content included with Sesame Street: The Magic Wand Chase strengthens the DVD’s foundation even more because it picks up right where the DVD’s primary content leaves off.  The full-length featurette “Elmo’s Alphabet Challenge” continues Sesame Street’s long-running focus on teaching the alphabet and words to young viewers.  As with the DVD’s primary content, it does that here once again, but in a fashion that is in line with the current age.  Telly, Elmo and Abby are pulled into the video game world while deciding on a game to play on Abby’s tablet.  Over the course of roughly an hour, Abby and her friends go through a variety of different video games, which are takeoffs of video games, such as Super Mario Brothers, Angry Birds and World of Warcraft in order to find letters that align with each letter of the alphabet.  The ultimate goal is to defeat a character named ABC-More in the process so that they can get back to their world.  Obviously it has a happy ending.  The video game spoofs will entertain grown-ups while the additional (yet possibly latent) lesson about pride – ABC-More constantly calls himself the greatest, leading to a starting point on that noted lesson about pride – and the primary lesson teaching about the alphabet and words join in to make this bonus feature in whole just as entertaining for the whole family as the DVD’s primary story.

“The Golden Triangle of Destiny,” the second of the DVD’s bonus features, is just as certain to entertain the whole family.  It is also the shortest of the DVD’s features, both primary and secondary.  It is a full-on spoof of the Indiana Jones movie franchise that finds Telly going on a search for the titular triangle around Sesame Street.  Along the way, he has to avoid a giant boulder (yes, a boulder), a bunch of “exploding” washing machines and determining the shape of each figure that he finds.  So what audiences get here is the basic geometry lesson as its educational content alongside a fun movie spoof that will entertain audiences of all ages and likely be a favorite watch for those audiences.  When it is coupled with the lead video game-based bonus, the two bonuses together succeed solidly in offering plenty of entertainment and education at the same time.  When the bonus content is considered alongside the DVD’s primary content, the whole of the content offers plenty for audiences of all ages to appreciate throughout the DVD’s two-hour-plus total run time.  Keeping all of this in mind, the DVD’s average price point proves to be another positive for the DVD.

The average price point for Sesame Street: The Magic Wand Chase is $11.75.  That price is attained by averaging prices from Shout! Factory’s online store, Walmart, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble.  The DVD is not listed – at the time of this post – at Amazon, Target and Books-A-Million.  Considering the breadth and depth of the content presented over a total run time of more than two hours (specifically, two hours, two minutes), that price is not overly expensive.  When one takes into consideration that the DVD also includes a downloadable .pdf file of The Magic Wand Chase for families to enjoy any time they want, that price becomes that much more affordable and welcome for every family.  Keeping this in consideration along with the primary and secondary content featured in the DVD, it is just one more positive for the DVD.  Keeping this in mind, all three elements come together to make the DVD overall another successful offering from Sesame Workshop, and an equally welcome new offering from the new partnership between Sesame Workshop and Shout! Factory.

Sesame Workshop and Shout! Factory’s recently launched partnership is proving to be a positive match for the organizations.  This was already recently proven with the new Elmo’s World DVD released through that partnership.  The new full-length feature The Magic Wand Chase supports that statement even more.  As has been discussed here, that is proven through the primary and secondary content collectively featured on the disc.  The affordable average price point supports that statement even more.  Each item is important in its own way to the whole of the DVD.  All things considered, Sesame Street: The Magic Wand Chase is another successful offering from Sesame Workshop, and more proof of why Sesame Street remains today, one of the most important series on television, genres aside.  More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

 

 

 

More information on this and other titles from Sesame Workshop is available online now at:

 

 

Website: http://www.sesameworkshop.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SesameWorkshop

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sesameworkshop

 

 

 

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‘Electric Ladyland’ Re-Issue Is A Fitting Tribute To A Legendary Musician

Courtesy: Experience Hendrix LLC/Legacy Recordings

Jimi Hendrix, over the course of his professional career, released a grand total of only three full-length studio recordings – Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland.  By today’s standards, releasing three albums is not that much of an accomplishment for any music act, yet somehow, Hendrix has remained one of the single most influential figures in the music industry to this date.  That is, again, despite having only released three full-length studio recordings.  It is an interesting concept.  He is considered so influential because of the creativity exhibited in the songs that he composed, both musically and lyrically.  That third noted album is one of the most powerful exhibitions of Hendrix’s creative range and his talent, and early this month, the music industry celebrated the 50^th anniversary of its original release, with a special re-issue of that record.  Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition was released Nov.  9 via Sony Legacy and Experience Hendrix, LLC.  The four-disc collection is a wonderful new presentation of the landmark album.  That is due in no small part to its overall primary content, which will be discussed shortly.  The book in which that content is contained is just as important to the set’s presentation as the primary content.  It will be discussed a little later.  The set’s average price point rounds out its most important elements, and will also be discussed later.  Each item is important in its own right to the whole of Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Edition.  All things considered, they make this new deep dive into Hendrix’s groundbreaking final album one of the year’s top new album re-issues, if not the year’s best.

Sony Legacy and Experience Hendrix LLC’s recently released 50^th anniversary edition of Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 album Electric Ladyland is one of this year’s best new album re-issues, if not the single best in that category.  That is proven in part through the primary content included in the new “box set” of sorts.  The primary content features not only the original Electric Ladyland album on a single disc, but also a full disc of demos that Hendrix recorded during the Electric Ladyland sessions, a full recording of Hendrix and his band mates at the time – Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell – performing live at the Hollywood Bowl and a Blu-ray documentary that focuses on the creation of Electric Ladyland.  In other words, the primary content is spread across three CDs and one Blu-ray disc.  The documentary, At Last…The Beginning, originally aired in 1997 as part of the Classic Albums TV series, so its presentation here is not the first time that it has ever been available in any format.  As a matter of fact, Experience Hendrix, LLC last released the rock doc on DVD in 2008.  It features interviews with Buddy Miles, Mitch Mitchell, Noel Redding, Eddie Kramer and others involved in Electric Ladyland’s creation that offer plenty of insight and entertainment.  The entertainment includes anecdotes from Miles about his enjoyment of playing shuffles against Hendrix’s guitar riffs, one session keyboardist’s laughing story of having never been paid for his session work with Hendrix, and Redding’s own discussions about Hendrix’s creativity with each song.  The more insightful discussions feature talks on the eventual breakdown in the band over the course of the album’s recording, – including Hendrix allegedly coming in hours late for a recording session – the album’s various arrangements and how they came to be, and Hendrix’s own role in the album’s creation.  Overall, the documentary is something of an audio-visual presentation of the history presented in the set’s companion liner notes.  It even features many of the pictures that are featured in the set’s book.  To that end, it makes the documentary that much more important in its own right, as part of the set’s primary content.  Of course, the doc is only one part of what makes the set’s primary content so important.  The set’s live recording adds even more enjoyment to the set’s whole.

The live recording, Live at the Hollywood Bowl presents Hendrix and his fellow musicians performing live at the noted venue on September 14, 1968, only a month before Electric Ladyland’s initial release.  Interestingly enough, while the performance was recorded only weeks ahead of the album’s release, the concert pulled heavily from The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s debut 1967 album Are You Experienced.  Save for ‘Little Wing,’ which was included in 1968’s Axis: Bold As Love and ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return),’ which is included in Electric Ladyland, the rest of the 11-song performance’s set list comes from Are You Experienced.  This is important to note as one would have thought the being so close to Electric Ladyland’s release, the group would have focused more attention on that album, yet for whatever reason, chose not to go that route.  That is not a bad thing, but rather just noted.  The band’s performance of the set list makes for its own enjoyment, as the whole thing feels so organic.  Even as Hendrix notes near the performance’s end the concerns about the powers that be wanting to turn off the power, he and his band mates never show any sense of stress or concern.  It is just one of so many moments that shows that organic feel.  Between the group’s casual nature as it preps for each song, its interactions with the audience between the songs and the very performance of the songs, the whole thing feels so natural.  This is all so important to note in that performances from so many of today’s big name acts do not have that organic feel, as much as acts – regardless of genre – try to make their performances feel.  Keeping this in mind, the fully organic, natural feel of the band’s performance here makes the recording so enjoyable.

On another level, the live recording is important to discuss because of its audio mix.  Listeners will note in taking in the recording that it sounds just as organic as it feels.  The scratchy, static-filled sound from the concert’s original recording is on full display here.  It adds so much pleasure to the concert experience.  In an age in which everything is digital, this sound shows that it is fully possible to transfer classic recordings to CD without any loss in the process.  It proves that as much as consumers today want to move toward all things digital, there is still very much a place for physical media, and a justified place for it at that.  When this is considered along with the positives of the performance – and the fact that this recording apparently has previously been unreleased —  it becomes clear why Live at the Hollywood Bowl is an important addition to Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition’s whole.  It still is not the last important addition to the set’s presentation.  The audio companion to At Last: The Beginning is yet another important part of the set’s primary content to discuss.

The 20-song collection gives audiences a glimpse into the creative process for the Electric Ladyland sessions, and into Hendrix’s own mindset as he composed the album’s songs.  Early on in the collection, audiences get an interesting variance in the ‘Angel’ demo.  The demo for this song was played either on bass or in a rather low key on guitar.  By comparison, the final album cut features more depth with its added effects and bluesy riffs.  While maybe not a stark difference, it is still a notable difference.  Hendrix’s demo of ‘Hear My Train ‘A Comin’’ is another interesting moment from At Last…The Beginning.  While it sounds dramatically different from the final cut – and is very short here at just shy of 90 seconds – the pure approach here with just Jimi and his guitar conjures thoughts of Robert Johnson and Mississippi John Hurt just to name a couple equally well-known blues names.  The emotion in Hendrix’s voice in the demo for ‘My Friend’ is yet another example of what makes this collection of demos and rarities such a welcome addition to the Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.  It is hardly the last example of the compilation’s importance, too.  Between this demo, the others noted here and the rest of the collection’s featured works, the whole of the disc is sure to offer its own share of entertainment for listeners.  That includes the most devoted audiences and the most novice fans.  When its importance is considered alongside the importance of the rest of the noted primary content, it becomes wholly clear and without doubt that the extensive amount and type of material that makes up the set’s primary content makes for more than enough for audiences to appreciate here.  Of course as important and impressive as the set’s primary content is to the set’s whole is, that content is not the only content worth noting.  The secondary content is just as important to examine as the set’s primary content.

The secondary content presented in Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is composed mainly of the photos and liner notes inside the set’s “book.”  The liner notes and pictures take audiences even deeper into the set than the musical content.  A prime example of that depth is the revelation that the cover art proposed by Hendrix’s label at the time – Reprise Records – featured a bevy of completely nude females.  That cover, by the way, is featured in a picture in the book, so it is not proper for young eyes, as a warning for audiences.  The liner notes reveal that Hendrix was none too pleased with that proposal, especially after having proposed a far more tame cover, which is in fact presented in this release.  Another interesting revelation produed through the liner notes is that Hendrix did not want to take control of the album’s recording sessions, but ended up largely taking control, albeit very reluctantly.  Yet another intriguing revelation made through the set’s liner notes is that Hendrix was apparently a very devout fan of Bob Dylan, and that Dylan in fact appreciated Hendrix’s take of Dylan’s ‘All Along The Watchtower’ so much that he actually went on to use that version in so many of his own live shows.  That is a true sign of respect between two legendary musicians.

As if the revelations produced in the primary liner notes are not enough for audiences, there are also liner notes for many of the demos featured in the audio-only presentation of At Last…The Beginning.  Audiences learn through those notes that Hendrix was forced to take the lead in the sessions for ‘Little Miss Strange’ due to scheduling conflicts with producer Chas Chandler.  That revelation leads to even more interesting related discussions.  The notes on ‘Long Hot Summer Night (Take 14)’ provide their own interest as there is a discussion on the connection between Hendrix and cosmetics giant Revlon.  Audiences will be left here to find out more about that connection for themselves.  When that interesting story is considered along with the other equally interesting information shared in the liner notes (both those discussed and not discussed here), the whole of that information creates even more content for audiences to appreciate.  When it is collectively considered alongside the primary content already discussed here, the whole of that is more than enough reason for audiences to appreciate in this set.  Considering all of this, the set’s average price point proves to be money well-spent.

The average price point for Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition comes to $52.50, using prices listed at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.  The release is listed at Best Buy, however, its listing does not list specifically if the item listed is the CD Deluxe Edition or the vinyl deluxe edition.  The set’s mode price (most commonly listed price) is $49.19, which is the price listed at Amazon, Target and Walmart.  Keeping both of those prices in mind, both are relatively affordable considering the amount of content presented throughout the set.  Even when shipping and handling are included into the costs, audiences will agree that neither price is overly expensive.  When one takes this into consideration along with the noted content, the whole of this set proves a welcome addition to any Hendrix fan’s library.  As noted earlier, when one considers all of the elements together, they prove Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition one of the year’s top new music re-issues, if not the year’s best so far.

Sony Legacy’s recently released Jimi Hendrix recording Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is a welcome addition to any Hendrix fan’s library.  That is due in no small part to the set’s extensive primary content, which includes the original pressing of the groundbreaking record, a full collection of the album’s demos and outtakes, a previously released documentary focusing on the album’s creation and a full live performance from 1968 at the Hollywood Bowl.  The secondary content presented inside the set’s companion “book” adds eve more entertainment and insight for audiences to appreciate.  When all of the noted content is considered along with the set’s average (and mode) price, the whole presentation proves to be money well-spent.  Keeping everything in mind, the re-issue in whole proves to be not only a welcome addition to any Hendrix fan’s library, but also one of the year’s top new music re-issues, if not its bet so far.  Electric Ladyland: 50^th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is available now.  More information on this and other Jimi Hendrix releases is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.jimihendrix.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JimiHendrix

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JimiHendrix

 

 

 

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Set It Off Debuts ‘Lonely Dance’ Video; Announces Tour Schedule

Courtesy: Fearless Records

Set It Off is giving listeners another preview of its upcoming album.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Lonely Dance‘ on Monday.  The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming Fearless Records debut album Midnight, which is currently scheduled to be released Feb. 1.

The sci-fi style video places the band on board a spaceship, facing a dangerous alien force much in the vein of so many sci-fi horror flicks.  Meanwhile, the song’s upbeat arrangement plays against the video, accompanying a seemingly positive lyrical message.

Carson explained that lyrical message in an interview, saying that ‘Lonely Dance’ focuses on a very targeted audience.

“Welcome to ‘Lonely Dance,’ the anthem of the introvert, where we can all be content and not feel like a freak for just wanting to stay inside where we feel at home.  We’re really excited about this song and the music video accompanied with it.”

Carson sings, “1 step forward, 1 step backwards/Some days I’m up/Some days I’m down/Some days the world is way too loud/Some days my bed won’t let me out/But I’m out with missin’ out on the social anxiety/Out on the phony friends I don’t need/So I just turn off my phone and turn on TV/’Cause solo’s the only way I can breath/So I just do my little dance/Performing for my only fan/’Cause solo’s the only way I can breathe.”

He goes on to sing later in the song, “My room is where my heart is/I do my little lonely dance/I don’t need you to understand/And there’s no way I’m stoppin’/It’s like nobody’s watchin’/As I do my little lonely dance.”

Carson elaborated on the video’s concept saying that it illustrates the song’s message very well.

“It’s honestly my favorite music video of ours to date,” Carson said.  “As far as the concept, how can you get more isolated than space?  It was an unbelievable experience to work on a set so intricate as beautiful as that spaceship, and the team behind the camera were just amazing!”

The premiere of the the video for ‘Lonely Dance’ comes almost four months after the band premiered the video for Midnight‘s lead single, ‘Killer in the Mirror.’  Despite it’s semi-poppy sound, that song is a hard-hitting piece that seems to center on those people who can dish it out, but cannot take it.

Pre-orders for Midnight are open now.  The full track listing is noted below.

MIDNIGHT TRACK LISTING:
1. “Killer In The Mirror”
2. “Hourglass”
3. “Lonely Dance”
4. “Different Songs”
5. “For You Forever”
6. “Dancing With The Devil”
7. “Go To Bed Angry” [feat. Wayfarers]
8. “Midnight Thoughts”
9. “Criminal Minds”
10. “No Disrespect”
11. “Stitch Me Up”
12. “Raise No Fool”
13. “I Want You (Gone)” [feat. Matt Appleton]
14. “Unopened Windows”
15. “Happy All The Time” [feat. Skyler Acord]

 

 

Courtesy: Fearless Records

Along with the announcement of its new video, Set It Off also recently announced it will tour in support of Midnight this winter.  The band’s current schedule is set to launch Feb. 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada and to run through March 24 in San Francisco, California.  The tour also features dates in Greensboro, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon and Denver, Colorado.  The tour’s current schedule is noted below.

SET IT OFF ON TOUR:
MIDNIGHT WORLD TOUR PART 1
2/15 — Las Vegas, NV — Hard Rock Hotel
2/16 — Pomona, CA — The Glass House
2/17 — Santa Cruz, CA — The Catalyst
2/19 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theater
2/20 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
2/23 — Salt Lake City, UT — In The Venue
2/24 — Denver, CO — Marquis Theatre
2/26 — Chicago, IL — Metro
2/27 — Pontiac, MI — Crofoot Ballroom
2/28 — New York, NY — Gramercy Theatre
3/2 — Millvale, PA — Mr. Smalls Theatre
3/3 — Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer
3/5 — Cleveland Heights, OH — Grog Shop
3/6 — Toronto, ON — Mod Club
3/8 — Boston, MA — Paradise Rock Club
3/9 — Baltimore, MD — Baltimore Soundstage
3/10 — Greensboro, NC — Blind Tiger
3/12 — West Columbia, SC — New Brookland Tavern
3/13 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
3/15 — Orlando, FL — The Abbey
3/18 — Dallas, TX — 2513 Deep Ellum
3/19 — Houston, TX — White Oak Music Hall
3/20 — San Antonio, TX — Alamo City Music Hall
3/22 — Mesa, AZ — The Nile
3/23 — West Hollywood, CA — The Roxy
3/24 — San Francisco, CA — Great American Music Hall

Midnight is Set It Off’s fourth full-length studio recording.  The band’s full-length debut Cinematics was released in 2013 via Equal Vision Records.  It was followed up in 2014 by the release of Duality, Duality: Stories Unplugged in 2015 and Upside Down in 2016.

Prior to the release of Cinematics, the band released its debut EP Baby,You Don’t Tripjaharda in 2008.  Its sophomore EP Calm Before The Storm followed in 2009 and its third EP Horrible Kids in 2011.

More information on Set It Off’s new single, video and tour is available online now at:

 

Website: http://www.setitoffband.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/setitoffband

Twitter: http://twitter.com/setitofftwitter

 

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WMN’s ‘Rough Guide To Scottish Folk’ Is A Solid Examination Of Scotland’s Folk Past, Present, Future

Courtesy: World Music Network

Over the course of almost 25 years, World Music Network has been bringing to audiences around the world (no pun intended) all of the latest news and more about world music.  The organization has also become quite the successful record label, releasing countless compilations under the banner of “The Rough Guide to…”  Late last month, yet another “Rough Guide…” collection was officially released in the form of The Rough Guide To Scottish Folk.  While not the first of its kind from any record label, this 16-song, 61-minute collection of Scottish Folk music is still a presentation that students and  lovers of said genre will appreciate.  It is a collection that proves to be just as valuable in the classroom as in the living room.  This is evidenced in part through the songs that make up the body of the record.  The compilation’s sequencing plays into its presentation just as much as its featured songs.  The companion booklet that is included with the collection rounds out its most important elements.  Each item is important in its own way.  All things considered, the collection becomes a work that is a welcome addition to the music libraries of students and lovers of Scottish music and World Music alike.

World Music Network’s recently released World Music compilation The Rough Guide To Scottish Folk is a work that students and lovers of Scottish music and World Music alike will appreciate.  That is proven in part through the songs that make up the body of the record.  Much of the folk music presented in this compilation comes from modern folk acts, yet the music spans the spectrum of Scottish Folk.  Saltfishforty’s ‘The Odin Stone,’ is one of those songs that while performed by a relatively young, up-and-coming act, shows the important tie between Scottish music and the far more popular Appalachian style.  The double stops played on the fiddle and the slight twang of the guitar and even the vocal delivery sound just like so much bluegrass and country music.  ‘Wire Burners,’ performed by equally young folk performer Findlay Napier, is another of those works that shows a certain connection with so much popular American music.  This gentle, flowing acoustic work features Napier alone on vocals and guitar, and conjures thoughts (at least in this critic’s ears) of popular works from James Taylor, Paul Simon and other famed folk singers.  What is interesting here is that ‘Wire Burners’ was included in Findlay’s 2017 album Glasgow, which came decades after Taylor, Simon and others of that ilk first rose to fame.  To that end, it shows perhaps the influence that American music can have on even modern Scottish folk acts.  Simply put, even on a modern level, these two songs show the connections that Scottish and American music have had on one another, and that they have on each other even today. On yet another level, a song such as ‘Puirt a Beul,’ performed here by Kyle Carey, puts on display a key part of Scottish folk history with its focus mainly on vocal delivery.  This is explained in more depth in the liner notes included in the compilation’s liner notes.  It is one of those works that takes listeners deep into Scotland’s history, again showing in its own way why students and lovers of Scottish and World Music alike will appreciate the compilation.  It is hardly the last of the record’s featured songs that serve to support that statement. There are 13 other songs included in the collection that show just as much the importance of the album’s featured songs.  All things considered, the songs, from start to finish offer listeners plenty to appreciate.  Of course the songs are only part of what makes the collection interesting.  The record’s sequencing plays into its presentation just as much as its songs.

The compilation’s sequencing is so important to note because of the moods that it creates from start to end.  The album starts out upbeat with ‘The Odin Stone,’ with its bluegrass/county sound, but wastes no time in pulling back quite a bit in the much more subdued ‘Echo Mocks The Corncrake,’ which is in fact quite a deeply socio-political work about Brexit.  ‘Wire Burners’ is even more subdued, conjuring thoughts of someone in a dimly lit bar, singing about maybe the plight of the working man.  The collection’s energy starts to increase temporarily from there in ‘The Mavis of Clan Donald,’ which, if interpreted right, is about a bird.  That would explain the happy, upbeat tone of the song that also includes a flute line, which conjures thoughts of that very bird.  From there on out, the rises and falls in the compilation’s energies are subtle, and are just enough to keep listeners engaged throughout.  When the songs’ energies are considered with the songs themselves, the overall entertainment value of this compilation is increased even more, offering even more for listeners to appreciate.  Even with all of this in mind, it still is not the last item to note in examining the collection’s whole.  The companion booklet that is included with the disc plays its own important part to the record’s presentation.

The companion booklet that is included with The Rough Guide To Scottish Folk is important to note because of the information and history that it offers audiences.  Case in point is the story behind ‘The Odin Stone’ that opens the booklet’s liner notes.  The liner notes state that the song centers on the famed eons-old stone, and offers a little extra back story in the process.  Equally interesting in the liner notes is the back story on ‘Echo Mocks The Corncrake,’ which apparently centers on the ongoing issues with Brexit, and Scotland’s ties to the controversial move by the UK.  Additionally, the liner notes also offer an interesting history on ‘The Blantyre Explosion,’ adding even more interest to that song, and even its arrangement, which harkens back to days long ago from Scotland’s past.  As if all of that is not enough, there is also discussion on the connection between ‘Puirt A Beul’ and the ancient Scottish musical tradition of ‘Mouth Music,’ which as noted, is largely an a capella style musical style.  Between all of this history and more offered via the compilation’s liner notes, audiences get just as much to appreciate from the education and history presented here as they do from the entertainment in the music.

On yet another level, the very listing of the artists, their albums and songs plays into the liner notes in that is serves as an introduction to said artists for those who likely otherwise never would have known about them.  That includes this critic.  In other words, it opens new musical doors for listeners and new promotional doors for the artists, so it is beneficial all the way around, especially considered along with the songs and the background information.  Simply put, the information provided within the pages of the compilation’s booklet offers a whole lot for listeners to appreciate.  It adds to the overall depth of the record, and when coupled with the songs and the sequencing, makes the collection in whole, a wonderful deep musical dive for students and lovers of Scottish (and World) music.

World Music Network’s recently released compilation The Rough Guide to Scottish Folk is a work that is certain to appeal to students and lovers of Scottish and World Music alike.  Its songs present samples of modern and classical Scottish folk that will certainly appeal to a wide range of listeners.  The compilation’s sequencing does just as much to entertain listeners as the songs themselves.  That is because of the subtle shifts in the songs’ energies throughout.  The information provided in the compilation’s booklet adds its own depth and interest to the record’s whole.  This includes background on some of the songs as well as a guide to acts for those who are less familiar with the featured acts.  Each item is important in its own way to the whole of the Rough Guide to Scottish Folk.  All things considered, they make the record a good guide that students and lover of Scottish and World Music alike will appreciate.  It is available now.  More information on this and other titles from World Music Network is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.worldmusic.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WorldMusicNetwork

Twitter: http://twitter.com/WMN_UK

 

 

 

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Joyous Wolf Premieres ‘Mississippi Queen’ Video

Joyous Wolf premiered the official video for its new single this week.

The band premiered the video for its latest single ‘Mississippi Queen‘ on Tuesday.  The video finds the band performing its blues/stoner rock song together in a well-lit warehouse setting from a variety of camera angles.

The band’s new video originally premiered online via Loudwire on Tuesday.  It was directed by Tim Oakley and produced by Chris Acosta.

The video’s release comes almost two months after the band premiered its debut single ‘Slow Hand.’  Both songs are the first efforts from the band on its new label home at Roadrunner Records.

Courtesy: Roadrunner Records

More information on Joyous Wolf’s new video is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://joyouswolf.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/joyouswolf

Twitter: http://twitter.com/joyouswolfmusic

 

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‘Highway Crosses’ Continues Cementing AHTY’s Place In Today’s Metal Community

Courtesy: Minus Head Records

More than two years after the release of its sophomore album Screams From A Black Wilderness, All Hail the Yeti finally returned Friday with its third full-length studio recording, Highway Crosses.  The record’s release is important to note because for some time, there was some speculation among fans as to whether it would ever see the light of day.  That is because the band released a short snippet of the video for the album’s lead single ‘Slow Season’ on Jan. 18.  From the time of its release up until September, little to no hint of anything new was released, but then on Sept. 24, the full video was released along with an announcement that Highway Crosses was officially on its way, and soon at that.  The wait was worth it, too.  That is evidenced in part throughout the course of the 11-song, 40-minute record, not the least through the pounding indictment of today’s social media-based society, ‘Anti-Social Media.’  It will be discussed shortly.  ‘Cleveland Avenue,’ which immediately precedes that song, is another example of what makes Highway Crosses such a strong new effort from All Hail The Yeti.  It will be discussed a little later.  ‘Live Everyday’ is one more example of Highway Crosses’ strength, and will also be discussed later.  Each song is important in its own way to the whole of its new album.  When they are considered along with the songs not directly noted here, the end result is an album that is one more candidate for any critic’s list of this year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.

All Hail The Yeti’s third full-length studio recording Highway Crosses is a strong new offering from the Los Angeles, California-based band that over the course of its 11-song, 40-minute run, continues to cement the band as one of the big names in the metal community’s next generation of bands.  On that same note, it proves from start to end, to be an easy candidate for any critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.  That is proven late in the album’s run in the socially-minded ‘Anti-Social Media.’  In regards to that theme, it is inferred as front man Connor Garritty screams, “May I have your attention/Right f***ing now/Sit down and save your questions/And shut your mouth/I’m right/You’re wrong/It’s gone on for far too long/Put down/Your phone/I cannot leave this one alone/I cannot leave this one alone/You can’t/Replace all the things that have crossed my mind/Friendships are trending now/I don’t need someone to save me/Just someone to make me proud.”  He goes on to sing in the song’s second verse, “I’m sick of feeds and filters/And pointless rants/Social justice warriors/With no right/On your Facebook irony/Don’t forget to post your hashtag vanity/The end of days has now begun.”  From there, the song enters its bridge, which leads Garritty to proclaim in the song’s final minutes, “You can say you’re right/You can say I’m wrong/We can say what the f*** we like/This is anti-social media.”  It becomes crystal clear through this lyrical content that this song is a statement about what has become of the world as a result of social media.  The song is not a denouncement of social media itself, but rather an indictment of people and how people have allowed themselves to become so negatively changed through social media.  It is a powerful statement that while obviously not the first of its kind from any act, is still important because it is a reminder to people to not let themselves become so wrapped up in social media and its negative influence.  Keeping that in mind, this song proves a powerful example of what makes Highway Crosses a welcome return for All Hail the Yeti.  Of course it is just one part of what makes this song worth noting.  The song’s musical arrangement is just as worth noting as its lyrical content.

Looking at the song’s musical arrangement, the driving, opus is successful in illustrating the thoughts and emotions of the song’s lyrical theme.  Drummer Ryan Kittlitz’s time keeping couples with the song’s guitar line and Garritty’s own powerhouse vocal delivery to make clear the frustration generated through people’s vanity put on display via social media, and the overall divisive nature of platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  When this is considered along with the lyrical presentation of that frustration, the whole becomes even more clear in its strength in the overall frame of Highway Crosses.  Keeping this in mind, the song is not the only work that shows Highway Crosses’ overall strength.  ‘Seymour Avenue’ is another example of what makes this LP another welcome effort from AHTY.

‘Seymour Avenue’ centers on the discovery, in 2013, of three women in Cleveland who had been abducted by sex offender Ariel Castro.  The women’s story made national headlines, with graphic descriptions of what Castro did to the women while holding them captive in his home, and how their escape from his clutches started with the escape of one of the women.  All Hail The Yeti’s song focusing on their nearly decade-long captivity is something that few, if any, other band has ever crafted, and it goes in line with similarly styled works from the band on its past albums.  Those songs focused on stories such as an orphanage that burned to the ground with dozens of children inside and other tales.  The song’s musical arrangement is an absolutely pummeling work that again, does such an expert job of illustrating the emotions that those women must have felt.  That is evident in the down-tuned guitars and Garritty’s grinding vocal delivery.  The best description that this critic can give of the sound is a hybrid of sludge metal a la Crowbar, doom rock a la Type O Negative and something else difficult to pinpoint.  That aside, the overall arrangement again does an expert job of creating a fully ominous atmosphere for the song and its story, which again clearly was for those women.

Garritty tells the women’s story in no uncertain terms, screaming, “Someone new arrived today/I have yet to see her face/I hear the screams from down below/There’s evil in this place/Chained/To the wall/All alone/She’s shaking/A room/Down the hall/All alone/He’s waiting/Can someone save me/So cold/Memories are covered with stars/Don’t say his name/Just fight through the pain/To be dragged back into the dark/Two more girls/A nightmare show/Now they fear the worst/Their abduction makes the family grow/Vanished from the Earth/Chained/To the wall/All alone/She’s shaking/A room/Down the hall/All alone/He’s waiting.”  Again, this is largely the description that was given by every news outlet of the situation in which the women were held during their captivity.  The mention of the “family growing” references how Castro even impregnated one of the women.  It is a modern-day horror story that thankfully ended with the women escaping and surviving, and while they are still emotionally recovering today, will never have to see that horrible excuse for a human again since he is dead.  The band, here, is merely telling the story, reminding people of the evil of which mankind is capable.  When this is coupled with the song’s imposing musical arrangement, it becomes fully evident that this song is yet another clear example of what makes Highway Crosses another strong effort from AHTY.  Even with this in mind, this song is still not the last of the works that can be cited in showing the album’s overall strength.  ‘Live Everyday’ is one more example of what makes Highway Crosses a welcome new offering from the band.

Just as with ‘Seymour Avenue’ and ‘Anti-Social Media,’ ‘Live Everyday’ stands out in part because of its musical arrangement that crosses sludge, melodic hard rock and metalcore elements for a whole that instantly grabs listeners, and holds them to the end of the three-minute-plus opus.  That arrangement is just one part of what makes the song overall another one of Highway Crosses’ strong points.  Its lyrical content is just as important to its whole as its musical arrangement.

In regards to its lyrical themes, the song actually comes across as being rather uplifting, despite its heavy, grinding musical arrangement.  This is inferred as Garritty screams, “Take a look into our lives/the past is left behind/This is the time/the time to rise/Stand with us/It will be alright/Be grateful for the setting sun/Let you know that this day has come/You fought this fight/Fought it on your own…The world was ours/We had it all/to take the time/To change your mind/Don’t let it go/I can see you there/Before the fall/We came from starts/the world was ours/But now is gone/Everything is in your sights/Nothing in the way/You must believe/Believe in your heart/Don’t let the world tear your soul apart/Live your days like they are your last/And love with everything you have/The end is near/Closer everyday/Live in the moment/Don’t waste it away.”  This is a pretty straight forward message, and one that is certain to uplift any listener.  In hindsight, the fury in the song’s arrangement actually works well here in that it can be argued that that fury helps to illustrate the determination of someone working to overcome the negative emotions that work so hard to overcome.  To that end, the power in the song’s musical arrangement makes even more sense, and when coupled with this positive, uplifting lyrical theme, makes the song in whole doubtless, one more of Highway Crosses’ strongest points, if not its single strongest point.  When it is considered along with the other songs noted here, and those not directly noted, the end result is an album overall that will appeal to All Hail the Yeti’s more seasoned fans as well as those who are less familiar with the band.  What’s more, it cements the band even more as one of the most import names in the next generation of hard rock and metal.

All Hail The Yeti’s new full-length studio recording Highway Crosses is another strong new effort from the band.  That is evidenced through all three of the songs discussed here and the other works not directly noted.  The songs’ musical arrangements will appeal to a wide range of metal fans while the lyrical themes are just as widely appealing because of their variety and general content.  From start to end, that combination of widely appealing musical and lyrical content is certain to reach plenty of listeners.  Keeping all of this in mind, Highway Crosses is, overall, a work that has cemented AHTY’s place in the metal community just as much as its predecessors.  It has also cemented the band’s place on any critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.  It is available now.  More information on Highway Crosses is available online now along with all of All Hail The Yeti’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.allhailtheyeti.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/officialallhailtheyeti

Twitter: http://twitter.com/allhailtheyeti

 

 

 

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Accept Debuts New ‘Symphonic Terror’ Trailer

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records

Accept has released a new trailer promoting its forthcoming live recording.

The band debuted the trailer for its upcoming live recording Symphonic Terror on Thursday. The recording is scheduled to be released Nov. 23 via Nuclear Blast.  The trailer only runs 36-seconds in length, but gives a new visual and audio preview of the band’s new recording in that time.

Pre-orders for Symphonic Terror are open now. Symphonic Terror will be available on a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below.

Symphonic Terror – Live at Wacken 2017 will be available in the following formats:

• BluRay+2 CD-DIGI
• DVD+2 CD-DIGI
• 2 CD-DIGI
• 3 LP Box (black) incl. booklet, poster
• 3 LP Box (gold) incl. booklet, poster // NB Mailorder exclusive
• BluRay+DVD+2 CD-Earbook
• BluRay+DVD+2 CD-Earbook + photo card (signed) // NB Mailorder exclusive

Accept guitarist and founding member Wolf Hoffman said in an interview, that the band is proud of its new recording.

“We are so glad we recorded this unique show,” Hoffman said.  “This very special concert at Wacken will always stay in our memories.”

He added that the band has already scheduled a handful of live dates for the new year, and that audiences have a lot to be excited about from the band in its upcoming dates.

“Those who couldn’t be there at Wacken have never seen Accept like this, but it’s definitely worth it.  On our last tour, I personally missed the orchestra in some songs.  What I can already say is this: There will be some visual and musical surprises on the Symphonic Terror tour that you wouldn’t exactly expect from Accept.  2019 will be exciting!”

The dates for the band’s upcoming tour are noted below.

ACCEPT live 2019:

31.01. – 04.02. USA     Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL – 70000 Tons of Metal

20.04. D – Wuppertal – Stadthalle
21.04. D – Leipzig – Haus Auensee
22.04. D – Hamburg – Mehr!Theater
23.04. D – Fürth – Stadthalle
25.05. D – Saarbrücken – Congresshalle
27.05. D – München – Circus Krone

Accept’s new trailer for Symphonic Terror is just the latest video that the band has released in anticipation of the recording’s release.  The band has also released full live clips of ‘Balls to the Wall,’ ‘Symphony No. 40‘ and ‘Breaker‘ to build anticipation for the recording’s release.

 

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records

The band has also released ‘Balls to the Wall’ on a limited edition 10-inch vinyl pressing, with ‘Symphony No. 40’ as the vinyl’s b-side.  It can be purchased now digitally and physically.

More information on Symphonic Terror is available online now along with all of Accept’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.acceptworldwide.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/accepttheband

Twitter: http://twitter.com/accepttheband

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.